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Cell Structure

1. Which of the following statements is / are true?

Statement 1: Microtubules are part of the ‘9 + 2’ formation in bacterial flagella.

Statement 2: Microtubules can be prevented from functioning by a respiratory inhibitor.
Microtubules are involved in moving chromosomes from the equator to the poles of the cell
Statement 3:
during mitosis.

A 1, 2 and 3
B Only 1 and 2
C Only 2 and 3
D Only 1

Your answer

[1]

2. Which of the following statements describes an organelle which is not membrane bound?

A. contains cristae
B. modifies and packages proteins
C. contains digestive enzymes
D. is made of rRNA and protein

Your answer
[1]

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3. Which of the following structures, A to D, are found in prokaryotes and in eukaryotes?

A. a cell wall made of peptidoglycan

B. circular genomic DNA
C. a nucleus surrounded by a nuclear membrane
D. ribosomes

Your answer
[1]

4. Which of the options, A to D, occurs in the nucleus of a cell?

A synthesis of enzymes
B synthesis of RNA
C modification of polypeptides
D synthesis of carbohydrates

Your answer [1]

5. Fig. 22.1 shows a transverse section of the stem of a typical pondweed viewed using a × 10 objective
lens. Part of a graticule is shown below the stem. The markings on the graticule are 0.1 mm apart.

Fig. 22.1

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A student was asked to view cells from the phloem in transverse section using a high power objective lens.
Fig. 22.2 shows two diagrams of phloem tissue.

i. Which diagram is the more accurate representation of what the student could see?
Justify your decision using two separate features of the diagrams.

[2]

ii. State what is meant by the resolution of a microscope.

[1]

iii. The slide viewed to draw the diagrams in Fig. 22.2 had been stained.

Table 22.1 shows a list of stains and the cell feature that can be stained.

Stain Cell feature stained

Nile blue nuclei
eosin cytoplasm
Sudan red cell membrane
iodine starch

Table 22.1

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Which stain had the student used? Explain your answer.

[2]

6. The figure shows some of the apparatus used in an experiment investigating water potential in potato tuber
tissue.

The discs were placed in boiling tubes containing sucrose solutions of different concentrations for four hours.
The percentage change of mass was then calculated.

The results are shown in the table.

Concentration of sucrose solution (mol Change in mass of potato

dm−3) discs (%)
0.00 +18.00
0.10 +12.50
0.20 +2.50
0.30 − 3.00
0.40 − 8.00
0.45 −11.50

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The figure shows a diagram of a cell from a potato tuber disc that was placed in 0.45 mol dm−3 sucrose solution.

i. Identify the parts of the cell labelled X, Y and Z.

X .........................................................................

Y .........................................................................

Z .........................................................................

[3]

ii. What will be found at W in the immersed cell?

[1]

7. One theory about the evolution of organelles is the endosymbiotic theory. This theory suggests that the
mitochondria and chloroplasts found in eukaryotic cells represent formerly free-living bacteria that were
absorbed into a larger cell.

The following list describes a number of features of mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Place a tick (✓) next to the three statements that could be used as evidence for the endosymbiotic theory.

mitochondria contain ribosomes that are smaller than those found in the cell cytoplasm

chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and other photosynthetic pigments

mitochondria are a similar size to bacteria

the inner membrane of a mitochondrion is folded to form cristae

chloroplasts contain many disc-shaped membranes called thylakoids

chloroplasts have their own circular DNA

[3]

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8. The onion plant, Allium cepa, is grown as a food crop around the world.

The table below contains statements about the root cells of an onion.

Place ticks (✓) in the boxes in the table to indicate whether the statements are true or false.

Statement about onion root cells True False

contain chloroplasts
contain mitochondria
contain 70S ribosomes in the cytoplasm
have pili
have cellulose cell walls

[2]

9. Please refer to Fig. 2 in Insert H020/02, Depth in biology, June 2019, which is a photomicrograph of a
mammalian blood smear.

Fig 2

i. Name the cell labelled B.

[1]

ii. Cells A, C and D work together to carry out an important function.

State the function that cells A, C and D perform.

[1]

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10. Sago pondweed is an underwater plant that grows in many regions of the world.

Fig. 1.1 shows a transmission electron micrograph of a sago pondweed cell.

Fig. 1.1

i. Identify the cellular components shown at A and B.

A
 

B
 
[2]

ii. The real size of the line between C and D on Fig. 1.1 is 1.4 × 10−6 m.

Calculate the magnification that was used to produce the image in Fig. 1.1.

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

magnification = …....................................................... [2]

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iii. Fig. 1.2 shows a student’s drawing of another sago pondweed cell, which was observed under a light
microscope. The student used a sharp pencil but did not label the drawing.

Fig. 1.2
Describe two other ways in which the drawing could be improved.

[2]

iv. The student stained a sago pondweed sample to improve the contrast between cellular components
when viewed under a microscope.

The student used the following procedure to stain the sample:

• Use forceps to place the sample on a glass slide.

• Use a pipette to place two drops of the stain in the centre of the sample.
Carefully lower a cover slip onto the sample, ensuring that the cover slip is parallel with the
•
slide as it is lowered.

1
 

2
 

 
[2]

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11. The rough endoplasmic reticulum is where translation of some proteins takes place in a eukaryotic cell.

Explain the role of the membrane in the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

[2]

12. A student was observing onion epithelial cells using a light microscope. They photographed these cells and
the image obtained is shown in Fig. 1.1. The student then made a drawing of a few cells from this image. The
drawing is shown in Fig. 1.2.

Fig. 1.1

Fig. 1.2

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The teacher stated that two of the labels on the drawing Fig. 1.2 were incorrect, and also that it was a poor
quality biological drawing.

i. Identify one incorrect label and explain your answer.

Incorrect label
 

Explanation
 

 
[3]

ii. State three changes, other than to the labels, to Fig. 1.2 that the student would need to make to
improve the biological drawing.

1
 

2
 

3
 

 
[3]

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13. Mucus is composed of water, carbohydrates, proteins and triglycerides.

Mucus is secreted by goblet cells.

Below is a diagram of a goblet cell as seen under an electron microscope.

i. Suggest why goblet cells have large numbers of the cellular component labelled A.

[1]

ii. Suggest how the role of the cellular component labelled B is relevant to the function of the goblet cell.

[2]

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14. Table 2.1 compares some features of animal cells, plant cells, yeast cells and bacterial cells.

Complete the table.

Feature Animal Plant Yeast Bacterium

Means of cell
cytokinesis cytokinesis binary fission
division
Presence of nucleus
Material in cell wall none chitin
Presence of
ribosomes

Table 2.1
[4]

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15. The image below shows a human blood smear.

The cell labelled E shows a parasite called Trypanosoma.

Which of the following statements is/are evidence that Trypanosoma is a eukaryote?

1 a nucleus is present
2 it is a similar size to blood cells
3 the presence of flagella

A 1, 2 and 3
B only 1 and 2
C only 2 and 3
D only 1

Your answer [1]

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16. The endosymbiosis theory suggests that mitochondria may have evolved from bacteria that were taken
inside other cells.

These cells then evolved into eukaryotes.

i. Give two structural features of mitochondria that support this theory.

1
 

2
 

 
[2]

ii. Explain why early eukaryotes were able to grow more quickly than cells that did not possess
mitochondria.

[3]

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17. The bacterium Sorangium cellulosum and the fungus Armillaria mellea are both found in soil.

Which of the rows, A to D, correctly shows the structures present in each organism?

Free ribosomes Membrane bound DNA in a single

Cell wall present
incytoplasm nucleus loop
S. cellulosum and S. cellulosum and
A A. mellea S. cellulosum
A. mellea A. mellea
S. cellulosum and S. cellulosum and S. cellulosum and
B A. mellea
A. mellea A. mellea A. mellea
S. cellulosum and
C S. cellulosum S. cellulosum A. mellea
A. mellea
S. cellulosum and
D A. mellea S. cellulosum S. cellulosum
A. mellea

Your answer [1]

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18(a). Fig. 20.1 shows a transmission electron micrograph of part of a eukaryotic cell.

i. Identify one feature inside the cell that would also be seen in a prokaryotic cell.

[1]

ii. Identify two features of this cell that confirm it is not a prokaryotic cell.

In each case state the letter and the name of the feature.

Letter......................
Name.....................................................................................................................
......

Letter......................
Name.....................................................................................................................
......

[2]

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(b). The cell shown in Fig. 20.1 is capable of synthesising and secreting proteins.

Using only the letters from Fig. 20.1, list the correct sequence of the organelles involved in synthesis and
secretion of a protein.

[3]

19. Which of the options describes the path taken by proteins, such as digestive enzymes, that are
exported from a cell?

A Golgi apparatus → rough endoplasmic reticulum → secretory vesicle

B ribosome → smooth endoplasmic reticulum → Golgi apparatus
C rough endoplasmic reticulum → Golgi apparatus → secretory vesicle
D smooth endoplasmic reticulum → ribosome → Golgi apparatus

Your answer [1]

20. Which organelle, A to D, is not involved in the production and secretion of enzymes in eukaryotes?

A golgi apparatus
B ribosomes
C smooth endoplasmic reticulum
D vesicle

Your answer [1]

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21. Humans use the enzyme α-amylase to break down polysaccharides in food for absorption into the
blood.

The gene for human α-amylase is found on chromosome 1.

The gene is transcribed in the nucleus and translation occurs on the rough endoplasmic reticulum in
cells of the salivary gland.

Describe how the molecule is prepared and secreted by cells of the salivary gland after translation
has taken place.

[3]

22. The plasma membrane contains proteins, which are made within the cell.

Outline the process and organelles involved in the translation of these proteins from RNA.

[4]

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23. Fig. 8.1 shows an animal cell.

Which option describes the correct sequence of organelles involved during the production and secretion
of a protein from this cell?

A S, K, L, J B T, K, L, J C T, M, L, J D S, T, K, L

Your answer
[1]

24.

DNA is a polymer of nucleotides that contains the genetic code needed for a protein to be made.
Tubulin is a protein that is found in all eukaryotes and some prokaryotes.

i. Explain how the genetic code in the gene for tubulin codes for the protein tubulin.

[2]

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ii. Tubulin is a globular protein that can polymerise to form the cell cytoskeleton.

One example of this is the formation of microtubules, which form the spindle fibres to move
chromatids during mitosis and meiosis.

Describe three other cellular functions of the cytoskeleton.

[3]

iii. Suggest two ways tubulin is essential to protein synthesis and protein secretion in
eukaryotic cells.

1
 

2
 

[2]

25. Peroxisomes are vesicles that usually contain enzymes such as catalase.

Explain how peroxisomes can be moved around inside the cell.

[2]

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26. Prokaryotic cells have cytoskeletons. The molecules in prokaryotic cytoskeletons are different from the
molecules in eukaryotic cytoskeletons.

Table 4.1 lists three molecules present in a prokaryotic cytoskeleton.

Prokaryotic
cytoskeleton Information
molecule

Protein A

Protein B Similar structure to actin.

Protein C

Table 4.1

i. Suggest the function of Protein A.

[1]

ii. Suggest the function of Protein C.

[1]

iii. An antibiotic called A22 binds irreversibly to Protein B. Despite its antibiotic properties, A22 is not
used in humans.

Suggest why scientists have advised that A22 should not be used in humans.

[1]

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27(a). A cytoskeleton is present in all eukaryotic cells. One of its functions is to control the movement
of organelles.

State how the cytoskeleton moves organelles around the cell.

[2]

(b). Epithelial cells in the airways of mammals play an essential role in defences against pathogens.

Explain the function of epithelial cells in the airways of mammals in the defence against pathogens
and suggest the importance of the cytoskeleton in carrying out this function.

[4]

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