Khan Academy Cell Membrane Questions 4.

Which molecule diffuses through a

membrane most quickly?
1. Which intermolecular process primarily
drives the formation of a bilayer when A. Ethylene
phospholipids are added to water? B. Glucose
C. Urea
A. Lipids cause water to arrange in an D. Benzene
ordered, unfavorable cage-like
structure. Forcing lipids into a 5. Which fatty acid tail would contribute
bilayer reduces this effect. most to the stability of the cell
B. Phospholipids self-assemble into a membrane of a thermophilic bacterium?
bilayer due to the strong affinity they
have for each other. A.
C. The ordered arrangement of a
bilayer is more favorable than the
disordered state of individual free-
floating phospholipids.
D. A bilayer arrangement maximizes
the strength of Van der Waals
forces among phospholipids.
B.
2. Which statement best describes how
cholesterol affects cell membrane
fluidity?

A. Cholesterol increases fluidity at high

temperatures and decreases fluidity
at low temperatures. C.
B. Cholesterol increases fluidity at high
temperatures and increases fluidity
at low temperatures.
C. Cholesterol decreases fluidity at
high temperatures and decreases
fluidity at low temperatures.
D. Cholesterol decreases fluidity at D.
high temperatures and increases
fluidity at low temperatures.

3. Compared to a typical animal cell, the

cell membranes on the paw of a polar
bear would most likely have an
increased concentration of which
6. Glucose typically enters the cell through
macromolecule?
which mechanism?
A. Unsaturated phospholipids
A. Pinocytosis through a channel
B. Saturated phospholipids
protein
C. Aquaporin proteins
B. Active transport by a glucose
D. Potassium channel proteins
transport protein
C. Simple diffusion through the cell
membrane
D. Facilitated diffusion through a carrier
protein
7. Which statement represents a notable
difference between simple diffusion and
facilitated diffusion?

A. Unlike simple diffusion, facilitated

diffusion can transport ligands
against a concentration gradient.
B. Unlike simple diffusion, the rate of
facilitated diffusion is limited by the
number of transport proteins in the
membrane.
C. Unlike simple diffusion, facilitated
diffusion requires energy in the form
of ATP.
D. Unlike simple diffusion, facilitated
diffusion can occur in any type of
cell.

8. The rate of osmosis across a cell

membrane depends upon which of the
following?

I: Intracellular solute concentration

II: Extracellular solute concentration
III: Polarity of solutes
IV: Molecular weight of solutes
V: The presence of aquaporins

A. I, II, and V
B. I, II, III, IV, and V
C. I and II
D. I, III, and IV

9. In nerve cells, sodium-potassium pumps

exchange two K+ start superscript, plus,
end superscript for three Na+ start
superscript, plus, end superscript across
the cell membrane. What is the primary
purpose of this exchange?

A. To propagate an action potential

B. To store electrical and chemical
potential energy
C. To increase the concentration of
Na+ inside the cell
D. To increase the concentration of K+
outside the cell
Khan Academy Cell Membrane Answers

1. A
2. D
3. A
4. A
5. C
6. D
7. B
8. A
9. B