AP Biology : AP Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #24 : Cell Structures

Cell walls can be found in all of the following groups of organisms except __________.

Possible Answers:

protists

mammals

fungi

plants

bacteria

Correct answer:

mammals

Explanation:

The only group organisms listed without cell walls are mammals. All of the other organisms may or may not have cell walls. For example, some fungi, but not all, have cell walls made of chitin. Bacteria, but not Archaea, have cell walls made of peptidoglycan, and plants have cell walls made of cellulose. A small subset of protists may also contain cell walls.

Example Question #22 : Understanding Eukaryotic And Prokaryotic Differences

The DNA of prokaryotic cells can only be found in the __________.

Possible Answers:

nucleoid

histones

nucleus

chromatin

nucleolus

Correct answer:

nucleoid

Explanation:

Prokaryotic cells do not contain organelles (nucleus). They also lack chromosomes; therefore, histones and chromatin are not present. Finally, the nucleolus is a region of the nucleus where ribosomal subunits are assembled. This region is only present in eukaryotic cells. The nucleoid is a region in prokaryotic cells that contains the DNA.

Example Question #23 : Understanding Eukaryotic And Prokaryotic Differences

Which of the following can be found in a prokaryotic cell?

Possible Answers:

Nucleus

Ribosomes

Endoplasmic reticulum

Centrioles

Mitochondria

Correct answer:

Ribosomes

Explanation:

Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles or nuclei. However, they do have ribosomes. On the other hand, centrioles, the endoplasmic reticulum, the mitochondria, and the nucleus can all be found in eukaryotic cells, but not prokaryotic cells. 

Example Question #24 : Understanding Eukaryotic And Prokaryotic Differences

Which of these is not found in prokaryotic cells?

Possible Answers:

Membrane proteins

Golgi apparatus

Cell membrane 

Cytosol 

Ribosome

Correct answer:

Golgi apparatus

Explanation:

Prokaryotes do not contain membrane-bound organelles so they do not have a Golgi apparatus. Prokaryotic cells have cell membranes that include proteins and sugars that facilitate the passage and/or exclusion of certain substances into and out of the cell. Also, prokaryotic cells have ribosomes since they must also do translation, the act of translating RNA to protein in the cytoplasm. The cytosol is the area inside the cell membrane of the cell. The Golgi apparatus is membrane-bound and is thus only found in eukaryotic cells.

Example Question #25 : Understanding Eukaryotic And Prokaryotic Differences

Which of the following is not a eukaryote?

Possible Answers:

Fungi

Archaea

Protists

Animals

Plants

Correct answer:

Archaea

Explanation:

Remember that even fungi have well-seen nuclei and that the presence of a nucleus is what makes a eukaryote a eukaryote. Archaea are their own domain and they are as small as bacteria and other prokaryotes but are quite different. They live in extreme environments and often we cannot study them due to that but we have studied some such as the halophiles (salt-loving archaea).

Example Question #25 : Cell Structures

Which of the following cellular structures are common to both prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Possible Answers:

golgi bodies

mitochondria

ribosomes

nucleoli

chloroplasts

Correct answer:

ribosomes

Explanation:

Ribosomes are components of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotes, although they came before eukaryotes, lack nucleoli, chloroplasts, mitochondria, and Golgi bodies. Ribosomes makes proteins and eukaryotes and prokaryotes both need proteins to function.

Example Question #31 : Understanding Eukaryotic And Prokaryotic Differences

Which of the following structures is present in prokaryotic cells? 

Possible Answers:

lysosome

cell wall

golgi apparatus

nucleus 

mitochondria

Correct answer:

cell wall

Explanation:

Prokaryotes does not contain many organelles, but they do have cell walls. Remember that prokaryotes do not have a nucleus, and instead, their DNA is just located in the cytoplasm. Mitochondria, golgi apparatus and lysosomes are specific to the eukaryotes. 

Example Question #1 : Understanding The Cell Membrane

Living in Arizona, you see a variety of animals that are able to survive in very hot conditions. One of the ways they are able to tolerate such warm conditions is by maintaining the fluidity of their plasma membranes.

How would a desert tortoise's plasma membrane differ from the plasma membrane of a dog that lives in an air conditioned house?

Possible Answers:

The tortoise would have shorter fatty acid tails in its membrane compared to the dog.

The tortoise would have more cholesterol in its membrane compared to the dog.

The tortoise would have more unstaurated fatty acid tails in its membrane compared to the dog.

The tortoise would have less phospholipids in its bilayer compared to the dog.

Correct answer:

The tortoise would have more cholesterol in its membrane compared to the dog.

Explanation:

The plasma membrane is able to maintain the appropriate level of fluidity by manipulating a variety of factors. More cholesterol in the membrane reduces its permeability, which is useful in hot conditions. Desert animals would also be expected to have very few unstaurated fatty acids, and the fatty acid tails would be longer. All of these factors would help the plasma membrane not be too fluid in the hot sun.

Example Question #2 : Understanding The Cell Membrane

Which form of cellular transport is required to move a molecule against its concentration gradient?

Possible Answers:

Facilitated diffusion

Osmosis

Diffusion

Active transport

Correct answer:

Active transport

Explanation:

The natural flow of molecules is from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration. To act against this gradient, energy must be input. Active transport requires the use of energy to move a molecule up its concentration gradient. Diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion are forms of passive transport that move a molecule down its concentration gradient.

Example Question #31 : Cellular Biology

Which of the following forms of transport uses vesicles to transport large molecules?

Possible Answers:

Active transport

Facilitated diffusion

Endocytosis

Osmosis

Correct answer:

Endocytosis

Explanation:

Endocytosis involves the use of vesicles to transport large molecules into the cell. Facilitated diffusion, osmosis, and active transport use diffusion or protein channels to transport molecules.

Note that exocytosis also uses vesicles, but uses them to export large molecules out of the cell or to incorporate them into the cell membrane.

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