Question 1

Which of the following best describes the structure of the phospholipid bilayer in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipid heads are hydrophilic and face both the extracellular fluid and cytoplasm, while tails are hydrophobic and face inward.

Question 2

A patient is given an intravenous solution that is hypotonic compared to their blood plasma. What is the most likely effect on their red blood cells?

Accepted Answer

Red blood cells will swell and may burst due to water influx.

Question 3

Which membrane protein function is directly involved in allowing cells to respond to hormones such as insulin?

Accepted Answer

Receptors for signal transduction

Question 4

Which type of cell junction is most important in preventing leakage of extracellular fluid between epithelial cells lining the intestines?

Accepted Answer

Tight junctions

Question 5

A cell is placed in a solution with higher osmolarity than its cytoplasm. What will happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

Water will move out of the cell, causing it to shrink.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a function of membrane proteins?

Accepted Answer

Synthesis of phospholipids

Question 7

Which equation best represents the net movement of water during osmosis across a semipermeable membrane?

Accepted Answer

$$J = -L_p (\Delta P - \sigma \Delta \pi)$$

Question 8

Which of the following statements about passive transport is correct?

Accepted Answer

Passive transport includes diffusion and filtration, and substances move down their concentration gradient.

Question 9

A mutation causes a defect in the integral membrane protein responsible for cell-cell recognition. Which process would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Immune response to foreign cells

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why cholesterol is important in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

It increases membrane stability and regulates fluidity.

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct statement about the movement of solutes and water across a membrane that is permeable to both?

Accepted Answer

Solutes and water will move until their concentrations are equal on both sides.

Question 12

Which of the following cell junctions allows for the passage of ions and small molecules directly between adjacent cells, facilitating electrical communication in cardiac muscle?

Accepted Answer

Gap junctions

Question 13

Which process is described by the movement of a substance from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration without the use of cellular energy?

Accepted Answer

Facilitated diffusion

Question 14

Which of the following is a function of glycoproteins in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Cell-cell recognition

Question 15

A cell in a hypertonic solution will experience which of the following changes?

Accepted Answer

It will shrink as water leaves the cell.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the role of desmosomes in tissues such as skin?

Accepted Answer

They anchor adjacent cells together, providing mechanical strength.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about the function of membrane proteins as enzymes?

Accepted Answer

They catalyze reactions at the membrane surface, often related to signal transduction.

Question 18

Which equation describes the rate of simple diffusion across a membrane?

Accepted Answer

$$J = -D \frac{dC}{dx}$$

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a passive process for membrane transport?

Accepted Answer

Endocytosis

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why changes in cell volume due to osmosis can disrupt cell function, especially in neurons?

Accepted Answer

Neurons rely on precise cell volume to maintain membrane potential and signal transmission.

Cell Structure and Membrane Transport: Study Notes for Anatomy & Physiology

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