AP Biology : AP Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #81 : Cellular Biology

Which of the following are types of endocytosis?

Possible Answers:

phagocytosis

receptor-mediated endocytosis

All of these

pinocytosis

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Endocytosis is the process by which the cell takes in macromolecules by creating new vesicles from the cell's plasma membrane. Phagocytosis, pinocytosis, and receptor-mediated endocytosis are all different types of endocytosis.  

Example Question #81 : Cellular Biology

In facilitated diffusion, what occurs in the cell?

Possible Answers:

Protein pumps use energy to pump molecules, such as glucose across the cell membrane.

Molecules, such as glucose move from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration.

Osmosis occurs.

Molecules, such as glucose, move through protein channels from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration.

Correct answer:

Molecules, such as glucose, move through protein channels from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration.

Explanation:

In facilitated diffusion, molecules, such as glucose move through protein channels from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.  It is not active transport, using energy. Movement of molecules through the cell membrane without use of a protein is known as simple diffusion; osmosis is a type of simple diffusion.

Example Question #86 : Cellular Biology

What occurs during endocytosis?

Possible Answers:

Osmosis occurs and water moves outside the cell.

The cell takes in material from outside the cell by enveloping the meterial and ingesting it.

The cell uses protein pumps to ingest substances.

The cell secretes substances outside the cell.

Correct answer:

The cell takes in material from outside the cell by enveloping the meterial and ingesting it.

Explanation:

Endocytosis occurs when the cell engulfs an external substance and takes it into the cell by the infolding of the cell membrane.  Exocytosis occurs when the cell secretes a substance outside the cell.

Example Question #51 : Understanding The Cell Membrane

Glycoproteins, often found on the external side of the cell membrane for signalling purposes, are made of protein and __________.

Possible Answers:

Lipids

Proteins

Carbohydrates

RNA

Correct answer:

Carbohydrates

Explanation:

The glycolipids on the outside of the cell are made of proteins and carbohydrates.  Proteins result from translation from DNA to RNA, and they are modified in the Golgi apparatus to form glycoproteins.  "Glyco" refers to sugars, which are carbohydrates.  Lipids are fat molecules that are not often used in cell signaling, but rather as stored energy sources.

Example Question #88 : Cellular Biology

What occurs during exocytosis?

Possible Answers:

The membrane of the vacuole fuses with the cell membrane, forcing the contents out of the cell.

The cell receptor is activated and substances move into the cell.

Water and salts are stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Foreign substances are engulfed by cells of the immune system.

Correct answer:

The membrane of the vacuole fuses with the cell membrane, forcing the contents out of the cell.

Explanation:

In exocytosis the membrane of a vacuole surrounding some material fuses with the cell membrane, forcing the contents out of the cell wall.  The substance is secreted out of the cell.  The process by which foreign matter is engulfed by immune cells is phagocytosis. Water and salts are stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum in certain cell types (muscle) but this is not exocytosis, which involves the removal/expulsion of substances from the cell into the extracellular environment.

Example Question #81 : Cell Structures

The cell membrane regulates the passage of materials into and out of the cell. Much of the material transported across the cell membrane is via membrane-bound protein molecules, but this can be accomplished through various mechanisms.

When a substance is transported across the cell membrane across the concentrations gradient (from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration), this is referred to as __________.

Possible Answers:

diffusion

active transport

osmosis

co-transport

passive transport

Correct answer:

active transport

Explanation:

In order for a material to be transported across the cell membrane, against its concentration gradient, energy is required. For example, the sodium-potassium pump hydrolyzes one molecule of ATP to pump 3 sodium ions out of the cell and 2 potassium ions into the cell. Since the potassium levels are much higher inside the cell than outside, energy is required. This is known as active transport.

Example Question #51 : Understanding The Cell Membrane

What molecules are used in eukaryotic membranes to strengthen them against osmotic stress?

Possible Answers:

Phospholipids

Peripheral membrane proteins

Integral membrane proteins

Sterols

Polysaccharides

Correct answer:

Sterols

Explanation:

In eukaryotes, sterol molecules are used to strengthen the plasma membrane. These molecules are able to pack very close together forming tight strucutres. 

Example Question #91 : Cellular Biology

In a lipid bilayer, lipid molecules either move laterally within their layer or flip transversely across the membrane. Which of the movements happens more readily?

Possible Answers:

Both happen at the same rate

Neither, no movement of lipids happens

Flipping

Lateral movement

None of these

Correct answer:

Lateral movement

Explanation:

In lipid bilayers, lipids molecules readily drift around laterally, they rarely flip across the membrane. Recall that the lipid bilayer can be depicted via the fluid mosaic model, as phospholipids and integral proteins are free to move laterally throughout the membrane. A flip (phospholipid from the inner leaflet to outer leaflet, or vice-versa) is thermodynamically unfavorable and does not occur as often as lateral movements. 

Example Question #92 : Cellular Biology

Which of the following is not a major function of membrane proteins?

Possible Answers:

Protein chaperones

Cell-cell recognition

Signal transduction

Attachment to cytoskeleton

Transport

Correct answer:

Protein chaperones

Explanation:

Chaperons are proteins that help other proteins fold properly. There are found in the interior of the cell, usually associated with ribosomes and not the cell membrane. All other functions listed are carried out by membrane proteins.

Example Question #93 : Cellular Biology

Which of the following molecules cannot pass through the membrane spontaneously?

Possible Answers:

Molecular oxygen

Methane

Glucose

Pentane

Ethane

Correct answer:

Glucose

Explanation:

Plasma membranes are selectively permeable. Small non polar molecules like molecular oxygen and hydrocarbons can pass through the membrane while larger charged molecules like glucose cannot, unless their transport is facilitated by a membrane protein.

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