Title: Cellular Structure
Course: Question Banks

Q: The unified cell theory states that ________.
- all living things are composed of more than one cell and arise from other cells (Incorrect. Many organisms are single-celled.)
- cells are the basic unit of life, make up all living things, and arise spontaneously. (Incorrect. Cells do not arise spontaneously.)
- all living things are composed of the basic unit of life (a cell) and new cells arise from other cells (Correct. This is the unified cell theory.)
A: all living things are composed of the basic unit of life (a cell) and new cells arise from other cells

Q: Robert Hooke coined the term ________.
- organelle (Incorrect. Hooke never saw an organelle.)
- atom (Incorrect. Hooke never saw an atom.)
- cell (Correct. Hooke called the structures he saw in cork cells after cells in monasteries.)
A: cell

Q: Which characteristic is unique to prokaryotic cells?
- has ribosomes (Incorrect. Remember that all cell types have ribosomes in order to make proteins.)
- has a cell membrane (Incorrect. A cell membrane is required to separate any cell from its external environment.)
- contains a nucleoid (Correct. A eukaryotic cell would have a nucleus while a prokaryotic cell has a nucleoid.)
A: contains a nucleoid

Q: Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells share what component?
- Flagellum (Incorrect. Not all cells have flagella.)
- Cell wall (Incorrect. Not all cells have a cell wall.)
- DNA (Correct. DNA is the genetic material used by all eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.)
A: DNA

Q: Which of the following is not a uniform feature of cellular life?
- cell membrane (Incorrect. A cell membrane is required to separate any cell from its external environment.)
- ribosomes (Incorrect. Remember that all cell types have ribosomes in order to make proteins.)
- nucleus (Correct. Only eukaryotic cells have a nucleus.)
A: nucleus

Q: Eukaryotic organelles can be roughly the same size as ________.
- the smallest plant cells (Incorrect. Plant cells are eukaryotic cells so they must be large enough to contain organelles.)
- most animal cells (Incorrect. Animal cells are eukaryotic cells so they must be large enough to contain organelles.)
- many bacterial cells (Correct. Many organelles are roughly the same size as prokaryotic cells.)
A: many bacterial cells

Q: Overall cell size is restricted by the need to ________.
- find enough nutrients to survive (Incorrect. Foraging for nutrients has nothing to do with cell size.)
- hide from predators (Incorrect. Hiding from predators has no impact on cell size.)
- transport materials inside the cell (Correct. Cell size is restricted by surface to volume ratios.)
A: transport materials inside the cell

Q: Which of the following facts supports the endosymbiotic theory?
- Prokaryotes and eukaryotes can have symbiotic relationships. (Incorrect. Some prokaryotes have symbiotic relationships with eukaryotes, but this does not explain the endosymbiotic theory.)
- Prokaryotes and eukaryotes have similar organelles. (Incorrect. Prokaryotes do not have organelles.)
- The structure of mitochondrial DNA is similar to prokaryotic DNA. (Correct. The structure of mitochondrial DNA is similar to prokaryotic DNA.)
A: The structure of mitochondrial DNA is similar to prokaryotic DNA.

Q: Mitochondria and chloroplasts have characteristics that support the idea of ________.
- life originated in the water (Incorrect. Mitochondria and chloroplasts do not contribute to this prevailing theory on the origins of life as a whole.)
- convergent evolution (Incorrect. Mitochondria and chloroplasts do not contribute to the idea that organisms sometimes share characteristics without being closely related.)
- endosymbiosis in eukaryotic evolution (Correct. Mitochondria and chloroplasts have many characteristics that support the theory they were once free-living organisms that were engulfed by another organism and both cells benefited.)
A: endosymbiosis in eukaryotic evolution

Q: What are the characteristics of eukaryotes that distinguish them from prokaryotes?
- Eukaryotes have ribosomes (Incorrect. Prokaryotes also have ribosomes.)
- Eukaryotes have cell membrane. (Incorrect. Prokaryotes also have cell membrane.)
- Eukaryotes have at least one nucleus. (Correct. In eukaryotes the genetic material in enclosed in a double membrane to form a nucleus.)
A: Eukaryotes have at least one nucleus.

Q: Sexual reproduction is ________.
- unique to prokaryotes (Incorrect. Prokaryotes do not reproduce sexually.)
- found in all major types of lifeforms (Incorrect. No prokaryotic lineages reproduce sexually.)
- unique to eukaryotes (Correct. The process of sexual reproduction, which leads to genetic recombination, is unique to eukaryotic lineages, though not all eukaryotes reproduce this way.)
A: unique to eukaryotes

Q: Cytosol is a major component of the cytoplasm in ________.
- prokaryotes (Incorrect. Cytosol is not only found in prokaryotes.)
- eukaryotes (Incorrect. Cytosol is not only found in eukaryotes.)
- both prokaryotes and eukaryotes (Correct. Cytosol is a water-based, semi-solid component found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cytoplasm.)
A: both prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Q: Cytoplasm has a ________ consistency in most cell types.
- liquid (Incorrect. While water is a major component of the cytoplasm, it is still not liquid.)
- solid (Incorrect. If the cytoplasm was solid material would not be able to move easily through it.)
- semi-solid (Correct. The many proteins suspended in the cytoplasm give it a semi-solid, Jello-like consistency.)
A: semi-solid

Q: The cytoplasm in eukaryotes includes ________.
- everything inside the plasma membrane (Incorrect. There are numerous specialized structures and regions inside eukaryotic cells, not just cytoplasm.)
- everything inside the nuclear envelope (Incorrect. The cytoplasm is not considered to extend into the nucleus.)
- everything between the plasma membrane and nuclear envelope (Correct. The cytoplasm is not considered to extend inside the nuclear envelope.)
A: everything between the plasma membrane and nuclear envelope

Q: The ________ houses a eukaryotic cell’s genetic material.
- nucleoid (Incorrect. Prokaryotic cells have a nucleoid.)
- nucleolus (Incorrect. The nucleolus is a specialized location where ribosomal subunits are assembled.)
- nucleus (Correct. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus to hold their genetic material, DNA.)
A: nucleus

Q: The ________ is separated from the rest of the cell by a ________ nuclear membrane.
- nucleus; single layer (Incorrect. The nuclear membrane is not single-layered.)
- nucleoid; double layer (Incorrect. The nucleoid is not separated by a nuclear membrane.)
- nucleus; double layer (Correct. The nucleus is separated by a double-layer nuclear membrane.)
A: nucleus; double layer

Q: Material enters and leaves the nucleus using ________ in the nuclear envelope.
- channels (Incorrect. The nuclear envelope does not have any channels.)
- gates (Incorrect. The nuclear envelope does not have any gates.)
- pores (Correct. Pores are used to control the passage of materials into and out of the nucleus.)
A: pores

Q: Material enters and leaves the nucleus using pores in the ________.
- nuclear filter (Incorrect. There is no nuclear filter.)
- nuclear wall (Incorrect. There is no nuclear wall.)
- nuclear envelope (Correct. Pores are used to control the passage of materials into and out of the nucleus.)
A: nuclear envelope

Q: Where in the cell is the endoplasmic reticulum located?
- anywhere in the cytoplasm (Incorrect. The ER is not ‘free’ within the cell.)
- directly inside the cell membrane (Incorrect. The ER is not located adjacent to the cell membrane.)
- directly outside the nuclear membrane (Correct. The ER is directly outside the nuclear membrane to facilitate its role in protein modification.)
A: directly outside the nuclear membrane

Q: The smooth endoplasmic reticulum plays a major role in the ________.
- transport of proteins and lipids (Incorrect. The major function of the Golgi apparatus is sorting, tagging, packaging, and distribution of lipids and proteins.)
- modifying proteins (Incorrect. This is the major function of the rough ER.)
- synthesis of carbohydrates and lipids (Correct. The major function of the SER includes synthesis of carbohydrates and lipids.)
A: synthesis of carbohydrates and lipids

Q: The ________ distributes proteins and lipids made within cells from the receiving face to the releasing face.
- smooth endoplasmic reticulum (Incorrect. The major function of the SER includes synthesis of carbohydrates and lipids.)
- rough endoplasmic reticulum (Incorrect. The major function of the RER is modifying proteins.)
- Golgi apparatus (Correct. The major function of the Golgi apparatus is sorting, tagging, packaging, and distribution of lipids and proteins.)
A: Golgi apparatus

Q: The ________ works together in the synthesis, modification, packaging, and transport of lipids and proteins.
- endoplasmic reticulum (Incorrect. This is a part of the overall system, but not the entire group.)
- organelle membrane path (Incorrect. This is not the proper term for the organelles that work together in this process.)
- endomembrane system (Correct. This is the name for the membranes and organelles involved in the synthesis, modification, packaging, and transport of lipids and proteins.)
A: endomembrane system

Q: ________ are found in practically every cell, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic.
- Mitochondria (Incorrect. Prokaryotic organisms do not have mitochondria.)
- Nuclei (Incorrect. Nuclei are only present in eukaryotic cells.)
- Ribosomes (Correct. Ribosomes are essential for making proteins, and therefore are found all types of cells.)
A: Ribosomes

Q: Ribosomes play a key role in ________.
- DNA replication (Incorrect. Ribosomes do not have a key role in DNA replication.)
- breaking down fatty acids and amino acids (Incorrect. Ribosomes do not have a key role in breaking down any materials in cells.)
- protein synthesis (Correct. Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis in cells.)
A: protein synthesis

Q: ________ are composed of protein and RNA.
- Mitochondria (Incorrect. Mitochondria have no RNA.)
- Peroxisomes (Incorrect. Peroxisomes have no RNA.)
- Ribosomes (Correct. A ribosome is a complex of RNA and proteins.)
A: Ribosomes

Q: This oval shaped organelle is responsible for making ATP to power cellular reactions.
- Chloroplast (Incorrect. Chloroplasts are involved in photosynthesis.)
- Ribosome (Incorrect. Ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis.)
- Mitochondrion (Correct. The mitochondrion is known as the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell.)
A: Mitochondrion

Q: Cells in your ________ contain the most mitochondria.
- brain (Incorrect. Remember, mitochondria provide energy so consider which cell needs the most energy.)
- lung (Incorrect. Remember, mitochondria provide energy so consider which cell needs the most energy.)
- biceps (Correct. Muscle cells, like your biceps, would need the most energy from this list, so they would have the most mitochondria.)
A: biceps

Q: Mitochondria are divided into functional areas known as ________.
- mitoplasm and cristae (Incorrect. There is no such thing as mitoplasm.)
- matrix and membrane (Incorrect. While a mitochondrion will have a matrix area and a membrane, these are not the functional areas of the organelle.)
- cristae and mitochondrial matrix (Correct. The cristae and mitochondrial matrix play distinct roles in cellular respiration.)
A: cristae and mitochondrial matrix

Q: ________ are membrane-bound sacs with a variety of functions in cells.
- Vacuoles (Incorrect. Vacuoles are specialized membrane-bound sacs found only in plants and with limited function.)
- Ribosomes (Incorrect. Ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis and are not membrane-bound sacs.)
- Vesicles (Correct. Vesicles are membrane-bound sacs that function in storage and transport predominantly.)
A: Vesicles

Q: Eukaryotic cells use vesicles to ________.
- support the cell and give it shape (Incorrect. Vesicles play no role in cellular support or shape.)
- modify proteins (Incorrect. Vesicles are not used to modify proteins.)
- store and transport cellular substances (Correct. Eukaryotic cells use vesicles to store and transport cellular substances.)
A: store and transport cellular substances

Q: The membrane of a ________ may fuse with other cellular membranes.
- vacuole (Incorrect. Vacuole membranes do not fuse with other membranes.)
- mitochondrion (Incorrect. Mitochondria are totally separate organelles that do not combine with other memb.)
- vesivle (Correct. This is a key feature of vesicles that makes them useful for storing and transporting cellular substances.)
A: vesivle

Q: ________ are small organelles responsible for detoxifying many poisons that enter the body.
- Mitochondria (Incorrect. Mitochondria have no role in detoxifying poisons.)
- Glyoxysomes (Incorrect. Glyoxysomes are found in plants but have no role in detoxifying poisons.)
- Peroxisomes (Correct. Peroxisomes break down fatty acids and amino acids as well as detoxifying many poisons in the body.)
A: Peroxisomes

Q: Peroxisomes are predominantly responsible for ________.
- synthesizing sugars (Incorrect. This is the job of the chloroplast.)
- capturing free hydrogen peroxide in cells (Incorrect. Peroxisomes do break down hydrogen peroxide but it is produced as a by-product of reactions inside these organelles.)
- breaking down fatty acids and amino acids (Correct. This is the main role of peroxisomes in cells.)
A: breaking down fatty acids and amino acids

Q: Microfilaments function mainly in ________.
- cellular structure (Incorrect. This is a function of intermediate filaments.)
- flagella “whipping” (Incorrect. This is a function of microtubules.)
- cellular movement (Correct. Microfilaments function mainly in cellular movement.)
A: cellular movement

Q: Keratin is a type of ________ found in hair and nails.
- microfilaments (Incorrect. Keratin is not a type of microfilament.)
- microtubules (Incorrect. Keratin is not a type of microtubule.)
- intermediate filaments (Correct. This protein strengthens your hair, nails, and skin.)
A: intermediate filaments

Q: Which of the following is true about microtubules?
- They have a purely structural function. (Incorrect. This is a function of intermediate filaments.)
- They are involved in the process of cytokinesis but they are not the most active during cell division. (Incorrect. This is true of microfilaments.)
- They are most active, and visible, during cell division. (Correct. This describes microtubules.)
A: They are most active, and visible, during cell division.

Q: How are cilia different from flagella?
- Cilia are long and may be one cilium or a few cilia while flagella are short and numerous. (Incorrect. Cilia are short and numerous but flagella are long and may be one flagellum or a few flagella)
- Cilia are short and may be one cilium or a few cilia while flagella are long and numerous. (Incorrect. Cilia are short and numerous but flagella are long and may be one flagellum or a few flagella)
- Cilia are short and numerous but flagella are long and may be one flagellum or a few flagella. (Correct. Cilia are short and numerous but flagella are long and may be one flagellum or a few flagella)
A: Cilia are short and numerous but flagella are long and may be one flagellum or a few flagella.

Q: Flagella are used to ________.
- move substances along the surface of cells (Incorrect. Cilia are used to move substances along cell surfaces.)
- move substances and entire cells. (Incorrect. Flagella are only used to move entire cells.)
- move entire cells (Correct. Flagella are only used to move entire cells.)
A: move entire cells

Q: Select the answer that best describes a plasma membrane.
- single layer of molecules with two fatty acid chain and a phosphate containing group (Incorrect. A plasma membrane is a double layer.)
- controls the passage of solid materials only (Incorrect. The plasma membrane does not control the passage of only solid materials.)
- controls the passage of water, ions, oxygen, waste, and organic molecules (Correct. The plasma membrane basically controls the passage of everything into and out of a cell.)
A: controls the passage of water, ions, oxygen, waste, and organic molecules

Q: Which plasma membrane component can be either found on the surface or embedded in the plasma membrane itself?
- cholesterol (Incorrect. Cholesterol is embedded in the plasma membrane.)
- steroids (Incorrect. There are no pure steroids associated with the plasma membrane.)
- proteins (Correct. Proteins may be attached to or embedded in the plasma membrane.)
A: proteins

Q: All cells have a ________, a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.
- cell wall (Incorrect. Not all cells have a cell wall.)
- extracellular matrix (Incorrect. Not all cells have an extracellular matrix.)
- plasma membrane (Correct. All types of cells have a plasma membrane.)
A: plasma membrane

Q: In ________ eukaryotes, photosynthesis takes place in the ________.
- photoautotrophic; chlorophyll (Incorrect. Chlorophyll is a pigment involved in photosynthesis.)
- heterotrophic; chlorophyll (Incorrect. Heterotrophic organisms do not perform photosynthesis.)
- photoautotrophic; chloroplast (Correct. Autotrophic organisms perform photosynthesis inside chloroplasts.)
A: photoautotrophic; chloroplast

Q: Which organelles are found in plant cells but not animal cells?
- Mitochondria (Incorrect. All eukaryotic cell types have mitochondria.)
- Ribosomes (Incorrect. All cells have ribosomes.)
- Chloroplasts (Correct. This is the organelle that is the site of photosynthesis in plants.)
A: Chloroplasts

Q: Plant cells use their ________ to regulate water concentration.
- water sac (Incorrect. There is no ‘water sac’ in plant cells.)
- cell wall (Incorrect. The cell wall plays a structural support role in plant cells.)
- central vacuole (Correct. Water regulation is the main role of the central vacuole.)
A: central vacuole

Q: The ________ is an low energy way for a plant cell to expand.
- primary vesicle (Incorrect. Plants do not have a primary vesicle.)
- chloroplast (Incorrect. This is not the role of chloroplasts.)
- central vacuole (Correct. Filling the central vacuole allows a plant to expand, though it does not actually grow.)
A: central vacuole

Q: All of the following are found in plant cells except a ________.
- central vacuole (Incorrect. Central vacuole is found in plant cells.)
- mitochondria (Incorrect. Mitochondria is found in plant cells.)
- Flagella (Correct. Flagella is found only in some animal cells.)
A: Flagella

Q: The ________ is the site for photosynthesis in plant cells.
- mitochondria (Incorrect. Mitochondria is the site for cellular respiration in both plant and animal cells.)
- vesicles (Incorrect. Vesicles are used for packaging and transporting materials inside cells.)
- chloroplast (Correct. Chloroplast is the site for photosynthesis in plants.)
A: chloroplast

Q: The ________ is a structure unique to animal cells that functions in cell division.
- lysosome (Incorrect. This is a unique organelle to animal cells but it does not function in cell division.)
- mitochondrion (Incorrect. All eukaryotic cell types have mitochondria.)
- centrosome (Correct. The centrosome originates microtubules and replicates itself before a cell divides.)
A: centrosome

Q: Lysosomes function as part of the endomembrane system involved in ________.
- protein synthesis (Incorrect. Lysosomes do not function in protein synthesis.)
- cell division (Incorrect. Lysosomes do not function in cell division.)
- pathogen destruction (Correct. Lysosomes also have a role in pathogen destruction.)
A: pathogen destruction

Q: All of the following are found in animal cells except the ________.
- ribosome (Incorrect. The ribosome is the site for protein synthesis in all cells.)
- gap junctions (Incorrect. The gap junction is found in animal cells.)
- central vacuole (Correct. The central vacuole is found in plant cells only.)
A: central vacuole

Q: The ________ is a structure unique to animal cells.
- ribosome (Incorrect. All eukaryotic cell types have ribosomes.)
- mitochondrion (Incorrect. All eukaryotic cell types have mitochondria.)
- lysosome (Correct. This is a unique organelle to animal cells that functions in digestion and recycling of organelles.)
A: lysosome