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Quizzes > Science

Animal Cell Quiz: Check your knowledge of organelles and functions

Quick, free animal cell test with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ladipo OlafajuUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of an animal cell, with organelles and labels on a golden yellow background

This animal cell quiz helps you check your understanding of organelles, cell parts, and how they work. To build skills, explore our cell organelles and functions quiz, practice diagrams with a cell labeling quiz, or broaden your review with a cell biology quiz. Get quick feedback as you go.

Which organelle houses the cell's genetic material in an animal cell?
Golgi apparatus
Nucleus - Explanation: The nucleus contains chromatin (DNA and proteins) and is the primary repository of genetic information in eukaryotic animal cells.
Peroxisome
Lysosome
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The plasma membrane of animal cells is primarily composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.
True
False
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Which structure synthesizes proteins destined for secretion out of the cell?
Centrosome
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Peroxisome
Rough endoplasmic reticulum - Explanation: Ribosomes bound to the RER translate proteins that enter the ER lumen for the secretory pathway and eventual secretion.
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Mitochondria are the primary site of ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation in animal cells.
False
True
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Which organelle is most associated with lipid synthesis and detoxification?
Lysosome
Golgi apparatus
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum - Explanation: The SER synthesizes lipids (e.g., phospholipids, steroids) and houses enzymes for detoxification.
Nucleolus
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Which cytoskeletal element is primarily responsible for chromosome separation during mitosis?
Microtubules - Explanation: Spindle microtubules attach to kinetochores and segregate chromosomes.
Actin filaments
Intermediate filaments
Collagen fibers
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In animal cells, the centrosome is the main microtubule-organizing center (MTOC).
False
True
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Which organelle contains catalase to break down hydrogen peroxide?
Endosome
Lysosome
Golgi apparatus
Peroxisome - Explanation: Peroxisomes house catalase and other oxidases to detoxify peroxides.
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The fluid mosaic model describes membranes as rigid structures with fixed proteins.
False
True
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Which transport process moves molecules down their concentration gradient without energy input via specific membrane proteins?
Primary active transport
Exocytosis
Endocytosis
Facilitated diffusion - Explanation: Transporters or channels enable passive movement down a gradient without ATP.
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Which organelle releases cytochrome c to trigger caspase activation during intrinsic apoptosis?
Golgi apparatus
Lysosome
Mitochondrion - Explanation: Outer membrane permeabilization releases cytochrome c, forming the apoptosome.
Peroxisome
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The inner mitochondrial membrane contains the electron transport chain complexes that generate a proton gradient.
False
True
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Which cytoskeletal motor protein typically moves cargo toward the plus end of microtubules in axons (anterograde transport)?
Kinesin - Explanation: Most kinesins move toward microtubule plus ends, supporting anterograde transport.
Myosin II
Actinin
Dynein
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Intermediate filaments are composed of actin subunits.
False
True
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Which signal directs a newly synthesized polypeptide to enter the ER co-translationally?
Peroxisomal PTS1 (SKL) signal
Nuclear localization signal
Mitochondrial matrix targeting sequence acting post-translationally
N-terminal signal peptide - Explanation: SRP recognizes the signal peptide and targets the ribosome to the ER.
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Which organelle is the major intracellular store of Ca2+ in many animal cells?
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum - Explanation: SER (and specialized SR in muscle) stores Ca2+ released for signaling and contraction.
Mitochondrial matrix exclusively
Peroxisome
Golgi apparatus
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Actin and myosin form the contractile ring that drives cytokinesis in animal cells.
False
True
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Which statement about mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in animal cells is correct?
It encodes all mitochondrial proteins
It is circular and encodes a subset of mitochondrial proteins and RNAs - Explanation: mtDNA is maternally inherited, circular, and encodes rRNAs, tRNAs, and some ETC subunits.
It is linear and identical to nuclear DNA
It resides in the nucleus
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Tight junctions anchor actin filaments to the extracellular matrix via integrins.
False
True
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Which event primarily occurs in the rough ER lumen to aid proper protein folding?
Formation of disulfide bonds assisted by chaperones - Explanation: The ER lumen is oxidizing and supports disulfide bridge formation and chaperone-assisted folding.
Proteasomal degradation
Transcription of mRNA
Addition of O-linked sugars to serine and threonine
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Major Organelles -

    Pinpoint key structures within animal cells and recall their names when taking this animal cell structure quiz.

  2. Explain Organelle Functions -

    Understand how organelles like mitochondria and the nucleus contribute to cell survival and energy production in the animal cell quiz.

  3. Distinguish Cell Components -

    Differentiate between various organelles and their roles, enhancing your performance on the cell organelles quiz.

  4. Apply Anatomical Knowledge -

    Use your understanding of cell anatomy to solve questions on the animal cell anatomy test accurately.

  5. Analyze Cellular Processes -

    Evaluate how organelles interact to maintain homeostasis and power cellular activities.

  6. Assess Learning Gaps -

    Track your score and review feedback to identify areas for further study in animal cell functions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Nucleus - The Control Center -

    The nucleus stores the cell's genetic blueprint within a double membrane and oversees gene expression via nuclear pores and the nucleolus. Use the mnemonic "NASI" (Nucleus Acts to Safeguard Information) to remember DNA packaging and mRNA synthesis when tackling the animal cell quiz. Harvard Medical School highlights that clarity on nuclear envelope dynamics boosts your score on an animal cell structure quiz.

  2. Mitochondria - Cellular Powerhouse -

    Mitochondria generate ATP through aerobic respiration, following C₆H₝₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ~30 ATP for energy currency. Remember "Mighty Mitro" to recall cristae-driven ATP synthesis in your next cell organelles quiz challenge. According to NIH resources, mastering this equation is crucial for acing an animal cell anatomy test.

  3. Endomembrane System - Protein and Lipid Traffic -

    The rough ER folds proteins while the smooth ER synthesizes lipids, and the Golgi apparatus processes and ships them via vesicles and lysosomes. Mnemonic "RER”SER”Golgi" helps you recall functions: Rough for ER translation, Smooth for Enzyme & lipid regulation, and Golgi for tagging. Nature Reviews Cell Biology notes that understanding vesicle pathways is key to nailing the animal cell structure quiz.

  4. Cytoskeleton - Cellular Framework -

    Microtubules (tubulin), microfilaments (actin), and intermediate filaments form a dynamic network that supports shape, transport, and division. Use "T-A-I" (Tubulin-Actin-Intermediate) mnemonic to remember each filament type when you learn animal cell functions. Cambridge University lectures emphasize that knowing cytoskeletal roles boosts accuracy on a cell organelles quiz.

  5. Cell Membrane & Transport - Gatekeeper Mechanisms -

    The fluid mosaic model describes phospholipids and embedded proteins enabling selective permeability, while transport includes passive (diffusion, osmosis) and active (pumps) processes. Recall the acronym "PAM" (Passive: Diffuse, Osmose, Facilitate; Active: Move against gradient) for the animal cell anatomy test. University of California resources stress that mastering these transport modes is essential for any animal cell quiz.

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