Chapter 2 : Cell: The Unit of Life Solutions

Very Short Answer Type

Question 1

Name the part of the cell concerned with the following?

1. Liberation of energy

2. Synthesis of proteins

3. Transmission of heredity characters from parents to offspring

4. Initiation of cell division

5. Hydrolytic in function

6. Entry of only certain substances into and out of the cell.

Answer

1. Mitochondria

2. Ribosomes

3. Chromosomes

4. Centrosome

5. Lysosomes

6. Plasma membrane/cell membrane

Question 2

State whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F):

(a) All animal cells contain a cell wall.

(b) The cell wall is made of protein.

(c) Centrosome occurs in animal cells.

(d) Plant cells contain large vacuoles.

(e) Protoplasm is the part of the cell which surrounds the nucleus.

(f) Genes are located in chromosomes.

(g) Anthocyanin are the pigments of flowers, which are dissolved in cell-sap.

Answer
(a) False
Corrected statement — All plant cells contain a cell wall.

(b) False
Corrected statement — The cell wall is made of cellulose.

(c) True

(d) True

(e) False
Corrected statement — Cytoplasm is the part of the cell which surrounds the nucleus.

(f) True

(g) False
Corrected statement — Anthocyanin are the pigments of fruits, which are dissolved in
cell-sap.

Question 3

How many chromosome pairs are found in human cells?

Answer

23 pairs of chromosome are found in human cells.

Question 4

What is the name of the chemical substance which constitutes the genes?

Answer

The chemical substance constituting the genes is DNA. It stands for de-oxy ribonucleic
acid.

Question 5

Match the items in column ‘A’ with those in column ‘B’

Column A Column B

Vacuoles Intracellular digestion

Nucleolus Respiratory enzymes

Lysosomes Covered by tonoplast

 Column A Column B

Anthocyanin Dissolved in the cytoplasm

Cristae Forms RNA

Answer

Column A Column B

Vacuoles Covered by tonoplast

Nucleolus Forms RNA

Lysosomes Intracellular digestion

Anthocyanin Dissolved in the cytoplasm

Cristae Respiratory enzymes

Question 6

Fill in the blanks

1. ............... consists of membranous sacs and secretes 40 types of digestive

enzymes.

2. ............... is surrounded by microtubules, located near the nucleus.

3. Very thin flexible, living membrane which is differently permeable, is called

............... .

4. More than 1000 chromosomes are found in the nucleus of certain ...............

5. ............... are heredity units.

6. ............... is a plastid which stores starch.

Answer

1. Lysosomes consists of membranous sacs and secretes 40 types of digestive

enzymes.

2. Centriole is surrounded by microtubules, located near the nucleus.

3. Very thin flexible, living membrane which is differently permeable, is

called Plasma membrane.
 4. More than 1000 chromosomes are found in the nucleus of certain Insects.

5. Genes are heredity units.

6. Leucoplast is a plastid which stores starch.

Question 7

Write the full forms of the following abbreviations:

1. DNA

2. RNA

3. ATP

4. SER

5. RER

Answer

1. DNA — Deoxyribonucleic acid

2. RNA — Ribonucleic acid

3. ATP — Adenosine triphosphate

4. SER — Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

5. RER — Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Question 8

Name the plastid and pigment likely to be found in the cells of

1. petals of sunflower

2. ripe tomato

3. skin of green mango

4. cells of potato

Answer

1. petals of sunflower — chromoplast

2. ripe tomato — anthocyanin

3. skin of green mango — chlorophyll

4. cells of potato — no pigment

Short Answer Type

Question 1

Define the terms:

1. Cell organelles

2. Cell inclusions

3. Cytosol

4. Cell sap

5. Cytoplasm

Answer

1. The part of cell having a definite structure and a definite function is called Cell
organelle.

2. Various non-living substances like nutrients or pigments present in the cell are
called Cell inclusions.

3. The liquid found inside the cell in which various organelles are found, is
called Cytosol.

4. The watery solution present in the vacuoles is called Cell sap.

5. The semi-liquid substance that fills most of the part of cell (except nucleus)
within the cell membrane is called Cytoplasm.

Question 2

Write the exact locations of each of the following:

1. Centrosome

2. Chromosome

3. Genes

4. Mesosome

5. Plasmid

Answer

1. Centrosome - near nucleus (only in animal cells)

2. Chromosome - in nucleus

3. Genes - on chromosomes

4. Mesosome - Plasma membrane of bacterial cells

 5. Plasmid - Cytoplasm of bacterial cells

Question 3

Mention three features found only in plant cells and one found only in animal cells.

Answer

Three features found only in plant cells are:

1. Presence of cell wall.

2. Presence of large vacuole.

3. Presence of plastids.

One feature only found in animal cell is presence of centrosome.

Question 4

Why are the cells generally of a small size?

Answer

Cells are generally so little so that they can maximize their ratio of area to volume. They
have to be ready to get the nutrients in and therefore the waste out quickly.The
important point is that the area to the volume ratio gets smaller as the cell gets larger.
Thus, if the cell grows beyond a particular limit, not enough material is going to be ready
to cross the membrane fast enough to accommodate the increased cellular volume.
That's why cells are so small.

Question 5

It is said that the protoplasm cannot be analysed chemically. Why?

Answer

The protoplasm cannot be analysed chemically because it has complex organic and
living cell organelles which can disintegrate if chemicals are added to analyse. Also due
to complexity of physical and chemical properties the ultimate chemical nature of
protoplasm cannot be determined.

Question 6

What is the difference between an organ and an organelle?

Answer
 Attributes Organ Organelle

Visible to the
Size naked eyes, Microscopic
larger in size

They are present Known as little

Location throughout the organs, are found
body within the cell.

Carry out
Carry out functions
Function functions of the
within the cell
entire body

Ribosomes,
Heart, Lungs, Endoplasmic
Example
Liver reticulum, Golgi
complex.

Question 7

Do you think the cells of an elephant would be larger than the cells of a rat? Explain
briefly.

Answer

Cell is the basic unit of life. Cells aggregates to form tissue, organ, organ system and
ultimately organism. Elephant has more cells compared to rat. The cell size is
independent of the size of the entity. The cell size of a rat and that of an elephant are the
same. Within the entity, the cell size is the same, it does not differ. However, what varies
is the number of cells. Number of cells in a large entity such as elephant is much more
compared to a smaller entity such as a rat.

Descriptive Answer Type

Question 1

What is the cell theory? Who propounded it and when?

Answer

The Cell Theory states three major points -

1. The cell is the smallest unit of structure of all living thing

2. The cell is the unit of function of all living things

 3. All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

The theory was propounded in 1839 by Schwann and Schleiden. Rudolf Virchow in 1858
made an addition to the cell theory by saying that all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Question 2(a)

Differentiate between Protoplasm and cytoplasm.

Answer

Protoplasm Cytoplasm

Protoplasm is the living Mixture of insoluble and

matter of the cell. The soluble organic
total substance of a compounds and water
living cell-nucleus and wherein different cell
cytoplasm organelles are implanted.

Question 2(b)

Differentiate between Nucleolus and nucleus.

Answer

Nucleolus Nucleus

It is present in the cell and is a

It is present in the
dense spherical structure. It
nucleus and is
comprises a network of thread-
round-shaped
like structures known as
nucleoli.
chromatin fibres.

Question 2(c)

Differentiate between Centrosome and chromosome.

Answer

Centrosome Chromosome

Chromosome contain
Centrosome contains genes or hereditary data
two centrioles. Spindle that transfer genetic traits
fibres develop from from parents to offspring.
 Centrosome Chromosome

centrosome during cell

division.

They are found in the

Found in animal cell
nucleus of both plant and
only.
animal cell.

Question 2(d)

Differentiate between Cell wall and cell membrane.

Answer

Cell wall Cell membrane

Living, flexible membrane and

Non-living rigid layer
thin

Composed of
Composed of lipoproteins
cellulose

Permeable freely Semi-permeable

Question 2(e)

Differentiate between Plant cell and animal cell.

Answer

Plant cell Animal cell

Cell wall is definite and made of

No cell wall
cellulose

Centrosome is
Centrosome is absent
present

Plastids usually present Plastids absent

Question 2(f)

Differentiate between Prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Answer

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes

Have a well-defined
Cells contain primitive and
nucleus along with a
undefined nucleus.
nuclear membrane.

Other than ribosomes,

Possess other cell
they do not contain any
organelles.
other cell organelle.

Possess smaller
Larger ribosomes.
ribosomes.

Example – Blue-green
Example – Humans
algae

Question 3

State the major functions of the following-

1. Plasma membrane

2. Ribosome

3. Lysosome

4. Mitochondria

5. Golgi apparatus

6. Cytoplasm

7. Asters of centrosome

8. Chromosomes

9. Glycogen granule

10. Vacuoles

Answer

The major functions are as follows-

1. Plasma membrane —

i. Separates contents of cell from its surroundings.

 ii. Regulates the entry of certain solutes and ions.

iii. Maintains shape of the cell in animal cells.

2. Ribosome —

i. Protein synthesis

3. Lysosome —

i. Intracellular digestion.

ii. Destroy foreign substances.

iii. They are referred to as 'suicidal bags' as they destroy cell organelles when
they turn old or are damaged.

iv. Digest cartilages during formation of bones.

4. Mitochondria —

i. Controls the cell functions.

ii. Referred to as ‘power house of the cell’, as energy is stored in the form of
ATP.

iii. Involved in cellular respiration to release energy.

iv. Bearers of genes.

5. Golgi apparatus(in animal cells) —

i. Synthesis and secretion of enzymes, hormones,etc.

ii. Acrosomes of sperms are formed.

6. Cytoplasm —

i. Contains organelles perform multitude of functions.

ii. Performs all metabolic activities.

7. Asters of centrosome —

i. Cell division – regulation and initiation.

ii. Spindle fibre formation.

8. Chromosomes —

i. Passes genetic characteristics from parents to offspring.

9. Glycogen granule —

i. Food for cells.

 10. Vacuoles —

i. Stores food, water, pigments and waste products.

ii. Renders turgidity to the plant cell.

Question 4

Mention the three differences between a living cell and a brick in a wall

Answer

Following are the differences between a living cell and a brick in a wall-

Living cell Brick

Living structure
The living structure is non-rigid
is rigid

Contains soil
Contains cellulose chiefly
primarily

Is functional in nature, performs

critical functions pertaining to life Non-functional
processes

Generously permeable Impermeable

Question 5

List any six features found both in plant and animal cells.

Answer

Given below are the following six features found both in plant and animal cells

1. Cell membrane is present.

2. Golgi body is present.

3. Liquid matrix known as cytoplasm is observed in the cell.

4. Mitochondria generates energy, is found in the cells.

5. Ribosomes are found. They are responsible for protein synthesis.

6. A prominent nucleus is observed.

Structured/Application/Skill Type
Question 1

Given below are the sketches of two types of cells A and B.

(a) Which one of these is a plant cell? Give reason in support of your answer.

(b) List the cell structures which are common to both the types.

(c) Name the structures found only in plant cells and those found only in animal cells.

Answer

(a) Figure B is a plant cell because in Figure B, the cell has a cell wall, a large vacuole
and the vacuole is seen pushing the nucleus to the periphery.

(b) Cell structures common to both the types in the figure are:

1. Nucleus

2. Mitochondria

3. Ribosome

4. Cell membrane

5. Lysosome

6. Endoplasmic reticulum

7. Golgi body

(c) The structures found only in plant cells are Cell wall and Plastid. The structures
found only in animal cells are Centrosome.