©JASONMcCONNELL 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Biology 121 Exam 2 Questions and Answers
100% Pass
Exergonic Reaction - ANS Ends with the release of free energy. Takes organic compounds and
breaks it up into smaller molecules
Endergonic Reaction - ANS Requires the input of free energy. Builds organic compounds from
smaller molecules.
Exergonic reaction - ANS Breaking down glucose to make ATP is an overall ____ reaction
DNA, Plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and ribosomes - ANS What structure components are
present in ALL cells
Cytoplasm - ANS semifluid substance enclosed by a cell's plasma membrane
Compare and contrast prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells - ANS SIMILARITIES:
1. They both have DNA as their genetic material.
2. They are both membrane bound.
3. They both have ribosomes .
4. They have similar basic metabolism .
5. They are both amazingly diverse in forms.
DIFERENCES:
1
, ©JASONMcCONNELL 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1. eukaryotes have a nucleus, while prokaryotes do not
2. eukaryotes have membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotes do not. The organelles of
eukaryotes allow them to exhibit much higher levels of intracellular division of labor than is
possible in prokaryotic cells.
3. Eukaryotic cells are, on average, ten times the size of prokaryotic cells.
4. The DNA of eukaryotes is much more complex and therefore much more extnsive than the
DNA of prokaryotes.
5. Prokaryotes have a cell wall composed of peptidoglycan, a single large polymer of amino
acids and sugar . Many types of eukaryotic cells also have cell walls, but none made of
peptidoglycan.
6. The DNA of prokaryotes floats freely around the cell; the DNA of eukaryotes is held within its
nucleus and associated with histones (proteins)
7. Eukaryotes undergo mitosis; prokaryotes divide by binary fission (simple cell division)
What is the main function of the nucleus - ANS to hold a eukaryotic cell's DNA
What is the main function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) - ANS Modifies proteins
made by ribosomes attached to it
What is the main function of the smooth ER - ANS to make lipids, break down carbohydrates
and fats, and to inactivate toxins.
What is the main function of the golgi complex/apparatus - ANS to finish, sort, and ship
lipids, enyzmes, and proteins.
What is the main function of the mitochondria - ANS Energy powerhouse of the cell.
Produces ATP by aerobic respiration
What is the main function of the chloroplasts - ANS Specializes in photosynthesis
2
Biology 121 Exam 2 Questions and Answers
100% Pass
Exergonic Reaction - ANS Ends with the release of free energy. Takes organic compounds and
breaks it up into smaller molecules
Endergonic Reaction - ANS Requires the input of free energy. Builds organic compounds from
smaller molecules.
Exergonic reaction - ANS Breaking down glucose to make ATP is an overall ____ reaction
DNA, Plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and ribosomes - ANS What structure components are
present in ALL cells
Cytoplasm - ANS semifluid substance enclosed by a cell's plasma membrane
Compare and contrast prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells - ANS SIMILARITIES:
1. They both have DNA as their genetic material.
2. They are both membrane bound.
3. They both have ribosomes .
4. They have similar basic metabolism .
5. They are both amazingly diverse in forms.
DIFERENCES:
1
, ©JASONMcCONNELL 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1. eukaryotes have a nucleus, while prokaryotes do not
2. eukaryotes have membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotes do not. The organelles of
eukaryotes allow them to exhibit much higher levels of intracellular division of labor than is
possible in prokaryotic cells.
3. Eukaryotic cells are, on average, ten times the size of prokaryotic cells.
4. The DNA of eukaryotes is much more complex and therefore much more extnsive than the
DNA of prokaryotes.
5. Prokaryotes have a cell wall composed of peptidoglycan, a single large polymer of amino
acids and sugar . Many types of eukaryotic cells also have cell walls, but none made of
peptidoglycan.
6. The DNA of prokaryotes floats freely around the cell; the DNA of eukaryotes is held within its
nucleus and associated with histones (proteins)
7. Eukaryotes undergo mitosis; prokaryotes divide by binary fission (simple cell division)
What is the main function of the nucleus - ANS to hold a eukaryotic cell's DNA
What is the main function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) - ANS Modifies proteins
made by ribosomes attached to it
What is the main function of the smooth ER - ANS to make lipids, break down carbohydrates
and fats, and to inactivate toxins.
What is the main function of the golgi complex/apparatus - ANS to finish, sort, and ship
lipids, enyzmes, and proteins.
What is the main function of the mitochondria - ANS Energy powerhouse of the cell.
Produces ATP by aerobic respiration
What is the main function of the chloroplasts - ANS Specializes in photosynthesis
2
