Cell – Structure & Function Quiz - ICSE Class 10 Biology

Free practice quiz: Cell – Structure & Function (ICSE Class 10 Biology). 51 multiple-choice questions with answers and explanations. Play online, no sign-up needed.

This ICSE Class 10 Biology practice quiz has 51 multiple-choice questions on Cell – Structure & Function, and 51 of them come with an explanation. Try the 5 sample questions below (tap an option to check yourself), then play the full quiz online. No sign-up needed.

Sample questions

1. Mitochondria are often referred to as the 'powerhouses' of the cell. Which of the following processes primarily occurs within mitochondria to generate ATP, the cell's main energy currency?

   1. Photosynthesis
   2. Glycolysis
   3. Cellular Respiration (Krebs Cycle and Oxidative Phosphorylation)
   4. Fermentation
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Cellular Respiration (Krebs Cycle and Oxidative Phosphorylation)

   Mitochondria are the primary sites of cellular respiration, where glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen to produce a large amount of ATP. Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm, and fermentation occurs in the cytoplasm when oxygen is absent.

2. The cell wall, present in plant cells, fungi, and bacteria, provides structural support and protection. In plant cells, the primary component of the cell wall is cellulose. What is cellulose?

   1. A protein
   2. A lipid
   3. A polysaccharide
   4. A nucleic acid
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A polysaccharide

   Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate, specifically a polysaccharide made up of repeating glucose units linked by beta glycosidic bonds. It provides rigidity and strength to plant cell walls.

3. Glycoproteins and glycolipids on the outer surface of the plasma membrane play important roles in cell recognition, cell adhesion, and as receptors for signaling molecules. These molecules are formed through modifications in which organelle?

   1. Nucleolus
   2. Golgi apparatus
   3. Lysosome
   4. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Golgi apparatus

   The Golgi apparatus is central to the further processing, modification (like glycosylation), sorting, and packaging of proteins and lipids synthesized in the ER, including the formation of glycoproteins and glycolipids for the cell surface.

4. The structure of a cell wall in plants is primarily composed of cellulose, providing rigidity. What is the function of plasmodesmata in plant cells?

   1. To store genetic material.
   2. To provide a barrier against pathogens.
   3. To facilitate communication and transport between adjacent plant cells.
   4. To generate ATP through cellular respiration.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. To facilitate communication and transport between adjacent plant cells.

   Plasmodesmata are microscopic channels that traverse the cell walls of plant cells, enabling direct cytoplasmic connections between adjacent cells. They allow for the passage of water, small solutes, and even macromolecules, facilitating intercellular communication and transport.

5. In plant cells, the plasma membrane is surrounded by a rigid cell wall. What is the primary function of this cell wall?

   1. To synthesize proteins.
   2. To regulate the passage of all substances into the cell.
   3. To provide structural support, maintain cell shape, and prevent excessive water uptake.
   4. To generate energy through photosynthesis.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. To provide structural support, maintain cell shape, and prevent excessive water uptake.

   The plant cell wall, composed mainly of cellulose, is a rigid outer layer that protects the cell, provides structural support, and prevents the cell from bursting when it absorbs too much water (due to osmosis). The plasma membrane still regulates the passage of most substances.

More questions in this quiz

Answers and explanations are in the full quiz.

1. The Golgi apparatus plays a crucial role in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles. Which of the following is NOT a function associated with the Golgi apparatus?
2. Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that are capable of breaking down various macromolecules and worn-out cellular components. What is the pH of the internal environment of lysosomes, which is optimal for the activity of these enzymes?
3. Peroxisomes are small, membrane-bound organelles that contain enzymes involved in various metabolic reactions, including the breakdown of fatty acids and the detoxification of harmful substances. Which of the following is a key enzyme found in peroxisomes that generates hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct?
4. The cytoskeleton is a dynamic network of protein filaments and tubules in the cytoplasm of many living cells, giving them shape and coherence. Which component of the cytoskeleton is primarily responsible for maintaining cell shape, muscle contraction, and cell movement (like amoeboid movement)?
5. The nucleus is the control center of the cell, housing the genetic material. Which of the following structures within the nucleus is primarily responsible for ribosome synthesis?
6. The plasma membrane is selectively permeable, controlling the passage of substances into and out of the cell. Which of the following mechanisms allows for the movement of water molecules across the plasma membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration?
7. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of membranes found throughout the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. What is the primary difference in function between the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?
8. Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells and eukaryotic algae that conduct photosynthesis. The light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, where light energy is converted into chemical energy (ATP and NADPH), occur in which specific part of the chloroplast?
9. Centrioles are cylindrical organelles found near the nucleus in animal cells and the cells of lower plants. What is their primary function during cell division?
10. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. They are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. Where are ribosomes primarily assembled within a eukaryotic cell?
11. Vacuoles are membrane-bound organelles that have diverse functions, including storage, waste disposal, protection, and growth. In mature plant cells, a large central vacuole typically occupies a significant portion of the cell volume. What is a primary role of this large central vacuole?
12. Cytokinesis is the physical process of cell division, which divides the cytoplasm of a parental cell into two daughter cells. In animal cells, cytokinesis typically occurs through which mechanism?
13. The cell membrane is a fluid mosaic model, with phospholipids forming a bilayer and proteins embedded within or associated with it. Which type of membrane protein spans the entire lipid bilayer and often functions in transport?
14. The difference in the distribution of ions across the plasma membrane creates an electrical potential, known as the membrane potential. In most cells, which ion is primarily responsible for maintaining the resting membrane potential?
15. During mitosis, chromosomes align at the metaphase plate. Which structures within the cell are responsible for the attachment of spindle fibers to the chromosomes?
16. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) has several critical functions. Besides lipid synthesis and detoxification, what is another important role of the SER, particularly in muscle cells?
17. The cytoskeleton provides structural support and facilitates cell movement. Which cytoskeletal component is most directly involved in forming the mitotic spindle and maintaining cell shape during cell division?
18. The structure of a human red blood cell is unique and adapted for its function of oxygen transport. What is a key structural adaptation of a mature red blood cell that maximizes its oxygen-carrying capacity?
19. The process by which cells engulf large particles or molecules from the external environment by invagination of the plasma membrane is called:
20. A scientist is studying a newly discovered organism and finds that its cells lack membrane-bound organelles but possess a cell wall made of peptidoglycan. Based on these characteristics, the organism is most likely:
21. The sodium-potassium pump is a vital active transport mechanism in the plasma membrane of many eukaryotic cells. What is the primary function of this pump?
22. Which cellular organelle is primarily responsible for the synthesis of proteins that are destined for secretion or insertion into the plasma membrane?
23. The cytoplasm of a cell contains a gel-like substance called cytosol, in which various organelles are suspended. What is the primary composition of cytosol?
24. A cell is observed to have a large number of mitochondria. This suggests that the cell:
25. Which of the following is a key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells regarding their genetic material?
26. The fluid nature of the plasma membrane allows for the movement of its components. Which molecules are primarily responsible for forming the basic structure of the lipid bilayer?
27. Centrosomes, containing centrioles, are crucial for organizing microtubules in animal cells. What is their primary role during the process of mitosis?
28. Which organelle is responsible for breaking down toxic substances like alcohol and also plays a role in smooth endoplasmic reticulum in lipid metabolism?
29. During cellular respiration, the majority of ATP is produced during which stage that occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane?
30. The cytoskeleton provides mechanical support and helps maintain cell shape. Which component of the cytoskeleton is formed by subunits of actin and is involved in muscle contraction and cell crawling?
31. Which of the following is a key difference in the function of the cell membrane between animal cells and plant cells?
32. The nucleus is the control center of the cell. What is the primary function of the nuclear pores?
33. Which type of molecule is the primary component of the cell wall in fungi?
34. The endomembrane system of a eukaryotic cell includes various organelles that work together. Which organelle is primarily responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles?
35. The process of endocytosis involves the cell membrane engulfing material from outside the cell. Which of the following best describes pinocytosis?
36. What is the main role of the enzyme ATP synthase in the inner mitochondrial membrane?
37. Which of the following is a function of intermediate filaments within the cytoskeleton?
38. The vacuole in a plant cell plays several roles. In addition to storage and maintaining turgor pressure, it also acts as a breakdown compartment similar to lysosomes in animal cells. This suggests that the plant vacuole contains:
39. Which cellular structure is responsible for synthesizing lipids and steroids, and also detoxifying drugs and poisons?
40. The genetic material of eukaryotic cells is organized into chromosomes located within the nucleus. The structure that encloses the nucleus is called the:
41. Which of the following describes the function of peroxisomes in a cell?
42. The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of the plasma membrane. Which component is responsible for most of the membrane's specific functions, such as enzymatic activity, signal transduction, and cell-cell recognition?
43. During meiosis, homologous chromosomes separate. What is the role of the cytoskeleton, specifically microtubules, in this process?
44. The process by which cells engulf large particles or whole cells is known as:
45. Which of the following is a fundamental difference between the genetic material of prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
46. The rough endoplasmic reticulum is studded with ribosomes. What is the primary role of these attached ribosomes?

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