CIE

A-Level Biology
Topic 1

Cell structure
Mark scheme

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 1. (a)     16 gains 2 marks;
(accept 15.5 . 16.5)
(principal of calculation i.e.
measured distance (31-33mm / 3.1-3.3cm)     gains 1 mark)
              Mag
2

(b)     relevant adaptation;

and explanation for second mark; e.g.

idea of many chloroplasts / lots of chlorophyll;

to trap or absorb light (energy);

elongated cells;
idea of maximum light absorption / light penetration;

chloroplasts move;
to trap or absorb light (energy);

range of pigments;
can absorb a range of wavelengths / colours / for max light absorption;

large S.A. or cell wall feature e.g. thin / permeable;

for (rapid) CO2 absorption;
2
[4]

2. (i) A smooth endoplasmic reticulum / SER

B nuclear, membrane / envelope;
C mitochondrion;
D nucleolus;
mark first response on each line only
ACCEPT nucleus, membrane / envelope
ACCEPT mitochondria
DO NOT ACCEPT nucleous
4

(ii) (mitochondria) vary in shape;

longer than wide;
ACCEPT sausage shaped/long and thin
ACCEPT if shown by drawing
cut in different planes / angles / AW;

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 just divided / growing;
artefact / deformed during preparation of section;
need comparative statement
ACCEPT C has been cut in longitudinal plane, E has
been cut in transverse, section / plane
ACCEPT one cut horizontally, other cut vertically
ACCEPT in different positions / one viewed from
above the other from the side
2 max

(iii) correct answer = two marks

3.75 / 3.8;;
if answer incorrect ALLOW one mark for correct working
ACCEPT if 3.75 or 3.8 is seen anywhere in response
(even if later rounded to 4)
Max 1 if response is 4 with no working
how to award one mark for working e.g.
candidate shows correct calculation but wrong answer

actual length =
OR
candidate uses magnification (× 4000) in calculation:
actual length = 15000 / 4000;
length of C should be 15mm / 15000μm
ACCEPT ecf for working mark if length of C is not
measured correctly but incorrect figure is used in
calculation correctly
2
[8]

3. low resolution; ora

(close) points not easily distinguished;
wavelength (of visible light) is too long;
max resolution of light microscope =, 200 nm / 0.2 µm; A anything close
no more detail visible than seen at, ×1500 / ×1000;
A comparative statements
R reverse arguments for points 2 – 5 2
max
[2]

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4. (a)
Feature Epithelial cell from Prokaryotic cell
small intestine

Golgi apparatus

Mitochondrion

Nuclear envelope

Plasmid

Ribosome

Mark down, one mark for each correct column; 2

(b) (i) Electron microscope with better resolution/ able

to distinguish between points closer together;
(Beam of electrons) with shorter wavelength; 2
(Ignore refs. to higher magnification/ more detail)
(A reverse argument for light microscope)

(ii) Processes involved in preparation alter/distort cell contents/

introduction of artefacts; 1
[5]

5. if only ticks, assume blank boxes =

If only crosses, assume blank boxes =
reject hybrid ticks

4;
4 ;
4 ;
4 ;

4
[4]

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6. B [1]

7. (i) C

(ii) A [2]

8.

(a)(i)

(a)(ii)

(b)

(c)

(d)(i)

(d)(ii)

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9. C [1]

10.

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