$C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6 \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 6 \mathrm{CO}_2 + 6 \mathrm{H}_2O + \text{ATP}$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the primary function of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Site of cellular respiration, converting energy from nutrients into ATP

Question 2

Cellular respiration can be summarized by the following equation. Which of the following correctly represents this process?

Accepted Answer

$C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6 \mathrm{O}_2 ightarrow 6 \mathrm{CO}_2 + 6 \mathrm{H}_2O + 	ext{ATP}$

Question 3

Which type of cell would you expect to have the highest number of mitochondria?

Accepted Answer

Muscle cells

Question 4

The cytoskeleton is composed of several types of protein fibers. Which of the following lists them in order from largest to smallest diameter?

Accepted Answer

Microtubules, intermediate filaments, microfilaments

Question 5

Which cytoskeletal structure is directly involved in the movement of chromosomes during cell division?

Accepted Answer

Microtubules (centrosomes/centrioles)

Question 6

A patient presents with a genetic disorder affecting cilia in the respiratory tract. Which cellular function is most likely impaired?

Accepted Answer

Movement of mucus out of the airways

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why phospholipids form bilayers in aqueous environments?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipids have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, causing them to arrange with heads facing water and tails facing inward

Question 8

Which of the following changes would increase the fluidity of a cell membrane at cold temperatures?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids

Question 9

Cholesterol is an important component of animal cell membranes. What is its primary role?

Accepted Answer

It stabilizes membrane fluidity by preventing phospholipids from packing too closely or drifting apart

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a function of proteins embedded in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Synthesis of DNA

Question 11

A researcher is studying the movement of glucose into a cell. Which property of the plasma membrane is most relevant to this process?

Accepted Answer

Selective permeability

Question 12

Which type of cell junction prevents leakage of fluid between cells in epithelial tissues such as the digestive tract?

Accepted Answer

Tight junctions

Question 13

The extracellular matrix (ECM) communicates with the cell interior primarily through which type of membrane protein?

Accepted Answer

Integrins

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the composition of intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF) is correct?

Accepted Answer

ICF has a higher concentration of potassium ions, while ECF has more sodium ions

Question 15

A sperm cell uses a flagellum for movement. Which cytoskeletal element forms the core structure of the flagellum?

Accepted Answer

Microtubules

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the role of carbohydrates in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

They are involved in cell-to-cell recognition

Question 17

A cell is exposed to a toxin that disrupts integrin function. Which process would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Communication between the ECM and the cytoskeleton

Question 18

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the importance of membrane fluidity for cell function?

Accepted Answer

A cell with a rigid membrane cannot allow proteins to move laterally, impairing signal transduction

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-life example of gap junctions facilitating rapid communication between cells?

Accepted Answer

Pancreatic cells releasing insulin simultaneously

Question 20

Which of the following membrane components is most directly responsible for the selective permeability of the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipid bilayer

Cell Structure and Membrane Function: A Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions