Biology 103A - Comprehensive / Final Exam (sample exam only) (version 2)

Biology 103A - Professor Kauffman Comprehensive Exam


1. the plasma membrane of the cell contains:
a. phospholipids
b. cholesterol
c. proteins
d. glycoproteins
e. all the above

2. one adaptation that does NOT aid cells to adhere to each other is:
a. the ECM 
b. desmosomes
c. microtuules
d. tight junctions
e. the glycocalyx

3. which if the following is TRUE of most epithelial cells?
a. they manufacture large amount of ECM
b. they are highly vascularized
c. they are polarized by a rich supply of tight junctions
d. they have no membrane potential 
e. they are always filled with keratin

4. which of the following is found in the secretions of sedaceous glands but not in sweat glands secretions?
a. water
b. lipids
c. salts
d. urea
e. antibodies

5. the membrane potential in many body cells:
a. is the same as the Na+ equilibrium potential
b. is close in value to the K+ equilibrium potential
c. is zero
d. requires the Na+/K+ pump to be turned off
e. c and d

6. keratinocytes in the stratum spinosum are rick in:
a. intermediate filaments
b. extracellular matrix
c. tight junctions
d. gap junctions
e. a and c

7. bone remodeling by osteoclasts occurs during long bone development:
a. to maintain its proper proportions
b. to deposit Ca++ in the ECM
c. to kill the chondroblasts
d. when blood Ca++ levels are too high
e. to stop the enlongation of the bone

8. the hormone that decreases the activity of osteoclasts is:
a. insulin
b. calcitriol
c. parathyroid hormone (PTH)
d. calcitonin
e. b and c

9. An example of an effecter in thermoregulation is/are:
a. arrector pili
b. the hypothalamus
c. the parathyroid
d. the parasympathetic nervous system
e. b and d

10. the epidermis is enriched in which of the following cell structures:
a. GAGs (proteoglycans)
b. Collagen
c. Tubulin
d. Intermediate filaments
e. None of the above

11. whick of the following will cross through the lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane by simple diffusion?
a. oxygen 
b. glucose
c. amino acids
d. cholesterol
e. a and d

12. which of the following is typically found in large numbers in most epithelial cells, but is rare in most connective tissues?
a. cytoskeleton
b. ribosomes
c. tight junction
d. mitochondria
e. blood vessels

13. positive feedback mechanisms is homeostasis:
a. are rare
b. end in a crisis which stops the feedback mechanism
c. often are pathological
d. work to increase the change and move the variable further from its setpoint 
e. all of the above

14. osmoregulation by the skin includes
a. being rich in collagen 
b. being rich in keratin
c. c. manufacturing lipids to bins to keratin and the plasma membrane 
d. being rich in tight junctions
e. c and d


Fill in the blanks

Ion channels in th plasma membrane are selective by ___________ and ___________. 

The Na+/K+ pump moves ______ Na+ of the cell and _____K+ into the cell.

Two proteins that add tensile strength to tissues include ___________ and _________.

Hyperthermia affects the __________ of the thermoregulatory negative feedback loop (name one of the five roles) while fever alters the __________.

The control center for high blood calcium is the ___________ while for thermorgulation is the ________.


true/false (if the statement is false, change it to make it correct)

In negative feedback regulation, all individuals have identical receptors, setpoint, control center and effectors. 

Simple diffusion can ony move substances from high to low concentration while facilitated diffusion permits the cell to move substances from low to high concentration. 

The cell cell junction that aid in polarizing the cell by limiting the movement of membrane proteins is the desmosome.

If the Na+ K+ pump were poisoned the membrane potential would become more negative and water would enter the cell.

The stratum basale is an example of stem cell that divides to form one daughter that remains in the stratum basale and one that enters the stratum spinosum.

Vitamin D is manufactured in the kidney when blood calcium levels are low. 


Short Answer

Citing 2 similarities and 3 differences compare and contrast the roles of the skin in thermoregulation to the parathyroid in calcium homeostasis. 

Describe the role of the three types of cytoskeletal fibers in a living keratinocyte.

Contrast the electrochemical gradient acting on Na+ to those acting on K+ at the normal membrane (resting) potential of -70mv and at the na+ equilibrium potential of +30

Use the Na+/K+ pump and the Na+/ glucose symport to compare and contrast two different types of active transport. Cite two similarites (not including their being active transport) and three differences.