Question 1

Which component of the plasma membrane is primarily responsible for cell-to-cell recognition and signaling?

Accepted Answer

Glycoproteins

Question 2

What is the main function of cholesterol in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Increasing membrane fluidity at low temperatures

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the arrangement of phospholipids in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipids form a bilayer with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward

Question 4

Peripheral proteins are most likely to be found:

Accepted Answer

Attached to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane

Question 5

Which equation best represents the diffusion of a solute across a membrane?

Accepted Answer

$J = -D \frac{dC}{dx}$

Question 6

A mutation causes a cell to lack glycoproteins on its membrane. Which process would be most affected?

Accepted Answer

Cell-to-cell recognition

Question 7

Which of the following is a function of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as shown in the diagram?

Accepted Answer

Providing structural support and anchoring cells

Question 8

Integral proteins differ from peripheral proteins in that integral proteins:

Accepted Answer

Span the entire lipid bilayer

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why the plasma membrane is described as a 'fluid mosaic'?

Accepted Answer

The membrane consists of a dynamic arrangement of lipids and proteins that can move laterally

Question 10

A cell is placed in a hypotonic solution. Which process will occur, and which membrane component is most directly involved?

Accepted Answer

Water will enter the cell; phospholipids are involved

Question 11

Which of the following is a real-world example of membrane function disruption leading to disease?

Accepted Answer

Cystic fibrosis caused by defective chloride channel proteins

Question 12

Which formula would you use to calculate the osmotic pressure across a membrane?

Accepted Answer

$\Pi = iMRT$

Question 13

If a cell membrane loses its cholesterol, what is the most likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

The membrane will become less fluid at high temperatures and more fluid at low temperatures

Question 14

Which membrane component is most directly involved in the attachment of the cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Integral proteins

Question 15

A scientist is studying the movement of glucose across a cell membrane. Which type of membrane protein is most likely involved?

Accepted Answer

Integral protein

Question 16

Which of the following statements about membrane carbohydrates is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are attached to proteins and lipids on the extracellular side

Question 17

Which process is most directly facilitated by the presence of integral proteins in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

Facilitated diffusion of ions

Question 18

A cell membrane is selectively permeable. Which property allows it to do this?

Accepted Answer

Arrangement of phospholipids and proteins

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

They provide structural support and help maintain cell shape

Question 20

Which equation would you use to calculate the rate of facilitated diffusion across a membrane?

Accepted Answer

$v = \frac{V_{max}[S]}{K_m + [S]}$

Membrane Structure and Function: Study Notes for BIOL101

Study Guide - Practice Questions