Question 1

A genetic disorder impairs the function of the Golgi apparatus in human cells. Which cellular process is MOST likely to be directly affected as a result?

Accepted Answer

Proteins will not be packaged and sent to their correct destinations.

Question 2

A scientist observes a plant cell with a cell wall, a large central vacuole, and chloroplasts. The cell is placed in the dark for several days. What will likely happen to the cell’s energy production?

Accepted Answer

It will rely more on mitochondria for energy.

Question 3

A mutation prevents a cell from producing functional lysosomes. What would be the MOST likely effect on the cell?

Accepted Answer

The cell will accumulate waste and damaged organelles.

Question 4

Which of the following BEST explains why muscle cells have more mitochondria than skin cells?

Accepted Answer

Muscle cells use more energy to perform contractions.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The cell membrane will shrink away from the cell wall.

Question 6

A white blood cell engulfs a bacterium through endocytosis. Which organelle will most likely help destroy the bacterium?

Accepted Answer

Lysosome

Question 7

A bacterial cell is exposed to a chemical that selectively damages its plasma membrane. After exposure, the cell swells and bursts. What does this tell you about the external environment?

Accepted Answer

The environment was hypotonic, causing water influx.

Question 8

Which of the following BEST explains why most cells are small?

Accepted Answer

Smaller cells have a greater surface area-to-volume ratio, aiding material exchange.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Hypotonic compared to the cell

Question 10

A cell is engineered to have defective carrier proteins for facilitated diffusion of glucose. Which of the following will likely occur?

Accepted Answer

Glucose will accumulate outside the cell.

Question 11

Which of the following characteristics distinguishes facilitated diffusion from active transport?

Accepted Answer

Movement down the concentration gradient through specific proteins

Question 12

Heating a protein to $$95\ ^\circ \mathrm{C}$$ causes it to lose function. Which level(s) of protein structure are MOST LIKELY disrupted by this treatment?

Accepted Answer

Secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures

Question 13

Two amino acids in a protein's active site interact through hydrogen bonds. Which type of R groups are most likely involved?

Accepted Answer

Polar uncharged and polar uncharged

Question 14

In a eukaryotic cell, what would be the consequence of telomerase inactivity in germline cells over multiple generations?

Accepted Answer

Telomeres would shorten, eventually leading to genome instability

Question 15

During DNA replication, the template strand of a DNA molecule has the sequence $$5' - \mathrm{AATCGG} - 3'. $$What will be the sequence of the newly synthesized complementary strand?

Accepted Answer

$$3' - \mathrm{TTAGCC} - 5'$$

Question 16

During the initiation of transcription, which of the following events occurs first in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

The general transcription factors and RNA polymerase II bind to the promoter region.

Question 17

A given DNA sequence is $$5' - \mathrm{ATGCGTAC} - 3'. $$Which of the following is the correct mRNA sequence transcribed from this DNA template?

Accepted Answer

$$5' - \mathrm{AUGCGAUC} - 3'$$

Question 18

A point mutation in a gene leads to the substitution of a single nucleotide in the mRNA sequence, changing a codon from UGA (a stop codon) to UGG (tryptophan). What is the likely effect of this mutation on the protein?

Accepted Answer

The protein will be extended, as the stop codon has been changed to an amino acid codon.

Question 19

A mutation in the coding region of a gene causes a single amino acid substitution in the resulting protein. This substitution does not alter the protein’s function. What type of mutation most likely caused this change?

Accepted Answer

Missense mutation

Question 20

A mutation occurs in a gene encoding a chromatin remodeling complex that prevents the complex from acetylating histones. What is the most likely consequence for gene expression in this case?

Accepted Answer

Decreased transcription of genes associated with the affected chromatin region.

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