CHAPTER 1

1. Who noticed the human cell

for the first time?
Robert Hooke noticed cells for
the first time in 1665.
2. What are the two main parts of
the cell?
The two main parts of a cell are:
Cytoplasm
Nucleus
3. What are the two main types
of human cell?
The two main types of human
cells are:
Somatic cells (body cells)
Germ cells (sex cells)
4. Define human cell.
A human cell is the basic
structural and functional unit of
the human body.
5. What do you mean by cell
division?
Cell division is the process by
which a parent cell divides to
form two or more daughter cells.
6. Who put forwarded the idea of
cell division?
The idea of cell division was put
forward by Rudolf Virchow.
7. What are the main stages of
mitosis cell division?
The main stages of mitosis are:
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
8. Who described the word
chromosome for the first time?
The term chromosome was
described by Waldeyer in 1888.
9. How many chromosomes are
there in the human body?
Humans have 46 chromosomes
or 23 pairs of chromosomes.
10. Write the names of protein
found in chromosome.
The proteins found in
chromosomes are:
Histone proteins
Non-histone proteins
11. What is the root word for
gene?
The root word for gene is
“genos”, meaning origin.

12. Draw a human cell and

describe its different parts.
Parts of a human cell
(description):
Cell membrane: Protects the cell
and controls movement of
substances
Cytoplasm: Site of metabolic
activities
Nucleus: Controls cell activities
and contains genetic material
Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the
cell
Ribosomes: Protein synthesis
Endoplasmic reticulum:
Transport of materials
Golgi apparatus: Packaging and
secretion
13. Describe the mitosis cell
division.
Mitosis is a type of cell division in
which
one parent cell divides to form
two identical daughter cells. It
occurs in somatic cells and helps
in growth, repair and
replacement of cells.

14. Write the differences

between mitosis and meiosis cell
division.
Mitosis

Occurs in somatic cell

One division
Produces two cells
Daughter cells identical
Chromosome number same

Meiosis
Occurs in germ cells
Two divisions
Produces four cells
Daughter cells different
Chromosome number halved

15. Show the different parts of a

human chromosome.
The different parts of a human
chromosome are:
Chromatids
Centromere
p arm (short arm)
q arm (long arm)
Telomere

16. What are the different parts

of a chromosome?
The different parts of a
chromosome are:
Chromatid
Centromere
Arms (p and q)
Telomere
17. What are the different types
of nucleic acid and write their
names?
There are two types of nucleic
acids:
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)
RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

18. Who for the first time used

the words mitosis and meiosis?
Mitosis was used by Walther
Flemming Meiosis was used by
J. B. Farmer and Moore

19. What is the meaning of the

word chromosome?
The word chromosome means
“colored body” (chroma = color,
soma = body).
20. Who used the word enzymes
for the first time?
The word enzyme was first used
by Wilhelm Kuhne.
21. Write the functions of
enzymes.
Functions of enzymes:
Speed up chemical reactions
Help in digestion of food
Control metabolic activities
Assist in growth and repair
Help in immune responses

LONG QUESTION
1. Describe the mitosis cell
division
Mitosis is a type of cell division in
which a single parent cell divides
to produce two genetically
identical daughter cells, each
having the same number of
chromosomes as the parent cell.
It occurs in somatic (body) cells
and is essential for growth, repair
and replacement of tissues.
Mitosis is divided into four main
stages:
Prophase:
Chromatin fibres condense to
form visible
chromosomes. Each
chromosome consists of two
sister chromatids joined at the
centromere. The nuclear
membrane and nucleolus
gradually disappear.
Metaphase:
Chromosomes align at the
equatorial plate of the cell.
Spindle fibres attach to the
centromeres of chromosomes.
Anaphase:
The centromeres split and sister
chromatids separate, moving
towards
opposite poles of the cell.
Telophase:
Chromatids reach the poles and
decondense into chromatin.
Nuclear membranes reform
around each group of
chromosomes, resulting in two
nuclei.
Finally, cytokinesis divides the
cytoplasm, forming two identical
daughter cells.
2. Write the differences between
mitosis and meiosis
Mitosis and meiosis are two
types of cell division that differ in
their nature, process and
significance.
Mitosis occurs in somatic cells,
whereas meiosis occurs in germ
cells. Mitosis involves only one
division, while meiosis consists
of two successive divisions.
Mitosis produces two identical
daughter cells, but meiosis
produces four genetically
different daughter cells. In
mitosis, the chromosome number
remains
the same as the parent cell,
whereas in meiosis the
chromosome number is reduced
to half. Mitosis helps in growth
and repair, while meiosis is
responsible for sexual
reproduction and variation.

3. Draw a human cell and

describe its different parts
A human cell is the basic
structural and functional unit of
the human body. It
consists of various organelles,
each performing specific
functions.
Cell membrane:
It is the outer covering of the cell
that protects the cell and controls
the movement of substances in
and out.
Cytoplasm:
It is the semi-fluid substance
present between the cell
membrane and nucleus. Most
metabolic activities occur here.
Nucleus:
The nucleus is the control centre
of the cell. It contains
chromosomes made of DNA and
proteins, which carry genetic
information.
Mitochondria:
They are known as the
powerhouse of the cell because
they produce energy through
cellular respiration.
Endoplasmic reticulum:
It helps in the transport of
proteins and
lipids within the cell.
Golgi apparatus:
It modifies, packages and
secretes proteins and other
substances.
Ribosomes:
They are the sites of protein
synthesis.

4. Describe the structure and

parts of a human chromosome
A chromosome is a thread-like
structure found in the nucleus of
the cell, composed
of DNA and proteins. It becomes
clearly visible during cell division.
Each chromosome consists of
two chromatids joined together at
a region called the centromere.
The centromere divides the
chromosome into two arms: the
short arm (p arm) and the long
arm (q arm). The terminal ends
of chromosomes are called
telomeres, which protect
chromosomes from damage.
Chromosomes contain genes,
which control hereditary
characteristics.
5. What are nucleic acids?
Describe their types
Nucleic acids are complex
organic molecules that store and
transmit genetic information in
living organisms.
There are two main types of
nucleic acids:
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid):
DNA is the genetic material
found mainly in the nucleus. It
has a double helical
structure and carries hereditary
information from parents to
offspring.
RNA (Ribonucleic acid):
RNA is usually single-stranded
and plays an important role in
protein synthesis. The main
types of RNA are mRNA, tRNA
and rRNA.

6. Write an account of enzymes

and their
functions
Enzymes are biological catalysts
made of proteins that speed up
chemical reactions in living cells
without being consumed.
Enzymes are highly specific in
nature and work efficiently at
optimum temperature and pH.
They play a vital role in digestion
by breaking down complex food
substances into simpler forms.
Enzymes regulate metabolic
reactions, assist in respiration,
help in growth and repair of
tissues, and participate in
immune responses. Without
enzymes, most biochemical
reactions would occur too slowly
to sustain life.
7. Describe the types of human
cells
Human cells are broadly
classified into somatic cells and
germ cells.
Somatic cells form the body
tissues such as skin, muscle,
nerve and blood cells.
They contain 46 chromosomes
and divide by mitosis.
Germ cells are reproductive cells
that give rise to sperm and ova.
They contain 23 chromosomes
and divide by meiosis. Germ
cells are responsible for heredity
and transmission of genetic
traits.