Class 6 Cell MCQ with Answers

MCQs and Mock Test | NCERT - CBSE Enrichment Chapter

Practice Class 6 Cell MCQs with answers.
Learn cell structure, cell organelles, plant vs animal cell, and cell division - with instant answers and performance report.

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Quick Revision: The Cell

  • Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of life. All living organisms are made up of cells.
  • Discovery: Robert Hooke (1665) first observed cells in a thin slice of cork using a self-designed microscope. He named them cells (meaning small rooms).
  • Unicellular vs Multicellular: Unicellular organisms (Amoeba, Paramecium, Bacteria) have a single cell. Multicellular organisms (humans, plants, animals) have many cells that perform specialized functions.
  • Cell Membrane: The outermost covering of an animal cell. It is semi-permeable and controls the entry and exit of substances.
  • Cell Wall: Present only in plant cells, outside the cell membrane. Made of cellulose. Provides rigidity, strength, and structural support.
  • Cytoplasm: The jelly-like substance between the cell membrane and the nucleus. Contains various organelles where life processes occur.
  • Nucleus: The control centre or "brain" of the cell. Contains genetic material (DNA/chromosomes) and regulates all cell activities. Enclosed by a nuclear membrane.
  • Plant vs Animal Cell: Plant cells have a cell wall, large central vacuole, and plastids (chloroplasts for photosynthesis). Animal cells lack these but have many small vacuoles.
  • Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell. Releases energy from food through cellular respiration.
  • Ribosomes: Site of protein synthesis.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Rough ER (with ribosomes) — protein synthesis. Smooth ER (without ribosomes) — lipid synthesis.
  • Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, packages, and transports materials within the cell.
  • Lysosomes: Suicidal bags of the cell. Digest foreign materials and worn-out organelles.
  • Vacuoles: Storage sacs for water, food, and waste. Plant cells have a single large central vacuole that maintains turgor pressure.
  • Plastids: Found only in plant cells. Chloroplasts (chlorophyll — photosynthesis), Chromoplasts (colour), Leucoplasts (storage).
  • Cell Division: Cells divide for growth, repair, and reproduction. Mitosis (identical daughter cells) and Meiosis (gamete formation).
  • Tissue: A group of similar cells performing a specific function forms a tissue. Organs are made of tissues working together.

Cell Class 6 Questions and Answers (FAQ)

What is a cell and why is it called the basic unit of life for Class 6 students?
A cell is the smallest structural and functional unit of all living organisms. It is called the basic unit of life because: (1) It is the smallest part of an organism that can carry out all life processes like nutrition, respiration, and reproduction; (2) All living things, from tiny bacteria to large elephants, are made of one or more cells; (3) New cells are produced by the division of existing cells. Cells were first discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665, and the study of cells is called cytology.
What are the main parts of a cell and their functions?
Every cell has three main parts: (1) Cell Membrane - a thin, selectively permeable outer covering that controls what enters and leaves the cell; (2) Cytoplasm - the jelly-like substance between the cell membrane and nucleus where all life activities happen; (3) Nucleus - the control centre that contains DNA (genetic material) and regulates all cell activities. Plant cells additionally have a cell wall (made of cellulose for rigidity), chloroplasts (for photosynthesis), and a large central vacuole (for storage and turgidity).
What is the difference between a plant cell and an animal cell?
Plant and animal cells have several key differences: (1) Cell Wall - plant cells have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose; animal cells do NOT have a cell wall. (2) Shape - plant cells are usually rectangular (because of the rigid cell wall); animal cells are usually round or irregular. (3) Vacuoles - plant cells have one large central vacuole; animal cells have many small vacuoles or none. (4) Plastids - plant cells have chloroplasts (green) and other plastids; animal cells have no plastids. (5) Centrosome - animal cells have a centrosome for cell division; plant cells do not. (6) Nucleus Position - in plant cells the nucleus is often pushed to the side; in animal cells it's usually central.
What are the functions of important cell organelles?
Key cell organelles and their functions: (1) Mitochondria - powerhouse of the cell, releases energy through respiration; (2) Ribosomes - protein factory, site of protein synthesis; (3) Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) - transport network; rough ER has ribosomes; (4) Golgi Apparatus - packages and distributes proteins and lipids; (5) Lysosomes - suicide bags, digest foreign bodies and worn-out cell parts; (6) Vacuoles - storage of water, food, and waste; (7) Chloroplasts - kitchen of the cell, site of photosynthesis (plant cells only); (8) Nucleus - control centre with hereditary DNA.
What is Cell Theory and who proposed it?
The Cell Theory was proposed by German scientists Schleiden (1838) and Schwann (1839), and later extended by Rudolf Virchow (1855). The theory states three main points: (1) All living organisms are made up of one or more cells; (2) The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life; (3) All new cells arise from pre-existing cells through cell division. This theory is fundamental to modern biology and explains how living organisms grow, repair themselves, and reproduce.

Chapter Summary: The Cell

The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. Discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665, cells can be unicellular (single-celled organisms like Amoeba) or multicellular (humans, plants). Every cell has a cell membrane (semi-permeable outer covering), cytoplasm (jelly-like fluid containing organelles), and a nucleus (control centre containing genetic material). Plant cells additionally have a cell wall made of cellulose for structural support, plastids (chloroplasts for photosynthesis), and a large central vacuole for storage and turgor pressure.

The cytoplasm contains various organelles each performing specific functions: mitochondria (energy release), ribosomes (protein synthesis), endoplasmic reticulum (transport), Golgi apparatus (packaging), lysosomes (digestion), and vacuoles (storage). Cells divide through mitosis (growth and repair) and meiosis (gamete formation). A group of similar cells working together forms a tissue, and multiple tissues combine to form organs. Understanding the cell is fundamental to understanding all life processes.

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