High School Biology : Understanding Endocytosis and Exocytosis

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Transport And Signaling

What type of transport involves the cell engulfing matter from the outside environment?

Possible Answers:

Diffusion

Phagocytosis

Exocytosis

Pinocytosis

Correct answer:

Phagocytosis

Explanation:

Phagocytosis is the event of a cell engulfing particular matter from outside the cell and bringing it into the cell. Macrophages are the most prominent phagocytic cells, and help to eliminate pathogens and bacteria through phagocytosis.

Pinocytosis allows extracellular fluid to enter the cell, using invaginations on the cell membrane to create vesicles. Exocytosis involves vesicles leaving the cell, not entering. Diffusion is the passive transport of substances across the membrane and does not involve vesicles.

Example Question #2 : Transport And Signaling

Which of the following normally gets exocytosed from a cell?

Possible Answers:

DNA

Hormones

Integral membrane proteins

Cytoplasmic constituents

RNA

Correct answer:

Hormones

Explanation:

Exocytosis is a process by which the cell packages content and secretes it from the cell in a vesicle. Hormones, which act on cells far away from where they are produced, will travel out of the cell to reach their target tissues and organs. Vesicles of hormones will fuse with the membrane of the cell and release the hormone into the blood for transport.

DNA, RNA, and cytoplasmic constituents do not leave the cell and would not be exocytosed. Integral membrane proteins are placed in the membrane via vesicle fusion, but are not exocytosed in the process.

Example Question #3 : Transport And Signaling

Particle A is observed to be brought into the cell through endocytosis. This means that the destination of particle A is most likely ___________.

Possible Answers:

one of the membrane-bound organelles because it is being transported via a vesicle

the cytosol because vesicles aren’t involved

one of the membrane-bound organelles because vesicles aren’t involved

the cytosol because it is being transported via a vesicle

Correct answer:

one of the membrane-bound organelles because it is being transported via a vesicle

Explanation:

There are two topologically different structures inside the cell: the lumen and the cytosol. Lumen consists of the inside of the organelles and the inside of vesicles. Cytosol consists of the fluid that surrounds the organelles.

The questions states that particle A undergoes endocytosis. In endocytosis particles from outside of the cell are brought to the inside of the cell by vesicles that bud off from the cell membrane. These vesicles deliver the particles to the target organelle. The vesicles fuse with the organelle’s membrane and the particles are released into the lumen of the organelle. These particles never make contact with the cytosol side of the cell; therefore, the best answer is that particle A is destined for one of the membrane-bound organelles because it is being transported via a vesicle. This mechanism is also relevant for exocytosis. Secretory vesicles carry contents from inside the cell to the outside, without letting the contents touch the cytosol.

Example Question #4 : Transport And Signaling

Given below are four events that occur during the synthesis and transport of proteins. 

1. Protein is transported to Golgi apparatus for packaging

2. Translation of mRNA occurs in the cytosol

3. Protein is transported to the cell membrane

4. Protein is transported to rough endoplasmic reticulum for processing

Which of the following is the correct order of these events?

Possible Answers:

3, 2, 1, 4

2, 4, 1, 3

2, 1, 4, 3

1, 3, 2, 4

Correct answer:

2, 4, 1, 3

Explanation:

To answer this question you need to know the sequence of events that a protein goes through during and after synthesis.

The first step is the synthesis of protein. This occurs when mRNA is translated to protein by ribosomes. The first event is statement 2.

After its synthesis, the protein is transported to the rough endoplasmic reticulum where it is processed. This processing involves removal of unwanted amino acid sequences, such as signal sequences. The second event is statement 4.

From the rough endoplasmic reticulum the protein is transported to Golgi apparatus where it is further processed and packaged. This next event is statement 1.

The last step is the delivery of protein to the cell membrane (statement 3). Once the protein reaches the cell membrane it can either be exported to the outside (exocytosis) or become part of the membrane (integral and peripheral membrane proteins). Remember that the protein is transported by vesicles and that it never makes contact with the cytosol.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Endocytosis And Exocytosis

Which of the following is an example of endocytosis?

Possible Answers:

A plasma membrane engulfing large materials so that they can enter the cell

A vesicle transporting materials out of a cell

A vesicle transporting materials in to a cell

Light and carbon dioxide being converted into carbohydrate and oxygen

Correct answer:

A vesicle transporting materials in to a cell

Explanation:

Endocytosis is the process of a cell receiving the contents of a vesicle. The vesicle will fuse with the cell membrane and release its contents into the cytoplasm for cellular use.

In contrast, exocytosis is the release of compounds from a cell via vesicle transport. Vesicles are formed at the Golgi apparatus and transported through the cytoplasm to fuse with the cell membrane, where the contents are released into the extracellular space. Transport vesicles can also be formed to contain and carry molecules away from the cell.

The plasma membrane engulfing particles to enter the cell would be an example of pinocytosis, and the conversion of light and carbon dioxide to carbohydrate and oxygen is the process of photosynthesis.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Endocytosis And Exocytosis

Which process best decribes how a macrophage (immune cell) engulfs a bacterial pathogen? 

Possible Answers:

Diffusion

Pinocytosis

Active transport

Phagocytosis

Endocytosis

Correct answer:

Phagocytosis

Explanation:

The correct answer is phagocytosis. Phagocytosis involves the engulfing of an external particle to form a phagosome (a vesicle inside the cell). This process differs from pinocytosis in that pinocyotsis refers to the engulfing of liquids from the environment. Phagocytosis is a specific form of endocytosis; thus, phagocytosis is the better answer as endocyotsis can also describe processes such as pinocytosis. Diffusion and Active Transport both do not relate to the phenomenon as no concentration gradient is in place. 

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