Question 1

Which of the following best explains why cells are considered the fundamental units of life?

Accepted Answer

Cells are the simplest collection of matter that can be alive and all living organisms are made of cells.

Question 2

A scientist wants to observe the surface details of a virus, which is about 100 nm in size. Which type of microscope should they use and why?

Accepted Answer

Electron microscope, because its resolution is much smaller than 200 nm.

Question 3

Which of the following statements about prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

Why do smaller cells have a higher surface area to volume ratio compared to larger cells, and what is the biological significance of this?

Accepted Answer

A higher surface area to volume ratio allows for more efficient exchange of materials with the environment.

Question 5

If a cube-shaped cell doubles its length on each side, by what factor does its surface area increase, and by what factor does its volume increase? Use the formulas $$	ext{Surface Area} = 6a^2$ and $$	ext{Volume} = $$a^3$$, where $$a is $$the length of a side.

Accepted Answer

Surface area increases by a factor of 4, volume by a factor of 8.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

It acts as a selective barrier, regulating the passage of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes.

Question 7

A potato is cut into many small cubes and boiled. Compared to boiling a whole potato of the same total volume, what is the expected outcome and why?

Accepted Answer

The small cubes cook faster because the total surface area exposed to heat is greater.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a feature shared by all cells?

Accepted Answer

Presence of a nucleus.

Question 9

A researcher stains a cell sample with heavy metals and observes it under a microscope, seeing detailed internal structures. Which type of microscopy is being used?

Accepted Answer

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why organelles are important in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

They provide different local environments for specific metabolic functions, allowing incompatible processes to occur simultaneously.

Question 11

If the maximum resolution of a light microscope is 200 nm, which of the following structures can be clearly observed with it?

Accepted Answer

A mitochondrion (about 1 µm in size).

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct comparison between scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)?

Accepted Answer

SEM provides images of the surface of a specimen, while TEM provides images of internal structures.

Question 13

Which of the following is a real-world example of the importance of surface area to volume ratio in biology?

Accepted Answer

The branching of alveoli in human lungs increases surface area for gas exchange.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about ribosomes is correct?

Accepted Answer

Ribosomes are found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and are responsible for protein synthesis.

Question 15

A student claims that all cells have the same internal structures. Which of the following best refutes this claim?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have them.

Introduction to Cells: The Fundamental Units of Life

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