All AP Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Understanding Chloroplasts
Which of the following terms can be described as the green pigment located within chloroplasts?
Chlorophyll
Mesophyll
Photoreceptors
Stomata
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color. The chlorophyll located in the chloroplasts captures the light energy that drives the synthesis of food molecules in the chloroplasts—photosynthesis.
Example Question #2 : Understanding Chloroplasts
Which of the following best describes where chloroplasts are primarily located?
Roots
Mesophyll
Stomata
Stroma
Mesophyll
Chloroplasts are found mainly in the cells of the mesophyll, which is the tissue in the interior of the leaf. Stomata are the pores that allow carbon dioxide to enter and oxygen to exit the leaf. The stroma is the dense fluid content of the chloroplast.
Example Question #1 : Understanding Chloroplasts
What is the organelle in plant cells that contains chlorophyll?
Golgi apparatus
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Chloroplasts
Mitochondria
Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts are the organelles that contains chlorophyll. Mitochondria produce ATP and are not directly involved in capturing light and photosynthesis. The Golgi apparatus is involved in packaging substances, and Smooth endoplasmic reticulum are involved in lipid production.
Example Question #3 : Understanding Chloroplasts
Inside the chloroplast, what is the name of a stack of thylakoids?
Granum
Thylakoidum
Mitochondria
Stroma
Granum
A stack of thylakoids is known as granum. Stroma is the region outside the thylakoid membranes, but still inside the chloroplast. Mitochondria is the organelle that produces ATP, and there is no such organelle called thylakoidum.
Example Question #1 : Understanding Chloroplasts
Which process is incorrectly matched with its location?
in the light dependent reaction, protons flow down their electrochemical gradient from the thylakoid lumen into the stroma, through the ATP synthase protein
carbon fixation during the light independent reaction occurs in the thylakoid stroma
in the light independent reaction, G3P is produced in the thylakoid stroma
in the light dependent reaction, protons are pumped from the thylakoid stroma into the lumen
in the light dependent reaction, protons flow down their electrochemical gradient from the thylakoid lumen into the stroma, through the ATP synthase protein
During the light dependent reaction, protons are pumped from the thylakoid stroma into the lumen. Then, these protons flow down their electrochemical gradient (from high concentration to low concentration), through the ATP synthase protein, producing ATP.
Example Question #1 : Understanding Chloroplasts
Where is chlorophyll located?
Thylakoid membrane
Intermembrane space
Thylakoid stroma
Mitochondrial membrane
Thylakoid membrane
Chlorophyll is used to capture sunlight during the light dependent reaction; the excited electrons then flow down the electron transport chain located on the thylakoid membrane.
Example Question #2 : Understanding Chloroplasts
During the light dependent reaction, the proton gradient is established. Where is the concentration of protons the greatest?
thylakoid membrane
thylakoid lumen
thylakoid stroma
intermembrane space
thylakoid lumen
During the light dependent reaction, protons are pumped from the thylakoid stroma into the lumen. Then, these protons flow down their electrochemical gradient (from high concentration to low concentration), through the ATP synthase protein, producing ATP.
Example Question #12 : Plant Biology
Plant cells differentiate to perform different functions and enable the plant to grow. One cell type is present in young stems and petioles and functions to provide flexible support. This cell type is less resistant to bending forces because it lacks a secondary cell wall and the protein lignin, which causes rigidity in other plant cells.
What differentiated plant cell is being described?
Parenchyma cells
Collenchyma cells
Sieve plate cells
Sclerenchyma cells
Collenchyma cells
As described in the beginning of this question, collenchyma cells are found in young stems and petioles (leaves) and function to provide flexible support to the plant. This is because chollenchyma cells lack secondary cell walls and do not produce lignin to harden them—this protein is characteristic of sclerenchyma cells, which are also used to provide support/strength to the plant.
Due to their lack of rigidity, collenchyma cells a also capable of elongating with the stems and leaves they support, allowing them to remain alive at maturity. Sclerenchymal cells lack this ability.
Example Question #13 : Plant Biology
Plant cells differentiate to be able to perform different functions and enable it to grow. One cell type has a critical job in supporting the plant. These cells have secondary walls that are further strengthened by a glue-like substance called lignin, which increases the cell's rigidity. At maturity, these cells cannot elongate and are found in regions of the plant that have stopped growing, forming a "skeleton" for the plant.
What type of differentiated plant cell is described?
Sclerenchyma cells
Collenchyma cells
Secondary meristems
Parenchyma cells
Sclerenchyma cells
As described in the background to the question, sclerenchyma cells are specialized to support the plant as it grows. These cells have thick secondary walls that are further strengthened by the hardening agent called lignin. As a result, these cells are highly rigid and inflexible.
At maturity, these cells cannot elongate and are found in regions of the plant that have stopped growing. In some parts of the plant, the sclerenchyma cells may even be dead; however, the rigid walls remain and act like a skeleteon that supports the remainder of the plaint over its lifetime.
Sclerenchyma cells can also further differentiate into two types called sclereids and fibers. Sclerids can provide hardness to nut shells. Fibers, as their name suggests, are usually arranged in long threads and have commercial uses, such as being made into rope.
Example Question #3 : Plant Biology
Which of the following is a key component of a plant's vascular system?
Pericycle
Parenchyma
Cuticle
Xylem
Xylem
The vascular system in plants is designed to transport materials (water, nutrients, food) between the roots and shoots. There are two primary types of tissue dedicated to these processes. Xylem transports water and dissolved minerals upward from the roots; phloem transports sugars—the products of photosynthesis—from where they are synthesized to where they are needed, such as roots and new growth areas of leaves and fruits.
Both xylem and phloem are comprised of a variety of cell types that are specialized for transport and support.