Practice quiz · by a Quizcard user

Biology: Cell Structure and Function — quiz

18 multiple-choice questions covering Cell cycle, Energy, Transport, Organelles, Cell basics. One answer each; you get a score at the end and the explanation for every question. No account needed.

Updated 2026-10-24. Keys 1–4 pick an answer, Enter moves on. Redo it any time, in order or shuffled.

The questions

Answers and explanations are shown after you finish.

1. Cell cycle

   A biology student examines a dividing cell and sees chromosomes lined up in a single row across the middle of the cell. Which stage of mitosis is this?

   • Telophase
   • Anaphase
   • Prophase
   • Metaphase
2. Cell cycle

   Which statement correctly contrasts the outcomes of meiosis and mitosis?

   • Meiosis is used for growth and repair; mitosis produces gametes
   • Meiosis produces four genetically different haploid cells; mitosis produces two identical diploid cells
   • Mitosis produces four haploid cells; meiosis produces two diploid cells
   • Mitosis has two rounds of division; meiosis has one
3. Cell cycle

   During which part of the cell cycle is the cell's DNA actually copied?

   • M phase
   • S phase
   • G1
   • G2
4. Energy

   Why do muscle cells rely on fermentation during intense exercise when oxygen is scarce?

   • To break down pyruvate into CO2 and water
   • To produce large amounts of ATP without oxygen
   • To regenerate NAD+ so glycolysis can keep producing ATP
   • To replace the need for the electron transport chain permanently
5. Energy

   ATP releases usable energy for cellular work when which event occurs?

   • The bond between the second and third phosphate groups is broken
   • A phosphate group is added to ADP
   • NADH donates electrons to oxygen
   • Glucose is converted into pyruvate
6. Energy

   Where does glycolysis occur, and what are its products?

   • Mitochondrial cristae; CO2 and water
   • Cytoplasm; 2 pyruvate, a net 2 ATP, and 2 NADH
   • Chloroplast stroma; glucose and oxygen
   • Mitochondrial matrix; 2 pyruvate and 36 ATP
7. Transport

   A cell loses water and shrinks because the surrounding solution has a higher solute concentration than the cell's interior. This solution is described as:

   • Hypertonic
   • Hypotonic
   • Selectively permeable
   • Isotonic
8. Transport

   An animal cell is placed into distilled water. What is the most likely result?

   • The cell undergoes plasmolysis
   • The cell swells and may burst since it lacks a cell wall
   • The cell stays the same size due to selective permeability
   • The cell shrinks as water leaves
9. Transport

   Glucose enters a cell through a membrane channel protein without the cell using any ATP. This is an example of:

   • Active transport
   • Facilitated diffusion
   • Osmosis
   • Exocytosis
10. Transport

    The sodium-potassium pump moves ions against their concentration gradients. What does this process require?

    • ATP, because it is active transport
    • Only a concentration gradient, as in diffusion
    • No energy, since channels do the work
    • Water movement via osmosis
11. Transport

    A pancreatic cell packages digestive enzymes into vesicles, then releases them by fusing the vesicle with the plasma membrane. This process is called:

    • Facilitated diffusion
    • Active transport
    • Endocytosis
    • Exocytosis
12. Organelles

    Which organelle has a double membrane, its own DNA, and folded inner membranes called cristae?

    • Golgi apparatus
    • Rough ER
    • Chloroplast
    • Mitochondrion
13. Organelles

    A protein has been synthesized and folded, and now needs to be modified, sorted, and shipped for secretion. Which organelle handles this step?

    • Golgi apparatus
    • Smooth ER
    • Rough ER
    • Lysosome
14. Organelles

    A cell specializing in lipid synthesis and detoxifying drugs would contain an abundance of which structure?

    • Golgi apparatus
    • Rough endoplasmic reticulum
    • Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
    • Ribosomes
15. Organelles

    Which structure contains digestive enzymes that break down old organelles and engulfed foreign material?

    • Lysosome
    • Nucleus
    • Ribosome
    • Vacuole
16. Organelles

    Which structure controls overall cell activity and contains the nucleolus, which assembles ribosome components?

    • Nucleus
    • Golgi apparatus
    • Mitochondrion
    • Cytoskeleton
17. Cell basics

    Which of the following is a core principle of cell theory?

    • All cells contain a nucleus
    • All cells arise from pre-existing cells
    • All cells perform photosynthesis
    • All cells are eukaryotic
18. Cell basics

    A biologist examines a cell and finds no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. This cell is most likely:

    • A protist cell
    • A eukaryotic animal cell
    • A eukaryotic plant cell
    • A prokaryotic cell