Chap 5 : The Fundamental Unit of Life www.rava.org.

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CHAPTER 5
File Revision Date : 6 September 2019
Previous Years Chapterwise Question Bank
CLASS : 9 th
SUB : Science
For Objective Questions and NCERT Solutions
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The Fundamental Unit of Life

ONE MARK QUESTIONS 9. Which organelle makes the digestive enzyme of

lysosome?
Ans :
1. What is plasma membrane made up of? Rough endoplasmic reticulum makes the digestive
Ans : enzyme of lysosomes.

Plasma membrane is made up of proteins and lipids. 10. What are cisterns?
Ans :
2. Name the autonomous organelles in the cell.
The Golgi bodies consist of a system of membrane-
Ans :
bound vesicles arranged in stacks called cisterns.
Chloroplast and mitochondria are the autonomous
organelles in the cells. 11. Name the cell organelles that have their own DNA
and ribosomes. Name the autonomous organelles in
3. Name the smallest cell and the longest cell in human the cell.
body. Ans :
Ans :
The cell organelles with their own DNA and ribosomes
The smallest cell is the red blood cell or sperm cell in are mitochondria and plastids. Chloroplast and
male. The longest cell is the nerve cell. mitochondria are the autonomous organelles in the
cells.
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12. What is the role of cell organelles in the cell?

4. What is diffusion?
Ans :
Ans :
Each kind of cell organelles performs a specific
The process when gases like CO2 and O2, move across function such as making new material, clearing of the
the cell membrane, is called diffusion. waste, transporting material, etc.

5. What is osmosis? 13. What is the energy currency of the cell?

Ans : Ans :
The movement of water molecules through a selectively ATP—Adenosine Triphosphate.
permeable membrane is called osmosis. This takes
place from higher water concentration to lower water
14. What is the function of ribosome?
concentration.
Ans :
6. What is the full form of DNA? Ribosome helps in protein synthesis.
Ans :
15. Where are genes located in the cell?
DNA (Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid).
Ans :
7. Name the cell organelle that helps in packaging? Genes are located in the chromosomes in the nucleus
Ans : of the cell.
Golgi apparatus.
16. Name the cell organelle which helps in the
transportation of material.
8. Why does mitochondria have largely folded inner
membrane? Ans :
Ans : Endoplasmic reticulum.
Mitochondria have largely folded inner membrane
which provides the increased surface area for ATP- 17. Name the cell organelle due to which leaves, flowers
generating chemical reactions. Mitochondria is the and fruits get their colour.
site for cellular respiration and provides energy to the Ans :
cell. Chromoplast.
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18. Name the cell organelle which helps in the formation Onion cell (plant cell) and fungi are two cells with
of lysosome. cell wall.
Ans :
29. State two conditions required for osmosis.
Golgi apparatus.
Ans :
19. Name the cleaning organelle in the cell. (i) The difference in the concentration of water, one
Ans : should have higher concentration than the other.
(ii) Semi-permeable membrane is also required
Lysosomes. through which water will flow.

20. List two similarities between mitochondria and 30. What is plasmolysis?
plastids.
Ans :
Ans :
When a living plant cell loses water through osmosis
Plastids are similar to mitochondria in external there is shrinkage or contraction of the contents of
structure. Like the mitochondria, plastids also have the cell away from the cell wall. This phenomenon is
their own DNA and ribosome. known as plasmolysis.

21. (i) Name the largest animal cell. 31. What is the function of vacuoles?
(ii) Name the smallest cell.
Ans :
Ans :
Vacuoles are the storage sacs for solid or liquid content.
(i) An ostrich egg. In plant cells, it provides turgidity and rigidity to the
(ii) Pleuro pneumonia bacterium. cell. In single-celled organisms, vacuoles store food,
e.g. amoeba.
22. What is cell wall?
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Cell wall is the rigid outer covering of plasma

32. What is nucleoid?
membrane in plant cells.
Ans :
23. What is the cell wall composed of ? The nuclear region in some cells are poorly defined
Ans : due to the absence of a nuclear membrane, it contains
only nucleic acid. This undefined nuclear region with
The cell wall is composed of cellulose. nucleic acid in it is called nucleoid.

24. Name the type of organism in which a single cell 33. Why are plasma membrane called selectively
constitutes the whole organism. permeable membrane?
Ans : Ans :
Organism in which a single cell constitutes the whole Plasma membrane allows to go in and out some
organism is unicellular organism. materials to and from the cell. It also prevents
movement of some other materials. So, it is called
25. Where are proteins synthesized inside the cell? selectively permeable membrane.
Ans :
The proteins are synthesised in the ribosomes, known 34. What would happen to the life of a cell if there was no
as protein factories too. Golgi apparatus?
Ans :
26. What is the function of cell wall and plasma membrane? Golgi apparatus plays an important fusion of storage,
Ans : modification and packaging of the products in
Cell Wall : Gives rigidity, shape and protection to vesicles. If there were no Golgi bodies, packaging and
plant cell. dispatching of materials synthesised by the cell will
Cell Membrane : Allows only selected materials to be stopped.
move in and out of the cell.
35. What is the function of chromosome?
27. What would happen if the plasma membrane breaks Ans :
down? Chromosomes contain information for the hereditary
Ans : pattern of features from parents to next generation in
If plasma membrane breaks down then molecules of the form of DNA molecules.
some substances will freely move in and out.
36. Name the organelles present in liver of animals which
28. Name two cells with cell wall. detoxifies many poisons and drugs.
Ans : Ans :

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In the liver of animal cells, smooth endoplasmic They are responsible for storing and transmitting
reticulum helps in detoxifying many poisons and hereditary information from one generation to
drugs. another. They contain the information necessary for
constructing and organizing cells.
37. What are genes?
Ans : 45. How are new cells reproduced?
Gene is a part of DNA. They are located on Ans :
chromosomes in linear fashions. One gene may Cells multiply by dividing themselves again and again.
perform one or more function. Genes are carrier of Cells divide to produce cells of their own kind.
genetic character.
46. How do substances like CO2 and water move in and
38. Give the function of nuclear membrane. out of the cell?
Ans : Ans :
The nuclear membrane present as outer covering of The substances like CO2 move in and out of a cell by
nucleus allows transfer of material inside and also out diffusion from the region of high concentration to low
of the nucleus to cytoplasm. concentration. Water also obey the law of diffusion.
The movement of water molecule through such a
39. Do vacuoles store material? If so, name them. selective permeable membrane is called osmosis.
Ans :
47. What is a prokaryotic cell?
Yes, vacuoles store some important substances required
in life of the plant cell. These are amino acids, sugars, Ans :
various organic acids and also some proteins. A cell in which there is absence of a defined nuclear
Example : Amoeba, vacuoles also store food. region and a nuclear membrane is called a prokaryotic
cell. Prokaryotic cells are generally small in size. They
40. What are ribosomes? Where are ribosomes located in lack membrane bound cell organelles. They have a
the cell? What is their function? single chromosome.
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Ribosomes are spherical organelles present in the cell
which are either freely distributed in the cytoplasm 48. What is a eukaryotic cell?
or may be attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. It Ans :
has ribosomal RNA (Ribonucleic acid) and proteins.
It helps in protein synthesis. Eukaryotic cells are much larger and more complex
than prokaryotic cells. Their complexity is reflected in
their DNA content. These cells contain a membrane
41. Which cell organelle is known as the ‘suicidal bags’ of
bound nucleus containing nucleolus. A eukaryotic cell
a cell? Why?
contains many membrane bound cell organelles like
Ans : the mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum and
Lysosomes are known as suicidal bag of cell. During the Golgi bodies. These cells have more than one
the disturbance in cellular metabolism, lysosome may chromosome and the cell division is by meiotic mode.
burst and the enzymes digest their own cell. Hence,
lysosome are called ‘suicide bags’ of a cell. 49. How does a living cell perform basic functions?
Ans :
42. Write the functions of cell wall in plant cell.
A living cell perform basic functions by division of
Ans : labour among specific components within it is known
(i) It provides rigidity and strength to the cell. as cell organelles.
(ii) It gives a definite shape to the cell.
(iii) It withstands the osmotic pressure which is 50. How many types of proteins are present in cell
developed by cell contents. structure?
(iv) It protects the inner cell organelles bounding the Ans :
cell from outside.
There are two types of protein molecules : intrinsic
proteins, which completely covers the lipid bilayer
43. What are chromosomes? What are they made of?
and extrinsic proteins, which occur either on the outer
Ans : surface or on the inner surface of the lipid membrane.
The compact rod-like bodies inside the nucleus are
called chromosomes. These are seen at the time of cell 51. Write a function of cell membrane.
division. They are made up of deoxyribonucleic acid Ans :
or DNA and proteins.
Its major function is to hold cellular contents and
control passage of materials in and out of the cell.
44. What is the function of DNA?
Ans :

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52. What could happen if nucleus is removed from the reticulum and rough endoplasmic reticulum.
cell? Ans :
Ans :
If nucleus is removed from a cell, the protoplasm will Smooth endoplasmic Rough endoplasmic
ultimately dry up and the cell will die because the reticulum reticulum
nucleus controls all the metabolic activities of a cell. (i) It looks smooth. It looks rough.

53. Give example of working of chromoplasts. (ii) SER helps in the Ribosomes are
manufacturing of fat attached to RER
Ans :
molecules or lipids. which synthesize
Spinach looks green due to the presence of chloroplasts, proteins.
papaya is yellow and edible part of watermelon is red
due to the presence of chromoplasts.
60. All cells come from pre-existing cells. Justify?
54. Name various cell organelles. Ans :
Ans : All organisms around are made up of one or more
cells. There are single cells organism called unicellular
The cell organelles are : Endoplasmic Reticulum,
like amoeba whereas some single body are made up of
Ribosomes, Golgi apparatus, Lysosomes, Mitochondria,
many cells called multicellular organism. Cells divide
Plastids, Vacuoles, Peroxisomes and Centrosome.
to produce cells of their own kind. Hence, all cells
come from pre-existing cells.
55. Which cell organelle transmits the heredity information
from parents to offspring?
61. What is the function of nucleus in a cell?
Ans :
Ans :
Genes are the functional units of chromosomes which
The nucleus plays a very important role in the
transmit the heredity information from parents to
reproduction of cells. It also helps the single cell to
offspring. These are located on chromosomes.
divide and form two new daughter cells. It also helps
in an important role in determining how cell will
56. What are vacuoles? develop.
Ans :
Vacuoles are fluid-filled structures surrounded by a 62. What is the function of plastids?
membrane. The fluid in the vacuoles is called cell sap. Ans :
In animal cells, either they are absent or are very
Plastids are present only in plant cells. There are two
small in size.
types of plastids chromoplasts (coloured plastids) and
leucoplasts (white or colourless).
57. Where do lipids and proteins get synthesized? Chromoplast : Consists of coloured pigments and
Ans : given different colours to flowers, fruits and leaves.
Lipids get synthesized in the smooth endoplasmic The green colour pigment present in leaf is called
reticulum and proteins get synthesised in the ribosome chlorophyll which helps in the photosynthesis and a
and rough endoplasmic reticulum. plastid with chlorophyll is called chloroplast.
Leucoplast : It stores starch, oil and protein granules
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THREE MARKS QUESTIONS 63. What is the difference in chromatin, chromosomes

and gene?
Ans :
58. How does fungi and bacteria can withstand much
greater changes in the surrounding medium than Chromatin Chromosomes Genes
animal cells? It is a fine The Genes are
Ans : network of chromosomes found in
The cell wall present in fungi and bacteria permits thread-like are made from chromosomes.
these cells to resist very dilute external medium structure made chromatin
without bursting. Water is taken up by osmosis. up of DNA or material and are
Hence, cells swell and build the pressure against the RNA. It gets located in the
cell wall. The wall exerts an equal pressure against the condensed cell.
swollen cell. It is because of the cell wall, such cells to form
can resist much greater changes in the surrounding chromosomes.
medium than animal cells.
64. List any six functions of nucleus of a cell.
59. State the difference between smooth endoplasmic Ans :

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(i) Nucleus plays a central role in cellular reproduction. (i) Structures found only in animal cells : centrosomes,
(ii) It plays an important role in determining the way lysosome.
the cell will develop. (ii) Structures found only in plant cells : cell wall,
(iii) It also determines what form the cell will exhibit plastids and big vacuoles.
at maturity.
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(v) It is the control centre of the cell.
(vi) It directs chemical activities of the cell. 69. Give brief introduction of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic
cell.
65. How does amoeba obtain its food? Ans :
Ans : Prokaryotic cell :
Amoeba take its food by the cell membrane which 1. Cell size is generally small.
forms the food vacuole. 2. Only a single chromosome is present.
3. Nucleolus is absent.
4. Cell division takes place by fission or budding.
Eukaryotic cell :
1. Cell is generally large.
2. More than one chromosome is present.
3. Nucleolus is present.
4. Cell division takes place by mitotic or meiotic.

70. Give difference between organs and organelles.

Ans :
Organs :
They are found in multicellular organisms.
They are large sized.
They may be external or internal to the body of
organisms.
Figure: Food engulf process of amoeba Organelles :
1. They are found in all eukaryotic cells.
2. They are very small sized.
66. Who discovered cells in living organisms? Give an 3. They are mostly internal.
example of unicellular organism.
Ans : 71. Give difference between light and electron microscope.
Leeuwenhoek (1674) was the first to observe the free Ans :
living cells in pond water. Example of unicellular Light microscope :
organisms : Amoeba, Chlamydomonas, Paramoecium, (i) It uses glass lenses.
Bacteria, etc. (ii) It uses a beam of light to illuminate the object.
(iii) Internal vacuum is not required.
Download All PDF files from www.rava.org.in. Electron microscope :
(i) It uses electromagnets.
67. Explain the structure and function of Golgi bodies. (ii) It uses a beam of electrons instead of light.
Ans : (iii) Internal vacuum is essential.
Structures : Golgi bodies consist of a system of
membrane-bound vesicles arranged in stacks parallel 72. Give difference between diffusion and osmosis.
to each other called cisterns. These membranes have Ans :
connections with the membrane of endoplasmic Diffusion :
reticulum (ER). 1. Diffusion can occur in any medium.
Functions : 2. The diffusing molecules may be solids, liquids or
(i) The material synthesized near the ER is packaged gases.
and dispatched to various targets inside and 3. Semipermeable membrane is not required.
outside the cell through Golgi apparatus. 4. An equilibrium in the free energy of diffusion
(ii) It also stores, modifies and helps in the packaging molecules is achieved in the system.
of products in vesicles. Osmosis :
(iii) In some cases, complex sugars may be made from 1. It occurs only in liquid medium.
simple sugars in it. 2. It involves movement of solvent molecules only.
(iv) It also helps in the formation of lysosomes. 3. Semipermeable membrane is required.
4. Equilibrium in the free energy of solvent molecules
68. Name some organelles which are found only in animal is never achieved.
cells and those which occur only in plant cells.
Ans :

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73. Explain endocytosis. (i) When eukaryotic cells are placed in hypotonic
Ans : solution, the water molecules will enter into the
cell and the cell will swell up.
Endocytosis is the ingestion of material by the cells
(ii) If eukaryotic cells are placed in hypertonic
through the plasma membrane. It is a collective term
solution, the water molecules will come out of the
that describes three similar processes : phagocytosis
cell and the cell will shrink.
(cell eating), potocytosis (cell drinking) and receptor-
(iii) If the eukaryotic cell is placed in isotonic solution,
mediated endocytosis. These processes are pathways to
the amount of water molecule will remain the
specifically internalize solid particles, small molecules
same; it will neither move out nor will go inside.
and macromolecules, respectively.
The cell will remain same sized.

74. Why do plant cells have more in number and big-sized

79. What is lacking in a virus which makes it dependant
vacuoles as compared to the animal cells?
on a living cell to multiply?
Ans :
Ans :
Plants cells attain turgidity and rigidity due to the
Viruses do not have a basic structural organization
more number of vacuoles as well as large-sized vacuoles
to perform various life processes in their own as they
help the plant cells to withstand the wear and tear,
look selectively permeable process membrane. After
external environmental conditions. They also help in
entering in a living cell, a virus utilizes its own genetic
the storage of essential material required by plants
material and machinery of host cell to multiply.
for their growth like amino acids, sugar and various
organic substances.
80. What are the types of cell on the basis of type of
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Ans :
75. What is membrane biogenesis? (i) Prokaryotic cells : Cells which have less developed
Ans : nucleus and without nuclear membrane and
The endoplasmic reticulum helps in the manufacture nucleolus. These are primitive and incomplete
of proteins and fat molecules or lipids which are cells. E.g. bacteria.
important for the cell function. These proteins and (ii) Eukaryotic cells : Cells which have well developed
lipids helps in the building of the cell membrane. This nucleus with nuclear membrane and nucleolus.
process is known as membrane biogenesis. E.g. plants and animals.

76. Expand the term ATP. What is use of ATP? 81. Who gave the cell theory? What does it state? Which
Ans : organism is an exception of cell theory?
Ans :
ATP stands for Adenosine Tri-phosphate
Application : ATP molecules are rich in chemical Two biologists; “Schleiden and Schwann” gave the
energy. The body cells use this energy for synthesis “Cell theory” which expanded by “Rudolf Virchow”.
of new chemical compounds, and for mechanical work Cell theory states that :
done by cells. (i) All plants and animals are composed of cells.
(ii) Cell is the basic unit of life.
77. Name the cell organelle which are known as : (iii) All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
1. Control centre of the cell Viruses are the exceptions of cell theory.
2. Demolition squads/suicidal bags of the cell
3. Export firms 82. Give difference between Chloroplasts and
4. Powerhouse of the cell Chromoplasts.
5. Kitchen of the cell Ans :
6. Internal transport system
Chloroplasts :
Ans : (i) They are green plastids.
1. Nucleus (ii) They contain chlorophylls and carotenoids.
2. Lysosomes (iii) Lamellae are present.
3. Golgi bodies (iv) Chloroplasts are sites of photosynthesis.
4. Mitochondria Chromoplasts :
5. Chloroplast (i) They are non-green coloured plastids.
6. Endoplasmic reticulum (ii) Chlorophylls are absent.
(iii) Lamellae are absent.
78. (i) What will happen when eukaryotic cells are placed (iv) They add colour to the organs for attracting
in hypotonic solution? animals to perform pollination and fruit dispersal.
(ii) What will happen if eukaryotic cells are placed in
hypertonic solution? 83. Give difference between ribosome and centrosome.
(iii) What will happen if eukaryotic cells are placed in Ans :
isotonic solution?
Ribosome :
Ans :
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(i) It is found in both animal cell and plant cell. (iii) Helps in formation of cell plate and nuclear
(ii) These are dense, spherical and granular particles membrane during cell division.
which occur freely in the matrix or remain (iv) ER also produces substance for new cellular parts
attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. (especially cell membrane).
Centrosome : (v) ER provides internal support to the colloidal
(i) Centrosome is found only in animal cells. cytoplasmic matrix of the cell.
(ii) It consists of two granules like centrioles.
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84. What are the function of endoplasmic reticulum and
lysosome. FIVE MARKS QUESTIONS
Ans :
(a) Functions of endoplasmic reticulum :
(i) It forms supporting skeletal framework of the 88. Give difference between hypotonic solution, isotonic
cell. solution and hypertonic solution.
(ii) ER provides a pathway for the distribution of Ans :
nuclear material from one cell to the other.
(b) Functions of lysosomes : Hypotonic Isotonic Hypertonic
(i) Lysosomes serve as intracellular digestive Solution Solution Solution
system. They destroy any foreign material
External External External
which enters the cells such as bacteria and
solution having solution solution
virus.
higher having exactly having lower
(ii) Lysosomes also remove the worn out and
concentration the same concentration
poorly working cellular organelles by digesting
of water concentration of water than a
them to make way for their new replacements.
than the cell of water as cell cytoplasm
Add 89056 29969 in Your Class Whatsapp Group to Get All PDF Files. cytoplasm that of cell is called
is known as cytoplasm is hypertonic
85. Distinguish between plasma membrane and cell wall. hypotonic called isotonic solution.
solution. solution.
Ans :
Cell swells up Cell size does Cell shrinks in
Plasma Membrane Cell Wall in this solution. not alter. this solution.

1. It is consisted of It is made up of
proteins and lipids. It complex carbohydrate 89. (a) Name the organelle which provides turgidity and
is living. called cellulose. It is rigidity to the plant cell. Name any two substances
dead or non-living. which are present in it.
(b) How are they useful in unicellular organisms?
2. It is found in both It is found in plant
Ans :
plant and animal cells only.
cells. (a) Plant cells have big vacuoles that provide them
turgidity and rigidity. Plant vacuoles store amino
3. It is semipermeable. It is permeable.
acids, sugars, various organic acids and some
4. It is soft and elastic. It is hard and rigid. proteins.
(b) In unicellular organism they can serve the
following works :
86. What is lacking in a virus which makes it dependant
(i) Forming food vacuoles : In single celled
on a living cell to multiply?
organisms like amoeba, the food vacuole
Ans : contains the food items that the amoeba
Viruses look selectively permeable process membrane has engulfed. After that the food items are
and cell organelles. Thus, they lack a basic structural digested by the enzymes.
organization to perform various life processes (ii) Removal of excess water and wastes : In
effectively and in their own way. After entering in a some unicellular organisms, vacuoles play
living cell, a virus utilizes its own genetic material and important roles in egesting excess water and
machinery of host cell to multiply. some wastes from the cell.

87. What is endoplasmic reticulum? Write its main 90. Write a note on the structure of cell.
functions. Ans :
Ans : (a) Cell is the basic unit of all living organisms. It
Endoplasmic reticulum is a network, enclosing a fluid- is surrounded by an outer selectively permeable
filled lumen. Its main functions are : Plasma Membrane. Plant cells have an additional
(i) Synthesis of proteins (rough ER). covering called “cell wall” outer to the Plasma
(ii) Synthesis of lipids and other metabolic products Membrane.
and their secretion (SER). (b) Inside the plasma membrane there is a
translucent viscous substance the cytoplasm in
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which the organelles are embedded. The control 11. Plant cell synthesise Animal cell cannot
centre of the cell is the nucleus; it contains all all amino acids, synthesise all
the information necessary for the cell to function coenzymes and the amino acids,
and to reproduce. Surrounding the nucleus is the vitamins required by coenzymes and
endoplasmic reticulum (ER) on which ribosomes them. vitamins required by
may be embedded. Ribosomes are granular them.
structures which are the site of protein synthesis.
(c) The powerhouse of cell is the mitochondria. 12. Plant cell does not Animal cell vacuoles
It helps in releasing energy by the oxidation of burst if placed in usually burst, if
food in cell. There are flat membranous secretory hypotonic solution placed in hypertonic
structures in the cell called the Golgi bodies. In due to the presence of solution.
plant cells, an additional structure located near the cell wall.
the nucleus called the chloroplast, is also present. 13.
They are the site of photosynthesis.
(d) Cells also contain lysosomes which are also
called suicide bags. They digest and remove the
unwanted debris of the cell. Centriole located near
the nucleus helps in cell division. Cytoplasm also
contains vacuoles filled with the cell sap. In plant
cells, vacuole is large and centrally placed.
92. Draw a neat labelled diagram of plant cell.
91. Give the difference between plant cell and animal cell. Ans :
Ans :

Plant Cell Animal Cell

1. A plant cell is usually An animal cell is
larger in size. comparatively smaller
in size.
2. It is enclosed by a It is enclosed by a
rigid cellulose cell thin, flexible plasma
wall in addition to membrane only.
plasma membrane.
3. It cannot change its An animal cell can
shape. often change its
shape.
4. Plastids are present. Plastids are usually Figure: Plant cell
Plant cells exposed absent.
to sunlight contain
chloroplast. 93. (i) Name the organelle which provides turgidity and
rigidity to the plant cell. Name any two substances
5. A mature plant cell An animal cell often
which are present in it.
contains a large possesses many small
(ii) How are they useful in unicellular organisms?
central vacuole. vacuoles.
Ans :
6. Nucleus lies on one Nucleus usually lies in
side in the peripheral the centre. (i) Plant cells have big vacuoles full of cell sap that
cytoplasm. provide them turgidity and rigidity. Plant vacuoles
store amino acids, sugars, various organic acids
7. Centrioles are usually Centrioles are and some proteins.
absent. practically present. (ii) In unicellular organism they may serve the
8. Lysosomes are rare. Lysosome always following purposes :
present in animal 1. Forming food vacuoles : In single celled
cells. organisms like amoeba, the food vacuole
contains the food items that the amoeba has
9. Plasmodesmata are Plasmodesmata are
ingested. The food items are digested by the
present. usually absent.
enzymes later on.
10. Reserve food is Reserve food is 2. Removal of excess water and wastes : In some
generally in the form usually glycogen. unicellular organisms, specialized vacuoles
of starch. play important roles in expelling excess water
and some wastes from the cell.

94. Describe the role played by the lysosomes. Why are

these termed as suicidal bags? How do they perform

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their functions?
Ans :
Functions of lysosomes :
1. Extracellular digestion. Sometimes lysosome
enzymes are released outside the cell to break
down extracellular material.
2. Digestion of foreign material. Lysosome also
destroys any foreign material which enters inside
the cell such as bacteria.
3. Cellular digestion. In damaged cells, ageing cells
or dead cells lysosomes get ruptured and enzymes
are released. These enzymes digest their own cell.
Lysosomes contain about 40 hydrolytic enzymes.
When the cell gets damaged, lysosomes burst and
Figure: Animal cell
their enzymes digest their own cell. So, lysosomes are
called ‘suicide bags’.
97. Explain the structure and function of Golgi bodies.
95. Describe an activity to demonstrate endosmosis and Ans :
exosmosis. Draw a diagram also.
Golgi bodies consist of a system of membrane-bound
Ans :
vesicles arranged in stacks parallel to each other called
1. Endosmosis : The movement of water in the cell cisterns. These membranes are connected with the
or a body through a semipermeable membrane membrane of endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
is called endosmosis. It can be demonstrated as
follows :
(i) Take some raisins with stalks and put them in
plain water in a beaker.
(ii) Observation : Raisins absorb water and swell.
Raisins have high concentration of sugar
than surrounding plain water. Because of
this, water from the outside passing through
semipermeable membrane enters into the cell.
This is endosmosis.
2. Exosmosis : The movement of water out from a Figure: Golgi apparatus
cell or a body through a semipermeable membrane
is called exosmosis. This can be demonstrated as Functions of Golgi apparatus :
follows : (i) Golgi apparatus packages and dispatches the
(i) We place the swollen raisins (from above material synthesized in the cell.
activity) into a beaker containing a (ii) Golgi complex is also involved in the formation of
concentrated solution of sugar or salt. lysosomes.
(ii) Observation : When swollen raisins are placed (iii) Golgi apparatus is also involved in the synthesis
in concentrated sugar or salt solution, they of many substances such as polysaccharides,
shrink because the solution surrounding the glycoprotein, etc.
raisins is having low water concentration.
Thus, raisins loose water by osmosis, this 98. Give difference between plasma membrane and cell
process is called exosmosis. wall.
Ans :

Plasma Membrane Cell Wall

It is consisted of It is made up of complex
proteins and lipids. It is carbohydrate called
living. cellulose. It is dead or
non-living.
Soak fresh grapes in Soak some raisins
It is found in plant cells It is found in both plant
sugar solution in water
only. and animal cells.
Download All PDF files from www.rava.org.in. It is semipermeable. It is permeable.
It is soft and elastic. It is hard and rigid.
96. Draw a neat labelled diagram of Animal cell.
Ans :
99. Explain the structure of nucleus. Give a neat labelled
diagram of a nucleus of cell. Give brief information

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about nucleus. for the inheritance of characteristics from one

Ans : generation to the other.
Nucleus is the control centre of the cell. It is covered
101.Give difference between diffusion and osmosis. Write
by a double layered envelope called nuclear membrane.
any two examples where a living organism uses osmosis
The nuclear membrane has some pores which allow
to absorb water.
the transfer of material from inside the nucleus to
cytoplasm. Inside the nuclear membrane some thread Ans :
like structures are present. This is known as chromatin
material. Osmosis Diffusion
Osmosis is the passage The process of
of water from a spontaneous movement
region of high water of a substance from
concentration through a region of its high
a semipermeable concentration to
membrane to a region of the region where its
low water concentration. concentration is low is
called diffusion.
Figure: Structure of a nucleus Example of Osmosis :
(i) Plant roots absorb water.
The chromatin material mainly formed through (ii) Unicellular organisms such as amoeba absorb
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and proteins. When a water from freshwater.
cell starts to divide, chromatin material condenses
into rat-shaped structures called chromosomes. The 102.What would happen if when we put an animal cell
chromosomes contain DNA which are called genes. into a solution of sugar or salt in water?
The nucleus is a large, centrally located spherical Ans :
cellular component. It is bounded by two nuclear
The following three things could happen :
membranes, both forming a nuclear envelope. The
(i) If the solution surrounding the cell is very dilute
nuclear envelope separates the nucleus from the
than cytoplasm, the water will move into the cell,
cytoplasm. Within nucleoplasm two types of nuclear
i.e., the cell will gain water.
structures are embedded : the nucleolus and chromatin
(ii) If the solution has exactly similar water
material. The nucleolus may be one or more in number
concentration as that of cytoplasm of cell, there
and is not bounded by any membrane. It is rich in
will be no net movement of water across the cell
protein and RNA molecules and acts as the site for
membrane, i.e., no gain or loss of water from the
ribosome formation.
cell.
(iii) If the medium (solution) has a lower concentration
of water than the cell, i.e., the solution is
concentrated, the cell will lose water by osmosis.
How do all cells look alike in terms of shape and
size?
Ans :
Cells vary in shapes and sizes according to the fusion.
Generally, cells are spherical but they may be long
and branched as in nerve cell, Kidney shaped as guard
cell in plant’s leaves, discoid as RBC, spindle shaped
Figure: Nucleus as muscle cell, etc. Size of cell varies from 0.2 mm to
18 cm in diameter. Some are microscopic while some
are visible with naked eyes.
100.Explain the following terms : (a) Plasma membrane, For example :
(b) Cytoplasm, (c) Nucleus. (i) Size of a typical cell in a multicellular organism
Ans : ranges from 20-30 mn.
(ii) The largest cell is ostrich egg (15 cm in diameter
(a) Plasma membrane : It is a thin membrane which with shell and 8 cm in diameter without shell).
controls the passage of materials in and out of (iii) The longest cell is nerve cell (up to 1 m. or more)
the cell. It is also called selectively permeable and red blood cells are the smallest cell in our
membrane. It makes the outer boundary of the body.
cell and is made up of protein. (iv) Smallest cells so far known are PPLOs, e.g.
(b) Cytoplasm : It is transparent jelly-like thick mycoplasma (0.1 mm in diameter).
substance present in the cell. It makes the ground (v) Human egg is 0.1 mm in diameter.
of the cell in which all the cell organelles are
suspended.
103.How do lysosomes perform their function?
(c) Nucleus : It is a double-layered membrane
structure which contains chromosomes required Ans :

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Functions of lysosomes : (iii) Golgi Apparatus : It produces vacuoles which

(i) Extracellular digestion : Sometimes lysosome contain cellular secretion.
enzymes are released outside the cell to break (iv) Lysosomes : It serves as intracellular digestive
down extracellular material. system as it digest the foreign materials which
(ii) Destruction of foreign material : Lysosome also enter the cell.
destroys any foreign material which enters inside (v) Mitochondria : These are the sites of cellular
the cell such as bacteria. respirations.
(iii) Cellular digestion : Enzymes are released in (vi) Plastids : These are present only in plants and
damaged cells, ageing cells or dead cells. These trap solar energy to manufacture food for plants.
enzymes digest their own cell. (vii) Vacuoles : They help to maintain the osmotic
Lysosomes contain about 40 hydrolytic enzymes. pressure in a cell.
Lysosomes burst and their enzymes digest their own (viii) Peroxisomes : They carry-out some oxidative
cell when the cell gets damaged. So, lysosomes are reactions.
called ‘suicide bags’. (ix) Centrosome : It helps in cell division in the animal
Foreign materials entering the cell, such as cell.
bacteria or food, as well as dead old organelles in the
lysosomes break up into small pieces. 107.Give brief information about the mitochondria.
Describe the structure of mitochondria.
104.What types of enzymes are present in the lysosomes? Ans :
What is their function? Which organelle membranes The mitochondria are tiny bodies of varying shapes
manufacture these enzymes? and size. Each mitochondria is bounded by a double
Ans : membrane envelope. Outer membrane is porous. The
inner membrane is thrown into folds. These folds are
Lysosomes contain powerful digestive enzymes capable
called cristae and are studded with small rounded
of breaking down all organic material.
bodies known as oxysomes. The interior cavity of the
Lysosomes help to keep the cell clean by digesting mitochondria is filled with a protein matrix which
worn out cell organelles and foreign material such as contains a few small-sized ribosomes, a circular DNA
bacteria or food. molecule and phosphate granules. Mitochondria are
RER (Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum) makes the sites of cellular respiration.
digestive enzymes present in the lysosomes. Mitochondria are membrane bound cell organelle
found in the cytoplasm. Each mitochondria is a double
105.Explain fluid mosaic model of plasma membrane. membrane bounded structure. The outer membrane of
Ans : mitochondrion is smooth. But, the inner membrane of
the mitochondrion is folded inwardly, into the matrix
According to fluid mosaic model, plasma membrane is
of mitochondrion forming finger like projections. The
made up of a bilayer of phospholipids. There are two
inward finger like projections of inner membrane is
types of protein molecules : Intrinsic proteins, which
called cristae. Cristae greatly increase the surface
completely covers the lipid bilayer and Extrinsic
area of inner membrane. Mitochondria contain extra
proteins, which occur either on the outer surface or
nuclear DNA.
on the inner surface of the lipid membrane. The fluid
mosaic membrane has been described as “a number of
protein icebergs floating in the sea of lipids”.

Figure: Mitochondria

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Figure: Plasma membrane

106.Explain the functions of various cell organelles.

Ans :
Functions of cell organelles :
(i) Endoplasmic Reticulum : It forms the supporting
skeletal framework of the cell.
(ii) Ribosomes : It synthesises proteins.

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