Akinetes – Structure & Functions

MCQs on Akinetes | CSS Biology Prep

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Test your biology knowledge with 50 important multiple-choice questions on Akinetes. Ideal for CSS, PCS, MDCAT, and other competitive exams.

📘 Introduction

Akinetes are thick-walled, dormant cells formed by some cyanobacteria. They play a crucial role in surviving unfavorable conditions like drought or cold. For CSS and PCS biology prep, understanding the structure, formation, and function of akinetes is essential.

🧠 Multiple Choice Questions on Akinetes

1. Which of the following is the correct shape of the akinetes?
   A) Oval
   B) Cylindrical
   C) Irregular
   D) All of the above
   Correct Answer: D) All of the above
2. Akinetes are formed in which type of organisms?
   A) Fungi
   B) Cyanobacteria
   C) Protozoa
   D) Algae
   Correct Answer: B) Cyanobacteria
3. Akinetes are a type of:
   A) Vegetative cells
   B) Dormant cells
   C) Nucleated cells
   D) Active cells
   Correct Answer: B) Dormant cells
4. What is the main function of akinetes?
   A) Respiration
   B) Reproduction
   C) Nitrogen fixation
   D) Survival under unfavorable conditions
   Correct Answer: D) Survival under unfavorable conditions
5. Akinetes are rich in:
   A) Proteins
   B) Lipids
   C) Reserve food material
   D) DNA only
   Correct Answer: C) Reserve food material
6. Where are akinetes usually located in a filament of cyanobacteria?
   A) At the terminal end
   B) Between vegetative cells
   C) Only in the center
   D) Not specific
   Correct Answer: A) At the terminal end
7. Which environmental condition triggers akinete formation?
   A) High light intensity
   B) Abundant nutrients
   C) Cold or dry climate
   D) Continuous rainfall
   Correct Answer: C) Cold or dry climate
8. Akinetes develop from which cells?
   A) Heterocysts
   B) Vegetative cells
   C) Reproductive cells
   D) Zoospores
   Correct Answer: B) Vegetative cells
9. Which of the following cyanobacteria produce akinetes?
   A) Anabaena
   B) Oscillatoria
   C) Spirulina
   D) Euglena
   Correct Answer: A) Anabaena
10. Akinetes are helpful in:
    A) Active growth
    B) Movement
    C) Perennation
    D) Photosynthesis only
    Correct Answer: C) Perennation
11. Akinetes are resistant to:
    A) Antibiotics
    B) UV radiation
    C) Harsh environmental conditions
    D) None of the above
    Correct Answer: C) Harsh environmental conditions
12. Akinetes do not show:
    A) Growth
    B) Germination
    C) Dormancy
    D) Food storage
    Correct Answer: A) Growth
13. Akinetes germinate when:
    A) Conditions are favorable
    B) Light is absent
    C) Nutrients are low
    D) Temperature is extreme
    Correct Answer: A) Conditions are favorable
14. The outer covering of akinetes is:
    A) Thin and flexible
    B) Protein-rich
    C) Thick and resistant
    D) Absent
    Correct Answer: C) Thick and resistant
15. Which pigment is present in akinetes?
    A) Chlorophyll-a
    B) Hemoglobin
    C) Xanthophyll
    D) Carotene
    Correct Answer: A) Chlorophyll-a
16. Akinetes are formed during:
    A) Binary fission
    B) Nutrient abundance
    C) Stress conditions
    D) Mitosis
    Correct Answer: C) Stress conditions
17. In Anabaena, akinetes are located:
    A) Randomly
    B) At intervals
    C) Only at the ends
    D) Outside the filament
    Correct Answer: B) At intervals
18. Which statement about akinetes is true?
    A) They are motile
    B) They divide rapidly
    C) They survive for long durations
    D) They fix nitrogen
    Correct Answer: C) They survive for long durations
19. Akinetes can survive for:
    A) Days
    B) Months
    C) Years
    D) Hours
    Correct Answer: C) Years
20. What happens when akinetes germinate?
    A) They die
    B) They turn into vegetative cells
    C) They produce spores
    D) They disappear
    Correct Answer: B) They turn into vegetative cells
21. Which of these is not associated with akinetes?
    A) Dormancy
    B) Nitrogen fixation
    C) Survival
    D) Thick cell wall
    Correct Answer: B) Nitrogen fixation
22. Akinetes are commonly found in:
    A) Soil
    B) Freshwater bodies
    C) Both A and B
    D) None of the above
    Correct Answer: C) Both A and B
23. What triggers akinete germination?
    A) Nutrient stress
    B) High UV
    C) Light and water availability
    D) Low temperature
    Correct Answer: C) Light and water availability
24. Main difference between akinetes and spores:
    A) Akinetes are multicellular
    B) Spores are always sexual
    C) Akinetes store food
    D) Spores do not form in bacteria
    Correct Answer: C) Akinetes store food
25. Which layer is absent in akinetes?
    A) Cell wall
    B) Plasma membrane
    C) Cuticle
    D) Capsule
    Correct Answer: C) Cuticle

📚 Conclusion

Akinetes are vital survival cells found in cyanobacteria, especially under stress conditions. For CSS and PCS biology prep, these MCQs will help you understand the basics and sharpen your memory.