AP Biology : AP Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Understanding Plant Microstructures

What is the main structural component of a plant cell wall?

Possible Answers:

Chitin

Collagen

Peptidoglycan

Cellulose

Actin and myosin

Correct answer:

Cellulose

Explanation:

Cellulose, a polymer of glucose, is the main component of plant cell walls. 

Collagen is found in the connective tissues of animals. Chitin is found in the cell walls of fungi. Actin and myosin are the proteins responsible for contraction in muscle cells; actin is also a microfilament in the cytoskeleton. Peptidoglycan is found in the cell walls of bacteria.

Example Question #11 : Cellular Structures

What is not one of the functions of the plant cell wall?

Possible Answers:

Allows for the passage of  and 

Offers structural support

Maintains fixed cell shape

Prevents permeability

Correct answer:

Prevents permeability

Explanation:

The plant cell wall is made of cellulose, which makes it rigid. The cell wall offers structural support and protection to the cell and it’s rigid nature maintains the regular shape of the cell. The cell wall is also permeable and allows small molecules, proteins, and nutrients to pass, including water and carbon dioxide.

Example Question #12 : Cellular Structures

What is the role of the vacuole in plant cells?

Possible Answers:

Stores water and waste only

Stores waste only

Stores water only

Maintains turgidity only

Stores water and wastes, and maintains turgidity

Correct answer:

Stores water and wastes, and maintains turgidity

Explanation:

Plant cells contain one very large vacuole that occupies a large percentage of the cell space. The central function of this vacuole is to maintain the turgor pressure of the cell through the continual transport of water and ions in and out of the cell, as needed. Vacuoles store and transport water, waste, and ions too.

Example Question #13 : Cellular Structures

Which of the following structures can be found in a plant cell?

Possible Answers:

Chloroplast only

Endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplast, Golgi apparatus, and cell membrane

Endoplasmic reticulum only

Golgi apparatus only

Correct answer:

Endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplast, Golgi apparatus, and cell membrane

Explanation:

Plant cells contain most of the membrane-bound organelles that animal cells do; they do not have cilia, and only some plant cells contain centrioles. Plant cells have additional organelles that animal cells do not, namely chloroplasts and cell walls, for photosynthesis and support, respectively. Virtually all cells have cell membranes.

Example Question #14 : Cellular Structures

Which of the following best describes the function of stomata?

Possible Answers:

They allow carbon dioxide into the leaf only

They allow oxygen to be released from the leaf only

They allow for the uptake of water on the leaves

They allow carbon dioxide in and oxygen out of the leaves

Correct answer:

They allow carbon dioxide in and oxygen out of the leaves

Explanation:

Stomata are the microscopic pores on the surface of leaves. Their function is to allow carbon dioxide into the plant while also allowing oxygen to leave the plant.

Example Question #15 : Cellular Structures

Plant and animal cells mostly differ in which way?

Possible Answers:

Only plant cells have a flagella

Only plant cells have ribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum

Only plant cells have plasma membranes with cholesterol

Only plant cells have cell walls

Only plant cells have plasma membranes with cholesterol

Correct answer:

Only plant cells have cell walls

Explanation:

The correct answer to this question is Only plant cells have cell walls

Animals notably do not have cell walls. Animal cells, not plant cells, have plasma membranes that contain cholesterol. Both animals and plants have cells with mitochondria and have ribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. Also only animal cells contain flagella and plant cells do not contain flagella at all.

Example Question #1 : Understanding The Brain And Brain Structures

Which of the following is a not a function of the medulla oblongata?

Possible Answers:

Control breathing rate

Control speech patterns

Control blood pressure

Control cardiac rate

Control vomiting reflexes

Correct answer:

Control speech patterns

Explanation:

The medulla oblongata is in the lower half of the brainstem. It controls a variety of functions, mostly involuntary and essential. Heart beat, breathing, and blood pressure are controlled in the medulla oblongata, as is the vomiting reflex.

Speech is controlled by Broca's area, which is located in the frontal lobe of the cerebrum.

Example Question #1831 : Ap Biology

What is the primary function of the occipital lobe?

Possible Answers:

Integrating auditory input

Conscious thought

Integrating tactile input

Integrating visual input

Correct answer:

Integrating visual input

Explanation:

Each answer corresponds to one lobe of the cerebrum. The frontal lobe is responsible for conscious thought, as well as many other functions. The parietal lobe is responsible for integrating tactile information. The temporal lobe has the functions of interpreting smell and sound. The occipital lobe is associated with processing visual information.

Example Question #1832 : Ap Biology

What is the fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye called?

Possible Answers:

Galen humor

Aqueous humor

Vitreous humor

Hippocratic humor

All of these refer to the same structure

Correct answer:

Aqueous humor

Explanation:

The eye is divided into two chambers by the lens: the anterior and posterior chambers. The anterior chamber is filled with aqueous humor, while the posterior chamber is filled with vitreous humor. Aqueous humor nourishes the eye and maintains intraocular pressure. Aqueous humor is also important in the refraction of light, which allows humans to distinguish clear images and colors.

Hippocratic and Galen humor do not exist. Hippocrates and Galen were two ancient physicians who would use the four humors (yellow bile, black bile, phlegm, and blood) to diagnose and treat patients.

Example Question #1833 : Ap Biology

A patient is taken to the hospital after suffering severe head trauma. He is unconscious for two days before waking up. Upon standing, the patient finds he has moderate trouble walking straight and has difficulty maintaining his balance.

Based on these symptoms, what part of the patient's brain do you suspect was damaged in the accident?

Possible Answers:

The cerebrum

The cerebellum

The medulla oblongata

The amygdala

The hypothalamus

Correct answer:

The cerebellum

Explanation:

The cerebellum is mainly responsible for fine tuning the motions of the body, including balance and coordination. As a result, damage to this region would cause difficulty walking straight and maintaining balance. 

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