1|Page
TRU Biol 2131 Exam Questions and Answers
(Verified) COMPLETE 2026/2027
What are the 3 tenets of the cell theory? ......ANSWER......1) All
organisms are composed of one or more cells
2) The cell is the structural unit of life
3) Cells can arise only by division from a pre-existing cell
Fundamental properties that are shared by all cells (9)?
......ANSWER......- Cells are highly complex and organized
- Possess a genetic program
- Can reproduce
- Acquire and use energy
- Carry out chemical reactions
- Engage in mechanical activities
- Respond to stimuli
- Capable of self-regulation
How is energy passed from one organism to the next?
......ANSWER......Light energy is converted by photosynthesis into
chemical energy that is stored in energy-rich carbohydrates. These carbs
are source of energy for animal cells.
pg. 1
,2|Page
Common features between PROK and EUK (9) ......ANSWER......PM,
genetic info (DNA), similar mechanisms for transcription/translation,
shared metabolic pathways (glycolysis, TCA), ATP, photosynthesis
mechanisms, protein synthesis, proteasomes, cytoskeletal filaments
built of proteins similar to actin and tubulin
EUK only features ......ANSWER......nucleus, complex chromosomes
(DNA + histones), cytoplasmic organelles, complex cytoskeletal
system/flagella/cilia, phagocytosis, diploidy, sexual reproduction,
mitotic spindles
two domains of PROK cells ......ANSWER......archae and bacteria
(archae are more closely related to EUK)
EUK specialized cells are formed by ......ANSWER......differentiation
As cell size increases, surface area/volume ratio ___
......ANSWER......decreases
Surface area/volume ratio importance in cell size.
......ANSWER......Larger the cell (cytoplasmic volume) = longer it takes to
move things in/out, generate messages required by cell
- Too big = SA not sufficient to support cell activities
pg. 2
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viruses - obligatory intracellular parasites ......ANSWER......means they
cannot produce unless present within a host cell
are viruses considered living organisms? ......ANSWER......no; inability to
reproduce/metabolize without host cells
Evolutionary importance of common properties between PROK and
EUK? ......ANSWER......The similarities reflect the fact that EUK cells have
evolved almost certainly from PROK ancestors. Due to their common
ancestry, the two types of cells share an identical genetic code that uses
DNA and RNA, a common set of metabolic pathways, and many
common structural features.
Lytic infections ......ANSWER......- Use host cell machinery to make new
virions
- Will lyse host to release progeny to infect other cells
lysogenic infections ......ANSWER......- Virus integrates DNA into host cell
(provirus)
- No lysing of host
- Effects depend on type of virus
viroid ......ANSWER......infectious agent consisting of a small circular RNA
molecule that lacks a protein coat. Thought to cause disease by
interfering with the cell's normal path of gene expression
pg. 3
, 4|Page
Can viruses be treated with antibiotics? ......ANSWER......No
Most sugars have the general formula ......ANSWER......Ch2O
carbs can be joined together by covalent ___bonds
......ANSWER......glycosidic
oligosaccharides - role? ......ANSWER......small chains often found
covalently attached to lipids and proteins, converting them into
glycolipids and glycoproteins.
- 15 glucose or fewer per chain
- Role in mediating the interactions of a cell with its environment and
sorting of membrane proteins to different cellular compartments
glycogen ......ANSWER......- highly branched, energy storages.
- Glucose polymer
- animal cells
starch ......ANSWER......helical arrangement, energy storage.
Glucose polymer
- Amylose (unbranched) vs amylopectin (branched)
pg. 4
TRU Biol 2131 Exam Questions and Answers
(Verified) COMPLETE 2026/2027
What are the 3 tenets of the cell theory? ......ANSWER......1) All
organisms are composed of one or more cells
2) The cell is the structural unit of life
3) Cells can arise only by division from a pre-existing cell
Fundamental properties that are shared by all cells (9)?
......ANSWER......- Cells are highly complex and organized
- Possess a genetic program
- Can reproduce
- Acquire and use energy
- Carry out chemical reactions
- Engage in mechanical activities
- Respond to stimuli
- Capable of self-regulation
How is energy passed from one organism to the next?
......ANSWER......Light energy is converted by photosynthesis into
chemical energy that is stored in energy-rich carbohydrates. These carbs
are source of energy for animal cells.
pg. 1
,2|Page
Common features between PROK and EUK (9) ......ANSWER......PM,
genetic info (DNA), similar mechanisms for transcription/translation,
shared metabolic pathways (glycolysis, TCA), ATP, photosynthesis
mechanisms, protein synthesis, proteasomes, cytoskeletal filaments
built of proteins similar to actin and tubulin
EUK only features ......ANSWER......nucleus, complex chromosomes
(DNA + histones), cytoplasmic organelles, complex cytoskeletal
system/flagella/cilia, phagocytosis, diploidy, sexual reproduction,
mitotic spindles
two domains of PROK cells ......ANSWER......archae and bacteria
(archae are more closely related to EUK)
EUK specialized cells are formed by ......ANSWER......differentiation
As cell size increases, surface area/volume ratio ___
......ANSWER......decreases
Surface area/volume ratio importance in cell size.
......ANSWER......Larger the cell (cytoplasmic volume) = longer it takes to
move things in/out, generate messages required by cell
- Too big = SA not sufficient to support cell activities
pg. 2
,3|Page
viruses - obligatory intracellular parasites ......ANSWER......means they
cannot produce unless present within a host cell
are viruses considered living organisms? ......ANSWER......no; inability to
reproduce/metabolize without host cells
Evolutionary importance of common properties between PROK and
EUK? ......ANSWER......The similarities reflect the fact that EUK cells have
evolved almost certainly from PROK ancestors. Due to their common
ancestry, the two types of cells share an identical genetic code that uses
DNA and RNA, a common set of metabolic pathways, and many
common structural features.
Lytic infections ......ANSWER......- Use host cell machinery to make new
virions
- Will lyse host to release progeny to infect other cells
lysogenic infections ......ANSWER......- Virus integrates DNA into host cell
(provirus)
- No lysing of host
- Effects depend on type of virus
viroid ......ANSWER......infectious agent consisting of a small circular RNA
molecule that lacks a protein coat. Thought to cause disease by
interfering with the cell's normal path of gene expression
pg. 3
, 4|Page
Can viruses be treated with antibiotics? ......ANSWER......No
Most sugars have the general formula ......ANSWER......Ch2O
carbs can be joined together by covalent ___bonds
......ANSWER......glycosidic
oligosaccharides - role? ......ANSWER......small chains often found
covalently attached to lipids and proteins, converting them into
glycolipids and glycoproteins.
- 15 glucose or fewer per chain
- Role in mediating the interactions of a cell with its environment and
sorting of membrane proteins to different cellular compartments
glycogen ......ANSWER......- highly branched, energy storages.
- Glucose polymer
- animal cells
starch ......ANSWER......helical arrangement, energy storage.
Glucose polymer
- Amylose (unbranched) vs amylopectin (branched)
pg. 4
