Question 1

Which of the following best describes the 'fluid mosaic model' of the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

A flexible layer of phospholipids with proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates moving within it.

Question 2

A patient with a genetic defect in connexon proteins would most likely have impaired function in which type of cell junction?

Accepted Answer

Gap junctions

Question 3

Which of the following organelles is primarily responsible for synthesizing the majority of a cell’s ATP?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrion

Question 4

A liver cell exposed to high levels of alcohol will likely show increased activity in which organelle?

Accepted Answer

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why the hydrophobic tails of phospholipids face inward in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

They repel water, minimizing contact with the aqueous environment.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Synthesizing proteins for export

Question 7

A mutation that prevents the formation of nucleosomes would most directly affect which process?

Accepted Answer

DNA packaging within the nucleus

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

It stabilizes membrane fluidity across temperature changes.

Question 9

A cell with defective lysosomes would have difficulty performing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Digesting and recycling damaged organelles

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct pairing of a membrane protein type and its function?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral protein – provides structural support

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why epithelial cells lining the GI tract have tight junctions?

Accepted Answer

To prevent movement of small molecules between cells

Question 12

Which cytoskeletal element is most directly involved in the movement of cilia and flagella?

Accepted Answer

Microtubules

Question 13

A cell that needs to rapidly secrete large amounts of protein would likely have an abundance of which organelle?

Accepted Answer

Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)

Question 14

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the function of the Golgi apparatus?

Accepted Answer

Sorts, modifies, and packages proteins and other products

Question 16

A mutation that disrupts the formation of desmosomes would most likely affect which tissue the most?

Accepted Answer

Epithelial tissue subjected to mechanical stress, such as skin

Question 17

Which of the following is a function of peroxisomes?

Accepted Answer

Detoxifying chemicals through oxidation reactions

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the role of glycoproteins and glycolipids in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

They function in cell recognition and identification.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about chromatin is correct?

Accepted Answer

Chromatin consists of DNA and histone proteins, forming nucleosomes.

Question 20

A scientist observes a cell with a double membrane-bound nucleus, abundant rough ER, and mitochondria. Which type of cell is this most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cell

Chapter 3: The Cell – Structure, Function, and Components

Study Guide - Practice Questions