Cell Structure & Function Questions
Q.
Which scientist first observed cells in 1665 using a microscope?
Robert Hooke
Robert Brown
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:
Watson and Crick
Schleiden and Schwann
Pasteur and Koch
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 have mitochondria
Prokaryotes have a nuclear envelope
Prokaryotes are always multicellular
Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
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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
Mitochondria
Golgi apparatus
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Explanation:
Mitochondria generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Q.
The site of protein synthesis in a cell is the:
Ribosome
Nucleus
Lysosome
Golgi apparatus
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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
Lipids
Only RNA
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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
Lysosome
Ribosome
Golgi apparatus
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Explanation:
The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins from the ER.
Q.
Lysosomes are known as:
Lipid factories
Protein factories
Powerhouses
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:
Having no membrane
Being found only in prokaryotes
Having ribosomes attached
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:
Fungal cells only
Animal 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:
Photosynthesis
Protein synthesis
Cellular respiration
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
Chloroplasts
Mitochondria
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:
Cellulose
Peptidoglycan
Phospholipid
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
Chitin
Peptidoglycan
Lignin
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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?
Nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins
Microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules
Cellulose, chitin, and peptidoglycan
Ribosomes, lysosomes, and vacuoles
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Explanation:
The cytoskeleton consists of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.
Q.
Which of the following is NOT membrane-bound?
Mitochondria
Ribosome
Golgi apparatus
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
DNA replication
rRNA synthesis and ribosome assembly
ATP production
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Explanation:
The nucleolus is where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is synthesized and ribosome assembly begins.
Q.
Peroxisomes function primarily to:
Store water
Produce ATP
Break down fatty acids and detoxify
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
Plant cells
Fungal cells only
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?
Mitochondria
Ribosome
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 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:
DNA enters the cytoplasm
The cell divides
mRNA is translated on ribosomes
Ribosomes enter the nucleus
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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
Golgi apparatus
Nucleus
Cytoskeleton
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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
Cell wall and membrane
Nucleus and ribosomes
Golgi and ER
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Explanation:
The endosymbiotic theory proposes that mitochondria and chloroplasts evolved from engulfed prokaryotes.