MCQs on Cell and Transport

Dr Ashish Anjankar

Cell and Cellular Organelles

Question 1

Which of the following organelles is known as the “powerhouse of the cell”?

A. Ribosome
B. Lysosome
C. Mitochondrion
D. Endoplasmic reticulum

Question 2

Which of the following is a double membrane-bound organelle?

A. Golgi apparatus
B. Ribosome
C. Lysosome
D. Nucleus

Question 3

Which organelle is responsible for the digestion of cellular waste and foreign material?

A. Peroxisome
B. Endoplasmic reticulum
C. Lysosome
D. Nucleolus

Question 4

Which structure is responsible for packaging and sorting proteins for secretion?

A. Nucleolus
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Rough endoplasmic reticulum
D. Centriole

Question 5

The rough endoplasmic reticulum is termed “rough” due to the presence of:

A. Ribosomes
B. DNA
C. Vesicles
D. Lipids

Question 6

Which of the following organelles plays a key role in detoxification reactions in hepatocytes (liver cells)?

A. Mitochondria
B. Peroxisomes
C. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
D. Lysosomes

Question 7

The site of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis in a cell is:

A. Ribosome
B. Nucleoplasm
C. Nucleolus
D. Golgi body

Question 8

Which of the following organelles is non-membranous?

A. Golgi complex
B. Ribosome
C. Lysosome
D. Endoplasmic reticulum

Question 9

Which of the following structures helps in the formation of the spindle apparatus during cell division?

A. Centrosome
B. Nucleolus
C. Peroxisome
D. Golgi complex

Question 10

Which of the following statements about mitochondria is TRUE?

A. They are only found in animal cells
B. They are responsible for lipid synthesis
C. They contain circular DNA and can replicate independently
D. They are involved in protein degradation

✅ Answer Key

  1. C. Mitochondrion

  2. D. Nucleus

  3. C. Lysosome

  4. B. Golgi apparatus

  5. A. Ribosomes

  6. C. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

  7. C. Nucleolus

  8. B. Ribosome

  9. A. Centrosome

  10. C. They contain circular DNA and can replicate independently

 

Fluid Mosaic Model of Cell Membrane

Question 1

The term “fluid mosaic model” was proposed by:

A. Watson and Crick
B. Singer and Nicolson
C. Schleiden and Schwann
D. Hooke and Van Leeuwenhoek

Question 2

In the fluid mosaic model, the fluid nature of the membrane is mainly due to:

A. Proteins
B. Cholesterol
C. Phospholipid bilayer
D. Carbohydrates

Question 3

Which of the following components is embedded within the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane?

A. Peripheral proteins
B. Integral membrane proteins
C. Glycocalyx
D. Ribosomes

Question 4

According to the fluid mosaic model, proteins in the cell membrane are:

A. Fixed in one place
B. Static and immobile
C. Randomly floating within the lipid bilayer
D. Present only on the outer surface

Question 5

Which of the following molecules reduces membrane fluidity at high temperatures and maintains fluidity at low temperatures?

A. Phospholipid
B. Glycolipid
C. Cholesterol
D. Integral protein

Question 6

The carbohydrate components of the plasma membrane are found:

A. On the cytoplasmic side only
B. Between the lipid tails
C. On the extracellular surface
D. Uniformly distributed inside the membrane

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a feature of the fluid mosaic model?

A. Asymmetrical distribution of proteins
B. Lateral movement of phospholipids
C. Presence of rigid, fixed proteins
D. Selective permeability

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the “mosaic” part of the fluid mosaic model?

A. Lipid bilayer flexibility
B. Arrangement of membrane carbohydrates
C. Embedded proteins in a sea of lipids
D. Diffusion of gases across membrane

✅ Answer Key

  1. B. Singer and Nicolson

  2. C. Phospholipid bilayer

  3. B. Integral membrane proteins

  4. C. Randomly floating within the lipid bilayer

  5. C. Cholesterol

  6. C. On the extracellular surface

  7. C. Presence of rigid, fixed proteins

  8. C. Embedded proteins in a sea of lipids

 

 

Transport Across Cell Membrane

Question 1

Which of the following transport mechanisms does NOT require energy?

A. Primary active transport
B. Secondary active transport
C. Facilitated diffusion
D. Endocytosis

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of primary active transport?

A. Glucose transport via GLUT-4
B. Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump
C. Water movement through aquaporins
D. Movement of urea across membrane

Question 3

The movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from a region of low solute concentration to high solute concentration is called:

A. Active transport
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Osmosis
D. Endocytosis

Question 4

In facilitated diffusion, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. It moves substances against the concentration gradient
B. It does not require a carrier protein
C. It requires ATP
D. It involves specific carrier proteins

Question 5

Which of the following transport processes is responsible for bringing cholesterol into the cell?

A. Phagocytosis
B. Pinocytosis
C. Receptor-mediated endocytosis
D. Facilitated diffusion

Question 6

Which of the following best describes phagocytosis?

A. Cellular drinking
B. Movement of water across membrane
C. Ingestion of solid particles by the cell
D. Secretion of proteins

Question 7

Which of the following structures helps water molecules to cross the plasma membrane?

A. Sodium channel
B. Aquaporin
C. Ion pump
D. Phagosome

Question 8

Which of the following statements is CORRECT regarding secondary active transport?

A. It directly uses ATP
B. It transports substances only in one direction
C. It depends on the gradient created by primary active transport
D. It occurs only in neurons

Question 9

A red blood cell placed in a hypertonic solution will:

A. Swell and burst
B. Remain unchanged
C. Shrink
D. Divide rapidly

Question 10

Which process involves fusion of vesicles with the plasma membrane to release contents outside the cell?

A. Endocytosis
B. Exocytosis
C. Active transport
D. Osmosis

✅ Answer Key

  1. C. Facilitated diffusion

  2. B. Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump

  3. C. Osmosis

  4. D. It involves specific carrier proteins

  5. C. Receptor-mediated endocytosis

  6. C. Ingestion of solid particles by the cell

  7. B. Aquaporin

  8. C. It depends on the gradient created by primary active transport

  9. C. Shrink

  10. B. Exocytosis

 

Revision Questions

  1. Which of the following structures provides continuity between two adjacent plant cells for material transport?
    A. Plasmodesmata
    B. Middle lamella
    C. Cell wall pores
    D. Tonoplast

  2. Which organelles are semi-autonomous, having some of their own DNA and ribosomes?
    A. Nucleus & peroxisomes
    B. Mitochondria & chloroplasts
    C. Lysosomes & vacuoles
    D. Golgi apparatus & endoplasmic reticulum

  3. In the fluid mosaic model of cell membrane, which movement is not typical of membrane lipids or proteins?
    A. Lateral diffusion of phospholipids
    B. Rotation of phospholipids about their long axis
    C. Flip‑flop of phospholipids from one leaflet to the opposite spontaneously
    D. Movement of integral proteins within the plane of lipid bilayer

  4. Which of the following is not part of the endomembrane system?
    A. Golgi apparatus
    B. Endoplasmic reticulum
    C. Lysosome
    D. Mitochondria

  5. The glycosylation of proteins in eukaryotic cells begins largely in:
    A. Rough endoplasmic reticulum
    B. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
    C. Cis‑Golgi network
    D. Trans‑Golgi network

  6. Which is the major function of lysosomes?
    A. Synthesis of lipids
    B. Intracellular digestion of macromolecules
    C. ATP production
    D. Ribosomal RNA synthesis

  7. Which one of the following is true regarding membrane potential generation in mitochondria?
    A. Protons are pumped into the mitochondrial matrix during electron transport
    B. Inner mitochondrial membrane is freely permeable to ions
    C. Proton gradient is used by ATP synthase to generate ATP
    D. ATP synthesis occurs in the intermembrane space

  8. Which statement is correct about types of endocytosis?
    A. Phagocytosis is uptake of fluids and dissolved substances
    B. Pinocytosis is highly specific, receptor mediated
    C. Receptor‐mediated endocytosis uses clathrin‑coated pits
    D. All endocytosis forms require no energy

  9. Which organelle is primarily increased in liver cells when detoxification activity increases?
    A. Rough ER
    B. Smooth ER
    C. Golgi apparatus
    D. Lysosomes

  10. Which of the following transport mechanisms does not require energy (ATP directly)?
    A. Primary active transport
    B. Secondary active transport
    C. Facilitated diffusion
    D. Endocytosis

  11. Which membrane type junction allows direct cytoplasmic communication between cells?
    A. Tight junctions
    B. Desmosomes
    C. Gap junctions (animals) / Plasmodesmata (plants)
    D. Adherens junctions

  12. Which of the following is incorrect regarding mitochondria?
    A. They have double membrane
    B. They have their own DNA
    C. Inner membrane has cristae to increase surface area
    D. All protein‐synthesizing ribosomes in mitochondria are 80S

  13. The membrane proteins that act as channels or carriers for facilitated diffusion are generally:
    A. Integral proteins
    B. Peripheral proteins
    C. Glycoproteins exclusively
    D. Lipoproteins

  14. Which of the following is the unit membrane structure distributed throughout cytoplasm as network?
    A. Endoplasmic reticulum
    B. Golgi body
    C. Mitochondrion
    D. Lysosome

  15. Match the following organelles with their major function:

    Organelles Function
    (i) Smooth ER (a) Attaching sugars to proteins
    (ii) Ribosome (b) Protein synthesis
    (iii) Peroxisome (c) Detoxification of H₂O₂
    (iv) Golgi apparatus (d) Lipid & steroid synthesis

    Which of the following is correct matching?
    A. (i)‑d, (ii)‑b, (iii)‑c, (iv)‑a
    B. (i)‑a, (ii)‑c, (iii)‑b, (iv)‑d
    C. (i)‑d, (ii)‑a, (iii)‑c, (iv)‑b
    D. (i)‑b, (ii)‑d, (iii)‑a, (iv)‑c

  16. The major lipid component of the plasma membrane contributing to its fluidity is:
    A. Sphingomyelin
    B. Phosphatidylcholine
    C. Cholesterol
    D. Glycolipids

  17. Which of following statements about aquaporins is correct?
    A. They are integral membrane proteins that facilitate water transport
    B. They require ATP to open or close
    C. They transport ions as well as water
    D. They are only present in plant cells

  18. The difference in permeability between outer and inner mitochondrial membrane is because:
    A. Inner membrane has many porin channels
    B. Outer membrane has tight junctions
    C. Inner membrane is highly folded and has specific transporters; outer membrane more permeable to small molecules
    D. Both membranes have same permeability

  19. Which of the following is a characteristic of passive diffusion?
    A. Movement against concentration gradient
    B. Requires carrier proteins
    C. Saturable kinetics
    D. Does not require metabolic energy

  20. In which face of Golgi apparatus does secretory vesicle bud off to deliver processed proteins to outside of the cell?
    A. Cis‑face (forming face)
    B. Medial cisternae
    C. Trans‑face (maturing face)
    D. Endoplasmic reticulum junction

✅ Answer Key

Q‑No Key
1 A
2 B
3 C
4 D
5 A
6 B
7 C
8 C
9 B
10 C
11 C
12 D
13 A
14 A
15 A
16 C
17 A
18 C
19 D
20 C

Case based and Analytical MCQs

Q1.

A researcher isolates a eukaryotic cell and finds it has extensive smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Which function is most likely dominant in this cell?

A. Protein synthesis
B. Steroid hormone production
C. ATP production
D. Ribosome assembly

Q2.

A 4-year-old child is diagnosed with a lysosomal storage disorder. Which of the following is the most likely cause of cellular dysfunction in this condition?

A. Defective protein folding in the ER
B. Inhibition of Golgi vesicle transport
C. Accumulation of undigested substrates in lysosomes
D. Excessive peroxisomal beta-oxidation

Q3.

A laboratory technician adds a substance to a cell suspension that disrupts the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump. What immediate intracellular change is expected?

A. Increased intracellular Na⁺ and decreased K⁺
B. Decreased intracellular Ca²⁺
C. Hyperpolarization of the membrane potential
D. Increased glucose uptake

Q4.

A histology student identifies a structure with stacked, flattened cisternae near the nucleus involved in glycosylation and protein sorting. Which organelle is being described?

A. Rough endoplasmic reticulum
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Lysosome
D. Peroxisome

Q5.

In a case of Zellweger syndrome, there is defective peroxisome biogenesis. Which of the following cellular functions would be most affected?

A. Steroid hormone synthesis
B. Oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids
C. Protein phosphorylation
D. Glycolysis

Q6.

A patient is found to have a mitochondrial DNA mutation. Which of the following tissues is most likely to show early clinical signs?

A. Cartilage
B. Skeletal muscle
C. Epidermis
D. Lymph nodes

Q7.

Facilitated diffusion differs from simple diffusion in which of the following ways?

A. Requires ATP
B. Moves substances against concentration gradient
C. Is saturable and specific
D. Only transports lipophilic molecules

Q8.

A student observes that glucose is transported into cells against its concentration gradient in the intestines. Which transport mechanism is responsible?

A. Simple diffusion
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Secondary active transport
D. Osmosis

Q9.

Endocytosis of LDL particles by hepatocytes is impaired in familial hypercholesterolemia. Which of the following components is most likely defective?

A. Clathrin
B. LDL receptor
C. SNARE proteins
D. Dynamin

Q10.

A patient is given a drug that causes depolymerization of microtubules. Which of the following cellular processes will most likely be affected?

A. Protein synthesis
B. DNA replication
C. Chromosome separation during mitosis
D. Glycolysis

✅ Answer Key:

  1. B. Steroid hormone production

  2. C. Accumulation of undigested substrates in lysosomes

  3. A. Increased intracellular Na⁺ and decreased K⁺

  4. B. Golgi apparatus

  5. B. Oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids

  6. B. Skeletal muscle

  7. C. Is saturable and specific

  8. C. Secondary active transport

  9. B. LDL receptor

  10. C. Chromosome separation during mitosis

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