AP Biology : Cellular Biology

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:

Secondary active transport

Passive diffusion

Facilitated diffusion

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:

polysaccharides

cellulose

peptidoglycans

chitin

actin

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 #169 : Ap Biology

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

Possible Answers:

The membrane consists of a phospholipid bilayer with proteins of various 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 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 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 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:

chloride

ions

water

sucrose

lipids

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 #4 : Understanding Cytoplasmic Proteins

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

Possible Answers:

Molecules and ions can pass freely through the phospholipid bilayer

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

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

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 passive transport of all foreign molecules or ions

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 #5 : 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 primarily found in endocrine tissues.

They are primarily made of kertain tonofilaments.

The protein filaggrin is thought to hold them together.

They are most typically anchored to the cytoskeleton.

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 : Cell Functions

Where does glycolysis take place in the cell? 

Possible Answers:

Nucleus

Mitochondria

Endoplasmic reticulum 

Golgi body

Cytosol

Correct answer:

Cytosol

Explanation:

Glycolysis happens in the cytosol (the fluid containing the organelles) of the cell. The next step in cellular respiration, the citric acid cycle, occurs in the mitochondria.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Glycolysis

Which of the following reflects a function of fermentation?

Possible Answers:

It leads to the production of ethanol in muscle cells

It produes two molecules of ATP

It oxidizes NADH to NAD+

It leads to the production of lactic acid in yeast cells

Correct answer:

It oxidizes NADH to NAD+

Explanation:

Fermentation oxidizes molecules of NADH to NAD+ so the cell can have oxidizing agents for any subsequent glycolysis reactions. It does not, however, produce any usable energy in the process.

Fermentation leads to the production of ethanol in yeast cells and lactic acid in muscle cells.

Example Question #3 : Understanding Glycolysis

Where in the cell does glycolysis take place?

Possible Answers:

Endoplasmic reticulum

Cytosol

Nucleus

Mitochondria

Correct answer:

Cytosol

Explanation:

Glycolysis occurs in the cytosol of cells. Once finished, the two pyruvate products are transported into the mitochondria to go through the citric acid cycle, at a cost of 1 ATP per pyruvate. Neither the nucleus, nor the endoplasmic reticulum have any function in glycolysis or the citric acid cycle.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Glycolysis

How many direct ATP are made if fructose-1,6-bisphosphate is put through glycolysis?

Possible Answers:

4

0

3

1

2

Correct answer:

4

Explanation:

The conversion of glucose to two pyruvate molecules in glycolysis produces a net total of two direct ATP. When fructose-1,6-bisphosphate enters glycolysis, it bypasses the two steps involved that normally cost one ATP each, therefore, there is no required input and the net total is four produced ATP.

We have to remember that each step beyond the conversion of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate happens twice, or we would come up with two ATP created.

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