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AQA GCSE Biology - Paper 1
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What does a nucleus do? -ANS>>It contains genetic material and
controls the activities of the cell
What does cytoplasm do? -ANS>>It's a gel-like substance where most
of the chemical reactions happen. It contains enzymes that control
these chemical reactions
What does a cell membrane do? -ANS>>It holds the cell together and
controls what goes in and out
What do mitochondria do? -ANS>>These are where most of the
reactions for aerobic respiration occur. Respiration transfers energy
that the cell needs to work
,What do ribosomes do? -ANS>>This is where protein synthesis takes
place - where proteins are made in the cell
What do cell walls do? -ANS>>They are made of cellulose and they
support and strengthen the cell
What does a vacuole do? -ANS>>It contains cell sap and helps maintain
the shape of the cell
What do chloroplasts do? -ANS>>This is where photosynthesis occurs,
which makes food for the plant. They contain chlorophyll - a green
pigment - which absorbs light needed for photosynthesis
What do bacterial cells contain? -ANS>>Cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell
wall, flagella, ribosomes, mitochondria, slime capsule, plasmids (small
rings of DNA) and a single circular strand of DNA that floats freely in
the cytoplasm
What do bacterial cells NOT contain? -ANS>>A nucleus
What is the equation for magnification? -ANS>>Image size divided by
actual size
What is differentiation? -ANS>>The process by which a cell changes to
become specialised for its job
What are undifferentiated cells called? -ANS>>Stem cells
What are sperm cells specialised for and how are they specialised? -
ANS>>Reproduction - they transport the male DNA to the female DNA
-It has a flagella and a streamlined head to help it swim towards the
egg
-There are lots of mitochondria in the cell to provide the energy
needed
,-It carries enzymes in its head to help digest through the egg cell
membranes
What are nerve cells specialised for and how are they specialised? -
ANS>>Rapid signalling - they carry electrical signals from one part of
the body to another
-They are long to cover more distance
-They have branched connections at their ends to connect to other
nerve cells and form a network throughout the body
What are muscle cells specialised for and how are they specialised? -
ANS>>Contraction - they need to contract quickly
-They are long so they have space to contract
-They contain lots of mitochondria to generate the energy needed for
contraction
What are root hair cells specialised for and how are they specialised? -
ANS>>Absorbing water and minerals
-They are cells on the surface of plant roots which grow into long hairs
that stick out into the soil
-They have a large surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions
from the soil
What are chromosomes? -ANS>>Coiled up lengths of DNA molecules
that are found in the nuclei
What do multicellular organisms use mitosis for? -ANS>>To grow or
replace cells that have been damaged
What are stem cells? -ANS>>They are undifferentiated cells that divide
to produce lots more undifferentiated cells. They then differentiate
into different types of cell
Where are stem cells found? -ANS>>In early human embryos or the
bone marrow of adults
, What do embryonic stem cells do? -ANS>>1) Used to replace faulty
cells in sick people - insulin-producing cells for diabetes and nerve
cells for paralysed spinal injuries
2) Used to replace faulty blood cells
What is diffusion? -ANS>>Diffusion is the movement of particles from
an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
Name the substances that can diffuse through cell membranes -
ANS>>Glucose, water, oxygen and amino acids
Name two substances that can't diffuse through cell membranes -
ANS>>Protein and starch
What is osmosis? -ANS>>Osmosis is the passive movement of water
molecules through a partially permeable cell membrane from an area
of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration
What are the two main differences between active transport and
diffusion? -ANS>>Active transport uses energy whereas diffusion
doesn't. Active transport goes against the concentration gradient
whereas diffusion goes along it
Adaptations of Exchange Surfaces -ANS>>1) Large surface area - lots of
substances can diffuse at once
2) Lots of blood vessels - to get stuff into and out of the blood quickly
3) Thin membrane - short distance for substances to diffuse
4) Often ventilated - air moves in & out
Give two ways that the villi in the small intestine are adapted for
absorbing digested food -ANS>>1) A single layer of surface cells
2) A very good blood supply to assist quick absorption
Explain how the leaves are adapted to maximise the amount of carbon
dioxide that gets into their cells -ANS>>1) The exchange surface in a
leaf is covered in stomata which the carbon dioxide diffuses through