Cell Structure & Function Questions
Q.
Which scientist first observed cells in 1665 using a microscope?
Robert Hooke
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
Matthias Schleiden
Robert Brown
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Explanation:
Robert Hooke observed cork cells in 1665, coining the term 'cell'.
Q.
The cell theory was proposed by:
Watson and Crick
Schleiden and Schwann
Hooke and Leeuwenhoek
Pasteur and Koch
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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 are always multicellular
Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
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'?
Golgi apparatus
Nucleus
Mitochondria
Ribosome
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Explanation:
Mitochondria generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Q.
The site of protein synthesis in a cell is the:
Lysosome
Nucleus
Ribosome
Golgi apparatus
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Explanation:
Ribosomes synthesize proteins from amino acids using mRNA as template.
Q.
The nucleus contains which genetic material?
DNA
Only RNA
Proteins only
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?
Mitochondria
Golgi apparatus
Ribosome
Lysosome
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Explanation:
The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins from the ER.
Q.
Lysosomes are known as:
Powerhouses
Lipid factories
Suicide bags
Protein factories
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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:
Producing ATP
Being found only in prokaryotes
Having ribosomes attached
Having no membrane
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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
Fungal cells only
Plant cells and some algae
Bacterial cells only
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Explanation:
Chloroplasts occur in plant cells and some algae — not in animal cells.
Q.
Chloroplasts are the site of:
Cellular respiration
Protein synthesis
Photosynthesis
Lipid breakdown
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Explanation:
Chloroplasts perform photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.
Q.
Which organelle is absent in animal cells?
Mitochondria
Chloroplasts
Golgi apparatus
Ribosomes
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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:
Peptidoglycan
Phospholipid
Cellulose
Chitin
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Explanation:
Plant cell walls are composed mainly of cellulose.
Q.
The cell wall of bacteria is primarily made of:
Cellulose
Peptidoglycan
Lignin
Chitin
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Explanation:
Bacterial cell walls are made of peptidoglycan (murein).
Q.
Fungal cell walls are mainly composed of:
Peptidoglycan
Chitin
Lignin
Cellulose
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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?
Microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules
Ribosomes, lysosomes, and vacuoles
Cellulose, chitin, and peptidoglycan
Nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins
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Explanation:
The cytoskeleton consists of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.
Q.
Which of the following is NOT membrane-bound?
Golgi apparatus
Mitochondria
Ribosome
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:
DNA replication
ATP production
Lipid synthesis
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:
Produce ATP
Break down fatty acids and detoxify
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:
Bacterial cells
Fungal cells only
Plant 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?
Ribosome
Mitochondria
Golgi apparatus
Nucleus
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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 ribosomes
The structure of the cell membrane
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
Ribosomes enter the nucleus
DNA enters the cytoplasm
The cell divides
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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?
Cytoskeleton
Lysosome
Golgi apparatus
Nucleus
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Explanation:
The cytoskeleton provides structural support and maintains cell shape.
Q.
The endosymbiotic theory explains the origin of:
Golgi and ER
Mitochondria and chloroplasts
Cell wall and membrane
Nucleus and ribosomes
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Explanation:
The endosymbiotic theory proposes that mitochondria and chloroplasts evolved from engulfed prokaryotes.