Question map
Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells? 1. Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not. 2. Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animal cells which do. 3. Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
The correct answer is option C (statements 1 and 3 only).
**Statement 1 is correct:** Only plant cell walls are made from cellulose.[1] This is a key distinguishing feature between plant and animal cells, as animal cells lack cell walls entirely.
**Statement 2 is incorrect:** Both plant and animal cells possess plasma membranes. The cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus are the basic parts of a cell, and like animal[2] and plant[3] cells, the cells of microorganisms are also surrounded by a cell membrane. The claim that plant cells lack plasma membranes is fundamentally wrong.
**Statement 3 is correct:** Plant cells have a large, empty-looking space called a vacuole, while in animal cells, vacuoles are usually not present, if present, they are usually small.[4] This structural difference is significant, as the large central vacuole in mature plant cells helps with storage, waste removal, and maintaining cell shape, whereas animal cells typically have multiple small vacuoles if any at all.
Therefore, only statements 1 and 3 are correct, making option C the right answer.
Sources- [1] https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zg9mk2p/revision/3
- [2] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Activity 2.3: Let us investigate > p. 12
- [3] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > 2.5 Why Is Cell Considered to Be a Basic Unit of Life? > p. 24
- [4] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > A step further > p. 13
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a foundational 'Sitter' from NCERT Class VIII & IX. It tests basic comparative biology rather than advanced science. The trap lies in Statement 2, checking if you confuse the 'addition' of a cell wall with the 'absence' of a membrane. If you visualize the NCERT diagrams, this is free marks.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do plant cells have cell walls composed primarily of cellulose?
- Statement 2: For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do animal cells lack cell walls entirely?
- Statement 3: For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do plant cells have a plasma (cell) membrane?
- Statement 4: For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do animal cells have a plasma (cell) membrane?
- Statement 5: For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do mature plant cells typically contain one large central vacuole?
- Statement 6: For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do animal cells typically contain many small vacuoles?
- Explicitly states that plant cell walls are made from cellulose, directly answering the question.
- Compares plant cell features with other cell types, placing the cellulose cell wall as a distinguishing plant trait.
- Clearly identifies the composition of plant cell walls as cellulose.
- Links the cellulose cell wall to the function of providing structure and protection in plant cells.
- Reiterates that plant cell walls (distinct from animal cells) are made from cellulose.
- Places the cellulose cell wall among other plant-specific structures, supporting the general difference between plant and animal cells.
States that some cells, like onion peel cells, have an extra outer layer called the cell wall — giving an explicit example of plant cells with cell walls.
A student could take this rule (plant cells often have a cell wall) and combine it with outside knowledge about common plant tissues (e.g., onion epidermis) to investigate the chemical nature of that wall (test for polysaccharides typical of cellulose).
Provides a schematic/list distinguishing cell parts and implies 'Cell wall' is an identifiable component associated with plant cells.
Use this list to justify focusing on the cell wall as a defining plant feature, then consult standard biochemical tests or reference texts to check whether that wall is primarily cellulose.
Describes onion peel cells as nearly rectangular and closely arranged — a morphological example supporting that plant cells have rigid outer layers (consistent with presence of a wall).
A student could link rigidity/regular shape to the presence of a polysaccharide-rich wall and then look up which polysaccharide (cellulose) gives rigidity in common plant epidermal cells.
Notes that fungi additionally have a cell wall but lack chloroplasts, showing that having a cell wall is not unique to plants and that different organisms can have cell walls of possibly different composition.
A student could use this pattern to reason that since multiple groups have walls, one should check composition differences (e.g., fungal walls vs plant walls) to test whether plant walls are specifically cellulose-based.
States plant and animal cells differ in shape and structure, underscoring that structural features like walls are key distinguishing traits to investigate.
Use this general rule to prioritize examining structural components (cell wall) and then consult biochemical sources or simple stains to determine if cellulose is the primary constituent.
- Explicitly states animal and plant cells are surrounded by a cell membrane (no mention of a wall for animal cells).
- Separately notes fungi have a cell wall, implying cell walls are not a universal feature of all eukaryotic cells.
- Defines the cell wall as an 'extra outer layer' present in some cells (example: onion peel).
- By calling it an extra layer for some cells, implies that many cells (by contrast) do not have this cell wall.
- Describes onion peel cells (plant cells) as closely arranged and observable under microscope—supporting that plant cells possess a distinct outer layer.
- Provides concrete example of plant cells with a cell-wall-like arrangement, reinforcing that cell walls are characteristic of plant cells rather than all cells.
- Explicitly lists the cell membrane as one of the basic parts of a cell.
- States the cell membrane encloses the cytoplasm and nucleus, indicating its presence in plant cells (onion peel cells are discussed).
- Notes an extra outer layer (cell wall) in some cells, implying the membrane exists beneath the wall.
- Directly states that animal and plant cells are surrounded by a cell membrane.
- Uses plant cells together with animal cells when describing cellular membranes, reinforcing universality of membrane presence.
- Explicitly states that animal and plant cells are surrounded by a cell membrane.
- Directly names animal cells as having a surrounding membrane, so answers the question affirmatively.
- Lists the cell membrane as one of the three basic parts of a cell (with cytoplasm and nucleus).
- Describes the membrane’s role enclosing cell contents and separating cells, implying its presence in typical cells (including animal cells).
- Explicitly states plant cells have a 'large, empty-looking space called a vacuole'.
- Directly contrasts with animal cells where vacuoles are 'usually not present' or 'usually small'.
- Describes storage of plant waste products in 'cellular vacuoles', supporting functional importance and presence.
- Reinforces that vacuoles are a common compartment in plant cells used for storage.
- Explains plant cells change shape by changing water content—mechanism tied to large vacuole function (water storage/turgor).
- Provides physiological context for why a large central vacuole is typical in plant cells.
- Directly states that animal cells may contain many small vacuoles.
- Contrasts the size/number of vacuoles in animal cells with the large central vacuole of plant cells.
- Explicitly contrasts plant cells having a large central vacuole with animal cells not having one.
- Supports the idea that animal cells do not have a single large vacuole (implying differences in vacuole number/size).
Explicitly contrasts plant and animal vacuoles: plant cells have a large vacuole; animal cells 'are usually not present, if present, they are usually small.'
A student could combine this textbook rule with basic cell diagrams or microscopy examples to check whether animal cells observed show only small or few vacuoles rather than many large ones.
States many plant wastes are stored in cellular vacuoles, implying plant vacuoles are large and functionally important.
Use this functional distinction (storage of wastes in plant vacuoles) plus knowledge that animals use different excretory strategies to infer why plant vacuoles are large but animal vacuoles need not be.
Explains that plant cells change shape by altering water content (swelling/shrinking), a process consistent with large central vacuoles holding water.
Combine this with the role of vacuoles in storing water to reason that plants require large vacuoles while animal cells (which use muscle proteins for movement) would not rely on many large vacuoles.
Notes plant cells (e.g., onion peel) appear nearly rectangular and closely packed, a morphology often produced by a large central vacuole that maintains turgor and shape.
Compare plant cell shapes seen under a microscope with typical animal cell shapes to test whether the presence of a large vacuole correlates with the rectangular plant cell appearance rather than many small vacuoles in animals.
Gives a general definition of a typical cell (membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus), providing a baseline for comparing organelle presence/absence between cell types.
Use this general cell-structure template plus more specific clues above to survey textbook diagrams or microscopy images to judge whether animal cells commonly contain many small vacuoles.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly solvable from NCERT Class VIII Science, Chapter 8 (Cell — Structure and Functions), specifically the comparison table and diagrams.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: General Science > Biology > Cytology (Cell Biology). The specific theme is 'Comparative Anatomy of Cells' (Plant vs Animal vs Prokaryote).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Exclusivity List': 1) Centrioles/Centrosomes (Animals only), 2) Plastids/Chloroplasts (Plants only), 3) Reserve Food (Starch in Plants vs Glycogen in Animals), 4) Lysosomes (Common in Animals, rare in Plants), 5) Cell Division (Cell plate in Plants vs Cleavage furrow in Animals).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just read the text; study the diagrams side-by-side. Statement 2 is visually disproven by the standard cell diagram which labels 'Cell Membrane' in both types. Visual memory beats textual rote learning here.
References explicitly note that some plant cells (e.g., onion peel) have an extra outer layer called the cell wall, distinguishing them from many animal cells.
High-yield foundational fact for cell biology questions — helps classify organisms and answer comparison-type MCQs. Links to topics on tissue structure and microscopy observations; useful for elimination in objective questions and for framing short answers on plant vs animal cell differences.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Activity 2.3: Let us investigate > p. 12
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Activity 2.2: Let us study a cell (Teacher demonstration activity) > p. 11
Sources describe the cell membrane as the enclosing, porous layer and mention an additional outer cell wall in some organisms (plants, fungi), highlighting a structural distinction relevant to the statement.
Crucial for answers that require precise terminology (membrane vs wall). Helps in understanding transport, protection, and structural roles in cells — links to physiology topics like osmosis, transpiration and microbial classification.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Activity 2.3: Let us investigate > p. 12
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > 2.5 Why Is Cell Considered to Be a Basic Unit of Life? > p. 24
References note differences in cell shape and specialised plant cells (e.g., long tubes for water transport), which contextualise structural differences between plant and animal cells.
Useful for descriptive/analytical questions comparing plant and animal tissues; connects cell structure to function (xylem/phloem, storage, movement). Helps build explanations in mains/long-answer questions and supports integrative reasoning across botany and physiology.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > 2.1.1 Variation in shape and structure of cells > p. 14
- Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Control and Coordination > 6.2.1 Immediate Response to Stimulus > p. 106
References distinguish a universal cell membrane from an additional cell wall present in some cells (e.g., onion/plant cells and fungi).
High-yield basic cell-structure concept frequently tested in biology questions; helps answer comparative questions (plant vs animal vs fungi vs bacteria). Connects to topics like osmoregulation, rigidity, and tissue organization. Master by comparing lists of structures present/absent across cell types.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > 2.5 Why Is Cell Considered to Be a Basic Unit of Life? > p. 24
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Activity 2.3: Let us investigate > p. 12
Several references emphasise that plant and animal cells differ in shape and structure and give plant-cell examples (onion) with extra outer layers.
Core comparative concept for classification and function questions (e.g., why plants maintain rigidity, movement differences). Useful for answering direct comparison MCQs and for linking cell structure to organismal function in UPSC prelims and mains biology-related facts.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > A step further > p. 13
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > 2.1.1 Variation in shape and structure of cells > p. 14
Evidence highlights that fungi have cell walls and lack chloroplasts, bacteria lack a well-defined nucleus—showing cell features vary by group.
Helps classify organisms and predict physiological capabilities (e.g., photosynthesis presence/absence), a recurring theme in general biology. Useful for elimination in taxonomy and function questions; study by tabulating features across groups.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > 2.5 Why Is Cell Considered to Be a Basic Unit of Life? > p. 24
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > 2.3 What Are Microorganisms? > p. 15
Both references state the cell membrane is a basic part and surrounds plant and animal cells, directly answering whether plant cells have a membrane.
High-yield foundational concept for cell biology questions; explains transport, compartmentalisation, and differences across cell types. Mastering this helps answer comparative questions (plant vs animal vs prokaryote) and interpret diagrams or microscopy descriptions.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Activity 2.3: Let us investigate > p. 12
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > 2.5 Why Is Cell Considered to Be a Basic Unit of Life? > p. 24
The 'Next Logical Question' is the composition of cell walls in other kingdoms. Fungi have cell walls made of Chitin (not cellulose), and Bacteria have cell walls made of Peptidoglycan. UPSC loves swapping these materials in future statements.
Apply 'Functional Necessity Logic' to Statement 2. The Plasma Membrane is the semi-permeable gatekeeper essential for life (osmosis/transport). A Cell Wall is just a rigid coat. If plants lacked a membrane, they couldn't regulate internal chemistry. Therefore, Statement 2 is biologically impossible. Eliminate options with 2.
Link this to GS-3 Biotechnology & Biofuels. The 'Cellulose' cell wall is the primary barrier to 2nd Generation Biofuels (cellulosic ethanol). Breaking this wall efficiently is a key area of research in India's National Policy on Biofuels.