AP Biology : AP Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #131 : Ap Biology

Which of the following best characterizes the process of osmosis?

Possible Answers:

ATP-driven transport

Active transport

Passive transport

Semi-active transport

Correct answer:

Passive transport

Explanation:

Osmosis is defined as a form of passive transport since it does not require an expenditure of energy. Osmosis follows a concentration gradient while active transport acts against the concentration gradient. Also, active transport requires energy and passive transport does not.

Example Question #31 : Understanding The Cell Membrane

Which of the following terms is best defined as the tendency of molecules to spread out into available space?

Possible Answers:

Diffusion

Molecular motion 

Molecular spread

Migration

Correct answer:

Diffusion

Explanation:

Diffusion is defined as the spread of molecules into available space. The random nature of the movement of molecules in an open area means that molecules will seek to spread out—diffuse—evenly within a given area. This means that molecules will evenly distribute themselves when random assortment is permitted within a space.

Example Question #131 : Ap Biology

Which of the following is best described as an example of a selective barrier in a cell?

Possible Answers:

Nucleus

Cytoplasm

Plasma membrane

Mitochondria

Correct answer:

Plasma membrane

Explanation:

The plasma membrane functions as a selective barrier to allow the flow of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes to and from the cell. The selectively permeable plasma membrane encloses the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm in turn contains the nucleus, mitochondria, and other organelles.

Example Question #32 : Understanding The Cell Membrane

Cell membranes are permeable to ions and polar molecules. Which of the following enables the membrane to be permeable to these ions and molecules?

Possible Answers:

Transport proteins

Desmosomes

Ribosomes

Golgi apparatus 

Correct answer:

Transport proteins

Explanation:

Transport proteins span the exterior of the cell and allow substances to pass through the membrane. Some transport proteins are involved in facilitated diffusion, which is a type of passive transport. Other transport proteins are involved in active transport such as the sodium-potassium pump.

Example Question #33 : Understanding The Cell Membrane

Which of the following is an example of passive transport?

Possible Answers:

Proton pump

Sodium-potassium pump

Electrogenic pump

Osmosis

Correct answer:

Osmosis

Explanation:

Osmosis is an example of passive transport. Osmosis does not use energy. Instead, it acts using the concentration gradient. The sodium-potassium pump, proton pump, and electrogenic pump are all examples of active transport. This means that they can pump solutes against their concentration gradients using cellular energy.

Example Question #134 : Ap Biology

Which of the following is the term used for the model that describes the cell membrane as a mix of proteins bobbing about in a fluid bilayer of phospholipids?

Possible Answers:

Mosaic membrane model

Fluid protein model

Fluid mosaic model

Fluid membrane model

Correct answer:

Fluid mosaic model

Explanation:

The fluid mosaic model describes the mosaic structure of the cell membrane. According to this model, the cell membrane is composed of a variety of protein molecules randomly bobbing around in a sea of phospholipids. Due to phospholipid polarity, they naturally form a bilayer in accordance with their dual hydrophobic (tails) and hydrophilic (heads) natures.

Example Question #131 : Ap Biology

Which of the following terms is used to describe the transmembrane proteins that span the hydrophobic interior of the cellular membrane?

Possible Answers:

Peripheral proteins

None of these

Integral proteins

Transport proteins

Correct answer:

Integral proteins

Explanation:

Integral proteins have both a hydrophobic region and hydrophilic region. The hydrophobic region allows them to sit within the cell membrane, while their hydrophilic regions face the aqueous solutions on either side of the membrane.

Example Question #132 : Ap Biology

Which of the following terms best describes a phospholipid that has both a hydrophilic region and a hydrophobic region?

Possible Answers:

Amphipathic molecule

Dualistic molecule

Complex molecule

Ionic molecule

Correct answer:

Amphipathic molecule

Explanation:

An amphipathic molecule is one that has both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. In the case of phospholipids, the tail is hydrophobic and the head is hydrophilic. 

Example Question #41 : Understanding The Cell Membrane

Which of the following best describes solutions of equal solute concentrations?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Hypertonic

Isotonic

Hypotonic

Correct answer:

Isotonic

Explanation:

Isotonic is the correct term to describe solutions with equal solute concentrations. The root word "iso" means same; therefore, isotonic solutions have the same concentration of solute. A hypotonic solution will have less solute in it. A hypertonic solution will have a higher concentration of solute between the two solutions.

Example Question #42 : Understanding The Cell Membrane

Which of the following is not an example of endocytosis?

Possible Answers:

Pinocytosis

Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Exocytosis

Phagocytosis

Correct answer:

Exocytosis

Explanation:

Endocytosis is the process by which the cell takes in macromolecules by forming vesicles from the plasma membrane to carry the molecules into the cell. Exocytosis, on the other hand, is the opposite. This is the process by which cells use vesicles to secrete substances from the cell. Phagocytosis, pinocytosis, and receptor-mediated endocytosis are all types of endocytosis.  

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