GUIDE 2026 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
⩥ Prokaryotes. Answer: primitive organisms, much smaller cells,
unicellular, no nucleus, genome = in nucleoid, no organelles, DNA =
contained in single circular chromosome, cells divide using BINARY
FISSION
⩥ binary fission. Answer: Prokaryotic cells divide using
⩥ mitosis. Answer: eukaryotic cells divide using
⩥ eukaryotes. Answer: examples of ______: animals and plants
⩥ prokaryotes. Answer: examples of _______: bacteria and archaea
⩥ nucleus. Answer: contains DNA (genetic material, used to form
chromosomes) - single _____ is the defining characteristic of eukaryotic
cells
,controls gene expression - ensures genetic material is transmitted from
one generation to the next
contains nucleuolus
⩥ chromosomes. Answer: complex thread-like arrangements composed
of DNA that's found in a cell's nucleus - humans have 23 pairs of
chromosomes (46 total)
⩥ 23 (46 total). Answer: how many pairs of chromosomes do humans
have?
⩥ chromatin. Answer: an aggregate of genetic material consisting of
DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes during cell division
⩥ nucleolus (nucleoli). Answer: the largest component of the nucleus of
a eukaryotic cell
no membrane, primary function = production of ribosomes (crucial for
protein synthesis)
⩥ ribosomes. Answer: produced by nucleolus, crucial for synthesis of
proteins
,⩥ cell membrane. Answer: encircle the cell's cytoplasm, separates
intracellular from extracellular environment; selectively permeable,
made of double layer of phospholipids studded with proteins
cholesterol = dispersed in phospholipid bilayer of _____ ______ to
provide stability
proteins in phospholipid bilayer help transport molecules across these
⩥ hydrophilic. Answer: attracted to water (head region of phospholipids,
facing the water, pointing inside and outside of the cells)
⩥ hydrophobic. Answer: repelled by water (tail region of phospholipids,
oriented inward between both head regions -- constructs phospholipid
bilayer)
⩥ amphiphilic. Answer: cell membranes are _______ : have hydrophilic
and hydrophobic zones, contributes to selective permeability
⩥ polarity. Answer: the charge present in a molecule
⩥ polar. Answer: _____ molecules: have regions (poles) of positive and
negative charge, are WATER SOLUBLE, harder to pass through cell
membranes
, ⩥ nonpolar. Answer: _____ molecules: no charge, FAT SOLUBLE,
much easier to pass through cell membranes
⩥ passive transport. Answer: migration of molecules across a cell
membrane that DOES NOT REQUIRE ENERGY
3 types: simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis
⩥ simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis. Answer: 3 types of
passive transport
⩥ simple diffusion. Answer: type of passive transport: relies on
concentration gradient, molecules move from area of high concentration
to area of low concentration
⩥ concentration gradient. Answer: differing quantities of molecules
inside or outside of a cell
⩥ facilitated diffusion. Answer: type of passive transport: utilizes carrier
proteins to transport molecules across a cell membrane