Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

It regulates the movement of substances into and out of the cell.

Question 2

A scientist observes that a cell placed in a hypertonic solution shrinks. Which process is primarily responsible for this observation?

Accepted Answer

Osmosis of water out of the cell

Question 3

Which of the following molecules would most easily pass through a plasma membrane by simple diffusion?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen ($$O_2)$$

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why the surface area-to-volume ratio is important for cell function?

Accepted Answer

It affects the efficiency of material exchange across the cell membrane.

Question 5

A cell is placed in a solution and swells until it bursts. What type of solution was the cell placed in, and what process caused this?

Accepted Answer

Hypotonic; osmosis

Question 6

Which of the following is a function of membrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

They allow for compartmentalization of cellular processes.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

It increases membrane fluidity at low temperatures.

Question 8

A cell uses energy to move sodium ions against their concentration gradient. Which process is being described?

Accepted Answer

Active transport

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

It proposes that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from prokaryotic cells.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why plant cells do not burst when placed in a hypotonic solution?

Accepted Answer

They have a rigid cell wall that prevents excessive expansion.

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct comparison between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus; prokaryotic cells do not.

Question 12

A mutation causes a cell to lack aquaporins. Which process would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Osmosis

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the process of exocytosis?

Accepted Answer

The release of substances from a cell via vesicles fusing with the plasma membrane

Question 14

Which of the following would most likely increase the rate of diffusion across a cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the concentration gradient

Question 15

A red blood cell is placed in pure water. What will happen to the cell, and why?

Accepted Answer

It will swell and burst due to water entering by osmosis.

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-life example of facilitated diffusion?

Accepted Answer

Glucose entering a muscle cell via a transport protein

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why ions cannot easily cross the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

The hydrophobic core of the membrane repels charged particles.

Question 18

Which of the following equations correctly represents the calculation for surface area-to-volume ratio for a spherical cell?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{4\pi r^2$}{\frac{4}{3}\pi r^3$}$$

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the function of the Golgi apparatus in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

It modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion.

Question 20

Which of the following is a consequence of a cell having a low surface area-to-volume ratio?

Accepted Answer

It decreases the rate of waste removal.

Cell Structure, Membrane Transport, and Cell Signaling: Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions