Question 1

Which of the following best describes the principle of selective permeability in the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

It allows certain molecules to cross the membrane while restricting others based on size, charge, and solubility.

Question 2

A patient is given an intravenous (IV) solution of 0.9% NaCl. What is the primary reason this solution is considered 'isotonic' to human cells?

Accepted Answer

It has the same solute concentration as the cytoplasm, resulting in no net movement of water.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of active transport across the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Sodium-potassium pump moving ions against their concentration gradients

Question 4

A cell is placed in a solution and begins to swell and eventually bursts. Which type of solution was the cell placed in, and what is the underlying mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Hypotonic; water moved into the cell by osmosis

Question 5

Which of the following best describes facilitated diffusion?

Accepted Answer

Movement of molecules through a protein channel or carrier along a concentration gradient without energy input

Question 6

During osmosis, which of the following statements is correct regarding the movement of water?

Accepted Answer

Water moves from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Question 7

Which process is responsible for the movement of large particles, such as bacteria, into a white blood cell?

Accepted Answer

Phagocytosis

Question 8

A cell is placed in a 2% NaCl solution. What will most likely happen to the cell, and why?

Accepted Answer

The cell will shrink (crenate) because the solution is hypertonic and water leaves the cell.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the role of the sodium-potassium pump in maintaining cellular homeostasis?

Accepted Answer

It uses ATP to move sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell against their concentration gradients.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a step in the translation phase of protein synthesis?

Accepted Answer

DNA is copied to mRNA

Question 11

During which phase of mitosis do chromatids line up along the equator of the cell?

Accepted Answer

Metaphase

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why the plasma membrane is described as 'semipermeable'?

Accepted Answer

It allows some substances to cross more easily than others.

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a DNA base with its complementary base during DNA replication?

Accepted Answer

A with T

Question 14

A cell needs to import cholesterol, which is present in low concentrations outside the cell. Which transport mechanism is most likely used?

Accepted Answer

Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Question 15

Which of the following equations best represents the relationship between solute concentration and osmotic pressure?

Accepted Answer

$$\Pi = iMRT$$

Question 16

Which of the following statements about filtration is correct?

Accepted Answer

Filtration occurs due to hydrostatic pressure forcing solvent and small solutes through a membrane.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the process of transcription in protein synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Copying DNA to mRNA using complementary base pairing

Question 18

A white blood cell engulfs a bacterium by extending pseudopods around it. Which process is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Phagocytosis

Question 19

Which of the following is true regarding the genetic code?

Accepted Answer

Each codon on mRNA codes for a specific amino acid.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why active transport requires ATP?

Accepted Answer

It moves substances against their concentration gradient, which requires energy input.

Cell Physiology: Membrane Transport, Cell Division, and Protein Synthesis

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