AP BIO - Cell Structure and Function

Front

What biomolecules form selective channels and pumps in cellular membranes?

Back

Proteins are primarily responsible for forming selective channels and pumps within the phospholipid bilayer of cellular membranes.

Front

What is the process called when a cell engulfs external substances to form a vesicle?

Back

Endocytosis is the cellular process that involves the engulfing of external substances by the cell membrane to form a vesicle.

Front

How do aquaporins affect membrane permeability to water?

Back

Aquaporins significantly increase the permeability of the membrane to water molecules.

Front

What happens to the surface-to-volume ratio as cell size increases?

Back

The larger cell has a smaller surface-to-volume ratio than the smaller cell.

Front

Which organelle is known as the cell's 'post office'?

Back

The Golgi Apparatus is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion.

Front

What is the primary function of the cell membrane?

Back

The cell membrane regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell, maintaining homeostasis.

Front

Define osmosis in the context of cellular biology.

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Front

What role do lysosomes play in the cell?

Back

Lysosomes contain enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris.

Front

Explain the difference between passive transport and active transport.

Back

Passive transport does not require energy and moves substances down their concentration gradient, while active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient.

Front

What is the function of ribosomes in the cell?

Back

Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains.