AP BIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS
The pancreas is a major accessory organ in the digestive system. Which of the
following would destroy the function of the digestive products produced by the
pancreas?
a. A decrease in absorption rates within the alimentary canal
b. Removing the excess water from the food waste
c. Increased acidity due to the inability to neutralize stomach acid
d. An increase in peristalisis and subsequent diarrhea - Answer-C. The pancreas
produces digestive enzymes, and enzymes are sensitive to pH. The inability to
neutralize stomach acid would disrupt the function of the enzyme would be intact.
Removal of water should not greatly affect enzyme functions.
The digestive system in humans can be divided into two parts: the alimentary canal and
the accessory organs. The canal comprised of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines
is where the food actually passes during its transition into waste. The accessory organs
are any organs that aid in the digestion by supplying the organs in the alimentary canal
with digestive hormones and enzymes.
In animal cells, which of the following represents the most likely pathway that a secreted
protein takes as it is synthesized in a cell?
a. Plasma membrane-Golgi apparatus-ribosome-secretory vesicle-rough ER
b. Ribosome-Golgi apparatus-rough ED-secretory vesicle-plasma membrane
c. Plasma membrane-Golgi apparatus-ribosome-rough ER-secretory vesicle
d. Ribosome-rough ER-Golgi apparatus-secretory vesicle-plasma membrane - Answer-
D. Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis. Therefore, the correct answer should
start with ribosome. So eliminate A and C. The polypeptide then moves through the
rough ER to the Golgi apparatus, where it is modified and packaged into a veschile. The
vesicle then floats to the plasma membrane and is secreted.
All of the following statements are correct regarding alleles EXCEPT
a. Alleles are alternative forms of the same gene
b. Alleles are found on corresponding loci of homologous chromosomes
C. A gene can have more than two alleles
D. An individual with two identical alleles is said to be heterzygous with respect to the
gene - Answer-D. Choice D is false because an individual with two identical alleles is
said to be hemozygous, not heterzygous, with respect to that gene. Alleles are different
forms of the same gene found on corresponding positions of homologous
chromosomes, so A and B are incorrect. More than two alleles can exist for a gene, but
a person can have only two alleles for each trait.
, Surface area to volume ratio - Answer-The amount of surface covering an object (or a
cell) compared to the volume contained within; as surface to volume ratio decreases in
cells, division becomes necessary
Cell Division - Answer-The process of creating two new cells
Mitosis - Answer-When the nucleus itself divides into two new nuclei
Cytokinesis - Answer-When the rest of the cell divides to form two new daughter cells
Chromatin - Answer-When the DNA inside the nucleus appears as disorganized, long
strands
Chromosomes - Answer-When the DNA coils tightly, shortens and thickens prior to
mitosis
DNA molecule - Answer-Another name for a chromosome; contains the genes
Replication - Answer-The process of chromosomes making exact duplicates
Sister chromatids - Answer-The two sides of the "X" formed by replicated chromosomes
Centromere - Answer-Acentral protein bundle that connects sister chromatids
Autosomes - Answer-All chromosomes except for the sex chromosomes
Genes - Answer-Codes within DNA that specify a particular trait
Alleles - Answer-Two alternate forms of each gene (such as blue eyes or brown eyes)
Somatic cells - Answer-All of the body cells
Gametes - Answer-Sperm and egg cells, also referred to as sex cells
What is the movement of molecules across a membrane from a region of lower
concentration to a region of higher concentration-against the concentration gradient;
requires cellular energy to achieve this movement - Answer-Active transport
A property of cellular membranes that only allows certain molecules to enter or exit the
cell; can occur actively or passively - Answer-Selective permeability
The breakdown of glucose by enzymes, releasing energy and pyruvic acid - Answer-
Glycolysis
Fermentation - Answer-Process by which cells release energy in the absence of oxygen
COMPLETE ANSWERS
The pancreas is a major accessory organ in the digestive system. Which of the
following would destroy the function of the digestive products produced by the
pancreas?
a. A decrease in absorption rates within the alimentary canal
b. Removing the excess water from the food waste
c. Increased acidity due to the inability to neutralize stomach acid
d. An increase in peristalisis and subsequent diarrhea - Answer-C. The pancreas
produces digestive enzymes, and enzymes are sensitive to pH. The inability to
neutralize stomach acid would disrupt the function of the enzyme would be intact.
Removal of water should not greatly affect enzyme functions.
The digestive system in humans can be divided into two parts: the alimentary canal and
the accessory organs. The canal comprised of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines
is where the food actually passes during its transition into waste. The accessory organs
are any organs that aid in the digestion by supplying the organs in the alimentary canal
with digestive hormones and enzymes.
In animal cells, which of the following represents the most likely pathway that a secreted
protein takes as it is synthesized in a cell?
a. Plasma membrane-Golgi apparatus-ribosome-secretory vesicle-rough ER
b. Ribosome-Golgi apparatus-rough ED-secretory vesicle-plasma membrane
c. Plasma membrane-Golgi apparatus-ribosome-rough ER-secretory vesicle
d. Ribosome-rough ER-Golgi apparatus-secretory vesicle-plasma membrane - Answer-
D. Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis. Therefore, the correct answer should
start with ribosome. So eliminate A and C. The polypeptide then moves through the
rough ER to the Golgi apparatus, where it is modified and packaged into a veschile. The
vesicle then floats to the plasma membrane and is secreted.
All of the following statements are correct regarding alleles EXCEPT
a. Alleles are alternative forms of the same gene
b. Alleles are found on corresponding loci of homologous chromosomes
C. A gene can have more than two alleles
D. An individual with two identical alleles is said to be heterzygous with respect to the
gene - Answer-D. Choice D is false because an individual with two identical alleles is
said to be hemozygous, not heterzygous, with respect to that gene. Alleles are different
forms of the same gene found on corresponding positions of homologous
chromosomes, so A and B are incorrect. More than two alleles can exist for a gene, but
a person can have only two alleles for each trait.
, Surface area to volume ratio - Answer-The amount of surface covering an object (or a
cell) compared to the volume contained within; as surface to volume ratio decreases in
cells, division becomes necessary
Cell Division - Answer-The process of creating two new cells
Mitosis - Answer-When the nucleus itself divides into two new nuclei
Cytokinesis - Answer-When the rest of the cell divides to form two new daughter cells
Chromatin - Answer-When the DNA inside the nucleus appears as disorganized, long
strands
Chromosomes - Answer-When the DNA coils tightly, shortens and thickens prior to
mitosis
DNA molecule - Answer-Another name for a chromosome; contains the genes
Replication - Answer-The process of chromosomes making exact duplicates
Sister chromatids - Answer-The two sides of the "X" formed by replicated chromosomes
Centromere - Answer-Acentral protein bundle that connects sister chromatids
Autosomes - Answer-All chromosomes except for the sex chromosomes
Genes - Answer-Codes within DNA that specify a particular trait
Alleles - Answer-Two alternate forms of each gene (such as blue eyes or brown eyes)
Somatic cells - Answer-All of the body cells
Gametes - Answer-Sperm and egg cells, also referred to as sex cells
What is the movement of molecules across a membrane from a region of lower
concentration to a region of higher concentration-against the concentration gradient;
requires cellular energy to achieve this movement - Answer-Active transport
A property of cellular membranes that only allows certain molecules to enter or exit the
cell; can occur actively or passively - Answer-Selective permeability
The breakdown of glucose by enzymes, releasing energy and pyruvic acid - Answer-
Glycolysis
Fermentation - Answer-Process by which cells release energy in the absence of oxygen
