A LEVEL BIOLOGY CELLS EXAM ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY
GRADED A+ GUARANTEED PASS
Is a capsid in a Virus or Bacterium?
Virus
Which of cell membrane, cell wall and nucleus is a is white blood cell present in?
Cell surface membrane and nucleus
Which of cell membrane, cell wall and nucleus is a is bacterial cell present in?
Cell wall and cell surface membrane
Some scientists support the theory that mitochondria are organelles that evolved
from prokaryotic cells.
(i) Give one piece of evidence that supports the theory that mitochondria evolved
from prokaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic cells have circular DNA
What is the advantage to cells of having mitochondria?
The respire aerobically so provide energy in the form of ATP.
Explain why the antibodies used in this test must be monoclonal antibodies.
Only attracted to one specific antigen
Explain how you would calculate the magnification of cell C.
Divide the actual length of the scale bar, in micrometres, by 0.5
Suggest why penicillin has no effect on plant cells.
Penicillin doesn't affect cellulose
1
,Young carrots store sugars in their tissues but, in older carrots, some of this is
converted to starch. How would using cylinders of tissue from older carrots affect
the results obtained for a sucrose solution of 0.6 mol dm-3? Give a reason for your
answer.
Greater difference in water potential as starch is insoluble
Use information in the passage to explain how a tadpole's tail is absorbed as a tadpole
changes into a frog.
Lysosomes produce / contain enzymes;
Which break down / hydrolyse proteins / substances / cells of tail;
Describe the path of a molecule of oxygen from the air in the alveolus at X to the
plasma membrane of cell A.
Through epithelium of alevolus
What is the function of the granum?
chlorophyll molecules to trap light / light absorbing pigments /
light dependent reaction / part of light dependent reaction;
Describe how temporary mounts are made.
Thin slice/section;
Stain with iodine
Add cover slip;
Describe how the scientist could have used the temporary mounts of leaves to
determine the mean number of chloroplasts in mesophyll cells of a leaf.
1. Take a large number of cells
2. Count number of chloroplasts;
3. Divide number of chloroplasts by number of cells
In which organelle does protein synthesis take place?
The RER
Describe how the RER is involved in the production of enzymes.
2
,Its covered in ribosomes which join amino acids together to make proteins in protein
synthesis.
Describe how the Golgi apparatus is involved in the secretion of enzymes.
It modifies and packages into vesicles for transport.
Give two structures a bacterial cell may have that a white blood cell does not have.
Flagella and capsule
People given whole-cell vaccines were more likely to develop harmful side effects
than the people given the vaccines containing parts of the bacterial cells (lines 4-6).
Suggest reasons why.
Heating was supposed to kill bacteria
so active bacteria are still alive meaning they can reproduce and make toxins.
People given whole-cell vaccines produced a greater range of antibodies against the
bacterium than the people given the vaccines containing parts of the bacterial cells
(lines 7-8).
Explain why.
More bacteria = antigens;
and each antigen causes its own immune response.
Microfold cells take up the antigens and transport them to cells of the immune
system (lines 6-7). Antigens are not able to pass through the cell-surface membranes
of other epithelial cells. Suggest two reasons why.
Not lipid soluble
Too large
Scientists believe that it may be possible to develop vaccines that make use of
microfold cells (lines 9-10). Explain how this sort of vaccine would lead to a person
developing immunity to a pathogen.
Vaccine contains antigen
T-cells activate B-cells;
B-cells divide and forms clones
3
, Plasma cells produce antibodies;
Memory cells produced meaning more antibodies remain in system
This photograph was taken using a transmission electron microscope. The structure
of the organelles visible in the photograph could not have been seen using an
optical(light) microscope. Explain why.
Has low resolution as short wavelength
Use information in the diagram to explain why vancomycin does not affect human
cells.
They don't have a cell wall
Chlamydomonas has adaptations that help it to maintain a high rate of
photosynthesis.
Use information in the diagram to explain what these adaptations are.
Light sensitive eyespot
Flagellum for movement
Chloroplasts for absorption
Name two structures present in an epithelial cell from the small intestine that are not
present in a cholera bacterium.
Nucleus
Lysosomes
Give one advantage of using a TEM rather than a SEM.
Higher resolution
Give one advantage of using a SEM rather than a TEM.
3D Image
Place the appropriate letters in the correct order to show the passage of an amino
acid from the cytoplasm at F until it is secreted from the cell as a protein at K.
HJE
Use the information in the figure to explain a way in which fatty acids are important
in the formation of new cells.
4
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS ALREADY
GRADED A+ GUARANTEED PASS
Is a capsid in a Virus or Bacterium?
Virus
Which of cell membrane, cell wall and nucleus is a is white blood cell present in?
Cell surface membrane and nucleus
Which of cell membrane, cell wall and nucleus is a is bacterial cell present in?
Cell wall and cell surface membrane
Some scientists support the theory that mitochondria are organelles that evolved
from prokaryotic cells.
(i) Give one piece of evidence that supports the theory that mitochondria evolved
from prokaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic cells have circular DNA
What is the advantage to cells of having mitochondria?
The respire aerobically so provide energy in the form of ATP.
Explain why the antibodies used in this test must be monoclonal antibodies.
Only attracted to one specific antigen
Explain how you would calculate the magnification of cell C.
Divide the actual length of the scale bar, in micrometres, by 0.5
Suggest why penicillin has no effect on plant cells.
Penicillin doesn't affect cellulose
1
,Young carrots store sugars in their tissues but, in older carrots, some of this is
converted to starch. How would using cylinders of tissue from older carrots affect
the results obtained for a sucrose solution of 0.6 mol dm-3? Give a reason for your
answer.
Greater difference in water potential as starch is insoluble
Use information in the passage to explain how a tadpole's tail is absorbed as a tadpole
changes into a frog.
Lysosomes produce / contain enzymes;
Which break down / hydrolyse proteins / substances / cells of tail;
Describe the path of a molecule of oxygen from the air in the alveolus at X to the
plasma membrane of cell A.
Through epithelium of alevolus
What is the function of the granum?
chlorophyll molecules to trap light / light absorbing pigments /
light dependent reaction / part of light dependent reaction;
Describe how temporary mounts are made.
Thin slice/section;
Stain with iodine
Add cover slip;
Describe how the scientist could have used the temporary mounts of leaves to
determine the mean number of chloroplasts in mesophyll cells of a leaf.
1. Take a large number of cells
2. Count number of chloroplasts;
3. Divide number of chloroplasts by number of cells
In which organelle does protein synthesis take place?
The RER
Describe how the RER is involved in the production of enzymes.
2
,Its covered in ribosomes which join amino acids together to make proteins in protein
synthesis.
Describe how the Golgi apparatus is involved in the secretion of enzymes.
It modifies and packages into vesicles for transport.
Give two structures a bacterial cell may have that a white blood cell does not have.
Flagella and capsule
People given whole-cell vaccines were more likely to develop harmful side effects
than the people given the vaccines containing parts of the bacterial cells (lines 4-6).
Suggest reasons why.
Heating was supposed to kill bacteria
so active bacteria are still alive meaning they can reproduce and make toxins.
People given whole-cell vaccines produced a greater range of antibodies against the
bacterium than the people given the vaccines containing parts of the bacterial cells
(lines 7-8).
Explain why.
More bacteria = antigens;
and each antigen causes its own immune response.
Microfold cells take up the antigens and transport them to cells of the immune
system (lines 6-7). Antigens are not able to pass through the cell-surface membranes
of other epithelial cells. Suggest two reasons why.
Not lipid soluble
Too large
Scientists believe that it may be possible to develop vaccines that make use of
microfold cells (lines 9-10). Explain how this sort of vaccine would lead to a person
developing immunity to a pathogen.
Vaccine contains antigen
T-cells activate B-cells;
B-cells divide and forms clones
3
, Plasma cells produce antibodies;
Memory cells produced meaning more antibodies remain in system
This photograph was taken using a transmission electron microscope. The structure
of the organelles visible in the photograph could not have been seen using an
optical(light) microscope. Explain why.
Has low resolution as short wavelength
Use information in the diagram to explain why vancomycin does not affect human
cells.
They don't have a cell wall
Chlamydomonas has adaptations that help it to maintain a high rate of
photosynthesis.
Use information in the diagram to explain what these adaptations are.
Light sensitive eyespot
Flagellum for movement
Chloroplasts for absorption
Name two structures present in an epithelial cell from the small intestine that are not
present in a cholera bacterium.
Nucleus
Lysosomes
Give one advantage of using a TEM rather than a SEM.
Higher resolution
Give one advantage of using a SEM rather than a TEM.
3D Image
Place the appropriate letters in the correct order to show the passage of an amino
acid from the cytoplasm at F until it is secreted from the cell as a protein at K.
HJE
Use the information in the figure to explain a way in which fatty acids are important
in the formation of new cells.
4
