1. What is a cell?
Answer: A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life.
2. What are prokaryotic cells?
Answer: Prokaryotic cells are simple cells that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles, like bacteria.
3. What are eukaryotic cells?
Answer: Eukaryotic cells are complex cells that have a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles, such as plant and animal cells.
4. What is the function of the nucleus?
Answer: The nucleus stores genetic material (DNA) and controls cell activities.
5. What is the function of mitochondria?
Answer: Mitochondria produce energy for the cell through cellular respiration.
6. What is the main function of ribosomes?
Answer: Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis.
7. What is the role of chloroplasts in plant cells?
Answer: Chloroplasts capture sunlight and carry out photosynthesis to produce food for the plant.
8. What is the plasma membrane?
Answer: The plasma membrane is a semi-permeable layer that surrounds the cell and regulates the movement of substances in and out.
9. What is cytoplasm?
Answer: Cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance inside the cell that holds the organelles in place and facilitates cellular processes.
10. What are lysosomes?
Answer: Lysosomes are organelles that contain enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris.
11. What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?
Answer: The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for transport or secretion.
12. What are the two main types of endoplasmic reticulum?
Answer: The two types are rough endoplasmic reticulum (with ribosomes) and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (without ribosomes).
13. What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
Answer: The smooth ER synthesizes lipids and detoxifies harmful substances.
14. What is the cytoskeleton?
Answer: The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments and tubules that provide structural support and shape to the cell.
15. What is the function of the cell wall in plant cells?
Answer: The cell wall provides structural support, protection, and helps maintain the shape of plant cells.
16. What is the function of vacuoles in plant cells?
Answer: Vacuoles store water, nutrients, and waste products, and help maintain turgor pressure in plant cells.
17. What is diffusion?
Answer: Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
18. What is osmosis?
Answer: Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane from a region of low solute concentration to high solute concentration.
19. What is active transport?
Answer: Active transport is the movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.
20. What is the role of centrioles in cell division?
Answer: Centrioles help in organizing the spindle fibers during cell division, specifically in mitosis.
21. What is meiosis?
Answer: Meiosis is the process of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four genetically diverse gametes.
22. What is mitosis?
Answer: Mitosis is the process by which a cell divides to produce two identical daughter cells.
23. What are chromosomes?
Answer: Chromosomes are structures made of DNA and proteins that carry genetic information in the cell.
24. What is the difference between plant and animal cells?
Answer: Plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and large vacuoles, while animal cells do not.
25. What is the function of the nucleolus?
Answer: The nucleolus is responsible for producing ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and assembling ribosomes.
26. What is phagocytosis?
Answer: Phagocytosis is the process by which cells engulf and digest solid particles or microorganisms.
27. What are peroxisomes?
Answer: Peroxisomes are organelles that detoxify harmful substances and break down fatty acids.
28. What is the structure of the plasma membrane?
Answer: The plasma membrane is made of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates.
29. What is the role of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
Answer: The rough ER is involved in the synthesis and folding of proteins, which are then transported to other parts of the cell.
30. What is the function of the Golgi apparatus in protein processing?
Answer: The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion or transport within the cell.
These questions cover a range of fundamental concepts in cell biology that are essential for exams.
