BIO 172 Exam 2 Study Guide
Description: Comprehensive 200-question multiple-choice revision set for Biology 172
Exam 2 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Covers cell structure, membrane transport,
metabolism, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, cell division, genetics, molecular
biology, and animal diversity. Each question includes the correct answer marked with ✅.
Keywords: BIO 172, Exam 2, cell biology, metabolism, genetics, mitosis, meiosis,
membrane transport, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, UH Mānoa, 2026/2027
Module 1: Cell Structure and Function
Q1. Which of the following correctly pairs an organelle with its primary function?
A. Golgi apparatus; digestion and recycling
B. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum; phospholipid synthesis ✅
C. Ribosomes; protein modification
D. Mitochondrion; sugar production
E. Vacuole; photosynthesis
Q2. Which organelle contains its own DNA and ribosomes, supporting the
endosymbiotic theory?
A. Lysosome
B. Mitochondrion ✅
C. Golgi apparatus
D. Smooth ER
E. Peroxisome
Q3. Which structure is found in plant cells but NOT animal cells?
A. Mitochondria
B. Chloroplasts ✅
,C. Ribosomes
D. Golgi apparatus
E. Nucleus
Q4. What is the primary function of ribosomes attached to the rough ER?
A. Lipid synthesis
B. Protein synthesis for secretion or membranes ✅
C. Detoxification
D. DNA replication
E. Carbohydrate storage
Q5. Which organelle is involved in breaking down fatty acids and hydrogen peroxide?
A. Lysosome
B. Peroxisome ✅
C. Mitochondrion
D. Golgi apparatus
E. Smooth ER
Q6. In plant cells, DNA is contained in which locations?
A. Nucleus only
B. Nucleus and mitochondria only
C. Nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts ✅
D. Mitochondria and chloroplasts only
E. Nucleus and chloroplasts only
Q7. Which of the following is NOT a component of the endomembrane system?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Lysosome
C. Mitochondrion ✅
,D. Endoplasmic reticulum
E. Vesicles
Q8. What is the function of the signal recognition particle (SRP)?
A. Targets proteins to the rough ER ✅
B. Replicates DNA
C. Synthesizes lipids
D. Modifies proteins in the Golgi
E. Degrades proteins in lysosomes
Q9. Which cytoskeletal element is primarily responsible for maintaining cell shape and
enabling amoeboid movement?
A. Microtubules
B. Microfilaments (actin) ✅
C. Intermediate filaments
D. Centrioles
E. Spindle fibers
Q10. A protein that is an integral membrane protein in the rough ER requires which
process for proper targeting?
A. Signal recognition particle ✅
B. Receptor-mediated endocytosis
C. Autophagy
D. Phagocytosis
E. Pinocytosis
Q11. Which of the following organelles has a pH of approximately 5?
A. Mitochondrion
B. Lysosome ✅
C. Golgi apparatus
, D. Nucleus
E. Smooth ER
Q12. Which of the following correctly describes the smooth ER?
A. Synthesizes proteins for secretion
B. Synthesizes lipids and carbohydrates ✅
C. Modifies proteins from the rough ER
D. Produces ATP
E. Contains hydrolytic enzymes
Q13. A cell that produces large amounts of lipids for transport to the plasma membrane
would be expected to have:
A. Abundant smooth ER ✅
B. Abundant rough ER
C. Few mitochondria
D. Large lysosomes
E. Extensive Golgi degradation
Q14. Which of the following is NOT a function of the cytoskeleton?
A. Cell motility
B. Maintaining cell shape
C. Chromosome movement during division
D. ATP synthesis ✅
E. Organelle transport
Q15. The nuclear envelope is continuous with which organelle?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Rough ER ✅
C. Lysosome
Description: Comprehensive 200-question multiple-choice revision set for Biology 172
Exam 2 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Covers cell structure, membrane transport,
metabolism, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, cell division, genetics, molecular
biology, and animal diversity. Each question includes the correct answer marked with ✅.
Keywords: BIO 172, Exam 2, cell biology, metabolism, genetics, mitosis, meiosis,
membrane transport, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, UH Mānoa, 2026/2027
Module 1: Cell Structure and Function
Q1. Which of the following correctly pairs an organelle with its primary function?
A. Golgi apparatus; digestion and recycling
B. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum; phospholipid synthesis ✅
C. Ribosomes; protein modification
D. Mitochondrion; sugar production
E. Vacuole; photosynthesis
Q2. Which organelle contains its own DNA and ribosomes, supporting the
endosymbiotic theory?
A. Lysosome
B. Mitochondrion ✅
C. Golgi apparatus
D. Smooth ER
E. Peroxisome
Q3. Which structure is found in plant cells but NOT animal cells?
A. Mitochondria
B. Chloroplasts ✅
,C. Ribosomes
D. Golgi apparatus
E. Nucleus
Q4. What is the primary function of ribosomes attached to the rough ER?
A. Lipid synthesis
B. Protein synthesis for secretion or membranes ✅
C. Detoxification
D. DNA replication
E. Carbohydrate storage
Q5. Which organelle is involved in breaking down fatty acids and hydrogen peroxide?
A. Lysosome
B. Peroxisome ✅
C. Mitochondrion
D. Golgi apparatus
E. Smooth ER
Q6. In plant cells, DNA is contained in which locations?
A. Nucleus only
B. Nucleus and mitochondria only
C. Nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts ✅
D. Mitochondria and chloroplasts only
E. Nucleus and chloroplasts only
Q7. Which of the following is NOT a component of the endomembrane system?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Lysosome
C. Mitochondrion ✅
,D. Endoplasmic reticulum
E. Vesicles
Q8. What is the function of the signal recognition particle (SRP)?
A. Targets proteins to the rough ER ✅
B. Replicates DNA
C. Synthesizes lipids
D. Modifies proteins in the Golgi
E. Degrades proteins in lysosomes
Q9. Which cytoskeletal element is primarily responsible for maintaining cell shape and
enabling amoeboid movement?
A. Microtubules
B. Microfilaments (actin) ✅
C. Intermediate filaments
D. Centrioles
E. Spindle fibers
Q10. A protein that is an integral membrane protein in the rough ER requires which
process for proper targeting?
A. Signal recognition particle ✅
B. Receptor-mediated endocytosis
C. Autophagy
D. Phagocytosis
E. Pinocytosis
Q11. Which of the following organelles has a pH of approximately 5?
A. Mitochondrion
B. Lysosome ✅
C. Golgi apparatus
, D. Nucleus
E. Smooth ER
Q12. Which of the following correctly describes the smooth ER?
A. Synthesizes proteins for secretion
B. Synthesizes lipids and carbohydrates ✅
C. Modifies proteins from the rough ER
D. Produces ATP
E. Contains hydrolytic enzymes
Q13. A cell that produces large amounts of lipids for transport to the plasma membrane
would be expected to have:
A. Abundant smooth ER ✅
B. Abundant rough ER
C. Few mitochondria
D. Large lysosomes
E. Extensive Golgi degradation
Q14. Which of the following is NOT a function of the cytoskeleton?
A. Cell motility
B. Maintaining cell shape
C. Chromosome movement during division
D. ATP synthesis ✅
E. Organelle transport
Q15. The nuclear envelope is continuous with which organelle?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Rough ER ✅
C. Lysosome
