Question

The cells observed in matchstick are:
A. Dead cell
B. Living cell
C. Dividing cell
D. All of the above

Answer 1

The cells in matchstick lack protoplasm and protoplasm refers to the living parts of a cell. The protoplasm is composed of the nucleus and cytoplasm. The protoplasm is the main area where the cellular living process takes place.

Step by step answer: Robert Hooke first discovered the cell in 1665. He had found empty rooms “cellula” under a microscope in a cork. It was because he had seen the dead cell wall of cork cells. He also performed an experiment using a matchstick where he observed it under the microscope. The cells of the matchstick were rectangular in shape. These were devoid of the nucleus; no cytoplasm and deposition were found inside these cells. Hence, the cells lacked protoplasm and were referred to as the dead cells which were similar to the cork cells. Living cells are usually cells having nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell organelles. They have immense potential to divide and carry out various metabolic functions. Dividing cells look entirely different and they have the potential to duplicate by the process of cell division. In dividing cells various stages of cell division can be observed, usually, the nuclear envelope is invisible during division. Moreover, the dividing cells often show thread-like chromosomes/ chromatids; sometimes arranged in a line (metaphase), sometimes appear as threads (prophase), and sometimes seen moving towards the poles (anaphase).

So, the correct option is A. dead cell.

Note: Robert Hooke observed, discovered, and named the cells. His experiments were based on the crock and matchstick cells. Robert Brown discovered the nucleus of a cell. In the nucleus, all genetic information is stored in the nucleic acid(DNA).