Cell Structure & Function Questions
Q.
Which scientist first observed cells in 1665 using a microscope?
Robert Brown
Robert Hooke
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
Matthias Schleiden
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Explanation:
Robert Hooke observed cork cells in 1665, coining the term 'cell'.
Q.
The cell theory was proposed by:
Pasteur and Koch
Schleiden and Schwann
Watson and Crick
Hooke and Leeuwenhoek
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Explanation:
Schleiden and Schwann (1838–39) formulated cell theory; Virchow later added 'omnis cellula e cellula'.
Q.
Which of the following is a key feature distinguishing prokaryotes from eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
Prokaryotes are always multicellular
Prokaryotes have a nuclear envelope
Prokaryotes have mitochondria
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Explanation:
Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus; eukaryotes have one.
Q.
Which organelle is known as the 'powerhouse of the cell'?
Nucleus
Ribosome
Golgi apparatus
Mitochondria
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Explanation:
Mitochondria generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Q.
The site of protein synthesis in a cell is the:
Ribosome
Golgi apparatus
Nucleus
Lysosome
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Explanation:
Ribosomes synthesize proteins from amino acids using mRNA as template.
Q.
The nucleus contains which genetic material?
Proteins only
DNA
Only RNA
Lipids
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Explanation:
The nucleus houses the cell's DNA, which contains the genetic code.
Q.
Which organelle is responsible for packaging and modifying proteins?
Ribosome
Lysosome
Mitochondria
Golgi apparatus
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Explanation:
The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins from the ER.
Q.
Lysosomes are known as:
Powerhouses
Lipid factories
Protein factories
Suicide bags
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Explanation:
Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes and are the cell's 'suicide bags' or garbage disposal system.
Q.
The rough endoplasmic reticulum differs from smooth ER by:
Being found only in prokaryotes
Having ribosomes attached
Having no membrane
Producing ATP
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Explanation:
Rough ER has ribosomes attached for protein synthesis; smooth ER lacks ribosomes and is involved in lipid synthesis.
Q.
Chloroplasts are found in:
Animal cells only
Bacterial cells only
Fungal cells only
Plant cells and some algae
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Explanation:
Chloroplasts occur in plant cells and some algae — not in animal cells.
Q.
Chloroplasts are the site of:
Photosynthesis
Cellular respiration
Protein synthesis
Lipid breakdown
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Explanation:
Chloroplasts perform photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.
Q.
Which organelle is absent in animal cells?
Golgi apparatus
Ribosomes
Chloroplasts
Mitochondria
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Explanation:
Chloroplasts are absent in animal cells; mitochondria are present in both.
Q.
The cell wall of plant cells is primarily made of:
Chitin
Peptidoglycan
Cellulose
Phospholipid
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Explanation:
Plant cell walls are composed mainly of cellulose.
Q.
The cell wall of bacteria is primarily made of:
Cellulose
Lignin
Peptidoglycan
Chitin
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Explanation:
Bacterial cell walls are made of peptidoglycan (murein).
Q.
Fungal cell walls are mainly composed of:
Peptidoglycan
Cellulose
Lignin
Chitin
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Explanation:
Fungal cell walls contain chitin, distinguishing them from plants.
Q.
The cytoskeleton is made up of which three main components?
Nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins
Microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules
Ribosomes, lysosomes, and vacuoles
Cellulose, chitin, and peptidoglycan
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Explanation:
The cytoskeleton consists of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.
Q.
Which of the following is NOT membrane-bound?
Ribosome
Golgi apparatus
Mitochondria
Nucleus
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Explanation:
Ribosomes are non-membrane-bound organelles found free or attached to ER.
Q.
The nucleolus is the site of:
Lipid synthesis
ATP production
DNA replication
rRNA synthesis and ribosome assembly
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Explanation:
The nucleolus is where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is synthesized and ribosome assembly begins.
Q.
Peroxisomes function primarily to:
Break down fatty acids and detoxify
Produce ATP
Store water
Synthesize proteins
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Explanation:
Peroxisomes break down fatty acids and detoxify hydrogen peroxide.
Q.
The central vacuole is found predominantly in:
Fungal cells only
Plant cells
Bacterial cells
Animal cells
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Explanation:
Plant cells have large central vacuoles for storage, turgor, and waste management.
Q.
Which organelle modifies proteins with carbohydrate chains?
Nucleus
Ribosome
Golgi apparatus
Mitochondria
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Explanation:
The Golgi apparatus performs glycosylation — adding carbohydrate chains to proteins.
Q.
The fluid mosaic model describes:
The structure of chloroplasts
The structure of the cell membrane
The structure of ribosomes
The structure of DNA
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Explanation:
The fluid mosaic model (Singer & Nicolson, 1972) describes the cell membrane as a fluid phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.
Q.
Protein synthesis begins in the cytoplasm when:
mRNA is translated on ribosomes
The cell divides
Ribosomes enter the nucleus
DNA enters the cytoplasm
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Explanation:
Translation begins on free ribosomes; proteins destined for secretion move to the ER.
Q.
Which cellular component is responsible for maintaining cell shape?
Lysosome
Cytoskeleton
Nucleus
Golgi apparatus
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Explanation:
The cytoskeleton provides structural support and maintains cell shape.
Q.
The endosymbiotic theory explains the origin of:
Mitochondria and chloroplasts
Golgi and ER
Nucleus and ribosomes
Cell wall and membrane
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Explanation:
The endosymbiotic theory proposes that mitochondria and chloroplasts evolved from engulfed prokaryotes.