Question 1

Which of the following best explains why cells are limited in size by their surface area-to-volume ratio?

Accepted Answer

As cells increase in size, their volume increases faster than their surface area, reducing the efficiency of material exchange across the membrane.

Question 2

A scientist wants to observe the detailed structure of ribosomes within a cell. Which type of microscope should they use and why?

Accepted Answer

Electron microscope, because ribosomes are too small to be resolved by light microscopes.

Question 3

Which of the following organelles is directly involved in the synthesis of proteins that are exported from the cell?

Accepted Answer

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Question 4

A red blood cell is placed in a solution and swells until it bursts. Which term best describes the tonicity of the solution relative to the cell?

Accepted Answer

Hypotonic

Question 5

Which of the following molecules can most easily diffuse directly through the phospholipid bilayer of a plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

O$$_2$$

Question 6

Which statement best describes the difference between facilitated diffusion and active transport?

Accepted Answer

Facilitated diffusion moves substances down their concentration gradient without energy input, while active transport moves substances against their gradient using energy.

Question 7

According to the endosymbiotic theory, which organelles are believed to have originated from free-living prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria and chloroplasts

Question 8

Which of the following best illustrates the first law of thermodynamics?

Accepted Answer

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Question 9

A reaction has a negative $$\Delta G. $$Which of the following statements is true about this reaction?

Accepted Answer

It is exergonic and releases energy.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes how enzymes affect the activation energy of a reaction?

Accepted Answer

They lower the activation energy, allowing the reaction to proceed faster.

Question 11

A competitive inhibitor affects an enzyme-catalyzed reaction by:

Accepted Answer

Binding to the active site and preventing substrate binding.

Question 12

Which stage of cellular respiration produces the most ATP?

Accepted Answer

Oxidative phosphorylation

Question 13

Which of the following is the correct overall equation for cellular respiration?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6$ + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + ATP}$$

Question 14

During which stage of cellular respiration is oxygen directly required?

Accepted Answer

Oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport chain)

Question 15

In the absence of oxygen, human muscle cells convert pyruvate into which molecule during fermentation?

Accepted Answer

Lactic acid (lactate)

Question 16

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis stores energy in glucose, while cellular respiration releases energy from glucose.

Question 17

Which color of light is least absorbed by chlorophyll and thus least effective for photosynthesis?

Accepted Answer

Green

Question 18

Which of the following best describes an autotroph?

Accepted Answer

An organism that produces its own organic molecules from inorganic sources.

Question 19

Which of the following is produced during the light reactions of photosynthesis and used in the Calvin cycle?

Accepted Answer

NADPH

Question 20

A patient is diagnosed with a genetic disorder that affects the function of lysosomes. Which cellular process is most likely to be impaired?

Accepted Answer

Intracellular digestion of macromolecules

Comprehensive Study Guide: Cell Structure, Membrane Function, Metabolism, Cellular Respiration, and Photosynthesis

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