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Chapter 1 Cell Structure and Function

1. The basic structural and functional unit of life is:

A) Tissue

B) Organ

C) Cell ✅

D) Atom

Explanation: The cell is the smallest unit of life capable of performing all essential functions.

2. The term “cell” was first used by:

A) Schleiden

B) Robert Hooke ✅

C) Schwann

D) Virchow

Explanation: Robert Hooke coined the term “cell” in 1665 while observing cork under a microscope.

3. Cell theory was proposed by:

A) Darwin and Wallace

B) Schleiden and Schwann ✅

C) Virchow

D) Watson and Crick

Explanation: Schleiden and Schwann proposed cell theory in 1838–1839.

4. “Omnis cellula e cellula” (all cells arise from pre-existing cells) was given by:

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A) Virchow ✅

B) Hooke

C) Schwann

D) Schleiden

Explanation: Virchow extended the cell theory by stating cells arise from existing cells.

5. Prokaryotic cells lack:

A) Cytoplasm

B) Plasma membrane

C) Nucleus ✅

D) Ribosomes

Explanation: Prokaryotes have no true nucleus; their DNA is in the nucleoid region.

6. Which is the powerhouse of the cell?

A) Nucleus

B) Mitochondria ✅

C) Ribosome

D) ER

Explanation: Mitochondria generate ATP through cellular respiration.

7. Ribosomes are the site of:

A) Protein synthesis ✅

B) Lipid synthesis

C) DNA replication

D) Photosynthesis

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Explanation: Ribosomes translate mRNA into proteins.

8. The semi-fluid matrix of the cell is:

A) Cytoplasm ✅

B) Vacuole

C) Nucleus

D) ER

Explanation: Cytoplasm surrounds organelles and supports metabolic activities.

9. Which organelle is present in plant cells but absent in animal cells?

A) Mitochondria

B) Chloroplast ✅

C) Ribosomes

D) Nucleus

Explanation: Chloroplasts perform photosynthesis and are only in plant cells.

10. Which organelle has double membranes?

A) Lysosome

B) Mitochondria ✅

C) Ribosome

D) Centriole

Explanation: Mitochondria have inner and outer membranes.

11. Plasma membrane is mainly made of:

A) Proteins and nucleic acids

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B) Lipids and proteins ✅

C) Sugars and proteins

D) DNA and lipids

Explanation: The fluid mosaic model shows the plasma membrane as lipid bilayer with proteins.

12. The cell wall of plants is mainly composed of:

A) Chitin

B) Cellulose ✅

C) Pectin

D) Glycogen

Explanation: Plant cell walls contain cellulose fibers.

13. Prokaryotic ribosomes are of type:

A) 70S ✅

B) 80S

C) 60S

D) 50S

Explanation: Prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S (50S + 30S).

14. Eukaryotic ribosomes are:

A) 70S

B) 80S ✅

C) 60S

D) 50S

Explanation: Eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S (60S + 40S).

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15. Golgi apparatus was discovered by:

A) Robert Hooke

B) Camillo Golgi ✅

C) Virchow

D) Watson

Explanation: Camillo Golgi described it in 1898.

16. Which organelle is known as the “suicidal bag” of the cell?

A) Golgi bodies

B) Lysosome ✅

C) Peroxisome

D) Ribosome

Explanation: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that digest cell contents.

17. Endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes is called:

A) Rough ER

B) Smooth ER ✅

C) Transitional ER

D) Nuclear ER

Explanation: SER is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.

18. Chromosomes are made up of:

A) DNA and proteins ✅

B) RNA and lipids

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C) DNA and lipids

D) Protein and glycogen

Explanation: Chromosomes consist of DNA wrapped around histone proteins.

19. Centrosome is present only in:

A) Plant cells

B) Animal cells ✅

C) Bacteria

D) Viruses

Explanation: Centrosomes (with centrioles) are in animal cells, not plant cells.

20. The largest cell in the human body is:

A) Liver cell

B) Ovum ✅

C) Neuron

D) Muscle cell

Explanation: The human ovum is the largest single cell, visible to the naked eye.

21. The functional unit of kidney is:

A) Nephron ✅

B) Glomerulus

C) Neuron

D) Tubule

Explanation: Nephrons filter blood and form urine.

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22. Cell wall of fungi is made of:

A) Cellulose

B) Chitin ✅

C) Pectin

D) Lignin

Explanation: Fungal cell walls contain chitin, unlike plants.

23. The plasma membrane controls:

A) Photosynthesis

B) Entry and exit of substances ✅

C) Protein synthesis

D) DNA replication

Explanation: Plasma membrane is selectively permeable.

24. Cytoskeleton is made of:

A) Microtubules and microfilaments ✅

B) DNA and proteins

C) Lipids and proteins

D) Enzymes

Explanation: Cytoskeleton provides shape and internal support.

25. Which organelle detoxifies harmful substances in liver cells?

A) Lysosome

B) Smooth ER ✅

C) Ribosome

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D) Nucleus

Explanation: SER detoxifies alcohol and drugs.

26. The site of photosynthesis is:

A) Chloroplast ✅

B) Mitochondria

C) Ribosome

D) Nucleus

Explanation: Chloroplasts capture sunlight and convert it into glucose.

27. Which pigment is essential for photosynthesis?

A) Xanthophyll

B) Chlorophyll ✅

C) Anthocyanin

D) Carotene

Explanation: Chlorophyll captures light energy.

28. Cristae are found in:

A) Chloroplast

B) Mitochondria ✅

C) Nucleus

D) Golgi body

Explanation: Inner membrane of mitochondria folds into cristae for ATP production.

29. ATP stands for:

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A) Adenosine triphosphate ✅

B) Adenine triphosphate

C) Adenosine tetraphosphate

D) Adenine tetra phosphate

Explanation: ATP is the energy currency of the cell.

30. DNA is present in:

A) Nucleus only

B) Nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts ✅

C) Cytoplasm only

D) Ribosome

Explanation: DNA exists in nucleus and some organelles (mitochondria, chloroplasts).

31. The outermost covering of animal cells is:

A) Cell wall

B) Plasma membrane ✅

C) Cuticle

D) Capsule

Explanation: Animal cells lack a cell wall; plasma membrane is their outer boundary.

32. Plastids are present in:

A) Animals

B) Plants ✅

C) Viruses

D) Bacteria

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Explanation: Plastids occur in plant cells only.

33. The cell organelle responsible for packaging and secretion is:

A) Ribosome

B) Golgi apparatus ✅

C) ER

D) Nucleus

Explanation: Golgi body modifies and packages proteins for secretion.

34. Which organelle produces hydrolytic enzymes?

A) Lysosome ✅

B) Chloroplast

C) Nucleus

D) Ribosome

Explanation: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes for intracellular digestion.

35. The nuclear membrane is absent during:

A) Interphase

B) Metaphase ✅

C) G1 phase

D) Cytokinesis

Explanation: Nuclear membrane dissolves during metaphase.

36. Which is the longest cell in the human body?

A) Liver cell

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B) Nerve cell ✅

C) Ovum

D) RBC

Explanation: Neurons can be over a meter long.

37. Which organelle is responsible for respiration?

A) Nucleus

B) Mitochondria ✅

C) ER

D) Lysosome

Explanation: Mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration.

38. The nucleolus is concerned with:

A) DNA replication

B) Ribosome synthesis ✅

C) Lipid synthesis

D) Energy production

Explanation: Nucleolus produces rRNA and ribosome subunits.

39. In bacteria, DNA is:

A) Linear

B) Circular ✅

C) Enclosed in nucleus

D) Absent

Explanation: Bacteria have circular naked DNA.

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40. In eukaryotes, DNA is:

A) Circular

B) Linear ✅

C) Naked

D) Absent

Explanation: Eukaryotic DNA is linear and bound to histones.

41. Ribosomes were discovered by:

A) Golgi

B) Palade ✅

C) Virchow

D) Schwann

Explanation: George Palade discovered ribosomes in 1950s.

42. Which cells have 9+2 arrangement of microtubules?

A) Plant cells

B) Cilia and flagella ✅

C) Bacterial cell wall

D) Ribosomes

Explanation: Cilia and flagella show 9+2 microtubule pattern.

43. The smallest living cells are:

A) Mycoplasma ✅

B) Bacteria

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C) Viruses

D) Protozoa

Explanation: Mycoplasma are the smallest free-living organisms.

44. The largest plant cell is:

A) Xylem

B) Sieve tube

C) Algae cell of Acetabularia ✅

D) Guard cell

Explanation: Acetabularia is a unicellular alga visible to the naked eye.

45. Cytoplasm is divided into:

A) Nucleoplasm and nucleolus

B) Ectoplasm and endoplasm ✅

C) Vacuoles and ribosomes

D) Mitochondria and ER

Explanation: Outer clear layer = ectoplasm, inner granular = endoplasm.

46. Cell wall middle lamella contains:

A) Cellulose

B) Pectin ✅

C) Protein

D) Glycogen

Explanation: Middle lamella is rich in calcium pectate.

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47. Which plastid stores starch?

A) Chromoplast

B) Amyloplast ✅

C) Chloroplast

D) Etioplast

Explanation: Amyloplasts are colorless plastids storing starch.

48. Photosynthetic pigments are found in:

A) Ribosomes

B) Thylakoids ✅

C) Matrix

D) Cytoplasm

Explanation: Thylakoid membranes inside chloroplast contain pigments.

49. The fluid inside mitochondria is:

A) Thylakoid

B) Matrix ✅

C) Stroma

D) Cristae

Explanation: Mitochondrial matrix contains enzymes, DNA, ribosomes.

50. The process of programmed cell death is called:

A) Necrosis

B) Apoptosis ✅

C) Lysis

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D) Digestion

Explanation: Apoptosis is controlled cell death regulated by mitochondria and enzymes.

51. Centrioles help in:

A) Photosynthesis

B) Spindle fiber formation ✅

C) Respiration

D) Secretion

Explanation: Centrioles form spindle fibers during cell division.

52. Which cell lacks mitochondria?

A) Nerve cell

B) RBC ✅

C) Muscle cell

D) Parenchyma

Explanation: Mammalian red blood cells lack mitochondria.

53. DNA in prokaryotes lies in:

A) Nucleus

B) Nucleoid ✅

C) Nucleolus

D) Cytoplasm

Explanation: Nucleoid is an irregular region containing DNA in prokaryotes.

54. What is the role of peroxisomes?

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A) Photosynthesis

B) Breakdown of fatty acids ✅

C) Protein synthesis

D) ATP synthesis

Explanation: Peroxisomes oxidize fatty acids and detoxify peroxide.

55. The light reactions of photosynthesis occur in:

A) Stroma

B) Thylakoid membranes ✅

C) Cytoplasm

D) Mitochondria

Explanation: Thylakoids contain photosystems for light-dependent reactions.

56. Dark reactions occur in:

A) Thylakoid

B) Stroma ✅

C) Cytoplasm

D) Cristae

Explanation: Stroma contains enzymes for Calvin cycle.

57. Which is the genetic material in most organisms?

A) RNA

B) DNA ✅

C) Protein

D) Carbohydrate

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Explanation: DNA stores and transmits genetic information.

58. Histones are associated with:

A) RNA

B) DNA ✅

C) Lipids

D) Polysaccharides

Explanation: Histones are proteins that package DNA into nucleosomes.

59. Which organelle contains oxidases and catalases?

A) Lysosome

B) Peroxisome ✅

C) Ribosome

D) Chloroplast

Explanation: Peroxisomes neutralize hydrogen peroxide with catalase.

60. Which structure regulates movement of RNA out of nucleus?

A) Nucleolus

B) Nuclear pores ✅

C) Ribosomes

D) Histones

Explanation: Nuclear pores allow transport of RNA and proteins.

61. Which part of chloroplast traps solar energy?

A) Stroma

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B) Grana ✅

C) Matrix

D) Ribosome

Explanation: Grana are stacks of thylakoids where light energy is trapped.

62. What is the main function of vacuole in plant cells?

A) DNA replication

B) Storage ✅

C) Protein synthesis

D) Photosynthesis

Explanation: Vacuoles store water, salts, sugars, pigments.

63. Osmosis occurs through:

A) Selectively permeable membrane ✅

B) Impermeable membrane

C) Fully permeable membrane

D) Rigid wall

Explanation: Osmosis requires a semipermeable membrane.

64. A cell placed in hypertonic solution will:

A) Gain water

B) Lose water ✅

C) Remain same

D) Burst

Explanation: In hypertonic medium, water moves out of the cell.

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65. Plasmolysis occurs in:

A) Animal cells

B) Plant cells ✅

C) Viruses

D) Bacteria

Explanation: Plant cells shrink when placed in hypertonic solution.

66. Pinocytosis means:

A) Cell eating

B) Cell drinking ✅

C) Active transport

D) Passive diffusion

Explanation: Pinocytosis is ingestion of liquid into cells.

67. Phagocytosis is:

A) Cell drinking

B) Cell eating ✅

C) Diffusion

D) Osmosis

Explanation: Phagocytosis is engulfing solid particles.

68. Exocytosis is the process of:

A) Taking in substances

B) Expelling substances ✅

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C) Water movement

D) Gas exchange

Explanation: Exocytosis exports materials by vesicles fusing with membrane.

69. Which is the site of lipid synthesis?

A) Rough ER

B) Smooth ER ✅

C) Golgi apparatus

D) Ribosomes

Explanation: SER is specialized in lipid and steroid synthesis.

70. The main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is:

A) Ribosomes

B) Membrane-bound nucleus ✅

C) DNA presence

D) Plasma membrane

Explanation: Eukaryotes have a true nucleus; prokaryotes do not.

71. Plant cells store food in the form of:

A) Glycogen

B) Starch ✅

C) Lipids

D) Glucose

Explanation: Plants store carbohydrates as starch granules.

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72. Animal cells store food in the form of:

A) Starch

B) Glycogen ✅

C) Cellulose

D) Lipids

Explanation: Glycogen is animal carbohydrate storage.

73. Mitochondria and chloroplast are similar in having:

A) Circular DNA ✅

B) Linear DNA

C) No DNA

D) No ribosomes

Explanation: Both have circular DNA and 70S ribosomes.

74. The double membrane of nucleus is called:

A) Nuclear lamina

B) Nuclear envelope ✅

C) Nucleoplasm

D) Nucleoid

Explanation: Nuclear envelope surrounds nucleoplasm.

75. In prokaryotes, ribosomes are located in:

A) Nucleus

B) Cytoplasm ✅

C) Nucleolus

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D) Vacuole

Explanation: Prokaryotic ribosomes float freely in cytoplasm.

76. In plants, plasmodesmata connect:

A) Vacuoles

B) Adjacent cells ✅

C) Chloroplasts

D) Nuclei

Explanation: Plasmodesmata allow transport between plant cells.

77. Tonoplast is:

A) Membrane of vacuole ✅

B) Plasma membrane

C) Cell wall

D) Nuclear membrane

Explanation: Tonoplast surrounds plant vacuole.

78. Which structure is absent in prokaryotes?

A) Ribosomes

B) Nucleus ✅

C) Plasma membrane

D) DNA

Explanation: Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound nucleus.

79. Who discovered the nucleus?

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A) Virchow

B) Robert Brown ✅

C) Schwann

D) Hooke

Explanation: Robert Brown discovered nucleus in 1831.

80. Which organelle contains chlorophyll?

A) Mitochondria

B) Chloroplast ✅

C) Ribosome

D) Nucleolus

Explanation: Chloroplasts have chlorophyll for photosynthesis.

81. Cytokinesis in animal cells occurs by:

A) Cell plate formation

B) Cleavage furrow ✅

C) Binary fission

D) Fragmentation

Explanation: Animal cells divide by cleavage furrow formation.

82. Cytokinesis in plant cells occurs by:

A) Cleavage furrow

B) Cell plate formation ✅

C) Binary fission

D) Budding

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Explanation: Plant cells divide by cell plate formation.

83. Which is absent in animal cells?

A) Lysosome

B) Centrosome

C) Cell wall ✅

D) Mitochondria

Explanation: Animal cells lack cell walls.

84. The universal solvent inside cells is:

A) Alcohol

B) Water ✅

C) Lipid

D) Sugar

Explanation: Water is the solvent of life in cytoplasm.

85. Cristae increase:

A) Surface area ✅

B) Volume

C) Thickness

D) Color

Explanation: Cristae increase surface area for ATP production.

86. Protoplasm includes:

A) Cytoplasm + nucleus ✅

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B) Plasma membrane

C) Mitochondria only

D) Ribosomes

Explanation: Protoplasm = living content of cell.

87. The major structural component of plasma membrane is:

A) Protein

B) Phospholipid ✅

C) Carbohydrate

D) DNA

Explanation: Plasma membrane is phospholipid bilayer with proteins.

88. The darkly stained region in the nucleus is:

A) Chromosome

B) Nucleolus ✅

C) Centrosome

D) Nuclear pore

Explanation: Nucleolus is dense, synthesizes rRNA.

89. Plant cells swell in:

A) Isotonic solution

B) Hypotonic solution ✅

C) Hypertonic solution

D) Dry condition

Explanation: In hypotonic solution, water enters the cell.

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90. Cellulose is a:

A) Protein

B) Carbohydrate ✅

C) Lipid

D) Enzyme

Explanation: Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide.

91. Cell organelles surrounded by double membrane include:

A) Mitochondria, chloroplast, nucleus ✅

B) Ribosomes

C) Lysosomes

D) Peroxisomes

Explanation: These organelles have two membranes.

92. The term prokaryote means:

A) True nucleus

B) Before nucleus ✅

C) After nucleus

D) Without cytoplasm

Explanation: Prokaryotes evolved before nucleus appeared.

93. The term eukaryote means:

A) True nucleus ✅

B) Before nucleus

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C) Without nucleus

D) Large cell

Explanation: Eukaryotes possess a true nucleus.

94. Who first observed living cells?

A) Hooke

B) Leeuwenhoek ✅

C) Virchow

D) Brown

Explanation: Leeuwenhoek observed living microorganisms with his microscope.

95. The jelly-like substance inside nucleus is:

A) Cytoplasm

B) Nucleoplasm ✅

C) Chromatin

D) Stroma

Explanation: Nucleoplasm supports chromosomes and nucleolus.

96. Chromatin is visible during:

A) Interphase ✅

B) Metaphase

C) Anaphase

D) Telophase

Explanation: In interphase, chromatin is uncoiled DNA.

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97. Which cell is without cell wall?

A) Plant cell

B) Animal cell ✅

C) Fungal cell

D) Bacterial cell

Explanation: Animal cells lack cell walls.

98. Mesosomes are found in:

A) Bacteria ✅

B) Plants

C) Animals

D) Algae

Explanation: Mesosomes are infoldings of bacterial plasma membrane.

99. Vacuoles in plant cells are large because:

A) Store DNA

B) Store water and solutes ✅

C) Help in respiration

D) Aid in photosynthesis

Explanation: Plant vacuoles maintain turgor and store solutes.

100. The study of cell structure is called:

A) Genetics

B) Cytology ✅

C) Histology

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D) Ecology

Explanation: Cytology = study of cells and their structures.

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