Common Mistakes & Misconceptions in Biology

Cell Structure and Cell Membrane

Cisterna crista
Cisterna = lumen of RER or Golgi Apparatus
Crista (cristae= plural) = infolding of the inner mitochondrial membrane
Wrong

Correct

Ions are polar..

Ions are charged hence they cannot pass through the

hydrophobic core of the Cell Surface Membrane.

Nucleolus contains rRNA

Nucleolus synthesizes rRNA (which forms part of

ribosome), but it itself is made of DNA (coiled around
histones)

Fatty acid/ hydrocarbon tails

interact with hydrophobic
bonds

Fatty acid/ hydrocarbon tails interact with hydrophobic

interactions

Ribosomes
membrane

Ribosomes do not have membranes

have

one

Facilitated diffusion uses only

channel
proteins.
Active
transport uses only carrier
proteins.

Facilitated diffusion uses both channel protein and

carrier proteins. The carrier protein can change
conformation without ATP hydrolysis.
Active transport uses only carrier proteins which can
change conformation only upon ATP hydrolysis.
(Campbell 8th edition pg 135). Once, Cambridge question goes
against this rule (see 2006/P2/Q1) but you still have to answer the
question based on diagram.

Passage
of
small,
hydrophobic
molecules
through the phospholipid
bilayer is called diffusion

Passage of small, hydrophobic molecules through the

phospholipid bilayer is called simple diffusion

Exocytosis is the same as

active transport

Exocytosis is a type of bulk transport requiring vesicles,

while active transport uses carrier proteins.

Biological Molecules
Wrong

Correct

Cellulose is a protein OR
collagen is a polysaccharide

Cellulose is a polysaccharide AND collagen is a (fibrous)

protein

Collagen is made up of triple

helix

Tropocollagen is made up of triple helix.

Globular protein is globular in

shape

Globular protein is spherical in shape. Use synonyms!

Enzymes

Active site can only be used when describing enzymes.

For other proteins eg. Receptors, pumps, transcription factors, use allosteric sites / binding
sites.

Failure to name the types of bonds affected when subjected to denaturation agents/ factors.
E.g. Candidates must mention hydrogen/ionic bonds when high temperature is applied,
ionic bonds when pH is changed or heavy metals added, hydrophobic interactions when
organic solvents added and disulphide bonds when a reducing agent is added.

Denaturation has two meanings:

For proteins: disruption of tertiary structure, causing the protein to lose its 3D conformation
For DNA : breaking of hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs causing the
two DNA strands to separate
Cell and Nuclear Division

Chromatids separate to become chromosomes

Chromatids are no longer called chromatids after they separate from the centromere
Wrong

Correct

Chromosomes are pulled to opposite

ends of the cells by spindle fibres

Chromosomes are pulled to opposite poles of

the cells by spindle fibres

Centromere split

Centromere divide

Chromosome replicate

DNA replicate (so each chromosome is now

seen comprising of two sister chromatids)

Mitosis
has
chromosomes

no

homologous

Homologous chromosomes are already in cells

irregardless of whether they are undergoing
cell and nuclear division. All humans have 23
pairs of homologous chromosomes.

Diploid number = amount of DNA

Diploid number is the total number of

chromosomes. DNA amount is twice in a
chromosome with 2 sister chromatids
compared to a chromosome that does not have
sister chromatids.

DNA replication occurs in the

interphase between meiosis I and II

DNA replication occurs once only in the

interphase before meiosis I

Organism is sterile because gametes

have odd number of chromosomes

Organism is sterile because the organism itself

have odd number of chromosomes and/or have
even number of chromosomes that do not
occur in homologous pairs