AQA A LEVEL BIOLOGY PAPER LATEST 2025 WITH QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS GRADED A+ GUARANTEED PASS
How are algal cells similar to plant cells? - CORRECT ANSWERS-They have the same
organelles.
How are fungal cells different to plant cells? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Their cell walls are made of
chitin, not cellulose.
They don't have chloroplasts because they don't need to photosynthesise
Describe the cell surface plasma membrane.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-It is found on the inside of cells that also have a
cell wall (plants), and is mainly made up of lipids and proteins.
It controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. It also has receptor molecules on it, to
allow it to respond to chemicals like hormones.
Name the components of the nucleus - CORRECT ANSWERS-1)nucleolus
2)nuclear envelope
3)nucleoplasm
4)nuclear pores
5)chromatin
Describe the nucleus.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A large organelle surrounded by a nuclear
envelope which contains many pores. The nucleus contains chromosomes.
The nucleus controls the cell's activities by controlling the transcription of DNA. The pores allow
substances to move between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The nucleolus makes ribosomes.
,Describe mitochondrion.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-They are usually oval-shaped and have a double
membrane. The inner membrane is folded to form structures called cristae. Inside is the matrix, which
contains enzymes involved in respiration.
Describe the structure of a lysosome.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A round organelle surrounded by a membrane,
with no clear internal structure. It's a type of Golgi vesicle.
Contains digestive enzymes called lysozymes, that are kept separate from the cytoplasm by the
membrane. They can be used to digest invading cells or the break down worn out components of the
cell.
Describe the structure of a ribosome.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A very small organelle that either floats free in
the cytoplasm or is attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. It is made up of proteins and RNA, and
is not surrounded by a membrane.
It is the site where proteins are made.
Describe the structure of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. (RER)
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A system of membranes enclosing a fluid-filled
space. The surface is covered with ribosomes.
They fold and process proteins that have been made at the ribosomes.
Describe the structure of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. (SER)
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A system of membranes enclosing a fluid-filled
space. The surface is completely smooth.
, Synthesises and processes lipids.
Describe the structure of the cell wall.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A rigid structure that surrounds cells in plants,
algae and fungi. In plants and algae its mainly made from cellulose, but it in fungi it is made of chitin.
It supports the cell and prevents them from changing shape.
Describe the structure of the cell vacuole.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A membrane-bound organelle found in the
cytoplasm of plant cells. It contains cell-sap, a weak solution of sugar and salts. The surrounding
membrane is called the tonoplast.
Helps to maintain pressure and rigidity inside the cell. This stops the plants wilting. It is also involved in
the isolation of unwanted chemicals inside the cell.
How are epithelial cells in the small intestine specialised to absorb food efficiently? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-1)The intestine walls have lots of villi, which increase surface area for absorption
2)The epithelial cells on the surface of the villi have folds in their cell-surface membrane called micro-
villi, increasing SA even more.
3)They have lots of mitochondria to provide energy.
What are specialised cells grouped together to form? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Tissues
What is a tissue? - CORRECT ANSWERS-A group of cells working together to perform a
particular function. Different tissues work together to form organs, organs make up an organ system.
What are cell-surface membranes? - CORRECT ANSWERS-A barrier between the cell and its
environment
What is the role of a cell-surface membrane? - CORRECT ANSWERS-To control which
substances leave and enter the cell by being partially permeable
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS GRADED A+ GUARANTEED PASS
How are algal cells similar to plant cells? - CORRECT ANSWERS-They have the same
organelles.
How are fungal cells different to plant cells? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Their cell walls are made of
chitin, not cellulose.
They don't have chloroplasts because they don't need to photosynthesise
Describe the cell surface plasma membrane.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-It is found on the inside of cells that also have a
cell wall (plants), and is mainly made up of lipids and proteins.
It controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. It also has receptor molecules on it, to
allow it to respond to chemicals like hormones.
Name the components of the nucleus - CORRECT ANSWERS-1)nucleolus
2)nuclear envelope
3)nucleoplasm
4)nuclear pores
5)chromatin
Describe the nucleus.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A large organelle surrounded by a nuclear
envelope which contains many pores. The nucleus contains chromosomes.
The nucleus controls the cell's activities by controlling the transcription of DNA. The pores allow
substances to move between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The nucleolus makes ribosomes.
,Describe mitochondrion.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-They are usually oval-shaped and have a double
membrane. The inner membrane is folded to form structures called cristae. Inside is the matrix, which
contains enzymes involved in respiration.
Describe the structure of a lysosome.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A round organelle surrounded by a membrane,
with no clear internal structure. It's a type of Golgi vesicle.
Contains digestive enzymes called lysozymes, that are kept separate from the cytoplasm by the
membrane. They can be used to digest invading cells or the break down worn out components of the
cell.
Describe the structure of a ribosome.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A very small organelle that either floats free in
the cytoplasm or is attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. It is made up of proteins and RNA, and
is not surrounded by a membrane.
It is the site where proteins are made.
Describe the structure of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. (RER)
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A system of membranes enclosing a fluid-filled
space. The surface is covered with ribosomes.
They fold and process proteins that have been made at the ribosomes.
Describe the structure of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. (SER)
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A system of membranes enclosing a fluid-filled
space. The surface is completely smooth.
, Synthesises and processes lipids.
Describe the structure of the cell wall.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A rigid structure that surrounds cells in plants,
algae and fungi. In plants and algae its mainly made from cellulose, but it in fungi it is made of chitin.
It supports the cell and prevents them from changing shape.
Describe the structure of the cell vacuole.
Outline the functions. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A membrane-bound organelle found in the
cytoplasm of plant cells. It contains cell-sap, a weak solution of sugar and salts. The surrounding
membrane is called the tonoplast.
Helps to maintain pressure and rigidity inside the cell. This stops the plants wilting. It is also involved in
the isolation of unwanted chemicals inside the cell.
How are epithelial cells in the small intestine specialised to absorb food efficiently? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-1)The intestine walls have lots of villi, which increase surface area for absorption
2)The epithelial cells on the surface of the villi have folds in their cell-surface membrane called micro-
villi, increasing SA even more.
3)They have lots of mitochondria to provide energy.
What are specialised cells grouped together to form? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Tissues
What is a tissue? - CORRECT ANSWERS-A group of cells working together to perform a
particular function. Different tissues work together to form organs, organs make up an organ system.
What are cell-surface membranes? - CORRECT ANSWERS-A barrier between the cell and its
environment
What is the role of a cell-surface membrane? - CORRECT ANSWERS-To control which
substances leave and enter the cell by being partially permeable
