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

Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why eukaryotic cells can perform more complex functions than prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells contain internal membranes that create specialized compartments for distinct chemical reactions.

Question 2

Which organelle is primarily responsible for synthesizing lipids and detoxifying drugs in a liver cell?

Accepted Answer

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Question 3

A mutation causes a cell to lose its ability to package and ship proteins to other parts of the cell. Which organelle is most likely affected?

Accepted Answer

Golgi apparatus

Question 4

During phagocytosis, a white blood cell engulfs a bacterium. Which organelle fuses with the resulting food vacuole to digest the bacterium?

Accepted Answer

Lysosome

Question 5

Which of the following is a similarity between mitochondria and chloroplasts that supports the endosymbiont theory?

Accepted Answer

Both contain free ribosomes and circular DNA molecules.

Question 6

A freshwater protist is observed to have an organelle that pumps excess water out of the cell. What is this organelle called?

Accepted Answer

Contractile vacuole

Question 7

Which cytoskeletal component is primarily responsible for separating chromosomes during cell division?

Accepted Answer

Microtubules

Question 8

A cell is unable to maintain its shape and anchor its nucleus. Which cytoskeletal element is most likely defective?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate filaments

Question 9

Which equation correctly represents the process of cellular respiration occurring in mitochondria?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Which organelle is most directly involved in autophagy, the process of recycling a cell’s own organelles and macromolecules?

Accepted Answer

Lysosome

Question 11

A plant cell is observed to have a large organelle filled with sap that helps maintain cell turgor and stores nutrients. What is this organelle?

Accepted Answer

Central vacuole

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in animal cells?

Accepted Answer

It regulates a cell’s behavior and can influence gene activity in the nucleus.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a function of microtubules?

Accepted Answer

Synthesizing lipids

Question 14

A cell is observed to have many ribosomes attached to its endoplasmic reticulum. What is the primary function of this region?

Accepted Answer

Production of glycoproteins and membrane proteins

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why the surface area of cristae in mitochondria is important?

Accepted Answer

It provides a larger area for enzymes that synthesize ATP.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the function of motor proteins in the cell?

Accepted Answer

They walk vesicles and organelles along cytoskeletal fibers using ATP.

Question 18

A mutation in a plant cell prevents the stacking of thylakoids. Which process would be most directly affected?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Question 19

Which of the following best illustrates the concept that 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts' in cell biology?

Accepted Answer

A cell’s ability to destroy bacteria involves coordinated action of the cytoskeleton, lysosomes, and plasma membrane.

Introduction to Cells: Structure, Organelles, and Energy in Eukaryotic Cells

Study Guide - Practice Questions