Cell Basic
What is the smallest unit of life?
A cell.
Explanation: All living things are made of one or more cells.
Which organelle is often called the powerhouse of the cell?
Mitochondrion (mitochondria).
Explanation: It releases usable energy through cellular respiration.
What rigid outer layer supports and protects a plant cell?
The cell wall.
Explanation: It is mainly made of cellulose.
Name one structure found in both plant and animal cells.
Examples: nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria, or ribosomes.
Explanation: Either cell type contains these structures.
A cell cannot control the movement of water and nutrients across its boundary. Which structure is damaged?
The cell membrane.
Explanation: It regulates movement in and out.
What is the jelly-like substance inside a cell that surrounds its organelles?
Cytoplasm.
Explanation: It supports organelles and is where many chemical reactions occur.
Which organelle is often called the powerhouse of the cell?
Ribosomes.
Explanation: Ribosomes may be free in cytoplasm or attached to rough ER.
Which organelle uses light energy to make sugars through photosynthesis?
The chloroplast.
Explanation: Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll.
Which cell type usually has a cell wall: plant or animal?
Plant cell.
Explanation: Animal cells lack a cell wall.
A leaf cell is placed in bright light. Which organelle will directly use the light energy?
Chloroplast.
Explanation: Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy.
Which structure controls what enters and leaves both plant and animal cells?
The cell membrane.
Explanation: It is selectively permeable.
Which organelle modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for transport?
The Golgi apparatus.
Explanation: Think of it as a packaging and shipping center.
What large storage compartment helps many plant cells maintain their shape?
The central vacuole.
Explanation: Stored water helps maintain turgor pressure.
Which cell type usually has chloroplasts: plant or animal?
Plant cell.
Explanation: Not every plant cell has chloroplasts, such as many root cells.
Scientists compare two cells: one has a wall and chloroplasts; the other does not. Which is likely from a plant
The cell with a wall and chloroplasts.
Explanation: These are identifying structures of many plant cells
What organelle stores most of the DNA in a plant or animal cell?
The nucleus.
Explanation: The nucleus contains genetic instructions.
Which organelles contain digestive enzymes that break down materials in many animal cells?
Lysosomes.
Explanation: They help recycle worn-out cell parts.
Chlorophyll.
Explanation: It captures light used in photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll.
Explanation: It captures light used in photosynthesis.
What do plant cells have outside their membrane that animal cells do not have?
A cell wall.
Explanation: The wall provides extra structural support.
A toxin damages ribosomes. Which important cell process will be affected first?
Protein synthesis (making proteins).
Explanation: Ribosomes assemble proteins.
A microscope image shows a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Is this a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell?
Eukaryotic.
Explanation: Both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic.
A muscle cell needs a lot of energy to contract. Which organelle would you expect it to contain in large numbers?
Mitochondria.
Explanation: More mitochondria help provide ATP for cell work.
A plant wilts after losing water. Which cell structure loses water and pressure, reducing support?
The central vacuole.
Explanation: Water loss reduces turgor pressure.
A cell has a nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and a rigid cell wall. What type of cell is it, and what evidence supports your choice?
A plant cell; the chloroplasts and cell wall are key evidence.
Explanation: Use two observations to justify your answer.
points A student claims, “Plant cells do not need mitochondria because they have chloroplasts.” Is the claim correct? Explain.
No. Plant cells also use mitochondria for cellular respiration and ATP production.
Explanation: Photosynthesis and cellular respiration have different roles.