Edexcel A (SNAB) AS Biology

Topic Questions

3.1 Cell Structure & Organisation

1a
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3 marks

The cells of all living organisms share some common features.

(i)

State two such features.

(2)

(ii)

Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann came up with the cell theory in 1837.

Which of the following is not one of the main ideas of this theory? 

(1)

  A All living organisms are made up of one or more cells
  B Different cell types contain different structural elements
  C New cells are produced from cells that already exist
  D Cells are the basic structural and functional unit of life

1b
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2 marks

The following diagram shows the structure of a unicellular organism called Chlamydomonas.

1-2-fig-5-1

(i)

Identify this cell as eukaryotic or prokaryotic.

(1)

(ii)

Give a reason for your answer at part (i).

(1)

1c
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2 marks

Chlamydomonas are typically 10 µm in diameter. A student uses a cm ruler to measure the diameter of the Chlamydomonas in the diagram.

wcsalxup-q1c-chlamydomonas-sq

Calculate the magnification of the diagram.

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2a
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2 marks

A student drew a eukaryotic cell based on what they saw in an electron micrograph.

4Avu40uF_picture3

Identify F and H in the student's drawing.

2b
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2 marks

The student concluded that the eukaryotic cell in part (a) was not a plant cell.

State two reasons why they came to this conclusion.

2c
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1 mark

Which of the following is a characteristic shared by mitochondria and prokaryotes? 

  A Circular DNA
  B Plasmids
  C Cell walls
  D 80S ribosomes

2d
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2 marks

Certain cells such as muscle cells contain more mitochondria than cells used for storage (such as adipose/fat cells).

Explain the reason for this.

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3a
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4 marks

The following electron micrograph shows an organelle found within a cell.

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(i)

Identify the organelle visible in the micrograph and provide a reason for your answer.

(2)

(ii)

Explain why an electron microscope was used to obtain this image instead of a light microscope.

(2)

3b
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5 marks

Compare and contrast a transmission electron microscope/TEM with a scanning electron microscope/SEM.

3c
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3 marks

The following diagram shows part of a plant cell as seen with an electron micrograph.

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Calculate the actual diameter of the cell. Show your working and give your answer to three significant figures.

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4a
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2 marks

The following image was created using a transmission electron microscope.

68ddji7i_q4a-tem-of-bacterial-cell-sq

Identify whether these are prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells and give one reason for your answer.

4b
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3 marks

Draw a labelled biological diagram of cell X in the diagram at part (a).

4c
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1 mark

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have several structural differences between them.)

Which of the following is not a difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells? 

      Prokaryotic Eukaryotic
  A Their DNA is circular and is not associated with proteins The DNA is arranged in chromosomes and associated with histones
  B Cell walls consists of peptidoglycan and murein Cells walls may contain cellulose and lignin
  C Divide by binary fission without the presence of a spindle Cell division involves a spindle to separate chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis
  D They only contain small (70S) ribosomes in their cytoplasm They contain both small (70S) and large (80S) ribosomes in their cytoplasm

4d
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3 marks

In multicellular organisms, cells will often become specialised.

(i)

Explain the importance of specialised cells in a multicellular organism.

(2)

(ii)

Which of the following is an example of tissue? 

(1)

  A Palisade mesophyll
  B Arteries
  C Sensory neurones
  D Phloem sieve tube elements

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5a
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2 marks

A student used a light microscope to view a specimen. They wanted to use the stage micrometer and eyepiece graticule to determine the actual size of the specimen.

Explain why both a stage micrometer and eyepiece graticule is needed.

5b
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1 mark

A stage micrometer with small divisions of 0.1 mm was placed over the eyepiece graticule as shown in the diagram below.

image-3

Plant tissue was viewed under the microscope and one of the cells spanned across 20 eyepiece graticule units.i)

Which of the following represents the actual size of this cell? 

  A 0.5 mm
  B 5 µm
  C 50 µm
  D 500 µm

5c
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2 marks

Explain why adjustments must be made to the eyepiece graticule and stage micrometer when the specimen from part (b) is viewed under a more powerful objective lens.

5d
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6 marks

A student is given an unknown tissue sample.

Describe how they would use microscopy to determine the type of tissue in this sample.

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