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Structure and Function of Cells — 7th Grade Science practice questions

37 multiple-choice questions and 28 flashcards on Structure and Function of Cells, about 25% of the 7th Grade Science bank. Every one carries a written rationale.

Written and maintained by Nick Burton · last updated 2026-08-22 · how we write and review questions

What this chapter covers

Structure and Function of Cells is one of 5 chapters in CoStudy's 7th Grade Science (Life Science) bank, and it holds 37 of the bank's 150 multiple-choice questions — roughly 25% of the total. That proportion is not arbitrary: chapters follow the certifying body's published exam outline, and the number of questions in each is set by that domain's published weight, so the share of your practice time this chapter takes matches the share of the real exam it accounts for.

Studying by chapter is worth doing once you have a diagnostic score. A single overall percentage tells you whether you are close; it does not tell you which domain is dragging. Working a weak chapter in isolation, and re-testing it in isolation, is the fastest way to move a score that has stalled — and it is why the mock exams in CoStudy report by domain rather than as one number.

Free Structure and Function of Cells practice questions

10 questions drawn from this chapter, with the full rationale shown — the controlling principle behind the right answer, and why each wrong option tempts and fails.

Longitudinal waves (like sound) have particle motion that is:

  1. Perpendicular to wave direction
  2. Parallel to wave direction — compressions and rarefactions
  3. Random
  4. Stationary

Answer: B — Parallel to wave direction — compressions and rarefactions

B) Particles oscillate along the direction of travel. A) transverse; C/D) wrong.

Which organelle is found in plant cells but NOT animal cells?

  1. Mitochondria
  2. Cell membrane
  3. Chloroplasts
  4. Ribosomes

Answer: C — Chloroplasts

Chloroplasts carry out photosynthesis — unique to plant/algae cells. (A) both have mitochondria; (B) both have cell membranes; (D) both have ribosomes.

Two waves are sent through the same rope. Wave 1 has higher amplitude than Wave 2. Wave 1 therefore:

  1. Has a longer wavelength
  2. Has a higher frequency
  3. Carries more energy than Wave 2
  4. Travels faster

Answer: C — Carries more energy than Wave 2

C) Amplitude ∝ energy. A/B/D) independent of amplitude.

Which statement is part of the CELL THEORY?

  1. All cells have a nucleus
  2. Only plant cells can reproduce
  3. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells
  4. Cells only exist in animals

Answer: C — All living organisms are composed of one or more cells

Cell theory (1839): (1) all living things are made of cells; (2) cells are the basic unit of life; (3) all cells come from existing cells. (A) prokaryotes lack a nucleus; (B/D) all living things have cells.

Heat transfer by RADIATION:

  1. Requires a fluid medium
  2. Is electromagnetic-wave transfer that can travel through a vacuum (e.g., sunlight reaching Earth)
  3. Only works at very high temperatures
  4. Is the same as conduction

Answer: B — Is electromagnetic-wave transfer that can travel through a vacuum (e.g., sunlight reaching Earth)

B) EM radiation needs no medium. A) opposite of radiation; C/D) wrong.

A primary difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is that:

  1. Eukaryotic cells are smaller
  2. Eukaryotic cells contain no DNA
  3. Prokaryotes use sunlight while eukaryotes never do
  4. Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not

Answer: D — Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not

D) Defining feature is nuclear and organelle structure. A) Eukaryotes are typically larger. B/C) Both contain DNA; some eukaryotes (plants) use sunlight.

The amplitude of a wave is BEST described as:

  1. The distance between successive crests
  2. The number of waves per second
  3. The maximum displacement of the wave from rest position — relates to energy/loudness/brightness
  4. The speed of the wave

Answer: C — The maximum displacement of the wave from rest position — relates to energy/loudness/brightness

C) Amplitude = height from equilibrium. A) wavelength; B) frequency; D) speed.

Average speed is calculated as:

  1. distance × time
  2. distance + time
  3. time ÷ distance
  4. distance ÷ time

Answer: D — distance ÷ time

D) v = d/t. A/B/C) wrong operations.

Cellular respiration breaks down glucose using oxygen. Its outputs are:

  1. Glucose and oxygen
  2. Carbon dioxide, water, and ATP (energy)
  3. Just oxygen
  4. Sunlight and water

Answer: B — Carbon dioxide, water, and ATP (energy)

B) C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP. A) reverses to photosynthesis; C/D) irrelevant.

The basic unit of life is the:

  1. Cell
  2. Atom
  3. Molecule
  4. Organ

Answer: A — Cell

A) Cell theory. B/C) Chemistry units, not biological. D) Multi-cellular structure.

Structure and Function of Cells flashcards

4 cards from the 28 in this chapter.

What do chloroplasts do (plant cells only)?

Carry out photosynthesis — convert sunlight into chemical energy (sugar).

What's a key difference between plant and animal cells?

Plants have cell wall, chloroplasts, and one large vacuole. Animals don't.

What is 'cellular respiration'?

Cells break down glucose to release energy (ATP). Opposite of photosynthesis.

What is the 'nucleus' of a cell?

Control center holding DNA — the genetic instructions.

Practise the full chapter

These are a sample. The full Structure and Function of Cells chapter runs 65 items with per-chapter progress tracking, on the web and in the iOS app.

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