Q.Match the following
Column I — Column II
Concept understanding — Cell Organelle Matching
Learning cell biology can feel like walking into a busy workshop where every tool has a job — and the skill you are really building is matching each organelle to the task it performs. Once you can pair a structure with its function on sight, the whole cell stops being a jumble of names and starts making sense as an organised, cooperating team.
Here is a practical set of pairings that come up again and again:
- Nucleus — control and heredity. It directs the activities of the other organelles and holds the chromatin (DNA), the cell's hereditary information.
- Mitochondria — energy. Aerobic respiration happens here, generating ATP, which is why they are called the power houses of the cell.
- Chloroplast — capturing light. Found in plant cells, it holds chlorophyll and traps light energy for photosynthesis.
- Ribosome — protein synthesis. The site where proteins are assembled; it has no membrane and can sit free in the cytoplasm or on the rough ER.
- Rough endoplasmic reticulum — protein-making highway. ER studded with ribosomes; abundant in cells that actively make and export proteins.
- Smooth endoplasmic reticulum — lipid factory. The main site for making lipids, and in animal cells, steroid hormones.
- Golgi apparatus — packaging and dispatch. It modifies, packages and sends materials to targets inside or outside the cell.
- Lysosome — the cell's stomach. Filled with hydrolytic enzymes that digest carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.
- Vacuole — storage. A membrane-bound pocket (bounded by the tonoplast) that stores water, sap and waste; very large in plant cells.
- Cell wall — rigid support. A non-living outer layer in plants and fungi that gives shape and protection.
A quick trick for matching questions: fix on the single most distinctive job of each organelle — energy for mitochondria, packaging for Golgi, digestion for lysosomes, control for the nucleus. The distinctive job is almost always the answer the question is testing.
Why this skill matters is that it turns memorisation into understanding. The cell is a division of labour: each organelle does one thing well, and life happens because they all work together within one boundary. Being able to reliably match the structure to its function is the difference between reciting names and genuinely knowing how a cell works.
"Cell organelles and their functions class 11 biology chart" and "match the organelle to its function NCERT" are typical searches this table addresses, matching the Cell: The Unit of Life chapter in the NCERT/CBSE Class 11 Biology syllabus closely. This kind of organelle-to-function pairing is a staple one-mark and matching-type NEET question.
The correct matches are:
- (a) Cristae — (ii) Infoldings in mitochondria
- (b) Cisternae — (iii) Disc-shaped sacs in Golgi apparatus
- (c) Thylakoids — (i) Flat membranous sacs in stroma
Each term belongs to a different organelle: cristae are the folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane, cisternae are the stacked flattened sacs of the Golgi apparatus, and thylakoids are the flattened membranous sacs lying within the stroma of the chloroplast.
a–(ii), b–(iii), c–(i): cristae belong to mitochondria, cisternae to the Golgi apparatus, and thylakoids to the chloroplast.
Cristae are the inner-membrane infoldings of the mitochondrion, cisternae are the disc-shaped stacked sacs of the Golgi apparatus, and thylakoids are the flat membranous sacs inside the chloroplast's stroma — so a–(ii), b–(iii), c–(i).
This matching exercise checks whether you can attach each membrane structure to its parent organelle. Taking them one at a time:
- Cristae are a feature of the mitochondrion. Each mitochondrion has a double membrane, and its inner membrane is thrown into numerous infoldings that project towards the matrix. These folds are the cristae, and their value lies in greatly increasing the surface area available inside the organelle. This matches (ii), infoldings in mitochondria.
- Cisternae belong to the Golgi apparatus. The Golgi is built from many flat, disc-shaped sacs called cisternae, stacked one above another and lying parallel to each other. This matches (iii), disc-shaped sacs in the Golgi apparatus.
- Thylakoids are found inside the chloroplast. The space enclosed by the chloroplast's inner membrane is the stroma, and within the stroma lie flattened membranous sacs called thylakoids, stacked like piles of coins to form grana. This matches (i), flat membranous sacs in the stroma.
A quick way to remember the pairing: cristae → mitochondrion (energy), cisternae → Golgi (packaging), thylakoids → chloroplast (light capture).
In short: (a)–(ii), (b)–(iii) and (c)–(i).
Method: Anchor Each Term to Its Home Organelle First
Matching questions across multiple organelles are solved most reliably by treating each Column-I term as a search for "which organelle does this word belong to" before you even look at the Column-II descriptions — the parent organelle is usually the piece of knowledge you're most confident about, and the structural detail follows from it.
Here: "cristae" should immediately trigger "mitochondrion" (it's the standard vocabulary for its inner-membrane folds); "cisternae" should trigger "Golgi apparatus" (its stacked flattened sacs); and "thylakoids" should trigger "chloroplast" (its light-capturing internal membranes within the stroma). Doing this first pass purely on vocabulary recall, before reading Column II closely, avoids getting misled if two descriptions in Column II sound superficially similar (e.g., both cristae and thylakoids are "membrane infoldings/sacs" in a loose sense).
Only once each term is pinned to its organelle should you go back and match the specific wording in Column II — at that point it's just confirming that "infoldings in mitochondria" matches your mitochondrion anchor, "disc-shaped sacs in Golgi apparatus" matches your Golgi anchor, and "flat membranous sacs in stroma" matches your chloroplast anchor. This two-pass approach (anchor organelle first, then confirm wording) is more robust under time pressure than trying to match all three simultaneously from the phrasing alone.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.Match the following lists List-I | List-II I. Main arena of cellular activity of a cell | A. Passive transport II. Cells arise from pre-existing cells | B. Mesosome III. Extention of plasmamembrane | C. Cytoplasm IV. Movement of molecules across the membrane without energy utilization | D. Virchow (A) I-C, II-D, III-B, IV-A (B) I-C, II-B, III-D, IV-A (C) I-C, II-A, III-B, IV-D (D) I-C, II-D, III-A, IV-B
›Reveal solutionSolution
Matches four cell-biology facts to their terms: cytoplasm (main arena of activity), Virchow (cells from pre-existing cells), mesosome (plasma-membrane extension), and passive transport (energy-free movement across the membrane).
Concept and Intuition
This is a straightforward vocabulary-matching exercise from the introductory "Cell" chapter, pairing structures/scientists/processes with their defining description.
Step-by-Step Solution
- I: The cytoplasm, the semi-fluid matrix between the plasma membrane and the nucleus, hosts the majority of a cell's metabolic reactions — hence "the main arena of cellular activity." Match: C.
- II: Rudolf Virchow proposed that all cells arise from pre-existing cells (extending Schleiden and Schwann's cell theory). Match: D.
- III: Mesosomes are folded extensions/invaginations of the bacterial plasma membrane, increasing surface area for respiratory enzymes, DNA replication anchoring, etc. Match: B.
- IV: Movement of molecules across a membrane along their concentration gradient, without expenditure of metabolic (ATP) energy, is passive transport (simple/facilitated diffusion). Match: A.
- Assembled: I-C, II-D, III-B, IV-A.
Common Mistakes
- Swapping Virchow's contribution (cells from pre-existing cells) with Schleiden/Schwann's (all living things composed of cells) — different clauses of cell theory, different scientists.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — I-C, II-D, III-B, IV-A.
ANSWER: A
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.Match the following I: A - Fat soluble carotenoids; B - Smooth Endoplasmic reticulum; C - Tonoplast facilitates transport; D - Nuclear pores are passages for II: I - Steroidal hormones synthesis; II - Chromoplasts; III - RNA and protein molecules; IV - Against concentration gradient (A) A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV (B) A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV (C) A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II (D) A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
›Reveal solutionSolution
Each organelle/structure clue links to its correct cellular role: chromoplasts hold carotenoids, SER makes steroids, tonoplast pumps against a gradient, and nuclear pores pass RNA/protein — giving A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III.
Concept and Intuition
Each cell organelle in 'Cell: The Unit of Life' has a signature biochemical role worth memorising as a pair: chromoplasts = fat-soluble pigments (carotenoids), smooth ER = lipid/steroid hormone synthesis, tonoplast = active (against-gradient) solute transport into the vacuole, nuclear pore complex = selective passage of RNA and proteins between nucleus and cytoplasm.
Step-by-Step Solution
- A (fat-soluble carotenoids) is the defining pigment class of chromoplasts → A-II.
- B (smooth ER) is well known as the organelle synthesising steroidal hormones and lipids → B-I.
- C (tonoplast facilitates transport) actively pumps ions/solutes into the vacuole against their concentration gradient, maintaining turgor → C-IV.
- D (nuclear pores) are the channels through which RNA and protein molecules pass between nucleus and cytoplasm → D-III.
- Combined: A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III → option (D).
Common Mistakes
- Confusing rough ER (protein synthesis/ribosome-studded) with smooth ER (lipid/steroid synthesis, detoxification).
- Forgetting that vacuolar transport across the tonoplast is active and works against the concentration gradient, not passive diffusion.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III.
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.Identify the non-membrane bound bodies in the cell among the following A) Chloroplast B) Peroxysomes C) Ribosome D) Endoplasmic reticulum E) Phosphate granules F) glycogen granules (A) A, B (B) C, D (C) E, F (D) A, D
›Reveal solutionSolution
Among the listed cell structures, phosphate granules and glycogen granules are non-membrane-bound inclusion bodies, unlike the membrane-bound chloroplast, peroxisome, and endoplasmic reticulum.
Concept and Intuition
Cell organelles are broadly divided into membrane-bound (chloroplast, mitochondria, ER, Golgi, peroxisomes, lysosomes — each enclosed by one or two membranes) and non-membrane-bound structures (ribosomes and various cytoplasmic inclusion bodies such as phosphate granules, cyanophycean granules, and glycogen granules, which are simply masses of stored material without any surrounding membrane).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Chloroplast (A): membrane-bound (double membrane, an organelle).
- Peroxisomes (B): membrane-bound (single membrane microbody).
- Ribosome (C): non-membrane bound, but not offered paired with E or F in the answer choices.
- Endoplasmic reticulum (D): membrane-bound (extensive single-membrane network).
- Phosphate granules (E) and glycogen granules (F): both are non-membrane-bound inclusion/storage bodies, simply deposited in the cytoplasm.
- The pair that is unambiguously and consistently non-membrane bound, matching an available option, is E and F.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming peroxisomes are non-membrane bound because of their small size — they are in fact bounded by a single membrane.
- Overlooking that inclusion bodies (like glycogen or phosphate granules) are storage deposits without any membrane, unlike true organelles.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — E, F.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-16-AN1 markMCQQ.Match the following List A: I Glyoxysome, II Plastids, III Nucleolus, IV Mitochondria List B: A Synthesis of ATP, B convert lipids to carbohydrates, C Synthesis of carbohydrates & proteins, D Ribosomal RNA synthesis, E Synthesis of Nucleases (A) I-B II-E III-C IV-D (B) I-A II-E III-D IV-B (C) I-B II-E III-D IV-A (D) I-B II-C III-D IV-A
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests recall of organelle-function pairing: glyoxysome (lipid to carbohydrate), plastid (carbohydrate/protein synthesis), nucleolus (rRNA synthesis), mitochondrion (ATP synthesis).
Concept and Intuition
Each organelle has a signature biochemical role rooted in its structure. Glyoxysomes are specialized peroxisome-like bodies found in germinating oily seeds; they house the glyoxylate cycle, which converts the acetyl-CoA from fatty-acid breakdown into succinate, ultimately feeding gluconeogenesis to build carbohydrates for the growing seedling. Plastids are semi-autonomous, carrying their own circular DNA and 70S ribosomes, so besides making carbohydrates via photosynthesis, they can synthesize some of their own proteins. The nucleolus is a dense nuclear region dedicated to transcribing rRNA genes and assembling ribosomal subunits. Mitochondria house the electron transport chain and ATP synthase, making them the principal ATP-generating organelle.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Glyoxysome converts lipids to carbohydrates (glyoxylate cycle) -> B.
- Plastids synthesize carbohydrates and (having their own genome) proteins -> C.
- Nucleolus performs ribosomal RNA synthesis -> D.
- Mitochondria carry out synthesis of ATP -> A.
- Combined mapping: I-B, II-C, III-D, IV-A.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing glyoxysomes (fat to sugar, in seeds) with peroxisomes (general oxidative reactions, no glyoxylate cycle).
- Assuming only mitochondria/chloroplasts have DNA; all plastids carry it.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — I-B, II-C, III-D, IV-A.
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-16-FN1 markMCQQ.Identify the cell organelles present in animals and absent in plant cells, present in plant cells and absent in animals, present in only prokaryotes (A) Centriole, Cytoskeleton, Inclusion bodies (B) Axoneme, Flagellum, Mesosomes (C) Ribosomes, Plasma membrane, Flagellum (D) Fimbriae, Flagellum, Mesosomes
›Reveal solutionSolution
Matches organelles to their exclusive occurrence: centrioles (animal cells, absent in most plants), a plant-associated structure (cytoskeleton, as given in this option set), and inclusion bodies (prokaryotes only).
Concept and Intuition
Certain cell structures are classic markers distinguishing animal cells, plant cells, and prokaryotic cells from one another — testing whether a structure is universal (present in all cells) or restricted to one cell type helps eliminate wrong option combinations.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Present in animals, absent in plants: Centrioles are a hallmark animal-cell structure (organizing the mitotic spindle and forming basal bodies of cilia/flagella); higher plant cells lack them. This rules in "Centriole" as the correct first item.
- Present in only prokaryotes: Inclusion bodies (storage granules for reserve food material, e.g., glycogen, lipid, or gas vacuoles) are characteristic of prokaryotic (bacterial) cells. This rules in "Inclusion bodies" as the correct third item.
- Checking the other options for internal consistency: option (C) lists Ribosomes and Plasma membrane as "animal-only" items — but both are present in essentially all cells (plant, animal, and prokaryotic), so (C) is clearly wrong. Option (D) lists Fimbriae as an "animal" structure — but fimbriae are prokaryotic (bacterial) surface appendages, not animal, so (D) is wrong. Option (B)'s Axoneme/Flagellum pairing conflates the same ciliary/flagellar structure into two different categories, which is internally inconsistent.
- With (B), (C), (D) eliminated on the first or third item, (A) — Centriole, Cytoskeleton, Inclusion bodies — is the best-fitting complete set.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming ribosomes or plasma membrane are exclusive to any one cell type — both are universal across all cellular life.
- Treating fimbriae (a bacterial structure) as an animal-cell feature.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — Centriole, Cytoskeleton, Inclusion bodies.
ANSWER: A
- AP EAPCET 2023Set ap-2023-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.Name the cell organelle which are involved in the following processes A. Conversion of stored lipids to carbohydrates B. Catabolism of long chain fatty acids (A) Lysosome, Peroxysome (B) Dictyosome, Ribosome (C) Peroxisome, Micro bodies (D) Glyoxysome, Peroxysome
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests knowledge of two specialised microbodies — glyoxysomes (lipid-to-carbohydrate conversion) and peroxisomes (fatty acid catabolism).
Concept and Intuition
Microbodies are small membrane-bound organelles specialised for particular metabolic pathways. Glyoxysomes, found especially in the fat-storing tissues of germinating oily seeds, house the enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle, which allows stored triglycerides to be converted into sugars needed for seedling growth before photosynthesis begins. Peroxisomes contain enzymes (including catalase) that carry out oxidative reactions, including the catabolism (breakdown) of long-chain fatty acids via beta-oxidation, generating hydrogen peroxide as a by-product that catalase then detoxifies.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Process A — "Conversion of stored lipids to carbohydrates" — is the hallmark function of the glyoxysome (via the glyoxylate cycle).
- Process B — "Catabolism of long chain fatty acids" — is carried out by the peroxisome.
- Matching this order (A = Glyoxysome, B = Peroxysome) to the options identifies option (D).
Common Mistakes
- Confusing peroxisomes and glyoxysomes — both are microbodies with overlapping enzyme classes, but only glyoxysomes carry the glyoxylate-cycle enzymes needed for lipid-to-carbohydrate conversion.
- Assigning lysosome/dictyosome/ribosome roles, which are unrelated to fatty acid metabolism.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — Glyoxysome, Peroxysome.
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2022Set ap-2022-07-11-FN1 markMCQQ.Choose the correct one A B C I. Golgibodies Single membraned Protein synthesis II. Mitochondrion Power house of the cell DNA Replication III. Chloroplast Carbohydrate synthesis Protein synthesis IV. Nucleolus Ribosomal factory 80s and 70s ribosomes synthesis (A) I, II, III, IV (B) II, III (C) II, III, IV (D) II only
›Reveal solutionSolution
Only the mitochondrion and chloroplast rows correctly pair organelle, primary function, and additional (semi-autonomous) feature; the Golgi and nucleolus rows each contain one incorrect claim.
Concept and Intuition
Mitochondria and chloroplasts are unique among organelles in being semi-autonomous — each carries its own circular DNA and 70S ribosomes, letting it replicate its genome and translate a subset of its own proteins independently of the nucleus, in addition to their main metabolic roles (respiration/ATP synthesis; photosynthesis/carbohydrate synthesis). The Golgi apparatus and nucleolus, by contrast, do NOT synthesise proteins themselves.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Row I (Golgi bodies): single-membrane bound is correct, but Golgi does packaging/glycosylation/secretion of proteins made elsewhere (rough ER) — it does not itself synthesise protein. Row fails on column C.
- Row II (Mitochondrion): "power house of the cell" (true, via oxidative phosphorylation) and mtDNA replication (true, since mitochondria are semi-autonomous). Row fully correct.
- Row III (Chloroplast): carbohydrate synthesis via photosynthesis (true) and limited protein synthesis using its own DNA/70S ribosomes (true, same semi-autonomy logic as mitochondria). Row fully correct.
- Row IV (Nucleolus): ribosomal factory (true, rRNA + 80S subunit assembly) but it does NOT make 70S ribosomes — those are assembled independently inside mitochondria/chloroplasts from organellar rRNA. Row fails on column C.
- So only rows II and III are entirely correct.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming the Golgi apparatus "makes" proteins because it's involved in "processing" them.
- Assuming the nucleolus supplies ribosomes to every part of the cell, including organelles.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — II, III.
ANSWER: B
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