PCAT PCAT Cell Biology 3

Question 1

Which molecule serves as the primary energy currency in cellular metabolism?

Accepted Answer

ATP

Answer

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) stores chemical energy in its phosphate bonds, releasing it upon hydrolysis to power nearly all cellular processes.

Question 2

What is the process by which a cell engulfs large solid particles or bacteria by extending pseudopods around them?

Accepted Answer

Phagocytosis

Answer

Phagocytosis ('cell eating') is a type of endocytosis where the plasma membrane extends pseudopods to surround and internalize large particles into a phagosome.

Question 3

Nuclear pore complexes embedded in the nuclear envelope primarily function to:

Accepted Answer

Transport RNA and proteins between the nucleus and cytoplasm

Answer

Nuclear pore complexes are selective channels that allow mRNA, tRNA, ribosomal subunits, and regulatory proteins to move between the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Question 4

Which organelle is the site of photosynthesis, capturing light energy to synthesize glucose?

Accepted Answer

Chloroplast

Answer

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll in thylakoid membranes, harvesting light energy to drive the Calvin cycle and produce glucose from CO₂ and water.

Question 5

What cellular event occurs during the S phase of the cell cycle?

Accepted Answer

DNA replication

Answer

During S (synthesis) phase, the entire genome is duplicated so each daughter cell will receive a complete copy of DNA.

PCAT - Pharmacy College Admission Test Practice Test

PCAT - Pharmacy College Admission Test Practice Test

PCAT PCAT Cell Biology 3