NEETBotanyCell - The Unit of Life
Which of the following cell types is expected to have larger and more numerous non-membranous nucleoplasmic structures?
Options
- ACells actively synthesising steroid hormones
- BCells primarily storing fat
- CMature mammalian erythrocytes
- DCells secreting digestive enzymes
Correct answer
D. Cells secreting digestive enzymes
Step-by-step solution
The non-membranous nucleoplasmic structures are the nucleoli. According to NCERT, larger and more numerous nucleoli are present in cells actively carrying out protein synthesis. Digestive enzymes are proteins, so cells secreting them require high rates of protein synthesis and thus possess prominent nucleoli. In contrast, cells synthesising steroid hormones rely on the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, adipocytes primarily store fat, and mature mammalian erythrocytes lack a nucleus and nucleolus altogether. Answer: Cel