A Level AQA Biology 2 hours 15 questions

Exam Questions

Cell Structure
The Cell Theory / Structure of Eukaryotic Cells / Specialisation of Eukaryotic Cells /
Eukaryotic Cell Organisation / Structure of Prokaryotic Cells / Prokaryotic v
Eukaryotic Cells / Viruses

Easy (5 questions) /42 Scan here to return to the course

Hard (5 questions) /48

Total Marks /133

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Easy Questions
1 (a) Figure 1 below shows the structure of an animal cell.

Figure 1

State the name and function of the organelles labelled A-C in Figure 1.

(3 marks)

(b) Name two organelles that would be found in a plant cell but not in the cell in Figure 1.

(2 marks)

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(c) Describe the role of the cell surface membrane.

(1 mark)

(d) In addition to the cell surface membrane, eukaryotic cells have many internal
membrane-bound structures, including structures called lysosomes. Describe the
structure of lysosomes and their role within cells.

(2 marks)

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2 (a) Give the meaning of the term specialised cell.

(1 mark)

(b) Figure 1 below shows a diagram of a series of muscle cells.

Figure 1

State how each of the two labelled features help the muscle cells to be specialised.

(2 marks)

(c) Figure 2 below shows a representation of a xylem cell, another example of a specialised

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 cell.

Identify and explain one feature visible in Figure 2 that could help with xylem cell
specialisation.

(2 marks)

(d) Name an example of a specialised cell other than muscle cells and xylem cells and
explain how it is specialised.

(3 marks)

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3 (a) Give a definition for the term tissue in biology.

(1 mark)

(b) Table 1 below provides information about several types of mammalian tissue and their
levels of cellular organisation.

Table 1

Cell type Tissue Organ Organ system

Muscle cell Muscle X Circulatory

Neurone Nerve Brain Y

Rod cell Retina Z Visual

Name the organs and systems marked X, Y and Z.

(3 marks)

(c) The lining of the small intestine contains epithelial cells, one of which is shown in Figure
1 below.

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 Figure 1

Identify two features of the epithelial cell in Figure 1 that adapt it for its function and
explain how each feature helps.

(2 marks)

(d) Describe the levels of cellular organisation that include the epithelial cell shown in part
c).

(3 marks)

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4 (a) Figure 1 below shows the general structure of a prokaryotic cell.

Figure 1

Identify the structures labelled A-C in Figure 1.

(3 marks)

(b) State how structure A labelled in Figure 1 differs from the equivalent structure in a plant
cell.

(1 mark)

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(c) Name two other structures that might be found in a prokaryotic cell that are not shown
in Figure 1 and state their function.

(2 marks)

(d) A prokaryotic cell measures 2 μm in diameter and a eukaryotic cell measures 0.1 mm.
Calculate how many times larger the eukaryotic cell is than the prokaryotic cell.

(2 marks)

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5 (a) Table 1 contains information about prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, and viruses.

Table 1

Eukaryotic cells Prokaryotic cells Viruses

Cellular Yes Yes No

Size X 0.5-5 μm 2 nm

Genetic material DNA DNA Y

Ribosomes Z Small / 70s Absent

Use your knowledge of cell and virus structure to complete the table in the gaps marked
X, Y, and Z.

(3 marks)

(b) Figure 1 below shows an example of a virus particle.

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 Figure 1

Name the structures labelled A and B in Figure 1.

(2 marks)

(c) Figure 2 below shows the process that takes place when a virus infects a host cell.

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 Figure 2

Describe what is happening at point X in Figure 2 to produce copies of the original virus.

(1 mark)

(d) Some virus particles have another layer of molecules surrounding them in addition to
that labelled B in part b) above. Use information from Figure 2 to state where this
additional layer comes from, and how its formation can damage host cells.

(3 marks)

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Medium Questions
1 (a) Figure 1 shows part of a prokaryotic cell.

Name the structures labelled R and S in the diagram in Figure 1.

(2 marks)

(b) Name the structures labelled P and Q in the diagram in Figure 1.

(2 marks)

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(c) Phospholipids and glycoproteins are two biological molecules, each are the main
constituent of structures found in prokaryotic cells.

i) Name the structure(s) (P, Q, R or S) in which phospholipids are the main biological
molecule found.

ii) Name the structure(s) (P, Q, R or S) in which glycoproteins are the main biological
molecule found.

(2 marks)

(d) In certain conditions, some prokaryotic cells can divide every 25 minutes.

Assuming that each cell divides every 25 minutes, calculate the number of cells that will
be present after 3.75 hours if the starting population contains 2.45 × 103 cells. Assume
no cells die during this time.

(2 marks)

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2 (a) Figure 1 shows a diagram of an animal cell.

Name the organelles labelled F and H.

(2 marks)

(b) Name two structures present in plant cells that are not present in animal cells.

(2 marks)

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(c) A scientist used the method below to prepare a sample of organelle F in Figure 1 from
muscle cells:

Step 1: Place muscle tissue in a solution that is ice-cold, buffered and has the same
water potential as the muscle tissue.

Step 2: Place the muscle tissue and solution into a blender. Blend for 3 minutes.

Step 3: Filter the blended mixture.

Step 4: Centrifuge the filtrate at a low speed. A pellet should be seen at the bottom
of the centrifuge tube.

Step 5: Pour off the liquid from the first centrifuge tube into a second centrifuge
tube.

Step 6: Centrifuge this liquid at a high speed. A sample of organelle F is obtained.

In terms of obtaining a sample of organelle F, explain why the solution used in step 1
had to be ice-cold and had to have the same water potential as the muscle tissue.

(2 marks)

(d) Explain why the muscle tissue and solution first had to be blended, and why the
resulting mixture then had to be filtered (steps 2 and 3).

(2 marks)

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3 (a) Figure 1 shows a chloroplast as seen with an electron microscope.

Name J and K.

(2 marks)

(b) Describe the function of the organelle in Figure 1.

(2 marks)

(c) Describe how a sample of the organelle in Figure 1 could be obtained from leaf tissue
using cell fractionation techniques.

You will not gain marks for including information about any solutions in your answer.

(3 marks)

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(d) Table 1 below shows features of a mitochondrion and a chloroplast.

Table 1

Feature Mitochondrion Chloroplast

Single outer membrane

Diffusion of carbon dioxide into the organelle

Starch grains

Complete the table with ticks (✔) where a feature is present.

(3 marks)

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4 (a) Figure 1 shows a drawing of part of an animal cell as seen through an electron
microscope.

Name the organelles labelled L and M.

(2 marks)

(b) Explain why the shapes of the two organelles labelled O in Figure 1 appear different.

(2 marks)

(c) Give the function of organelle M in Figure 1.

(1 mark)

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(d) Large numbers of organelle O (in Figure 1) are found in the small intestine epithelial
cells. Explain why these cells are adapted in this way.

(3 marks)

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5 (a) Figure 1 shows a diagram of an organism called Chlamydomonas that lives in freshwater.

Name two features of the Chlamydomonas cell that are not found in animal cells.

(2 marks)

(b) Use Figure 1 to explain three adaptations of Chlamydomonas that enable this organism
to maintain a high rate of photosynthesis.

(3 marks)

(c) A scientist used an optical microscope to observe Chlamydomonas. Name two eukaryotic
structures that cannot be identified using an optical microscope.

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 (2 marks)

(d) Using your knowledge of osmosis, suggest why Chlamydomonas uses starch as a
carbohydrate store.

(2 marks)

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Hard Questions
1 (a) A biologist prepared a sample of organelles extracted from an animal cell. The following
method was used:

Step 1: An ice-cold, buffered solution was added to the liver tissue (it has the same water
potential as the liver tissue).

Step 2: The liver and solution were blended in a homogeniser.

Step 3: The mixture from the homogeniser was filtered.

Step 4: The filtered liquid was centrifuged at low speed. A pellet appeared in the bottom
of the centrifuge tube.

Step 5: The liquid above the pellet was decanted into a second centrifuge tube and spun
at a higher speed to obtain a sample of mitochondria.

Name the organelle that made up most of the first pellet after centrifuging at a low
speed (step 4).

(1 mark)

(b) The second centrifuge tube was spun at a higher speed to obtain a sample of
mitochondria (step 5). Suggest why.

(1 mark)

(c) Explain how the inner membrane of the mitochondria is adapted to its function.

(3 marks)

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(d) Name three structures in a eukaryotic cell that cannot be identified using an optical
microscope.

(3 marks)

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2 (a) Figure 1 shows the structure of the organism Chlamydomonas.

Name three structures shown in Figure 1 that are present in eukaryotic cells but are not
present in prokaryotic cells.

(3 marks)

(b) Suggest what kind of organism Chlamydomonas is, based on the information shown
in Figure 1. Give reasons for your suggestion.

(2 marks)

(c) Describe the function of a chloroplast and the structural features that enable it to carry
out these functions.

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 (5 marks)

(d) Figure 1 below shows a photograph of an organelle taken with an electron microscope.

Name the parts of the organelle labelled A and B.

(2 marks)

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3 (a) Structures V to Z are organelles within a plant cell.

V - Nucleus

W - Chloroplast

X - Golgi apparatus

Y - Mitochondrion

Z - Cell Wall

Complete Table 1 by identifying the correct letter next to each statement.

Table 1

Statement Letter

Has membranes arranged in stacks and contains DNA

Is permeable to water and all solutes

Contains chromatin

Produces vesicles

(4 marks)

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(b) Mammals feed their young with milk that is synthesized and expressed by
mammary gland cells. These gland cells have evolved to contain large numbers of
mitochondria and Golgi apparatus. The milk contains a high concentration of protein to
feed an infant’s growth.

Explain how these adaptations could aid the synthesis and expression of milk.

(2 marks)

(c) State the contents and function of the mitochondrial matrix.

(2 marks)

(d) Scientists investigated the effect of an exercise programme on the number and area
of the inner mitochondrial membranes in skeletal muscle. They took samples of muscle
from a large number of volunteers before and after the exercise programme. From
each sample, they cut thin sections and used these to determine the mean number
of mitochondria per μm2 and the mean area of inner mitochondrial membranes. The
results are shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1

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 Before training After training

Mean Standard Mean Standard

Mean number of mitochondria 3.4 ± 0.9 2.8 ± 0.6

Mean area of inner 1.2 ± 0.45 3.0 ± 0.6

Using the data from Table 1 suggest the effect of the exercise programme on the
mitochondria.

(2 marks)

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4 (a) Bacteriophages are viruses that kill bacteria. Researchers investigated the use
of bacteriophages to alleviate the symptoms of bacterial lung infections. They
inoculated the lungs of rats with a pathogenic bacterium. The rats were then divided
into two groups, J and K:

The rats in group J were untreated.

The rats in group K were given bacteriophage treatment by means of an aerosol

After 5 days, the researchers killed the rats and excised their lungs. The lungs
were washed out with a set volume of fluid. The researchers used a technique to count
the number of live bacteria in the fluid. Figure 1 below shows the researchers’ results.
The mean and the range of data are shown for each group.

Suggest the scientists’ null hypothesis and experimental hypothesis for this investigation.

(2 marks)

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(b) Identify which statement is correct about the structures of the bacteriophage and the
bacterium.

A - Both have ribosomes.

B - Both have a cell-surface membrane.

C - The bacteriophage has a capsid and the bacterium has a cell-surface membrane.

D - The bacteriophage has a cell wall and the bacterium has a capsid.

(1 mark)

(c) In some cases, the researchers needed to carry out a serial dilution of the sample
before performing a count of the bacteria.

Use data from Figure 1 to explain the researchers’ choices to perform serial dilutions in
some cases but not for others.

(2 marks)

(d) Using only the graph in Figure 1, analyse the effectiveness of the bacteriophage in
treating the lung infection in rats. Do not consider statistical analyses in your answer.

(3 marks)

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5 (a) Figure 1 below shows a diagram of a cholera bacterium.

Name W and X and state their function.

(2 marks)

(b) Name four structures that are present in an epithelial cell from the small intestine but
not present in a cholera bacterium.

(4 marks)

(c) Cholera bacteria can be viewed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) or a
scanning electron microscope (SEM).

State one advantage of using a TEM and one advantage of using an SEM.

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 (2 marks)

(d) An outbreak of cholera occurred in London in 1849. Figure 2 below shows the
relationship between the number of deaths from cholera and the height at which people
lived above sea level.

Describe the results shown in Figure 2.

(2 marks)

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