Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

It increases membrane fluidity at low temperatures and decreases fluidity at high temperatures.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The solution is hypotonic to the cell.

Question 3

Which of the following would most likely increase the fluidity of a cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a function of membrane proteins?

Accepted Answer

Storing genetic information.

Question 5

A plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. What will most likely happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

It will lose water and undergo plasmolysis.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about facilitated diffusion is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

It requires energy in the form of ATP.

Question 7

Which equation correctly represents the calculation of water potential ($\Psi$) in plant cells?

Accepted Answer

$\Psi = \Psi_s + \Psi_p$

Question 8

A cell uses energy to move sodium ions from a region of low concentration to a region of high concentration. Which type of transport is this?

Accepted Answer

Active transport

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why plant cells do not burst when placed in a hypotonic solution?

Accepted Answer

The rigid cell wall prevents excessive expansion.

Question 10

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the process of exocytosis?

Accepted Answer

A pancreatic cell releases insulin into the bloodstream.

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct statement about osmosis?

Accepted Answer

Water moves from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

Question 12

A solution contains 0.2 M NaCl and another contains 0.4 M NaCl. If a cell is placed in the 0.4 M NaCl solution, what will happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

It will lose water and shrink.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the difference between simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion?

Accepted Answer

Facilitated diffusion requires membrane proteins, while simple diffusion does not.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of bulk transport?

Accepted Answer

Phagocytosis

Question 15

A cell is placed in a solution and there is no net movement of water into or out of the cell. What can you conclude about the solution?

Accepted Answer

The solution is isotonic to the cell.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the function of glycoproteins in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

They are involved in cell-to-cell recognition.

Question 17

Which of the following would most likely occur if the sodium-potassium pump in animal cells stopped functioning?

Accepted Answer

The cell would lose its ability to maintain a proper electrochemical gradient.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why facilitated diffusion is considered passive transport?

Accepted Answer

It does not require energy and moves substances down their concentration gradient.

Question 19

A cell is placed in distilled water. What will happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

Water will enter the cell, causing it to swell.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the direction of water movement by osmosis?

Accepted Answer

From an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential.

Membrane Structure and Function: Study Guide

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