Question 1

Which of the following best describes the biological cause of malaria in humans?

Accepted Answer

A parasitic protist (Plasmodium) transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of protist cells?

Accepted Answer

They always have specialized tissues and organs

Question 3

Why is malaria more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions?

Accepted Answer

Because Anopheles mosquitoes, the vector, thrive in warm, humid environments with standing water

Question 4

Which of the following statements about protist energy acquisition is correct?

Accepted Answer

Heterotrophic protists engulf food or absorb nutrients, while autotrophic protists use chloroplasts for photosynthesis

Question 5

What is the main adaptive advantage of sexual reproduction in protists?

Accepted Answer

It increases genetic diversity, which can enhance survival in changing environments

Question 6

A protist cell undergoes mitosis. Which of the following is true about the resulting daughter cells?

Accepted Answer

They are genetically identical to the parent cell

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why standing water is an important ecological factor in malaria transmission?

Accepted Answer

Standing water provides a habitat for Anopheles mosquito larvae to develop

Question 8

Which of the following equations correctly represents the net ATP yield from aerobic cellular respiration in protists per glucose molecule?

Accepted Answer

$$36 	ext{ ATP}$$

Question 9

A protist species alternates between asexual and sexual reproduction. What is a likely benefit of this life cycle strategy?

Accepted Answer

It enables rapid population growth during favorable conditions and increased genetic diversity during environmental stress

Question 10

Which of the following is a social factor that contributes to the spread of malaria?

Accepted Answer

Inadequate access to mosquito-proof housing and medical care

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the process of meiosis in protists?

Accepted Answer

It results in the formation of gametes with half the chromosome number of the parent cell

Question 12

A protist is observed to have chloroplasts and a cell wall. Which of the following is most likely true about this organism?

Accepted Answer

It is an autotroph capable of photosynthesis

Question 13

Which of the following statements about the Plasmodium life cycle is correct?

Accepted Answer

Plasmodium reproduces by mitosis in human red blood cells, destroying them when offspring are released

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct comparison between aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration in protists?

Accepted Answer

Aerobic respiration produces more ATP per glucose molecule than anaerobic respiration

Question 15

A protist cell divides by mitosis. If the parent cell is diploid ($$2n$$), what is the chromosome number in each daughter cell?

Accepted Answer

$$2n$$

Question 16

Which of the following adaptations would most likely reduce malaria transmission in a community?

Accepted Answer

Improving access to mosquito-proof housing and antimalarial drugs

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why protists are considered eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

They have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

Question 18

Which of the following is a plausible reason why asexual reproduction is advantageous for protists in stable environments?

Accepted Answer

It allows for rapid population growth without the need for mates

Question 19

A protist species is found to lack a cell wall and engulfs food using pseudopodia. Which nutritional mode does it most likely use?

Accepted Answer

Heterotrophy

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of mitochondria in protist cells?

Accepted Answer

They enable greater ATP production through aerobic cellular respiration

Protist Characteristics and the Biology of Malaria

Study Guide - Practice Questions