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TRU Biol 2131 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
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
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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.
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)
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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
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
, 4|Page
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
Can viruses be treated with antibiotics? - ....ANSWER
....✔✔ No
Most sugars have the general formula - ....ANSWER
....✔✔ Ch2O
TRU Biol 2131 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
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
,2|Page
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.
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)
,3|Page
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
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
, 4|Page
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
Can viruses be treated with antibiotics? - ....ANSWER
....✔✔ No
Most sugars have the general formula - ....ANSWER
....✔✔ Ch2O
