Living Environment Cells

The processes of diffusion and active transport

are both used to

• move molecules against a concentration

  gradient, using ATP molecules

• bring molecules into cells when they are

  more concentrated outside of the cell

• move molecules into or out of cells of the

  body

• break down molecules to release energy

Botulinum toxin is a substance that can cause

paralysis in humans. The effects of the toxin are

due to the blocking of a signaling molecule that

is necessary for communication between nerve

cells. The toxin most likely interferes with the

normal functioning of a

• chromosome

• receptor

• digestive hormone

• DNA molecule

Although all of the cells of a plant contain the

same genetic material, root cells and leaf cells are

not identical because they

• select different cells to express

• delete different sections of their enzymes

• use different genetic bases for the synthesis

  of DNA

• use different parts of their genetic instructions

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Before they can pass from a parent cell to its

offspring cells, the inherited instructions that a

human cell carries must first be

• accurately replicated

• used to make specific protein molecules that

  form genes

• moved into the nucleus

• broken down and made into DNA molecules

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Which dissolved substance do aquatic animals

remove from their external environment for use

in cellular respiration?

• carbon dioxide

• oxygen molecules

• ATP molecules

• nitrogen gas

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The diagram below represents a cell.

Which letter indicates the specific structure where most hereditary mutations occur?

• A

• B

• C

• D

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The Bionic Pancreas

Until recently, diabetics could rely only on regular blood sugar checks, medications, and low-carbohydrate diets in order to maintain their health.

Bioengineers at Boston University are working to create a bionic pancreas. The device includes a sensor implanted just beneath the skin that monitors blood sugar levels. It sends a wireless signal to a smartphone every five minutes. If the phone receives a signal that blood

sugar is too low or too high, it then sends a different signal to a separate device also attached to the body. This device releases the appropriate hormone into the bloodstream to return

blood sugar levels back to normal.

The corrective actions made by the bionic pancreas on a regular basis in response to changing blood sugar

levels are similar to which natural biological process?

• an immune response

• biochemical digestion

• a feedback mechanism

• ATP production

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The bionic pancreas sends a signal to a device to release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate blood

sugar. Identify one hormone the device would most likely release.

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According to the passage, the bionic pancreas makes corrective actions that return blood sugar levels back

to normal. This artificial device helps

• produce more sugar

• break down blood cells

• maintain homeostasis

• cure their diabetes

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Many hormones are proteins used in cellular communication. Each hormone carries a specific message to specific target cells. State why each of these hormones is able to deliver a different message.

Answer explanation

— Each hormone has a different shape and attaches to a specific receptor.

— Hormones differ in their shapes. If this shape were changed, the molecule would not send

the necessary message to the cell.

— Different sequences of amino acids make different hormones, giving them a unique shape.

— Cell receptors are specific for certain hormones.

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