General Biology 1: Specialized Cells, Transport, Tonicity, and Biomolecules

A comprehensive set of practice questions covering specialized cell types, cellular transport mechanisms, tonicity, and the four major biological molecules based on general biology lecture notes.

What are the primary functions of Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)?

They transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and carry $CO_2$ back to the lungs.

How is the structure of a Red Blood Cell adapted to its function?

It has a biconcave shape to increase surface area, contains hemoglobin to bind oxygen, and has no nucleus to provide more space for hemoglobin.

What results from a low Red Blood Cell (RBC) count?

It causes anemia, fatigue, weakness, and reduced oxygen delivery.

What is the function of White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)?

They protect the body against disease-causing microorganisms by engulfing bacteria via phagocytosis, producing antibodies, or destroying infected cells.

What are Platelets (Thrombocytes) and what is their function?

They are cell fragments responsible for blood clotting and stopping bleeding after an injury.

What step in the blood clotting process involves clotting proteins?

Clotting proteins form fibrin to help create a blood clot that seals the wound.

Which proteins are responsible for muscle contraction?

Actin and Myosin, which slide past each other to create contraction.

What are the specific adaptations of a Sperm Cell?

A flagellum for swimming, an acrosome containing enzymes, and many mitochondria to produce ATP for movement.

What is the function of chloroplasts in plant leaf cells?

They are the site of photosynthesis and contain chlorophyll; without them, less glucose is produced and growth decreases.

How are stem cells defined?

They are undifferentiated cells that can divide many times, become specialized cells, and repair damaged tissues.

What characterizes the growth of cancer cells?

They divide continuously, ignore normal cell cycle regulation, and form tumors.

What is Passive Transport?

A mechanism that does not require ATP and moves molecules from high concentration to low concentration.

Define Osmosis.

The movement of water only across a selectively permeable membrane from high water concentration to low water concentration.

How does Facilitated Diffusion differ from simple Diffusion?

It moves substances from high to low concentration using transport proteins, though no ATP is required.

What is Active Transport?

A process that requires ATP to move substances against the concentration gradient (from low concentration to high concentration).

What is the difference between Endocytosis and Exocytosis?

Endocytosis moves materials into the cell (e.g., phagocytosis), while Exocytosis moves materials out of the cell (e.g., hormone secretion).

What happens to a cell in an Isotonic Solution?

There is no net water movement and the cell stays normal.

Describe the effect of a Hypotonic Solution on an animal cell versus a plant cell.

Water enters the cell; animal cells may burst, while plant cells become turgid.

What occurs when a red blood cell is placed in a Hypertonic Solution?

Water leaves the cell, causing it to shrink or become crenated.

What is the monomer and main function of Carbohydrates?

The monomer is a monosaccharide (e.g., glucose) and the function is to provide an immediate energy source.

What are the two storage polysaccharides mentioned in the notes?

Starch (plant storage) and Glycogen (animal storage in liver and muscles).

What is Cellulose's role in plants?

It is a structural carbohydrate that makes up the plant cell wall.

What are the monomers of Proteins and the bond that connects them?

The monomers are amino acids and they are connected by peptide bonds.

What are the functions of Lipids?

Long-term energy storage, insulation, organ protection, and forming cell membranes.

What is the difference between the functions of DNA and RNA?

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) stores hereditary information, while RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) helps make proteins.

What are the specific functions of mRNA and tRNA?

mRNA carries genetic instructions from DNA to the ribosome, and tRNA brings amino acids to the ribosome.