AP Biology Practice Test: Unit 2 — Cell Structure & Function - High School Test Prep (2024)

Question 1

Question 1 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). Ribosomes are responsible for polypeptide synthesis and are located both free in the cytoplasm and on the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum synthesizes lipids and detoxifies drugs and poisons.

Question 2

Question 2 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). The mitochondria are responsible for cellular respiration.

Question 3

Question 3 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). The plasma membrane controls molecular traffic into and out of the cell. It is selectively permeable, meaning it allows some substances to enter the cell, but not others. This is essential because it call keep many harmful or dangerous substances from entering and destroying the cell while still allowing the necessary substances to enter.

Question 4

Question 4 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). Mitochondria generate ATP by extracting energy from sugars, fats and other fuels to make energy available in animal cells. Chloroplasts convert solar energy into chemical energy to make sugar available for plant cells. Thus, they both convert energy into a form that the cell can use.

Question 5

Question 5 Explanation:

The correct answer is (D). All other choices are part of the endomembrane system. The mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration.

Question 6

Question 6 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). The eukaryotic cell’s genetic functions are housed in the nucleus and carried out by the ribosomes. The mitochondria and chloroplasts change energy from one form to another. The nuclear envelope, nucleolus and chromatin are all part of the nucleus.

Question 7

Question 7 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). Desmosomes are intercellular junctions that function like rivets. Intermediate filaments are a group of cytoskeletal elements. The cytoskeleton refers to the fibers that organize activities and structures inside the cell.

Question 8

Question 8 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). Microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments are parts of the cytoskeleton structure. The endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and vesicles form the endomembrane system. The mitochondria and chloroplasts change energy from one form to another. Fimbriae, nucleoid and flagella are components of a prokaryotic cell.

Question 9

Question 9 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). Phagocytosis is the process by which cells engulf a particle by wrapping pseudopodia around it and packaging it into vacuoles.

Question 10

Which description best matches the diagram?

Question 10 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). The diagram is showing a plant cell (notice the cell walls). If a cell is immersed in an isotonic solution, there will be no net movement of water. In other words, water will move in and out of the cell at an equal rate.

Question 11

Question 11 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). There is a net movement of solutes across membranes from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until they reach equilibrium.

Question 12

Which answer correctly describes what is happening in the following diagram?

Question 12 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). The sugar molecules are too large to move across the selectively permeable membrane. The water molecules move from an area of high water concentration (low solute concentration) to the area of low water concentration (high solute concentration) until the solution reaches equilibrium.

Question 13

In the diagram below, what is the arrow pointing to?

Question 13 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). The plasma membrane’s phospholipid bilayer is made up of two layers of phospholipids. Phospholipids have a hydrophilic (water loving) head and a hydrophoboic (water hating) tail. The hydrophilic heads are attracted to water, and therefore make up the outer part of the phospholipid bilayer.

Question 14

Question 14 Explanation:

The correct answer is (D). Membrane proteins are made of protein, Answer (D) describes a carbohydrate.

Question 15

Question 15 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). The sodium-potassium pump exchanges sodium for potassium across the plasma membrane of animal cells by pumping ions against steep concentration gradients.

Question 16

Question 16 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). Endocytosis is the process by which a cell takes in substances by engulfing them in new vesicles formed from the plasma membrane.

Question 17

Question 17 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). The phosolipid bilayer of the plasma membrane allows some molecules to enter while keeping other molecules out.

Question 18

Question 18 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). Active transport involves the use of transport proteins to move solutes against a concentration gradient, which means they are pumping something (typically ions) from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration.

Question 19

Question 19 Explanation:

The correct answer is (D). Plasmodesmata are channels in cell walls of plant cells.