Download Sim Cell: Scannable Objects Scavenger Hunt

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Sim Cell: Scannable Objects Scavenger Hunt - Answer Key
Use the Scan Function in Sim Cell to complete the table below to keep track of all the objects you encounter in the
game!
Scannable Object
ATP
Definition
An ATP molecule is a packet of energy, like a battery. When an organelle
needs energy to function, it uses ATP. ATP is made by the cell’s powerhouse, the mitochondrion. Mitochondria take in oxygen and glucose molecules. These molecules react inside the mitochondria to make ATP.
Aquaporins are tiny pumps that push water into the plant cell’s Vacuole.
They are powered by ATP.
Aquaporin
Carbon Dioxide
Cell Membrane
Carbon dioxide is a molecule created by animals and used by plants to
create energy. It’s created as a byproduct of ATP production in the mitochondria. Plant cells use it in sunlight powered chloroplasts to create
glucose and oxygen for use by mitochondria. In the animal cell it is treated as a waste and escapes through gaps in the cell membrane.
The cell membrane is a thin, flexible layer that protects and separates the
cell from the environment. The cell membrane acts like a security guard.
It tries to stop viruses, poisons and waste from getting into the cell, while
letting in molecules that the cell needs.
The centrosome is the organelle that makes and organizes microtubules,
long tubes that give the cell structure. By making microtubules, the centrosome helps support the cell’s shape.
Centrosome
Scannable Object
Definition
The chloroplast is an organelle that takes in sunlight and carbon dioxide.
It uses them to make oxygen and glucose.
Chloroplast
Chromatin
Chromatin is a combination of DNA and proteins. It helps package the
DNA so that it fits within the nucleus. It also forms chromosomes when
the cell divides.
A chromosome is a single segment of DNA coiled and packed into a
smaller, denser shape. Chromosomes contain all of the information about
the cell in one tiny segment.
Chromosome
DNA takes this form when the cell divides into two ‘daughter’ cells. Each
daughter cell needs to have the original cell’s information. So, each one
gets copies or pieces of chromosomes.
The cytoskeleton is the skeleton of the cell. It gives the cell shape.
Cytoskeleton
DNA
Endoplasmic
Reticulum
DNA is a set of instructions for everything the cell does. These twisting
strands are the foundation of all life on Earth. DNA has to stay protected
inside the nucleus. But other parts of the cell need its instructions, so the
cell needs to make copies of its DNA. The copies are called RNA. One kind
of RNA is called messenger RNA, or mRNA. mRNA carries the instructions for making proteins that fix damaged cell parts. mRNA must be
brought outside the nucleus to the ribosomes. Using the mRNA instructions, the ribosomes build proteins. This process helps the cell do simple
things like repair and defend itself.
The endoplasmic reticulum is the cell’s transport system. It transports
proteins wherever they’re needed in the cell. It doesn’t make proteins,
though. Proteins are made by ribosomes.
Scannable Object
Extracellular
Matrix
Definition
The extracellular matrix exists outside cells, connecting them together
and maintaining their structure. It can also take part in communication
between cells.
Glucose is a molecule the cell uses for food. Most of the time, glucose
floats around inside the cell.
Glucose
Golgi Apparatus
Glucose can be used to help make energy. To make energy, glucose and
oxygen need to react inside a mitochondrion. The mitochondrion will then
pump out ATP, the cell’s energy source.
The Golgi apparatus is the organelle that produces lysosomes. It’s also
used for sorting and packaging molecules. To build a lysosome, the Golgi
apparatus needs energy in the form of ATP. The Nanobot can bring ATP
from a mitochondrion to the Golgi apparatus. Scan a mitochondrion for
information about making ATP.
A lysosome is a virus-killer. It contains enzymes that dissolve viruses and
unwanted cell parts. A lysosome will destroy any virus it touches.
Lysosome
Microtubule
Mitochondrion
Microtubules are long tubes that support the cell. They are part of the
cytoskeleton, which keeps the cell from losing its shape. They also help
transport organelles and other materials around the cell.
The mitochondrion is the cell’s powerhouse: it makes energy. The packets of energy it makes are called ATP. To make energy, mitochondria need
oxygen and glucose. These molecules float freely around in the cell. The
Nanobot can collect these molecules and shoot them into the mitochondria. They react inside, and energy comes out in packets of ATP. The Nanobot can carry ATP to other parts of the cell. When mitochondria make
ATP, carbon dioxide molecules come out too. Carbon dioxide is a byproduct, though, so the cell releases it through an opening in the cell wall.
Scannable Object
Nuclear Envelope
Nucleus
Oxygen
Protein
Definition
The nuclear envelope is the outer wall of the nucleus. It separates the
nucleus from the rest of the cell. Most importantly, it keeps the cell’s DNA
locked up safely inside.
The nucleus functions kind of like the cell’s brain. It holds DNA, which
is a set of instructions for everything the cell does. The DNA itself never
leaves the nucleus, but it can be copied. Copies of DNA are called mRNA.
mRNA can travel outside the nucleus to other parts of the cell.
Oxygen is a molecule the cell uses to make energy. Energy is made by
an organelle called the mitochondrion. When the cell needs to make
energy, oxygen has to enter the mitochondrion along with another molecule called glucose. Inside the mitochondrion, oxygen and glucose react
chemically. Packets of ATP then come out of the mitochondrion.
Proteins are large molecules that can be used for several different tasks.
One of their most important jobs is to repair damaged organelles. To
make a protein, the cell needs to get instructions from its DNA. DNA can
be copied into strands of mRNA, which then get passed to the ribosomes,
the cell’s construction crew. mRNA gives the ribosomes the instructions
they need to make proteins.
RNA polymerase is a molecule found only in the nucleus. It helps the cell
copy its DNA.
RNA Polymerase
Ribosome
Each DNA strand has a transcription initiation complex somewhere along
its length. RNA polymerase fits into the transcription initiation complex
like a key into a lock. This ‘unlocks’ the DNA, preparing it for copying.
Ribosomes are organelles that construct the proteins that the cell needs
to survive and repair itself. Ribosomes can’t start working without being
told what to build. They need instructions in the form of mRNA. RIbosomes will build whatever protein the mRNA tells them to.
Scannable Object
Transcription
Initiation Complex
Definition
A transcription initiation complex is a molecule attached to a strand of
DNA. The transcription initiation complex works as a team with RNA polymerase to prepare a DNA strand for copying.
A vacuole is a large sack of water, proteins and enzymes. The aquaporins
on its surface are used to control its intake of water.
Vacuole
Vesicles are protective bubbles used to store and move molecules.
Vesicle
Virus
Virus DNA
mRNA
A virus is a small particle that can only make more of itself by infecting a
cell. A virus tries to inject its DNA into a cell’s nucleus. If it’s successful,
a virus can replace the cell’s DNA with its own. This turns the cell into a
zombie whose only function is to make more viruses. The cell needs to
build a strong virus defense force of lysosomes to survive.
Every cell has DNA, but viruses have their own version of DNA called virus
DNA. When a virus infects a cell, it tries to sneak its virus DNA into the
cell’s nucleus.
Once it’s inside the nucleus, the virus DNA can hijack the cell’s DNA and
take over the cell. This forces the cell to make more viruses.
mRNA is a copy of a DNA strand. The ‘m’ in mRNA stands for ‘messenger.’
mRNA delivers instructions to other parts of the cell. Ribosomes can use
mRNA to make proteins, which can be used to repair damaged cell parts.