Question 1

Which of the following best describes the function of the plasma membrane in a human cell?

Accepted Answer

It acts as a selectively permeable barrier, controlling the movement of substances into and out of the cell.

Question 2

A solution with a higher solute concentration than the cytoplasm of a cell is placed outside the cell. What will happen to the cell, and why?

Accepted Answer

Water will move out of the cell, causing it to shrink, because the solution is hypertonic.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Tight junctions

Question 4

A patient is diagnosed with a genetic disorder that impairs the function of their peroxisomes. Which of the following cellular processes would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Detoxification of alcohol and free radicals

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why the resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is negative?

Accepted Answer

Potassium ions ($$\mathrm{K^+}) $$diffuse out of the cell more easily than sodium ions ($$\mathrm{Na^+}) $$diffuse in, creating a net negative charge inside.

Question 6

Which of the following processes requires energy directly from ATP to move substances across the plasma membrane against their concentration gradient?

Accepted Answer

Primary active transport

Question 7

A white blood cell engulfs a bacterium by surrounding it with its plasma membrane, forming a vesicle. This process is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Phagocytosis

Question 8

Which organelle is responsible for modifying, concentrating, and packaging proteins and lipids for export from the cell?

Accepted Answer

Golgi apparatus

Question 9

A cell is exposed to a toxin that inhibits the function of ribosomes. Which cellular process will be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Protein synthesis

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the role of the nucleolus?

Accepted Answer

It assembles ribosomal subunits from rRNA and proteins.

Question 11

During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?

Accepted Answer

S phase of interphase

Question 12

Which of the following statements about the genetic code is correct?

Accepted Answer

Each triplet of DNA bases codes for a specific amino acid.

Question 13

A cell is observed to have an abundance of microvilli on its surface. What is the most likely function of this cell?

Accepted Answer

Absorption of nutrients

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the process of autophagy?

Accepted Answer

The cell digests its own unneeded organelles and proteins by delivering them to lysosomes.

Question 15

Which of the following is a function of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs)?

Accepted Answer

They help cells attach to extracellular molecules and guide migrating cells.

Question 16

A mutation prevents the formation of desmosomes in cardiac muscle cells. Which of the following is a likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of tissue tearing during heart contractions

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the difference between simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion?

Accepted Answer

Simple diffusion does not require membrane proteins, while facilitated diffusion does.

Question 18

Which of the following is true regarding the process of translation in protein synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Transfer RNA (tRNA) brings specific amino acids to the ribosome based on codon-anticodon pairing.

Question 19

A cell is exposed to a drug that blocks the sodium-potassium pump. What is the most immediate effect on the cell's membrane potential?

Accepted Answer

The resting membrane potential will decrease as ionic gradients are lost.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of the centrosome during cell division?

Accepted Answer

It organizes microtubules and forms the mitotic spindle.

Chapter 3: Cells – The Living Units (A&P Study Guide)

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