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This page contains all of the IB biology topic 1 questions created from past IB biology topic 1 past papers. IB biology topic 1 covers the IB cell biology content from the IB Biology course. The sub-topics included are shown below, covering the IB biology topic 1 areas of: cells, cell theory, specialisation, prokaryotes, eukaryotes, membranes, particle transport, cell division, and cancer.
Our IB bio topic 1 questions on IB cell biology test your topic 1 syllabus knowledge required for the IB biology topic 1 questions in the exam. They will also prepare you well for IB biology topic 1 past paper questions!
Which of the following statements conform to the cell theory?
| I | All living organisms consist of cells |
| II | Cells are the smallest functional viable unit |
| III | The sole origin of a cell is a ‘parent cell’ |
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Correct, the answer is C!
The 3 cell theory statements are: All living organisms consist of cells, cells are the smallest unit of life and, all cells come from pre-existing cells
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The process by which organisms utilise enzymes to convert reactants into products in a complex web of reactions is best described as
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Correct, the answer is B!
This describes a chemical reaction
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Which of the following would not be expected to classify as a living organism through lack of one functional life process?
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Correct, the answer is D!
Viruses lack a metabolism
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The process by which water moves to fill contractile vacuoles within Chlorella, before being expelled by contraction, is termed osmoregulation. This would best classify as which function of life?
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Correct, the answer is B!
This is an example of maintaining internal conditions – homeostasis
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As the size of an organism grows, its surface area to volume ratio
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Correct, the answer is B!
As objects grow their SA:VR decreases
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The process by which cells can change to carry out more specific functions within an organism is
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Correct, the answer is A!
The process by which cells specialise is named differentiation
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Stem cells have the potential to cure many diseases present in humans. This is best attributed to the fact they
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Correct, the answer is C!
Stem cells are able to cure disease as they divide into many different cells – differentiate
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Which of the following best defines the term pluripotent?
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Correct, the answer is C!
Pluripotent is the ability of a cell to differentiate to form other cells
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Which of the following terms could be used to describe embryonic stem cells but not adult stem cells?
| I | Pluripotent |
| II | Multipotent |
| III | Fully compatible |
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Correct, the answer is A!
Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent but not fully compatible. Adult stem cells are multipotent and fully compatible
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An image of an organism has magnification x26,000. If the organism in the image has a width of 20mm, the true size of the organism in µm would be
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Correct, the answer is D!
scale sizemagnification = true size. This would give an answer in mm, so * 1000 would give the answer in µm
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A number of processes are considered fundamental for all living organisms. Outline these processes using Paramecium (heterotroph) as an example
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Produces enzymes which catalyse reactions in metabolism ✓ b. Reproduces by asexual methods/binary fission ✓ c. Growth through digestion of food vacuoles ✓ d. Osmoregulation/Homeostasis through «contractile vacuoles» filled with water ✓ e. Excretion of waste products occurs by diffusion through the plasma membrane ✓ f. Responds to external stimuli through wave action of cilia ✓ g. Obtains food/nutrition using oral groove and food vacuoles ✓ |
Descriptions that do not make reference to Paramecium specifically score 0 | 4 Max |
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Outline why Acetabularia is considered an ‘atypical cell’
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Longer/Larger than a normal cell «10cm» ✓ OWTTE b. Does not have typical cell characteristics ✓ OWTTE |
1 Max |
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Explain why cells rarely reach sizes visible to the human eye. You should refer to diffusion in your answer
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. As a cell grows in size the surface area to volume ratio decreases✓ OWTTE b. Smaller SA:VR decreases the rate of diffusion ✓ c. Products/food and reactants/waste move in/out slower ✓ OWTTE d. Heat transfer is reduced «as organism size increases» ✓ e. Slow exchange of substances restricts metabolism/growth ✓ OWTTE |
Accept arguments present in converse for points a-d | 3 Max |
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A cell can transport substances without a circulatory system, however, a multicellular organism cannot. Explain this inconsistency with reference to surface area to volume ratio.
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. A multicellular organism has a smaller surface area to volume ratio than a cell ✓ OWTTE b. Smaller SA:VR decreases rate of transport of «products/heat/ waste» by diffusion ✓ c. Slow exchange of substances restricts metabolism/growth ✓ OWTTE d. Transport/Circulatory system increases rate of transport, enabling growth ✓ OWTTE |
Accept arguments present in converse for points a-c. Answers referencing surface area, but fail to make reference to transport, score 1 max. |
2 Max |
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Define what is meant by the term Emergent properties.
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Characteristics of an organism/ Phenotypes ✓ b. not evident in individual cells ✓ c. created by «multicellular» interaction ✓ |
2 Max |
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Compare and Contrast ‘cord blood’ and ‘adult’ stem cells
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Similarities [Max 4] a. Multipotent/Can differentiate into most cells ✓ b. Limited number available ✓ c. Fully compatible with the donor later in life ✓ d. Used to treat conditions (blindness) ✓ Differences [Max 4] e. Obtained from umbilical cord vs bone marrow ✓ f. Cord blood easy to obtain vs Adult difficult to obtain ✓ g. Cord blood obtained at birth vs Adult after birth/in later life ✓ h. Cord blood removal does not harm host vs Adult harms host ✓ |
a. Reject differentiate into all cells/pluripotent. Answers referring to only similarities or differences score max 4. Accept arguments present in converse for points e-h. |
6 Max |
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Stem cells are used to treat several diseases including Stargardt’s disease. Outline how and why stem cells can be used to treat conditions like this
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Blindness/Vision loss ✓ b. Stem cells are Pluripotent/Multipotent ✓ c. Can grow into/differentiate «to form many cells in the body» ✓ OWTTE d. Embryonic stem cells extracted ✓ e. injected into eye/onto the retina ✓ f. stem cells differentiate into retinal cells, improving vision ✓ |
Answers failing to refer to vision loss or the eye score max 2 | 4 Max |
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Describe the characteristics of stem cells that make them suited to medical application
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Can be easily obtained from many individuals ✓ b. Stem cells are Pluripotent/Multipotent ✓ c. Can grow into/differentiate «to form many cells in the body» ✓ OWTTE d. Cord blood/Adult stem cells are fully compatible with the host ✓ e. Found in large numbers and can replicate ✓ |
3 Max |
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Laboratory equipment require careful calibration before utilisation. Outline the methodology to calibrate an eyepiece graticule
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Eyepiece graticule placed on eyepiece ✓ b. Stage micrometre placed on stage ✓ c. Microscope focused on lower power ✓ d. Eyepiece rotated «until it aligns/superimposes with the stage micrometre» ✓ e. Count the number of divisions «in eyepiece graticule within smallest division on stage micrometre» ✓ OWTTE f. 100micrometers ✓ |
Incorrect placement of eyepiece graticule/stage micrometre scores max 2 | 4 Max |
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Which of the following structures would not be found in a prokaryotic cell?
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Correct, the answer is D!
Prokaryotic cells have a cytoplasm, 70s ribosomes, pili, flagella, cell membrane, cell wall and a nucleoid
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Which of the following best describes the structure of a prokaryotic cell?
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Correct, the answer is C!
Prokaryotes are single celled organisms without compartmentalisation
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The tail-like structures responsible for the propulsion of prokaryotes are known as
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Correct, the answer is C!
The name for these structures is Flagella
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A single cell with compartmentalisation, which is found in a larger multicellular organism could be a
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Correct, the answer is C!
Only Eukaryotes from this list are multicellular organisms
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Which of the following would be found in all Eukaryotic cells?
| I | Golgi |
| II | Mitochondria |
| III | Vacuole |
| IV | Ribosome |
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Correct, the answer is A!
All Eukaryotic cells have a cytoplasm, 80s ribosomes, cell membrane, lysosome, mitochondria, golgi, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and a nucleus
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In general, animals, plants, fungi and Protoctista belong to a larger classification known as the
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Correct, the answer is D!
Eukaryotes contains these organisms
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The role of the rough endoplasmic reticulum would be best described as, to
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Correct, the answer is B!
The RER manufactures protein and transports it to the Golgi
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The organelle responsible for the synthesis of ATP (cellular energy) via ATP synthase is
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Correct, the answer is C!
The powerhouse of the cell (energy production) is the mitochondria
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The best explanation for what is meant by the term resolution of a microscope is
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Correct, the answer is C!
Resolution is an ability to show clear images. It is also known as the ability to distinguish close objects from one another
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A microscope with a short wavelength of electrons would be expected to have
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Correct, the answer is A!
This would create a higher resolution
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The option best describing the process named binary fission would be?
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Correct, the answer is B!
Binary fission in prokaryotes is the equivalent of mitosis for eukaryotes
Note: Mitosis/binary fission only generate two daughter nuclei/nucleoids. The daughter cells are produced in cytokinesis
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What are structures A, B and C, respectively, in the electron micrograph of a cell below?
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Correct, the answer is A!
A shows a fluid filed sphere (lysosome). B shows a small black dot on a flattened membrane (ribosome). C shows a system of flattened membranes (ER)
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What are structures A, B, C and D, respectively, in the electron micrograph shown below?
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Correct, the answer is D!
A shows a fluid filed sphere (lysosome). B shows the nucleus. C shows a gap in a large spherical shape (nuclear pore). D shows some flattened membrane outside the nucleus (RER)
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Compare and contrast the structure of a eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Differences [Max 6] a. Prokaryotes have naked/circular DNA vs protein associated/linear DNA ✓ b. Prokaryotes have DNA in cytoplasm vs DNA enclosed in nuclear membrane/envelope/nucleus ✓ c. Prokaryotes have 70s ribosomes vs 80s ribosomes ✓ d. Prokaryotes have no compartmentalisation vs compartmentalisation ✓ e. Prokaryotes reproduce by binary fission vs mitosis ✓ f. Prokaryotes have no introns or exons vs introns and exons ✓ g. Prokaryotes are smaller vs larger ✓ Similarities h. Both have ribosomes ✓ i. Both have cell membrane ✓ j. Both have cytoplasm ✓ |
Accept arguments presented in converse for points a-g. Accept membrane bound organelles in place of compartmentalisation for d. |
8 Max |
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Draw a labelled diagram of a prokaryotic cell
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Cell wall drawn as a single line of oval shape ✓ b. Cell membrane drawn as matching shape to a. inside ✓ c. Circular chromosomes of DNA/Nucleoid drawn as a single looped line ✓ d. Ribosomes shown as small dots/circles within cytoplasm ✓ e. Flagella drawn as long wave-like structures originating from the cell wall outside the cell ✓ f. Pilli drawn as shorter structures similar to e. ✓ g. Plasmids drawn as small discs within cytoplasm, distinct from nucleoid ✓ h. Cytoplasm shown by empty space within cell membrane ✓ |
Reject label of nucleus, along with diagrammatic representation resembling that of a nucleus. Correct labels with incorrect diagram score 0 for that structure. |
6 Max |
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Draw a simplified diagram of an electron micrograph showing the ultrastructure of an animal cell
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Nucleus: two single lines of oval shape with gaps through ✓ b. Cell membrane: large single line of oval structure ✓ c. Cytoplasm: empty space within cell membrane ✓ d. Ribosomes: small dots/circles within cytoplasm ✓ e. Mitochondria: A single line of pill-shape, with a second folded linewithin ✓ f. RER: A series of flattened stacks/lines originating from the outer nuclear membrane. «Dots visible on the lines» ✓ g. Golgi: Stacked curved lines, increasing in size, with spherical structures drawn in proximity ✓ h. Lysosome: Spherical structure in cytoplasm, far from Golgi ✓ |
Any diagram showing a cell wall, chloroplast or vacuole, or any organelles found within a prokaryotic cell, scores max 3. | 6 Max |
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List and define the 8 structures found in all eukaryotic cells
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Nucleus: Controls the cell or contains DNA/genetic information ✓ b. Cell membrane: Controls what passes in and out ✓ OWTTE c. Cytoplasm: Gel-like substance with enzymes for metabolism ✓ d. Ribosome: Site of protein synthesis/translation ✓ e. Mitochondria: Site of aerobic respiration ✓ f. ER: Manufactures and transports protein to Golgi ✓ g. Golgi: Processes and transports protein via vesicles ✓ h. Lysosome: Digestion of substances/molecules ✓ |
Answers referring to cell wall, chloroplast or vacuole score max 1 Correct structure with incorrect description scores 0 for that structure. |
4 Max |
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Contrast the structure of a plant and animal cell
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Plant cell has vacuole vs no vacuole ✓ b. Plant cell has chloroplast vs no chloroplast ✓ c. Plant cell has cell wall vs no cell wall ✓ d. Plant cell has no centriole vs centriole ✓ e. Plant cell stores energy as starch vs glycogen ✓ |
Accept arguments presented in converse Ignore references to size |
3 Max |
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Draw a labelled diagram to show the ultra-structure of Escherichia coli
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Cell wall drawn as a single line of oval shape ✓ b. Cell membrane drawn as matching shape to a. inside ✓ c. Circular chromosomes of DNA/Nucleoid drawn as a single looped line ✓ d. Ribosomes shown as small dots/circles within cytoplasm ✓ e. Flagella drawn as long wave-like structures originating from the cell wall outside the cell ✓ f. Pilli drawn as shorter structures similar to e. ✓ g. Plasmids drawn as small discs within cytoplasm, distinct from nucleoid ✓ h. Cytoplasm shown by empty space within cell membrane ✓ |
Reject label of nucleus, along with diagrammatic representation resembling that of a nucleus. Correct labels with incorrect diagram score 0 for that structure. |
6 Max |
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The pilli, flagella, nucleoid and ribosome are four key organelles in one class of organism. Identify this class of organism and define the structure and purpose of each of these organelles
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Prokaryote ✓ b. Pilli are short protein filaments/structures ✓ c. Pilli enable bacterial adhesion/conjugation ✓ d. Flagella are long tail-like protein structures ✓ e. Flagella enable propulsion/movement ✓ f. Nucleoid is a «region of» circular naked DNA ✓ g. Nucleoid controls the cell «and its metabolic processes» ✓ h. Ribosome is a small granular structure «of size 70s» ✓ i. Ribosome synthesises protein ✓ |
a. Reject Bacteria/Archean Incorrect class with correct structures and functions scores max 7. |
8 Max |
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Describe the process of binary fission. You may draw a labelled diagram to aid your answer
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. The process of cellular division in prokaryotes ✓ b. Duplication of chromosome ✓ c. Separation of duplicated chromosomes/nucleoids/DNA ✓ d. Elongation of cell ✓ e. Division into two daughter cells ✓ |
Award [2] for a diagram showing a single pill-like structure dividing into two, with separation of a nucleoid | 4 Max |
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Outline in what way the nucleus, ribosomes and golgi apparatus work together in unison
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Protein production and transport ✓ b. Nucleus contains DNA which is transcribed to RNA ✓ c. RNA «is transferred to the ribosome, where it is» translated into protein ✓ d. Protein is transported from ribosome to Golgi in vesicles ✓ e. Protein is packed and processed by Golgi, «before transporting out of the cell» ✓ |
c. Accept amino acid sequence in place of protein | 3 Max |
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A student was exploring the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Complete the table below with ticks in the boxes which are true for each class of organism.
| Property | Prokaryotic | Eukaryotic |
|---|---|---|
| Ribosomes are attached to the endoplasmic reticulum | ||
| DNA is contained within linear chromosomes | ||
| Diameter of 1 µm |
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Tick in Eukaryotic column for row 1 ✓ b. Tick in Eukaryotic column for row 2 ✓ c. No tick in either column for row 3 ✓ |
Both the prokaryotic and eukaryotic column must have the correct symbol to score the mark for each structure. | 4 Max |
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List the name given to the three organelles described as ‘a long tail-like structure used in propulsion’, ‘the site of protein synthesis’ and ‘a small circular section of DNA carrying additional genes to the nucleus’
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Flagella ✓ b. Ribosome ✓ c. Plasmid ✓ |
3 Max |
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Which of the following is not a necessary constituent of a plasma membrane?
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Correct, the answer is C!
Glucose forms glycoproteins whilst glycerol and fatty acids form phospholipids
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A compound consisting of both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic region would be best named
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Correct, the answer is B!
Amphipathic molecules have both a polar (hydrophilic) and non-polar (hydrophobic) region
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Which of the following elements would not be found within a phospholipid?
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Correct, the answer is D!
Phospholipids are phosphorus attached to glycerol and fatty acids (C,H,O molecules)
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Which option best describes the reasons behind the stability of phospholipids?
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Correct, the answer is C!
The heads are hydrophilic and tails hydrophobic. There is no significant interaction between the heads and tails
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The fluid mosaic model is defined by which of the following?
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Correct, the answer is A!
The fluid mosaic model is the plasma membrane, which is a phospholipid bilayer
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Which of the following would unlikely be a purpose of a membrane protein?
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Correct, the answer is D!
Membrane proteins include hormone binding sites, immobilised enzymes, cell adhesion, cell communication, channels for passive transport, pumps for active transport, and electron transport
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Which of the following could be described as an ‘passive’ process?
| I | Simple diffusion |
| II | Osmosis |
| III | Active transport |
| IV | Facilitated diffusion |
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Correct, the answer is D!
Passive processes do not require energy. Active transport does
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The movement of particles from an area of low concentration to high concentration, against the concentration gradient, is known as
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Correct, the answer is B!
This is the definition of active transport
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Which of the following would facilitate the movement of a large ion such as Zn2+ out of the cell?
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Correct, the answer is C!
Large species, or species in bulk, require exocytosis to move out
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The process involving an inwards bending of the plasma membrane to create a droplet of fluid enclosed in a phospholipid bilayer is known as
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Correct, the answer is A!
Inwards pinching of the plasma membrane forms vesicles. It is known as endocytosis
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Osmolarity is the
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Correct, the answer is B!
It is a measure of solute concentration
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A red blood cell, when placed in a beaker of water, is seen to burst. This observation is best attributed to which of the following?
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Correct, the answer is D!
Water moves in due to osmosis, resulting in turgid pressure. The cell bursts as there is no structural support from a cell wall
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Gorter and Grendel were two scientists involved in the early biological understanding of cells. Their work evidenced the
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Correct, the answer is D!
They showed a two-fold increase in surface area when membrane lipid was flattened to a single cell layer
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The current structure of the plasma membrane, known as the fluid mosaic model, was strongly supported by all of the following scientists, except
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Correct, the answer is D!
Meselson and Stahl proved the semi conservative process of DNA replication
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Explain what is meant by the term amphipathic
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. A species/molecule/particle with a polar/hydrophilic ✓ AND b. non-polar/hydrophobic region ✓ |
Answers referring to a. or b. individually score max 1. | 2 Max |
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Describe how the phospholipid bilayer is suited to its function
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Phospholipids have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails ✓ b. Hydrophilic heads are attracted to water ✓ OWTTE c. Hydrophobic tails are not attracted to water ✓ OWTTE d. Heads orientate outwards and tails inwards ✓ e. Attraction «of heads to water and tails to tails» creates stability ✓ OWTTE f. Cholesterol reduces membrane fluidity ✓ g. «Fluid membrane is» pinched during endocytosis/exocytosis» ✓ h. «Integral/Peripheral» proteins enable transport across the membrane ✓ |
6 Max |
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Outline what is meant by the fluid mosaic model through use of an annotated diagram
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Structures: a. Phospholipid bilayer: Hydrophobic tail (inwards) and hydrophilic head (outwards) ✓ b. Cholesterol: Disk structure between adjacent phospholipids ✓ c. Integral protein: Rectangular structure passing through phospholipid bilayer ✓ d. Peripheral protein: Rectangular structure attached to hydrophilic head/on outside of membrane ✓ e. Glycoprotein: Carbohydrate chain of hexagons shown attached to integral protein ✓ f. Thickness: 10nm ✓ g. Cholesterol reduces membrane fluidity ✓ h. Proteins enable transportation of «hydrophilic substances» ✓ OWTTE |
Adequately annotated diagram can score 6. Correctly drawn diagram with no annotation, but correct labels, scores max 4. Any correct structure Incorrectly labelled scores 1 for that structure. |
6 Max |
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Explain how the properties of phospholipids help maintain the structure of the cell membrane
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Phospholipids have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails ✓ b. Heads are attracted to water, but tails are not ✓ OWTTE d. Heads orientate outwards and tails inwards ✓ e. Attraction of heads to water and tails to tails creates stability ✓ OWTTE |
Both heads and tails must be referred to in order to score marks a. and b. | 4 Max |
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Describe the structure, positioning and function of cholesterol
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Cholesterol is amphipathic ✓ b. Cholesterol is a steroid ✓ c. Cholesterol is found between adjacent/next door phospholipids ✓ d. Cholesterol reduces membrane fluidity ✓ e. It reduces permeability to hydrophilic particles ✓ OWTTE |
3 Max |
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Membrane proteins vary in their position and functions. List 4 functions of membrane proteins
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Hormone binding sites ✓ b. Immobilised enzymes ✓ c. Cellular adhesion ✓ d. Cell-to-cell communication ✓ e. Channels for passive transport ✓ f. Pumps for active transport ✓ g. Electron transport ✓ |
4 Max |
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Cells exchange molecules through a variety of different methods. The principal ways in which substances are transferred include diffusion, osmosis and active transport. Define these terms
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Diffusion: net movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, «down the concentration gradient» ✓ b. Osmosis: net movement of water from an area of low solute concentration/high water concentration, to an area of high solute concentration/ low water concentration, across a partially permeable cell membrane ✓ c. Active transport: movement of particles from an area of low concentration to and area of high concentration, «using ATP, against the concentration gradient» ✓ |
b. Failure to mention water or partially permeable cell membrane scores 0 | 3 Max |
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Compare and contrast diffusion and osmosis
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Similarities [Max 2]: a. Both involve the movement of particles ✓ b. Both passive processes/do not require energy/ATP ✓ Differences [Max 2]: d. Osmosis always across a membrane vs not always across a membrane ✓ e. Osmosis for water vs not water ✓ f. Osmosis from low solute concentration to high solute concentration vs high concentration to low concentration ✓ |
Accept arguments presented in converse for points d-f. |
4 Max |
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Describe the process of active transport by drawing a labelled diagram
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. ATP binds to transport protein ✓ b. Transport molecule/ion binds to transport protein ✓ c. ATP hydrolysed, providing energy for transport ✓ d. Molecule/ion released and protein resets ✓ e. Diagram clearly showing a membrane with a pump changing conformation ✓ |
Adequate description or diagram alone scores max 1. | 3 Max |
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Distinguish between the active and passive movement of substances across the plasma membrane in a typical cell
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Active movement involves active transport ✓ b. Passive movement involves diffusion/osmosis ✓ c. Active movement requires energy/ATP vs passive movement does not ✓ d. Active transport moves larger/charged molecules vs diffusion smaller/non-charged molecules ✓ e. Active transport requires pumps vs passive movement can directly pass through channels or the membrane ✓ |
Ignore references to facilitated diffusion over diffusion. | 4 Max |
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Outline how vesicles are used, including their formation and reabsorption
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Formed from pinching off part of the membrane ✓ b. Used to transport materials inside of cells eg protein ✓ c. Protein formed in ER, then transported to Golgi and membrane using vesicles ✓ d. Exocytosis is removal «of materials using vesicles and» Endocytosis is absorption of materials ✓ e. Vesicles enabled by the fluid nature of the membrane ✓ |
4 Max |
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Explain, through use of an appropriate example, the process of exocytosis
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Transport of material in bulk or large materials out of a cell ✓ b. Enabled by the fluid nature of the membrane ✓ c. Materials made in ribosomes, packed in Golgi into vesicles ✓ d. Vesicles move through cytoplasm «via microtubules» to plasma membrane ✓ e. Fuse with plasma membrane «and contents released outside the cell» ✓ OWTTE g. Membrane flattens out ✓ h. Any appropriate example eg: Digestive enzymes ✓ |
Answers describing the process of Endocytosis score max 2, even if additional correct statements are listed. | 5 Max |
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Describe how endocytosis and exocytosis are used by cells to exchange substances
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Transport of material in bulk or large materials in/out of a cell ✓ b. Enabled by the fluid nature of the membrane ✓ Exocytosis [Max 3]: c. Materials made in ribosomes, packed in Golgi into vesicles ✓ d. Vesicles move through cytoplasm «via microtubules» to plasma membrane ✓ e. Fuse with plasma membrane «and contents released outside the cell» ✓ OWTTE g. Membrane flattens out ✓ Endocytosis [Max 3]: h. Plasma membrane pinched inwards ✓ i. Droplet of fluid enclosed in phospholipid becomes vesicle ✓ j. Vesicle moves through cytoplasm ✓ |
Answers failing to refer to both Endocytosis and Exocytosis score max 4. Accept membrane/cell membrane over plasma membrane. Correct answer with endocytosis and exocytosis reversed scores max 5. |
6 Max |
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By using the terms hypertonic, isotonic and hypotonic, outline the medical applications of osmosis with reference to a red blood cell
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Hypertonic: A solution with higher osmolarity than another OR Hypotonic: A solution with lower osmolarity than another ✓ b. Isotonic: A solution with the same osmolarity as another ✓ c. RBC has no cell wall ✓ d. RBC explode in hypertonic solutions ✓ e. Organs/Blood must be kept in isotonic solutions prior to transplant ✓ |
4 Max |
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Discuss the evidence supporting Singer and Nicholson’s fluid mosaic model against the evidence provided by Davson and Danielli for their ‘tram track’ model
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Davson and Danielli: a. Electron micrographs showed protein «in the membrane» ✓ b. Proposed «lipid-bilayer» with outer protein layer ✓ c. Proposed lipids were held in place/rigid ✓ Singer and Nicholson [Max 4]: d. Freeze fracture electron micrographs showed protein betweenlayers ✓ e. NMR showed lipids moved «under magnetic fields» ✓ f. X-ray diffraction showed similarity of lipids and liquid paraffin ✓ g. Proposed protein is embedded within/integral ✓ h. Proposed lipid component is fluid ✓ |
Correct statements regarding either evidence or proposals, without both, scores max 3. | 6 Max |
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Draw a labelled diagram of the fluid mosaic model proposed by Singer and Nicholson
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Phospholipid bilayer: Hydrophobic tail (inwards) and hydrophilic head (outwards) ✓ b. Cholesterol: Disk structure between adjacent phospholipids ✓ c. Integral protein: Rectangular structure passing throughphospholipid bilayer ✓ d. Peripheral protein: Rectangular structure attached to hydrophilic head/on outside of membrane ✓ e. Glycoprotein: Carbohydrate chain of hexagons shown attached to integral protein ✓ |
Correctly drawn diagram with no labels scores max 2. Any correct structure Incorrectly labelled scores 0 for that structure. |
4 Max |
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The endosymbiotic theory states that
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Correct, the answer is B!
The endosymbiotic theory explains how similarities between chloroplast/mitochondria and prokaryotes shows how such organelles were once free-living prokaryotes
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Which of the following scientists did not contribute to the evidence for, or against, spontaneous generation of life?
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Correct, the answer is D!
Miller and Urey theorised the origin of cellular life
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Cyclins work to directly
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Correct, the answer is A!
All of these are effects of cyclins, but cyclins only directly stimulate Cyclin Dependent Kinases (CDK’s)
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The enzyme responsible for the addition of phosphate groups to proteins, that in turn activate a secondary cascade of regulatory proteins of the cell cycle, is known as a
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Correct, the answer is B!
All other options are fictitious
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The results from the experiment conducted by Redi showed that
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Correct, the answer is B!
Redi disproved spontaneous generation by showing life (maggots) originated from fly larva
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Pasteur conducted several experiments with swan neck flasks. These showed how
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Correct, the answer is C!
Pasteur disproved spontaneous generation by showing a sealed sterile (boiled) broth would only grow microorganisms when unsterilised (swan-neck broken)
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Which of the following statements is the most accurate outline of metaphase?
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Correct, the answer is B!
Statements A-D describe prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase in that order
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Which of the following is/are valid similarities between chloroplasts, mitochondria and prokaryotes that support the endosymbiotic theory?
| I | Reproduction by binary fission |
| II | Structure and use of DNA |
| III | 80s ribosomes |
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Correct, the answer is C!
Similarities are reproduction by binary fission, structure and use of DNA and 70s ribosomes
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Miller and Urey simulated earths early atmosphere by passing steam through methane, hydrogen and ammonia. After stimulating with electricity, they found that amino acids and carbon compounds were formed. They used this to theorise that
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Correct, the answer is B!
Miller and Urey theorised the origin of cellular life
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Which of the following is/are involved in the process of cytokinesis in animals?
| I | Contractile ring of protein pinches the equator |
| II | A cleavage furrow forms |
| III | Golgi deliver material for the formation of a cell plate |
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Correct, the answer is C!
In animals, a contractile ring of protein forms a cleavage furrow. In plants, vesicles deliver material to form a cell plate
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Oncogene is a term used when discussing the origin of cancer within the human body. It is
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Correct, the answer is B!
Proto-oncogenes are regulatory genes that mutate, forming oncogenes, causing cancer
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The best description of the events that take place during G2 of interphase is
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Correct, the answer is D!
G2 follows G1, the preparation for DNA synthesis (A) and S, the replication of DNA (C). B describes cytokinesis
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The percentage of cells undergoing mitosis in any image of a tissue Is known as the
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Correct, the answer is A!
All the other answers are fictitious
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Mitosis is best defined as the
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Correct, the answer is B!
Mitosis divides a diploid cell nucleus into two diploid daughter nuclei. The daughter cells are formed in cytokinesis
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Which of the following statements about interphase is false?
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Correct, the answer is C!
Interphase is the preparatory stage for cell division by mitosis
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Cyclins are important proteins in a cellular life cycle. Cyclins are necessary as
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Correct, the answer is C!
Answers A and D are not strictly true. B is irrelevant to the question
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The term used to describe a substance that increases the random changes to DNA is
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Correct, the answer is A!
Random changes to DNA are mutations
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Which of the following terms would be used to describe the process by which cigarette smoking leads to a form of lung cancer that spreads around the body?
| I | Metastatic |
| II | Benign |
| III | Malignant |
| IV | Carcinogen |
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Correct, the answer is B!
A cancer that spreads around the body would be described as metastatic and malignant. This would likely result from the carcinogens in cigarettes. Benign is the opposite of metastatic
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Outline the endosymbiotic theory, including the evidence supporting its existence
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Eukaryotic organelles/mitochondria/chloroplasts were once free-living prokaryotes ✓ b. organelles/mitochondria/chloroplasts were ingested, but remained as they provided a benefit/symbiosis to the host ✓ OWTTE c. «Chloroplast/mitochondria/prokaryotes» all reproduce by binary fission ✓ d. «Chloroplast/mitochondria/prokaryotes» all have similar DNA «and transcribe it to make mRNA» ✓ e. «Chloroplast/mitochondria/prokaryotes» all have 70s ribosomes✓ |
c./d./e. Statements that state evidence comes from similarities, without further clarification, score 0. Mitochondria and chloroplasts must be identified at least once to score both a. and b. |
4 Max |
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Discuss the evidence for and against the spontaneous generation of life. You should refer to any pivotal discoveries by named scientists in your answer
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Living organisms developed from non-living systems ✓ For spontaneous generation (SG): b. Needham experimented with broth to support SG ✓ c. Heated broth «to remove microorganisms», but microorganisms developed when cooled ✓ OWTTE Against SG [Max 6]: d. Redi experimented with flies and meat to disprove SG ✓ e. Meat placed under paper, cheese cloth and air ✓ f. Meat under paper and cheese cloth developed no maggots but air developed maggots ✓ OWTTE g. Fresh meat with previous cheese cloth placed on top developed maggots ✓ h. Pasteur experimented with swan neck flask to disprove SG ✓ i. Heated broth «to remove microorganisms» ✓ OWTTE j. No microorganisms developed in unbroken swan neck flask, but developed in broken swan neck flask ✓ k. Disproved air is required for the vital force ✓ |
Statements that Pasteur and Redi both disproved SG, with adequate details of their experiments, scores marks d. and h. Ignore references to Miller and Urey g. Accept new/original etc in place of fresh |
8 Max |
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Explain how Pasteur disproved the concept of a ‘vital force’ through use of a swan neck flask
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. First showed air was full of microorganisms ✓ b. Heated broth to remove microorganisms ✓ c. When cooled, no microorganisms developed in unbroken swan neck flask, but developed in broken swan neck flask ✓ OWTTE d. Disproved air is required for the vital force ✓ e. Swan neck prevented microorganisms from entering the flask ✓ OWTTE |
3 Max |
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Contrast the work conducted by Needham and Pasteur either for or against the spontaneous generation of life
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Needham supported SG vs Pasteur disproved SG ✓ b. Needham/Pasteur heated broth «to remove microorganisms» ✓ c. For Needham, microorganisms developed when cooled ✓ d. For Pasteur, no microorganisms developed in unbroken swan neck flask, but developed in broken swan neck flask when cooled ✓ e. Needham disproved by Pasteur, but Pasteur’s work still accepted ✓ OWTTE |
4 Max |
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Define what is meant by cell cycle, mitosis and cytokinesis, in reference to the cell cycle
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Cell cycle is a sequence of events between one cell division and the next ✓ OWTTE b. Mitosis is the division of the nucleus into two genetically identical daughter nuclei ✓ c. Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm/cell into two daughtercytoplasm/cells ✓ |
a. accept plural synonyms eg stages/steps in place of events b. Reject use of cell over nucleus |
3 Max |
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Outline and describe each of the events that constitute the cell cycle
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Mitosis: Division of nucleus into two daughter nuclei ✓ b. Cytokinesis: Division of cell/cytoplasm into two daughter cells ✓ c. Interphase: Multiple stages in preparation for cell division ✓ OWTTE d. Gap one: Growth/Replication of organelles/Protein synthesis ✓ e. Synthesis: DNA replication/duplication ✓ f. Gap two: DNA damage check/Growth/Preparation for cell division✓ g. Gap zero: Temporary/Permanent state of cell hibernation/non-division ✓ OWTTE |
Correct description with incorrect name scores 0 for that stage. Do not penalise stages given in incorrect order |
5 Max |
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Compare and contrast G1 and G2 of interphase
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Both involve cell growth ✓ b. Both involve protein synthesis ✓ c. Gap one involves organelle duplication/production vs Gap two does not ✓ d. Gap two involves DNA damage check vs Gap one does not ✓ |
Accept arguments presented in converse for marks c. and d. |
3 Max |
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Compare and contrast cytokinesis in animals vs plants
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Similarities: a. Both produce two daughter cells from a single cell ✓ b. Both the final stage of the cell cycle/follow mitosis ✓ OWTTE Differences [Max 3]: c. In Animals it starts after anaphase vs in plants it starts after telophase ✓ d. In Animals a contractile ring of protein filaments «pulls equator inwards» vs in plants it is not involved ✓ OWTTE e. In Animals a cleavage furrow separates cytoplasm vs in plants a cell plate separates cytoplasm ✓ f. In Plants vesicles «deliver materials for cell wall» vs in animals no vesicles involved ✓ OWTTE |
Underlined terms must be used in coherent descriptions where OWTEE is applied | 4 Max |
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Name and outline the stage of the cell cycle which increases the number of cells in plant cells and animal cells
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Cytokinesis ✓ b. One parent cell divides to produce two daughter cells ✓ c. In animals a contractile ring of protein filaments forms ✓ d. The equator of the cell is pulled inwards ✓ e. Cleavage furrow formed «which separates cell» ✓ f. In plants Golgi vesicles deliver materials to centre of cell ✓ g. A cell plate forms «which joins to the existing cell wall» ✓ h. Vesicle membranes fuse to form the plasma membrane ✓ |
Reject references to mitosis/interphase Answers with animal and plant processes are reversed, with correct statements, score max 3. |
5 Max |
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Describe, in detail, the four stages of mitosis
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Mitosis is the division of the nucleus to produce two genetically identical daughter nuclei ✓ b. Prophase: Chromosomes condense/supercoil/nuclear membrane breaks down ✓ c. Prophase: Spindle fibres form/Centrioles move towards poles ✓ d. Metaphase: Spindle fibres attached to centromeres ✓ e. Metaphase: Chromosomes are aligned at equator ✓ f. Anaphase: Sister chromatids separate forming chromosomes ✓ g. Anaphase: Chromosomes pulled to each pole of the cell ✓ h. Telophase: Chromosomes reach poles/Nuclear membrane reforms ✓ i. Telophase: Chromosomes uncoil/two genetically identical daughter nuclei formed ✓ |
a. Reject references to cell Answers with 2 or more incorrectly named stages, with correct descriptions, scores max 4. A sentence starting with the correct stage of mitosis, covering both points listed here, scores both marks shown. |
8 Max |
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Outline the role of cyclins in the regulation of the cell cycle
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Cyclins are proteins that activate cyclin-dependent kinases ✓ b. Cyclin dependent kinases add phosphate groups to molecules ✓ c. Cyclins must be present in high enough concentrations to move from one stage of the cell cycle to the next ✓ OWTTE d. Cyclins prevent unnecessary cell division/cancer/tumour ✓ e. There are 4 main cyclins ✓ |
3 Max |
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Explain what is meant by the terms oncogene and proto-oncogene
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Proto-oncogenes are genes that code for the production of proteins ✓ b. Proto-oncogenes regulate cell division/mitosis ✓ c. Oncogenes are mutated «forms of proto-oncogenes» ✓ d. Oncogenes result in dysregulation of the cell cycle, «causing cancer» ✓ |
b./d. Accept any applicable synonyms for regulate and dysregulate | 2 Max |
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Describe how dysregulation of the cell cycle can lead to death. You should refer to the terms: metastasis, malignant, carcinogen, oncogene and proto-oncogene in your answer
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| Answers | Notes | Total |
|---|---|---|
| a. Cell cycle is sequence of events between one cell division and the next ✓ OWTTE b. Cell cycle is carefully controlled by cyclins/proto-oncogenes ✓ c. Mutation can be caused by mutagens ✓ d. Mutation can cause oncogenes to form, causing dysregulation ✓ e. Mutagens that cause cancerous mutations are carcinogens ✓ f. Cancer can cause benign/metastatic tumours to form ✓ g. Cancer can spread by metastasis to new sites ✓ h. Cancer becomes malignant and can spread around body, causing death ✓ |
a. accept plural synonyms for events e. Accept specific references to carcinogens eg smoking All terms must be referred to in order to score 6, otherwise max 4 |
6 Max |
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