Cell Biology MCQs
By Swati Singh
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Updated on 16 Apr 2025, 14:52 IST
Cell Biology is a crucial subject that delves into the structure and function of cells, which are the fundamental building blocks of life. It covers various aspects, such as the types of cells, organelles, cellular processes, and molecular mechanisms that govern life at the microscopic level. This article presents multiple-choice questions (MCQs) designed to assess knowledge in key areas of Cell Biology, providing students with an opportunity to test their understanding and prepare for exams.
Section 1: Basics of Cell Biology
Which of the following is the smallest unit of life?
- A) Atom
- B) Cell
- C) Molecule
- D) Tissue
Answer: B) Cell
Who is credited with the discovery of cells?
- A) Charles Darwin
- B) Robert Hooke
- C) Louis Pasteur
- D) Albert Einstein
Answer: B) Robert Hooke
What is the primary function of the cell membrane?
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- A) To produce energy
- B) To control the movement of substances in and out of the cell
- C) To store genetic information
- D) To synthesize proteins
Answer: B) To control the movement of substances in and out of the cell
Which of the following is a feature of prokaryotic cells?
- A) Presence of a nucleus
- B) Absence of a cell wall
- C) Presence of membrane-bound organelles
- D) Presence of a single circular DNA molecule
Answer: D) Presence of a single circular DNA molecule
Section 2: Cell Organelles and Their Functions
The powerhouse of the cell is the:
- A) Nucleus
- B) Ribosome
- C) Mitochondrion
- D) Golgi Apparatus
Answer: C) Mitochondrion
Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis?
- A) Endoplasmic reticulum
- B) Nucleus
- C) Ribosome
- D) Lysosome
Answer: C) Ribosome
Which of the following organelles is involved in the modification, sorting, and packaging of proteins?
- A) Mitochondria
- B) Golgi Apparatus
- C) Endoplasmic Reticulum
- D) Nucleus
Answer: B) Golgi Apparatus
Which of the following organelles contains digestive enzymes?
- A) Chloroplast
- B) Lysosome
- C) Peroxisome
- D) Nucleus
Answer: B) Lysosome
The structure responsible for regulating the movement of substances into and out of the nucleus is called the:
- A) Nuclear Envelope
- B) Cell Membrane
- C) Nucleolus
- D) Cytoplasm
Answer: A) Nuclear Envelope
Section 3: Cellular Processes
Which process is responsible for the production of ATP in the mitochondria?
- A) Photosynthesis
- B) Glycolysis
- C) Cellular Respiration
- D) Fermentation
Answer: C) Cellular Respiration
What is the purpose of mitosis?
- A) To produce gametes for sexual reproduction
- B) To repair damaged tissues
- C) To produce identical daughter cells for growth and development
- D) To reduce chromosome number by half
Answer: C) To produce identical daughter cells for growth and development
Which of the following is the correct sequence of stages in mitosis?
- A) Prophase, Anaphase, Metaphase, Telophase
- B) Metaphase, Prophase, Anaphase, Telophase
- C) Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase
- D) Telophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Prophase
Answer: C) Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase
Which type of cell division results in the formation of gametes?
- A) Mitosis
- B) Meiosis
- C) Binary Fission
- D) Cytokinesis
Answer: B) Meiosis
Which phase of the cell cycle is characterized by DNA replication?
- A) G1 Phase
- B) S Phase
- C) G2 Phase
- D) M Phase
Answer: B) S Phase
Section 4: Molecular Biology
What is the basic unit of heredity?
- A) Gene
- B) Chromosome
- C) DNA
- D) RNA
Answer: A) Gene
Which of the following is the process of copying DNA to produce mRNA?
- A) Translation
- B) Replication
- C) Transcription
- D) Mutation
Answer: C) Transcription
Which of the following molecules carries amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis?
- A) mRNA
- B) tRNA
- C) rRNA
- D) DNA
Answer: B) tRNA
Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during replication?
- A) Ligase
- B) Helicase
- C) DNA Polymerase
- D) RNA Polymerase
Answer: C) DNA Polymerase
Section 5: Advanced Concepts
Which of the following is the role of the centrosome in cell division?
- A) To provide energy for the cell
- B) To organize microtubules for chromosome separation
- C) To store genetic material
- D) To synthesize proteins
Answer: B) To organize microtubules for chromosome separation
Which of the following is true about the endosymbiotic theory?
- A) It suggests that mitochondria and chloroplasts were once free-living prokaryotic cells
- B) It is a theory that explains how eukaryotic cells arose from prokaryotic cells
- C) It focuses on the evolution of multicellularity
- D) It states that all eukaryotic cells evolved from a single common ancestor
Answer: A) It suggests that mitochondria and chloroplasts were once free-living prokaryotic cells
In which organelle does the process of photosynthesis occur?
- A) Mitochondrion
- B) Chloroplast
- C) Nucleus
- D) Ribosome
Answer: B) Chloroplast
Which of the following is not a function of the cytoskeleton?
- A) Providing mechanical support to the cell
- B) Maintaining the shape of the cell
- C) Synthesizing proteins
- D) Facilitating intracellular transport
Answer: C) Synthesizing proteins
FAQs on Cell Biology MCQs
What is Cell Biology?
Cell Biology is the branch of biology that deals with the study of the structure, function, and behavior of cells. It encompasses various topics such as the organization of cells, their components (organelles), and the biochemical processes they undergo to sustain life. It is a fundamental subject in understanding the biological functions at the cellular level.
What are the main components of a cell?
A cell consists of several important components, including:
Cell membrane: Encloses the cell and regulates what enters and exits.
Cytoplasm: The gel-like substance inside the cell where organelles are suspended.
Nucleus: Contains the cell’s genetic material (DNA) and controls cell activities.
Mitochondria: The powerhouses of the cell, involved in energy production.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
Ribosomes: Responsible for protein synthesis.
Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for delivery.
Lysosomes: Contain digestive enzymes that break down waste materials.
What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells are simpler cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Their genetic material is found in a single circular DNA molecule. Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, the Golgi apparatus, and the endoplasmic reticulum.
What are the functions of the cell membrane?
The cell membrane has several important functions:
Protection: It acts as a barrier, protecting the cell’s internal components from the external environment.
Regulation: It controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell through selective permeability.
Communication: It plays a role in communication with other cells through receptor proteins.
How do cells reproduce?
Cells reproduce through two main processes:
Mitosis: A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells, used for growth and repair.
Meiosis: A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half to form gametes (sperm and egg cells) for sexual reproduction.
What is the role of mitochondria in cells?
Mitochondria are responsible for producing energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through cellular respiration. They are often referred to as the "powerhouses" of the cell because they generate the energy needed for various cellular functions.
What is the function of ribosomes?
Ribosomes are responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains. They can be found floating freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
What is the significance of the Golgi apparatus?
The Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for transport to different parts of the cell or outside the cell. It acts like the cell's "post office," ensuring that cellular products are correctly modified and sent to their appropriate destinations.
What is the process of cellular respiration?
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells break down glucose (and other molecules) to produce energy (ATP). This process occurs in three stages: Glycolysis, the Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle), and the Electron Transport Chain, with mitochondria playing a crucial role.
What is the importance of photosynthesis in cells?
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and certain bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process occurs in chloroplasts and provides energy for the plant and, ultimately, the organisms that consume it. It also produces oxygen as a byproduct, which is essential for life on Earth.
What is the cell cycle?
The cell cycle is a series of stages that a cell goes through to grow and divide. It includes the following phases:
Interphase: The cell grows and DNA is replicated.
G1 Phase: Cell growth
S Phase: DNA synthesis (replication)
G2 Phase: Final preparations for division
M Phase: Cell division occurs through mitosis or meiosis.
Cytokinesis: The final separation of the daughter cells.
How do cells communicate with each other?
Cells communicate through various signaling mechanisms. These include:
Chemical signals: Molecules such as hormones and neurotransmitters that bind to receptors on the cell surface.
Direct contact: Cells can exchange information through gap junctions or plasmodesmata (in plant cells).
Electrical signals: In nerve cells, electrical impulses carry signals across long distances.
What is the endosymbiotic theory?
The endosymbiotic theory suggests that mitochondria and chloroplasts were once free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by a host cell, forming a symbiotic relationship. Over time, these prokaryotes became integrated into the host cell and evolved into organelles. Evidence supporting this theory includes the fact that mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA and double membranes, similar to certain prokaryotes.
What is the difference between active and passive transport?
Active Transport: Requires energy (usually in the form of ATP) to move molecules against their concentration gradient, from low to high concentration (e.g., sodium-potassium pump).
Passive Transport: Does not require energy and moves molecules along their concentration gradient, from high to low concentration (e.g., diffusion, osmosis).
What are stem cells, and why are they important?
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into many different cell types. They are important for growth, development, and repair of tissues. Stem cells can also be used in regenerative medicine and treatments for various diseases.