Cell Organelles Regents Cluster
New York State Regents Examination Practice Life Science: Biology
Cluster Task: Cellular Organelle Systems & Protein Secretion
Part B–2 / Part C Practice
Student Name:
Date:
Period:
Anchoring Phenomenon: Cellular Production & Secretion of Insulin
Pancreatic beta cells continuously manufacture, modify, package, and secrete insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. Specialized organelles must interact seamlessly to maintain this secretory pathway. Disruption in any organelle impairs hormone export and metabolic balance.
Stimulus 1: Secretory Pathway Model
Organelle W Nucleus DNA → mRNA
Organelle X Rough ER Translation/Folding
Organelle Y Golgi Complex Sorting/Packaging
Pathway: W → X → Transport Vesicle → Y → Secretory Vesicle → Exocytosis
Organelle Z (Mitochondria) Supplies ATP for transport & exocytosis
Organelle V (Lysosome) Hydrolyzes damaged proteins & organelles
Stimulus 2: Pulse-Chase Protein Assay
Cells were pulsed with radioactive amino acids for 5 min, then chased with non-radioactive media. Percentage of labeled insulin in each compartment was recorded.
| Location | 5 min | 20 min | 60 min | 120 min |
|---|
| Rough ER | 88% | 25% | 7% | 2% |
| Golgi Apparatus | 9% | 62% | 18% | 4% |
| Secretory Vesicles | 3% | 13% | 71% | 21% |
| Extracellular Fluid | 0% | 0% | 4% | 73% |
Directions: Answer questions 1 through 3 using Stimulus 1 and Stimulus 2. All questions [1 pt each]
1. Based on Stimulus 1, which sequence correctly traces an insulin molecule from genetic transcription to cellular release? [1]
(A) Organelle W → Organelle Y → Organelle X → Cell membrane
(B) Organelle W → Organelle X → Organelle Y → Cell membrane
(C) Organelle Z → Organelle W → Organelle X → Organelle V
(D) Organelle X → Organelle V → Organelle Y → Organelle Z
2. Which claim is best supported by the radioactive tracking data in Stimulus 2? [1]
(A) Polypeptides are synthesized in the Golgi before moving to the Rough ER for packaging.
(B) Proteins move chronologically from the Rough ER through the Golgi apparatus prior to secretion.
(C) Proteins remain inside secretory vesicles indefinitely to provide cellular energy.
(D) The rate of protein synthesis in the Rough ER increases steadily through the 120-minute period.
3. Motor proteins transport secretory vesicles along microtubules toward the plasma membrane. Which organelle interaction directly powers this movement? [1]
(A) Organelle Z (Mitochondria) generates ATP via cellular respiration to power motor protein movement.
(B) Organelle V (Lysosome) digests cytoplasmic fibers to create an open channel for vesicle transit.
(C) Organelle W (Nucleus) replicates chromosomes to provide structural anchors for vesicle docking.
(D) Organelle X (Rough ER) synthesizes lipids directly into the microtubules to lubricate vesicle paths.
NYS P-12 Standards: HS-LS1-1, HS-LS1-2 (Cellular Systems & Organelle Function) Page 1 of 2 — Turn over for Part 2
Life Science: Biology Regents Cluster
Part B–2 / C: Constructed Response & Investigation Analysis
Student Name: ______________________
Stimulus 3: Chemical Disruptions of Organelle Function Experimental Bioassay
Researchers treated cultured pancreatic beta cells with specific inhibitors to evaluate how disrupting organelle systems impacts insulin export. Measurements were recorded 60 minutes after glucose induction.
| Experimental Condition | Mechanism of Action | Proinsulin in ER | Insulin Secreted | Cellular ATP |
|---|
| Control (No Drug) | Untreated standard media | 1.0x (Normal) | 100% (High) | 100% (Normal) |
| Treatment 1: Brefeldin A | Blocks vesicle budding from ER to Golgi | 4.8x (Accumulated) | < 3% (Severe drop) | 98% (Normal) |
| Treatment 2: Antimycin A | Inhibits electron transport chain in mitochondria | 1.1x (Normal) | 8% (Severe drop) | 12% (Depleted) |
Directions: Write your responses to questions 4 through 6 in the designated student response areas.
4. Explain why Treatment 1 (Brefeldin A) caused proinsulin to accumulate inside the rough ER while decreasing extracellular insulin secretion to less than 3%. Identify the specific organelle interaction that was disrupted. [1]
5. When misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER, the cell activates lysosomes (Organelle V). State the biological function of lysosomes in resolving cellular stress caused by accumulated proteins, and describe how this preserves cellular homeostasis. [1]
6. Mature mammalian red blood cells lack nuclei, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi complexes. A student claims: "Injecting synthetic insulin mRNA into mature red blood cells will allow them to synthesize and secrete functional insulin."
State whether the student’s claim is supported or refuted, and provide two pieces of evidence from the organelle system model to justify your decision. [2]
NYS P-12 Standards: HS-LS1-2, HS-LS1-3 • Practices: Analyzing Data, Constructing Explanations Page 2 of 2 — End of Cluster
