AP Biology : Cellular Structures

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

2 Next →

Example Question #1 : Understanding Plant Microstructures

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?

Possible Answers:

Sieve plate cells

Collenchyma cells

Sclerenchyma cells

Parenchyma cells

Correct answer:

Collenchyma cells

Explanation:

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 #2 : Understanding Plant Microstructures

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?

Possible Answers:

Sclerenchyma cells

Collenchyma cells

Secondary meristems

Parenchyma cells

Correct answer:

Sclerenchyma cells

Explanation:

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 #11 : Cellular Structures

Which of the following is a key component of a plant's vascular system?

Possible Answers:

Xylem

Cuticle

Pericycle

Parenchyma

Correct answer:

Xylem

Explanation:

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. 

Example Question #1 : Understanding Other Plant Cell Structures

What is the main structural component of a plant cell wall?

Possible Answers:

Chitin

Actin and myosin

Cellulose

Collagen

Peptidoglycan

Correct answer:

Cellulose

Explanation:

Cellulose, a polymer of glucose, is the main component of plant cell walls. 

Collagen is found in the connective tissues of animals. Chitin is found in the cell walls of fungi. Actin and myosin are the proteins responsible for contraction in muscle cells; actin is also a microfilament in the cytoskeleton. Peptidoglycan is found in the cell walls of bacteria.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Other Plant Cell Structures

What is not one of the functions of the plant cell wall?

Possible Answers:

Maintains fixed cell shape

Allows for the passage of  and 

Prevents permeability

Offers structural support

Correct answer:

Prevents permeability

Explanation:

The plant cell wall is made of cellulose, which makes it rigid. The cell wall offers structural support and protection to the cell and it’s rigid nature maintains the regular shape of the cell. The cell wall is also permeable and allows small molecules, proteins, and nutrients to pass, including water and carbon dioxide.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Other Plant Cell Structures

What is the role of the vacuole in plant cells?

Possible Answers:

Stores water only

Stores waste only

Stores water and wastes, and maintains turgidity

Stores water and waste only

Maintains turgidity only

Correct answer:

Stores water and wastes, and maintains turgidity

Explanation:

Plant cells contain one very large vacuole that occupies a large percentage of the cell space. The central function of this vacuole is to maintain the turgor pressure of the cell through the continual transport of water and ions in and out of the cell, as needed. Vacuoles store and transport water, waste, and ions too.

Example Question #3 : Understanding Other Plant Cell Structures

Which of the following structures can be found in a plant cell?

Possible Answers:

Endoplasmic reticulum only

Golgi apparatus only

Chloroplast only

Endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplast, Golgi apparatus, and cell membrane

Correct answer:

Endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplast, Golgi apparatus, and cell membrane

Explanation:

Plant cells contain most of the membrane-bound organelles that animal cells do; they do not have cilia, and only some plant cells contain centrioles. Plant cells have additional organelles that animal cells do not, namely chloroplasts and cell walls, for photosynthesis and support, respectively. Virtually all cells have cell membranes.

Example Question #4 : Understanding Other Plant Cell Structures

Which of the following best describes the function of stomata?

Possible Answers:

They allow carbon dioxide into the leaf only

They allow carbon dioxide in and oxygen out of the leaves

They allow oxygen to be released from the leaf only

They allow for the uptake of water on the leaves

Correct answer:

They allow carbon dioxide in and oxygen out of the leaves

Explanation:

Stomata are the microscopic pores on the surface of leaves. Their function is to allow carbon dioxide into the plant while also allowing oxygen to leave the plant.

Example Question #5 : Understanding Other Plant Cell Structures

Plant and animal cells mostly differ in which way?

Possible Answers:

Only plant cells have plasma membranes with cholesterol

Only plant cells have ribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum

Only plant cells have a flagella

Only plant cells have plasma membranes with cholesterol

Only plant cells have cell walls

Correct answer:

Only plant cells have cell walls

Explanation:

The correct answer to this question is Only plant cells have cell walls

Animals notably do not have cell walls. Animal cells, not plant cells, have plasma membranes that contain cholesterol. Both animals and plants have cells with mitochondria and have ribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. Also only animal cells contain flagella and plant cells do not contain flagella at all.

2 Next →
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors