Question

the cell membrane of an animal cell was damaged, preventing the cell from performing one of its functions. which cell function would be lost, and how would this loss affect the cell?
a. the cell would no longer be able to provide the first barrier around the cell wall, causing the cell wall to expand.

b. the cell would no longer be able to take in nutrients and excrete wastes, preventing it from making needed materials.

c. the cell would no longer be able to maintain the necessary genetic material, preventing it from making copies of itself and dividing.

d. the cell would no longer be able to use sunlight to create energy, preventing it from getting the energy it needs to grow and reproduce.

Explanation:

• Option A: Animal cells lack cell walls, so this is incorrect.
• Option B: The cell membrane regulates the movement of substances (nutrients in, wastes out). Damaging it would disrupt this, affecting the cell's ability to make needed materials. This matches the function of the cell membrane.
• Option C: Maintaining genetic material is the nucleus' role, not the cell membrane.
• Option D: Animal cells don't use sunlight for energy (photosynthesis is in plants), so this is incorrect.

Answer:

B. The cell would no longer be able to take in nutrients and excrete wastes, preventing it from making needed materials.