MCQs / Biology / O Level Biology: Cells

O Level Biology: Cells MCQs — Biology

20 multiple-choice questions on O Level Biology: Cells from Biology, each with the correct answer and, where available, a teacher's explanation. Read through them to revise the chapter, then practise the same questions one by one to test yourself.

1. Which structure is found in plant cells but NOT in animal cells?

  1. Cell membrane
  2. Cellulose cell wall
  3. Ribosome
  4. Mitochondrion

Answer: B) Cellulose cell wall

Explanation: Only plant cells have a cellulose cell wall; all others are in both. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.1 Cell structure and function

Discuss this question

2. Which feature helps a root hair cell absorb water?

  1. Long extension giving a large surface area
  2. No nucleus
  3. A flagellum
  4. Many chloroplasts

Answer: A) Long extension giving a large surface area

Explanation: A large surface area speeds absorption. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.2 Specialised cells, tissues and organs

Discuss this question

3. Which of these is present in a bacterial cell?

  1. Plasmid
  2. Chloroplast
  3. Cellulose cell wall
  4. Nucleus

Answer: A) Plasmid

Explanation: Bacteria contain plasmids and circular DNA but no nucleus. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.1 Cell structure and function

Discuss this question

4. Which cell has cilia?

  1. Root hair cell
  2. Palisade mesophyll cell
  3. Cell lining the trachea
  4. Red blood cell

Answer: C) Cell lining the trachea

Explanation: Ciliated cells sweep mucus in the airways. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.2 Specialised cells, tissues and organs

Discuss this question

5. Which is an organ?

  1. Xylem
  2. Leaf
  3. Blood
  4. Palisade cell

Answer: B) Leaf

Explanation: A leaf is made of several tissues working together. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.2 Specialised cells, tissues and organs

Discuss this question

6. Which part of a plant cell contains cell sap?

  1. Large permanent vacuole
  2. Chloroplast
  3. Nucleus
  4. Cytoplasm

Answer: A) Large permanent vacuole

Explanation: The sap vacuole stores water, sugars and salts. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.1 Cell structure and function

Discuss this question

7. Which stain is used to show the nuclei of cheek cells?

  1. Biuret solution
  2. Methylene blue
  3. Benedict's solution
  4. Limewater

Answer: B) Methylene blue

Explanation: Methylene blue stains animal cells such as cheek cells. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.1 Cell structure and function

Discuss this question

8. A group of similar cells working together to perform a function is called

  1. an organ system
  2. an organ
  3. a tissue
  4. an organism

Answer: C) a tissue

Explanation: That is the definition of a tissue. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.2 Specialised cells, tissues and organs

Discuss this question

9. The stomach, liver and small intestine together form

  1. an organ system
  2. a population
  3. a tissue
  4. an organ

Answer: A) an organ system

Explanation: Several organs working together make an organ system (digestive). O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.2 Specialised cells, tissues and organs

Discuss this question

10. Which structure is the site of aerobic respiration?

  1. Ribosome
  2. Nucleus
  3. Chloroplast
  4. Mitochondrion

Answer: D) Mitochondrion

Explanation: Mitochondria release energy by aerobic respiration. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.1 Cell structure and function

Discuss this question

11. Red blood cells have no nucleus. This allows them to

  1. carry more haemoglobin
  2. divide faster
  3. absorb glucose
  4. make antibodies

Answer: A) carry more haemoglobin

Explanation: More room for haemoglobin, so more oxygen carried. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.2 Specialised cells, tissues and organs

Discuss this question

12. Which structures would you expect to see only with an electron microscope?

  1. Large vacuole
  2. Cell wall
  3. Nucleus
  4. Ribosomes

Answer: D) Ribosomes

Explanation: Ribosomes are too small for a light microscope. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.1 Cell structure and function

Discuss this question

13. Which statement about the cellulose cell wall is correct?

  1. It is the site of photosynthesis
  2. It contains the genetic material
  3. It is partially permeable and controls entry of substances
  4. It is fully permeable and prevents the cell bursting

Answer: D) It is fully permeable and prevents the cell bursting

Explanation: The cell wall is fully permeable; the membrane controls entry. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.1 Cell structure and function

Discuss this question

14. A cell has a cell wall, ribosomes and a cell membrane but no nucleus and no chloroplasts. It is most likely

  1. a palisade cell
  2. a bacterium
  3. a red blood cell
  4. a root hair cell

Answer: B) a bacterium

Explanation: No nucleus plus a cell wall indicates a prokaryote (bacterium). O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.1 Cell structure and function

Discuss this question

15. A drawing at ×400 shows a cell 20 mm long. What is its actual length?

  1. 0.5 mm
  2. 0.05 mm
  3. 80 mm
  4. 8 mm

Answer: B) 0.05 mm

Explanation: Actual = image ÷ magnification = 20 ÷ 400 = 0.05 mm. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.2 Specialised cells, tissues and organs

Discuss this question

16. Why do palisade mesophyll cells contain many chloroplasts?

  1. To store starch only
  2. To absorb more light for photosynthesis
  3. To make the cell turgid
  4. To release energy by respiration

Answer: B) To absorb more light for photosynthesis

Explanation: More chloroplasts mean more light trapped. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.2 Specialised cells, tissues and organs

Discuss this question

17. A cell is 0.02 mm long. In a drawing it is 40 mm long. What is the magnification?

  1. ×2000
  2. ×200
  3. ×20
  4. ×800

Answer: A) ×2000

Explanation: 40 ÷ 0.02 = 2000. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.2 Specialised cells, tissues and organs

Discuss this question

18. In a bacterial cell, the genetic material is found as

  1. chromosomes inside a nucleus
  2. DNA inside mitochondria
  3. DNA inside the cell wall
  4. a circular chromosome and plasmids in the cytoplasm

Answer: D) a circular chromosome and plasmids in the cytoplasm

Explanation: Bacteria have no nucleus; the DNA is free in the cytoplasm. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.1 Cell structure and function

Discuss this question

19. How many micrometres (µm) are in 1 millimetre?

  1. 1 000 000
  2. 10
  3. 1000
  4. 100

Answer: C) 1000

Explanation: 1 mm = 1000 µm. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.2 Specialised cells, tissues and organs

Discuss this question

20. What is the function of the ribosomes?

  1. Photosynthesis
  2. Aerobic respiration
  3. Storing cell sap
  4. Protein synthesis

Answer: D) Protein synthesis

Explanation: Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis. O Level Biology · Topic 1 Cells · 1.1 Cell structure and function

Discuss this question

Practise O Level Biology: Cells MCQs

More Biology chapters