Test Review Sheet: Cell Processes and Life Molecules - Answers
1. What happens when a drop of food coloring is placed into a beaker of water?
The food coloring will eventually be distributed evenly throughout the beaker due to the process of
diffusion
2. What type of passive transport involves the movement of molecules via special transport proteins?
Facilitated diffusion
3. In order to maintain its homeostasis, human cells must have a higher concentration of sodium outside
the cell than inside the cell. In addition, the concentration of potassium must be higher inside the cell
than outside the cell. Which form of cellular transportation helps human cells maintain their sodium and
potassium concentration? (Hint: draw a picture).
Active transport is needed to move the sodium and potassium from low to high areas.
4. Lipids are organic molecules that serve a variety of purposes. What is the most important role of lipids?
Long-term energy
5. Sugars such as glucose, fructose, and ribose are examples of _______.
Single sugars - monosaccharides
6. Look at the diagrams of the red blood cells below. Label each picture as hypertonic, hypotonic, and
isotonic.
hypertonic
isotonic
hypotonic
7. Carbohydrates are composed of which three elements?
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
8. What type of transport processes in the cell don’t use any energy?
Osmosis, diffusion, facilitated diffusion
9. Diffusion is the simplest type of passive transport because it is the movement of molecules from an area
of ________ to __________ concentration.
High to low
10. Osmosis is….?
The diffusion of water from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
11. What type of solution would cause a cell to increase in size?
hypotonic
13. What type of solution occurs when everything is equal inside and outside of the cell?
isotonic
14. If a carrot is placed in an unknown solution for two hours and its mass decreases, then what type of
solution is the unknown solution?
hypertonic
15. An investigation was set up to study the movement of water through a membrane. The results are shown
in the diagram below.
Based on these results, predict what will happen to red blood cells when they are placed in a beaker containing a
water solution in which the starch concentration is much higher than the starch concentration in the red blood
cells?
The blood cells would shrink due to the fact that the water concentration inside the blood cell was 95% to
start, and it was placed in a beaker or solution that was 80% water.
Starch turns blue black in the presence of a starch indicator. Dialysis tubing tied at both ends and containing
starch solution is placed in a beaker of water. Yellowish brown starch indicator is then added to the water
16. What will the solutions in the beaker and the tubing look like after 20 minutes?
The solution inside the tubing would turn blue-black due to the start indicator diffusing into the back
from the water solution. The solution in the beaker would change from a yellowish brown to a much
lighter yellow or completely clear if given enough time.
17. If a compound contains carbon is it said to be?
organic
Look at the diagrams of the plant cells below. Label each cell as isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic.
isotonic
hypertonic
hypotonic
18. Each of the cells is undergoing osmosis. According to the diagrams, which cell is in an environment with an
ideal amount of water entering and leaving the cell?
The one on the far left, the isotonic one.
19.What occurs during the process of diffusion?
During diffusion, any molecules besides water move from an area of high concentration to an area of
low concentration.
20. What is the main function of a carbohydrate?
The main function of a carbohydrate is for quick energy.
21. What are two differences between saturated and unsaturated fats?
Saturated fats are fats that are derived from animals and are known as the bad fat. Unsaturated fats are
derived from plants and are known as the good fat.
22. What are the five functions of proteins that were discussed in class?
1. movement: muscle
2. transport: carries oxygen (hemoglobin)
3. Structural: component of membranes, hair, nails, collagen
4. Enzymes: control chemical reactions
5. Immunity: fight germs
23. What is the main function of lipids/fats?
The main function of lipids/fats are for long-term energy
24. List two compounds that could be classified as inorganic?
Water and salt can be classified as inorganic because they don’t contain carbon
25. Imagine that you have gotten done with a strenuous basketball practice and your coach tells you to get a
drink to replenish your “salts” to keep your body regulated? What are you actually replacing?
You are replacing elctrolytes
26. What types of passive transport involve water molecules moving from a high concentration to a low
concentration?
osmosis
27. What makes passive transport different from active transport?
During passive transport, the molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low
concentration and doesn’t use any energy. During active transport the molecules move from an area of low
concentration to an area of high concentration and uses energy. Passive transport is similar to downhill on a
bike. Active transport is similar to going uphill on a bike.
28. What cellular process is indicated by the picture on the right?
The picture on the right is active transport because energy
must be expended to move the molecules.
29. What type of solution would cause a cell to decrease in size?
hypertonic
Use the following information to answer questions 30 - 32.
A blood cell is placed in solution that is 2% salt and 98% water. Its interior of the cell is composed of 5% salt
and 95% water. (Hint: draw a diagram for some help).
98%
water
2% salt
95%
water
5% salt
30. What would happen to the blood cell in this case?
The blood cell would increase in size due to the fact that the exterior of the cell has the higher water
concentration and water will always move from high to low areas.
31. In this example, where is the concentration of water the greatest?
The water concentration is greatest outside of the cell.
32. What type of solution is the blood cell in?
The blood cell is in a hypotonic solution
33. What makes trans fats worse than saturated or unsaturated fats?
Trans fats are the worst because they are man-made by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil.
34. What can be a problem if someone eats too many carbohydrates that their body doesn’t use?
If someone eats lots of carbohydrates and they don’t exercise enough for their body to use them, they
can be stored by the body and turned into fat.
35. What type of compounds discussed in class are the ones that carry all of your genetic information?
Nucleic acids carry all of your genetic information.
36. What would you say was the main idea of super size me?
37. What active transport process is used to kill germs in your body?
Phagocytosis is the process when cells completely engulf other cells to destroy them. This is one way
that white blood cells of your immune system get of germs to keep you healthy.