Question 1

Which of the following best explains why cells are generally small in size?

Accepted Answer

Smaller cells have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio, which facilitates efficient exchange of materials with their environment.

Question 2

A scientist is using a microscope to observe the detailed structure of a cell's surface. Which type of microscope should she use and why?

Accepted Answer

Scanning electron microscope, because it uses electrons to create detailed images of cell surfaces.

Question 3

Which of the following statements about the plasma membrane is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins that acts as a selective barrier for the cell.

Question 4

If a cell's surface area is $54\ units^2$ and its volume is $27\ units^3$, what is its surface area-to-volume ratio?

Accepted Answer

$2$

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A nucleus

Question 6

A mutation prevents a cell from producing ribosomes. Which process would be directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Protein synthesis

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the function of the nucleus in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

It houses the cell's DNA and directs protein synthesis via messenger RNA.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not.

Question 9

A cell is observed to have a large number of ribosomes attached to its endoplasmic reticulum. What is the most likely function of this cell?

Accepted Answer

Producing and exporting proteins

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why increasing a cell's size decreases its surface area-to-volume ratio?

Accepted Answer

Volume increases faster than surface area as a cell grows, according to the formulas $	ext{Surface Area} = 6l^2$ and $	ext{Volume} = l^3$.

Question 11

Which of the following is a function of the nucleolus?

Accepted Answer

It assembles ribosomal subunits from rRNA and proteins.

Question 12

A researcher wants to observe the internal structure of mitochondria in high detail. Which microscope should she use?

Accepted Answer

Transmission electron microscope

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the path of genetic information in a eukaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

DNA $\rightarrow$ RNA $\rightarrow$ Protein

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct statement about the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

The hydrophilic heads face outward toward the aqueous environment, while the hydrophobic tails face inward.

Question 15

Which of the following would most likely be found in a prokaryotic cell but not in a eukaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

A nucleoid region

Question 16

A cell with a surface area of $162\ units^2$ and a volume of $27\ units^3$ is divided into smaller cells, each with a surface area of $54\ units^2$ and a volume of $27\ units^3$. What happens to the surface area-to-volume ratio?

Accepted Answer

It increases from $2$ to $6$.

Question 17

Which of the following is a function of membrane proteins embedded in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

They form channels that allow specific molecules to cross the membrane.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the main difference between scanning and transmission electron microscopes?

Accepted Answer

Scanning electron microscopes visualize cell surfaces, while transmission electron microscopes visualize internal cell structures.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about ribosomes is correct?

Accepted Answer

They use information from RNA to synthesize proteins.

Question 20

A bacterial cell is observed to have a capsule. Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

Some, but not all, bacteria have capsules.

Cell Structure and Function: Microscopy, Membranes, and Organelles

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