Question 1

Which type of organelle or structure is primarily involved in the synthesis of oils, phospholipids, and steroids?
A) ribosome
B) lysosome
C) smooth endoplasmic reticulum
D) mitochondrion
E) contractile vacuole

Accepted Answer

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) is the organelle primarily involved in the synthesis of lipids, including oils, phospholipids, and steroids. This is due to the fact that the SER lacks ribosomes, which are primarily involved in protein synthesis.

Question 2

A cell with a predominance of free ribosomes is most likely ________.
A) primarily producing proteins for secretion
B) primarily producing proteins in the cytosol
C) constructing an extensive cell wall or extracellular matrix
D) digesting large food particles
E) enlarging its vacuole

Accepted Answer

Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. Therefore, a cell with a predominance of free ribosomes is likely to be primarily producing proteins in the cytosol. Proteins for secretion are produced on ribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum, and a cell constructing an extensive cell wall or extracellular matrix would require the involvement of the Golgi complex in addition to ribosomes. Digesting large food particles and enlarging vacuoles would not require the production of abundant amounts of proteins.

Question 3

Which of the following produces and modifies polysaccharides that will be secreted?
A) lysosome
B) vacuole
C) mitochondrion
D) Golgi apparatus
E) peroxisome

Accepted Answer

The Golgi apparatus is responsible for modifying and sorting proteins and lipids for secretion, including polysaccharides. The other organelles listed do not have a significant role in the synthesis or modification of polysaccharides for secretion.

Question 4

Which plant cell organelle contains its own DNA and ribosomes?
A) glyoxysome
B) vacuole
C) mitochondrion
D) Golgi apparatus
E) peroxisome

Accepted Answer

The mitochondrion contains its own DNA and ribosomes and is responsible for producing ATP through cellular respiration. The other organelles listed do not contain their own DNA and ribosomes.

Question 5

Which organelle is the primary site of ATP synthesis in eukaryotic cells?
A) lysosome
B) vacuole
C) mitochondrion
D) Golgi apparatus
E) peroxisome

Accepted Answer

The mitochondrion is the primary site of ATP synthesis in eukaryotic cells through the process of oxidative phosphorylation. Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes for digestion, vacuoles are storage compartments, the Golgi apparatus is involved in processing and sorting of proteins, and peroxisomes are involved in lipid metabolism and detoxification.

Question 6

All of the following are part of a prokaryotic cell EXCEPT ________.
A) DNA
B) a cell wall
C) a plasma membrane
D) ribosomes
E) an endoplasmic reticulum

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic cells do not have an endoplasmic reticulum, whereas eukaryotic cells do have this organelle. A, B, C, and D are all present in prokaryotic cells.

Question 7

Which structure is the site of the synthesis of proteins that may be exported from the cell?
A) rough ER
B) lysosomes
C) plasmodesmata
D) Golgi vesicles
E) free cytoplasmic ribosomes

Accepted Answer

The rough ER is studded with ribosomes and is responsible for the synthesis of proteins that will be exported from the cell. These proteins are typically modified and packaged into vesicles for transport to the Golgi apparatus.

Question 8

The evolution of eukaryotic cells most likely involved ________.
A) endosymbiosis of an aerobic bacterium in a larger host cell-the endosymbiont evolved into mitochondria
B) anaerobic archaea taking up residence inside a larger bacterial host cell to escape toxic oxygen-the anaerobic bacterium evolved into chloroplasts
C) an endosymbiotic fungal cell evolving into the nucleus
D) acquisition of an endomembrane system and subsequent evolution of mitochondria from a portion of the Golgi apparatus

Accepted Answer

The endosymbiotic theory suggests that eukaryotic cells evolved from the merging of smaller prokaryotic cells. One of the key components of this theory is that aerobic bacteria were taken up by larger host cells and eventually evolved into mitochondria, providing eukaryotic cells with an efficient energy source. There is no evidence to suggest that fungal cells evolved into the nucleus or that an endomembrane system led to the evolution of mitochondria. Option B is not supported by current scientific evidence as it suggests that anaerobic archaea became chloroplasts, which are typically found in photosynthetic organisms.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT found in a prokaryote?
A) DNA
B) a cell wall
C) a mitochondrion
D) a plasma membrane

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotes lack mitochondria, which are only found in eukaryotic cells.

Question 10

Which of the following contains hydrolytic enzymes?
A) lysosome
B) vacuole
C) mitochondrion
D) Golgi apparatus
E) peroxisome

Accepted Answer

Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that can break down macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. These enzymes require an acidic environment to function properly, which is why lysosomes have a low pH. Vacuoles, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and peroxisomes do not primarily contain hydrolytic enzymes.

Question 11

The liver is involved in detoxification of many poisons and drugs. Which of the following structures is primarily involved in this process and, therefore, abundant in liver cells?
A) rough ER
B) smooth ER
C) Golgi apparatus
D) nuclear envelope
E) transport vesicles

Accepted Answer

Smooth ER is primarily involved in detoxification and is abundant in liver cells due to their role in detoxifying various poisons and drugs. Rough ER is involved in protein synthesis and processing, while the Golgi apparatus is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins. The nuclear envelope is a membrane that encloses the nucleus, and transport vesicles are responsible for transporting molecules between different cellular compartments.

Question 12

Tay-Sachs disease is a human genetic abnormality that results in cells accumulating and becoming clogged with very large, complex, undigested lipids. Which cellular organelle must be involved in this condition?
A) the endoplasmic reticulum
B) the Golgi apparatus
C) the lysosome
D) mitochondrion
E) membrane-bound ribosomes

Accepted Answer

Tay-Sachs disease is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hexosaminidase A. As a result, ganglioside GM2, a lipid, accumulates in the lysosomes of neurons, leading to their destruction. Thus, the lysosome is the organelle involved in this condition.

Question 13

Which of the following is present in a prokaryotic cell?
A) mitochondrion
B) ribosome
C) nuclear envelope
D) chloroplast
E) ER

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, chloroplasts, and a nucleus with a nuclear envelope. However, they do have smaller ribosomes that are different from those found in eukaryotic cells.

Question 14

Which organelle often takes up much of the volume of a plant cell?
A) lysosome
B) vacuole
C) mitochondrion
D) Golgi apparatus
E) peroxisome

Accepted Answer

The vacuole is an organelle commonly found in plant cells, and often takes up a significant portion of the cell's volume. It is involved in storage of water, nutrients, and waste products, and can also be involved in maintaining turgor pressure in plant cells. The other organelles listed (lysosome, mitochondrion, Golgi apparatus, and peroxisome) are also found in plant cells, but do not typically occupy as much volume as the vacuole.

Question 15

Thylakoids, DNA, and ribosomes are all components found in ________.
A) vacuoles
B) chloroplasts
C) mitochondria
D) lysosomes
E) nuclei

Accepted Answer

Thylakoids, DNA, and ribosomes are all commonly found in chloroplasts, which are the organelles responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells.

Question 16

The Golgi apparatus has a polarity, or sidedness, to its structure and function. Which of the following statements correctly describes this polarity?
A) Transport vesicles fuse with one side of the Golgi and leave from the opposite side.
B) Proteins in the membrane of the Golgi may be sorted and modified as they move from one side of the Golgi to the other.
C) Lipids in the membrane of the Golgi may be sorted and modified as they move from one side of the Golgi to the other.
D) Soluble proteins in the cisternae (interior) of the Golgi may be sorted and modified as they move from one side of the Golgi to the other.
E) All of the listed responses correctly describe polarity characteristics of the Golgi function.

Accepted Answer

All of the listed responses correctly describe polarity characteristics of the Golgi function. The Golgi apparatus has a distinctive polarity in terms of vesicle transport, protein and lipid sorting and modification, and movement of soluble proteins from one side to the other. All of the statements provided in the answer choices are accurate descriptions of this polarity.

Question 17

Large numbers of ribosomes are present in cells that specialize in producing which of the following molecules?
A) lipids
B) glycogen
C) proteins
D) cellulose
E) nucleic acids

Accepted Answer

Ribosomes are responsible for synthesizing proteins, so cells that specialize in producing large quantities of proteins will have a high number of ribosomes. Lipids are synthesized in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, glycogen is synthesized in the liver and muscle cells, cellulose is synthesized in plant cells, and nucleic acids are synthesized in the nucleus.

Question 18

The nuclear lamina is an array of filaments on the inner side of the nuclear membrane. If a method were found that could cause the lamina to fall into disarray, what would you most likely expect to be the immediate consequence?
A) the loss of all nuclear function
B) the inability of the nucleus to divide during cell division
C) a change in the shape of the nucleus
D) failure of chromosomes to carry genetic information
E) inability of the ribosomes to produce proteins

Accepted Answer

The nuclear lamina provides structural support to the nucleus and helps maintain its shape. Disarray of the lamina would likely result in a change in the shape of the nucleus. This can be seen in diseases such as progeria, where mutations in genes encoding lamina proteins cause abnormal nuclear shape. While significant lamina disruption could potentially affect nuclear function, it is not necessarily immediate or uniform enough to result in the loss of all nuclear function (A) or failure of chromosomes to carry genetic information (D). The inability to divide during cell division (B) is also not necessarily immediate or total, and may depend on the severity and cause of the lamina disruption. Inability of ribosomes to produce proteins (E) is unlikely to be affected by lamina structure, which is primarily involved in nuclear architecture.

Question 19

Which animal cell organelle contains enzymes that transfer hydrogen from various substrates to oxygen?
A) lysosome
B) vacuole
C) mitochondrion
D) Golgi apparatus
E) peroxisome

Accepted Answer

The peroxisome contains enzymes called peroxidases, which transfer hydrogen from various substrates to oxygen, creating hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide is then broken down into water and oxygen by another enzyme called catalase. This process is important in detoxifying harmful substances in the cell. The other organelles listed do not have this specific function.

Question 20

In a bacterium, we will find DNA in ________.
A) a membrane-enclosed nucleus
B) mitochondria
C) the endoplasmic reticulum
D) the nucleoid
E) ribosomes

Accepted Answer

Bacteria lack a nucleus, so their genetic material is found in a region of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid. Therefore, the DNA in a bacterium will be found in the nucleoid.

Quiz 7: Inside the Cell

Which type of organelle or structure is primarily involved in the synthesis of oils, phospholipids, and steroids?

A cell with a predominance of free ribosomes is most likely ________.

Which of the following produces and modifies polysaccharides that will be secreted?

Which plant cell organelle contains its own DNA and ribosomes?

Which organelle is the primary site of ATP synthesis in eukaryotic cells?

All of the following are part of a prokaryotic cell EXCEPT ________.

Which structure is the site of the synthesis of proteins that may be exported from the cell?

The evolution of eukaryotic cells most likely involved ________.

Which of the following is NOT found in a prokaryote?

Which of the following contains hydrolytic enzymes?

The liver is involved in detoxification of many poisons and drugs. Which of the following structures is primarily involved in this process and, therefore, abundant in liver cells?

Tay-Sachs disease is a human genetic abnormality that results in cells accumulating and becoming clogged with very large, complex, undigested lipids. Which cellular organelle must be involved in this condition?

Which of the following is present in a prokaryotic cell?

Which organelle often takes up much of the volume of a plant cell?

Thylakoids, DNA, and ribosomes are all components found in ________.

The Golgi apparatus has a polarity, or sidedness, to its structure and function. Which of the following statements correctly describes this polarity?

Large numbers of ribosomes are present in cells that specialize in producing which of the following molecules?

The nuclear lamina is an array of filaments on the inner side of the nuclear membrane. If a method were found that could cause the lamina to fall into disarray, what would you most likely expect to be the immediate consequence?

Which animal cell organelle contains enzymes that transfer hydrogen from various substrates to oxygen?

In a bacterium, we will find DNA in ________.