Question 1

Which of the following best describes the function of the sodium-potassium pump (Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase) in animal cells?

Accepted Answer

It uses ATP to move sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, maintaining electrochemical gradients.

Question 2

A red blood cell is placed in a solution and begins to swell until it bursts. Which type of solution is the cell in, and what is the process called?

Accepted Answer

The cell is in a hypotonic solution; the process is called lysing.

Question 3

Which of the following best explains why oxygen and carbon dioxide can easily diffuse across the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

They are nonpolar and lipid-soluble, allowing them to pass through the hydrophobic core.

Question 4

Which cell junction is most important in preventing the leakage of digestive enzymes between epithelial cells lining the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Tight junctions

Question 5

A solution contains 1 M NaCl. What is its osmolarity?

Accepted Answer

$$2~	ext{osmol/L}$$

Question 6

Which of the following is a function of the glycocalyx on the cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

Acts as a biological marker for cell-to-cell recognition

Question 7

Which of the following best describes secondary active transport?

Accepted Answer

It uses the energy stored in ionic gradients created by primary active transport to move other substances.

Question 8

A patient receives an intravenous solution that is hypertonic relative to their red blood cells. What will happen to the cells?

Accepted Answer

They will shrink due to water leaving the cells.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

It increases membrane stability and fluidity.

Question 10

Which process is illustrated by the movement of glucose into a cell via a sodium-glucose symporter, powered by the sodium gradient?

Accepted Answer

Secondary active transport

Question 11

Which of the following statements about facilitated diffusion is correct?

Accepted Answer

It uses carrier or channel proteins to move molecules down their concentration gradient.

Question 12

Which type of membrane protein is responsible for catalyzing sequential steps of a metabolic pathway?

Accepted Answer

Enzymatic proteins

Question 13

A cell is placed in a solution and neither swells nor shrinks. What can you conclude about the solution?

Accepted Answer

It is isotonic to the cell.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the function of gap junctions?

Accepted Answer

They allow the passage of ions and small molecules between adjacent cells.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Synthesis of DNA

Question 16

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of selective permeability of the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Some molecules, such as oxygen, can diffuse freely, while others, like glucose, require transport proteins.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration?

Accepted Answer

Osmosis

Question 18

Which type of vesicular transport is used by white blood cells to engulf bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Phagocytosis

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why animal cells can burst when placed in a hypotonic solution?

Accepted Answer

They cannot limit hydrostatic and osmotic pressures, so excess water entry causes lysis.

Question 20

Which of the following is true regarding the effect of temperature on the rate of diffusion across the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Higher temperatures increase kinetic energy, resulting in faster diffusion.

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

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