notgaeguy avatar
notgaeguy
09/03/2021
Biology
College
answered • expert verified
Amoebas are unicellular. The single cell splits in half to form two new cells. A student claims amoebas are
alive. Is the student correct? (1 point)
O The student is correct; amoebas are alive because they become multicellular.
O
The student is correct; amoebas are alive because they reproduce even though it is different
than traditional sexual reproduction.
O The student is not correct; amoebas are not alive because they are only made of one cell.
o
The student is not correct; amoebas are not alive because there is no male and female
contributing to make new offspring.
The correct answer is:
The student is correct; amoebas are alive because they reproduce even though it is different than traditional sexual reproduction.
Amoebas may be unicellular, but they are still considered living organisms because they carry out essential life functions such as reproduction, growth, and response to stimuli. While they do not engage in traditional sexual reproduction involving male and female contributions, they are capable of asexual reproduction through cell division, which allows them to create new cells and continue their life cycle.
The student is correct; amoebas are alive because they reproduce, even though it is different than traditional sexual reproduction.
To determine if the student is correct or not, we need to understand the characteristics of living organisms.
One characteristic of living organisms is the ability to reproduce. Amoebas reproduce asexually by a process called binary fission, where a single cell splits into two new cells. Therefore, they do reproduce, albeit through a different method than traditional sexual reproduction.
Another characteristic of living organisms is the organization of cells. Amoebas are unicellular, meaning they are made up of only one cell. However, being unicellular does not necessarily mean they are not alive. Many unicellular organisms, including amoebas, exhibit life functions such as growth, metabolism, and response to stimuli.
Given these considerations, the correct answer is:
- The student is correct; amoebas are alive because they reproduce, even though it is different than traditional sexual reproduction.