AP Biology : Cell Structures

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #151 : Cell Structures

Circular DNA can be found in all of the following except __________.

Possible Answers:

Mitochondria

Bacteria

Viruses

Plasmids

All of these contain circular DNA

Correct answer:

All of these contain circular DNA

Explanation:

Circular DNA is found in all of listed answer choices. Viruses contain short, linear or circular genomes (either RNA or DNA). Recall that mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own circular DNA, which is evidence supporting the endosymbiotic theory of evolution in which these organelles were once independent prokaryotic organisms. A plasmid itself is a circular piece of DNA.

Example Question #638 : Cellular Biology

Ribosomes are macromolecular structures composed of both proteins and RNAs. Where are the ribosomal RNAs synthesized in eukaryotic cells?

Possible Answers:

Nucleus

Cytoplasm

Mitochondria

Chloroplast

Nucleolus

Correct answer:

Nucleolus

Explanation:

In eukarytoic cells, the nucleolus is located within the nucleus and is the site of ribosomal RNA synthesis

Example Question #152 : Cell Structures

Which component of the cytoskeleton is responsible for guiding the movement of organelles?

Possible Answers:

Pili

Intermediate Filaments

Flagella

Actin filaments

Microtubules

Correct answer:

Microtubules

Explanation:

Microtubules are hollow rods made up of thousands tubulin protein subunits. There form long tube-like structures in the cell and are responsible for guiding the movement of organelles. Note that microtubules have other functions such as guiding chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis via the spindle fibers, which are made of microtubules.

Example Question #639 : Cellular Biology

The migration of cells is necessary for proper development during fetal life. At around the third week of fetal development, hematopoietic stem cells can be found in the yolk sac as well as in the mesoderm of the aorta, the gonads, and in the mesonephros. At around the 3rd month, these stem cells migrate to the liver with some to the spleen and the lymph node. At around the 4th month, these cells then migrate to the bone marrow.

When taking a cross section of a bone, one will notice that some bone marrows are red while others are fat. Yellow bone marrows are inactive stem cells with the majority being fat cells. Active bone marrows are red. At birth, all of the bone marrows are red. At around the time of puberty, most are red but the amount decreases to 50% at around 18-25 years of age. Despite the change in bone marrow activity, membranous bones and of the arms of and legs remain active throughout life. However, the activity can be changed during pathological conditions.  

A person on a strict vegetarian diet without supplements may experience which of the following?

I. Increased fat deposition into the bone marrow

II. Decreased fat deposition into the bone marrow

III. Decreased concentration of fat cells in the bone marrow

Possible Answers:

I only

I and II 

III only

None of these

II only

Correct answer:

III only

Explanation:

A vegetarian diet without the proper supplements places one at risk for anemia. Without the proper amount of protein, iron, folate, and vitamin B12, the body is unable to produce enough red blood cells. To compensate, inactive bone marrows will be reactivated. The activity of the hematopoietic stem cells will lower the concentration of the fat cells in the bone marrow. 

Example Question #153 : Cell Structures

Which of the following is the function of the nucleolus?

Possible Answers:

Translation

Ribosome synthesis

DNA replication

Storage of DNA

ATP synthesis

Correct answer:

Ribosome synthesis

Explanation:

The nucleolus is a specialized structure within the nucleus that is the site of ribosome synthesis and assembly. The nucleolus is not directly involved in DNA replication, translation, or ATP synthesis. While the DNA of eukaryotic cells is stored in the nucleus, it is not stored in the nucleolus since this part of the nucleus is specialized for ribosome assembly.

Example Question #154 : Cell Structures

During routine microscopic examination of a cell, Dr. Doe saw many vesicles floating around the cytoplasm. On further examination of one of these vesicles, proteins were extracted from the surface of these vesicles and were found to be the protein signal molecule clathrin. If Dr. Doe were to inject this vesicle with radio-nucleotide dye, where would we expect to find these radio-nucleotide signals?

Possible Answers:

In the ribosome

In the lysosome

In the nucleus

In the endoplasmic reticulum

Outside the cell

Correct answer:

In the lysosome

Explanation:

The process of vesiculation (the production of vesicles) requires “coat” proteins. These coat proteins provide 2 essential functions for the vesicles: #1: they allow the formation of the vesicle to occur and #2: act as signals that tell the vesicle where to go once inside the cell. There are 3 different coat proteins found on these vesicles. COPI, COPII and clathrin. COPI mediates transfer from the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER); COPII meditates transfer from ER to the Golgi apparatus; clathrin mediates transfer from plasma membrane to the lysosome or Golgi apparatus. Therefore, if proteins were radio-labeled inside this vesicle coated with clathrin, we would expect them to be found in the lysosome.

Example Question #155 : Cell Structures

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a crucial center for the synthesis of many different lipids needed by the cell for various reasons. Which of the following is not synthesized in the smooth ER?

Possible Answers:

Phosphatidylcholine

Testosterone

Sphingolipids

Cardiolipin

Cholesterol

Correct answer:

Cardiolipin

Explanation:

The 2 main functions of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are #1 synthesis of bio-lipids and #2 detoxification reactions. 3 general classes of molecules synthesized here are lipids, phospholipids, and steroids. Sphingolipids are types of lipids that protect the cell with their chemical charges. Phosphatidylcholine is a phospholipid found on the cell membrane of cells. Testosterone is a steroid protein most commonly found in high concentrations in male organisms like humans. Cardiolipin is an important protein found on the inner mitochondrial membrane. Cardiolipin is exclusively produced by the mitochondria and does not require the Golgi apparatus to produce it. 

Example Question #156 : Cell Structures

Calcium is not only an important ion for the formation of bones, but it is also commonly utilized intracellularly. Due to its ability to make reactions happen, the cells must properly store it to prevent reactions from happening when they are not needed. Which of the following has the highest resting concentrations of calcium inside the cell?

Possible Answers:

Cytosol

Golgi apparatus

Endoplasmic reticulum

Lysosome

Nucleus

Correct answer:

Endoplasmic reticulum

Explanation:

Within a typical cell, the intracellular concentration of ionized calcium is roughly 100 nM, but is subject to increases of 10 to 100-fold during various cellular functions. The intracellular calcium level is kept relatively low with respect to the extracellular fluid, by an approximate magnitude of 12,000-fold. The cell is able accomplish this by storing the calcium within the endoplasmic reticulum via an active calcium channel pump called sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA).

Example Question #157 : Cell Structures

Eukaryotic protein synthesis is a complex process that requires many steps to create the ideal product for secretion. Which of the following shows us the proper order of proteins destined for secretion?

Possible Answers:

Rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum, rough endoplasmic reticulum, secretory vesicle, Golgi apparatus

Rough endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, Golgi apparatus, secretory vesicle

Rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, secretory vesicle

Rough endoplasmic reticulum, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, secretory vesicle

Correct answer:

Rough endoplasmic reticulum, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, secretory vesicle

Explanation:

The process of secretion of a newly synthesized molecule destined for use outside of the cell follows the following path: Rough endoplasmic reticulum, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, secretory vesicle. This pathway must be accomplished for proper secretion to occur as vital peptides are added in the process in different organelles to make sure they are properly delivered.

Example Question #158 : Cell Structures

Protein glycosylation plays an important role in the proper formation and delivery of many cell created proteins. Which of the following is one of the locations this crucial process is carried out?

Possible Answers:

Lumen of the Golgi apparatus

Mitochondria

Ribosome

Lumen of the lysosome

Nucleolus

Correct answer:

Lumen of the Golgi apparatus

Explanation:

Glycosylation is an enzymatic process that occurs in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus as a co-translational or post-translational modification. There are also O-Linked Glycosylation reactions that can also occur in the nucleus and cytoplasm. These glycans serve a variety of structural and functional roles of both membrane and secretory proteins and are therefore very important to the integrity of the proteins.

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