GRADE 8 Science – The cell Quiz

1. Which organelle is known as the 'powerhouse' of the cell?

Golgi apparatus
Mitochondria
Nucleus
Endoplasmic reticulum
Explanation:

Mitochondria are known as the 'powerhouse' of the cell because they are responsible for generating most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), used as a source of chemical energy.

2. Which organelle is responsible for storing materials such as water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates?

Lysosomes
Cell membrane
Ribosomes
Vacuoles
Explanation:

Vacuoles are responsible for storing materials such as water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates. They are also involved in maintaining turgidity of the cell.

3. Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis in the cell?

Ribosomes
Mitochondria
Endoplasmic reticulum
Golgi apparatus
Explanation:

Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis in the cell. They link amino acids together in the order specified by messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules.

4. Which organelle acts as a control center of the cell and contains genetic material?

Lysosomes
Mitochondria
Chloroplasts
Nucleus
Explanation:

The nucleus acts as the control center of the cell as it contains genetic material (DNA) which directs the activities of the cell.

5. Which organelle is responsible for breaking down waste materials in the cell?

Vacuoles
Ribosomes
Lysosomes
Endoplasmic reticulum
Explanation:

Lysosomes are responsible for breaking down waste materials in the cell through the process of digestion. They contain enzymes that break down proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates.

6. Which organelle is known as the 'transport system' of the cell?

Golgi apparatus
Cell membrane
Endoplasmic reticulum
Chloroplasts
Explanation:

Endoplasmic reticulum is known as the 'transport system' of the cell because it is involved in the production, processing, and transport of proteins and lipids.

7. Which organelle is responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells?

Mitochondria
Nucleus
Chloroplasts
Ribosomes
Explanation:

Chloroplasts are responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells. They contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that captures sunlight and converts it into chemical energy.

8. Which organelle is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion?

Endoplasmic reticulum
Lysosomes
Vacuoles
Golgi apparatus
Explanation:

The Golgi apparatus is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion. It receives proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum and ships them to their final destination within or outside the cell.

9. Which organelle is responsible for providing structural support, protection, and rigidity to plant cells?

Cell membrane
Cell wall
Ribosomes
Vacuoles
Explanation:

The cell wall is responsible for providing structural support, protection, and rigidity to plant cells. It is composed of cellulose fibers and helps maintain the shape of the cell.

10. Which organelle is responsible for regulating what enters and exits the cell?

Cell membrane
Mitochondria
Endoplasmic reticulum
Chloroplasts
Explanation:

The cell membrane is responsible for regulating what enters and exits the cell. It is selectively permeable, allowing only certain substances to pass through.

11. Which organelle is responsible for converting light energy into sugars through photosynthesis?

Chloroplasts
Nucleus
Lysosomes
Ribosomes
Explanation:

Chloroplasts are responsible for converting light energy into sugars through photosynthesis. They contain chlorophyll, the pigment that captures light energy for the process.

12. Which organelle is responsible for detoxifying harmful substances in the cell?

Endoplasmic reticulum
Lysosomes
Vacuoles
Golgi apparatus
Explanation:

The endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for detoxifying harmful substances in the cell. It contains enzymes that metabolize potentially harmful substances, making them less toxic.

13. Which organelle is responsible for storing and releasing energy in the form of ATP?

Chloroplasts
Ribosomes
Mitochondria
Cell wall
Explanation:

Mitochondria are responsible for storing and releasing energy in the form of ATP. They are considered the 'powerhouses' of the cell due to their role in energy production.

14. Which organelle is responsible for conducting cellular respiration in the cell?

Golgi apparatus
Chloroplasts
Nucleus
Mitochondria
Explanation:

Mitochondria are responsible for conducting cellular respiration in the cell, which involves converting nutrients into energy in the form of ATP.

15. Which organelle is responsible for breaking down substances like old organelles and foreign substances?

Vacuoles
Ribosomes
Endoplasmic reticulum
Lysosomes
Explanation:

Lysosomes are responsible for breaking down substances like old organelles and foreign substances through the process of digestion. They help maintain the health of the cell by removing waste materials.

16. Which organelle is responsible for producing lipids, steroids, and detoxifying substances in the cell?

Golgi apparatus
Chloroplasts
Endoplasmic reticulum
Cell membrane
Explanation:

The endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for producing lipids, steroids, and detoxifying substances in the cell. It consists of smooth and rough types, each with specific functions.

17. Which organelle is responsible for maintaining the shape of the cell and controlling what enters and exits the cell?

Ribosomes
Cell membrane
Mitochondria
Nucleus
Explanation:

The cell membrane is responsible for maintaining the shape of the cell and controlling what enters and exits the cell. It is a selectively permeable barrier that surrounds the cell.

18. Which organelle is responsible for generating vesicles that transport molecules throughout the cell?

Endoplasmic reticulum
Lysosomes
Golgi apparatus
Vacuoles
Explanation:

The Golgi apparatus is responsible for generating vesicles that transport molecules throughout the cell. It modifies, sorts, and packages proteins before shipping them to their final destination.

19. Which organelle is responsible for maintaining cell turgidity and aiding in storage of materials?

Chloroplasts
Nucleus
Vacuoles
Ribosomes
Explanation:

Vacuoles are responsible for maintaining cell turgidity and aiding in storage of materials. They can store water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates, helping regulate cell shape and internal pressure.

20. Which organelle is responsible for producing and assembling ribosomes in the cell?

Endoplasmic reticulum
Nucleus
Chloroplasts
Ribosomes
Explanation:

Ribosomes are responsible for producing and assembling ribosomes in the cell. They are composed of RNA and proteins, functioning as the site of protein synthesis.

21. Which organelle is responsible for packaging and distributing proteins and lipids within the cell?

Golgi apparatus
Chloroplasts
Lysosomes
Mitochondria
Explanation:

The Golgi apparatus is responsible for packaging and distributing proteins and lipids within the cell. It modifies, sorts, and packages molecules before sending them to their final destination.

22. Which organelle is responsible for providing energy for the cell through cellular respiration?

Chloroplasts
Mitochondria
Nucleus
Ribosomes
Explanation:

Mitochondria are responsible for providing energy for the cell through cellular respiration. They convert nutrients into ATP, the primary source of energy for cellular processes.

23. Which organelle is responsible for maintaining genetic material and controlling cell activities?

Cell membrane
Endoplasmic reticulum
Lysosomes
Nucleus
Explanation:

The nucleus is responsible for maintaining genetic material (DNA) and controlling cell activities. It directs the synthesis of proteins, cell division, and other crucial cellular processes.

24. Which organelle is responsible for detoxifying drugs and other harmful substances in the liver cells?

Lysosomes
Endoplasmic reticulum
Golgi apparatus
Chloroplasts
Explanation:

The endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for detoxifying drugs and other harmful substances in the liver cells. It contains enzymes that metabolize toxins and drugs, making them less harmful.

25. Which organelle is responsible for converting food into energy through the process of cellular respiration?

Vacuoles
Mitochondria
Chloroplasts
Ribosomes
Explanation:

Mitochondria are responsible for converting food into energy through the process of cellular respiration. They generate ATP, which provides energy for the cell's metabolic activities.

26. Which of the following is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms?

Organ
Cell
Tissue
System
Explanation:

Cells are the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. They carry out essential functions necessary for life.

27. What is the outer covering of a plant cell called?

Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Cell wall
Nucleus
Explanation:

The outer covering of a plant cell is called the cell wall. It provides support and protection to the cell.

28. Which organelle is known as the 'powerhouse' of the cell?

Mitochondrion
Lysosome
Ribosome
Golgi apparatus
Explanation:

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell because they produce energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration.

29. Where is the genetic material of a cell located?

Chloroplast
Vacuole
Nucleus
Endoplasmic reticulum
Explanation:

The genetic material of a cell is located in the nucleus. It contains the DNA which carries the instructions for the cell's functions.

30. Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis in a cell?

Vacuole
Ribosome
Endoplasmic reticulum
Mitochondrion
Explanation:

Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis in a cell. They read the mRNA and assemble amino acids into proteins.

31. What is the fluid inside a cell where organelles are suspended called?

Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Cell wall
Nucleus
Explanation:

Cytoplasm is the fluid inside a cell where organelles are suspended. It helps transport materials within the cell.

32. Which organelle is responsible for detoxifying harmful substances in a cell?

Endoplasmic reticulum
Vacuole
Golgi apparatus
Lysosome
Explanation:

Lysosomes are responsible for detoxifying harmful substances in a cell. They contain enzymes that break down waste materials.

33. Which organelle is responsible for packaging and distributing proteins in a cell?

Mitochondrion
Ribosome
Golgi apparatus
Chloroplast
Explanation:

The Golgi apparatus is responsible for packaging and distributing proteins in a cell. It modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for transport.

34. What is the control center of a cell that contains the genetic material?

Vacuole
Mitochondrion
Nucleus
Endoplasmic reticulum
Explanation:

The nucleus is the control center of a cell that contains the genetic material (DNA). It regulates the cell's activities.

35. Which organelle in a plant cell is responsible for photosynthesis?

Ribosome
Nucleus
Chloroplast
Golgi apparatus
Explanation:

Chloroplasts in plant cells are responsible for photosynthesis. They contain chlorophyll which captures light energy for photosynthesis.