AQA GCSE Biology: Cell biology — Practice Questions & Answers
Covers the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, sub-cellular components, specialised and stem cells, microscopy and magnification calculations, the cell cycle and mitosis, and how substances move by diffusion, osmosis and active transport.
1267 practice questions available for this topic — here are 10 with full answers and explanations.
Which sub-cellular structure is found in plant cells but NOT in animal cells?
Mitochondria
Ribosomes
Chloroplast
Nucleus
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WhyChloroplasts contain chlorophyll and carry out photosynthesis; they are present in plant cells (and algae) but absent from animal cells. Animal cells have no cell wall, chloroplasts, or permanent vacuole.
2Multiple choice · Easy
Which feature is present in a prokaryotic cell but absent in a eukaryotic cell?
Plasmid
Cell membrane
Ribosomes
Cytoplasm
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WhyProkaryotes (e.g. bacteria) have genetic material as a single loop of DNA in the cytoplasm and may have small rings of DNA called plasmids. Eukaryotes lack plasmids and instead have a true membrane-bound nucleus.
3Multiple choice · Easy
What is the function of the cell membrane?
Controls what enters and leaves the cell
Provides strength and support to the cell
Stores the genetic information
Releases energy during respiration
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WhyThe cell membrane controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell. The cell wall provides support, the nucleus controls activities, and the mitochondria release energy in respiration.
4Multiple choice · Easy
In which sub-cellular structure does most aerobic respiration take place?
Ribosome
Mitochondrion
Nucleus
Vacuole
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WhyMitochondria are the site of most aerobic respiration reactions, transferring the energy the cell needs. Ribosomes make proteins, the nucleus stores DNA, and chloroplasts carry out photosynthesis.
5Multiple choice · Medium
A sperm cell has many mitochondria and a tail. How do these adaptations help its function?
The tail digests the egg and mitochondria store food
The tail enables swimming and mitochondria provide energy for movement
The tail absorbs nutrients and mitochondria carry oxygen
The tail anchors the cell and mitochondria make proteins
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WhyThe tail allows the sperm to swim to the egg, and the many mitochondria release the energy needed for that movement. This is an example of a specialised cell adapted to its role.
6Multiple choice · Medium
A root hair cell has a long, thin extension. What is the main advantage of this shape?
It increases the surface area for absorbing water and minerals
It allows the cell to photosynthesise more
It lets the cell divide more quickly
It reduces water loss from the root
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WhyThe long thin projection greatly increases the surface area of the cell, allowing faster absorption of water (by osmosis) and mineral ions (by active transport) from the soil.
7Multiple choice · Medium
Which statement correctly compares a light microscope with an electron microscope?
Light microscopes have higher resolution than electron microscopes
Electron microscopes have higher magnification and higher resolution than light microscopes
Both have the same resolving power
Electron microscopes can only view living cells
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WhyElectron microscopes have much higher magnification and much higher resolving power (resolution) than light microscopes, so they reveal smaller sub-cellular structures in finer detail.
8Multiple choice · Medium
An image of a cell measures 50 mm across. The cell's real diameter is 0.05 mm. What is the magnification?
x10
x100
x1000
x2500
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WhyMagnification = image size / real size = 50 / 0.05 = 1000. Magnification has no units because it is a ratio of two lengths in the same unit.
9Multiple choice · Medium
Which process produces two genetically identical daughter cells, each with the full number of chromosomes?
Meiosis
Mitosis
Fertilisation
Differentiation
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WhyMitosis produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells and is used for growth, repair and replacement of cells. Meiosis (gamete formation) halves the chromosome number and produces genetically varied cells.
10Multiple choice · Medium
Before a cell divides by mitosis, what must happen to the DNA first?
The DNA is broken down into amino acids
The DNA is replicated to form two copies of each chromosome
Half of the DNA is removed
The DNA leaves the nucleus permanently
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WhyDuring the first stage of the cell cycle the cell grows, makes more sub-cellular structures such as mitochondria and ribosomes, and replicates (copies) its DNA so each chromosome forms two identical strands.
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