Problems 4
Vague Definition FlashcardsQuestion: What is a
tissue?
Answer: A tissue is a part of an
organism consisting of a collection of
cells having a similar structure and
function.
Problem 1: Preceding "tissue"
with the article "a." In biology and medicine, we would ask the
question as, "What is tissue?" The reason is that tissue, in this context, is
not an item but a substance. We might say, "This is a sample of muscle
tissue."
Problem 2: A tissue is also a thin paper used for
personal grooming.
Problem 3: The answer may describe other parts of an
organism.
Problem 4: The answer should begin with "Part of an
organism" to make it elliptical form.
Question: What is the nucleus?
Answer: The nucleus is the cell’s control center containing it’s heriditary
material.
Problem 1: A nucleus could also refer to an atom’s center.
Problem 2: "It’s" means "it is." (See
Grammar Tutorial)
Problem 3: "Heriditary" is spelled wrong. It should be "hereditary."
Problem 4: The answer is not in elliptical form.
It should start "The cell’s
control" to make it elliptical.
Question: What is a cell?
Answer: A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms.
Problem 1: A cell also means a small group of people or one room of many
(such as jail).
Problem 2: The answer is not in elliptical form.
Derivation Problems
Question: What is the derivation of
"plasma"?
Answer: "Plasma" is derived from the
Greek "plassein" meaning to mold.
Problem 1: "Plassein" has no clear
English relevancy and is not needed in
the answer. More common terms, such as
the prefix "per-," should appear in the
answer.
Problem 2: The answer should follow the
simpler derivation format: From the
Greek, meaning to mold.
Problem 3: Plasma does not require quotes. The corrected
form: What is the derivation of
plasma?
Question: What is the derivation of
per- in the word
permeable?
Answer: Per is the Latin word
meaning through.
Problem: The answer should be an
elliptical sentence: From the Latin word
per, meaning through. Because "per" is an entire word in English (e.g.,
as per your request) it is acceptable to
leave it in the answer.
Return to Author and Editor Resources