Question 1

Which of the following best explains why water is able to dissolve many substances, making it known as the 'universal solvent'?

Accepted Answer

Water molecules are polar, allowing them to surround and separate charged and polar solutes.

Question 2

A scientist is studying a protein that is found embedded in the cell membrane and helps move glucose into the cell against its concentration gradient. Which process is this protein most likely involved in?

Accepted Answer

Active transport

Question 3

Which of the following is a correct example of a dehydration reaction in biological systems?

Accepted Answer

Linking two amino acids together to form a dipeptide, releasing water

Question 4

Which property of water is most directly responsible for the cooling effect of sweating in humans?

Accepted Answer

High heat of vaporization

Question 5

A cell is placed in a solution and water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink. What type of solution is the cell in?

Accepted Answer

Hypertonic

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy in a biological system?

Accepted Answer

Potential energy is stored energy, while kinetic energy is the energy of motion.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about phospholipids in the plasma membrane is correct?

Accepted Answer

Phospholipids have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, forming a bilayer.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the primary structure of a protein?

Accepted Answer

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Storing genetic information

Question 10

A researcher adds a competitive inhibitor to an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. What is the most likely effect?

Accepted Answer

The inhibitor binds to the active site, preventing substrate binding.

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why cells are generally small in size?

Accepted Answer

Smaller cells have a higher surface-area-to-volume ratio, allowing more efficient exchange of materials.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, prokaryotic cells do not.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the function of the Golgi apparatus in a eukaryotic cell?

Accepted Answer

Modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles

Question 14

Which of the following statements about hydrogen bonds is correct?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen bonds form between the hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the oxygen atom of another water molecule.

Question 15

A solution has a pH of 4. What is the concentration of hydrogen ions $[H^+]$ in the solution?

Accepted Answer

$[H^+] = 1 	imes 10^{-4} \, M$

Question 16

Which of the following best describes an endergonic reaction?

Accepted Answer

A reaction that requires an input of energy

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct example of a monomer-polymer pairing?

Accepted Answer

Amino acid - protein

Question 18

Which of the following statements about the fluid mosaic model of cell membranes is correct?

Accepted Answer

Proteins and lipids can move laterally within the bilayer, giving the membrane flexibility.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why enzymes lower the activation energy of a reaction?

Accepted Answer

Enzymes provide a surface for reactants to come together and stabilize the transition state.

Question 20

Which of the following is a function of cell junctions in animal tissues?

Accepted Answer

They allow communication and adhesion between adjacent cells.

Study Guide: Key Concepts in Introductory Biology

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