Human cell membranes and transport quiz

Suitable for A/AS-level and Higher human biology students.
Scroll down for answers.

1. Which of these is part of the cell membrane?
a. triglycerides
b. phospholipids
c. ATP
d. more than one of these

2. How do fat-soluble molecules normally get into a cell?
a. they dissolve in the fat layers of the membrane and enter the cell by diffusion
b. they pass through protein pores in the cell membrane
c. they are absorbed by phagocytosis
d. they never get in

3. Phospholipids are unusual molecules because:
a. they have hydrophilic regions
b. they have hydrophobic regions
c. they are triglycerides
d. both A and B

4. Which of the following statements best describes the "fluid mosaic model" of the structure of the cell membrane?
a. two layers of protein with lipid layers between the protein layers
b. two layers of lipid with proteins between the lipid layers
c. a double layer of lipid molecules with protein molecules suspended in the layer
d. A single layer of protein on the outside and a single layer of lipids on the inside

5. The movement of chloride ions from an area where chloride is concentrated to an area where chloride is less concentrated is which of these?
a. diffusion
b. active transport
c. osmosis
d. exocytosis

6. If the contents of a cell has a solute concentration of 0.07% which of the solutions would cause it to swell?
a. 0.01% solute
b. 0.1% solute
c. 1% solute
d. 10% solute

7. Which of the following is necessary in order for osmosis to occur?
a. a permeable membrane
b. a semi-permeable membrane
c. an isotonic solution
d. ATP

8. Which of these are passive transport mechanisms?
a. osmosis
b. diffusion
c. phagocytosis
d. both A and B

9. When a cell is placed in an isotonic solution there would be:
a. no overall movement of water
b. net movement of water into the cell
c. net movement of water out of the cell
d. bursting of the cell

10. The sodium-potassium pump (which carries sodium out of a cell and potassium into a cell) is an example of which of the following?
a. active transport
b. endocytosis
c. exocytosis
d. passive transport

11. The process of a cell engulfing a solid object is which of these?
a. phagocytosis
b. exocytosis
c. pinocytosis
d. diffusion

12. Which of these processes involves the movement of substances against a concentration gradient?
a. diffusion
b. osmosis
c. active transport
d. both B and C

13. When a cell bursts due to osmosis, it is in a solution that has:
a. a lower water concentration than the cell contents
b. a higher water concentration than the cell contents
c. a higher solute concentration than the cell contents
d. both A and C

14. If a cell is placed in a beaker of distilled water, which of these will be true?
a. The cell will shrink.
b. There will be a net movement of water into the cell.
c. It is impossible for a water molecule to leave the cell.
d. Most of the dissolved substances will leave the cell.

15. Which of these equations is correct?
a. ATP + inorganic phosphate --> ADP
b. ADP + inorganic phosphate --> ATP
c. ATP + ADP --> inorganic phosphate

 

More teachers' notes

Answers: 1b, 2a, 3d, 4c, 5a, 6a, 7b, 8d, 9a, 10a, 11a, 12c, 13b, 14b, 15b

© Andrew Gray, 2006