High School Biology : Cellular Differences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Biology

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Understanding Specialized Cell Structures

The shape of an animal cell is determined by which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Plasma membrane

Cytoskeleton

None of these answers

Cholesterol

Cell wall

Correct answer:

Cytoskeleton

Explanation:

The cytoskeletion determines cell shape. The cytoskeleton consists of three different types of filamentous proteins: microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Elements of the cytoskeleton can interact with the cell membrane and cell junctions to alter the cell's overall structure.

There are no cell walls in animal cells, although the cell wall does play a large part in determining cell shape in organisms that possess them (plants, bacteria, fungi).

Example Question #2 : Understanding Specialized Cell Structures

Which organelle works to synthesize an unstable form of energy?

Possible Answers:

Chloroplast

Mitochondria

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

None of the other answer choices is correct.

Two of the other answer choices are correct.

Correct answer:

Two of the other answer choices are correct.

Explanation:

The unstable form of energy that is syntheisized refers to ATP. ATP is an unstable; its three phosphate groups are all negatively charged and repel one another. Remember that BOTH the mitochondria and chloroplast participate in ATP synthesis via chemiosmosis; however, only the chloroplast participates in glucose synthesis via photosynthesis. Note that glucose is a stable form of energy and is not readily usable until it is broken down in the process known as glycolysis.

Example Question #62 : Understand Functions Of Organelles In The Cell

The nucleolus __________.

Possible Answers:

is found in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

is a part of the nucleus responsible for assembling ribosomes

None of the other answer choices is true.

is only found in prokaryotes

contains all the DNA of the cell

Correct answer:

is a part of the nucleus responsible for assembling ribosomes

Explanation:

The nucleolus is a subdivision of the nucleus; thus, it is only found in eukaryotes. It is the site of ribosome assembly. The nucleolus is made of RNA and proteins.

Example Question #81 : Cell Structures And Organelles

Histones __________.

Possible Answers:

play a role in gene regulation

All of the answer choices are true.

are only found in the nucleus

are protiens around which DNA coils

are only found in eukaryotic cells

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are true.

Explanation:

Histones are proteins found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. DNA wraps itself around histones to further condense. Also, depending on how tightly the DNA is wrapped around the histones, it may or may not be availible for activity (e.g. replication or transcription). Cells modify the interaction between DNA and histones around certain genes under certain conditions to make those genes available or unavailable as needed.

Example Question #81 : Cell Structures And Organelles

In which of the following organisms are vacuoles not usually found?

Possible Answers:

Mammals

Bacteria

Fungi

Plants

Correct answer:

Mammals

Explanation:

Vacuoles are membrane-bound structures that are found in bacterial, plant, fungal, and occasionally, animal cells. Vacuoles function in storage of water and waste and in maintenance of turgor pressure in plants. 

Example Question #82 : Cell Structures And Organelles

Which of the following structures is not found in prokaryotic cells?

Possible Answers:

Nuclear envelope

Plasma membrane

Ribosomes

Cytoplasm

Nucleoid

Correct answer:

Nuclear envelope

Explanation:

Prokaryotic cells are defined as cells that lack membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus. Prokaryotic cells still have DNA as their genetic material, however it is located in the cytoplasm in a circular structure known as the nucleoid. The nucleoid is unique to prokaryotes because it lacks a nuclear envelope.

Prokaryotic cells have cytoplasm contained inside of a plasma membrane, and often a cell wall. They also have ribosomes in the cytoplasm to carry out protein synthesis.

Eukaryotes are much more complex and have numerous organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum, Gogli apparatus, lysosomes, and mitochondria.

Example Question #7 : Cellular Differences

Which of the following cellular structures can be found in prokaryotes?

Possible Answers:

Mitochondria

Chloroplasts

Nucleus

Ribosomes

Correct answer:

Ribosomes

Explanation:

Much like eukaryotes, prokaryotes are capable of translating their own proteins. Prokaryotes follow the same central dogma as eukaryotic cells, using DNA to transcribe mRNA and using mRNA and ribosomes to build proteins from amino acids. Ribosomes are primarily composed of rRNA, and are not bound by a membrane.

Prokaryotes lack a nucleus, as well as complex membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Prokaryotic Cell Differences

Which structures are found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Possible Answers:

Cell membrane, nucleus, ribosomes

Cell membrane, DNA, ribosomes

Cell membrane, DNA, mitochondria

Cell wall, circular chromosome, RNA

Correct answer:

Cell membrane, DNA, ribosomes

Explanation:

The primary difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is the presence of membrane-bound organelles. Prokaryotes lack any membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus, while eukaryotes possess these structures. All cell types have an outer cell membrane, which contains the cytosol, DNA, and ribosomes. Ribosomes are not bound by membranes, and are essential for translating proteins. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes use transcription to convert DNA to RNA and translation to convert RNA to proteins.

Mitochondria are only found in eukaryotes and are used to produce ATP via oxidative phosphorylation. A circular chromosome is characteristic of prokaryotes, since they lack a nucleus. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes can have cell walls.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Prokaryotic Cell Differences

Which of the following statements is false?

Possible Answers:

Prokaryotes and eukaryotes have identical ribosomes

Prokaryotes do not undergo meiosis

Prokaryotes do not have membrane-enclosed organelles

Prokaryotes lack a nucleus

Prokaryotes are smaller in size that eukaryotes

Correct answer:

Prokaryotes and eukaryotes have identical ribosomes

Explanation:

Prokaryotes are much smaller in size than eukaryotes. Eukaryotes are known for their membrane-bound organelles, such as the mitochondria, vesicles, and vacuoles. Prokaryotes do not have membrane-bound organelles. Some eukaryotic organisms go through the process of meiosis in order to produce variation for sexual reproduction.

Prokaryotes undergo a different process to reproduce asexually, called binary fission. The DNA of prokaryotes are contained in a circular chromosome called a nucleoid, which is replicated completely. The cell then splits in two, with each having an exact copy of the same plasmid. Prokaryotes lack a nucleus by definition. 

The prokaryotic ribosome is smaller, at 70S, while the eukaryotic ribosome is larger, at 80S. The ribosomes also contain different sized subunits. Prokaryotic ribosomes are made of a 30S and 50S subunit to form the full 70S structure. Eukaryotic ribosomes are made of a 40S and 60S subunit to form the full 80S ribosome.

Example Question #10 : Cellular Differences

Which of the following statements is false with regard to prokaryotic cells?

Possible Answers:

Prokaryotic cells have nuclei

Prokaryotic cells have DNA

Prokaryotic cells have ribosomes

Prokaryotic cells have cell walls

Correct answer:

Prokaryotic cells have nuclei

Explanation:

Eukaryotes and prokaryotes split during evolution when eukaryotic cells adapted membrane-bound organelles. These organelles include the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, chloroplasts, Golgi apparatus, and nucleus (among others). Prokaryotes lack all of these structures.

All cells, however, contain DNA and ribosomes in order to synthesize proteins and maintain metabolic processes. Ribosomes are not bound by membranes, and are instead made of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes can have cell walls, though the structure and composition of the cell wall can vary.

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