AP Biology : Understanding Other Plant Cell Structures

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #81 : Plant Biology

What is the main structural component of a plant cell wall?

Possible Answers:

Actin and myosin

Chitin

Collagen

Cellulose

Peptidoglycan

Correct answer:

Cellulose

Explanation:

Cellulose, a polymer of glucose, is the main component of plant cell walls. 

Collagen is found in the connective tissues of animals. Chitin is found in the cell walls of fungi. Actin and myosin are the proteins responsible for contraction in muscle cells; actin is also a microfilament in the cytoskeleton. Peptidoglycan is found in the cell walls of bacteria.

Example Question #81 : Plant Biology

What is not one of the functions of the plant cell wall?

Possible Answers:

Prevents permeability

Allows for the passage of  and 

Maintains fixed cell shape

Offers structural support

Correct answer:

Prevents permeability

Explanation:

The plant cell wall is made of cellulose, which makes it rigid. The cell wall offers structural support and protection to the cell and it’s rigid nature maintains the regular shape of the cell. The cell wall is also permeable and allows small molecules, proteins, and nutrients to pass, including water and carbon dioxide.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Other Plant Cell Structures

What is the role of the vacuole in plant cells?

Possible Answers:

Stores water and waste only

Stores water only

Stores waste only

Stores water and wastes, and maintains turgidity

Maintains turgidity only

Correct answer:

Stores water and wastes, and maintains turgidity

Explanation:

Plant cells contain one very large vacuole that occupies a large percentage of the cell space. The central function of this vacuole is to maintain the turgor pressure of the cell through the continual transport of water and ions in and out of the cell, as needed. Vacuoles store and transport water, waste, and ions too.

Example Question #4 : Understanding Other Plant Cell Structures

Which of the following structures can be found in a plant cell?

Possible Answers:

Golgi apparatus only

Chloroplast only

Endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplast, Golgi apparatus, and cell membrane

Endoplasmic reticulum only

Correct answer:

Endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplast, Golgi apparatus, and cell membrane

Explanation:

Plant cells contain most of the membrane-bound organelles that animal cells do; they do not have cilia, and only some plant cells contain centrioles. Plant cells have additional organelles that animal cells do not, namely chloroplasts and cell walls, for photosynthesis and support, respectively. Virtually all cells have cell membranes.

Example Question #14 : Cellular Structures

Which of the following best describes the function of stomata?

Possible Answers:

They allow carbon dioxide into the leaf only

They allow oxygen to be released from the leaf only

They allow for the uptake of water on the leaves

They allow carbon dioxide in and oxygen out of the leaves

Correct answer:

They allow carbon dioxide in and oxygen out of the leaves

Explanation:

Stomata are the microscopic pores on the surface of leaves. Their function is to allow carbon dioxide into the plant while also allowing oxygen to leave the plant.

Example Question #15 : Cellular Structures

Plant and animal cells mostly differ in which way?

Possible Answers:

Only plant cells have a flagella

Only plant cells have ribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum

Only plant cells have plasma membranes with cholesterol

Only plant cells have cell walls

Only plant cells have plasma membranes with cholesterol

Correct answer:

Only plant cells have cell walls

Explanation:

The correct answer to this question is Only plant cells have cell walls

Animals notably do not have cell walls. Animal cells, not plant cells, have plasma membranes that contain cholesterol. Both animals and plants have cells with mitochondria and have ribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. Also only animal cells contain flagella and plant cells do not contain flagella at all.

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