Cellular Biology

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AP Biology › Cellular Biology

Questions 1 - 10
1

Histones                     .

All of the answer choices are true.

are only found in eukaryotic cells

are only found in the nucleus

are protiens around which DNA coils

play a role in gene regulation

Explanation

Histones are proteins found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. DNA wraps itself around histones to further condense. Also, depending on how tightly the DNA is wrapped around the histones, it may or may not be availible for activity (e.g. replication or transcription). Cells modify the interaction between DNA and histones around certain genes under certain conditions to make those genes available or unavailable as needed.

2

Where does glycolysis take place?

Cytosol

Mitochondrial matrix

Inner mitochondrial membrane

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Rough endoplasmic retculum

Explanation

Glycolysis is the first step of cellular respiration where glucose is broken down down into pyruvate. It occurs in the cytosol. In the presence of oxygen, pyruvate is exported to the mitochondria where it is further oxidized. In the absence of oxygen, pyruvate is converted into ethyl alcohol or lactic acid (fermentation) in the cytoplasm.

3

What is the purpose of chromatin?

To maintain structure of the chromosome and assist in controlling the activity of the genes

To maintain structure of the chromosome only

To assist in controlling the activity of the genes only

To hold the sister chromatids together

Explanation

Chromatin serves as a scaffold for DNA and helps regulate gene activity. Chromatin can be condensed, as euchromatin, or loosely packed, as heterochromatin. The compactness of chromatin determines its level of activity. When it is loosely packed, it can be acted upon by DNA replication and/or transcription enzymes, and those genes may be expressed. Centromeres hold sister chromatids together.

4

Where does glycolysis take place?

Cytosol

Mitochondrial matrix

Inner mitochondrial membrane

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Rough endoplasmic retculum

Explanation

Glycolysis is the first step of cellular respiration where glucose is broken down down into pyruvate. It occurs in the cytosol. In the presence of oxygen, pyruvate is exported to the mitochondria where it is further oxidized. In the absence of oxygen, pyruvate is converted into ethyl alcohol or lactic acid (fermentation) in the cytoplasm.

5

Histones                     .

All of the answer choices are true.

are only found in eukaryotic cells

are only found in the nucleus

are protiens around which DNA coils

play a role in gene regulation

Explanation

Histones are proteins found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. DNA wraps itself around histones to further condense. Also, depending on how tightly the DNA is wrapped around the histones, it may or may not be availible for activity (e.g. replication or transcription). Cells modify the interaction between DNA and histones around certain genes under certain conditions to make those genes available or unavailable as needed.

6

What is the netproduction of ATP molecules in glycolysis?

2

1

3

4

5

Explanation

The net production of ATP is 2.

This is because for glycolysis to occur, 2 ATP must be used. Glycolysis goes on to produce 4 ATP. The loss of 2 ATP and the gain of 4 ATP results in a total net gain of 2 ATP molecules. Note that the ATP produced during glycolysis are via substrate level phosphorylation.

7

A scientist takes a sample of human epithelial cells, injects it with a dye that highlights the genetic information, and places the sample under the microscope. What will the genetic information for the majority of the cells look like?

Uncondensed and restricted to the nucleus

Condensed into 46 discrete chromosomes and restricted to the nucleus

Condensed into 23 discrete chromosomes and restricted to the nucleus

Condensed into 23 discrete chromosomes and floating in the cytoplasm

Condensed into a single circular chromosome and floating in the cytoplasm

Explanation

The DNA will appear uncondensed and restricted to the nucleus. This is because a majority of the cells found in the sample will be in interphase, the longest stage of the cell cycle. Since it is the longest phase in the cell cycle, a majority of cells will be undergoing this phase at any given sample time. It is a point when the cell is undergoing normal cell processes and preparing for replication. During this phase, the DNA is uncondensed, allowing for transcription and giving DNA replication enzymes easy access to the nucleotide sequence.

DNA is condensed into 46 discrete chromosomes and restricted to the nucleus during early prophase, which makes up only a short period of the cell cycle. DNA is never condensed into 23 discrete chromosomes in somatic cells (such as epithelium), since 23 chromosomes would indicate a haploid cell. In humans, haploid cells only exist in the gametes, or sex cells. While prokaryotes have a single circular chromosome floating in the cytoplasm, such structure for a eukaryotic genome is not possible.

8

Histones                     .

All of the answer choices are true.

are only found in eukaryotic cells

are only found in the nucleus

are protiens around which DNA coils

play a role in gene regulation

Explanation

Histones are proteins found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. DNA wraps itself around histones to further condense. Also, depending on how tightly the DNA is wrapped around the histones, it may or may not be availible for activity (e.g. replication or transcription). Cells modify the interaction between DNA and histones around certain genes under certain conditions to make those genes available or unavailable as needed.

9

In preparation for cellular division, the cell must first duplicate its chromosomes. Each duplicated chromosome consists of two                     .

sister chromatids

centromeres

duplicates

chromatins

homologous chromosomes

Explanation

Sister chromatids are two identical copies of the same chromosome. They are attached to each other at a region called the centromere. Homologous chromosomes are not identical. Rather, they are chromosomes that look alike, and have the same genes at the same loci, but not necessarily the same versions of those genes. For example, we all have two copies of chromosome number 1. Assume eye color is coded on this chromosome. One copy may have the brown allele, while the other copy might have the green allele. Both chromosomes have loci that code for eye color, but they are not identical since one came from each parent.

10

In preparation for cellular division, the cell must first duplicate its chromosomes. Each duplicated chromosome consists of two                     .

sister chromatids

centromeres

duplicates

chromatins

homologous chromosomes

Explanation

Sister chromatids are two identical copies of the same chromosome. They are attached to each other at a region called the centromere. Homologous chromosomes are not identical. Rather, they are chromosomes that look alike, and have the same genes at the same loci, but not necessarily the same versions of those genes. For example, we all have two copies of chromosome number 1. Assume eye color is coded on this chromosome. One copy may have the brown allele, while the other copy might have the green allele. Both chromosomes have loci that code for eye color, but they are not identical since one came from each parent.

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