High School Biology : Understanding Specialized Cell Structures

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #77 : Cell Biology

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

Possible Answers:

Plasma membrane

Cytoskeleton

None of these answers

Cell wall

Cholesterol

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 #151 : High School Biology

Which organelle works to synthesize an unstable form of energy?

Possible Answers:

None of the other answer choices is correct.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Mitochondria

Two of the other answer choices are correct.

Chloroplast

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 #2 : Understanding Specialized Cell Structures

The nucleolus __________.

Possible Answers:

is only found in prokaryotes

is a part of the nucleus responsible for assembling ribosomes

None of the other answer choices is true.

contains all the DNA of the cell

is found in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

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 #152 : High School Biology

Histones __________.

Possible Answers:

play a role in gene regulation

are protiens around which DNA coils

are only found in the nucleus

All of the answer choices are true.

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 #153 : High School Biology

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

Possible Answers:

Plants

Mammals

Bacteria

Fungi

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. 

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