Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells (NEET Level)

 NEET Level Questions with Answers:

 

1. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of prokaryotic cells?

 a) Lack a nuclear membrane
 b) Have a single circular chromosome
 c) Contain membrane-bound organelles
 d) Can be unicellular or multicellular

Answer: (c) Contain membrane-bound organelles (Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles)

2. Eukaryotic cells are generally larger and more complex than prokaryotic cells. What is the MAIN reason for this difference?

 a) Eukaryotic cells have a single circular chromosome.
 b) Eukaryotic cells lack a cell wall.
 c) Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles for specialized functions.
 d) Eukaryotic cells reproduce by binary fission.

Answer: (c) Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles for specialized functions. (Organelles allow for compartmentalization and increased efficiency in eukaryotic cells)

3.  Which of the following pairs correctly compares prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

 a) Prokaryotic - have a nucleus, Eukaryotic - lack a nucleus
 b) Prokaryotic - have membrane-bound organelles, Eukaryotic - lack membrane-bound organelles
 c) Prokaryotic - have multiple linear chromosomes, Eukaryotic - have a single circular chromosome
 d) Prokaryotic - reproduce by binary fission, Eukaryotic - reproduce by mitosis

Answer: (d) Prokaryotic - reproduce by binary fission, Eukaryotic - reproduce by mitosis

 
4. Which of the following is a characteristic shared by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

 a) Presence of a nucleus
 b) Presence of membrane-bound organelles  
 c) Cell wall made of cellulose  
 d) Circular DNA molecule

Answer: (d) Circular DNA molecule (Both prokaryotes and some eukaryotes have circular DNA)

5.  Eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus. What molecule is primarily found within the eukaryotic nucleus?

 a) RNA  
 b) Proteins  
 c) DNA  
 d) Carbohydrates

Answer: (c) DNA (Genetic material is stored in the form of DNA within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells)

6. Prokaryotic cells are typically smaller than eukaryotic cells. What is the advantage of this smaller size for prokaryotes?

 a) Allows for complex organelle organization
 b) Enables faster diffusion of materials across the cell membrane  
 c) Facilitates efficient movement  
 d) Supports a multicellular body plan

Answer: (b) Enables faster diffusion of materials across the cell membrane (Smaller size reduces the distance molecules need to travel)

7. Binary fission is the mode of reproduction in prokaryotes. What happens to the single chromosome during binary fission?

 a) It remains in the parent cell  
 b) It breaks down into fragments  
 c) It replicates and gets distributed to daughter cells  
 d) It undergoes meiosis

Answer: (c) It replicates and gets distributed to daughter cells (Binary fission involves replication of the chromosome followed by cell division)

8. Which of the following organelles is NOT found in prokaryotic cells?

 a) Ribosomes  
 b) Mitochondria  
 c) Cell wall  
 d) Plasma membrane

Answer: (b) Mitochondria (Mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles for energy production, absent in prokaryotes)

9.  Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles found in eukaryotic cells. What is the main function of lysosomes?

 a) Photosynthesis  
 b) Protein synthesis  
 c) Waste disposal and cellular breakdown  
 d) Cellular respiration

Answer: (c) Waste disposal and cellular breakdown (Lysosomes contain enzymes for digesting cellular waste and foreign materials)

10.  The cell wall provides structural support and protection for the cell. Which of the following components is a MAJOR constituent of the plant cell wall?

 a) Chitin  
 b) Cellulose  
 c) Peptidoglycan  
 d) Phospholipids

Answer: (b) Cellulose (Cellulose is a major polysaccharide providing rigidity to the plant cell wall)

11.  Endoplasmic reticulum is a network of membranes within the eukaryotic cell.  What is a MAJOR function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?

 a) Synthesis of proteins  
 b) Synthesis of lipids  
 c) Transport of materials within the cell  
 d) Cellular respiration

Answer: (a) Synthesis of proteins (RER has ribosomes attached to its surface for protein synthesis)

12.  Golgi apparatus is an organelle involved in processing and packaging materials in eukaryotic cells.  What kind of molecules are typically modified and packaged by the Golgi apparatus?

 a) Sugars  
 b) Proteins  
 c) Lipids  
 d) All of the above

Answer: (d) All of the above (Golgi apparatus processes, modifies, and packages various molecules like proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates)

13.  Vacuoles are membrane-bound sacs found in both plant and animal cells.  What is the MAIN difference in the function of vacuoles in these two kingdoms?

 a) Animal cells use vacuoles for storage, while plant cells use them for waste disposal.
 b) Plant cells use vacuoles for storage, while animal cells use them for photosynthesis.
 c) Animal cells use vacuoles for waste disposal, while plant cells use them for turgidity.
 d) There is no significant difference in function.

Answer: (c) Animal cells use vacuoles for storage (often waste products), while plant cells use them for storage and maintaining turgor pressure (cell rigidity).

 
14.  Which of the following correctly describes the genetic material in prokaryotes?

 a) Linear chromosomes within a nucleus
 b) Multiple circular chromosomes in the cytoplasm
 c) Single, circular chromosome in the nucleoid region
 d) Packaged DNA with associated proteins forming chromatin

Answer: (c) Single, circular chromosome in the nucleoid region (Prokaryotes lack a nucleus and have a single circular chromosome)

15.  Ribosomes are essential for protein synthesis and are found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.  What is the MAIN difference between ribosomes in these two cell types?

 a) Prokaryotic ribosomes are smaller and simpler.
 b) Eukaryotic ribosomes are free-floating in the cytoplasm, while prokaryotic ribosomes are attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.
 c) Prokaryotic ribosomes require different tRNAs compared to eukaryotic ribosomes.
 d) Eukaryotic ribosomes have a protein membrane, while prokaryotic ribosomes lack a membrane.

Answer: (a) Prokaryotic ribosomes are smaller and simpler (Eukaryotic ribosomes have a larger subunit structure)

16.  Flagella are hair-like structures used for locomotion in some prokaryotes.  Do eukaryotic cells also possess flagella for movement?

 a) Yes, eukaryotic flagella are structurally similar to those in prokaryotes.
 b) Yes, but eukaryotic flagella are more complex and have a different internal structure.
 c) No, eukaryotic cells typically use cilia or other structures for movement, if present.
 d) Flagella are not used for locomotion in any cell type.

Answer: (c) No, eukaryotic cells typically use cilia or other structures for movement, if present. (Eukaryotic flagella have a 9+2 microtubule structure, unlike the simpler prokaryotic flagella)

17.  Organelles allow eukaryotic cells to compartmentalize specific functions.  Which of the following organelles is NOT directly involved in energy production?

 a) Mitochondria
 b) Chloroplasts (in plant cells)
 c) Ribosomes
 d) Golgi apparatus

Answer: (d) Golgi apparatus (Golgi apparatus is involved in packaging and modifying materials, not directly in energy production)

18.  Selectively permeable membranes are crucial for regulating the movement of substances into and out of cells.  What is the MAIN component of the cell membrane in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

 a) Proteins  
 b) Carbohydrates  
 c) Lipids (phospholipids)  
 d) Nucleic acids

Answer: (c) Lipids (phospholipids) (Phospholipid bilayer forms the basic structure of the cell membrane)

19.  Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles containing digestive enzymes.  What would MOST likely happen to a cell if its lysosomes malfunctioned?

 a) The cell would be unable to synthesize proteins.
 b) The cell would be unable to perform photosynthesis (if a plant cell).
 c) The cell would accumulate waste products and cellular debris.
 d) The cell would lose its ability to move (if a motile cell).

Answer: (c) The cell would accumulate waste products and cellular debris (Lysosomes are responsible for digesting cellular waste)

20.  Vacuoles are membrane-bound sacs with various functions.  Which of the following statements is TRUE about vacuoles in animal cells?

 a) They are the primary site for photosynthesis.
 b) They maintain turgor pressure and provide structural support in plant cells.
 c) They store a variety of molecules, including waste products.
 d) They are the main site for protein synthesis.

Answer: (c) They store a variety of molecules, including waste products. (Animal vacuoles primarily function in storage)

21.  Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of membranes within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.  What is the MAIN difference between rough ER (RER) and smooth ER (SER)?

 a) RER is involved in protein synthesis, while SER is involved in lipid synthesis.
 b) RER is located near the nucleus, while SER is located near the cell membrane.
 c) RER has ribosomes attached to its surface, while SER does not.
 d) RER is involved in waste disposal, while SER is involved in detoxification.

Answer: (c) RER has ribosomes attached to its surface, while SER does not. (Ribosomes on RER facilitate protein synthesis)

Assertion and reasioning

1. Assertion (A): All living organisms are made up of cells.  Reason (R): Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in all living things.

Answer: (A) is true, (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (Cells are fundamental building blocks of   all living organisms)

2. Assertion (A): Photosynthesis occurs only in green plants. Reason (R): Chlorophyll, a green pigment, is essential for photosynthesis.

Answer: (A) is true, (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (While some bacteria can perform photosynthesis, it's a defining characteristic of plants due to chlorophyll)

3. Assertion (A): DNA is the genetic material found in all living organisms. Reason (R): DNA carries the instructions for building and maintaining an organism.

Answer: (A) is true, (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (DNA is the universal genetic material)

4. Assertion (A): Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells. Reason (R): Enzymes are specific and only work on one type of substrate.

Answer: (A) is true, (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (Enzymes have specific shapes that fit with specific substrates)

5. Assertion (A): The human body has different types of tissues. Reason (R): Tissues are groups of cells with similar structure and function.

Answer: (A) is true, (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (Tissues like muscle, bone, and nerve tissue have specialized structures and functions)

6. Assertion (A): In humans, the process of breathing involves the inhalation of oxygen and exhalation of carbon dioxide. Reason (R): Cellular respiration utilizes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product.

Answer: (A) is true, (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (Gas exchange during breathing facilitates cellular respiration)

7. Assertion (A): The human heart has four chambers. Reason (R): The heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.

Answer: (A) is true, (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (The four chambers allow for efficient blood circulation)

8. Assertion (A): The nervous system controls and coordinates all the activities of the body. Reason (R): The nervous system transmits messages through neurons.

Answer: (A) is true, (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (Neurons carry electrical signals for communication and control)

9. Assertion (A): The immune system protects the body from pathogens. Reason (R): The immune system produces white blood cells that fight infections.

Answer: (A) is true, (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (White blood cells are a key component of the immune system's defense mechanisms)

10. Assertion (A): Antibiotics can be used to treat viral infections. Reason (R): Antibiotics target bacteria and do not affect viruses.

Answer: (A) is false, (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, which have a different structure)

 Identifying the More Accurate Statement

    Statement A: Prokaryotic cells are more complex than eukaryotic cells. Statement B: Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles for specialized functions.

Answer: B is more accurate. (Eukaryotic cells with organelles are more complex compared to prokaryotes lacking them)

    Statement A: Photosynthesis occurs only in land plants. Statement B: Chlorophyll is a pigment essential for photosynthesis.

Answer: B is more accurate. (While land plants are the primary photosynthetic organisms, some bacteria can also perform photosynthesis using chlorophyll)

    Statement A: DNA replication happens during mitosis. Statement B: DNA replication is necessary for cell division.

Answer: B is more accurate. (DNA replication precedes both mitosis and meiosis to ensure proper chromosome distribution during cell division)

    Statement A: Lysosomes are the sites of protein synthesis in a cell. Statement B: Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis.

Answer: B is more accurate. (Ribosomes are the organelles for protein synthesis, while lysosomes are involved in waste disposal)

    Statement A: The trachea carries oxygen-rich blood to the body. Statement B: The pulmonary artery carries oxygen-rich blood to the lungs.

Answer: A is more accurate. (The trachea carries air to and from the lungs. The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation)

Format 2: Identifying Statements with Opposing Effects

    Statement A: Enzymes speed up chemical reactions in cells. Statement B: Enzymes slow down chemical reactions in cells.

Answer: The statements have opposing effects. (Enzymes act as catalysts to accelerate reactions)

    Statement A: The process of transpiration helps plants conserve water. Statement B: Stomata are tiny openings on the plant surface that allow gas exchange.

Answer: The statements have opposing effects. (While stomata are necessary for gas exchange, they also facilitate water loss through transpiration)

    Statement A: Antibodies are produced by the immune system to fight pathogens. Statement B: Pathogens are beneficial organisms that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

Answer: The statements have opposing effects. (Antibodies target and neutralize pathogens, while some gut bacteria are beneficial)

    Statement A: The nervous system transmits signals for voluntary actions. Statement B: The endocrine system releases hormones that regulate various body functions.

Answer: The statements have opposing effects. (The nervous system acts through electrical signals for rapid responses, while the endocrine system uses hormones for slower, long-term regulation)

    Statement A: Skeletal muscles are responsible for involuntary movements like breathing. Statement B: Smooth muscles are found in the walls of organs like the intestine and contribute to peristalsis (movement of food).

Answer: The statements have opposing effects. (Skeletal muscles are voluntary, while smooth muscles are involuntary)