AP Biology : Cell Structures

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Cellular Biology

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

Possible Answers:

Phospholipids

Peripheral membrane proteins

Sterols

Polysaccharides

Integral membrane proteins

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 #92 : 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:

None of these

Lateral movement

Flipping

Both happen at the same rate

Neither, no movement of lipids happens

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 #93 : Cellular Biology

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

Possible Answers:

Transport

Signal transduction

Protein chaperones

Attachment to cytoskeleton

Cell-cell recognition

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 #94 : Cellular Biology

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

Possible Answers:

Pentane

Molecular oxygen

Ethane

Methane

Glucose

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.

Example Question #64 : Understanding The Cell Membrane

In order for a solute to pass through a cell membrane via diffusion, it must be all of the following except __________.

Possible Answers:

charged

nonpolar

lipophilic

hydrophobic

small

Correct answer:

charged

Explanation:

Only small, uncharged molecules that are nonpolar can cross the cell membrane via diffusion. For example, oxygen molecules can easily diffuse across the cell membrane. Ions like potassium and sodium can cross the cell membrane through other mechanisms, such as active transport or through ion channels, but they cannot cross via the mechanism of diffusion.

Example Question #95 : Cellular Biology

While in the lab, a research student was interested in how temperature changes the fluidity of the plasma membrane. At physiologic pH, which of the following change to fluidity would be expected if we added more cholesterol?

Possible Answers:

Cholesterol is not found in the cell membrane

Membrane would be destroyed

Increased fluidity

No change in fluidity

Decreased fluidity

Correct answer:

Decreased fluidity

Explanation:

Cholesterol is a major component of the plasma membrane fluidity. If we add more of this molecule to a cell membrane in normal conditions, we would hinder the movement of other lipids and essentially cause them to be more compressed. This compression would lead to a decrease in the fluidity of the membrane.

Example Question #65 : Understanding The Cell Membrane

Which of the following proteins act as a carrier for transporting substances across the cell membrane?

Possible Answers:

Integral protein

Mitochondria

Glycoprotein

Golgi apparatus

Peripheral protein

Correct answer:

Integral protein

Explanation:

Peripheral proteins are located either on the inside or outside of the cell, but do not pass all the way through. Glycoproteins are located on the outside of the cell membrane. Mitochondria are located within the cell and make ATP. Golgi apparatus is also located within the cell, thus does not function for transport through the membrane. Integral proteins act as carrier proteins and allow substances to pass through the cell membrane from the inside to the outside of the cell (or outside to the inside).

Example Question #96 : Cellular Biology

Which of the following types of cell transport requires energy? 

Possible Answers:

The transport of a particle across a selectively permeable membrane with the assistance of the membrane's transport proteins. 

The transport of a particle across a selectively permeable membrane against its concentration gradient. 

The diffusion of a water across a selectively permeable membrane against its concentration gradient. 

The transport of a potassium ion across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of high concentration to low concentration. 

The transport of a particle across a selectively permeable membrane down its concentration gradient. 

Correct answer:

The transport of a particle across a selectively permeable membrane against its concentration gradient. 

Explanation:

Active transport is when a particle moves against its concentration gradient through a selective membrane with the aid of energy. Moving down its concentration gradient and from a high to low concentration is simple diffusion. The movement of water down its concentration gradient is osmosis and moving a particle or ion through a protein is facilitated transport. These are all examples of passive transport. 

Example Question #97 : Cellular Biology

Which of the following can not pass through the phospholipid bilayer of a cell by simple diffusion?

Possible Answers:

Testosterone

Oxygen gas

Nonpolar molecules

Carbon dioxide

Glucose

Correct answer:

Glucose

Explanation:

Glucose need a channel protein to pass through the membrane because it is too large. Substances that pass through the membrane via simple diffusion need to be relatively small and not charged. Carbon dioxide and oxygen gas are both small nonpolar molecules that can easily diffuse through the plasma membrane. 

Example Question #98 : Cellular Biology

Which of the following types of transport is mediated by a membrane protein?

Possible Answers:

All of these

Active transport

Two of these

Passive diffusion

Facilitated diffusion

Correct answer:

Two of these

Explanation:

Only two choices are correct, facilitative diffusion and active transport because they both need carrier proteins for transport across the cell membrane. Simple diffusion does not require carrier proteins.

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