AP Biology : AP Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #141 : Ap Biology

A scientist is given two solutions, solution A and solution B. Solution A has a higher number of total solutes, but solution B has a greater variety solutes. In comparison to solution A, solution B is __________.

Possible Answers:

hypotonic

hypertonic

acidic

isotonic

Correct answer:

hypotonic

Explanation:

Solution B is hypotonic to solution A. Solution B is hypotonic because it has an overall lower number of solutes in it even though it has more types of solutes in it. Diversity of the solutes does not not matter when comparing concentrations of solutions, only the overall number of solutes matters. Tonicity can be thought of as relative concentration. Remember that a solution cannot simply be hypertonic or hypotonic; its concentration must be compared to that of another solution.

Example Question #142 : Ap Biology

A scientist is given two solutions, solution A and solution B. Solution A has the same number of total solutes, but solution B has a greater variety solutes. In comparison to solution A, solution B is __________.

Possible Answers:

hypotonic

basic

hypertonic

isotonic

Correct answer:

isotonic

Explanation:

Solution A is isotonic to solution B. This means that both solutions are equal in terms of concentration. Even though solution B has a greater variety of solutes in it, both solutions have the same overall concentration, and thus tonicity. When deciding whether a solution is hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic to another solution only consider the overall number of solutes in the solutions not the types of solutes.  

Example Question #143 : Ap Biology

If an animal cell is placed in a solution that is hypertonic to the cell, the cell will __________.

Possible Answers:

not change in size

lose water and shrink

gain water and expand

Cannot be determined without knowing the type of animal cell

Correct answer:

lose water and shrink

Explanation:

The cell will lose water, shrink, and most likely die. When a cell is placed in a solution that is hypertonic to it, water will flow from the hypotonic inside of the cell to the hypertonic environment outside the cell. This causes the cell to shrink from water lost and die. Remember that water follows solutes.

Example Question #144 : Ap Biology

What is the term that describes when a cell expends energy to pump molecules across its membrane against their concentration gradients?

Possible Answers:

Active transport

Facilitated diffusion

Osmosis

Passive transport

Correct answer:

Active transport

Explanation:

Active transport occurs when the cell uses energy to pump molecules into and out of the cell against their concentration gradients. Passive transport occurs when molecules into and out of the cell down their concentration gradients and so no energy is used. Facilitated diffusion involves a protein carrier or channel facilitating the diffusion of a molecule across the plasma membrane, down its concentration gradient. Osmosis is the diffusion of water.  

Example Question #141 : Ap Biology

The process by which the cell secretes large macromolecules by the fusion of vesicles containing the macromolecules to the plasma membrane is called __________.

Possible Answers:

exocytosis

phagocytosis

pinocytosis

endocytosis

Correct answer:

exocytosis

Explanation:

Exocytosis is the process by which the cell secretes macromolecules. In this process a transport vesicle from the Golgi apparatus moves to and fuses with the plasma membrane by rearranging the lipid molecules of the two membranes. This in turn pushes the contents of the vesicle outside of the cell. Pinocytosis and phagocytosis are both types of endocytosis.  

Example Question #145 : Ap Biology

A scientist is given two solutions, solution A and solution B. Solution A has a higher number of total solutes, but solution B has a greater variety of solutes. In comparison to solution B , solution A is __________.

Possible Answers:

hypertonic

isotonic

diluted

hypotonic

Correct answer:

hypertonic

Explanation:

Solution A is hypertonic to solution B. Solution A is hypertonic because it has an overall higher number of solutes in it even though B has more types of solutes in it. Diversity of the solutes does not matter when comparing concentrations of solutions, only the overall number of solutes matters. Tonicity can be thought of as relative concentration. Remember that a solution cannot simply be hypertonic or hypotonic; its concentration must be compared to that of another solution.

Example Question #141 : Ap Biology

A scientist is given two solutions, separated by a semi-permeable membrane that allows for the passage of water but not solutes. Solution A only has one type of solute and has a higher overall concentration than solution B. Solution B has three different types of solutes in it. The net movement of water is towards __________.

Possible Answers:

There will be no net flow of water

solution B

solution A

Cannot be determined without knowing the types of solutes involved

Correct answer:

solution A

Explanation:

Water will move towards the side the containing solution A. Solution A has a higher concentration of solutes so it is hypertonic to solution B and water will always move from a hypotonic solution towards a hypertonic solution even if the hypotonic solution has more types of solutes in it. The types of solutes is irrelevant for this case, only concentration of solutes matters. Remember: water follows solutes.

Example Question #142 : Ap Biology

If an animal cell is placed in a solution that is hypotonic to the cell, the cell will __________.

Possible Answers:

gain water, grow in size and likely burst

lose water, shrink in size and likely die

Cannot be determined without knowing the type of solute in the surrounding solution

not change in size

Correct answer:

gain water, grow in size and likely burst

Explanation:

The cell will take in water and most likely burst, killing the cell. When a cell is placed in a solution hypotonic to it, water will flow from the hypotonic surroundings into the hypertonic cell. This causes the cell to grow with water intake until it bursts like a water balloon.   

Example Question #141 : Ap Biology

Passive transport that relies on transport proteins to allow molecules to pass through the cell membrane is called __________.

Possible Answers:

active transport

osmosis

pumping

facilitated diffusion

Correct answer:

facilitated diffusion

Explanation:

Facilitated diffusion is the type of passive transport that relies on transport proteins embedded in the cell membrane. No energy is used in this transport since the molecules follow their concentration gradients so it is not active transport. Osmosis refers to passive movement of water only.   

Example Question #142 : Ap Biology

The function of the sodium-potassium pump is an example of __________.

Possible Answers:

osmosis

active transport

passive transport

facilitated diffusion

Correct answer:

active transport

Explanation:

Sodium-potassium pumps are an example of membrane proteins that undergo active transport. They function by using ATP for energy to pump potassium and sodium against their respective concentration gradients. Specifically, two molecules of sodium is pumped out of the cell for every three molecules of potassium pumped into the cell. The sodium-potassium pump is of monumental importance to all animals that use it, and it is often the target of lethal injection since even slightly altering its function is always fatal. Passive transport does not use energy. Both facilitated diffusion and osmosis are examples of passive transport.  

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