Question 1: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell:

Step-by-step solution provided.

Question 2: Plant cell and animal cell

Step-by-step solution provided.

Class 8Science & Technology2026-27 Syllabus

Chapter 10 Cell and Cell Organelles Solutions

Complete Maharashtra State Board Balbharati & Yuvakbharati textbook solutions for Chapter 10 Cell and Cell Organelles. Step-by-step solved exercises, numerical problems, and digest answers.

54 Solved Questions• 14 Diagrams• 3203 words

Maharashtra State Board Class 8 Science Solutions Chapter 10 Cell and Cell Organelles

Class 8 Science Chapter 10 Cell and Cell Organelles Textbook Questions and Answers

1. Who am I?

Question a.
I am ATP producing factory.
Answer:
Mitochondria

Question b.
I am single-layered but maintain cellular osmotic pressure.
Answer:
Vacuole

Question c.
I support the cell, but I am not cell wall. I have a body resembling net.
Answer:
Endoplasmic reticulum

Question d.
I am chemical factory of the cell.
Answer:
Chloroplasts in case of plant cells can be called chemical factory as they synthesise carbohydrates. Ribosomes also synthesise proteins, so those can also be called chemical factory. Golgi complex is secretory in function, hence it can be also called factory. Mitochondria though mainly referred to as powerhouse of the cell, it is also mentioned as chemical factory by some authors.

Question e.
Leaves are green because of me.
Answer:
Chloroplast.

2. What would have happened? If……….

Question a.
RBCs had mitochondria.
Answer:
Mitochondria continuously carry out oxidation and form energy inside the cell. They produce energy-rich compound, ATP. In this process, they utilize carbohydrates, fats and proteins present in the cell. If RBCs has mitochondria, they would have used oxygen for this purpose than carrying it to all the cells of the body. The cells would not have obtained oxygen.

Question b.
There had been no difference between mitochondria and plastids.
Answer:
Mitochondria carry out oxidation of carbohydrates, fats, etc. with the help of enzymes. Plastids are synthesising carbohydrates with the help of solar energy and chlorophyll. Both the cell organelles have their own sets of different enzymes as per their role. If there would have been no difference between mitochondria and plastids, the specific functions would not have been taken place.

Question c.
Genes had been absent on the chromosomes.
Answer:
Genes are functional segments on the chromosomes which are responsible for transmitting the hereditary information.

Question d.
Plasma membrane had not been selectively permeable.
Answer:
Selectively permeable membrane allows some substances to enter the cell, while prevents other unwanted or harmful substances. If plasma membrane would not have been selectively permeable, there would be no control over entry and exit of any substances. The process of osmosis would also be erroneous in such case.

Question e.
Plants lacked anthocyanin.
Answer:
If plants lacked anthocyanin, no part of the plant would display purple or blue colour. Anthocyanin attracts the insects for pollination and seed dispersal. These processes will be affected due to lack of anthocyanin. These pigments are also said to be protective in nature for the plant. This protection will not be given to the plant in absence of anthocyanin.

3. Who is odd man among us? Give reason.

Question a.
Nucleolus, mitochondria, plastids, endoplasmic reticulum
Answer:
Nucleolus. (All the others are cell organelles but nucleolus is not a cell organelle present in cytoplasm.)

Question b.
DNA, Ribosomes, Chlorophyll
Answer:
Chlorophyll. (DNA and Ribosomes are present in plant as well as in animal cells. Chlorophyll is present only in plant cells.)

4. Give functions.

Question a.
Plasma membrane.

Answer:

Question b.
Cytoplasm.
Answer:

Question c.
Lysosome.

Answer:

Question d.
Vacuole.

Answer:

Question e.
Nucleus.

Answer:

5. Who gives me the colour? (Select the correct option).

Question a.

Column ‘A’	Column ‘B’
1. Red tomato	a. Chlorophyll
2. Green leaf	b. Carotene
3. Carrot	c. Anthocyanin
4. Violet	d. Lycopene

Answer:

Column ‘A’	Column ‘B’
1. Red tomato	d. Lycopene
2. Green leaf	a. Chlorophyll
3. Carrot	b. Carotene
4. Violet	c. Anthocyanin

Project:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Prepare model of a cell using different ecofriendly materials.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Study osmosis using parchment paper or a similar membrane.

Question 3. Form a friends’ group in your class. Give each one role of a cell organelle. Present a skit accordingly.

Class 8 Science Chapter10 Cell and Cell OrganellesImportant Questions and

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Rewrite the sentences after filling the blanks:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Cell wall is mainly composed of carbohydrates like ……….. and …………..

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

block bg-white dark:bg-slate-900/80 border-l-4 border-emerald-500 rounded-r-xl p-5 my-3 shadow-xs border border-slate-200/60 dark:border-slate-800">

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Cell wall is mainly composed of carbohydrates like cellulose and pectin.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Plasma membrane is said to be a ……………. …………….. membrane as it allows some substances to enter the cell, while prevents other substances.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Plasma membrane is said to be a selectively permeable membrane as it allows some substances to enter the cell, while prevents other substances.

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Homeostasis is maintained in the cell by …………...

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Homeostasis is maintained in the cell by plasma membrane.

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

An …………… is a specialized subunit having specific function within the cell.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

An organelle is a specialized subunit having specific function within the cell.

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

……………. has ribosome granules on its outer surface.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Rough ER has ribosome granules on its outer surface.

Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution

During starvation, ………………… digest stored proteins, fats.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

During starvation, lysosomes digest stored proteins, fats.

Question 7 Maharashtra Board Solution

……………….. is the secretory organ of the cell.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Golgi complex is the secretory organ of the cell.

Question 8 Maharashtra Board Solution

……………. compound ATP is produced in the mitochondria.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Energy-rich compound ATP is produced in the mitochondria.

Given below are incorrect statements. Rewrite them after correcting them:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

In mitochondria, the inner membrane is porous and the outer membrane is deeply folded.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

In mitochondria, the outer membrane is porous and the inner membrane is deeply folded.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Vacuole is bound by double membrane.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Vacuole is bound by single membrane.

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

If fruit pieces are kept in thick saturated sugar solution, the water from fruit pieces enter the sugar solution resulting into their swelling.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

If fruit pieces are kept in a thick saturated sugar solution, the water from fruit pieces enter the sugar solution resulting into their shrinking.

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

Raisins kept in water shrink after an hour.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Raisins kept in water swell after an hour.

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

Lysosome produces vacuoles and secretory vesicles.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Golgi complex produces vacuoles and secretory vesicles.

Who gives me the colour? (Select the correct option)

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Column ‘A’	Column ‘B’
1. Nucleus	a. Pipelines of the cell
2. Endoplasmic reticulum	b. Powerhouse of the cell
3. Golgi complex	c. Suicidal bags
4. Mitochondria	d. Packing department
5. Lysosomes	e. Controlling centre

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Column ‘A’

Column ‘B’

1. Nucleus

e. Controlling centre

2. Endoplasmic reticulum

a. Pipelines of the cell

3. Golgi complex

d. Packing department

4. Mitochondria

b. Powerhouse of the cell

5. Lysosomes

c. Suicidal bags

Find the odd one out by giving suitable reasons:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Demolition squads, Suicide Bags, Immune system, Powerhouse of the cell.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

A powerhouse of the cell. (All the others are descriptions of the lysosomes.)

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Lignin, Suberin, Cutin, Iodine

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Iodine. (All the others are polymers present in the cell wall.)

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Nucleolus, Genes, Chromosomes, Ribosomes

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Ribosomes. (All the others are inclusions in the nucleus.)

Write definitions/Give meanings:

1. Homeostasis: The tendency of the cell to keep the cellular environment constant in spite of changes in the outer: environment is called homeostasis.

2. Endocytosis: To take in the food or any other substance from outer environment into the cell is called endocytosis.

3. Exocytosis: To give out the unwanted substances from the cell to the outer « environment is called exocytosis.

4. Diffusion: The movement of the molecules from region of higher concentration to the region of lower concentration is called diffusion.

5. Osmosis: The movement of solute from low concentration to high concentration and the movement of solvent from high concentration to the region of low concentration across semipermeable membrane is called osmosis.

6. Plasmolysis: When the cell is kept ?! in hypertonic medium, the water exits through the process of exosmosis causing shrinkage of the cytoplasm, this is known as plasmolysis.

7. Isotonic solution: When the concentration of the cell and that of the medium in which the cell is kept is same, then such solution is called isotonic solution.

8. Hypotonic solution: When the concentration of the water in the cell is less than that of the concentration of the water in the surrounding medium in which the cell is kept, then such solution is called hypotonic solution.

9. Hypertonic solution: When the concentration of the water in the cell is more than that of the concentration of water in the surrounding medium then such solution is called hypertonic solution.

Distinguish between the following:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell:

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Prokaryotic cell	Eukaryotic cell
1. Nucleoid is present instead of a well-formed nucleus.	1. Nucleus is well-formed with nuclear membrane, chromatin network and nucleolus.
2. Chromosome number is always one.	2. Chromosome number is more than one and is specific for every species.
3. Membrane-bound cell organelles are absent.	3. There are membrane-bound cell organelles.
4. The size of the cell is 1 to 10 micrometre. Example: Bacteria	4. The size of the cell is 5 to 100 micrometre. Example: All highly evolved unicellular and multicellular plants and animals.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Plant cell and animal cell

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Plant cell	Animal cell
1. The cell wall is the outermost covering on the cell. The plant cells have both cell wall and the cell membrane	1. The cell membrane or plasma membrane is the outermost covering of the cell. The animal cells do not have cell wall
2. The vacuoles are large and centrally placed.	2. The vacuoles are small and uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm.
3. There are plastids in the plant cells. The chloroplasts have chlorophyll.	3. The plastids are absent in the animal cells.
4. The lysosomes are absent in the plant cells.	4. Lysosomes are present in the animal cells. They contain digestive enzymes.
5. The cytoplasm is thin and pushed to the periphery due to central vacuole.	5. The cytoplasm is dense and granular. It is uniformly spread throughout the cell.

Answer the following questions in one sentence:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

What are the components of plasma membrane?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

In plasma membrane, protein molecules are embedded in two layers of phospholipids.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Which part of the cell maintains the homeostasis?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Plasma membrane of the cell maintains the homeostasis.

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

What are genes?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Genes are the functional segments on the chromosomes that carry hereditary i information from the parental generation to the offspring.

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

What is meant by rough ER?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

The endoplasmic reticulum that has ribosomes on its outer membrane is called rough ER.

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

Write the examples of plant pigments.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Chlorophyll, Carotene, Xanthophyll, Anthocyanin, Betalains and Lycopene are some of the plant pigments.

Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution

What are the inclusions in the stroma of chloroplasts?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Enzymes, DNA, ribosomes and carbohydrates that are necessary for photosynthesis are present in the stroma of the chloroplasts.

Question 7 Maharashtra Board Solution

Which staining technique was developed by Camilio Golgi? Where was this technique used?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Camilio Golgi developed the staining technique called ‘Black reaction’ which was used in the study of nervous system.

Question 8 Maharashtra Board Solution

What type of work is done by National Centre for Cell Science?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

National Centre for Cell Science – NCCS is involved in research in cytology and research about cancer treatment and it also provides services for National Animal cell repository.

Question 9 Maharashtra Board Solution

Ripe tomatoes appear red.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

When green tomatoes become ripe they lose chlorophyll and develop red pigment in them called lycopene. Therefore, ripe tomatoes appear red.

Give scientific reasons:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Raisins swell after keeping in plain water.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

When raisins are placed in plain water, there is action of endosmosis. The outer skin of raisins acts like selectively permeable membrane. Since the concentration of water inside the raisin is lesser than the concentration of water in the outer medium, water enters in the raisin. This causes raisins to swell after keeping them in plain water.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

The fruit pieces kept in sugar syrup show shrinking.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

There is more concentration of water in the fruit pieces as compared to the concentration of water in the sugar syrup. Therefore, water is lost out by exosmosis. The membranes of the fruit pieces act as selectively permeable membranes. Thus the process of plasmolysis occurs resulting into shrinking of the fruit pieces.

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

The nucleus of the sieve tubes of the plant phloem is lost.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

The sieve tubes of the plant phloem conduct the food in plants. To make this transport easier, the nucleus of the sieve tubes of the plant phloem is lost,

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

Plant cells have less mitochondria than those of animal cells.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Mitochondria are the cell organelles which are called powerhouse of the cell. They produce energy in the form of ATP. Animals are motile and need more energy for walking, running and moving. Plants are stationary. They do not need energy to greater extent. Therefore, they have lesser number of mitochondria.

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

Vacuoles do not have any typical size or shape.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Vacuoles change their shape and size as per the need of the cell. Thus they do not have any fixed shape or size.

Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution

Ripe tomatoes appear red.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

When green tomatoes become ripe they lose chlorophyll and develop red pigment in them called lycopene. Therefore, ripe tomatoes appear red.

Give functions:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Endoplasmic reticulum.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Golgi complex.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Plastids.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Answer the following questions:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

How does endosmosis and exosmosis occur in the cell?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

What is cytoplasm? What are the constituents of cytoplasm?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Describe the structure of the nucleus in the cell.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution

Why is endoplasmic reticulum compared with the pipelines?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution

Write an account of the different structures seen in Golgi complex.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution

How is energy produced in the mitochondria? How the structures of mitochondria help in this process?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 7 Maharashtra Board Solution

What is the benefit of foldings of inner membrane in mitochondria?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

The structure of the inner mitochondrial membrane is extensively folded and compartmentalized. The numerous imaginations of the membrane are called cristae. This folded inner membrane increases the area which is about 5 times more than that the outer membrane due to cristae. Cristae membranes have small round protein complexes known as Fx particles. In these particles the process of energy production goes on.

Research:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Keep 4 – 5 raisins in water and observe after an hour. Afterward, keep the same raisins in sugar solution and observe after an hour. Note down the observations and discuss in the classroom.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

When raisins are kept in water its outer skin acts as a semi-permeable membrane. The water content inside the raisin is lesser as compared to the water content in the outside medium. Therefore the water enters in the raisins due to process of endosmosis. Thus if raisins kept in plain water are observed after one hour, they are seen to be swollen.

On the other hand, if raisins are kept in sugar solution, they show plasmolysis and they shrink. The sugar solution acts as hypertonic medium. Water content in the raisin is higher than that present in the sugary solution. Thus water exists from raisins and its content thus shrinks.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Wooden doors fit very tightly in rainy season. Why does it happen?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

During rainy season there is more humidity in air. The doors get soaked in rain water. Though wood is non-living, it has the ability to absorb water. As the moisture is more in the surrounding area, it enters the wood. This is a type of endosmosis. It causes the doors to swell. The swollen doors then fit very tightly.

Diagram based questions:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Structure of the cell:

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

(iii) Complete the chart:

Answer:

Component	Animal cell	Plant cell
Cell membrane	Present	Present
Cell wall	Absent	Present
Lysosomes	Present	Absent
Plastids	Absent	Present
Endoplasmic reticulum	Present	Present
Vocuole	Present	Present
Golgi complex	Present	Present
Mitochondria	Present	Present

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Sketch the diagrams to show how osmosis occurs in plant cell if kept separately in isotonic, hypotonic and hypertonic medium.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Sketch the diagrams to show how osmosis occurs in animal cell if kept separately in isotonic, hypotonic and hypertonic medium

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Activity-based questions:

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution

Experiment Activity – Take a drop of water on a clean glass slide. Using an ice-cream spoon, gently scrap the inner surface of your cheek. With a needle, transfer a little material from spoon to the water drop on the slide and spread it evenly. Put a drop of methylene blue stain on the smear. Put a cover slip and observe under microscope. Did you observe the cells with blue nucleus?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Students should do this activity at school laboratory. There are squamous epithelial cells in the inner side of the cheek. When stained with methylene blue the nucleus takes up dark stain and can be seen clearly.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution

Experiment Activity – Take out a thin peel of Rheo or Croton leaf and observe the chromoplasts under the compound microscope.

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Students are expected to do the observations in the school laboratory.

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution

Can you recall? Observe the cells of onion peel under the microscope. Have you seen the fully turgid, rectangular cells of onion peelings?

Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Students are expected to do the observations in the school laboratory.

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