Question 1

Which of the following best explains why small cells are more efficient at exchanging materials with their environment compared to large cells?

Accepted Answer

Small cells have a higher surface-to-volume ratio, which increases the rate of diffusion across the membrane.

Question 2

A cell with a surface area of $$150$$ and a volume of $$125$$ will have what surface-to-volume ratio?

Accepted Answer

$$1.2$$

Question 3

Which structure is present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and is responsible for protein synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Ribosome

Question 4

Which organelle is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles?

Accepted Answer

Golgi apparatus

Question 5

In animal cells, which cytoskeletal structure is primarily responsible for separating chromosomes during cell division?

Accepted Answer

Microtubules

Question 6

Which of the following statements about the endosymbiont theory is correct?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from engulfed prokaryotic cells.

Question 7

Which of the following is a function of the lysosome in animal cells?

Accepted Answer

Digestion of macromolecules and recycling of cellular components

Question 8

Which cell junction in animal cells acts like 'Velcro' to fasten cells together?

Accepted Answer

Desmosome

Question 9

Which of the following is a major difference between plant and animal cells regarding vacuoles?

Accepted Answer

Plant cells have one large central vacuole, while animal cells have several small vacuoles.

Question 10

Which cytoskeletal component is most important for muscle contraction and cell motility?

Accepted Answer

Microfilaments (actin)

Question 11

A mutation prevents the formation of dynein arms in cilia. Which cellular function would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Cellular motility (movement of cilia and flagella)

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the function of plasmodesmata in plant cells?

Accepted Answer

They allow water, solutes, and sometimes proteins and RNA to pass between adjacent plant cells.

Question 13

Which of the following is true about the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

The membrane is a mosaic of proteins bobbing in a fluid bilayer of phospholipids.

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct calculation for the surface-to-volume ratio of a cube with side length $$n$$?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{6n^2$}{n^3$}$$

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a function of the Golgi apparatus?

Accepted Answer

Synthesizing ATP

Question 16

Which structure in animal cells is responsible for organizing microtubules during cell division?

Accepted Answer

Centrosome

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the difference in movement between cilia and flagella?

Accepted Answer

Flagella move in a propeller-like motion, while cilia move back and forth.

Question 18

Which cytoskeletal element is most important for maintaining cell shape and anchoring organelles in place?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate filaments

Question 19

Which of the following is a unique feature of plant cells compared to animal cells?

Accepted Answer

Presence of chloroplasts

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of motor proteins in cells?

Accepted Answer

They 'walk' vesicles along cytoskeletal fibers using ATP.

A Tour of the Cell: Structure, Function, and Membrane Dynamics

Study Guide - Practice Questions