NDA General Studies · Biology · 58 questions · 2017 to 2026

NDA Cell, cell division and tissues previous year questions with solutions

Cell, cell division and tissues is the largest Biology chapter of the General Studies paper, about one question in thirty, two to four a sitting. Nearly every question is one fact read off a table, with statement sets since 2023. Every question UPSC has set on it since 2017, solved. Grouped by the method each needs, newest first; open a question for its answer and worked solution.

14.1 The cell: discovery, cell theory, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (10)14.2 Plasma membrane, cell wall and transport across the membrane (8)14.3 Cell organelles and their functions (17)14.4 Nucleus, chromosomes and cell division (1)14.5 Energy in the cell: respiration, ATP and biomolecules (5)14.6 Plant tissues (11)14.7 Animal tissues (6)

14.1 The cell: discovery, cell theory, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

1. NDA 2026 (II)

Which one of the following organelles is found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

(a) Nucleus(b) Mitochondria(c) Ribosome(d) Golgi complex

Answer and solution

Answer: (c) Ribosome

Method. common to both cell types

Ribosomes are present in prokaryotes and eukaryotes (NS2-A54, Class 11 ch. 8). Nucleus, mitochondria and Golgi are in eukaryotes only (NS2-A41, NS2-A43).

2. NDA 2026 (I)

Consider the following statements in respect of cell and its structure:
I. All cells possess cell wall.
II. All cells have ribosomes present inside.
III. All cells have well-organized nucleus.
IV. All cells have linear DNA molecules present in them.
Which of the statements given above is/⁠are correct?

(a) II and III(b) II only(c) II and IV(d) I and III

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) II only

Method. features common to all cells

I false: animal cells have no wall (NS2-A36). II true: ribosomes occur in all cells (NS2-A54, NS2-A43 and Class 11 ch. 8). III false: prokaryotes have no organised nucleus (NS2-A41). IV false: prokaryotic DNA is circular (NS2-A53). Only II.

3. NDA 2024 (I)

Which one of the following is the correct sequence in increasing complexity?

(a) Protein – Organism – Tissue – Organ(b) Protein – Organ – Tissue – Organism(c) Protein – Organism – Organ – Tissue(d) Protein – Tissue – Organ – Organism

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) Protein – Tissue – Organ – Organism

Method. level of organisation

Protein (molecule) goes to cells, tissue, organ, organism: increasing complexity (NS3-A02, NS2-A05).

4. NDA 2024 (I)

In most prokaryotes, the chromosome number is:

(a) 4(b) 3(c) 2(d) 1

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) 1

Method. prokaryotic chromosome

Most prokaryotes have a single circular DNA molecule in the nucleoid, i.e. one chromosome (NS2-A53).

5. NDA 2024 (I)

Bacterial DNA is referred to as naked because it is not associated with:

(a) any scaffold(b) proteins(c) ribozymes(d) plasmid

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) proteins

Method. naked bacterial DNA

Bacterial DNA is called naked because it is not wrapped around histone proteins as in eukaryotes (Class 11 Biology ch. 8; compare NS2-A53, NS2-A50).

6. NDA 2023 (II)

Eukaryotic cells are much more complex as compared to prokaryotes. Which one of the following structures is exclusively present in a eukaryotic cell?

(a) Cell wall(b) Plasma membrane(c) Nucleic acid(d) Mitochondria

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) Mitochondria

Method. exclusive to eukaryotes

Mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles, absent in prokaryotes (NS2-A41, NS2-A43). Cell wall (bacteria), plasma membrane and nucleic acid occur in both.

7. NDA 2023 (I)

Which one of the following structures is not present in a prokaryotic cell?

(a) Cell wall(b) Ribosomes(c) Nucleus(d) Plasma membrane

Answer and solution

Answer: (c) Nucleus

Method. prokaryote structures

Prokaryotes have no membrane-bound nucleus (NS2-A41, NS2-A43). Cell wall, ribosomes and plasma membrane are all present.

8. NDA 2020 (I)

In prokaryotic organisms, nuclear region is not surrounded by a membrane. This undefined nuclear region is known as

(a) Nucleic acid(b) Nucleoid(c) Nucleolus(d) Nucleosome

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Nucleoid

Method. prokaryotic nuclear region

The undefined region holding the single circular DNA is the nucleoid (NS2-A53). Nucleolus is inside a nucleus; nucleosome is a DNA-histone unit.

9. NDA 2018 (I)

Which one of the following is an organelle that is NOT found in prokaryotic cells?

(a) Cell wall(b) Mitochondria(c) Plasma membrane(d) Ribosome

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Mitochondria

Method. organelle absent in prokaryotes (membrane-bound organelles)

A prokaryotic cell has no membrane-bound organelles (NS2-A41, NS2-A43). Mitochondria are membrane-bound, so absent. Cell wall, plasma membrane and ribosomes (the one organelle common to both, NS2-A54) are all present in bacteria.

10. NDA 2018 (I)

Who among the following first discovered cell?

(a) Robert Brown(b) Robert Hooke(c) Leeuwenhoek(d) Rudolf Virchow

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Robert Hooke

Method. discovery of the cell

Robert Hooke saw box-like compartments in cork in 1665 and named them cells (NS2-A09). Brown found the nucleus, Leeuwenhoek saw free living cells, Virchow said all cells arise from pre-existing cells (NS2-A87).

14.2 Plasma membrane, cell wall and transport across the membrane

11. NDA 2024 (I)

Which of the following statements regarding animal cell membrane is correct?

(a) They are composed of phospholipids only.(b) They are composed of proteins only.(c) They are composed of phospholipids and proteins only.(d) They are composed of phospholipids, proteins and cholesterol (lipid).

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) They are composed of phospholipids, proteins and cholesterol (lipid).

Method. membrane composition

The membrane is a lipid bilayer with proteins; in animal cells cholesterol is also part of it (NS2-A26, NS2-A27; cholesterol from Class 11 ch. 8). 'Only' in (a) to (c) makes them wrong.

12. NDA 2023 (I)

Consider the following statements regarding cell wall composition:
1. Bacterial cell wall is made of peptidoglycan.
2. Fungal cell wall is made of cellulose.
3. Animals lack cell wall and have extracellular matrix made up of sugar and proteins.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 2 only(b) 1 and 2 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer and solution

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Method. cell wall composition

1 true: bacterial wall is peptidoglycan (Class 11 ch. 8). 2 false: fungal walls are chitin, not cellulose (NS2-A37 says fungi have a wall; chitin from Class 11 ch. 2/⁠8). 3 true: animal cells have no wall (NS2-A36) and an extracellular matrix of sugars and proteins.

13. NDA 2023 (I)

Which one of the following structures or components is not always present in living cells?

(a) Cell wall(b) Plasma membrane(c) Cytoplasm(d) Genetic material

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Cell wall

Method. universal cell components

Every cell has a plasma membrane, cytoplasm and genetic material (NS2-A38, NS2-A18). The cell wall is absent in animal cells (NS2-A36), so it is not always present.

14. NDA 2023 (I)

During a laboratory experiment, a student immerses epidermal leaf peel in a hypertonic solution. After some time, the student examined the cells under a microscope and observed that:

(a) the cells swelled.(b) the cells were plasmolysed.(c) the cells built up turgor pressure.(d) the cells size was unaffected.

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) the cells were plasmolysed.

Method. plasmolysis

In a hypertonic solution a plant cell loses water, the cell membrane pulls away from the wall, and the cell is plasmolysed (NS2-A35, NS2-A24).

15. NDA 2022 (II)

Which one of the following statements about animal cells and plant cells is correct?

(a) Animal cells have only cell membrane not cell wall, whereas plant cells have only cell wall not cell membrane.(b) Animal cells have only cell membrane not cell wall, but plant cells have both.(c) Both animal and plant cells have cell membrane and cell wall.(d) Only some cells of animals have cell wall and all plant cells have cell membrane.

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Animal cells have only cell membrane not cell wall, but plant cells have both.

Method. cell membrane and wall

Every cell has a plasma membrane; the cell wall lies outside it in plants (and fungi, bacteria) but is absent in animal cells (NS2-A30, NS2-A33, NS2-A36). So animal cells have the membrane only, plant cells have both.

16. NDA 2022 (II)

Which one of the following will be resulted when an animal cell is surrounded by a medium with lower concentration of water?

(a) Cell will lose water(b) No change in movement of water(c) Cell will gain water(d) Cell will swell up

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Cell will lose water

Method. osmosis in animal cell

A medium with lower water concentration is hypertonic. The cell loses water and shrinks (NS2-A24, NS2-A25, NS2-A36).

17. NDA 2021 (I)

If human blood is placed in a 2% detergent solution, what will happen to the RBC?

(a) The RBC will shrink.(b) The RBC will swell and become turgid.(c) The RBC will swell and burst.(d) The RBC will lyse.

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) The RBC will lyse.

Method. effect of detergent on RBC membrane

Detergent dissolves the lipid bilayer (NS2-A27), so the membrane breaks down and the RBC lyses. Swelling and bursting (c) is the osmotic result in a hypotonic solution (NS2-A24, NS2-A25), not the action of a detergent; (a) and (b) are wrong in kind.

18. NDA 2019 (II)

Net movement of water from a dilute to a concentrated solution through a selectively permeable membrane is called

(a) Diffusion(b) Dispersion(c) Osmosis(d) Absorption

Answer and solution

Answer: (c) Osmosis

Method. definition of osmosis

Osmosis is net movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from a dilute solution (more water) to a concentrated one (NS2-A21, NS2-A22). Diffusion is of particles in general, without the membrane condition.

14.3 Cell organelles and their functions

19. NDA 2025 (II)

Which of the following organelles have their own DNA and ribosomes?

(a) Endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi bodies(b) Mitochondria and Chloroplast(c) Endoplasmic reticulum and cytoskeleton(d) Cell wall and nucleolus

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Mitochondria and Chloroplast

Method. organelles with DNA and ribosomes

Mitochondria and chloroplasts both have their own DNA and ribosomes (NS2-A68). The other pairs lack one or both.

20. NDA 2024 (II)

Which one of the following statements about lysosomes is NOT correct?

(a) They are waste disposal system of the cell(b) They breakdown all inorganic materials(c) These are also referred to as “suicidal bags”(d) Lysosomes stop entry of foreign materials

Answer and solution

No correct option. This question is defective as printed in UPSC's paper.

Method. lysosome statement that is not correct

(a) and (c) hold (NS2-A60). (b) is false: lysosomal enzymes digest organic macromolecules, not inorganic materials. (d) is also false: lysosomes digest foreign material that has entered, they do not stop its entry (NS2-A60).

Two options are not correct, (b) 'break down all inorganic materials' and (d) 'stop entry of foreign materials'; the question asks for the single incorrect statement. Repair: drop one of them; (b) is the likelier intended key, yielding option b.

21. NDA 2024 (II)

Which of the following two cell organelles have their own genetic material?

(a) Endoplasmic reticulum and plastids(b) Endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria(c) Mitochondria and plastids(d) Lysosomes and Golgi apparatus

Answer and solution

Answer: (c) Mitochondria and plastids

Method. organelles with own genetic material

Mitochondria and plastids have their own DNA (NS2-A68). ER, lysosomes and Golgi have none.

22. NDA 2023 (I)

In a plant cell, which one of the following contains their own DNA?

(a) Nucleus and Endoplasmic Reticulum(b) Ribosome and Golgi apparatus(c) Mitochondria and Chloroplast(d) Chloroplast and Vacuoles

Answer and solution

Answer: (c) Mitochondria and Chloroplast

Method. organelles with own DNA

Mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own DNA (NS2-A68). The nucleus is not paired correctly in (a); ER, Golgi, ribosomes and vacuoles have no DNA.

23. NDA 2022 (II)

The digestive enzymes are present in

(a) mitochondria(b) vacuoles(c) lysosomes(d) ribosomes

Answer and solution

Answer: (c) lysosomes

Method. digestive enzymes

Lysosomes are enzyme-filled sacs that digest proteins, carbohydrates and fats (NS2-A60). Ribosomes make proteins; mitochondria make ATP.

24. NDA 2022 (I)

Which one of the following plant plastids stores starch, oil and protein granules?

(a) Chloroplast(b) Leucoplast(c) Chromoplast(d) Xanthoplast

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Leucoplast

Method. storage plastid

Leucoplasts are colourless and store starch, oils or proteins (NS2-A70). Chloroplasts make food, chromoplasts carry pigments (NS2-A69).

25. NDA 2022 (I)

Which one of the following statements about ‘vacuoles’ is not correct?

(a) In plants, there is a large central vacuole that may occupy 90% of total cell volume.(b) In plant cells, vacuoles provide turgidity and rigidity.(c) In Amoeba, vacuoles have role in nutrition.(d) Vacuoles are absent in animal cells.

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) Vacuoles are absent in animal cells.

Method. vacuoles statement set

Vacuoles are present in animal cells though small, for temporary storage (NS2-A72), so (d) is not correct. (a), (b) hold from NS2-A71, NS2-A72; (c) food vacuoles in Amoeba are standard Class 11 content.

26. NDA 2022 (I)

A cell is unable to synthesize lipids. Which of its cell organelles might be defective?

(a) Smooth endoplasmic reticulum(b) Golgi bodies(c) Lysosomes(d) Mitochondria

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Method. lipid synthesis organelle

Smooth ER synthesises and stores fats and hormones (NS2-A56). Golgi modifies and packs; lysosomes digest; mitochondria release energy.

27. NDA 2021 (I)

Movement of materials to different parts of cytoplasm and nucleus is generally carried out by

(a) Ribosomes.(b) Mitochondria.(c) Lysosomes.(d) Endoplasmic reticulum.

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) Endoplasmic reticulum.

Method. transport inside the cell

The endoplasmic reticulum is a network continuous with the nuclear envelope, serving synthesis and transport of proteins and lipids within the cell (NS2-A55). Ribosomes synthesise protein; lysosomes digest.

28. NDA 2021 (I)

In mitochondria, ATP synthesizing chemical reactions take place in the

(a) Outer membrane.(b) Matrix.(c) Inner membrane.(d) DNA of mitochondria.

Answer and solution

Answer: (c) Inner membrane.

Method. site of ATP synthesis in mitochondria

The inner membrane, folded into cristae, carries the electron transport chain and ATP synthase, where most ATP is formed (NS2-A62, NS2-A63; Class 11 Biology, Respiration in Plants). The matrix runs the Krebs cycle and yields little ATP directly.

29. NDA 2020 (I)

Which one of the following cell organelles may play a role in expelling excess water and wastes in case of unicellular organisms?

(a) Lysosome(b) Vacuole(c) Golgi body(d) Endoplasmic reticulum

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Vacuole

Method. contractile vacuole

In unicellular organisms such as Amoeba, vacuoles expel excess water and wastes (NS2-A71, NS2-A72; Class 9 NCERT earlier edition, Class 11 ch. 8). Lysosomes digest; Golgi packages; ER transports.

30. NDA 2019 (II)

Mitochondria are able to produce their own

(a) Nucleus(b) Proteins(c) Chloroplasts(d) Digestive enzymes

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Proteins

Method. semi-autonomous organelle

Mitochondria have their own DNA and ribosomes and so make some of their own proteins (NS2-A68). They cannot make a nucleus or chloroplasts; digestive enzymes are lysosomal.

31. NDA 2019 (I)

Which one of the following cell organelles does NOT possess nucleic acid?

(a) Nucleolus(b) Chloroplast(c) Ribosome(d) Plasma Membrane

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) Plasma Membrane

Method. organelle without nucleic acid

Nucleolus holds rRNA genes and rRNA, chloroplast has DNA (NS2-A68), ribosomes are made of rRNA (NS2-A54; Class 11 ch. 8). The plasma membrane is lipid and protein only (NS2-A26), no nucleic acid.

32. NDA 2019 (I)

Which one of the following cell organelles does NOT possess its own genetic material encoding proteins?

(a) Ribosome(b) Nucleus(c) Mitochondria(d) Chloroplast

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Ribosome

Method. organelle without its own protein-coding genes

Nucleus, mitochondria and chloroplast each carry DNA with protein-coding genes (NS2-A49, NS2-A68). A ribosome has only rRNA and proteins and carries no gene that codes for a protein (Class 11 Biology ch. 8).

33. NDA 2019 (I)

Which one of the following organelles of mammalian cell is rich in hydrolytic enzymes?

(a) Mitochondria(b) Ribosomes(c) Lysosome(d) Nucleus

Answer and solution

Answer: (c) Lysosome

Method. hydrolytic enzymes: lysosome

Lysosomes are single membrane sacs full of digestive enzymes that break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats (NS2-A60).

34. NDA 2018 (II)

Which one of the following groups of cellular organelles contains DNA?

(a) Mitochondria, nucleus, chloroplast(b) Mitochondria, Golgi bodies, nucleus(c) Mitochondria, plasma membrane, nucleus(d) Chloroplast, nucleus, ribosomes

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Mitochondria, nucleus, chloroplast

Method. organelles with DNA

Mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA and ribosomes (NS2-A68); the nucleus holds chromosomal DNA (NS2-A49). Golgi bodies, plasma membrane and ribosomes carry no DNA, which excludes (b), (c), (d).

35. NDA 2018 (II)

One of the additional functions of Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) is

(a) protein synthesis(b) lipid synthesis(c) storage of biomolecules(d) detoxification of toxic substances

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) detoxification of toxic substances

Method. additional function of SER

NS2-A56 gives SER synthesis and storage of fats and hormones; the further function taught beyond the main lipid role is detoxification of poisons and drugs, notably in liver cells (Class 9 NCERT, earlier edition, ch. 5; Class 11 Biology ch. 8 gives lipid synthesis as the main SER role). Protein synthesis belongs to the rough ER (NS2-A56).

14.4 Nucleus, chromosomes and cell division

36. NDA 2024 (I)

Consider the following statements:
1. DNA replication takes place when chromatin is opened up.
2. Chromatin organises itself into rod-shaped chromosomes before cell division.
3. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have the same process for cell division.
Which of the statements given above is/⁠are correct?

(a) 1 only(b) 1 and 2 only(c) 1, 2 and 3(d) 3 only

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Method. chromatin, chromosomes and division

1 true: DNA is replicated when chromatin is uncoiled (NS2-A50). 2 true: chromatin organises into rod-shaped chromosomes before division (NS2-A49, NS2-A50). 3 false: eukaryotes divide by mitosis or meiosis, prokaryotes by binary fission (Class 11 ch. 10).

14.5 Energy in the cell: respiration, ATP and biomolecules

37. NDA 2025 (I)

The lactic acid that gets accumulated in the muscle cells during rigorous exercise causing muscle cramps is produced from

(a) ATP(b) Pyruvate(c) Ethanol(d) Glucose

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Pyruvate

Method. lactic acid in muscle

In oxygen shortage during hard exercise, pyruvate from glucose breakdown is converted to lactic acid in muscle (Class 10 Science, Life Processes). Ethanol is the yeast route.

38. NDA 2025 (I)

A chain of peptide containing linear sequences of amino acid linked by peptide bonds best represent the

(a) Primary structure(b) Secondary structure(c) Tertiary structure(d) Quaternary structure

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Primary structure

Method. protein structure

A linear chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds is the primary structure (Class 11 Biology ch. 9, Biomolecules). Secondary adds helices and sheets.

39. NDA 2024 (II)

Which one among the following is the source of energy in cells?

(a) ADP(b) ATP(c) AMP(d) NAD

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) ATP

Method. energy currency

ATP is the energy currency of the cell (NS2-A63). ADP and AMP are its lower forms; NAD is a carrier.

40. NDA 2023 (I)

When yeast cells are O₂ starved, fermentation serves as the source of energy. This results in the production of:

(a) ATP + CO₂ + Ethanol(b) ATP + O₂ + Pyruvate(c) ATP + CO₂ + Lactic acid(d) ATP + O₂ + Acetaldehyde

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) ATP + CO₂ + Ethanol

Method. alcoholic fermentation

Yeast starved of oxygen ferments glucose to ethanol and CO2 with a little ATP (Class 10 Science, Life Processes). Lactic acid (c) is the muscle route; O2 is not a product.

41. NDA 2022 (II)

The breakdown of glucose in cytoplasm results in the formation of

(a) pyruvate and energy(b) pyruvate and carbon dioxide(c) pyruvate and oxygen(d) pyruvate and nitrogen

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) pyruvate and energy

Method. glycolysis

Glucose is broken down in the cytoplasm to pyruvate with release of a little energy (ATP); no CO2 at this stage (Class 10 Science, Life Processes, respiration; Class 11 ch. 14). CO2 comes later in mitochondria or in fermentation.

14.6 Plant tissues

42. NDA 2026 (II)

Which of the following cells form components of complex permanent tissue in plants?
I. Companion cells
II. Sieve tubes
III. Tracheids
IV. Vessels
Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) I, II, III and IV(b) II, III and IV only(c) I, III and IV only(d) I and II only

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) I, II, III and IV

Method. complex permanent tissue

Xylem and phloem are the complex permanent tissues (NS3-A40). Tracheids and vessels belong to xylem (NS3-A42); sieve tubes and companion cells belong to phloem (NS3-A43, NS3-A44). All four.

43. NDA 2026 (I)

Which one of the following tissues in plants is usually without protoplast and regarded as dead cells?

(a) Collenchyma(b) Parenchyma(c) Sclerenchyma(d) Xylem parenchyma

Answer and solution

Answer: (c) Sclerenchyma

Method. dead plant cells

Sclerenchyma is mostly dead, with thick lignified walls and no protoplast at maturity (NS3-A38). Collenchyma, parenchyma and xylem parenchyma are living (NS3-A36, NS3-A37, NS3-A42).

44. NDA 2025 (I)

Cambium is an example of

(a) Lateral meristem(b) Apical meristem(c) Intercalary meristem(d) Permanent tissue

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Lateral meristem

Method. cambium

Cambium is the ring of dividing cells giving increase in girth, the lateral meristem (NS3-A20).

45. NDA 2022 (I)

In aquatic plants, large air sacs give them buoyancy effects. These sacs are surrounded by which one of the following types of tissues?

(a) Parenchyma(b) Collenchyma(c) Sclerenchyma(d) Complex tissue

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Parenchyma

Method. aerenchyma

In aquatic plants specialised parenchyma forms air spaces that help them float (NS3-A36).

46. NDA 2021 (II)

Which one of the following tissues is known as basic packing tissue and found in xylem and phloem?

(a) Collenchyma(b) Parenchyma(c) Sclerenchyma(d) Vessels

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Parenchyma

Method. basic packing tissue

Parenchyma is the thin-walled, living, loosely packed basic tissue, present also as xylem parenchyma and phloem parenchyma (NS3-A36, NS3-A42, NS3-A44). Vessels are not a packing tissue.

47. NDA 2021 (II)

Girth of stem of a plant increases due to division of cells in

(a) apical meristem only.(b) lateral meristem only.(c) apical and intercalary meristem.(d) both apical and lateral meristem.

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) lateral meristem only.

Method. increase in girth

Girth increases by division of the ring of lateral meristem (cambium) (NS3-A20). Apical meristem gives length (NS3-A17); intercalary gives growth at internodes (NS3-A23).

48. NDA 2021 (I)

Transformation of meristematic cells into specific permanent tissues occurs by the process of

(a) Cell differentiation.(b) Cell division.(c) Cell multiplication.(d) Cell regeneration.

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Cell differentiation.

Method. differentiation

Meristematic tissue becomes permanent tissue by differentiation (NS3-A28). Division only makes more cells; it does not specialise them.

49. NDA 2020 (I)

Which one of the following plant tissues has dead cells?

(a) Epidermis(b) Parenchyma(c) Collenchyma(d) Sclerenchyma

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) Sclerenchyma

Method. dead plant tissue

Sclerenchyma has thick lignified walls and most of its cells are dead (NS3-A38). Epidermis, parenchyma and collenchyma are living (NS3-A31, NS3-A36, NS3-A37).

50. NDA 2019 (II)

Which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) Xylem consists of tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma and xylem fibres.(b) Flexibility in plants is due to sclerenchyma.(c) Parenchyma have no intercellular spaces.(d) Xylem consists of sieve plate, sieve tube and companion cells.

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Xylem consists of tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma and xylem fibres.

Method. xylem components

Xylem has tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma and xylem fibres (NS3-A41, NS3-A42). (b) flexibility is collenchyma (NS3-A37); (c) parenchyma has intercellular spaces (NS3-A36); (d) lists phloem parts (NS3-A43).

51. NDA 2019 (I)

Which one of the following is NOT a component of conducting tissue in plants?

(a) Fibres(b) Tracheids(c) Pericycle(d) Sieve tubes

Answer and solution

Answer: (c) Pericycle

Method. non-conducting tissue

Tracheids and sieve tubes conduct water and food (NS3-A41, NS3-A43); fibres are listed as parts of xylem and phloem (NS3-A42, NS3-A44). Pericycle is a layer of ground tissue just inside the endodermis and is not a conducting element (standard plant anatomy, Class 11 Biology ch. 6).

Shortcut. Fibres only support, but are components of the conducting tissues; pericycle is not.

52. NDA 2018 (I)

Which one of the following statements about meristematic tissues in plants is correct?

(a) These are dead tissues and form wood(b) They provide flexibility to plant due to their thickened walls(c) These are present in the bark of a tree only(d) Growth occurs in plants due to division of cells of these tissues

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) Growth occurs in plants due to division of cells of these tissues

Method. function of meristematic tissue

Meristematic tissue is actively dividing; its division adds cells and causes growth (NS3-A12, NS3-A27). (a) dead wood is sclerenchyma/⁠xylem, (b) thickened-wall flexibility is collenchyma (NS3-A37), (c) meristems are at tips, in the cambium ring and at internodes, not only in bark.

14.7 Animal tissues

53. NDA 2026 (II)

Which one of the following is not a connective tissue in the human body?

(a) Cardiac muscle(b) Cartilage(c) Blood(d) Bone

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Cardiac muscle

Method. not a connective tissue

Cartilage, blood and bone are connective tissues (NS3-A56, NS3-A66). Cardiac muscle is muscle tissue (NS3-A70).

54. NDA 2024 (II)

Which one among the following tissues help to connect two bones?

(a) Tendons(b) Ligaments(c) Areolar tissue(d) Cartilage

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Ligaments

Method. ligament

Ligaments connect bone to bone; tendons connect muscle to bone (NS3-A67).

55. NDA 2024 (I)

Consider the following cell types:
1. Monocyte
2. Chondrocyte
3. Basophil
4. Lymphocyte
How many of the above belong to animal cell types?

(a) 1(b) 2(c) 3(d) 4

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) 4

Method. animal cell types

Monocytes, basophils and lymphocytes are white blood cells (NS3-A60); chondrocytes are cartilage cells (NS3-A66, Class 11 ch. 8). All four are animal cells, so the count is 4.

56. NDA 2021 (I)

Squamous epithelial cells are found in the inner lining of

(a) Oesophagus.(b) Small intestine.(c) Ducts of salivary gland.(d) Kidney.

Answer and solution

Answer: (a) Oesophagus.

Method. squamous epithelium location

Stratified squamous epithelium of flat cells protects the lining of skin, mouth and oesophagus (NS3-A53). Small intestine is columnar absorptive (NS3-A55) and salivary ducts are cuboidal/⁠columnar.

57. NDA 2019 (II)

Blood is a type of

(a) Epithelial tissue(b) Muscular tissue(c) Nervous tissue(d) Connective tissue

Answer and solution

Answer: (d) Connective tissue

Method. blood as a tissue type

Blood has cells in a fluid matrix (plasma) and is a connective tissue (NS3-A56, NS3-A57).

58. NDA 2018 (I)

Which one of the following types of tissues will have contractile proteins?

(a) Nervous tissue(b) Muscle tissue(c) Bone tissue(d) Blood tissue

Answer and solution

Answer: (b) Muscle tissue

Method. contractile proteins = muscle tissue

Muscle fibres contract through actin and myosin; muscle tissue is the contractile tissue (NS3-A68 to NS3-A70, standard Class 11 content for the proteins). Nerve, bone and blood do not shorten.

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