Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have organelles that compartmentalize incompatible reactions and increase efficiency.

Question 2

A scientist discovers a new cell with the following features: a single circular chromosome, ribosomes, and a cell wall made of peptidoglycan. To which domain does this organism most likely belong?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria

Question 3

Which of the following statements about the nuclear envelope is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum and contains nuclear pore complexes for selective transport.

Question 4

A protein destined for secretion from a eukaryotic cell will first be synthesized in the cytosol. What sequence of events will it follow to reach the cell exterior?

Accepted Answer

Cytosol → Rough ER → Golgi apparatus → Secretory vesicle → Plasma membrane

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the function of lysosomes in animal cells?

Accepted Answer

They recycle macromolecules and organelles through hydrolytic enzymes active at low pH.

Question 6

A mutation prevents the addition of mannose-6-phosphate tags to proteins in the Golgi apparatus. Which cellular process would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Transport of proteins to the lysosome

Question 7

Which of the following is a function of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Providing structural support, facilitating intracellular transport, and enabling cell movement

Question 8

A researcher observes a eukaryotic cell with an unusually high number of peroxisomes. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this observation?

Accepted Answer

The cell is involved in detoxifying hydrogen peroxide and performing redox reactions.

Question 9

Which of the following best explains the endosymbiosis theory for the origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts?

Accepted Answer

They originated as free-living bacteria that were engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells and developed a mutualistic relationship.

Question 10

Which of the following is a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic flagella?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic flagella rotate like a propeller, while eukaryotic flagella move with a whip-like motion.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Plant

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the process of glycosylation in the endomembrane system?

Accepted Answer

Addition of carbohydrate groups to proteins in the ER lumen, resulting in glycoproteins

Question 13

Which cytoskeletal element is primarily responsible for the movement of vesicles from the rough ER to the Golgi apparatus?

Accepted Answer

Microtubules

Question 14

A scientist is studying a protein that is only found in the nucleus. Which of the following features would you expect this protein to have?

Accepted Answer

A nuclear localization signal (NLS) that directs it to the nucleus

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the function of the Golgi apparatus?

Accepted Answer

It processes, sorts, and ships proteins synthesized in the rough ER.

Question 16

During receptor-mediated endocytosis, what is the sequence of events that leads to the digestion of the endocytosed material?

Accepted Answer

Particles bind to receptors → plasma membrane pinches off → vesicle fuses with lysosome → contents digested

Question 17

Which of the following statements about actin filaments is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are composed of globular actin subunits and are involved in cell movement and cytokinesis.

Question 18

A cell is unable to move vesicles along microtubules. Which protein is most likely defective?

Accepted Answer

Kinesin

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

It moves along microtubules to produce the bending motion of cilia and flagella.

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world application of understanding the function of nuclear localization signals (NLS) in proteins?

Accepted Answer

Designing drugs that can selectively target the nucleus of cancer cells by attaching an NLS to therapeutic proteins

Inside the Cell: Structure and Function of Cellular Components

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