Cell: The Unit of Life – Daily Practice Problem (DPP)

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🎯 NEET 2026 Daily Practice Problem (DPP)

Topic: Cell: The Unit of Life | 20 High-Yield MCQs

Q1. Which of the following statements about cell theory is not true?

  1. All living organisms are composed of cells and products of cells
  2. All cells arise from pre-existing cells
  3. Virchow modified the hypothesis of Schleiden and Schwann
  4. Cell theory was proposed by Robert Hooke
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Correct Answer: (4) Cell theory was proposed by Robert Hooke
Explanation: Cell theory was formulated by Schleiden and Schwann (1839) and later modified by Rudolf Virchow (1855). Robert Hooke discovered the cell.

Q2. Which of the following is the smallest living cell known, lacking a cell wall?

  1. Virus
  2. Mycoplasma
  3. Bacteria
  4. Yeast
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) Mycoplasma
Explanation: Mycoplasma (PPLO) are the smallest living cells (0.3 µm) and can survive without oxygen.

Q3. The fluid mosaic model of plasma membrane was proposed by:

  1. Robertson
  2. Singer and Nicolson
  3. Danielli and Davson
  4. Camillo Golgi
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) Singer and Nicolson
Explanation: Proposed in 1972, it states that the quasi-fluid nature of lipids enables lateral movement of proteins within the bilayer.

Q4. Ribosomes are the site for:

  1. Respiration
  2. Photosynthesis
  3. Protein synthesis
  4. Fat synthesis
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Protein synthesis
Explanation: Ribosomes are granular structures composed of RNA and proteins and are the protein factories of the cell.

Q5. Which of the following organelles is called the ‘Powerhouse of the cell’?

  1. Nucleus
  2. Golgi complex
  3. Mitochondria
  4. Ribosome
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Mitochondria
Explanation: Mitochondria are the sites of aerobic respiration and produce cellular energy in the form of ATP.

Q6. The arrangement of microtubules in eukaryotic flagella is:

  1. 9 + 0
  2. 9 + 2
  3. 9 + 1
  4. 9 + 3
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) 9 + 2
Explanation: The axoneme of eukaryotic flagella/cilia possesses a 9+2 arrangement (9 doublet peripheral + 2 central microtubules). Centrioles have 9+0.

Q7. The main function of the Golgi apparatus is:

  1. Protein synthesis
  2. Lipid synthesis
  3. Packaging and secretion
  4. Breakdown of fats
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Packaging and secretion
Explanation: The Golgi apparatus principally performs the function of packaging materials to be delivered to intracellular targets or secreted outside.

Q8. Which structure is the site of lipid synthesis in cells?

  1. Rough ER
  2. Smooth ER
  3. Golgi bodies
  4. Ribosomes
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) Smooth ER
Explanation: The Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) is the major site for synthesis of lipids and steroid hormones. RER is for proteins.

Q9. The inner membrane of mitochondria forms infoldings called:

  1. Cisternae
  2. Thylakoids
  3. Cristae
  4. Grana
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Cristae
Explanation: Cristae increase the surface area for enzyme action. Cisternae are found in Golgi/ER. Thylakoids in Chloroplast.

Q10. Lysosomes are rich in:

  1. Oxidizing enzymes
  2. Hydrolytic enzymes
  3. Reducing enzymes
  4. Transferase enzymes
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) Hydrolytic enzymes
Explanation: Lysosomes contain acid hydrolases (lipases, proteases, carbohydrases) that are active at acidic pH.

Q11. Chromosomes with centromere at the terminal end are called:

  1. Metacentric
  2. Sub-metacentric
  3. Acrocentric
  4. Telocentric
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (4) Telocentric
Explanation: Telocentric chromosomes have a terminal centromere. Metacentric is middle, Sub-metacentric is slightly away from middle, Acrocentric is close to end.

Q12. Which of the following organelles contain their own DNA?

  1. Mitochondria and Lysosomes
  2. Chloroplast and Vacuoles
  3. Mitochondria and Chloroplast
  4. Golgi apparatus and ER
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Mitochondria and Chloroplast
Explanation: Both are semi-autonomous organelles possessing their own circular DNA and 70S ribosomes.

Q13. In bacteria, the mesosome is formed by the extensions of:

  1. Cell wall
  2. Plasma membrane
  3. Ribosome
  4. Flagella
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) Plasma membrane
Explanation: Mesosomes are specialized membranous structures formed by the extension of the plasma membrane into the cell. They help in respiration, DNA replication, etc.

Q14. The core of the cilium or flagellum is called:

  1. Axoneme
  2. Basal body
  3. Centriole
  4. Microfilament
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (1) Axoneme
Explanation: The core is called the axoneme, possessing a number of microtubules running parallel to the long axis.

Q15. Middle lamella is composed mainly of:

  1. Calcium pectate
  2. Hemicellulose
  3. Muramic acid
  4. Phosphoglycerides
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (1) Calcium pectate
Explanation: Middle lamella is the layer holding the different neighbouring cells together, made mainly of calcium pectate.

Q16. Ribosomes in prokaryotes are of type:

  1. 80S
  2. 70S
  3. 60S
  4. 50S
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) 70S
Explanation: Prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S (50S + 30S subunits). Eukaryotic cytoplasmic ribosomes are 80S (60S + 40S).

Q17. Which of the following stains is used to visualize chromosomes?

  1. Safranin
  2. Acetocarmine
  3. Methylene blue
  4. Cotton blue
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) Acetocarmine
Explanation: Acetocarmine is a nuclear stain used to visualize chromosomes during cell division.

Q18. Inclusion bodies in prokaryotes:

  1. Are bound by a double membrane
  2. Are involved in ingestion of food particles
  3. Lie free in the cytoplasm
  4. Are involved in locomotion
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Lie free in the cytoplasm
Explanation: Reserve materials are stored in inclusion bodies (e.g., phosphate granules, glycogen granules). They are not bound by any membrane.

Q19. The cytoskeleton is made up of:

  1. Calcium carbonate granules
  2. Callose deposits
  3. Cellulosic microfibrils
  4. Proteinaceous filaments
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (4) Proteinaceous filaments
Explanation: The cytoskeleton is an elaborate network of filamentous proteinaceous structures (microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments) present in the cytoplasm.

Q20. Elaioplasts store:

  1. Starch
  2. Proteins
  3. Fats and Oils
  4. Chlorophyll
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Fats and Oils
Explanation: Leucoplasts are colourless plastids. Amyloplasts store starch, Elaioplasts store fats/oils, and Aleuroplasts store proteins.

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