BIOD 101 Module 2 Exam – Essential Biology I w/Lab (Portage
Learning) (2026) Actual Questions with Verified Answers | Take &
Pass the Exam
Questions 1–250
1. Which of the following is a primary tenet of the Unified Cell Theory?
A) All cells contain a nucleus.
B) All living things are composed of one or more cells.
C) Cells can spontaneously generate from non-living matter.
D) All cells have a cell wall.
Answer B: All living things are composed of one or more cells.
Rationale: The Cell Theory states that the cell is the basic unit of life and all new cells arise from existing
cells.
2. Which structure is found in BOTH prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
A) Nucleus
B) Mitochondria
C) Ribosomes
D) Endoplasmic Reticulum
Answer C: Ribosomes
Rationale: Ribosomes are necessary for protein synthesis in all life forms. Prokaryotes lack membrane-
bound organelles.
3. The "Smooth" Endoplasmic Reticulum is primarily responsible for the synthesis of:
A) Proteins
B) Lipids
C) DNA
D) ATP
Answer B: Lipids
,Rationale: The Smooth ER functions in lipid synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and detoxification.
4. Which organelle contains digestive enzymes to break down waste materials?
A) Peroxisome
B) Lysosome
C) Vacuole
D) Golgi Apparatus
Answer B: Lysosome
Rationale: Lysosomes are the "garbage disposals" of the cell, utilizing enzymes to hydrolyze
macromolecules.
5. The "Fluid Mosaic Model" describes the structure of the:
A) Cell Wall
B) Plasma Membrane
C) Nuclear Envelope
D) Cytoskeleton
Answer B: Plasma Membrane
Rationale: The Plasma Membrane is a mosaic of components (phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins) that
move fluidly.
6. Which organelle is the site of the majority of ATP production?
A) Chloroplast
B) Nucleolus
C) Mitochondria
D) Ribosome
Answer C: Mitochondria
Rationale: Mitochondria are the energy powerhouses where cellular respiration converts glucose into ATP.
7. In plant cells, which structure provides structural support and prevents bursting?
A) Plasma Membrane
B) Cell Wall
C) Central Vacuole
,D) Cytoplasm
Answer B: Cell Wall
Rationale: The rigid Cell Wall (made of cellulose) provides protection and structural support.
8. Which component of the cytoskeleton is responsible for chromosome movement?
A) Microfilaments
B) Microtubules
C) Intermediate Filaments
D) Collagen
Answer B: Microtubules
Rationale: Microtubules form the spindle fibers that pull chromosomes apart during division.
9. The primary function of the Golgi Apparatus is to:
A) Replicate DNA
B) Modify, sort, and package proteins/lipids
C) Store water and nutrients
D) Synthesize RNA
Answer B: Modify, sort, and package proteins/lipids
Rationale: The Golgi acts as the "post office," shipping products to their final destinations.
10. Which of the following is only found in plant cells?
A) Mitochondria
B) Chloroplasts
C) Ribosomes
D) Plasma Membrane
Answer B: Chloroplasts
Rationale: Chloroplasts are specialized organelles for photosynthesis, found only in plants/algae.
11. The core of the plasma membrane is "hydrophobic," meaning it:
A) Attracts water
B) Repels water
C) Is made of sugar
, D) Is highly acidic
j j j
Answer B: Repels water j j j
Rationale: The fatty acid tails of phospholipids face inward, creating a water-repelling barrier.
j j j j j j j j j j j j
12. Which structure is responsible for the synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)?
j j j j j j j j j j j
A) Nucleolus
j
B) Rough ER
j j
C) Cytoplasm
j
D) Golgi j
Answer A: Nucleolus j j
Rationale: The Nucleolus is a condensed region inside the nucleus specifically for ribosome production.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
13. A cell placed in a "Hypertonic" solution will:
j j j j j j j j
A) Swell and burst
j j j
B) Shrink (crenate)
j j
C) Stay the same size
j j j j
D) Divide rapidly
j j
Answer B: Shrink (crenate) j j j
Rationale: Water leaves the cell to balance the higher solute concentration outside, causing the cell to shrink.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
14. A cell placed in a "Hypotonic" solution will:
j j j j j j j j
A) Swell and burst
j j j
B) Shrink (crenate)
j j
C) Stay the same size
j j j j
D) Divide rapidly
j j
Answer A: Swell and burst j j j j
Rationale: Water enters the cell because the solute concentration is higher inside, causing swelling and
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
j potential lysis. j
15. A cell placed in an "Isotonic" solution will:
j j j j j j j j
A) Swell and burst
j j j
B) Shrink (crenate)
j j
Learning) (2026) Actual Questions with Verified Answers | Take &
Pass the Exam
Questions 1–250
1. Which of the following is a primary tenet of the Unified Cell Theory?
A) All cells contain a nucleus.
B) All living things are composed of one or more cells.
C) Cells can spontaneously generate from non-living matter.
D) All cells have a cell wall.
Answer B: All living things are composed of one or more cells.
Rationale: The Cell Theory states that the cell is the basic unit of life and all new cells arise from existing
cells.
2. Which structure is found in BOTH prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
A) Nucleus
B) Mitochondria
C) Ribosomes
D) Endoplasmic Reticulum
Answer C: Ribosomes
Rationale: Ribosomes are necessary for protein synthesis in all life forms. Prokaryotes lack membrane-
bound organelles.
3. The "Smooth" Endoplasmic Reticulum is primarily responsible for the synthesis of:
A) Proteins
B) Lipids
C) DNA
D) ATP
Answer B: Lipids
,Rationale: The Smooth ER functions in lipid synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and detoxification.
4. Which organelle contains digestive enzymes to break down waste materials?
A) Peroxisome
B) Lysosome
C) Vacuole
D) Golgi Apparatus
Answer B: Lysosome
Rationale: Lysosomes are the "garbage disposals" of the cell, utilizing enzymes to hydrolyze
macromolecules.
5. The "Fluid Mosaic Model" describes the structure of the:
A) Cell Wall
B) Plasma Membrane
C) Nuclear Envelope
D) Cytoskeleton
Answer B: Plasma Membrane
Rationale: The Plasma Membrane is a mosaic of components (phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins) that
move fluidly.
6. Which organelle is the site of the majority of ATP production?
A) Chloroplast
B) Nucleolus
C) Mitochondria
D) Ribosome
Answer C: Mitochondria
Rationale: Mitochondria are the energy powerhouses where cellular respiration converts glucose into ATP.
7. In plant cells, which structure provides structural support and prevents bursting?
A) Plasma Membrane
B) Cell Wall
C) Central Vacuole
,D) Cytoplasm
Answer B: Cell Wall
Rationale: The rigid Cell Wall (made of cellulose) provides protection and structural support.
8. Which component of the cytoskeleton is responsible for chromosome movement?
A) Microfilaments
B) Microtubules
C) Intermediate Filaments
D) Collagen
Answer B: Microtubules
Rationale: Microtubules form the spindle fibers that pull chromosomes apart during division.
9. The primary function of the Golgi Apparatus is to:
A) Replicate DNA
B) Modify, sort, and package proteins/lipids
C) Store water and nutrients
D) Synthesize RNA
Answer B: Modify, sort, and package proteins/lipids
Rationale: The Golgi acts as the "post office," shipping products to their final destinations.
10. Which of the following is only found in plant cells?
A) Mitochondria
B) Chloroplasts
C) Ribosomes
D) Plasma Membrane
Answer B: Chloroplasts
Rationale: Chloroplasts are specialized organelles for photosynthesis, found only in plants/algae.
11. The core of the plasma membrane is "hydrophobic," meaning it:
A) Attracts water
B) Repels water
C) Is made of sugar
, D) Is highly acidic
j j j
Answer B: Repels water j j j
Rationale: The fatty acid tails of phospholipids face inward, creating a water-repelling barrier.
j j j j j j j j j j j j
12. Which structure is responsible for the synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)?
j j j j j j j j j j j
A) Nucleolus
j
B) Rough ER
j j
C) Cytoplasm
j
D) Golgi j
Answer A: Nucleolus j j
Rationale: The Nucleolus is a condensed region inside the nucleus specifically for ribosome production.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j
13. A cell placed in a "Hypertonic" solution will:
j j j j j j j j
A) Swell and burst
j j j
B) Shrink (crenate)
j j
C) Stay the same size
j j j j
D) Divide rapidly
j j
Answer B: Shrink (crenate) j j j
Rationale: Water leaves the cell to balance the higher solute concentration outside, causing the cell to shrink.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
14. A cell placed in a "Hypotonic" solution will:
j j j j j j j j
A) Swell and burst
j j j
B) Shrink (crenate)
j j
C) Stay the same size
j j j j
D) Divide rapidly
j j
Answer A: Swell and burst j j j j
Rationale: Water enters the cell because the solute concentration is higher inside, causing swelling and
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
j potential lysis. j
15. A cell placed in an "Isotonic" solution will:
j j j j j j j j
A) Swell and burst
j j j
B) Shrink (crenate)
j j
