Cell Structure & Functions
1. Who is known as the “Father of Cell Biology” for first observing and naming cells?
(A) Robert Hooke
(B) Anton van Leeuwenhoek
(C) Robert Brown
(D) Louis Pasteur
Answer: (A) Robert Hooke
Explanation: Robert Hooke observed cork cells in 1665 and coined the term “cell.”
2. Which organelle is known as the “powerhouse of the cell”?
(A) Ribosome
(B) Mitochondria
(C) Golgi apparatus
(D) Lysosome
Answer: (B) Mitochondria
Explanation: Mitochondria generate most of the cell’s ATP through cellular respiration.
3. The basic structural and functional unit of life is:
(A) Tissue
(B) Organ
(C) Cell
(D) Nucleus
Answer: (C) Cell
4. Which structure controls most activities of a eukaryotic cell?
(A) Cell wall
(B) Nucleus
(C) Ribosome
(D) Vacuole
Answer: (B) Nucleus
Explanation: The nucleus contains most of the cell’s genetic material and regulates gene expression and cellular activities.
5. The cell membrane is primarily composed of:
(A) Cellulose and starch
(B) Lipids and proteins
(C) DNA and RNA
(D) Calcium and phosphate
Answer: (B) Lipids and proteins
Cell Organelles
6. Which organelle is primarily responsible for protein synthesis?
(A) Ribosome
(B) Lysosome
(C) Vacuole
(D) Centrosome
Answer: (A) Ribosome
7. Which organelle is known as the “suicidal bag” of the cell?
(A) Mitochondrion
(B) Lysosome
(C) Ribosome
(D) Chloroplast
Answer: (B) Lysosome
Explanation: Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that can break down cellular waste and damaged components.
8. Which organelle modifies, sorts and packages proteins for transport?
(A) Golgi apparatus
(B) Ribosome
(C) Nucleus
(D) Centriole
Answer: (A) Golgi apparatus
9. Which organelle is directly associated with photosynthesis?
(A) Mitochondrion
(B) Chloroplast
(C) Lysosome
(D) Golgi apparatus
Answer: (B) Chloroplast
10. Which cell organelle contains chlorophyll?
(A) Nucleus
(B) Chloroplast
(C) Ribosome
(D) Vacuole
Answer: (B) Chloroplast
11. The endoplasmic reticulum primarily helps in:
(A) Intracellular transport and synthesis of proteins/lipids
(B) Photosynthesis only
(C) Cell division only
(D) DNA replication only
Answer: (A) Intracellular transport and synthesis of proteins/lipids
12. Rough endoplasmic reticulum appears rough because it has:
(A) Lysosomes attached to it
(B) Ribosomes attached to it
(C) DNA attached to it
(D) Vacuoles attached to it
Answer: (B) Ribosomes attached to it
13. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is particularly involved in:
(A) Lipid synthesis
(B) Protein synthesis on ribosomes
(C) Photosynthesis
(D) Chromosome formation
Answer: (A) Lipid synthesis
14. Which organelle is mainly responsible for storing water and other substances in plant cells?
(A) Vacuole
(B) Ribosome
(C) Centriole
(D) Nucleolus
Answer: (A) Vacuole
Plant Cell vs Animal Cell
15. Which structure is present in plant cells but absent in animal cells?
(A) Cell membrane
(B) Cytoplasm
(C) Cell wall
(D) Mitochondria
Answer: (C) Cell wall
16. The cell wall of plants is primarily composed of:
(A) Chitin
(B) Cellulose
(C) Glycogen
(D) Protein
Answer: (B) Cellulose
17. Which organelle is characteristic of plant cells and carries out photosynthesis?
(A) Chloroplast
(B) Lysosome
(C) Centriole
(D) Ribosome
Answer: (A) Chloroplast
18. Which feature is generally more prominent in plant cells than in animal cells?
(A) Large central vacuole
(B) Centriole
(C) Lysosome
(D) Flagellum
Answer: (A) Large central vacuole
Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells
19. Which of the following is a prokaryotic organism?
(A) Amoeba
(B) Human
(C) Bacterium
(D) Mushroom
Answer: (C) Bacterium
20. The major difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is that prokaryotic cells:
(A) Have no DNA
(B) Lack a membrane-bound nucleus
(C) Have no cell membrane
(D) Cannot reproduce
Answer: (B) Lack a membrane-bound nucleus
21. Which of the following is found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
(A) Membrane-bound nucleus
(B) Mitochondria
(C) Ribosomes
(D) Chloroplasts
Answer: (C) Ribosomes
22. In a typical bacterial cell, the genetic material is located in the:
(A) Nucleus
(B) Nucleoid region
(C) Mitochondrion
(D) Golgi apparatus
Answer: (B) Nucleoid region
Mitosis & Meiosis
23. Mitosis generally produces:
(A) Two genetically similar daughter cells
(B) Four genetically different daughter cells
(C) Four identical daughter cells
(D) One daughter cell
Answer: (A) Two genetically similar daughter cells
24. Meiosis is important because it:
(A) Produces genetically identical body cells
(B) Produces haploid gametes and contributes to genetic variation
(C) Doubles the chromosome number in gametes
(D) Prevents reproduction
Answer: (B) Produces haploid gametes and contributes to genetic variation
25. Crossing over occurs during:
(A) Prophase I of meiosis
(B) Prophase of mitosis
(C) Telophase II
(D) Cytokinesis
Answer: (A) Prophase I of meiosis
Explanation: During prophase I, homologous chromosomes pair and exchange genetic material, contributing to genetic variation.
Must-Memorize Cell Biology
| Structure / Process | Key Function |
|---|---|
| Cell | Basic unit of life |
| Nucleus | Genetic control centre |
| Mitochondria | ATP/energy production |
| Ribosome | Protein synthesis |
| Lysosome | Intracellular digestion |
| Golgi apparatus | Modification, sorting & packaging |
| Rough ER | Protein synthesis/processing |
| Smooth ER | Lipid synthesis, detoxification |
| Chloroplast | Photosynthesis |
| Vacuole | Storage; large central vacuole in plants |
| Cell wall | Support and protection in plants |
| Cell membrane | Selectively regulates movement of substances |
| Prokaryote | No membrane-bound nucleus |
| Eukaryote | Membrane-bound nucleus |
| Mitosis | 2 daughter cells; growth/repair |
| Meiosis | Haploid gametes; genetic variation |
| Crossing over | Prophase I of meiosis |
| Plant cell | Cell wall + chloroplast + large vacuole |
| Animal cell | No cell wall/chloroplast |
Most Frequently Asked Application Questions
- Powerhouse of cell → Mitochondria
- Protein factory → Ribosome
- Suicidal bag → Lysosome
- Packaging centre → Golgi apparatus
- Photosynthesis → Chloroplast
- Control centre → Nucleus
- Cell wall → Cellulose
- Bacterial DNA → Nucleoid
- Growth and repair → Mitosis
- Gamete formation → Meiosis
- Genetic variation → Crossing over