AQA GCSE Biology (triple)

Topic 1
Cell Biology
Model answer notes by @biologywitholivia

Topic Sub-topic Understand Memorise Practise

1.1 1.1.1 Eukaryotes and prokaryotes

Cell
structure 1.1.2 Animal and plant cells

Required practical 1

1.1.3 Cell specialisation

1.1.4 Cell differentiation

1.1.5 Microscopy

1.1.6 Culturing microorganisms

Required practical 2

1.2 1.2.1 Chromosomes

Cell
division 1.2.2 Mitosis and the cell cycle

1.2.3 Stem cells

1.3 1.3.1 Diffusion

Transport
in cells 1.3.2 Osmosis

Required practical 3

1.3.3 Active transport

AQA GCSE Biology Topic 1 Cell Biology FREE SAMPLE biologywitholivia.co.uk

1.1 Cell structure

Fundamental biological concept / principle 1

“The structure and functioning of cells and how they divide by mitosis and meiosis
from sections Cell biology and Meiosis.”

Students should be able to recall and use this knowledge in questions that link different areas of the
specification in either paper.

1.1.1 Eukaryotes and prokaryotes

What are eukaryotic cells?

● Cells with genetic material (DNA) enclosed in a nucleus

● Plant and animal cells

What are prokaryotic cells?

● Cells with genetic material (DNA) not enclosed in a nucleus

● Bacterial cells
● Much smaller in comparison

Describe the genetic material in a prokaryotic cells

● A single loop of DNA

● May also have small rings of DNA called plasmids

What are the features of all eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells?

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What is an order of magnitude?

● A power to the base 10 used to quantify and compare size
● 10 (101) times bigger = 1 order of magnitude bigger, 100 times (102) bigger = 2 order of magnitudes bigger

Exam insight: common misconception ❌

Misconception Why is this wrong?

“A prokaryotic cell doesn’t have DNA.” Despite not having a nucleus, it still has DNA (found in cytoplasm).

Example application questions 📈

A species of amoeba measures 10 μm in ● Diameter of amoeba: 10 μm = 10 x 10-6 = 1 x 10-5 m
diameter. The diameter of a human egg cell is ● Diameter of egg cell: 0.1 mm = 0.1 x 10-3 = 1 x 10-4 m
0.1 mm. Calculate the difference in orders of ● Difference in order of magnitude: 5 - 4 = 1
magnitude between them. (2)

The diameter of a liver cell is 2.5 x 10-5 m and a ● (2.5 x 10-5)/(2.0 x 10-7) = 125 times larger
bacterial cell is 2.0 x 10-7 m. Calculate how many ● 125 ≈ 100 = 2 orders of magnitude larger
times larger the liver cell is than the bacterial
cell. Determine how many orders of magnitude
larger the liver cell is than the bacterial cell. (2)

1.1.2 Animal and plant cells

Describe the function of sub-cellular structures in animal and plant cells

1. Cell membrane Controls movement of substances in and out of cell

2. Cytoplasm Gel-like substance where chemical reactions take place

3. Nucleus Contains genetic material (DNA) → controls activities of cell

4. Mitochondria Site of aerobic respiration → releases energy from glucose

5. Ribosomes Site of protein synthesis

Describe the function of additional sub-cellular structures in plant cells

6. Cell wall Made of cellulose → strengthens cell (algal cells have one too)

7. Chloroplasts Contain chlorophyll → to absorb light for photosynthesis to make glucose

8. Permanent vacuole Filled with cell sap → help keep cell turgid / support plant

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How could estimate the relative size or area of sub-cellular structures?

Find a shape that resembles it → apply the rules normally used to calculate the size / area of that shape

Compare the sub-cellular structures in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

Animal cell Plant cell Bacterial cell

Cell membrane, cytoplasm, DNA, ribosomes ✔ ✔ ✔

Nucleus ✔ ✔ -

Mitochondria ✔ ✔ -

Cell wall - ✔ ✔

Chloroplasts, permanent vacuole - ✔ -

Plasmids - - ✔

Exam insight: common misconceptions ❌

Misconception Why is this wrong?

“Bacterial cells have They have no sub-cellular structures surrounded by a membrane, eg. nucleus,
mitochondria.” mitochondria, chloroplasts. They do still respire, but use other structures.

“The cell wall controls what Just like any other wall, the cell wall provides strength. The cell membrane is
moves in and out of the cell.” what controls what moves in and out of a cell.

Example application question 📈

Compare the structure of a red
blood cell (RBC) with the structure
of a plant cell. (6)
● Both have cytoplasm and cell membrane
● RBC has no nucleus, plant cell does
● RBC has no cell wall, plant cell does
● RBC does not contain chloroplasts or chlorophyll, plant cell does
● RBC has no (permanent) vacuole, plant cell does
● RBC contains haemoglobin, plant cell don’t

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AQA GCSE Biology Topic 1 Cell Biology FREE SAMPLE biologywitholivia.co.uk

Required practical activity 1

Use a light microscope to observe, draw and label a selection of plant and animal cells.
A magnification scale must be included.

Describe how to prepare a microscope slide

1 ● Plant eg. onion cells: peel off thin layer of tissue

using forceps, place on water drop on slide
● Animal eg. cheek cells: swab inside cheek with a
cotton bud, smear onto centre of slide

2 Add a drop of stain with a pipette

3 Lower coverslip at an angle without trapping air bubbles

Describe how to use a microscope to view cells

1 Clip slide onto stage and turn on light

2 Select lowest power objective lens (usually x 4)

3 a. Use coarse focusing dial to move stage close to lens

b. Turn coarse focusing dial to move stage away from
lens until image comes into focus

4 Adjust fine focusing dial to get clear image

5 Swap to higher power objective lens, then refocus

How is the total magnification of a microscope calculated?

Magnification of eyepiece lens x magnification of objective lens eg. 10 x 4 = x 40

How can the sizes of cells be estimated using a microscope?

1. Measure diameter of field of view (by using microscope to observe a transparent ruler)
2. Divide this by number of cells that span field of view

What are the rules of scientific drawing?

✓ No sketching or shading - only use clear,

continuous lines (with a sharp pencil)
✓ Include a magnification scale (eg. x 400)
✓ Label important features eg. nucleus

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 📈
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Example application questions

Why use a stain? (1) To make sub-cellular structures visible

Why is a thin layer of onion tissue used? (1) To let light pass through

Why is the cover slip lowered at an angle? (1) To avoid trapping air bubbles

Why is it easier to view cells using the low power ● Biggest / widest field of view
objective lens first? (1) ● Easier to focus

A student collected a sample of cells by taking a 1. Wear gloves / wash hands

saliva swab on the inside of their cheek. Explain ● Because stain is an irritant
one safety measure that the student should take 2. Disinfect work surfaces / dispose of used swabs
during this procedure. (2) ● To prevent spread of possible infection

How could a student observe structures within a Use a higher power objective lens (or use an electron
cell in greater detail? (1) microscope but a student wouldn’t have access)