UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I
Question 47: Science and Technology
Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells ?
- 1.Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not.
- 2.Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animal cells which do.
- 3.Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Plant cells have a cell wall of cellulose outside the plasma membrane, while animal cells have none. A mature plant cell typically has one large central vacuole, while animal cells have several small ones. Both plant and animal cells have a plasma membrane, so statement 2 is wrong.
- 1. Plant cells have a cellulose cell wall; animal cells do not.
- 2. Plant cells have a plasma membrane, like animal cells.
- 3. A mature plant cell has one large vacuole; animal cells have small ones.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a), (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: Plant cells have a plasma membrane, like animal cells.
Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 3.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: statement 2 is false; plant cells have a plasma membrane.
- (b) Wrong: statement 2 is false.
- (c) Right: statements 1 and 3.
- (d) Wrong: includes statement 2, which is false.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.