AP Biology Unit 2 Cell Structure Exam Review
Questions and Answers
What is the structure and function of the ribosome?
Ribosomes consist of RNA and proteins and they help with synthesizing proteins. There is a large and
small subunit.
How does the structure of the ribosome aid in the function?
The structure of the ribosome allows proteins to be made inside or outside the cell.
What are the three types of RNA involved in the structure or function of the ribosome?
messenger (mRNA) is transcribed from DNA and carries the message to cytoplasm where ribosomes
translate it into a polypeptide
transfer (tRNA): carries a specific amino acid to the correct position on the ribosome using its
anticodon to match to the codon on the mRNA.
ribosomal (rRNA): joins with proteins to make ribosomes where translation occurs to form a protein.
How does the ribosome demonstrate a common ancestry of all known life?
All life forms have ribosomes.
What is the structure and function of the rough ER?
The rough endoplasmic reticulum is a series of connected flattened sacs, part of a continuous
membrane organelle within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, that plays a central role in the transport
of proteins made on its attached ribosomes.
How does the structure of the rough ER aid in the function?
It allows for the production, folding, quality control and dispatch of some proteins.
What is the structure and function of the smooth ER?
It is a network of membranes called cisternae. They are held together by the cytoskeleton. The
function of the smooth ER is to help with synthesizing lipids, phospholipids as in the plasma
membrane and steroids.
How does the structure of the smooth ER aid in the function?
Smooth ER is a network of membranes that separate the cell into compartments for metabolic
processes. Smooth ER functions in the synthesis of lipids in most cells, the breakdown of toxins in liver
cells, and storage and release of Ca++ in muscle cells. Keeping the enzymes or molecules needed for a
specific chemical pathway together in a specific area is more efficient.
What is the relationship between the ribosome and the rough ER?
Ribosomes attach to the rough ER and insert the proteins being made into the rough ER for
intracellular transport to Golgi for modification and export
What is the structure and function of the Golgi?
The Golgi apparatus is a central intracellular membrane-bound organelle. Its key function is to traffic,
process, and sort newly synthesized membrane and secretory proteins and lipids.
Note: any of the names (Golgi Bodies/Apparatus/Complex) could appear on the exam so be
knowledgeable about the different ways you might see this structure
, How does the structure of the Golgi aid in the function?
It packages proteins into vesicles so they can be transported in or out of the cell.
What is the structure and function of the mitochondria?
It is membrane bound organelle that consists of an outer and inner membrane that produces energy
for the cell by breaking down carbohydrates and producing ATP.
How does the structure of the mitochondria aid in the function?
The inner membrane folds increase surface area which allows for a lot of ATP to be formed and
quickly.
Note: Mitochondria is the "powerhouse of the cell" is NOT an appropriate response on the AP exam
What is the structure and function of the lysosome?
It is a small membrane bound organelle that has an acidic interior. The purpose of the lysosome is to
break down excess or worn-out cell parts. They can also aid in destroying invading viruses and
bacteria.
How does the structure of the lysosome aid in the function?
The membrane surrounding the lysosome keeps proteolytic enzymes separated from the rest of the
cell. Proton pumps in lysosomal membranes create acidic interior for digestion.
What is the structure of the vacuole?
A membrane-bound organelle that is generally small and circular in structure.
What is the function of the food vacuole?
It is used for storage of nutrients, water or waste.
What is the function of the central vacuole?
In plants it helps to maintain water balance.
What is the function of the contractile vacuole?
To maintain the constant osmotic pressure in the fluids of an organism by the control of water and
salt concentrations in a well-balanced way so that the cell doesn't get ruptured due to cytolysis.
(Osmoregulation)
What is the structure and function of a chloroplast?
Plant cell organelle that is oval-shaped and has an outer membrane and inner membrane folded into
thylakoid sacs stacked into grana that converts light energy into chemical energy through the process
of photosynthesis.
How does the structure of the chloroplast aid in the function?
Thylakoid sacs make compartments to create the H+ gradient needed for ATP production during the
light dependent reactions.
Questions and Answers
What is the structure and function of the ribosome?
Ribosomes consist of RNA and proteins and they help with synthesizing proteins. There is a large and
small subunit.
How does the structure of the ribosome aid in the function?
The structure of the ribosome allows proteins to be made inside or outside the cell.
What are the three types of RNA involved in the structure or function of the ribosome?
messenger (mRNA) is transcribed from DNA and carries the message to cytoplasm where ribosomes
translate it into a polypeptide
transfer (tRNA): carries a specific amino acid to the correct position on the ribosome using its
anticodon to match to the codon on the mRNA.
ribosomal (rRNA): joins with proteins to make ribosomes where translation occurs to form a protein.
How does the ribosome demonstrate a common ancestry of all known life?
All life forms have ribosomes.
What is the structure and function of the rough ER?
The rough endoplasmic reticulum is a series of connected flattened sacs, part of a continuous
membrane organelle within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, that plays a central role in the transport
of proteins made on its attached ribosomes.
How does the structure of the rough ER aid in the function?
It allows for the production, folding, quality control and dispatch of some proteins.
What is the structure and function of the smooth ER?
It is a network of membranes called cisternae. They are held together by the cytoskeleton. The
function of the smooth ER is to help with synthesizing lipids, phospholipids as in the plasma
membrane and steroids.
How does the structure of the smooth ER aid in the function?
Smooth ER is a network of membranes that separate the cell into compartments for metabolic
processes. Smooth ER functions in the synthesis of lipids in most cells, the breakdown of toxins in liver
cells, and storage and release of Ca++ in muscle cells. Keeping the enzymes or molecules needed for a
specific chemical pathway together in a specific area is more efficient.
What is the relationship between the ribosome and the rough ER?
Ribosomes attach to the rough ER and insert the proteins being made into the rough ER for
intracellular transport to Golgi for modification and export
What is the structure and function of the Golgi?
The Golgi apparatus is a central intracellular membrane-bound organelle. Its key function is to traffic,
process, and sort newly synthesized membrane and secretory proteins and lipids.
Note: any of the names (Golgi Bodies/Apparatus/Complex) could appear on the exam so be
knowledgeable about the different ways you might see this structure
, How does the structure of the Golgi aid in the function?
It packages proteins into vesicles so they can be transported in or out of the cell.
What is the structure and function of the mitochondria?
It is membrane bound organelle that consists of an outer and inner membrane that produces energy
for the cell by breaking down carbohydrates and producing ATP.
How does the structure of the mitochondria aid in the function?
The inner membrane folds increase surface area which allows for a lot of ATP to be formed and
quickly.
Note: Mitochondria is the "powerhouse of the cell" is NOT an appropriate response on the AP exam
What is the structure and function of the lysosome?
It is a small membrane bound organelle that has an acidic interior. The purpose of the lysosome is to
break down excess or worn-out cell parts. They can also aid in destroying invading viruses and
bacteria.
How does the structure of the lysosome aid in the function?
The membrane surrounding the lysosome keeps proteolytic enzymes separated from the rest of the
cell. Proton pumps in lysosomal membranes create acidic interior for digestion.
What is the structure of the vacuole?
A membrane-bound organelle that is generally small and circular in structure.
What is the function of the food vacuole?
It is used for storage of nutrients, water or waste.
What is the function of the central vacuole?
In plants it helps to maintain water balance.
What is the function of the contractile vacuole?
To maintain the constant osmotic pressure in the fluids of an organism by the control of water and
salt concentrations in a well-balanced way so that the cell doesn't get ruptured due to cytolysis.
(Osmoregulation)
What is the structure and function of a chloroplast?
Plant cell organelle that is oval-shaped and has an outer membrane and inner membrane folded into
thylakoid sacs stacked into grana that converts light energy into chemical energy through the process
of photosynthesis.
How does the structure of the chloroplast aid in the function?
Thylakoid sacs make compartments to create the H+ gradient needed for ATP production during the
light dependent reactions.
