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CBSE Class 9 The Fundamental Unit of Life — practice questions

Explore 72 free The Fundamental Unit of Life questions in CBSE Class 9 Science. Open each question or exercise to read its content, reference answers and available explanation.

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The Fundamental Unit of Life questions and exercises with answers

Showing questions 1–30 of 72.

The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms is the:Read the answer and worked solution →What instrument allowed scientists to first observe individual cells?Read the answer and worked solution →The thin boundary that surrounds every cell and controls what enters and leaves is the:Read the answer and worked solution →The ability of a microscope to distinguish two very close objects as separate is called its:Read the answer and worked solution →The control centre of the cell, containing genetic material (DNA), is the:Read the answer and worked solution →The organelle known as the 'powerhouse of the cell' (because it produces ATP energy) is the:Read the answer and worked solution →Which structure is FOUND IN PLANT CELLS but NOT in animal cells?Read the answer and worked solution →The semifluid matrix inside a cell where many organelles are suspended is called the:Read the answer and worked solution →Ribosomes are the sites of:Read the answer and worked solution →The structure that controls what enters and leaves the cell (selectively permeable) is the:Read the answer and worked solution →In a leaf cell, the GREEN COLOUR comes from organelles called:Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, what is the LIMIT OF RESOLUTION of the human eye — the closest distance at which two points appear distinct?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, in 1838 which German BOTANIST reported that all PLANTS are made up of cells — a foundational claim of cell theory?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, in 1839 which German ZOOLOGIST found that all ANIMALS are also made up of cells — extending cell theory to animals?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, in 1855 which scientist added the third tenet of cell theory — that NEW CELLS ARISE ONLY FROM PRE-EXISTING CELLS?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, what is the CELL MEMBRANE also called?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, the PLANT cell wall is primarily made of which substance?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, Science, which organelle is called the 'POWERHOUSE of the cell'?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, what is the energy currency molecule produced in mitochondria during cellular respiration?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, which plastid contains pigments OTHER than chlorophyll (yellow, orange, red) — giving colour to flowers and fruits?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, which plastids are COLOURLESS and store food materials like starch (e.g. in potato cells)?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, which organelles are called the 'PROTEIN FACTORIES' of the cell?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, which organelle is the 'PACKAGING and SHIPPING centre' of the cell — modifying and sorting proteins for export?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, which organelle acts as the 'CLEAN-UP SYSTEM' of the cell — breaking down waste, worn-out organelles, and harmful substances?Read the answer and worked solution →As per your syllabus, which process is essential for GROWTH, REPAIR, MAINTENANCE, and asexual reproduction in multicellular organisms?Read the answer and worked solution →The smallest unit that exhibits all the properties of life is the:Read the answer and worked solution →The CELL WALL, made of cellulose, is found in:Read the answer and worked solution →The NUCLEUS of a cell is best described as the cell's:Read the answer and worked solution →Cellular respiration (energy production) primarily occurs in the:Read the answer and worked solution →The Golgi apparatus in a cell functions as the:Read the answer and worked solution →

Worked practice questions

The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms is the:

  1. Tissue
  2. Molecule
  3. Atom
  4. Cell
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Correct answer: D. Cell

All living organisms — single-celled (bacteria, amoeba) and multicellular (plants, animals) — are made of cells. Cells perform all life functions (energy use, reproduction, response to environment). **The cell theory says:** (1) all living things are made of cells (2) cells come from pre-existing cells (3) the cell is the basic unit of structure and function.

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What instrument allowed scientists to first observe individual cells?

  1. X-ray machine
  2. Microscope
  3. Stethoscope
  4. Telescope
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Correct answer: B. Microscope

The microscope — first the light microscope (using visible light + lenses), and later the electron microscope (using electron beams) — revealed the cellular structure of life. Without microscopes, cells (typically 1–100 μm) are far too small to see. Light microscopes typically reach 1000× magnification electron microscopes go to 1,000,000×.

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The thin boundary that surrounds every cell and controls what enters and leaves is the:

  1. Cytoplasm
  2. Cell wall
  3. Cell membrane
  4. Nucleus
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Correct answer: C. Cell membrane

The cell membrane (plasma membrane) is the universal feature of all cells — present in both plant and animal cells. It controls the selective entry and exit of substances. Plant cells also have a rigid CELL WALL outside the membrane, but animal cells don't.

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More Science topics

Diversity in Living OrganismsForce and Laws of MotionTissues: Plant and Animal TissuesWork and EnergyMatter in Our SurroundingsMotionAtoms and MoleculesGravitation