Cell as the Basic Unit of Life

Free sample questions

Cell as the Basic Unit of Life — sample Science questions with answers

1. Question 1

   Who was the first scientist to discover cells by observing thin slices of cork under a simple microscope in $1665$?

   • ARobert Hooke
   • BAnton van Leeuwenhoek
   • CTheodor Schwann
   • DLouis Pasteur

   Answer: A. Robert Hooke

   Robert Hooke first discovered cells in $1665$ when he observed thin slices of cork and saw small box-like structures which he named 'cells'.

2. Question 2

   Which of the following structures is only found in plant cells and functions to carry out photosynthesis?

   • ACell wall
   • BVacuole
   • CChloroplast
   • DMitochondria

   Answer: C. Chloroplast

   Chloroplasts are only found in plant cells (and some algae) because they contain the pigment chlorophyll that absorbs light energy from the sun to produce glucose ($C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6$) through photosynthesis.

3. Question 3

   What is the main function of the cell membrane found in both animal and plant cells?

   • AControl all activities inside the cell
   • BControl the movement of substances in and out of the cell
   • CSupply energy for cell activities
   • DMaintain a fixed cell shape

   Answer: B. Control the movement of substances in and out of the cell

   The cell membrane is a semi-permeable layer that functions to control the movement of substances such as nutrients, water, and waste materials into and out of the cell.

4. Question 4

   Which of the following organisms is a unicellular organism that can be found in freshwater habitats?

   • A$$\begin{gathered} Amoeba \\ textsp. \end{gathered}$$
   • B$$\begin{gathered} Mucor \\ textsp. \end{gathered}$$
   • C$$\begin{gathered} Hydra \\ textsp. \end{gathered}$$
   • D$$\begin{gathered} Spirogyra \\ textsp. \end{gathered}$$

   Answer: A. $Amoeba\\text{ sp.}$

   $$\begin{gathered} Amoeba \\ textsp. \end{gathered}$$ is a unicellular organism (consisting of only one cell) that lives freely in freshwater, while others like $$\begin{gathered} Hydra \\ textsp. \end{gathered}$$ and $$\begin{gathered} Spirogyra \\ textsp. \end{gathered}$$ are multicellular organisms.

5. Question 5

   Which sequence correctly shows the organisation of cells in a multicellular organism, starting from the most basic level?

   • ACell $rightarrow$ Organ $rightarrow$ Tissue $rightarrow$ System $rightarrow$ Organism
   • BTissue $rightarrow$ Cell $rightarrow$ Organ $rightarrow$ System $rightarrow$ Organism
   • CCell $rightarrow$ Tissue $rightarrow$ System $rightarrow$ Organ $rightarrow$ Organism
   • DCell $rightarrow$ Tissue $rightarrow$ Organ $rightarrow$ System $rightarrow$ Organism

   Answer: D. Cell $\\rightarrow$ Tissue $\\rightarrow$ Organ $\\rightarrow$ System $\\rightarrow$ Organism

   The hierarchy of cell organisation starts with the basic unit, the Cell, a group of cells forms Tissue, a combination of tissues forms an Organ, several organs form a System, and finally all systems work together to form an Organism.