Ling was answering a mutual friend\u2019s question about primary 5 science in an email she also copied me on. Here\u2019s a slightly edited segment of her reply:<\/p>\n
Hi XXX,<\/span><\/p>\n Any cell with cell wall but no nucleus must be a bacterium (also known as a prokaryotic cell). Although bacteria has no nucleus (we usually say that it has no true nucleus), it has chromosome (genetic material containing DNA) in the cytoplasm. Now, some bacteria are photosynthetic, i.e. they possess chloroplasts, and hence can make their own food by photosynthesis.<\/span><\/p>\n FYI, there are about 5 types of cells (based on the 5 kingdoms of living things) your kid\u2019s teachers could play around with when they set questions. They are:<\/span><\/p>\n 1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plant cells<\/span><\/p>\n 2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Animal cells<\/span><\/p>\n 3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fungal cells<\/span><\/p>\n 4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Protist cells<\/span><\/p>\n 5)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bacterial cells<\/span><\/p>\n \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Cells of protists are the most interesting due to more variation. Examples of protists are algae and the well-known amoeba. Some protists have cell wall while others don\u2019t have. Some can photosynthesize (hence the presence of chloroplasts) while others cannot. Some protists are motile while others are not.<\/span><\/p>\n Except for bacteria which doesn\u2019t have true nucleus, all other cells have a true nucleus.<\/span><\/p>\n Bacteria are prokaryotes while the rest are eukaryotes.<\/span><\/p>\n (etc.)<\/p>\n There were two things in my mind when I read Ling\u2019s reply. The first was along these lines: \u201cWah piang\u2026!! Is this what primary five kids are studying?\u201d<\/p>\n The second I remarked to Ling:<\/p>\n \u201cWow dear; I literally saw stars when I read your reply. Now I know why I never took bio.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n To which she replied with a chuckle:<\/p>\n \u201cSo now you know your wife not very \u2018toot\u2019 wan ok? \u201c:)<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ling was answering a mutual friend\u2019s question about primary 5 science in an email she also copied me on. Here\u2019s a slightly edited segment of her reply: Hi XXX, Any cell with cell wall but no nucleus must be a<\/p>\n