CLEP Biology Molecular & Cellular Biology 3

Question 1

Which of the following nitrogenous bases is found in RNA but NOT in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Uracil

Answer

RNA contains uracil instead of thymine; uracil pairs with adenine just as thymine does in DNA.

Question 2

What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?

Accepted Answer

Lipid synthesis and detoxification

Answer

The smooth ER lacks ribosomes and is specialized for lipid synthesis, steroid hormone production, and detoxification of drugs.

Question 3

Which process produces NADH and pyruvate from glucose without oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Glycolysis

Answer

Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and breaks down one glucose molecule into two pyruvate molecules, generating 2 ATP and 2 NADH.

Question 4

In prokaryotes, DNA is located in which region of the cell?

Accepted Answer

Nucleoid region

Answer

Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus; their circular DNA resides in an irregularly shaped nucleoid region in the cytoplasm.

Question 5

Which macromolecule serves as the primary structural component of the cell wall in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Peptidoglycan

Answer

Bacterial cell walls are composed of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer of sugars and amino acids that provides rigidity.

CLEP Practice Test