AP Biology : Cell Structures

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Cell Structures

Nonpolar molecules will typically pass though the plasma membrane via which mechanism?

Possible Answers:

Facilitated diffusion

Passive diffusion

Active transport

Secondary active transport

Correct answer:

Passive diffusion

Explanation:

Nonpolar molecules can pass through the plasma membrane with relative ease. Even larger nonpolar molecules, such as steroid hormones, can pass through the plasma membrane easily. Passing through the membrane without the need for assisting proteins is known as passive diffusion.

Facilitated diffusion involves the use of membrane channel proteins to allow molecules to pass (example: potassium leak channels). Active transport requires the metabolism of ATP to pump a molecule against its concentration gradient (example: sodium-potassium pump). Secondary active transport uses ATP to generate an electrochemical gradient, then uses the gradient to transport molecules and perform work (example: ATPase).

Example Question #168 : Ap Biology

 All of the following are known to be components of cell walls except which one?

Possible Answers:

cellulose

actin

polysaccharides

peptidoglycans

chitin

Correct answer:

actin

Explanation:

Actin is what makes up microfilaments. Chitin is indeed in cell walls of fungi. Cellulose is the main ingredient to plant cell walls and peptidoglycan are found in the cell walls of cyanobacteria and bacteria. Also, cellulose is made of polysaccharides, therefore, this is also an incorrect answer because it is a component of the cell wall.

Example Question #102 : Cell Structures

Which of the following best describes the fluid mosaic model of membranes? 

Possible Answers:

The membrane consists of a phospholipid bilayer with proteins of uniform lengths and sizes located on the interior portions of the membrane.

The membrane contains a phospholipid bilayer with proteins of various lengths and sizes interspersed among the phospholipids. 

The membrane contains a phospholipid bilayer with proteins of uniform lengths and sizes interspersed among the phospholipids. 

The membrane consists of a phospholipid bilayer with proteins of various lengths and sizes located on the interior portions of the membrane.

The membrane consists of a phospholipid bilayer with proteins of various lengths and sizes located on the exterior portions of the membrane.

Correct answer:

The membrane contains a phospholipid bilayer with proteins of various lengths and sizes interspersed among the phospholipids. 

Explanation:

The fluid mosaic model says that proteins can extend all the way through the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane. There are peripherial, integral, and transitional proteins. Therefore, these proteins are various sizes and lengths. 

Example Question #170 : Ap Biology

Which one of the following can be easily diffused across the cell membrane? 

Possible Answers:

water

ions

lipids

sucrose

chloride

Correct answer:

lipids

Explanation:

Lipids can diffuse freely across the cell membrane, because the cell membrane is made up of lipids. Ions will not be able to pass through the hydrophobic section of the membrane, because it is polar. Chloride is an ion. Water is polar and also won't be able to pass through the hydrophobic section of the membrane. Sucrose is too big to freely diffuse into the cell. 

Example Question #5 : Understanding Cytoplasmic Proteins

In regard to cellular membranes, what does it mean to be selectively permeable?

Possible Answers:

Polarization of the cell membrane allows for passive transport of all foreign molecules or ions

Molecules and ions are always kept to the exterior of the phospholipid bilayer

Molecules and ions outside the cell are selected to enter the cell via active or passive transport through the phospholipid bilayer

Polarization of the cell membrane allows for no entrance of foreign molecules or ions

Molecules and ions can pass freely through the phospholipid bilayer

Correct answer:

Molecules and ions outside the cell are selected to enter the cell via active or passive transport through the phospholipid bilayer

Explanation:

A cell must exchange molecules and ions with its surroundings.  This process is controlled by the selective permeability of the plasma membrane.  Passive transport requires no energy from the cell; molecules like water can diffuse into and out of the cell through the phospholipid bilayer freely by way of osmosis.  Other molecules and ions, like sodium, are actively transported across the phospholipid bilayer.  This requires ATP created by the cell.  Active transport moves solutes against their concentration gradients, which is why it requires energy. 

Example Question #1 : Understanding Cytoplasmic Proteins

Which of the following is NOT true of the cytoplasmic protein structures known as tonofibrils?

Possible Answers:

They converge at desmosomes and hemidesmosomes.

They are most typically anchored to the cytoskeleton.

The protein filaggrin is thought to hold them together.

They are primarily made of kertain tonofilaments.

They are primarily found in endocrine tissues.

Correct answer:

They are primarily found in endocrine tissues.

Explanation:

Tonofibrils are groups of keratin tonofilaments (intermediate filaments) most commonly found in the epithelial tissues, not endocrine tissues, and which play an important structural role in cell makeup.

Example Question #1 : Understand Endosymbiotic Theory

Mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA, which is similar to the DNA of

Possible Answers:

protozoa

humans

fungi

bacteria

Correct answer:

bacteria

Explanation:

Bacteria, a prokaryote, has circular DNA, as do mitochondria and chloroplasts. This provides support for the Endosymbiotic Theory, which states that the mitochondria and chloroplast in eukaryotic cells were once aerobic bacteria (prokaryote) that were ingested by a large anaerobic bacteria (prokaryote).

Example Question #1 : Understand Endosymbiotic Theory

Reproduction of chloroplasts and mitochondria occurs via

Possible Answers:

Mitosis

Meiosis

Fission-like process, similar to the reproduction process of bacteria

Fission-like process, similar to the reproduction process of eukaryotes

Correct answer:

Fission-like process, similar to the reproduction process of bacteria

Explanation:

Chloroplasts and mitochondria reproduce through fission, the same process through which bacteria reproduce. Eukaryotes reproduce through mitosis or meiosis, depending upon the type of cell.

Example Question #1 : Understand Endosymbiotic Theory

Supporting the Endosymbiotic Theory, mitochondria and chloroplasts have a _________ membrane.

Possible Answers:

thick

thin

single

double

Correct answer:

double

Explanation:

The Endosymbiotic Theory states that the mitochondria and chloroplast in eukaryotic cells were once aerobic bacteria (prokaryote) that were ingested by a large anaerobic bacteria (prokaryote). Mitochondria and chloroplasts have a double membrane (the inner membrane would have initially been the ingested prokaryote’s single membrane).

Example Question #2 : Understand Endosymbiotic Theory

Mitochondria and chloroplasts have ribosomes that are ___, similar to __ cells.

Possible Answers:

80S, prokaryotic

70S, eukaryotic

80S, eukaryotic

70 S, prokaryotic

Correct answer:

70 S, prokaryotic

Explanation:

Prokaryotic cells, mitochondria, and chloroplasts have 70S ribosomes, whereas eukaryotic cells have 80S ribosomes. This provides support for the Endosymbiotic Theory, which states that the mitochondria and chloroplast in eukaryotic cells were once aerobic bacteria (prokaryote) that were ingested by a large anaerobic bacteria (prokaryote).

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