Cell Membrane & Transport Questions
Q.
The cell membrane is primarily composed of:
Cellulose strands
Phospholipid bilayer
Chitin
Protein monolayer
Show Explanation
Explanation:
The membrane is a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.
Q.
The heads of phospholipids are:
Hydrophobic
Neutral
Charged positive
Hydrophilic
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Phospholipid heads are hydrophilic (water-loving) and face outward; tails are hydrophobic.
Q.
The tails of phospholipids are:
Neutral
Charged
Hydrophobic
Hydrophilic
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Phospholipid tails are hydrophobic and face inward, away from water.
Q.
Simple diffusion is a process that:
Moves molecules from high to low concentration without energy
Requires ATP
Moves molecules against concentration gradient
Requires transport proteins
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Simple diffusion is passive movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy.
Q.
Osmosis is the movement of:
Ions using ATP
Solutes across a membrane
Proteins across a membrane
Water across a semipermeable membrane
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Explanation:
Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane.
Q.
Facilitated diffusion differs from simple diffusion because it:
Moves only water
Is always active
Uses membrane proteins but requires no energy
Requires ATP
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Facilitated diffusion uses membrane proteins but is still passive (no ATP required).
Q.
Active transport differs from passive transport because it:
Only works for water
Requires energy to move against gradient
Requires no energy
Only uses diffusion
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Active transport requires energy (ATP) to move molecules against their concentration gradient.
Q.
The sodium-potassium pump moves:
3 K+ out and 2 Na+ in
3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in
Equal Na+ and K+
Only Na+ into the cell
Show Explanation
Explanation:
The Na+/K+ pump moves 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ into the cell using ATP.
Q.
The sodium-potassium pump uses how many ATP per cycle?
Show Explanation
Explanation:
The Na+/K+ ATPase uses 1 ATP per cycle (moving 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in).
Q.
Endocytosis is the process by which cells:
Produce ATP
Release material out of the cell
Divide into two cells
Engulf material into the cell
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Endocytosis takes material into the cell by engulfing it in a vesicle.
Q.
Phagocytosis is a type of endocytosis that involves:
Producing ATP
Engulfing large particles
Engulfing fluids
Releasing waste
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Phagocytosis is 'cell eating' — engulfing large particles like bacteria.
Q.
Pinocytosis is a type of endocytosis that involves:
Releasing waste
Producing ATP
Engulfing fluids
Engulfing large particles
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Pinocytosis is 'cell drinking' — engulfing fluids and dissolved substances.
Q.
Exocytosis is the process by which cells:
Divide into two cells
Take material into the cell
Release material out of the cell
Digest bacteria
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Exocytosis releases materials out of the cell via vesicles.
Q.
Cholesterol in the cell membrane functions to:
Regulate membrane fluidity
Synthesize proteins
Increase permeability to all substances
Produce ATP
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Explanation:
Cholesterol modulates membrane fluidity — decreasing it at high temperatures and increasing it at low temperatures.
Q.
A hypertonic solution causes a cell to:
Divide
Shrink (crenate)
Swell (lyse)
Remain unchanged
Show Explanation
Explanation:
In a hypertonic solution, water leaves the cell, causing it to shrink (crenate).
Q.
A hypotonic solution causes a cell to:
Divide
Swell (lyse)
Shrink
Remain unchanged
Show Explanation
Explanation:
In a hypotonic solution, water enters the cell, causing it to swell and possibly lyse.
Q.
An isotonic solution causes a cell to:
Shrink
Swell
Remain unchanged
Divide
Show Explanation
Explanation:
In an isotonic solution, there is no net water movement, so the cell remains unchanged.
Q.
Aquaporins are channel proteins that:
Transport proteins
Produce ATP
Transport sodium
Transport water
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Aquaporins allow rapid water transport across cell membranes.
Q.
Carrier proteins differ from channel proteins because carrier proteins:
Never use ATP
Only transport water
Undergo conformational changes during transport
Are always passive
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Carrier proteins undergo conformational changes to transport solutes; channels simply open a pore.
Q.
Receptor-mediated endocytosis is:
Non-selective fluid uptake
Bulk engulfment of particles
Selective uptake via membrane receptors
Release of materials
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Explanation:
Receptor-mediated endocytosis uses membrane receptors to target specific molecules (e.g., LDL uptake).
Q.
The glycocalyx is:
A layer of phospholipids
A protein pump
A lipid transport protein
The carbohydrate-rich coat on the cell surface
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Explanation:
The glycocalyx is the carbohydrate-rich outer coating of the plasma membrane, involved in recognition and adhesion.
Q.
Integral membrane proteins are:
Found only in plant cells
Attached only to the membrane surface
Found only in the nucleus
Embedded within the phospholipid bilayer
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Integral proteins are embedded within the phospholipid bilayer — some span the entire membrane.
Q.
Peripheral membrane proteins are:
Embedded in the bilayer
Found in the nucleus
Part of the cytoskeleton
Attached to the membrane surface
Show Explanation
Explanation:
Peripheral proteins attach to the outer or inner surface of the membrane without embedding in the bilayer.
Q.
Which is a function of membrane proteins?
Synthesize ATP only
Store water
Produce DNA
Act as receptors and channels
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Explanation:
Membrane proteins act as receptors, channels, enzymes, and structural anchors.
Q.
Glycoproteins on the cell membrane are involved in:
DNA replication
Photosynthesis
Cell-cell recognition and immunity
ATP synthesis
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Explanation:
Glycoproteins mediate cell-cell recognition, adhesion, and immune responses.