AP Biology : AP Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #152 : High School Biology

The nucleolus __________.

Possible Answers:

None of the other answer choices is true.

contains all the DNA of the cell

is found in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

is a part of the nucleus responsible for assembling ribosomes

is only found in prokaryotes

Correct answer:

is a part of the nucleus responsible for assembling ribosomes

Explanation:

The nucleolus is a subdivision of the nucleus; thus, it is only found in eukaryotes. It is the site of ribosome assembly. The nucleolus is made of RNA and proteins.

Example Question #2151 : Ap Biology

Histones __________.

Possible Answers:

are only found in eukaryotic cells

All of the answer choices are true.

are only found in the nucleus

are protiens around which DNA coils

play a role in gene regulation

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are true.

Explanation:

Histones are proteins found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. DNA wraps itself around histones to further condense. Also, depending on how tightly the DNA is wrapped around the histones, it may or may not be availible for activity (e.g. replication or transcription). Cells modify the interaction between DNA and histones around certain genes under certain conditions to make those genes available or unavailable as needed.

Example Question #2152 : Ap Biology

In which of the following organisms are vacuoles not usually found?

Possible Answers:

Plants

Fungi

Mammals

Bacteria

Correct answer:

Mammals

Explanation:

Vacuoles are membrane-bound structures that are found in bacterial, plant, fungal, and occasionally, animal cells. Vacuoles function in storage of water and waste and in maintenance of turgor pressure in plants. 

Example Question #1 : Understanding Cytoplasmic Proteins

In which cellular compartment does glycolysis take place?

Possible Answers:

Golgi apparatus

Cytoplasm (Cytosol)

Inner mitochondrial membrane

Intermembrane space

Mitochondrial matrix

Correct answer:

Cytoplasm (Cytosol)

Explanation:

Glycolysis (the process of breaking down glucose) takes place in the cytoplasm, or cytosol—the aqueous portion of the cytoplasm. It is in the cytoplasm where the enzymes required for glycolysis are found.

The citric acid cycle takes place in the mitochondrial matrix, and the electron transport chain takes place along the inner mitochondrial membrane in order to pump protons into the intermembrane space.

Example Question #141 : Cell Biology

What is the function of a kinase?

Possible Answers:

Change the structure of the ligand

Remove phosphates from ligands

Add ubiquitin to the ligand

Add phosphates to ligands

Correct answer:

Add phosphates to ligands

Explanation:

The addition and removal of phosphate groups can serve critical functions in the regulation of protein activity. The binding or uncoupling of phosphate groups frequently serves to activate or deactivate proteins.

A kinase is an enzyme that phosphorylates—or adds a phosphate group to—its ligand.

A phosphatase removes a phosphate group from its ligand.

Several different types of proteins can change the structure of a ligand, such as isomerases, and ubiquitin ligases add ubiquitin to their ligands.

Example Question #2153 : Ap Biology

What is the function of a phosphatase?

Possible Answers:

Remove a phosphate from its ligand

Add an ubiquitin to its ligand

Change the structure of its ligand

Add a phosphate to its ligand

Correct answer:

Remove a phosphate from its ligand

Explanation:

The addition and removal of phosphate groups can serve critical functions in the regulation of protein activity. The binding or uncoupling of phosphate groups frequently serves to activate or deactivate proteins.

A phosphatase removes a phosphate group from its ligand.

A kinase is an enzyme that phosphorylates—or adds a phosphate group to—its ligand.

Several different types of proteins can change the structure of a ligand, such as isomerases, and ubiquitin ligases add ubiquitin to their ligands.

Example Question #661 : Cellular Biology

What is the function of an ubiquitin ligase?

Possible Answers:

Remove a phosphate from its ligand

Add an ubiquitin to its ligand

Remove an ubiquitin from its ligand

Add a phosphate to its ligand

Correct answer:

Add an ubiquitin to its ligand

Explanation:

Ubiquitin ligases add ubiquitin to their ligands. The addition of ubiquitin acts as a signal that a protein has become ineffective and is ready for degradation. When multiple ubiquitin residues have been added to a protein molecule, it is transported to the lysosome in the cell to be digested.

A phosphatase removes a phosphate group from its ligand.

A kinase is an enzyme that phosphorylates—or adds a phosphate group to—its ligand.

The addition and removal of phosphate groups can serve critical functions in the regulation of protein activity. The binding or uncoupling of phosphate groups frequently serves to activate or deactivate proteins.

Several different types of proteins can change the structure of a ligand, such as isomerases.

Example Question #2154 : Ap Biology

Immediately following synthesis, where are secretory proteins moved to?

Possible Answers:

Vesicles

The membrane

The cytosol

Golgi body

Endoplasmic reticulum

Correct answer:

Endoplasmic reticulum

Explanation:

When secretory proteins are synthesized they localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), specifically the rough ER, for modification. Following modification there, secretory proteins are then packaged in secretory vesicles which go on to interact with the Golgi body, and are then finally released from the the plasma membrane.

Example Question #2 : Identify How Molecules Move Into And Out Of Cells

Which of the following most accurately describes how a local cell signal is transmitted among nearby eukaryotic cells in animals?

Possible Answers:

A pilus

Unspecified diffusion of signal proteins

Direct contact

Secretion of signaling molecules into the bloodstream

Correct answer:

Direct contact

Explanation:

Local cell signaling in eukaryotic cells refers to the communication between nearby cells. This is done through direct contact between cells, namely via cell junctions and cell-cell recognition. Gap junctions are intercellular connections that allow cytoplasmic transfer in animal cells. The counterpart in plant cells is the plasmodesmata, which are channels penetrating the cell walls of cells, allowing communication. Cell-cell recognition is the ligand-receptor binding between two cells that elicits receptor cell response. Methods of local cell signaling allow nearby cells to communicate with each other and coordinate cellular responses and activities.

Example Question #181 : Cell Structures

Which of the following choices most likely flows into the cell through open ion-gated receptors?

Possible Answers:

Ions

The ligand that activated the channel

Genetic material 

Large multi-subunit proteins

Correct answer:

Ions

Explanation:

As the name implies, when activated and induced to undergo a conformational change by a ligand, ions are able to flow through the channel and into the cell. This allows the charge across the membrane tobe manipulated by the cell. 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors