Read Cell Organelles: Identify by Membrane and Job
For organelle questions, use a two-part key: membrane type first, function second. This avoids confusing look-alike names.
Living-system questions are solved by matching a structure or organism to its function, process and stated condition.
Read a cell from its boundary to its working parts
Structure → location → job
First locate the boundary, then the control or energy structure, then the organelle named in the question. Match its structure to its job.
Sort by membrane
Nucleus, mitochondria and plastids have double membranes. Vacuoles, lysosomes, Golgi bodies and peroxisomes are single-membrane structures; centrosomes are not membrane-bound.
Use the decisive function
Chloroplasts carry chlorophyll; chromoplasts provide other colours; leucoplasts store food. Lysosomes digest, vacuoles store, mitochondria make ATP and the nucleus controls the cell.
Read a key one choice at a time
In a dichotomous key, follow only the branch whose feature matches. Do not decide the organelle from its name before checking the stated membrane and function.
OlympIQ exam lens
- ✓Check single, double or no membrane.
- ✓Match one specialised function.
- ✓Follow every branch of a dichotomous key in order.
Plastids are not all green: chloroplast, chromoplast and leucoplast have different pigments or storage roles.
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