AP BIOLOGY

Unit 1 Test (Cells and Biochemistry)

Directions: ​All questions are worth one (1) point each. Please read each question and all options carefully. Choose the
one alternative that ​best​ completes the statement or answers the question. You are welcome to write on this sheet.
Pay attention to key words​, feel free to cross out wrong answers, flag, star, or otherwise indicate any good answers.
Circle your choice for the best answer and bubble in the corresponding answer on your scantron sheet.

1) According to science, all life forms on the planet show signs of common ancestry interspersed among their diversity.
One example of this unity among life forms on earth is their elemental composition. Which six elements make up
approximately 96% of living matter in the composition of the major macromolecules?
A) Sulfur, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, carbon are the elements primarily needed to produce the four
organic macromolecules that compose all life forms.
B) Carbon, sulfur, phosphorus, hydrogen, nitrogen, zinc are the elements primarily needed to produce the four
organic macromolecules that compose all life forms.
C) Oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, sodium, carbon, nitrogen are the elements primarily needed to produce the four
organic macromolecules that compose all life forms.
D) Carbon, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, oxygen, hydrogen are the elements primarily needed to produce the four
organic macromolecules that compose all life forms.

2) Over the last one hundred years several experiments have taken place by various scientists to try and proposed a
scientific explanation for how life may have arose on Earth. According to fairly recent scientific discoveries, current
theories of prebiotic evolution are based upon evidence for all of the following ​except​ the abiotic

A) production of small organic molecules from inorganic molecules using an energy source
B) polymerization of amino acids to form simple proteins using an energy source
C) production of lipid based membranes allowing for internalization of molecules from molecular interactions.
D) origin of DNA as the original molecule of information transmission and reproduction.

3) The ability to make bonds between molecules is extremely important to all life forms. These bonds allow for the
evolution of more complex, higher functioning structures to be developed from simpler parts, the theme of Emergent Properties.
Using the picture above, select the correct justification for the bonds being covalent chemical bonds.
A) In covalent bonds, electrons are removed from one atom and transferred to another atom so that the two
atoms become oppositely charged.
B) In covalent bonds, protons or neutrons are shared by two atoms so as to satisfy the requirements of both.
C) In covalent bonds, outer-shell electrons are shared by two atoms so as to satisfactorily fill the outer electron
shells of both.
D) In covalent bonds, outer-shell electrons of one atom are transferred to the inner electron shells of another atom.

4) Hydrogen bonds are perhaps the most important and functional bonds to within cells and multi-cellular organisms. It
helps hold the double helix of DNA together. It helps with proper enzyme functioning. They help you transport
molecules, such as sodium ions Na+, through your body. Which of the following is an example of a hydrogen bond?
A) The bond between C and H in methane(CH​4​)​.
B) The bond between the H of one water molecule and the O of another water molecule.
C) The bond between Na and Cl in salt.
 D) The bond between two hydrogen atoms.

5) Catabolism, the breaking of molecules down, and Anabolism, the putting of molecules together, both are component
processes of Metabolism that require energy to be involved. All cells undergo metabolism daily. The chemical
reactions involved in metabolism can be classified as either dehydration synthesis or hydrolysis. Which of the
following best summarizes the relationship between dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis?
A) Dehydration synthesis assembles polymers, and hydrolysis breaks them down.
B) Hydrolysis occurs during the day, and dehydration synthesis happens at night.
C) Hydrolysis creates monomers, and dehydration synthesis destroys them.
D) Dehydration synthesis occurs in plants, and hydrolysis happens in animals.

6) If two cities at the same latitude, distance from the equator, have the following seasonal temperatures, based on
the data presented below, what can you induce about city A as compared to city B and why?

City A City B
Average Temperature, Summer 25.5ºC 37ºC
Average Temperature, Fall 24ºC 24ºC
Average Temperature, Winter 22ºC 5ºC
Average Temperature, Spring 24ºC 24ºC
A) City B is at a higher elevation than City A because the winter average temperature is lower than city A.
B) City A resides in a valley because the summer temperature is cooler than city B.
C) City A is near a large body of water because the water helps keep the summers cool and the winters warmer
by absorbing sunlight energy.
D) City B is on the west side of a large mountain and city A is on the east side since the falls and springs are equal
in average temperature.

7) A scientist in the field is searching for new organisms. They discover one in the rainforests of Ecuador in
South America. The cell has the following molecules and structures: enzymes, DNA, ribosomes, plasma membrane
and mitochondria. It could be a cell from

A) A bacterium because they are the most abundant organisms on the planet.
B) An animal, but not a plant because animal cells have mitochondria and plant cells do not.
C) A plant, but not an animal because plants are most common in the rainforest.
D) It could be from a plant or animal, it is hard to say without more information.

8) One of the buffers that contribute to pH stability in human blood is Carbonic Acid (H​2​CO​3​). Carbonic Acid is a weak
acid that dissociates into a bicarbonate ion (HCO​3​¯ ) and a hydrogen ion ( H​+​).Thus,

H​2​CO​3 ↔
​ HCO​3​¯ + H​+
If the pH of the blood drops, one would expect

A) a decrease in the concentration of H​2​CO​3​ and an increase in the concentration of HCO​3​¯.

B) the concentration of the hydroxide (OH¯ ) to increase.
C) the concentration of bicarbonate ion (HCO​3​¯ ) to increase.
D) the HCO​3¯ to
​ act as a base and remove excess H​+ ​ with the formation of H​2​CO​3.

9) The evolution of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells was a major evolutionary event occurring over millions of
years in geologic time. Genetic annealing, “trading” of key DNA segments was crucial to the long term survival of
the new cell type. What other major event mist likely occurred in this evolutionary event?

A) The acquisition of an endomembrane system, and the subsequent evolution of mitochondria from a portion of a
golgi apparatus.
 B) Endosymbiosis of an smaller energy producing bacteria in a larger host cell – these endosymbionts evolved into
mitochondria or chloroplasts.
C) An endosymbiotic fungal cell evolved into a nucleus in a larger host cell.
D) The acquisition of an endomembrane system, and the subsequent evolution of chloroplasts from a portion of a
endoplasmic reticulum.

10)

A 1μm 2 μm 3μm

Surface Area = 6 (W X L) Volume = W X L X H

​Surface Area to Volume is an important factor when considering cells ability to live and grow. A cell’s ability to move
vital nutrients into the cell as well as transport waste materials out ​at the same time​ is crucial to it’s survival. The three
cells shown at the top are cubodial cells of the Pancreatic duct in various animals. Each side of the cube has the
measurement indicated. Justify which cell is ​least​ efficient at molecule transport.

A) It is the 3μm cell. It has the lowest surface area to volume ratio at 2 to 1.
B) It is the 2μm cell. It has the most balanced surface area to volume ratio at 3 to 1.
C) It is the 1μm cell. It has the greatest surface area to volume ratio at 6 to 1.
D) It is the 3μm cell. It has the greatest surface area to volume ratio at 2 to 1.

11) It was necessary for life to exist on Earth, that organisms’ possess the ability to pass, store, and pass on molecular
information to the next generation develop. The two molecules capable of these two processes are RNA and DNA.
What probably accounts for the switch to DNA-based genetic systems during the evolution of life on Earth?

A) Only DNA can replicate during cell division.

B) RNA is too involved with translation of proteins and is incapable of performing multiple functions.
C) DNA is chemically more stable and replicates with fewer errors (mutations) than RNA.
D) DNA forms the rod shaped chromosomes necessary for cells to divide.

12) Cells are very concerned with maximizing nutrient input with minimal energy investment. Active transport of
molecules across a cell membrane is a relatively conserved process. Cells prefer to allow the laws of nature to work
in moving molecules, such as water by osmosis, and thus conserving energy. Simple diffusion and facilitated
diffusion are related energy conserving processes, such as diffusion. Justify how they are similar and how they are
different processes.

A) They both require a transport protein to function in molecule transport, but facilitated diffusion requires energy.
B) They both require energy to move molecules across membranes, but facilitated requires the use of a transport
protein.
C) They both require no energy to move molecules, only a concentration gradient; but simple diffusion requires a
transport protein.
D) They both require no energy to move molecules, only a concentration gradient; but facilitated diffusion requires a
transport protein.

13) Proteins are often described as the work horses of cells. The compose 50% or more of the biomass of a cell. They are
3 dimensional structures capable of several working functions within cells. In order to achieve the 3 dimensional structure
that they must possess in order to work they undergo a series of constructional steps. Which bonds are used in the
creation of the primary structure of a protein and why?

A) Hydrogen bonds are used for primary structure. These flexible, weak bonds are perfect for the necessary folding
which will occur in the future steps of construction.
 B) Covalent bonds are used for primary structure. The bonds are strong bonds that help hold the amino acids
together and prevent easy disassembly.
C) Disulfide bonds are used for primary structure. The bonds are strong bonds that help hold the amino acids
together and prevent easy disassembly.
D) Covalent bonds are used for primary structure. The bonds are weak bonds that help hold the amino acids together
and promote easy disassembly.

H H H H H H H H H
O I I I I I I I I I
C—C—C—C—C—C—C—C—C—C—H
HO I I I I I I I I I
H H H H H H H H H

14) All cells require energy to live, reproduce, and repair injury. The primary energy resources for all cells is
carbohydrates and lipids. Carbohydrates are sources of immediate energy production and lipids are sources of stored
energy. The molecule above is either a carbohydrate or a lipid. Identify which macromolecule it is and the best
justification of that answer.

A) It is a Carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are mostly composed of Hydrogen and Carbon molecules as shown above.
The amount of Hydrogen is associated with the available amount of energy in a molecule.
B) It is a Carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are possess more Hydrogen atoms than Lipids. The amount of Hydrogen is
associated with the available amount of energy in a molecule.
C) It is a Lipid. Lipids are mostly composed of Hydrogen and Carbon as shown above. The amount of Hydrogen is
associated with the available amount of energy in a molecule.
D) It is a Lipid. Lipids possess less Hydrogen atoms than Carbohydrates. The amount of Hydrogen is associated with
the available amount of energy in a molecule.

15) The endomembrane system consists of a series of organelles, in Eukaryotic cells, that aid in the proper construction
and formation of proteins that will exit a cell. Of the following, for a protein ​exiting​ a cell, which is probably the most
common route for membrane flow in protein production via the endomembrane system?

A) Golgi Lysosome RER Plasma membrane

B) Plasma membrane Golgi RER Nuclear envelope
C) RER . Chloroplast Golgi Plasma membrane
D) Nuclear envelope RER Golgi plasma membrane

16) ​Math Problem (5 points)

This answer requires a numeric answer. Calculate the correct answer for the following problem. Please show all you work
and circle your final answer.

​Solute Potential ​(ΨS)

i. ΨS = -iCRT
ii. i is the ​ionization constant​ for a molecule
iii. C is the ​molar concentration
iv. R is the pressure constant (R= 0.0831literbars/mole-K)
v. T is the temperature in Kelvin
Total Water Potential ​(Represented by ΨT)
ΨT= ΨS +ΨP

Calculate the Total Water Potential for the following solution: The molar concentration of a sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
  solution in an open beaker has been determined to be 0.7M. The pressure potential of a solution open to the air is zero.
What is the water potential for this example at 32 degrees C? Round your answer, in bars, to the nearest tenth. A bar is a
water potential unit of measurement.
 Part 2 of Unit Test 1
Written portion

Directions: Answer the following short answer questions. (5 points each)

Question 1: ​Nitrogen is an extremely important nutrient that all life forms need. In four sentences or less, ​identify​ the
original source of most Nitrogen for organisms, ​describe​ how the Nitrogen becomes accessible for Eukaryotic
organisms primarily, and ​explain​ how the Nitrogen is utilized, in terms of macromolecules, within cells.

Question 2: ​Protein structure is an example of Emergent properties in Biology. Proteins are three dimensional workhorse
structures within all cells. In four sentences or less, explain the purpose and the specific
type of chemical bond that is used in each level of protein structure from primary up to tertiary structure.

Free Response Question: (10 points possible)

Answers must be in essay form. Outline form is not acceptable. Labeled diagrams may be used to supplement
discussion, but in no case will a diagram alone suffice. You must answer each
sub part (a, b, c) of the following question.

A major distinction between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes is the presence of membrane-bound organelles in Eukaryotes.

(a) ​Describe ​the structure and function of TWO Eukaryotic membrane bound organelles other than the nucleus.
(b) Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells have some membrane-bound components in common. ​Describe ​the
function of TWO of the following and​ discuss​ how each differs in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes.
● DNA
● Cell Wall
● Ribosomes
(c) Explain​ the endosymbiotic theory of the origin of Eukaryotic cells and ​discuss​ an example of evidence
supporting this theory.