TEAS Science Practice Test – Cell Structure & Function

Which structure controls what enters and exits the cell?

A. Nucleus

B. Cytoplasm

C. Plasma membrane

D. Ribosome

C. Plasma membrane

How to Remember: Think "P = Police" → Plasma membrane acts like a security guard controlling traffic.

Which organelle is known as the "control center" of the cell?

A. Mitochondria

B. Nucleus

C. Golgi apparatus

D. Ribosome

B. Nucleus

How to Remember: The nucleus is the cell's brain because it contains DNA and directs activities.

Where is DNA found in a prokaryotic cell?

A. Nucleus

B. Nucleolus

C. Nucleoid region

D. Mitochondria

C. Nucleoid region

How to Work It Out:

Prokaryotes have no nucleus.

DNA must be somewhere else.

DNA is found in the nucleoid.

Memory Tip:

Pro = No nucleus.

Which organelle produces ATP (energy)?

A. Ribosome

B. Lysosome

C. Mitochondria

D. Golgi apparatus

C. Mitochondria

Memory Trick: "Mighty Mitochondria = Mighty Energy"

Which organelle is the site of protein synthesis?

A. Ribosome

B. Vacuole

C. Smooth ER

D. Nucleus

A. Ribosome

Memory Tip: Ribo = Build-o proteins

Which cell type contains chloroplasts?

A. Animal cells only

B. Plant cells only

C. Bacterial cells only

D. All cells

B. Plant cells only

Memory Tip: Plants need chloroplasts to make food using sunlight.

What is the primary function of the Golgi apparatus?

A. Produces ATP

B. Stores DNA

C. Packages and ships proteins

D. Digests waste

C. Packages and ships proteins

Memory Trick: Think of the Golgi as the cell's Post Office.

Which organelle contains digestive enzymes?

A. Ribosome

B. Lysosome

C. Vacuole

D. Smooth ER

B. Lysosome

Memory Tip: Lysosome = Lyses (breaks down) materials.

Which structure is found in plant cells but not animal cells?

A. Cytoplasm

B. Nucleus

C. Cell wall

D. Ribosomes

C. Cell wall

How to Work It Out:

Both plant and animal cells have nuclei, cytoplasm, and ribosomes.

Only plants have a cell wall.

What is the function of chloroplasts?

A. Protein synthesis

B. Photosynthesis

C. Digestion

D. ATP production

B. Photosynthesis

Memory Trick:

Chloro = Green

Green plants perform photosynthesis.

Which organelle synthesizes lipids?

A. Rough ER

B. Smooth ER

C. Golgi apparatus

D. Ribosome

B. Smooth ER

Memory Tip: Smooth = Fat

Smooth ER makes lipids (fats).

What is the function of the cytoplasm?

A. Stores DNA

B. Controls movement in and out of the cell

C. Suspends organelles and hosts reactions

D. Produces proteins

C. Suspends organelles and hosts reactions

Memory Trick: Cytoplasm = Jell-O filling of the cell.

What is one major difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?

A. Eukaryotes have DNA

B. Prokaryotes have ribosomes

C. Eukaryotes have a nucleus

D. Prokaryotes have cytoplasm

C. Eukaryotes have a nucleus

TEAS Test Tip: If you see "membrane-bound organelles", think eukaryotic cell.

Which organelle helps maintain plant cell pressure?

A. Mitochondria

B. Vacuole

C. Ribosome

D. Nucleus

B. Vacuole

Memory Trick: Vacuoles are like water balloons inside plant cells.

Which organelle modifies and packages proteins made by the rough ER?

A. Lysosome

B. Mitochondria

C. Golgi apparatus

D. Nucleus

C. Golgi apparatus

How to Work It Out:

Rough ER makes proteins.

Proteins need packaging.

Nucleus

Control center

Memory Trick

Brain

Ribosome

Makes proteins

Memory Trick

Build-o proteins

Mitochondria

ATP production

Memory Trick

Powerhouse

Chloroplast

Photosynthesis

Memory Trick

Green food factory

Golgi Apparatus

Packages proteins

Memory Trick

Post Office

Lysosome

Digests waste

Memory Trick

Cleanup crew

Smooth ER

Makes lipids

Memory Trick

Smooth = Fat

Rough ER

Makes proteins

Memory Trick

Rough = Ribosomes attached

Vacuole

Storage

Memory Trick

Water balloon

Plasma Membrane

Controls entry/exit

Memory Trick: Security guard

PROKARYOTES

No nucleus

No membrane-bound organelles

Smaller

Bacteria

EUKARYOTES

Have nucleus

Have membrane-bound organelles

Larger

Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protists

Easy Memory Phrase:"PAFP are Eukaryotic"

Plants

Animals

Fungi

Protists