AP Biology : Cell Structures

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #161 : Cell Structures

Which of the following organelles is present only in animal cells?

Possible Answers:

Peroxisome

Mitochondrion

Chloroplast

Golgi apparatus

Lysosome

Correct answer:

Lysosome

Explanation:

Lysosomes are organelles responsible for programmed cell death and the site of intracellular digestion. They do not occur in plant cells. Chloroplasts occur only in plant cells. Peroxisomes, mitochondria, and golgi apparatus are found in all eukaryotic cells, which includes plants.

Example Question #162 : Cell Structures

The endomembrane system, which is responsible for regulation of protein traffic and performs metabolic functions, consists of what combinations of organelles?

Possible Answers:

Nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, vacuoles, Golgi apparatus, cytoskeleton

Cytoskeleton, mitochondria, ribosomes, nuclear envelope, plasma membrane, centrosome

Nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, lysosomes, vacuoles, mitochondria

Nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vacuoles, plasma membrane

Plasma membrane, vacuoles, ribosomes, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria

Correct answer:

Nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vacuoles, plasma membrane

Explanation:

The endomembrane system consists of the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vacuoles, and plasma membrane. Though the endoplasmic reticulum has ribosomes embedded into it, they are not considered a part of the endomembrane system. Also, the mitochondria are responsible for metabolic functions, but it does not remain continuous with the endomembrane system physically or through vesicle transport. Though the endomembrane system does have a structural role, the cytoskeleton and centrosome are not considered in that structural role as they also are not continuous with the endomembrane system.

Example Question #649 : Cellular Biology

Chromosomes 2

Note: "D" refers to the green area. "C" refers to the blue area. "E" refers to the dotted line. "B" refers to the curved lines. "A" refers to the ends of the curved lines. 

Label the diagram.

Possible Answers:

A: Centromere

B: Microtubules (mitotic spindle)

C: Centrosome

D: Kinetochore

E: Metaphase plate

A: Centrosome

B: Microtubules (mitotic spindle)

C: Kinetochore

D: Centromere

E: Metaphase plate

A: Microtubules

B: Metaphase plate

C: Centromere

D: Kinetochore

E: Centrosome

A: Centrosome

B: Microtubules (mitotic spindle)

C: Centromere

D: Kinetochore

E: Metaphase plate

None of these

Correct answer:

A: Centrosome

B: Microtubules (mitotic spindle)

C: Centromere

D: Kinetochore

E: Metaphase plate

Explanation:

At the ends of the mitotic spindle are the centrosomes, the areas where the microtubules come together and are organized. You may see a cross there which representes the centrioles, a main part of the centrosome. B, then, is the mitotic spindle which is made up of microtubules. Now, in the chromosome the point where the DNA is highly condensed and allows the sister chromatids to attach to each other is the centromere. On the outskirts of the centromere are the kinetochores which allow the microtubules to attach and eventually pull the chromosomes apart (think of movement, kinetics.) Finally, as this is the metaphase stage, the dotted line represents the metaphase plate where the chromosomes line up. There is no dotted line in reality, it just helps to use one to understand the concept.

Example Question #650 : Cellular Biology

Chromosomes

Label the diagram.

Possible Answers:

A - Chromosome

B - Sister chromatids

C - Chiasma (chiasmata plural)

D - Tetrad (pair of homologous chromosomes)

E - Dyad (pair of sister chromatids)

None of these

A - Dyad (pair of sister chromatids)

B - Sister chromatids

C - Chromosome

D - Chiasma (chiasmata plural)

E - Tetrad (pair of homologous chromosomes)

A - Chiasma (chiasmata plural)

B - Sister chromatids

C - Tetrad (pair of homologous chromosomes)

D - Dyad (pair of sister chromosomes)

E - Chromosome 

A - Chromosome

B - Dyad (pair of sister chromatids)

C - Sister chromatids

D - Tetrad (pair of homologous chromosomes)

E - Chiasma (chiasmata plural)

Correct answer:

A - Chromosome

B - Dyad (pair of sister chromatids)

C - Sister chromatids

D - Tetrad (pair of homologous chromosomes)

E - Chiasma (chiasmata plural)

Explanation:

The vocabulary can be a little bit confusing since there are similar terms. Chromosomes, when not duplicated, are thread-like and can appear to be a single unit, A. But when a chromosome is duplicated then that is when you get the "X" shape. Each copy of the duplicated chromosome is called a chromatid and since the two copies are identical that is why they are called sister chromatids. Now, since an organism gets one copy (allele) of the same chromosome from each of their parents that means that during mitosis the duplicated chromosomes are of both the mother and father which join and form a tetrad. Note that you cannot have chromosome 1 and chromosome 3 join together; they have to be homologous, or of the same function/type which is how the tetrad is known as the pair of homologous chromosomes. Finally, to promote genetic diversity, crossing-over occurs in the tetrad and the tips of the chromosomes interlink and switch places at the chiasma so that when separated the daughter cells aren't solely of the mother genes or father genes but of both.

Example Question #651 : Cellular Biology

What is the cellular compartment responsible for the assembly of proteins?

Possible Answers:

Mitochondria

Endoplasmic reticulum

Golgi apparatus

Ribosome

Centrioles

Correct answer:

Ribosome

Explanation:

The ribosomes are responsible for the assembly of proteins. These structures link amino acids together to form a polypeptide chain which gets folded into a functional protein. Note that ribosomes are not membrane-bound organelles.

Example Question #652 : Cellular Biology

The loss of which organelle would cripple the process of cellular division? 

Possible Answers:

nucleus

microfilaments

mitochondria

microtubules

ribosomes

Correct answer:

microtubules

Explanation:

Microtubules make up the spindle apparatus and is responsible for the separation of homologous chromosomes in cell division. Microfilaments make up of actin which is responsible for muscle contraction. Ribosomes help make repairs in the cell and aid in protein synthesis. Nucleus stores DNA and the mitochondria produces ATP. Although all of these play a role in cell division, without microtubules cell division will not occur.  

Example Question #653 : Cellular Biology

Which of the following cellular organelles generates ATP for the cell?

Possible Answers:

Lysosome

Peroxisome

Nucleus

Golgi

Mitochondria

Correct answer:

Mitochondria

Explanation:

The mitochondria is often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell because it is the location of cellular respiration cycles (Krebs cycle and electron transport chain). Thus, mitochondria is responsible for providing most of the energy for the cell in the form of ATP.

Example Question #654 : Cellular Biology

Which of the following is not a characteristic of the cell membrane?

Possible Answers:

Made of a lipid bilayer

Contains integral proteins

Contains parts of the Golgi apparatus

It is amphipathic

Contains peripheral proteins

Correct answer:

Contains parts of the Golgi apparatus

Explanation:

The Golgi apparatus is located within the cell cytoplasm, not the cell membrane. All other options are true characteristics of the cell membrane.

Example Question #655 : Cellular Biology

Which cellular structure is involved in producing ATP during aerobic respiration?

Possible Answers:

nucleus

chloroplast

nucleolus

endoplasmic Reticulum

mitochondrion

Correct answer:

mitochondrion

Explanation:

The mitochondrion is known as the powerhouse of the cell, because it creates so much of the energy needed for cellular processes. ATP is another source of energy. The mitochondrion would be responsible for producing the mitochondrion. The other structures are responsible for other processes, like storing DNA or photosynthesis.

Example Question #656 : Cellular Biology

Which of the following statements correctly characterizes microtubules?

Possible Answers:

None of these statements are correct.

They are mode of the protein actin.

They are involved in providing motility.

They develop from the endoplasmic reticulum.

They are organized by centrosomes.

Correct answer:

They are involved in providing motility.

Explanation:

Microtubules are involved in providing motility, because they are essentially conveyer belts that move things like vesicles, granules, and organelles like mitochondria via special attachment proteins. They are a component of the cytoskeleton. They are composed of the protein known as tubulin, are made of centrioles, and they develop from the plasma membrane.

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