Common Cell Structures

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Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of the following is not characteristic found within a fully functional ribosome?

Sugar-phosphate backbone

RNA

Amino acids

N and C terminus

Peptidyl site

Explanation

A sugar phosphate backbone is characteristic of a DNA sequence. While fully functional ribosomes are composed of a mix of functional RNA and protein the sugar-phosphate components within the RNA do not comprise the backbone of the entire ribosome. This question also requires the knowledge that an amino acid chain has an N and C terminus. Last, it is important to note that the Peptidyl site is where the bond between two amino acids is synthesized.

2

Many people consume alcohol and drugs on a daily occasion. The body needs a detoxification system against these toxins to prevent harmful accumulation of metabolites from the breakdown of these toxins. What organelle is responsible for this detoxification?

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Golgi apparatus

Nucleus

Explanation

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is primarily responsible for the production of lipids and for the detoxification of drugs and toxins from the body.

3

Which organelle is most important for a person who has consumed too much alcohol?

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Mitochondria

Ribosomes

Explanation

The question states that the person has consumed too much alcohol, which means that the body must detoxify the chemicals from alcohol. You are therefore looking for the organelle that participates in detoxification of chemicals. In addition to synthesizing lipids, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum plays an important role in detoxification of chemicals. This detoxification process occurs in the liver, which contains an abundance of smooth endoplasmic reticulum.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, and mitochondria are the site of energy (ATP) production.

4

Which organelle is responsible for collecting, packaging, and distributing proteins from the location where they are synthesized to the location where they are used?

Golgi apparatus

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Lysosome

Explanation

The golgi apparatus collects, packages and distributes proteins to the locations where they are used. Proteins are always synthesized on ribosomes, which can either be floating in the cytosol, or on the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum's functions include synthesis of lipids, and detoxification of substances. Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes which break down macromolecules.

5

Which organelle is responsible for collecting, packaging, and distributing proteins from the location where they are synthesized to the location where they are used?

Golgi apparatus

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Lysosome

Explanation

The golgi apparatus collects, packages and distributes proteins to the locations where they are used. Proteins are always synthesized on ribosomes, which can either be floating in the cytosol, or on the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum's functions include synthesis of lipids, and detoxification of substances. Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes which break down macromolecules.

6

Which organelle is most important for a person who has consumed too much alcohol?

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Mitochondria

Ribosomes

Explanation

The question states that the person has consumed too much alcohol, which means that the body must detoxify the chemicals from alcohol. You are therefore looking for the organelle that participates in detoxification of chemicals. In addition to synthesizing lipids, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum plays an important role in detoxification of chemicals. This detoxification process occurs in the liver, which contains an abundance of smooth endoplasmic reticulum.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, and mitochondria are the site of energy (ATP) production.

7

Translation is a process that creates protein from mRNA. Where does translation occur in a eukaryotic cell?

Cytosol

Nucleus

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Golgi apparatus

Explanation

Recall that the central dogma of molecular biology states that the information flow within a cell involves DNA replication, transcription, and translation. DNA replication involves the formation of two identical DNA molecules from a single molecule and transcription involves synthesis of mRNA from DNA. The DNA molecules can’t leave the nucleus, therefore, both of these processes occur in the nucleus

Translation involves the synthesis of proteins from mRNA molecules. The mRNA molecules exit the nucleus after transcription (through nuclear pores) and enter the cytosol. The ribosomes in the cytosol bind to mRNA and facilitate translation; therefore, translation occurs in the cytosol.

8

Which of the following organelles is commonly referred to as the powerhouse of the cell?

Mitochondria

Golgi apparatus

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Lysosome

Nucleus

Explanation

The mitochondria are responsible for synthesis of the majority of the cell's ATP. This is why mitochondria are commonly referred to as the powerhouse of the cell. The rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus are involved in protein synthesis and delivery. The nucleus houses the DNA and is the site of transcription and ribosome assembly (nucleolus). The lysosome contains hydrolytic enzymes that are used for degradation of certain materials.

9

Which of the following organelles is commonly referred to as the powerhouse of the cell?

Mitochondria

Golgi apparatus

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Lysosome

Nucleus

Explanation

The mitochondria are responsible for synthesis of the majority of the cell's ATP. This is why mitochondria are commonly referred to as the powerhouse of the cell. The rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus are involved in protein synthesis and delivery. The nucleus houses the DNA and is the site of transcription and ribosome assembly (nucleolus). The lysosome contains hydrolytic enzymes that are used for degradation of certain materials.

10

What is the large and spherical organelle in eukaryotic cells that houses genetic information?

Nucleus

Lysosome

Peroxisome

Mitochondrion

Explanation

The nucleus of a cell contains the genetic information and is the organelle most easily seen when viewing cells under a light microscope. The nucleus is usually spherical and is generally the largest organelle in eukaryotic cells. The mitochondrion is a smaller organelle, and is responsible for making the energy (ATP) in the cell. Lysosomes are small organelles that contain hydrolytic enzymes used to degrade and recycle macromolecules. The peroxisome is an organelle responsible for catabolism of lipids, detoxification of certain compounds, and regulation of cellular metabolism.

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