Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus enclosed by a membrane, whereas prokaryotic cells have a nucleoid region without a membrane.

Question 2

Which structure is responsible for preventing phagocytosis and contributing to the virulence of certain bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Capsule (a type of glycocalyx)

Question 3

A bacterium is placed in a hypertonic solution. What is the most likely outcome for the cell?

Accepted Answer

The cell will lose water and undergo plasmolysis, causing the plasma membrane to shrink away from the cell wall.

Question 4

Which of the following is a function of teichoic acids in Gram-positive cell walls?

Accepted Answer

They regulate movement of cations and help prevent excessive wall breakdown during cell growth.

Question 5

Which process is unique to prokaryotic cells and involves the chemical modification of a transported substance?

Accepted Answer

Group translocation

Question 6

A scientist isolates a cell with the following features: circular DNA, 70S ribosomes, and a cell wall containing peptidoglycan. What type of cell is this most likely to be?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic bacterial cell

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why Gram-negative bacteria are generally more resistant to antibiotics than Gram-positive bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Gram-negative bacteria possess an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides and porin proteins that restrict antibiotic entry.

Question 8

Which of the following structures is found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and is the site of protein synthesis?

Accepted Answer

Ribosome

Question 9

A patient is diagnosed with tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Which cell wall feature is most responsible for the bacterium’s resistance to desiccation and many antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

High concentration of mycolic acid (waxy lipid) in the cell wall

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration?

Accepted Answer

Osmosis

Question 11

Which formula correctly represents the calculation of osmotic pressure ($\Pi$) using van't Hoff's law?

Accepted Answer

$\Pi = iMRT$

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a function of the plasma membrane in prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Protein synthesis

Question 13

Which structure in eukaryotic cells is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion?

Accepted Answer

Golgi complex

Question 14

A bacterium is observed to move in a corkscrew fashion. Which structure is most likely responsible for this type of motility?

Accepted Answer

Axial filaments (endoflagella)

Question 15

Which of the following statements about endospores is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Endospores are highly resistant to heat, desiccation, chemicals, and radiation.

Question 16

Which of the following is a major difference between the plasma membranes of Archaea and Bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Archaeal membrane lipids have branched carbon chains attached to glycerol by ether linkages, while bacterial membrane lipids have straight carbon chains attached by ester linkages.

Question 17

Which of the following structures is found in eukaryotic cells but NOT in prokaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Nucleus

Question 18

A Gram-negative bacterium is exposed to lysozyme. What is the expected effect?

Accepted Answer

Lysozyme will hydrolyze the peptidoglycan layer, but the outer membrane provides some protection, making Gram-negative bacteria less susceptible.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the function of peroxisomes in eukaryotic cells?

Accepted Answer

Oxidation of fatty acids and detoxification of harmful substances, with breakdown of $\mathrm{H_2O_2}$ by catalase

Question 20

A scientist observes a cell with the following features: membrane-bound organelles, cytoskeleton, and 80S ribosomes. Which domain does this cell most likely belong to?

Accepted Answer

Eukarya

Cell Structure and Function: Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

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