250+ TOP MCQs on Cellular Membranes – Plasma Membrane and Answers

Cell Biology Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs)on “Cellular Membranes – Plasma Membrane”.

1. Transverse diffusion (flip-flop) is the movement of _____________
A. cholesterol molecule
B. amino acid
C. protein
D. phospholipid
Answer: D
Clarification: In case of a membrane phospholipid, two types of movements are possible: lateral shift i. e. movement from one place in the bilayer membrane to the other within the same leaflet; and transverse diffusion is movement of the phospholipid from one side of the membrane to the other, which is a relatively long process.

2. The mobility of integral proteins can be measured by physical state of the ______________
A. amino acids
B. external phospholipids
C. membrane phospholipids
D. membrane appendages
Answer: C
Clarification: Since integral proteins are embedded in the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane, the mobility of the integral proteins is determined largely by the physical state of membrane phospholipids.

3. Two cells can be operated in such a way that leads to a common continuous plasma membrane of both.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Clarification: In a technique called cell fusion, two cells from different species can be fused to have a common cytoplasm and a single continuous membrane.

4. Which of the following can not be used to mediate the fusion of plasma membranes of two different cells?
A. electric shock
B. inactivated viruses
C. Polyethylene glycol
D. emulsifier
Answer: D
Clarification: There are various techniques that can be used to fuse two different cells and all of these are basically used to either modify the surface of plasma membrane or attach to it (inactivated viruses). Emulsifiers however do neither and are hence not used in cell fusion.

5. FRAP can be used to analyze living cells.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Clarification: FRAP is a technique that can be used to monitor the movements of molecules across the plasma membranes of a living cell under a light microscope.

6. The erythrocyte has a _________________ shape.
A. spherical
B. convex
C. concave
D. bi-concave
Answer: D
Clarification: The peripheral proteins of the plasma membrane of an erythrocyte are located on the internal surface and make up a fibrillar membrane skeleton, which plays a major role in determining the bi-concave shape of an erythrocyte.

7. Which of the following genetic diseases is caused by mutations in a membrane protein?
A. Alzheimer’s disease
B. Parkinson’s disease
C. Anemia
D. Hemolytic anemia
Answer: D
Clarification: Hemolytic anemia is caused by the abnormal shapes of erythrocytes which have been traced to the mutations in ankyrin or spectrin which are plasma membrane proteins found in erythrocytes.

8. Glycophorin is involved in which of the following disease?
A. viral fever
B. common cold
C. asthma
D. malaria
Answer: D
Clarification: Glycophorin is the receptor utilized by the protozoan that causes malaria, providing a path for entry into the blood cells. Consequently, those who lack glycophorin A and B are immune against the disease.