PCB3023C Exam 1: Cell Biology 2026 – FGCU
1. Which of the following is a core tenet of the cell theory?
A. All organisms are composed of one or more cells.
B. Cells arise from non-living matter.
C. DNA is the only genetic material.
D. Viruses are the smallest living cells.
Answer: A
Rationale: The cell theory states that all organisms are composed of one or more cells, the
cell is the structural unit of life, and cells arise from pre-existing cells.
2. What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
A. Prokaryotes lack a plasma membrane.
B. Eukaryotes are always multicellular.
C. Prokaryotes do not have ribosomes.
D. Eukaryotes contain membrane-bound organelles.
Answer: D
Rationale: The defining characteristic of eukaryotic cells is the presence of a membrane-
bound nucleus and other organelles, which prokaryotes lack.
3. Which molecule is the main component of the plasma membrane?
A. Triglycerides
B. Glycogen
C. Phospholipids
D. Nucleotides
Answer: C
,Rationale: Phospholipids form the lipid bilayer that constitutes the structural framework
of the plasma membrane.
4. The ‘Fluid Mosaic Model’ describes the cell membrane as:
A. A rigid layer of proteins.
B. A static bilayer of lipids.
C. A solid wall impermeable to all molecules.
D. A dynamic structure of proteins drifting in a lipid bilayer.
Answer: D
Rationale: The fluid mosaic model describes the membrane as a fluid phospholipid bilayer
where proteins are embedded and can move laterally.
5. Which organelle is responsible for the majority of ATP production in
eukaryotic cells?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Lysosomes
C. Chloroplasts
D. Mitochondria
Answer: D
Rationale: Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell because they generate
ATP through aerobic respiration.
6. Where is the site of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis in a eukaryotic cell?
A. Cytoplasm
B. Rough ER
C. Nucleolus
D. Golgi complex
Answer: C
Rationale: The nucleolus is a dense region within the nucleus where rRNA is synthesized
and ribosomal subunits are assembled.
, 7. Which cytoskeletal filament is composed of tubulin subunits?
A. Microtubules
B. Intermediate filaments
C. Microfilaments
D. Myosin filaments
Answer: A
Rationale: Microtubules are hollow tubes constructed from alpha and beta-tubulin dimers.
8. What is the function of the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)?
A. Protein synthesis and modification
B. Lipid synthesis
C. Detoxification of chemicals
D. Calcium storage
Answer: A
Rationale: The Rough ER is studded with ribosomes and is primarily involved in the
synthesis and folding of proteins destined for secretion or membranes.
9. Which of the following is an example of active transport?
A. Sodium-potassium pump
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Simple diffusion
D. Osmosis
Answer: A
Rationale: The sodium-potassium pump uses ATP to move ions against their
concentration gradient, which is a hallmark of active transport.
1. Which of the following is a core tenet of the cell theory?
A. All organisms are composed of one or more cells.
B. Cells arise from non-living matter.
C. DNA is the only genetic material.
D. Viruses are the smallest living cells.
Answer: A
Rationale: The cell theory states that all organisms are composed of one or more cells, the
cell is the structural unit of life, and cells arise from pre-existing cells.
2. What is the primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
A. Prokaryotes lack a plasma membrane.
B. Eukaryotes are always multicellular.
C. Prokaryotes do not have ribosomes.
D. Eukaryotes contain membrane-bound organelles.
Answer: D
Rationale: The defining characteristic of eukaryotic cells is the presence of a membrane-
bound nucleus and other organelles, which prokaryotes lack.
3. Which molecule is the main component of the plasma membrane?
A. Triglycerides
B. Glycogen
C. Phospholipids
D. Nucleotides
Answer: C
,Rationale: Phospholipids form the lipid bilayer that constitutes the structural framework
of the plasma membrane.
4. The ‘Fluid Mosaic Model’ describes the cell membrane as:
A. A rigid layer of proteins.
B. A static bilayer of lipids.
C. A solid wall impermeable to all molecules.
D. A dynamic structure of proteins drifting in a lipid bilayer.
Answer: D
Rationale: The fluid mosaic model describes the membrane as a fluid phospholipid bilayer
where proteins are embedded and can move laterally.
5. Which organelle is responsible for the majority of ATP production in
eukaryotic cells?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Lysosomes
C. Chloroplasts
D. Mitochondria
Answer: D
Rationale: Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell because they generate
ATP through aerobic respiration.
6. Where is the site of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis in a eukaryotic cell?
A. Cytoplasm
B. Rough ER
C. Nucleolus
D. Golgi complex
Answer: C
Rationale: The nucleolus is a dense region within the nucleus where rRNA is synthesized
and ribosomal subunits are assembled.
, 7. Which cytoskeletal filament is composed of tubulin subunits?
A. Microtubules
B. Intermediate filaments
C. Microfilaments
D. Myosin filaments
Answer: A
Rationale: Microtubules are hollow tubes constructed from alpha and beta-tubulin dimers.
8. What is the function of the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)?
A. Protein synthesis and modification
B. Lipid synthesis
C. Detoxification of chemicals
D. Calcium storage
Answer: A
Rationale: The Rough ER is studded with ribosomes and is primarily involved in the
synthesis and folding of proteins destined for secretion or membranes.
9. Which of the following is an example of active transport?
A. Sodium-potassium pump
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Simple diffusion
D. Osmosis
Answer: A
Rationale: The sodium-potassium pump uses ATP to move ions against their
concentration gradient, which is a hallmark of active transport.
