Movement of Substances Into & Out of Cells (Edexcel GCSE Biology: Combined Science)

Exam Questions

3 hours19 questions
1a
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1 mark

Organisms must transport substances to and from the external environment.

Identify one substance which cells must transport across the cell membrane to support cell functions.

1b
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1 mark

The diagram shows particles of two gases.

diffusion-1


Complete the diagram by drawing the arrangement of the gas particles after 1 hour.

1c
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1 mark

Name the process shown in part (b).

1d
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1 mark

Which of the following is an example of simple diffusion?

  A Movement of water into the root of a plant
  B Movement of mineral ions into the root of a plant
  C Movement of oxygen into the leaf of a plant
  D Movement of glucose into the epithelial cells of villi in the small intestine

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2a
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4 marks

Complete each row of the table with a  tick (✓) or a cross ( ✕ ) to indicate whether it is a feature of osmosis.

Feature

✓ /  ✕
Involves the movement of gases  
Requires energy from respiration  
Movement occurs through a partially permeable membrane  
Particles move down a concentration gradient  

2b
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1 mark

Draw an arrow on the diagram to show the overall direction that the water particles will move in (net water movement).

osmosis-1

2c
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3 marks

Describe an example of where diffusion of gasses is important in multicellular organisms.

2d
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1 mark

Identify one feature of a gas exchange surface which maximises the rate of diffusion.

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3a
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2 marks

The diagram shows two cells.

adapted-for-diffusion-1

Suggest which cell (X or Y) is better adapted to carry out diffusion and give a reason for your choice.

3b
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2 marks

The diagram shows two cells after the effects of osmosis.

osmosis-in-plant-cells-1

Draw a line from each cell to the correct description.

3c
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2 marks

A student carried out an experiment on osmosis in plant tissue. They set up their investigation as shown below.

potatos-and-sucrose-1

Each beaker contained potato discs in a solution of sugar (sucrose) or distilled water.

The student found that the potato discs in Beaker 5 decreased in mass.

With reference to osmosis, explain why this is.

3d
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1 mark

Which of the following is a suitable control variable for the investigation carried out by the student in part (c)?

  A Maintain the same sugar concentration in each beaker
  B Repeat the experiment 3 times
  C Use the same size potato pieces in each beaker
  D Calculate an average of the results

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4a
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2 marks

Pre-cut potato chips can be stored in salt solution before being cooked in restaurants. To avoid the chips becoming too salty, it is important to make sure that water does not move in or out of the chips as they are stored.

A scientist wanted to collect some data about the salt content of potato chips to inform the restaurants of the best storage concentration.

The steps in the table refer to the method that the scientist used to collect his results.

1 Measure out 100ml of each salt solution into 5 different test tubes
  Remove the chips, pat dry and reweigh
  Cut 5 potato chips of similar size and dimensions
  Place 1 chip into each concentration of salt solution and leave for 1 hour
  Record the mass of the potato chips

Place the steps in the correct order by adding numbers 2 to 5 into the left hand column of the table. The first stage has been labelled for you.

4b
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1 mark

The graph shows the results obtained by the scientist when completing the investigation from part (a).

osmosis-and-salt-1

In which salt solution did the mass of the chip increase after one hour?

4c
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1 mark

Explain what led to this increase in mass of the chip identified in part (b).

  A Water moved out of the chip by osmosis
  B Salt moved into the chip by diffusion
  C Water moved into the chip by osmosis
  D The chip reacted with the salt in the solution
4d
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1 mark

The scientist concluded that the best solution for storing chips in would be 0.5 mol dm-3 salt solution because there would be no net (overall) movement of water into or out of the potato chips.

Suggest how the scientist can tell this from the results in the graph in part (b).

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5a
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2 marks

Fig. 1 shows the process of active transport.

active transport

Fig. 1

State two differences between active transport and diffusion.

5b
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1 mark

Molecule X in Fig. 1 enters the cell by active transport.

Give one example of molecule X.

5c
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2 marks

Molecule X from Fig. 1 requires a carrier protein to enter the cell.

Using Fig. 1 and your knowledge, describe the role of a carrier protein in active transport.

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1a
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9 marks

A student carried out an experiment to study diffusion.

A cube of beetroot was placed in a test tube of distilled water at room temperature as shown in Figure 1.

IEd2VoOi_1

Figure 1

(i)

The beetroot was left in the water for ten minutes.

Describe what the student should expect to see.

(1)

(ii)
The student wanted to investigate the effect of temperature on diffusion

Outline how their method could be changed to investigate this. 

(3)

(iii)
Give one variable that must be controlled and explain why this control is necessary to provide valid results.

(2)

(iv)
The student found that more of the beetroot pigment leaked out at higher temperatures.

Explain why this result was different at higher temperatures compared to room temperature.

(3)

1b
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1 mark

Define the term diffusion.

1c
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4 marks

Substances diffuse into simple organisms, like bacteria, across their cell surface. The rate of diffusion is affected by temperature.

(i)
State two other factors that affect the rate of diffusion.

(2)

(ii)
Explain how these two factors affect the rate of diffusion.

(2)

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2a
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5 marks

Figure 1 shows two solutions separated by a partially permeable membrane.

yLZlADZ2_2

Figure 1

(i)

Identify the direction of the net movement of water molecules. Describe your answer using the labels A and B on Figure 1.

(1)

(ii)

Explain why there is movement of water molecules in this particular direction

(2)

(iii)

If the membrane shown in Figure 1 was fully permeable explain what would happen to the sucrose molecules.

(2)

2b
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3 marks

During a science lesson a student writes down the following statement about osmosis.

The active movement of molecules through a membrane from a region of low concentration to a region of high concentration.

Using your knowledge of osmosis, suggest what is wrong with this statement.

2c
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6 marks

Figure 2 shows two human red blood cells. The cell labelled B had been placed in concentrated salt solution.

dI5lPy6L_3

Figure 2

(i)

Describe the changes to the cell labelled B.

(1)

(ii)

Explain why the cell labelled B has changed shape.

(2)

(iii)

A student placed a sample of red blood cells into pure water for 30 minutes. When they checked the blood/water solution under a microscope they could not identify any intact cells.

Explain what is likely to have happened to the red blood cells after being in water.

(3)

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3a
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4 marks

Sugar molecules are moved from the gut to the blood by active transport.

Describe what is involved in active transport?

3b
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4 marks

The bean plant in Figure 1 has a higher concentration of mineral ions in the cells of its roots compared to the concentration of mineral ions in the soil.

V3OjOgiE_4

Figure 1

(i)

Which two statements correctly describe the absorption of mineral ions by the plant's roots.

A The mineral ions are absorbed by diffusion
B The mineral ions are absorbed by active transport
C The mineral ions are absorbed down the concentration gradient
D The absorption of mineral ions requires energy

(2)

(ii)

The plant will absorb water molecules from the soil into the roots.

Explain why the water moves in this direction.

(2)

3c
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3 marks

Figure 2 shows a molecule (X) that is about to be transported across a cell membrane via active transport. 

PlUPnjk1_5

Figure 2 

(i)

Describe what evidence is shown in Figure 2 that suggests that the process taking place is active transport.

(2)
(ii)

Explain how cells that carry out a lot of active transport may be adapted to their function. 

(1)

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4a
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3 marks

Use words from the box to complete the following statements.

High Active transport
Against Active
Passive Low
Osmosis Dilute
Down Concentrated

Particles in gases and liquids spread by diffusion moving from areas of ________ concentration to areas of ________ concentration. In diffusion, particles move ________ a concentration gradient.

________ is the ________ diffusion of water molecules from a ________ solution to a ________ solution through a partially permeable membrane.

Cells can transport molecules ________ a concentration gradient using ________. This is an ________ process so requires energy.

4b
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9 marks

Figure 1 shows how the uptake of nitrate ions (A) and chloride ions (B) by the roots of a plant varies with oxygen concentration.

6

Figure 1

(i)

Compare the effect of oxygen concentration on the rate of ion uptake for both nitrate ions and chloride ions. 

(4)

(ii)

With reference to cell transport processes, explain why there is a difference between the rate of uptake of nitrate and chloride ions at different oxygen concentrations.

(5)

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5a
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4 marks

Figure 1 lists four features about how particles move across cell membranes.

Feature Diffusion Osmosis Active transport
Particles move down a concentration gradient       
Requires energy from respiration      
Particles must have kinetic energy      
Involves the movement of gasses      

Figure 1

Complete the empty boxes in Figure 1 with a tick () or a cross (×) depending on whether the feature applies to diffusion, osmosis or active transport. 

5b
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8 marks

A chicken egg is a single cell, surrounded by a cell membrane and protected by an outer shell.

The shell can be removed by dissolving in dilute acid as shown in Figure 2.

8

Figure 2

A student decided to investigate the effect of different salt solutions on the mass of chicken eggs that were only protected by the cell membrane. They used the following method:

  1. Five eggs were placed in acid for 24 hours to dissolve the eggshell as shown in Figure 2

  2. The mass of each egg was measured and recorded

  3. Eggs were placed in one of five different solutions

  4. The solutions ranged in salt concentration from 0 mol dm-3 to 0.8 mol dm-3

  5. After 60 minutes the eggs were removed, dried and the mass recorded

The results are shown in Figure 3

Concentration of salt solution (mol dm-3) Mass of egg without shell in grams Mass of egg after 1 hour in solution in grams
0.0 74.5 79.2
0.2 73.0 75.8
0.4 74.2 75.5
0.6 73.6 72.0
0.8 75.8 71.5

Figure 3

(i)

Calculate the percentage change of the egg placed in the 0.4 mol dm-3 salt solution.

Give your answer to two significant figures.

(2)
(ii)

Explain why in some of the solutions the mass of the eggs decreased.

(3)
(iii)

Explain what the student would need to do to determine an estimate of the concentration of the solution inside an egg.

(3)

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6
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7 marks

Figure 1 shows two potato chips.fig-5-1bio-1h-june18-qp-gcse-bio

Figure 1

Figure 2 shows some information about each potato chip.

potato
chip
length of X
in cm
length of Y
in cm
length of Z
in cm
total surface
area of four
sides in cm2
total surface
area of top
and bottom
in cm2
total surface
area of chip
in cm2
A 3.0 1.5 1.5 18.0 4.5 22.5
B 5.0 2.0 2.0 ? ? ?


Figure 2

(i)
Calculate the total surface area of potato chip B using the formula,

Total surface area = 2XY + 2XZ + 2YZ

(2)

total surface area = ....................................... cm2

(ii)
The potato chips were placed in distilled water for 20 minutes.

Figure 3 shows the increase in mass of each potato chip.

potato chip increase in mass
in grams
A 0.1
B 0.3

Figure 3

Explain why potato chip B has a greater increase in mass than potato chip A.
(2)
(iii)
Potato chip A is transferred from the distilled water into a concentrated salt solution.

Explain what will happen to the cells in potato chip A.
(3)

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7a
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4 marks

Figure 1 shows alveoli from a lung.fig-10-1bio-2h-june19-qp-gcse-bio


Figure 1

(i)
Explain why these alveoli have the internal structure shown in Figure 1.

(3)

(ii)
How does oxygen move across the alveolar membrane into the capillary?
(1)
  A by osmosis
  B by active transport
  C by diffusion
  D by respiration
7b
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2 marks

Figure 2 shows the movement of molecules across a membrane.fig-11-1bio-2h-june19-qp-gcse-bio

Figure 2

Describe how Figure 2 illustrates movement of molecules across a membrane.

7c
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6 marks

Explain, using Fick’s law, the factors that affect the diffusion rate of molecules into and out of cells.

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8
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6 marks

A student wanted to investigate the movement of water into and out of cells in potatoes.

The student had the equipment shown in Figure 1.fig-11-1bio-2f-june19-qp-gcse-bio

Figure 1

The test tubes in the rack contain different concentrations of sodium chloride solution.

The solutions were 0.1 M, 0.2 M, 0.3 M, 0.4 M and 0.5 M sodium chloride solution.

The test tube in the beaker contains distilled water.

There are three potato chips in each of the six test tubes.

(i)
State why the test tube in the beaker only contains distilled water and three potato chips.

(1)

(ii)
State two variables that need to be controlled in this investigation.

(2)

1......................................
2 ......................................

(iii)
Explain why the chips in the 0.5 M sodium chloride solution lost mass.

(3)

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98 marks

Figure 1 shows some carrot sticks.

fig-10-1bio-1f-nov2021-qp-gcse-bio

Figure 1

A student chose three carrot sticks and weighed each one.

The carrot sticks were placed in 50 cm3 of distilled water.

After two hours the student weighed each carrot stick again.

Figure 2 shows the results for these carrot sticks P, Q and R.

carrot stick mass at the start in grams mass after two hours in grams change in mass in grams
P 4.0 4.9 0.9
Q 4.2 5.0 0.8
R 4.1 5.0 0.9

Figure 2

(i)
Give one reason why the student used three carrot sticks instead of just one carrot stick.
(1)
(ii)
Give two ways that this method could be improved.
(2)
(iii)
Calculate the percentage change in mass of carrot stick Q.
(3)

Use the equation

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

percentage change = .................................................... %

(iv)
Explain the change in mass of the carrot sticks.
(2)

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16 marks

A student investigated the movement of water.

Hens’ eggs were placed in vinegar for two days to dissolve the shell.

This makes the eggs permeable to water.

The eggs were then weighed and placed in different solutions.

After 24 hours the eggs were weighed again.

Figure 1 shows the results.

solution mass of the egg at the start in grams mass of the egg after 24 hours in grams
tap water 77 84
5% salt 77 77
10% salt 77 75

Figure 1

Evaluate the results of this investigation.

You should include calculations using the data in Figure 1.

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2a
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1 mark

A group of scientists investigated the rates of absorption of different sugars using two pieces of the intestine.

One piece of the intestine was poisoned with cyanide which stops cellular respiration.

The results are shown in the table below.

Sugar Absorption rate (arbitrary units)
Healthy intestine Intestine poisoned with cyanide
A 108 56
B 31 30
C 33 32
D 84 23

Which of the sugars in the table are absorbed by active transport?

2b
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3 marks

Explain why you chose these sugars, using evidence from the table in part (a).

2c
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2 marks

One of the scientists states ‘All four of the sugars we investigated can be absorbed by diffusion.

Is this statement correct or incorrect? Justify your answer.

2d
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1 mark

One of the sugars absorbed by active transport is glucose.

Xylose is a sugar that is the same size as glucose, but it is not absorbed by active transport.

Suggest a reason why.

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3a
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2 marks

A student wanted to investigate the transport of water across a partially permeable membrane. The diagram shows how the student prepared the beaker at the start of the investigation.

osmosis-and-partially-permeable-membraneosmosis-and-partially-permeable-membrane-2

 

Complete the diagram to show what the student would observe after 15 minutes.

3b
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2 marks

Explain your answer to part (a).

3c
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5 marks

The student carried out a further investigation into the effect of osmosis on plant tissue. 

They cut a potato into cubes and recorded the change in mass over a 30 minute period.

The graph shows the results the student obtained from one cube of potato.

osmosis-and-potatos-1

Describe and explain the trend shown on the graph.

3d
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2 marks

The potato cube from the graph in part (c) had an initial mass of 2.3g.

Calculate the percentage increase that the potato cube had shown after 10 minutes.

3e
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2 marks

The student repeated the investigation but with the beaker placed in a water bath at 30°C.

Draw a second line on the graph to show the trend expected from these results.

3f
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4 marks

Explain your line drawn for part (e)

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4a
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2 marks

Monoglycerides are molecules made up of glycerol and one fatty acid tail. They are absorbed into the epithelial cells of the small intestine by diffusion across the cell membrane.

Some people suffer from coeliac disease that affects the lining of their small intestine.

The diagram compares the lining of the small intestine of a healthy person and a person suffering from coeliac disease.

7vNW9Erc_h-3a

Based on the information provided, explain the effect that coeliac disease would have on the absorption of monoglycerides.

4b
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3 marks

The graph shows the rate of uptake of monoglycerides in the small intestine.

monoglycerides-1

Describe and explain what the graph shows.

4c
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3 marks

Human body temperature is approximately 37 °C, which provides the optimum temperature for the activity of protein molecules such as enzymes. 

Suggest why a temperature of 37 °C helps to maximise the rate of transport of substances across the cell membrane.

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5a
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3 marks

A student investigated the effect of different concentration of sugar solution on osmosis in potato tissue.

This is the method they used:

  1. Add 20 cmof distilled water to a boiling tube. 
  2. Repeat step 1 with equal volumes of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mol dm−3 sugar solutions.
  3. Cut five cylinders of potato of equal size using a cork borer, cutting off the ends to remove the skin.
  4. Weigh each potato cylinder and place one in each tube.
  5. Remove the potato cylinders from the solutions after 12 hours.
  6. Dry each potato cylinder with a paper towel.
  7. Reweigh the potato cylinders.

The table below shows the results:

 

Concentration of sugar solution in mol dm−3

Starting
mass in g

Final mass
in g

Change of
mass in g

Percentage
(%) change

0.0

2.10

2.36

 0.26

12.38

0.2

2.05

2.19

0.14

6.83

0.4

2.01

2.09

0.08

3.98

0.6

2.08

2.01

-0.07

 

0.8

2.12

1.87

-0.25

-11.79

(i)
Calculate the missing value of % change in mass for the 0.6 mol dm-3 sugar solution.

(2)

(ii)
Explain why the student calculated the percentage change in mass as well as the change in mass in grams.

(1)

5b
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6 marks

The student analysed the data from the experiment.

(i)

In the space below, plot a graph of the results from this experiment.

Graph paper

(5)

(ii)

Use your graph to estimate the concentration of the solution inside the potato cells. 

Give your answer in mol dm-3.

(1)

5c
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6 marks

Design an investigation to compare the sugar content of sweet potato to the sugar content of normal potato.

Your answer should include experimental details and be written in full sentences.

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