Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

A red blood cell is placed in a solution and begins to swell and eventually bursts. Which type of solution was the cell placed in, and what is the direction of water movement?

Accepted Answer

Hypotonic solution; water moves into the cell.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Golgi apparatus

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the sodium-potassium pump is correct?

Accepted Answer

It requires ATP to function and moves 3 sodium ions out and 2 potassium ions into the cell.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the structure of a phospholipid molecule?

Accepted Answer

A polar hydrophilic head and two nonpolar hydrophobic tails

Question 6

A patient receives an intravenous solution of 0.9% NaCl. What effect does this have on their red blood cells?

Accepted Answer

Cells will remain the same size because the solution is isotonic.

Question 7

Which of the following processes requires energy in the form of ATP?

Accepted Answer

Primary active transport

Question 8

Which organelle is the main site of ATP production in the cell?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrion

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the role of ribosomes?

Accepted Answer

They synthesize proteins.

Question 10

Which of the following is a function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?

Accepted Answer

Lipid synthesis and detoxification

Question 11

A cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. What will happen to the cell and why?

Accepted Answer

It will shrink because water leaves the cell.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why the plasma membrane is described as a 'fluid mosaic'?

Accepted Answer

It consists of a flexible bilayer of phospholipids with proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates scattered throughout.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a function of the cytoskeleton?

Accepted Answer

Synthesizing proteins

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the process of osmosis?

Accepted Answer

Movement of solvent from low to high solute concentration across a selectively permeable membrane

Question 15

Which of the following is true regarding the genetic material in the nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Chromatin is tightly coiled DNA only during cell division.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes secondary active transport?

Accepted Answer

It uses the potential energy from a concentration gradient established by primary active transport to move another substance against its gradient.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct pairing of organelle and function?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrion – ATP production

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why facilitated diffusion is necessary for glucose transport across the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Glucose is a large, polar molecule and requires a carrier protein to cross the hydrophobic core of the membrane.

Question 19

Which of the following is a function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?

Accepted Answer

Protein folding and modification

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the process of exocytosis?

Accepted Answer

The cell releases substances to the extracellular fluid by vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane.

The Cell: Structure, Function, and Membrane Transport

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards