Question 1

Which of the following best explains why electron microscopes can resolve smaller structures than light microscopes?

Accepted Answer

Electrons have a shorter wavelength than visible light, allowing for higher resolution.

Question 2

A scientist wants to study the internal structure of mitochondria in detail. Which type of microscopy should they use?

Accepted Answer

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

Question 3

During cell fractionation, which property of organelles allows them to be separated by centrifugation?

Accepted Answer

Their density and size

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a feature shared by all cells?

Accepted Answer

Nucleus

Question 5

A bacterial cell is observed to have DNA in a region not surrounded by a membrane, and lacks membrane-bound organelles. What type of cell is this?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic cell

Question 6

Which organelle is primarily responsible for synthesizing lipids and detoxifying drugs in liver cells?

Accepted Answer

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Question 7

What is the main function of the Golgi apparatus in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles

Question 8

Which process describes how a white blood cell engulfs a bacterium?

Accepted Answer

Phagocytosis

Question 9

According to the endosymbiotic theory, which two organelles originated from prokaryotic cells engulfed by an ancestral eukaryote?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria and chloroplasts

Question 10

Which of the following is a similarity between mitochondria and chloroplasts that supports the endosymbiotic theory?

Accepted Answer

Both contain circular DNA and free ribosomes

Question 11

A plant cell is placed in a hypotonic solution. Which structure prevents it from bursting?

Accepted Answer

Cell wall

Question 12

Which cytoskeletal fiber is primarily involved in muscle contraction and cell motility?

Accepted Answer

Microfilaments (actin filaments)

Question 13

Which cell junction in animal cells prevents the leakage of extracellular fluid between neighboring cells?

Accepted Answer

Tight junctions

Question 14

A mutation disrupts the function of dynein in a cell. Which cellular process would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Bending movements of cilia and flagella

Question 15

Which equation correctly represents the relationship between surface area ($$SA) $$and volume ($$V) $$for a spherical cell of radius $$r$$?

Accepted Answer

$$SA = 4 \pi r^2$, V$$ = \frac{4}{3} \pi $$r^3$$

Question 16

Which organelle is responsible for breaking down fatty acids and detoxifying alcohol in liver cells?

Accepted Answer

Peroxisome

Question 17

A cell is observed to have a large central vacuole, chloroplasts, and a cell wall. Which type of cell is this most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

Plant cell

Question 18

Which structure in animal cells is analogous to plasmodesmata in plant cells, allowing direct cytoplasmic communication between adjacent cells?

Accepted Answer

Gap junctions

Question 19

Which cytoskeletal element is most important for separating chromosomes during cell division?

Accepted Answer

Microtubules

Question 20

A cell is unable to produce glycoproteins for secretion. Which organelle is most likely malfunctioning?

Accepted Answer

Rough ER

Ch. 6 A Tour of the Cell: Structure, Function, and Microscopy

Study Guide - Practice Questions