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Q57 (IAS/2018) Geography › World Physical Geography › Atmosphere composition Official Key

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:

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: C
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. [1] https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zg9mk2p/revision/3
  2. [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. [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. [4] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > A step further > p. 13
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
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got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Q. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells? 1. Plant cells have cellul…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 3.3/10
Statement 1
For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do plant cells have cell walls composed primarily of cellulose?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Only plant cell walls are made from cellulose."
Why this source?
  • 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.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Only plant cell walls are made from cellulose."
Why this source?
  • 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.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Only plant cell walls are made from cellulose."
Why this source?
  • 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.

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
Strength: 5/5
“These three—cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus — are the basic parts of a cell. Some cells, like onion peel cells, have an extra outer layer called the cell wall. What is the importance of these structures in a cell? What functions do they perform? Are these functions important for the maintenance of life? The cell membrane encloses the cytoplasm and nucleus. The cell membrane separates one cell from another. It is porous and allows the entry of materials essential for life processes and the exit of waste material. Cytoplasm contains other components of the cell and compounds, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and mineral salts.”
Why relevant

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.

How to extend

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).

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Keep the curiosity alive > p. 25
Strength: 4/5
“1. Various parts of a cell are given below. Write them in the appropriate places in the following diagram. • Nucleus: Chloroplast; Cytoplasm: Cell wall • Nucleus: Cell membrane; Cytoplasm: Nucleoid • Only in Bacterial Cell Only in Plant Cell 2. Aanandi took two test tubes and marked them A and B. She put two spoonfuls of sugar solution in each of the test tubes. In test tube B, she added a spoonful of yeast. Then she attached two incompletely inflated balloons to the mouth of each test tube. She kept the set-up in a warm place, away from sunlight. • (i) What do you predict will happen after 3–4 days?”
Why relevant

Provides a schematic/list distinguishing cell parts and implies 'Cell wall' is an identifiable component associated with plant cells.

How to extend

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.

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
Strength: 4/5
“Compare it with Fig. 2.3c.• z What similarities do you find in Fig. 2.3c and Fig. 2.3d? You will observe nearly rectangular structures under the microscope. These are the cells of the onion peel, which are closely arranged without any space between them. Try to observe the peels of the leaves of different plants around you. You will find that all plants are made up of cells. What do you think the body of an animal is made of?”
Why relevant

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).

How to extend

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.

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
Strength: 4/5
“Like animal and plant cells, the cells of microorganisms are also surrounded by a cell membrane. Cells of fungi additionally have a cell wall, but they do not have chloroplasts, so they cannot make their own food through photosynthesis. Bacteria do not have a well-defined nucleus and a nuclear membrane. Instead they have a nucleoid. This feature distinguishes them from cells of yeast, protozoa, algae, fungi, plants, and animals. We have only looked at a few basic cell structures here. The cell has other components about which you will learn in higher classes. For observing subcellular components, we need microscopes with high magnification.”
Why relevant

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.

How to extend

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.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > A step further > p. 13
Strength: 3/5
“So, a cell is not just a simple bag of liquid—it is a complex structure made up of many different parts, each with its own special function to allow the cell, and in turn the entire organism to work. (The colours are to show different parts of the cell) We have now understood the basic structure of cell. And we now also understand that plant and animal cells differ in shape and structure. Do different animal cells also vary in their shape and structure?”
Why relevant

States plant and animal cells differ in shape and structure, underscoring that structural features like walls are key distinguishing traits to investigate.

How to extend

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.

Statement 2
For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do animal cells lack cell walls entirely?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
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
Presence: 4/5
“Like animal and plant cells, the cells of microorganisms are also surrounded by a cell membrane. Cells of fungi additionally have a cell wall, but they do not have chloroplasts, so they cannot make their own food through photosynthesis. Bacteria do not have a well-defined nucleus and a nuclear membrane. Instead they have a nucleoid. This feature distinguishes them from cells of yeast, protozoa, algae, fungi, plants, and animals. We have only looked at a few basic cell structures here. The cell has other components about which you will learn in higher classes. For observing subcellular components, we need microscopes with high magnification.”
Why this source?
  • 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.
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
Presence: 4/5
“These three—cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus — are the basic parts of a cell. Some cells, like onion peel cells, have an extra outer layer called the cell wall. What is the importance of these structures in a cell? What functions do they perform? Are these functions important for the maintenance of life? The cell membrane encloses the cytoplasm and nucleus. The cell membrane separates one cell from another. It is porous and allows the entry of materials essential for life processes and the exit of waste material. Cytoplasm contains other components of the cell and compounds, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and mineral salts.”
Why this source?
  • 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.
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
Presence: 3/5
“Compare it with Fig. 2.3c.• z What similarities do you find in Fig. 2.3c and Fig. 2.3d? You will observe nearly rectangular structures under the microscope. These are the cells of the onion peel, which are closely arranged without any space between them. Try to observe the peels of the leaves of different plants around you. You will find that all plants are made up of cells. What do you think the body of an animal is made of?”
Why this source?
  • 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.
Statement 3
For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do plant cells have a plasma (cell) membrane?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
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
Presence: 5/5
“These three—cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus — are the basic parts of a cell. Some cells, like onion peel cells, have an extra outer layer called the cell wall. What is the importance of these structures in a cell? What functions do they perform? Are these functions important for the maintenance of life? The cell membrane encloses the cytoplasm and nucleus. The cell membrane separates one cell from another. It is porous and allows the entry of materials essential for life processes and the exit of waste material. Cytoplasm contains other components of the cell and compounds, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and mineral salts.”
Why this source?
  • 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.
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
Presence: 5/5
“Like animal and plant cells, the cells of microorganisms are also surrounded by a cell membrane. Cells of fungi additionally have a cell wall, but they do not have chloroplasts, so they cannot make their own food through photosynthesis. Bacteria do not have a well-defined nucleus and a nuclear membrane. Instead they have a nucleoid. This feature distinguishes them from cells of yeast, protozoa, algae, fungi, plants, and animals. We have only looked at a few basic cell structures here. The cell has other components about which you will learn in higher classes. For observing subcellular components, we need microscopes with high magnification.”
Why this source?
  • 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.
Statement 4
For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do animal cells have a plasma (cell) membrane?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
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
Presence: 5/5
“Like animal and plant cells, the cells of microorganisms are also surrounded by a cell membrane. Cells of fungi additionally have a cell wall, but they do not have chloroplasts, so they cannot make their own food through photosynthesis. Bacteria do not have a well-defined nucleus and a nuclear membrane. Instead they have a nucleoid. This feature distinguishes them from cells of yeast, protozoa, algae, fungi, plants, and animals. We have only looked at a few basic cell structures here. The cell has other components about which you will learn in higher classes. For observing subcellular components, we need microscopes with high magnification.”
Why this source?
  • 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.
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
Presence: 4/5
“These three—cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus — are the basic parts of a cell. Some cells, like onion peel cells, have an extra outer layer called the cell wall. What is the importance of these structures in a cell? What functions do they perform? Are these functions important for the maintenance of life? The cell membrane encloses the cytoplasm and nucleus. The cell membrane separates one cell from another. It is porous and allows the entry of materials essential for life processes and the exit of waste material. Cytoplasm contains other components of the cell and compounds, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and mineral salts.”
Why this source?
  • 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).
Statement 5
For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do mature plant cells typically contain one large central vacuole?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > A step further > p. 13
Presence: 5/5
“Cells in all parts of a plant have tiny rod-shaped structures called plastids. Some plastids, like chloroplasts, contain chlorophyll, which makes them green and helps in photosynthesis. In non-green parts, they help in the storage of substances. Plant cells also have a large, empty-looking space called a vacuole. This helps the plant cell store important substances, get rid of waste, and maintain the shape of the cell. This gives strength and support to the plant. In animal cells, vacuoles are usually not present, if present, they are usually small. These small vacuoles store certain substances dissolved in water (Fig. 2.5).”
Why this source?
  • 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'.
Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > 5.5.2 Excretion in Plants > p. 98
Presence: 4/5
“Plants use completely different strategies for excretion than those of animals. Oxygen itself can be thought of as a waste product generated during photosynthesis! We have discussed earlier how plants deal with oxygen as well as CO2 . They can get rid of excess water by transpiration. For other wastes, plants use the fact that many of their tissues consist of dead cells, and that they can even lose some parts such as leaves. Many plant waste products are stored in cellular vacuoles. Waste products may be stored in leaves that fall off. Other waste products are stored as resins and gums, especially in old xylem.”
Why this source?
  • 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.
Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Control and Coordination > 6.2.1 Immediate Response to Stimulus > p. 106
Presence: 3/5
“The plants also use electrical-chemical means to convey this information from cell to cell, but unlike in animals, there is no specialised tissue in plants for the conduction of information. Finally, again as in animals, some cells must change shape in order for movement to happen. Instead of the specialised proteins found in animal muscle cells, plant cells change shape by changing the amount of water in them, resulting in swelling or shrinking, and therefore in changing shapes (Fig. 6.4).”
Why this source?
  • 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.
Statement 6
For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do animal cells typically contain many small vacuoles?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Animal cells may have many small vacuoles, a lot smaller than the plant cell."
Why this source?
  • 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.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts and other specialized plastids, and a large central vacuole, whereas animal cells do not."
Why this source?
  • 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).

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > A step further > p. 13
Strength: 5/5
“Cells in all parts of a plant have tiny rod-shaped structures called plastids. Some plastids, like chloroplasts, contain chlorophyll, which makes them green and helps in photosynthesis. In non-green parts, they help in the storage of substances. Plant cells also have a large, empty-looking space called a vacuole. This helps the plant cell store important substances, get rid of waste, and maintain the shape of the cell. This gives strength and support to the plant. In animal cells, vacuoles are usually not present, if present, they are usually small. These small vacuoles store certain substances dissolved in water (Fig. 2.5).”
Why relevant

Explicitly contrasts plant and animal vacuoles: plant cells have a large vacuole; animal cells 'are usually not present, if present, they are usually small.'

How to extend

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.

Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > 5.5.2 Excretion in Plants > p. 98
Strength: 4/5
“Plants use completely different strategies for excretion than those of animals. Oxygen itself can be thought of as a waste product generated during photosynthesis! We have discussed earlier how plants deal with oxygen as well as CO2 . They can get rid of excess water by transpiration. For other wastes, plants use the fact that many of their tissues consist of dead cells, and that they can even lose some parts such as leaves. Many plant waste products are stored in cellular vacuoles. Waste products may be stored in leaves that fall off. Other waste products are stored as resins and gums, especially in old xylem.”
Why relevant

States many plant wastes are stored in cellular vacuoles, implying plant vacuoles are large and functionally important.

How to extend

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.

Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Control and Coordination > 6.2.1 Immediate Response to Stimulus > p. 106
Strength: 4/5
“The plants also use electrical-chemical means to convey this information from cell to cell, but unlike in animals, there is no specialised tissue in plants for the conduction of information. Finally, again as in animals, some cells must change shape in order for movement to happen. Instead of the specialised proteins found in animal muscle cells, plant cells change shape by changing the amount of water in them, resulting in swelling or shrinking, and therefore in changing shapes (Fig. 6.4).”
Why relevant

Explains that plant cells change shape by altering water content (swelling/shrinking), a process consistent with large central vacuoles holding water.

How to extend

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.

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
Strength: 3/5
“Compare it with Fig. 2.3c.• z What similarities do you find in Fig. 2.3c and Fig. 2.3d? You will observe nearly rectangular structures under the microscope. These are the cells of the onion peel, which are closely arranged without any space between them. Try to observe the peels of the leaves of different plants around you. You will find that all plants are made up of cells. What do you think the body of an animal is made of?”
Why relevant

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.

How to extend

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.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Snapshots > p. 24
Strength: 2/5
“• Microorganisms are small-sized organisms and are not visible to the unaided eye.• They can live in all kinds of environments, and even in the bodies of plants and animals.• They are either unicellular or multicellular. Bacteria and protozoans are unicellular; fungi can be unicellular or multicellular, while plants and animals are multicellular.• The cell is a basic unit of life.• The body of all living organisms is made up of cells. A cell contains various components which help the organisms perform their functions and survive.• A typical cell is bounded by a cell membrane, filled with cytoplasm and contains a nucleus.”
Why relevant

Gives a general definition of a typical cell (membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus), providing a baseline for comparing organelle presence/absence between cell types.

How to extend

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.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC General Science rarely asks 'What is X?'. It almost always asks 'How is X different from Y?'. Focus on comparative tables: DNA vs RNA, Prokaryote vs Eukaryote, Mitosis vs Meiosis, and Plant vs Animal cells.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly solvable from NCERT Class VIII Science, Chapter 8 (Cell — Structure and Functions), specifically the comparison table and diagrams.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: General Science > Biology > Cytology (Cell Biology). The specific theme is 'Comparative Anatomy of Cells' (Plant vs Animal vs Prokaryote).
  3. [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).
  4. [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.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Presence of a cell wall in many plant cells
💡 The insight

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.

📚 Reading List :
  • 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
🔗 Anchor: "For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do plant cells have c..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Distinction between cell membrane and cell wall
💡 The insight

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.

📚 Reading List :
  • 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
🔗 Anchor: "For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do plant cells have c..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Variation in cell shape and specialised plant cell types
💡 The insight

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.

📚 Reading List :
  • 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
🔗 Anchor: "For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do plant cells have c..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Cell membrane versus cell wall
💡 The insight

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.

📚 Reading List :
  • 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
🔗 Anchor: "For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do animal cells lack ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Structural differences between plant and animal cells
💡 The insight

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.

📚 Reading List :
  • 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
🔗 Anchor: "For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do animal cells lack ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Organism-specific cell features
💡 The insight

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.

📚 Reading List :
  • 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
🔗 Anchor: "For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do animal cells lack ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Cell membrane as the universal cell boundary
💡 The insight

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.

📚 Reading List :
  • 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
🔗 Anchor: "For the general difference between plant and animal cells, do plant cells have a..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

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.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

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.

🔗 Mains Connection

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.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2020 · Q57 Relevance score: 9.05

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:

CDS-I · 2003 · Q107 Relevance score: 5.22

Consider the following statements: I. Plant cells have fewer mitochondria than animal cells. II. Plastids in a plant cell are the organelles enclosed by a single membrane. III. The Golgi complex in a cell participates in the recycling of plasma membrane. Which of these statements are correct?

CDS-I · 2015 · Q8 Relevance score: 3.97

Which one among the following statements is correct ?

CDS-I · 2022 · Q16 Relevance score: 3.80

Which one of the following statements is correct about the cell membrane ?

NDA-I · 2022 · Q23 Relevance score: 3.74

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