Endomembrane System — NEET Biology MCQs with Solutions
Free NEET Biology Endomembrane System MCQs with step-by-step solutions (62 questions). Part of Cell: The Unit of Life. Practise online on Prepizo — no login needed.
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Questions with solutions
Q1 — Endomembrane System · easy · theory
The rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) bears ribosomes and is chiefly the site of:
A. Photosynthesis
B. Protein synthesis (and secretion) ✓ Correct
C. Lipid synthesis only
D. ATP production
Solution: RER is studded with ribosomes and synthesises proteins for secretion/membranes; SER makes lipids/steroids.
Q2 — Endomembrane System · easy · theory
The Golgi apparatus is chiefly involved in:
A. DNA replication
B. Protein digestion in the cytosol
C. ATP synthesis
D. Packaging, modification and secretion of materials ✓ Correct
Solution: The Golgi modifies, sorts and packages proteins/lipids into vesicles, and forms lysosomes.
Q3 — Endomembrane System · medium · theory
Lysosomes are membrane-bound vesicles rich in ______ enzymes and are formed by the ______:
A. Digestive; nucleus
B. Photosynthetic; chloroplast
C. Hydrolytic; Golgi apparatus ✓ Correct
D. Oxidative; mitochondria
Solution: Lysosomes contain hydrolases (active at acidic pH) that digest carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.
Q4 — Endomembrane System · medium · theory
In a plant cell the large central vacuole is bounded by a membrane called the ______ and helps maintain:
A. Thylakoid; nutrition
B. Cristae; osmosis
C. Tonoplast; turgidity ✓ Correct
D. Plasmalemma; rigidity
Solution: The tonoplast surrounds the vacuole; the sap inside maintains turgor pressure and stores substances.
Q5 — Endomembrane System · hard · theory
The endomembrane system EXCLUDES which of the following organelles because their functions are not coordinated with it?
A. Endoplasmic reticulum
B. Mitochondria, chloroplast and peroxisomes ✓ Correct
C. Lysosomes and vacuoles
D. Golgi apparatus
Solution: The endomembrane system = ER, Golgi, lysosomes, vacuoles; mitochondria, chloroplasts and peroxisomes are excluded.
Q6 — Endomembrane System · hard · theory
A protein destined for secretion typically follows the route:
A. Golgi → RER → mitochondria
B. Ribosome → mitochondria → outside
C. RER → Golgi (cis to trans) → secretory vesicle → plasma membrane ✓ Correct
D. SER → nucleus → lysosome
Solution: Secretory proteins are made on RER, modified/packaged in the Golgi (cis→trans), and released by exocytosis.
Q7 — Endomembrane System · easy · numerical
Why are mitochondria, chloroplasts and peroxisomes NOT included in the endomembrane system?
A. They lack any bounding membrane
B. They are physically continuous with the plasma membrane
C. They are found only in prokaryotes
D. Their functions are not coordinated with the ER-Golgi-lysosome-vacuole network ✓ Correct
Solution: The endomembrane system groups organelles whose functions are coordinated (ER, Golgi, lysosomes, vacuoles); mitochondria, chloroplasts and peroxisomes are excluded because their functions are not part of that coordination.
Q8 — Endomembrane System · easy · numerical
Within a Golgi apparatus, the face that is convex and lies nearer the endoplasmic reticulum (the receiving face) is the:
A. Median face only
B. Lumen face
C. Trans (maturing) face
D. Cis (forming) face ✓ Correct
Solution: The cis or forming face is convex and lies close to the ER; it receives vesicles, while the concave trans (maturing) face packages and ships them out — the two faces are distinct in composition.
Q9 — Endomembrane System · easy · numerical
The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) differs from the rough ER chiefly because the SER:
A. Bears ribosomes and mainly synthesises secretory proteins
B. Lacks ribosomes and is a major site of lipid and steroid synthesis ✓ Correct
C. Contains hydrolytic enzymes for intracellular digestion
D. Is always continuous with the nuclear envelope while RER is not
Solution: SER has no ribosomes on its surface and is the principal site for synthesis of lipids and steroids; RER (with ribosomes) makes proteins.
Q10 — Endomembrane System · medium · numerical
Assertion (A): Lysosomes are called suicidal bags of the cell. Reason (R): They are rich in hydrolytic enzymes active at acidic pH that can digest the cell's own contents.
A. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
B. A is true but R is false
C. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A ✓ Correct
D. A is false but R is true
Solution: Lysosomes contain acid hydrolases (lipases, proteases, carbohydrases) optimally active at acidic pH; on rupture these enzymes digest cellular material, hence the name suicidal bags — R correctly explains A.
Q11 — Endomembrane System · medium · numerical
A newly synthesised secretory glycoprotein is traced in a gland cell. The correct sequence of membranous compartments it passes through before leaving the cell is:
A. Smooth ER → lysosome → cis Golgi → nucleus → plasma membrane
B. Golgi → rough ER → smooth ER → secretory vesicle → plasma membrane
C. Rough ER → nucleus → trans Golgi → cis Golgi → plasma membrane
D. Rough ER → transport vesicle → cis Golgi → trans Golgi → secretory vesicle → plasma membrane ✓ Correct
Solution: Secretory proteins are made on the RER, bud off in vesicles to the cis face of the Golgi, are modified and moved to the trans face, packaged in secretory vesicles, and released by exocytosis.
Q12 — Endomembrane System · medium · numerical
The single large central vacuole of a mature plant cell, bounded by the tonoplast, is important mainly because it:
A. Is the main site of aerobic respiration in the plant cell
B. Contains the cell's DNA and controls division
C. Synthesises the cellulose of the cell wall
D. Maintains turgor and can occupy up to about 90% of cell volume while facilitating transport of ions against gradients ✓ Correct
Solution: The tonoplast-bound central vacuole stores cell sap, can occupy up to ~90% of the cell volume, keeps the cell turgid, and its membrane can move ions against concentration gradients so their vacuolar concentration exceeds the cytoplasm.
Q13 — Endomembrane System · medium · numerical
Which statement about the endoplasmic reticulum is INCORRECT?
A. The ER may appear as a network of tubules and cisternae
B. RER is frequently continuous with the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope
C. The ER divides the cytoplasmic space into luminal and extra-luminal compartments
D. The ER is present in the mature mammalian red blood cell ✓ Correct
Solution: Mature mammalian RBCs lack a nucleus and organelles including the ER; the other three statements about ER structure and continuity are correct.
Q14 — Endomembrane System · medium
How many of the following are not included in the endomembrane system? Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi complex, Lysosome, Mitochondria, Chloroplast, Vacuoles, Peroxisomes
A. 5
B. 4
C. 3 ✓ Correct
D. 2
Solution: The endomembrane system includes ER, Golgi complex, lysosomes and vacuoles. Mitochondria, chloroplast and peroxisomes are excluded because their functions are not coordinated with the others. Hence 3 are not included.
Q15 — Endomembrane System · medium
What is the network of tiny tubular structures scattered in the cytoplasm as seen under the electron microscope?
A. Microtubules
B. Mitochondria
C. Endoplasmic reticulum ✓ Correct
D. Golgi complex
Solution: The endoplasmic reticulum appears under the electron microscope as a network (reticulum) of tiny tubular structures scattered in the cytoplasm.
Q16 — Endomembrane System · medium
Rough endoplasmic reticulum is called so due to the presence of
A. Ribosomes ✓ Correct
B. Lysosome
C. Golgi granules
D. Protein granules
Solution: RER appears rough because ribosomes are attached to its outer surface, giving it a granular appearance.
Q17 — Endomembrane System · medium
RER is frequently seen in cells associated with frequent synthesis and secretion of
A. All of these
B. Protein ✓ Correct
C. Glucose
D. Lipid
Solution: RER bears ribosomes and is abundant in cells that are actively engaged in protein synthesis and secretion.
Q18 — Endomembrane System · medium
SER is frequently associated with the synthesis of
A. Glucose
B. All of these
C. Lipid ✓ Correct
D. Protein
Solution: Smooth endoplasmic reticulum lacks ribosomes and is the major site for synthesis of lipids and steroid hormones.
Q19 — Endomembrane System · medium
The cis and trans faces of the Golgi body are ____ and ____ respectively.
A. Convex, Convex
B. Concave, Convex
C. Concave, Concave
D. Convex, Concave ✓ Correct
Solution: The cis (forming) face of the Golgi is convex, while the trans (maturing) face is concave.
Q20 — Endomembrane System · medium
Golgi apparatus is an important site for the formation of
A. Carbohydrates and proteins
B. Glucose and lipids
C. Glycoproteins and glycolipids ✓ Correct
D. Protein and lipids
Solution: The Golgi apparatus is the principal site for the synthesis of glycoproteins and glycolipids.
Q21 — Endomembrane System · medium
Which structure is formed by the process of packaging in the Golgi apparatus?
A. Protein granules
B. Ribosomes
C. Centrosomes
D. Lysosomes ✓ Correct
Solution: Lysosomes are formed by the packaging of hydrolytic enzymes in vesicles budded off from the Golgi apparatus.
Q22 — Endomembrane System · medium
Which of the following is not a hydrolytic enzyme?
A. Proteases
B. Ligases ✓ Correct
C. Carbohydrases
D. Lipase
Solution: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes like lipases, proteases and carbohydrases. Ligases join molecules and are not hydrolytic enzymes.
Q23 — Endomembrane System · medium
Hydrolytic enzymes of the lysosome are activated at _______ pH.
A. Basic
B. All of these
C. Acidic ✓ Correct
D. Neutral
Solution: Lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes (acid hydrolases) are optimally active at an acidic pH.
Q24 — Endomembrane System · hard
Which of the following cannot be digested by hydrolytic enzymes?
A. DNA
B. Insulin
C. Immunoglobulins
D. Glucose ✓ Correct
Solution: Hydrolytic enzymes break polymers into monomers. Glucose is already a monomer (simple sugar) and cannot be further digested by these enzymes.
Q25 — Endomembrane System · hard
The tonoplast membrane is important for
A. Transporting ions against the concentration gradient ✓ Correct
B. Transporting ions along the concentration gradient
C. Providing rigidity to the structure
D. All of these
Solution: The tonoplast (vacuolar membrane) facilitates transport of ions and other materials against the concentration gradient into the vacuole, so their concentration is higher inside than in the cytoplasm.
Q26 — Endomembrane System · hard
Which of the following is true for ER?
A. It is not included in endomembrane system
B. It is found in some prokaryotes
C. It is a double membrane bound structure
D. It is involved in synthesis of lipid ✓ Correct
Solution: The endoplasmic reticulum (SER) is involved in lipid synthesis. It is part of the endomembrane system, is absent in prokaryotes, and is a single membrane bound structure.
Q27 — Endomembrane System · medium
Select the odd one out with respect to the endomembrane system.
A. Lysosome
B. Vacuole
C. Golgi and ER
D. Mitochondria ✓ Correct
Solution: Vacuole, Golgi, ER and lysosome are all part of the endomembrane system. Mitochondria are not included, so it is the odd one out.
Q28 — Endomembrane System · hard
The cell organelle responsible for autolysis is
A. More than one option is correct
B. Autophagosomes
C. Suicidal bags ✓ Correct
D. Glyoxysomes
Solution: Lysosomes are called suicidal bags because their hydrolytic enzymes can digest the cell's own components (autolysis) when the cell is damaged or dead.
Q29 — Endomembrane System · hard
Which one is correct for lysosomes?
A. It works at a lower pH than the cytoplasm ✓ Correct
B. It is abundant in prokaryotes
C. It is non-membranous
D. It lacks proteases
Solution: Lysosomes are membrane-bound, rich in hydrolytic enzymes including proteases, and their interior is maintained at a lower (acidic) pH than the surrounding cytoplasm.
Q30 — Endomembrane System · hard
The membranous boundary which divides the intracellular space into a luminal compartment and an extra-luminal compartment is called
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Vacuoles
C. Endoplasmic reticulum ✓ Correct
D. Lysosome
Solution: The endoplasmic reticulum is a network of membranes that divides the intracellular space into a luminal (inside ER) compartment and an extra-luminal (cytoplasmic) compartment.