Cell Structure (AQA GCSE Biology: Combined Science)

Exam Questions

2 hours13 questions
1a3 marks

Figure 1 shows an image of a plant cell, Identify structures P, Q and R.

Figure 1

plant-cell

1b1 mark

Which of the following structures is not found in a prokaryotic cell.

  • A cellulose cell wall

  • Ribosomes

  • Plasmids

  • A circular loop of DNA

1c2 marks

Complete the table by adding a (✓) or a (X) to compare the components seen in plant cells and animals cells.

Component Animal cell Plant cell
Cell wall    
Nucleus    
Mitochondria    
Ribosomes    
Vacuole    
Cytoplasm    
1d
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2 marks

Figure 2 shows a plant cell drawn to scale. 

Figure 2

plant-cell-2

Calculate how many times longer the cell length is compared to the chloroplast length.

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2a3 marks

Figure 3 shows some muscle cells.

Figure 3

muscle-cells

Identify the function of a muscle cell and explain how they are adapted for this function.

2b3 marks

Figure 4 shows some information about specialised cells.

Figure 4
specialised-cells-1

Identify the type specialised cell shown and match each one to the correct function.

2c1 mark

Describe how the xylem is adapted for carrying water and mineral ions around a plant.

2d1 mark

Name the process by which a cell changes to become specialised.

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3a
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2 marks

Figure 5 shows liver cell which measures 60 mm.

Figure 5
liver-cell

Calculate the magnification of the liver cell using the equation below:

 M a g n i f i c a t i o n space equals space fraction numerator I m a g e space s i z e over denominator A c t u a l space s i z e end fraction

3b1 mark

A light microscope could not be used to observe a cell as seen in Figure 5.

Identify the evidence from Figure 5 that supports this statement.

3c4 marks

Label the microscope in Figure 6.

microscope-1
3d
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1 mark

A student set up a light microscope to observe a specimen.

The magnification of the eyepiece lens was x10 and the magnification of the objective lens was x 20.

What was the overall magnification of the light microscope.

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4a4 marks

Describe the method used to prepare an onion cell specimen on a microscope slide for observation with a light microscope.

4b1 mark

A student set up the investigation described in part (a) and produced a biological drawing of one cell that they observed with the microscope.

Give one rule which should be observed when creating a biological drawing.

4c
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1 mark

One bacterium divides five times.

Calculate how many bacteria are now present in the population?

  • 6

  • 32

  • 16

  • 64

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1a1 mark

Both muscle and sperm cells are specialised animal cells.

The nucleus of a muscle cell is different from the nucleus of a sperm cell.

Outline one way in which the nucleus is different between these two cells.

1b4 marks

All specialised cells are adapted to carry out their function.  

Describe two adaptations of a sperm cell that enables it to carry out its function. 

1c2 marks

Specialised cells develop from unspecialised cells by differentiation when an organism develops.

What happens when a cell differentiates?

1d2 marks

Compare the process of differentiation in animals and plants.

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2a1 mark

Cells can be visualised with a light microscope.

Figure 1 shows some smooth muscle cells from the wall of the small intestine.

Figure 1

muscle-cells

All cells contain ribosomes.

Outline the function of ribosomes.

2b2 marks

Muscle cells contain many mitochondria, as seen Figure 1.

What is the function of mitochondria?

2c2 marks

Suggest why it is possible to visualise mitochondria using a light microscope, but not ribosomes.

2d2 marks

Identify which cell from the list below would not contain mitochondria and suggest why this type of cell does not contain this cellular structure.

  • Liver cell
  • Gamete
  • Palisade cell
  • Bacterium

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3a1 mark

Figure 2 shows a bacterial cell and an animal cell as seen in a student’s textbook.

Figure 2

bacterial-cell-versus-animal-cell

Animal cells store their genetic material in a nucleus, whereas a bacterial cell does not.

Give one other way in which a bacterial cell differs from an animal cell.

3b2 marks

The cells in the diagram are drawn to a length of 100 mm in the student’s textbook.

The actual length of the animal cell is 60 micrometers (µm).

Calculate the magnification of the animal cell to 2 significant figures.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

3c1 mark

The nucleus of an animal cell has a diameter of about 6 µm.

Suggest a reason as to why bacteria do not have a nucleus.

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4a2 marks

Animal and plant cells have some structural features in common.

Name two structures you would find in both an animal cell and a plant cell.

4b1 mark

Figure 3 shows a photomicrograph of the surface of a plant root.

Figure 3

qo4bqFYV_4

Name structure X.

[1 mark]

4c2 marks

Calculate the actual length of structure X in Figure 3.

Show your working.

4d4 marks

Failure of structure X to develop properly in the cells of a plant root could be catastrophic to a plant.

Suggest an explanation as to why.

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5a6 marks

Figure 4 below shows a plant cell.

Figure 4

plant-cell

Name each labelled part of the plant cell and give its function.

5b2 marks

Identify the cell wall in Figure 4, label it as S and describe its function.

5c1 mark

The cell wall of a plant is made from cellulose.

Name one type of cell, other than a plant cell, that has a cell wall made from cellulose.

5d4 marks

The cell in Figure 5 below is a salivary gland cell.

Figure 5

salivary-gland-cell_question

Salivary gland cells are adapted to produce salivary amylase, an important enzyme in digestion.

Use the information above and your own knowledge to suggest how salivary gland cells are adapted to their function.

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1a6 marks

Compare and contrast the structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.

Include reference to the relative sizes of cellular structures in your answer.

1b1 mark
Figure 1 shows a cell found in the glands responsible for producing saliva in the mouth.
Figure 1
saliva-1

Identify the protein, produced by these cells, that is required for digestion of carbohydrates.

1c4 marks

Suggest how the cell in Figure 1 is adapted for its function.

1d2 marks

Describe how cell specialisation results in a zygote developing into a baby.

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2a
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3 marks
Figure 2 shows three different cells.

Figure 2

cell-comparisoncell-comparison-2

Calculate the size ratio of the bacterial cell compared to the liver cell and mesophyll cell.

2b4 marks

Explain the role of differentiation in the development of root hair cells which allows them to carry out their specific function in plants.

2c3 marks

Some scientists completed a study to investigate the starch content of roots in a species of grass at four points throughout the year. 

Their results can be seen in Figure 3.

Figure 3
root-starch-2

Explain how the starch found in the roots of grass species helps to support growth of the grass.

2d
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3 marks

Calculate the percentage change of stored starch from October to January and suggest a reason for this change.

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3a1 mark

The micrograph image below shows the organelle responsible for providing energy for cellular processes.

Figure 4

mitochondria-1

Name the organelle in Figure 4.

3b
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3 marks

The organelle in the image is viewed at a magnification of 20 000 x.

Calculate the actual size of the organelle in Figure 4 and give your answer in mm shown as standard form.

3c3 marks

Suggest whether this image was observed through a light microscope or an electron microscope. 

Explain your answer.

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4a
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3 marks

Complete Table 1 to show the correct size conversions. Record your answers as ordinary numbers.

Table 1

Measurement Unit Conversion Unit
15.3 cm   µm
0.002 mm   µm
3 x 10-6 m   µm

4b
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3 marks

The mass of bacterial cells was measured in femtograms (fg).

1 femtogram = 1 x 10-15g

Figure 5

bacterial-growth-2

Calculate the mass of bacteria, in grams, immediately after binary fission when the cell growth rate was 0.1 fg s-1.

Give your answer in standard form.

4c
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3 marks

The electron micrograph shows some cellular structure in a leaf. A student uses their ruler to measure the scale bar, which they find to be 1.5 cm.

Figure 6
0-I1t0DA_3

Calculate the magnification of the image.

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