Question 1

Which of the following best explains why eukaryotic cells can be larger than prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles that compartmentalize functions, increasing efficiency.

Question 2

A cell is observed to have a double membrane-bound organelle with its own circular DNA and ribosomes. This organelle is most likely:

Accepted Answer

A mitochondrion

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The plasma membrane is a fluid mosaic of lipids and proteins, with proteins and lipids able to move laterally.

Question 4

A liver cell exposed to increasing amounts of barbiturates will likely respond by:

Accepted Answer

Increasing the number of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and associated detoxification enzymes.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the path of a secreted protein from synthesis to secretion in a eukaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

Rough ER → Golgi apparatus → vesicle → plasma membrane

Question 6

A cell with a high rate of protein synthesis would be expected to have:

Accepted Answer

A large number of ribosomes and prominent nucleoli

Question 7

Which of the following is a function of the Golgi apparatus?

Accepted Answer

Modification, sorting, and packaging of proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles

Question 8

A mutation causes a cell to produce a nonfunctional aquaporin protein. Which process would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Facilitated diffusion of water across the plasma membrane

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Smaller cells have a higher surface area to volume ratio, which increases efficiency of material exchange.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a function of the cytoskeleton?

Accepted Answer

Synthesizing proteins for export

Question 11

A patient with a genetic defect in collagen synthesis would most likely have problems with which cellular structure?

Accepted Answer

Extracellular matrix (ECM)

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Cholesterol helps the membrane resist changes in fluidity when temperature changes.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about membrane proteins is correct?

Accepted Answer

Integral proteins typically span the membrane and have hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.

Question 14

A white blood cell engulfs a bacterium by phagocytosis. Which organelle is primarily responsible for digesting the bacterium?

Accepted Answer

Lysosome

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the function of microvilli in the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

They increase the cell's surface area to enhance absorption of nutrients.

Question 16

Which of the following molecules would most easily cross a pure phospholipid bilayer without the aid of a protein transporter?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen ($O_2$)

Question 17

A cell is observed to have many cilia on its surface. Which cytoskeletal element is most directly involved in the movement of these cilia?

Accepted Answer

Microtubules

Question 18

Which type of cell junction would you expect to find in tissues that experience significant mechanical stress, such as skin?

Accepted Answer

Desmosomes

Question 19

A scientist is studying a protein that is synthesized in the rough ER, modified in the Golgi apparatus, and then sent to the lysosome. Which of the following best describes the pathway this protein takes?

Accepted Answer

Rough ER → transport vesicle → Golgi apparatus → transport vesicle → lysosome

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why the addition of unsaturated fatty acids to membrane phospholipids increases membrane fluidity?

Accepted Answer

Unsaturated fatty acids have kinks due to double bonds, preventing tight packing of phospholipids.

Eukaryotic Cell Structure, Membranes, and Transport: Study Guide

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