Uknown structure

[Lizardo5]

HI. I am currently enrolled in an intro to biology course. We have been given the following essay question, and our professor told us it is completely fine to receive help from outside sources. I was wondering if anyone could provide me with some hints or help to answering this question. Thank you!

In the year 2020, George the geologist is looking for life on Mars. He has found some small pockets of water and examined it under his light microscope. He sees clumps of small round structures that he thinks are cells. He does not know much biology, but has heard of plants, animals, fungi and bacteria. He wants to know which of these 4 organisms the cells most resemble and gives the water to you for further study. Most of the cells/organisms are alive when you receive them.

You are a biochemist, so you can analyze the macromolecules that make up the cells and can perform some simple metabolic tests. You do not have access to any type of microscope.

a) Describe in detail how you will determine whether Geroge's structures are more like plant, animal, fungal or bacterial cells. Be specific and provide enough information to give George a definitive answer.

b) George did not think that his structures were viruses. Was he correct in this assumption? Indicate why or why not.

[mith]

1a. Look up the different structures of those 4.

b. Look up size differences between those, and we also have a thread on whether virii are alive or not in this forum(has to do with the characteristics of life).

[Lizardo5]

How can I describe the structures to him if I do not have access to a microscope? Are there certain tests that I would be able to perform to figure out exactly which structure it is?

[mith]

You could test what kills them

So for plants, throw them into a hypotonic solution to test for turgor pressure(cell wall).

Bacteria, you could try some antibiotics.

Fungus you hope that it has some macroscopic properties like hyphae.

[dna89]

George was right. Viruses are not visible through light microscope. I'd try to grow it on an agar plate (if possible, on MH) containing antifungal agents.