Cell: The Unit of Life – NEET MCQs with Concept | Class 11 NCERT

Cell: The Unit of Life

Every living thing – whether it’s a tiny bacterium or a giant whale – is made up of cells. The cell is often called the basic unit of life, because it performs all the essential functions like metabolism, energy production, growth, and reproduction.

This chapter is a high-yield favorite in NEET because most questions are direct and fact-based. So, let’s revise key concepts quickly and then dive into MCQs with reminders to make your preparation strong.

1. Discovery of cell –

Robert Hooke (1665) observed cork cells.
Leeuwenhoek (1674) observed living cells.
Schleiden & Schwann (1838–39) gave cell theory.
Virchow (1855): “Omnis cellula e cellula” (cells arise from pre-existing cells).

2. Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic –

Prokaryotes: no true nucleus, no membrane-bound organelles (e.g., bacteria).
Eukaryotes: well-defined nucleus + organelles.

3. Cell organelles –

Mitochondria = Powerhouse of cell.
ER = RER (protein synthesis), SER (lipid synthesis).
Golgi body = Packaging & secretion.
Lysosomes = Suicide bags.
Chloroplast = Photosynthesis.
Nucleus = Genetic material (DNA).

4. Chromosomes –

DNA + proteins, seen during cell division.

MCQs with Concept Reminder

Q1. Who discovered cells for the first time?
A) Robert Brown
B) Robert Hooke
C) Schleiden
D) Virchow

Answer : B) Robert Hooke
Concept Reminder:
Hooke (1665) coined the term “cell” after observing cork under microscope.

Q2. Which scientist proposed “All cells arise from pre-existing cells”?
A) Schleiden
B) Schwann
C) Virchow
D) Leeuwenhoek

Answer : C) Virchow
Concept Reminder:
Virchow (1855) – “Omnis cellula e cellula.”

Q3. Which of the following is NOT present in prokaryotic cells?
A) Nucleoid
B) Ribosomes
C) Mitochondria
D) Plasma membrane

Answer : C) Mitochondria

Concept Reminder:
Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria, ER, Golgi.

Q4. The size of ribosomes in prokaryotes is:
A) 80S
B) 70S
C) 60S
D) 40S

Answer : B) 70S
Concept Reminder:
Prokaryotes → 70S ribosomes.
Eukaryotes → 80S ribosomes.

Q5. Which cell organelle is called “Powerhouse of the cell”?
A) Nucleus
B) Mitochondria
C) Golgi body
D) Chloroplast

Answer : B) Mitochondria
Concept Reminder:
Mitochondria generate ATP by cellular respiration.

Q6. Function of ribosomes is:
A) Photosynthesis
B) Protein synthesis
C) Lipid synthesis
D) DNA replication

Answer : B) Protein synthesis
Concept Reminder:
Ribosomes are protein factories of the cell.

Q7. Which organelle is called “Suicidal bag of cell”?
A) Nucleus
B) Lysosome
C) Peroxisome
D) Mitochondria

Answer : B) Lysosome
Concept Reminder:
Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes, responsible for autolysis.

Q8. Which of the following is absent in animal cells?
A) Mitochondria
B) Cell wall
C) ER
D) Nucleus

Answer : B) Cell wall
Concept Reminder:
Plants = cell wall, chloroplast, large vacuole.
Animals = centrioles, lysosomes.

Q9. Who discovered the nucleus?
A) Virchow
B) Robert Brown
C) Schwann
D) Leeuwenhoek

Answer : B) Robert Brown
Concept Reminder:
Robert Brown (1831) discovered the nucleus.

Q10. The fluid mosaic model of plasma membrane was proposed by:
A) Robertson
B) Singer and Nicolson
C) Danielli and Davson
D) Hooke

Answer : B) Singer and Nicolson
Concept Reminder:
Singer & Nicolson (1972): Plasma membrane = proteins embedded in lipid bilayer.

Q11. Which of these organelles has double membrane?
A) Lysosome
B) Mitochondria
C) Ribosome
D) Centriole

Answer : B) Mitochondria
Concept Reminder:
Double membrane organelles: Mitochondria, Plastids, Nucleus.

Q12. In plant cells, genetic material is present in:
A) Only nucleus
B) Nucleus + mitochondria
C) Nucleus + mitochondria + chloroplast
D) Only cytoplasm

Answer : C) Nucleus + mitochondria + chloroplast

Concept Reminder:
Mitochondria & chloroplasts have their own DNA (semi-autonomous organelles).

Q13. Stroma and thylakoid are parts of:
A) Mitochondria
B) Chloroplast
C) ER
D) Nucleus

Answer : B) Chloroplast

Concept Reminder:
Chloroplast = Stroma (matrix) + thylakoids (grana).

Q14. The cell theory was proposed by:
A) Schleiden & Schwann
B) Hooke & Leeuwenhoek
C) Virchow & Schwann
D) Brown & Hooke

Answer : A) Schleiden & Schwann
Concept Reminder:
Cell theory (1838–39): Schleiden (plants) + Schwann (animals).

Q15. Which structure regulates entry and exit of molecules in cell?
A) Cytoplasm
B) Plasma membrane
C) Cell wall
D) Nucleus

Answer : B) Plasma membrane
Concept Reminder:
Plasma membrane = selectively permeable.

Revision

Cell = structural and functional unit of life.
Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes: Presence/absence of true nucleus & organelles.
Key organelles:
Ribosomes → protein synthesis.
Mitochondria → ATP production.
Lysosomes → digestion & autolysis.
Golgi → packaging & secretion.
Nucleus = genetic control center.
Plasma membrane = fluid mosaic model, selectively permeable.

Exam Tip

NEET often asks direct one-liner questions like:
Who discovered nucleus?
Size of prokaryotic ribosomes?
Which organelles have their own DNA?
Fluid mosaic model → Singer & Nicolson.

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