The Fundamental Unit of Life MCQ Class 9 Quiz

Q: Who discovered the cell?

Robert Hooke discovered the cell in 1665 while examining a thin slice of cork under a microscope

Q: What are the different types of cells?

There are two main types of cells: prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells lack a nuclear membrane and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have both of these features.

Q: What are the different parts of a cell?

The different parts of a cell are the plasma membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, mitochondria, plastids, and vacuoles.

Question 1

Question 1: Who first observed cells and in what?

A. Robert Hooke, cork slice B. Robert Brown, cork sliceC. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, pond waterD. Matthias Schleiden, plant cells

Answer

A. Robert Hooke, cork slice. Robert Hooke first observed cells in a thin slice of cork.

Question 2

Question 2: What did Robert Hooke call the tiny compartments he observed?

A. AtomsB. Cells C. OrganellesD. Nuclei

Answer

B. Cells. Hooke named the compartments ‘cells’.

Question 3

Question 3: What does the Latin word ‘cell’ mean?

A. A little room B. A building blockC. A small unitD. A living thing

Answer

A. A little room. The Latin word ‘cell’ means ‘a little room’.

Question 4

Question 4: Who discovered the nucleus of the cell?

A. Robert HookeB. Robert Brown C. Antonie van LeeuwenhoekD. Matthias Schleiden

Answer

B. Robert Brown. Robert Brown discovered the nucleus in 1831.

Question 5

Question 5: What is the basic building block of all living organisms?

A. The atomB. The moleculeC. The cell D. The nucleus

Answer

C. The cell. The cell is the basic building block of all living organisms.

Question 6

Question 6: Who first observed free-living cells in pond water?

A. Robert HookeB. Robert BrownC. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek D. Matthias Schleiden

Answer

C. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. Leeuwenhoek discovered the free-living cells in pond water.

Question 7

Question 7: In what year was the nucleus discovered?

A. 1665B. 1674C. 1831 D. 1839

Answer

C. 1831. Robert Brown discovered the nucleus in 1831.

Question 8

Question 8: What is the honeycomb-like structure observed by Robert Hooke?

A. Cell wallB. CytoplasmC. Network of cells D. DNA

Answer

C. Network of cells. Robert Hooke observed a honeycomb-like structure, which is a network of cells.

Question 9

Question 9: Which instrument was used to observe the first cells?

A. TelescopeB. Primitive microscope C. Electron microscopeD. Spectrometer

Answer

B. Primitive microscope. Hooke made this observation through a self-designed (primitive) microscope.

Question 10

Question 10: What is the significance of Robert Hooke’s observation of cells?

A. It was the first time someone had observed separate units in living things. B. It led to the discovery of the nucleus.C. It proved that plants are made of cells.D. It allowed scientists to study the internal structure of cells.

Answer

A. It was the first time someone had observed separate units in living things. This was the very first time that someone had observed that living things appear to consist of separate units.

Question 11

Question 11: What are cells?

A. The basic building blocks of all living things. B. The smallest particles of matter.C. The functional units of the brain.D. The organelles that carry out photosynthesis.

Answer

A. The basic building blocks of all living things. These small structures that we see are the basic building units of the onion bulb. These structures are called cells.

Question 12

Question 12: What is the primary function of cells?

A. To produce energyB. To store genetic informationC. To synthesize proteinsD. To carry out all the basic functions of life.

Answer

D. To carry out all the basic functions of life. Each living cell has the capacity to perform certain basic functions that are characteristic of all living forms.

Question 13

Question 13: How did Robert Hooke’s discovery contribute to the field of biology?

A. It led to the development of the cell theoryB. It helped scientists understand the functions of different cell organellesC. It established the cell as the fundamental unit of life. D. It enabled scientists to classify organisms as unicellular or multicellular

Answer

C. It established the cell as the fundamental unit of life. This was the very first time that someone had observed that living things appear to consist of separate units. The use of the word ‘cell’ to describe these units is being used till this day in biology.

Question 14

Question 14: What is the relationship between cells and the structure of living organisms?

A. Cells are the basic building blocks that make up all living organisms. B. Cells are only found in certain types of living organisms.C. Cells are not essential for the structure of living organisms.D. Cells are only involved in the reproduction of living organisms.

Answer

A. Cells are the basic building blocks that make up all living organisms. Not only onions, but all organisms that we observe around are made up of cells.

Question 15

Question 15: What is the difference between the discoveries of Robert Hooke and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek?

A. Hooke observed non-living cells, while Leeuwenhoek observed living cells. B. Hooke observed plant cells, while Leeuwenhoek observed animal cells.C. Hooke used a microscope, while Leeuwenhoek did not.D. Hooke’s discovery was accidental, while Leeuwenhoek’s was intentional.

Answer

A. Hooke observed non-living cells, while Leeuwenhoek observed living cells. Leeuwenhoek discovered the free-living cells in pond water for the first time.

Question 16

Question 16: Who proposed the cell theory?

A. Robert Hooke and Antonie van LeeuwenhoekB. Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann C. Robert Brown and Rudolf VirchowD. Camillo Golgi and Santiago Ramón y Cajal

Answer

B. Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann. The cell theory, that all the plants and animals are composed of cells and that the cell is the basic unit of life, was presented by two biologists, Schleiden (1838) and Schwann (1839).

Question 17

Question 17: What does the cell theory state?

A. All living organisms are made up of cells, and the cell is the basic unit of life. B. Cells are only found in plants and animals.C. Cells can be created from non-living matter.D. All cells have the same internal structure.

Answer

A. All living organisms are made up of cells, and the cell is the basic unit of life. The cell theory, that all the plants and animals are composed of cells and that the cell is the basic unit of life, was presented by two biologists, Schleiden (1838) and Schwann (1839).

Question 18

Question 18: Who expanded the cell theory by suggesting that all cells arise from pre-existing cells?

A. Robert HookeB. Rudolf Virchow C. Antonie van LeeuwenhoekD. Camillo Golgi

Answer

B. Rudolf Virchow. The cell theory was further expanded by Virchow (1855) by suggesting that all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Question 19

Question 19: What invention allowed scientists to observe and understand the complex structure of the cell and its organelles?

A. The light microscopeB. The electron microscope C. The telescopeD. The X-ray machine

Answer

B. The electron microscope. With the discovery of the electron microscope in 1940, it was possible to observe and understand the complex structure of the cell and its various organelles.

Question 20

Question 20: What is the significance of the cell theory?

A. It established the cell as the fundamental unit of life. B. It helped scientists understand the functions of different cell organelles.C. It enabled scientists to classify organisms as unicellular or multicellular.D. All of the above.

Answer

D. All of the above.

Question 21

Question 21: What is the modern cell theory?

A. All living organisms are made up of cells, and the cell is the basic unit of life. All cells arise from pre-existing cells. B. Cells are only found in plants and animals.C. Cells can be created from non-living matter.D. All cells have the same internal structure.

Answer

A. All living organisms are made up of cells, and the cell is the basic unit of life. All cells arise from pre-existing cells. The modern cell theory states that:

Question 22

Question 22: What is the role of the electron microscope in cell biology?

A. It allowed scientists to observe the internal structure of cells in detail. B. It was used to discover the nucleus.C. It helped develop the cell theory.D. It is used to study the chemical composition of cells.

Answer

A. It allowed scientists to observe the internal structure of cells in detail. With the discovery of the electron microscope in 1940, it was possible to observe and understand the complex structure of the cell and its various organelles.

Question 23

Question 23: What is the contribution of Matthias Schleiden to the cell theory?

A. He concluded that all plant tissues are composed of cells. B. He discovered the nucleus.C. He proposed that all cells arise from pre-existing cells.D. He observed free-living cells in pond water.

Answer

A. He concluded that all plant tissues are composed of cells. Schleiden (1838) concluded that all plant tissues are composed of cells.

Question 24

Question 24: What is the contribution of Theodor Schwann to cell theory?

A. He concluded that all animal tissues are composed of cells. B. He discovered the nucleus.C. He proposed that all cells arise from pre-existing cells.D. He observed free-living cells in pond water.

Answer

A. He concluded that all animal tissues are composed of cells. Schwann (1839) stated that all animal tissues are composed of cells.

Question 25

Question 25: What is the contribution of Rudolf Virchow to the cell theory?

A. He proposed that all cells arise from pre-existing cells. B. He discovered the nucleus.C. He concluded that all plant tissues are composed of cells.D. He observed free-living cells in pond water.

Answer

A. He proposed that all cells arise from pre-existing cells. The cell theory was further expanded by Virchow (1855) by suggesting that all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Question 26

Question 26: What are unicellular organisms?

A. Organisms made up of a single cell B. Organisms made up of many cellsC. Organisms that can only be seen with a microscopeD. Organisms that do not have a nucleus

Answer

A. Organisms made up of a single cell. Organisms made up of a single cell are called unicellular organisms.

Question 27

Question 27: What are multicellular organisms?

A. Organisms made up of many cells B. Organisms made up of a single cellC. Organisms that can only be seen with a microscopeD. Organisms that do not have a nucleus

Answer

A. Organisms made up of many cells. Organisms made up of many cells are called multicellular organisms.

Question 28

Question 28: Which of the following is a unicellular organism?

A. Amoeba B. HumanC. PlantD. Insect

Answer

A. Amoeba. Amoeba is an example of a unicellular organism.

Question 29

Question 29: Which of the following is a multicellular organism?

A. BacteriaB. Human C. ParameciumD. Chlamydomonas

Answer

B. Human. Humans are multicellular organisms.

Question 30

Question 30: How do unicellular organisms carry out all the functions of life?

A. A single cell carries out all the functions of life. B. They rely on other cells to help them.C. They can only carry out a few basic functions.D. They do not carry out all the functions of life.

Answer

A. A single cell carries out all the functions of life. In unicellular organisms, a single cell carries out all the basic functions of life.

Question 31

Question 31: How do multicellular organisms function?

A. Cells group together to form tissues, organs, and organ systems. B. Each cell carries out all the functions of life independently.C. They rely on unicellular organisms to help them.D. They do not have specialized cells.

Answer

A. Cells group together to form tissues, organs, and organ systems. In multicellular organisms, cells are grouped together to form tissues, organs, and organ systems.

Question 32

Question 32: What is the level of organization in multicellular organisms?

A. Cells → Tissues → Organs → Organ Systems B. Cells → Organ Systems → Tissues → OrgansC. Organ Systems → Organs → Tissues → CellsD. Tissues → Cells → Organs → Organ Systems

Answer

A. Cells → Tissues → Organs → Organ Systems. Cells are grouped to form tissues, tissues are organized to form organs, and organs work together in organ systems.

Question 33

Question 33: What is an example of a tissue in a multicellular organism?

A. Muscle tissue B. The heartC. The digestive systemD. A single muscle cell

Answer

A. Muscle tissue. An example of a tissue in a multicellular organism is muscle tissue.

Question 34

Question 34: What is an example of an organ in a multicellular organism?

A. The heart B. Muscle tissueC. The digestive systemD. A single heart cell

Answer

A. The heart. An example of an organ in a multicellular organism is the heart.

Question 35

Question 35: What is an example of an organ system in a multicellular organism?

A. The digestive system B. Muscle tissueC. The heartD. A single nerve cell

Answer

A. The digestive system. An example of an organ system in a multicellular organism is the digestive system.

Question 36

Question 36: What is the advantage of being multicellular?

A. It allows for specialization of cells and greater complexity. B. It makes organisms smaller and more efficient.C. It allows organisms to reproduce more easily.D. It makes organisms less vulnerable to disease.

Answer

A. It allows for specialization of cells and greater complexity. The specialization of cells allows for greater complexity in multicellular organisms.

Question 37

Question 37: What is the main difference between unicellular and multicellular organisms?

A. Unicellular organisms are made up of a single cell, while multicellular organisms are made up of many cells. B. Unicellular organisms are smaller than multicellular organisms.C. Unicellular organisms are less complex than multicellular organisms.D. All of the above.

Answer

D. All of the above. All the options mentioned are differences between unicellular and multicellular organisms.

Question 38

Question 38: Which of the following is NOT a unicellular organism?

A. Human B. AmoebaC. ParameciumD. Chlamydomonas

Answer

A. Human. Humans are multicellular organisms.

Question 39

Question 39: Which of the following statements is NOT true about unicellular organisms?

A. They are all bacteria. B. They can carry out all the functions of life.C. They are made up of a single cell.D. They are less complex than multicellular organisms.

Answer

A. They are all bacteria. This statement is not true about unicellular organisms. Unicellular organisms include bacteria, amoeba, and chlamydomonas.

Question 40

Question 40: Which of the following statements is NOT true about multicellular organisms?

A. They are all animals. B. They are made up of many cells.C. They have specialized cells.D. They are more complex than unicellular organisms.

Answer

A. They are all animals. This statement is not true. Multicellular organisms include animals, plants, and some fungi.

Question 41

Question 41: What is the outermost covering of a cell called?

A. Cell wallB. Plasma membrane C. Nuclear membraneD. Cytoplasm

Answer

B. Plasma membrane. The outermost covering of a cell is called the plasma membrane.

Question 42

Question 42: What is the function of the plasma membrane?

A. To control what enters and leaves the cell B. To provide structural supportC. To store genetic informationD. To produce energy

Answer

A. To control what enters and leaves the cell. The plasma membrane is selectively permeable, controlling the entry and exit of materials.

Question 43

Question 43: What is the process by which substances move from a region of high concentration to low concentration called?

A. OsmosisB. Diffusion C. Active transportD. Endocytosis

Answer

B. Diffusion. The process by which substances move from a region of high concentration to low concentration is called diffusion.

Question 44

Question 44: What is the process by which water moves across a selectively permeable membrane called?

A. Osmosis B. DiffusionC. Active transportD. Endocytosis

Answer

A. Osmosis. The movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane is called osmosis.

Question 45

Question 45: What is a hypotonic solution?

A. A solution with a higher water concentration than the cell B. A solution with a lower water concentration than the cellC. A solution with the same water concentration as the cellD. A solution that prevents water from entering the cell

Answer

A. A solution with a higher water concentration than the cell. If the medium surrounding the cell has a higher water concentration than the cell, it is known as a hypotonic solution.

Question 46

Question 46: What happens to a cell when it is placed in a hypotonic solution?

A. It swells B. It shrinksC. It stays the same sizeD. It bursts

Answer

A. It swells. In a hypotonic solution, the cell gains water and swells.

Question 47

Question 47: What is an isotonic solution?

A. A solution with the same water concentration as the cell B. A solution with a lower water concentration than the cellC. A solution with a higher water concentration than the cellD. A solution that prevents water from entering the cell

Answer

A. A solution with the same water concentration as the cell. If the medium has exactly the same water concentration as the cell, it is known as an isotonic solution.

Question 48

Question 48: What happens to a cell when it is placed in an isotonic solution?

A. It stays the same size B. It shrinksC. It swellsD. It bursts

Answer

A. It stays the same size. If the medium has exactly the same water concentration as the cell, there will be no net movement of water across the cell membrane, so the cell stays the same size.

Question 49

Question 49: What is a hypertonic solution?

A. A solution with a lower water concentration than the cell B. A solution with a higher water concentration than the cellC. A solution with the same water concentration as the cellD. A solution that prevents water from entering the cell

Answer

A. A solution with a lower water concentration than the cell. If the medium has a lower concentration of water than the cell, it is known as a hypertonic solution.

Question 50

Question 50: What happens to a cell when it is placed in a hypertonic solution?

A. It shrinks B. It swellsC. It stays the same sizeD. It bursts

Answer

A. It shrinks. In a hypertonic solution, the cell loses water and shrinks.

Question 51

Question 51: What is the process by which a cell engulfs food and other materials from its external environment called?

A. Endocytosis B. ExocytosisC. DiffusionD. Osmosis

Answer

A. Endocytosis. Endocytosis is the process by which the cell engulfs food and other materials from its external environment.

Question 52

Question 52: What is the cell wall?

A. A rigid outer covering found in plant cells B. The outermost covering of an animal cellC. A selectively permeable membraneD. A membrane-bound organelle

Answer

A. A rigid outer covering found in plant cells. Plant cells have another rigid outer covering called the cell wall.

Question 53

Question 53: What is the main component of the cell wall?

A. Cellulose B. LipidsC. ProteinsD. Nucleic acids

Answer

A. Cellulose. The plant cell wall is mainly composed of cellulose.

Question 54

Question 54: What is the function of the cell wall?

A. To provide structural support to the cell B. To control what enters and leaves the cellC. To store genetic informationD. To produce energy

Answer

A. To provide structural support to the cell. Cellulose provides structural strength to plants.

Question 55

Question 55: What is plasmolysis?

A. The shrinkage of the contents of the cell away from the cell wall B. The swelling of the cellC. The bursting of the cellD. The movement of water into the cell

Answer

A. The shrinkage of the contents of the cell away from the cell wall. Plasmolysis is the shrinkage or contraction of the contents of the cell away from the cell wall.

Question 56

Question 56: What is the function of the nucleus?

A. To direct the life processes of the cell B. To provide structural supportC. To store energyD. To produce proteins

Answer

A. To direct the life processes of the cell. The nucleus plays a central role in cellular reproduction and directs the chemical activities of the cell.

Question 57

Question 57: What does the nucleus contain?

A. Chromosomes B. MitochondriaC. ChloroplastsD. Ribosomes

Answer

A. Chromosomes. The nucleus contains chromosomes.

Question 58

Question 58: What is the function of chromosomes?

A. To carry genetic information B. To produce energyC. To synthesize proteinsD. To break down waste materials

Answer

A. To carry genetic information. Chromosomes contain the information for inheritance of characters from parents to the next generation.

Question 59

Question 59: What is the cytoplasm?

A. The fluid content inside the plasma membrane B. The region between the plasma membrane and the nucleusC. The genetic material of the cellD. The powerhouse of the cell

Answer

A. The fluid content inside the plasma membrane. The cytoplasm is the fluid content inside the plasma membrane.

Question 60

Question 60: What is the function of the cytoplasm?

A. To hold the cell organelles B. To control what enters and leaves the cellC. To store genetic informationD. To produce energy

Answer

A. To hold the cell organelles.

Question 61

Question 61: What is the main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

A. Prokaryotic cells do not have a membrane-bound nucleus, while eukaryotic cells do. B. Prokaryotic cells are smaller than eukaryotic cells.C. Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells do.D. All of the above.

Answer

D. All of the above. All the options mentioned are differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Question 62

Question 62: Which of the following is a prokaryotic organism?

A. Bacteria B. PlantC. AnimalD. Fungus

Answer

A. Bacteria. Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms.

Question 63

Question 63: Which of the following is a eukaryotic organism?

A. Plant B. BacteriaC. VirusD. Archaea

Answer

A. Plant. Plants are eukaryotic organisms.

Question 64

Question 64: What is the nucleoid?

A. An undefined nuclear region in prokaryotic cells B. The membrane-bound nucleus in eukaryotic cellsC. An organelle involved in protein synthesisD. An organelle involved in energy production

Answer

A. An undefined nuclear region in prokaryotic cells. The nucleoid is the undefined nuclear region in prokaryotic cells.

Accepted Answer

A. To separate the genetic material from the cytoplasm. The nuclear membrane separates the genetic material from the cytoplasm.

Accepted Answer

A. To allow the transfer of materials between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The nuclear membrane has pores which allow the transfer of material between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.

Accepted Answer

A. To synthesize proteins. Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis.

Accepted Answer

A. To transport materials and provide a framework for biochemical activities. The ER functions both as a passageway for intracellular transport and as a manufacturing surface.

Accepted Answer

A. To store, modify, and package proteins. The Golgi apparatus functions in the storage, modification and packaging of products in vesicles.

Accepted Answer

A. To break down waste materials. Lysosomes are a kind of waste disposal system of the cell.

Accepted Answer

A. DNA. DNA is the genetic material, not a cell organelle.

Accepted Answer

A. To produce energy. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell.

Accepted Answer

A. To carry out photosynthesis. Chloroplasts are important for photosynthesis in plants.

Accepted Answer

A. To store water and other substances. Vacuoles are storage sacs for solid or liquid contents.

Accepted Answer

A. Lysosomes. Lysosomes are also known as the ‘suicide bags’ of a cell.

Accepted Answer

A. Mitochondria. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell.

Accepted Answer

A. Chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are important for photosynthesis in plants.

Accepted Answer

A. Ribosomes. Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis.

Accepted Answer

A. Golgi apparatus. The Golgi apparatus is involved in the packaging and dispatching of materials.

Accepted Answer

A. Lysosomes. Lysosomes are a kind of waste disposal system of the cell.

Accepted Answer

A. Photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the function of chloroplasts, not the ER.

Accepted Answer

A. Rough ER and smooth ER. The two types of ER are rough ER and smooth ER.

Accepted Answer

D. All of the above. All the options mentioned are differences between rough ER and smooth ER.

Accepted Answer

A. The process of making new cell membrane. Membrane biogenesis is the process of making new cell membrane.

Accepted Answer

A. To process and package proteins. The Golgi apparatus functions in the storage, modification, and packaging of products in vesicles.

Accepted Answer

A. Stacks of membrane-bound vesicles in the Golgi apparatus. Cisterns are stacks of membrane-bound vesicles in the Golgi apparatus.

Accepted Answer

A. To break down waste materials and cellular debris. Lysosomes are a kind of waste disposal system of the cell. They digest any foreign material as well as worn-out cell organelles.

Accepted Answer

A. Digestive enzymes. Lysosomes are membrane-bound sacs filled with digestive enzymes.

Accepted Answer

A. To produce energy in the form of ATP. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell and release energy in the form of ATP.

Accepted Answer

A. The energy currency of the cell. ATP is known as the energy currency of the cell.

Accepted Answer

A. The process by which new cells are formed. The process by which new cells are made is called cell division.

Accepted Answer

A. Mitosis and meiosis. The two main types of cell division are mitosis and meiosis.

Accepted Answer

A. Growth and repair. The process of cell division by which most of the cells divide for growth is called mitosis.

Accepted Answer

A. Formation of gametes. Specific cells of reproductive organs or tissues in animals and plants divide to form gametes.

Accepted Answer

D. All of the above. All the options mentioned are differences between mitosis and meiosis.

Accepted Answer

A. A new cell formed by cell division. In mitosis, each mother cell divides to form two identical daughter cells.

Accepted Answer

A. Daughter cells produced by mitosis have the same number of chromosomes as the mother cell, while daughter cells produced by meiosis have half the number of chromosomes as the mother cell. Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the mother cell. When a cell divides by meiosis, it produces four new cells with half the number of chromosomes than that of the mother cell.

Accepted Answer

A. To maintain the chromosome number in the offspring after fertilization. The chromosome number is reduced to half in daughter cells produced by meiosis to maintain the chromosome number in the offspring after fertilization.

Accepted Answer

A. Meiosis. Meiosis is involved in the formation of gametes.

Accepted Answer

A. Mitosis and meiosis. The two main types of cell division are mitosis and meiosis.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Cells

The Cell Theory

Unicellular and Multicellular Organisms

Cell Structure

Cell Organelles

Cell Organelles

Cell Division

Most Asked Important Questions on “The Fundamental Unit of Life”

What is the fundamental unit of life?

Who discovered the cell?

What are the different types of cells?

What are the different parts of a cell?

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