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Cell: The Unit of Life is one of the important chapters in NEET Biology and is often tested in the exam through questions from cell organelles, cell membrane, prokaryotic/eukaryotic cells, ribosomes, mitochondria, plastids, and the endomembrane system. Practice of Cell: The Unit of Life NEET previous year questions (PYQs) will help the aspirants get acquainted with the question format, frequently tested NCERT concepts and enhance accuracy in NEET Biology.
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As seen from the recent NEET exam, the questions from this chapter are often NCERT-based and concept-based and are available in different formats like direct MCQs, statement-type questions, and match the following questions. In NEET 2025, there were 4 questions from Cell: The Unit of Life, while in NEET 2026 there were 8 questions from this chapter.
This article presents the Cell: The Unit of Life NEET PYQs with answers and explanations along with the NEET year-wise question trend, topics, and preparation tips for NEET 2027. Aspirants can refer to these questions for revision of the NCERT chapter and identifying the important concepts.
Cell: The Unit of Life chapter explains the structure and functions of the cell. The NEET biology chapter-wise weightage will help students who are preparing for the NEET exam to take a strategic approach. This will enable them to prioritise chapters. Attempting NEET Cell: The Unit of Life PYQs helps students know the question pattern. Given below is a table of the number of questions from this chapter in the previous years.
Year | No. of Questions |
2026 | 8 |
2025 | 4 |
2024 | 4 |
2023 | 4 |
2022 | 2 |
2021 | 2 |
2020 | 4 |
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As per the year-wise analysis, it is clear that 'Cell: The Unit of Life' continues to be an important topic in NEET Biology. Although the number of questions may differ every year, the topics in NCERT remain the same every time. The most common topics that came in the recent examinations include cell organelles, cell membrane, mitochondria, plastids, ribosomes, prokaryotic cells, endomembrane system and cytoskeleton.
Therefore, for NEET 2027 preparation, it becomes very important for students not to limit themselves to the number of expected questions. They should revise the entire chapter in NCERT and then practice PYQs to understand the important concepts.
Scoring well in the Cell: The Unit of Life chapter needs conceptual clarity and good memory. Consistent practice of NEET question papers improves retention of the concepts. Given below are a few Cell: The Unit of Life NEET PYQ to understand the difficulty level. For effective preparation, aspirants should also practice the important diagrams for NEET biology.
Question 1: A specialised membranous structure in a prokaryotic cell, which helps in cell wall formation, DNA replication, and respiration, is:
Options
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Mesosome
Chromatophores
Cristae
Answer: Mesosomes are plasma membrane infoldings present in prokaryotic cells, like bacteria. They also play a role in cell wall synthesis during cell division, replication of DNA, and division of daughter cells. They are also included in respiration by having respiratory enzymes, a bit like mitochondria in eukaryotic cells.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2) Mesosomes.
Question 2: Match List - I with List - II:
List - I | List - II |
A. Centromere | I. Mitochondrion |
B. Cilium | II. Cell division |
C. Cristae | III. Cell movement |
D. Cell membrane | IV. Phospholipid bilayer |
Options
A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV
A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
A-IV, B-II, C-III, D-I
Answer:
Centromere is the part of a chromosome where spindle fibres attach during cell division, helping chromosome movement → II.
Cilium is a hair-like structure present on the cell surface that helps in cell movement or moving fluids → III.
Cristae are folds of the mitochondrion’s inner membrane that increase surface area for energy production →I.
The cell membrane is made of a phospholipid bilayer that controls what enters and leaves the cell → IV.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1) A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV
Question 3: Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Mitochondria and chloroplasts are both double membrane-bound organelles.
Statement II: The inner membrane of mitochondria is relatively less permeable than compared of chloroplasts.
In light of the above statements, choose the inappropriate answer from the options given below:
Options
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.
Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct.
Answer:
Both mitochondria and chloroplasts are double membrane-bound cell organelles.
The transport of ions occurs across the inner membrane of mitochondria. The inner membrane of
Chloroplasts are impermeable to ions and metabolites. Therefore, it is said that the inner membrane of
Mitochondria are relatively more permeable than chloroplasts.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.
Question 4: Match List I with List II
List - I | List II | ||
A. | Nucleolus | I. | Site of formation of glycolipid |
B. | Centriole | II. | An organisation like the cartwheel |
C. | Leucoplasts | III. | Site for active ribosomal RNA synthesis |
D. | Golgi apparatus | IV. | For storing nutrients |
Options
A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I
A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV
A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
Answer:
A. Nucleolus → III. Site for active ribosomal RNA synthesis: Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is made and formed into ribosomal subunits in the nucleolus.
B. Centriole → II. Organisations like the cartwheel: The centriole has a layout corresponding to a cartwheel and recreates a function in cell division and forming spindle fibers.
C. Leucoplasts → IV. For storing nutrients: Leucoplasts are plastids that store nutrients like starch, oils, or proteins.
D. Golgi apparatus → I. Site of formation of glycolipid: The Golgi apparatus is concerned with the synthesis of glycolipids and glycoproteins.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1) A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I.
Question 5: Which of the following functions is carried out by the cytoskeleton in a cell?
Options
Nuclear division
Protein synthesis
Motility
Transportation
Answer: The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments found in the cytoplasm of cells. It plays an important role in providing structural support, maintaining cell shape, and facilitating various cellular processes. One of the key functions of the cytoskeleton is cell motility, which includes the movement of cells themselves and the movement of cellular components within the cell.
Hence, the correct answer is Option 3) Motility.
Question 6: How many different proteins does the ribosome consist of?
Options
80
60
40
20
Answer: The ribosome is a complex molecular machine involved in protein synthesis. It is composed of two subunits, the large subunit and the small subunit, which come together during protein synthesis and dissociate afterwards. In eukaryotes, the ribosome consists of 80 different proteins in total.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1) 80.
Question 7: Which of the following statements concerning the endoplasmic reticulum is incorrect?
Options
SER is devoid of ribosomes
In prokaryotes, only the RER is present.
SER are the sites for lipid synthesis
RER has ribosomes attached to the ER
Answer: ER is absent in prokaryotes. Hence, RER (rough ER) and SER (smooth ER) are both absent. Bacteria and other prokaryotes lack an endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Only eukaryotic cells contain the ER organelle. Both smooth ER (SER) and rough ER (RER) are present in eukaryotes.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2) In prokaryotes, only RER is present.
Question 8: Match List I with List II.
List -I | List II |
(a) Cristae | (i) Primary constriction in the chromosome. |
(b) Thylakoids | (ii) Disc-shaped sacs in the Golgi apparatus |
(c) Centromere | (iii) Infoldings in mitochondria |
(d) Cisternae | (iv) Flattened membrane sacs in the stroma of plastids |
Options
(a) - (iv), (b) - (iii), (c) - (ii), (d) - (i)
(a) - (i), (b) - (iv), (c) - (iii), (d) - (ii)
(a) - (iii), (b) - (iv), (c) - (i), (d) - (ii)
(a) - (ii), (b) - (iii), (c) - (iv), (d) - (i)
Answer:
Cristae: Infoldings in mitochondria. To increase the capacity of the mitochondria to synthesise ATP, the inner membrane of mitochondria is folded to form cristae.
Thylakoids are membrane-bound compartments inside chloroplasts and cyanobacteria. They are the site of the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
Centromere: Primary constriction in the chromosome. The two chromatids of chromosomes are attached by a narrow area called the centromere, also called the primary constriction.
Cisternae: disc-shaped sacs in the Golgi apparatus. These appear in the form of flat, curved, smooth membrane structures with swollen ends.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3) (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-, (d)-(ii).
Question 9: Which is the important site of information on glycoproteins and glycolipids in eukaryotic cells?
Options
Endoplasmic reticulum
Peroxisomes
Golgi bodies
Polysomes
Answer: Proteins and lipids, including glycoproteins and glycolipids, are modified, sorted, and packaged by the Golgi apparatus. It produces glycoproteins and glycolipids by adding carbohydrate (sugar) groups to proteins and lipids.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3) Golgi bodies.
Question 10: Which of the following statements about inclusion bodies is incorrect?
Options
They are not bound by any membrane
These are involved in the ingestion of food particles
They lie free in the cytoplasm
These represent reserve material in the cytoplasm
Answer: Inclusion bodies are not involved in the ingestion of food particles. They are non-membrane-bound structures within the cytoplasm that store nutrients, waste products, or other molecules, such as glycogen, lipids, or proteins.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2) These are involved in the ingestion of food particles.
Understanding how cells work is the first step in mastering the NEET biology syllabus. Cell: The Unit of Life chapter is among the do-or-die chapters for NEET. Knowing the important topics helps aspirants in doing systematic preparation. Many of these topics were covered in the NEET previous year papers.
Important topic | What to revise |
Cell theory | Scientists, statements and contributions |
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells | Structural differences, cell envelope, ribosomes |
Plasma membrane | Fluid mosaic model, phospholipids, proteins, glycocalyx |
Cell organelles | Structure and functions of mitochondria, plastids, nucleus, Golgi, Endoplasmic Reticulum and lysosomes |
Structure, subunits and occurrence | |
Endomembrane system | ER, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes and vacuoles |
Cytoskeleton | Microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments and cell motility |
Structure and functions | |
Inclusion bodies | Location, nature and storage function |
It is helpful to solve PYQs because NEET tends to ask the same concepts from NCERT but in different types of questions. Chapter-wise PYQs can prove helpful for students in
Identifying the most NCERT most repeated concepts.
Knowing how the questions are formed from the topics cell organelles and their functions.
Being accurate in statement type and matching type questions.
Finding the weaker topics before doing full length NEET practice papers.
Revising all the most repeated Biology diagram, definitions and factual data from NCERT.
Increasing speed through repetition of questions.
Students should verify the answer to the PYQs by referring to the relevant NCERT paragraph or diagram rather than simply memorising the answers. It would be helpful especially in the case of Cell – The Unit of Life, as a lot of questions are asked from it.
Strategy for Cell: The Unit of Life would help you get good marks in NEET biology, as the majority of questions are based on NCERT and concepts.
It is necessary for you to learn about the cell organelles and solve the previous year's question papers in order to get ready.
Learn the NCERT chapter thoroughly
Read the whole chapter on Cell: The Unit of Life and know the lines, definitions, tables, diagrams, and NCERT facts of that chapter, as most of the questions in NEET are based on NCERT.
Revise important diagrams regularly
Practice drawing the diagrams of the plasma membrane, mitochondria, chloroplast, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, and ribosomes.
Solve chapter-wise previous year questions
Make sure you complete all the questions of NEET previous year papers of Cell: The Unit of Life before taking up practice tests.
Practise topic-wise MCQs
Practice additional questions on prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cell organelles, membrane transport, cytoskeleton, and endomembrane system.
Analysing and revising mistakes weekly
It is always recommended that you maintain a mistake notebook to avoid making the same mistakes in the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Usually, 3-4 direct NCERT‑based questions appear every year, often covering organelles, ribosomes, and diagrams.
Commonly repeated are ribosome types (70S vs 80S), ER functions, Golgi apparatus roles, mitochondria, cytoskeleton, and diagram‑based MCQs.
Yes, NCERT Biology Class 11 line‑by‑line reading is sufficient. Most PYQs are directly picked from the NCERT text and diagrams.
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