Specific cell organelles perform specific functions such as making new material or clearing waste.
Explanation
The concept of "division of labour" refers to the specialization of functions where distinct parts of a system perform specific tasks to ensure the efficient survival of the whole. While this is commonly observed in multicellular organisms (where cells form tissues), it also exists at the microscopic level within a single cell.
Detailed Analysis:
- The cell divides into multiple daughter cells to share the workload. is incorrect: This statement describes cell division (reproduction or growth), where a parent cell splits into daughter cells. It does not explain how a single cell manages its internal metabolic functions.
- Specific cell organelles perform specific functions such as making new material or clearing waste. is correct: Within a single cell, division of labour is achieved through specific components called cell organelles. Each organelle has a distinct function:
- Mitochondria generate energy.
- Ribosomes synthesize proteins.
- Lysosomes digest waste and foreign material.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum synthesizes and transports lipids and proteins.
- The nucleus divides its genetic material equally among different parts of the cytoplasm. is incorrect: This describes the process of nuclear division (karyokinesis) during the cell cycle, rather than the functional organization of a living cell.
- Cells group together to form tissues that perform distinct functions in an organism. is incorrect: This statement explains division of labour in multicellular organisms, where cells differentiate to form tissues and organs. The question specifically asks about division of labour within a single cell.
Key Takeaway:
Division of labour within a single cell is facilitated by membrane-bound organelles, each performing a specialized function such as nutrition, respiration, waste clearance, or protein synthesis.