1a.

State three features possessed by animal cells but not plant cells [ 3 marks ]

Vacuole - The animal cell has small temporary vacuoles while the plant cells have large permanent
vacuoles. Lysosomes - animal cells contain lysosomes while plant cells do not. Carbohydrate store -
glycogen is stored in animal cells while they are not in plant cells but rather starch grains.

1b. State three features possessed by plant cells but not animal cells [ 3 marks ]

Cell wall - plant cells have an outer cell wall while plant cells do not. Chloroplast - plant cells contain
chloroplast while animal cells do not. Plastids- plant cells contain plastids in the cytoplasm while animal
cells do not.

2. Describe the structure and function of each of the following: a. nucleolus and b. chloroplast [4 marks]

Nucleolus - this is a region inside of the nucleus of a cell made up of ribonucleic acid and proteins and it
is where ribosomes are made. The primary function is to facilitate ribosome biogenesis. Chloroplast -
this is a large organelle usually 5-10µm where photosynthesis takes place. It has an envelope of two
membranes, a gel-like matrix of stroma and a system of membranes. It has a green pigment, chlorophyll,
which is responsible for the harvesting of light energy for photosynthesis.

3. Provide arguments in support of the endosymbiont theory [4 marks]

Mitochondria and chloroplasts each contain their own genomes, allowing them to replicate on their
own. The genomes of mitochondria and chloroplasts lack histone proteins that are found in the nuclear
genome. Histone proteins are not found in bacterial genomes, providing evidence that mitochondria
and chloroplasts may have functioned as independent bacteria prior to being engulfed by a larger cell. In
addition to the lack of histones, mitochondria and chloroplasts have circular, single stranded DNA. Single
stranded, circular DNA is found exclusively in prokaryotes. This evidence supports the endosymbiosis
theory because these characteristics would allow the mitochondria and chloroplasts to survive on their
own. Finally, when the mitochondria are reproducing, they perform binary fission. Bacteria reproduce by
“pinching” in half in a process that is named binary fission. Similarly, when mitochondria reproduce they
separate using the very same mechanism.
4. with reference to the resolving power of the light microscope and the electron microscope, explain
the use and importance of microscopes in Biology. [4 marks]

Microscopes are important and a critical feature of them is the resolving power. This is the ability of a
microscope to show two objects as separate. The resolving power in light microscopes is limited
compared to electron microscopes due to the wavelength. Microscopes are very important. It is used by
scientists and is the reason why cells can be studied, why the world has developed having so many
diseases being discovered and cured. It is critically in genetic engineering which is the mixing of genes.
Genes are smaller than cells and as such microscopes are essential. These and other reasons are why
microscopes are important in biology.

5. Compare the structure and functions of the membranes of the chloroplast and mitochondrion
[4marks]

The mitochondria is enveloped by a double membrane which has both inner and outer membrane
mitochondrial membranes and separated by a intermembrane space. The inner membrane from cristae
which extends into the matrix of the organelle. The outer membrane is permeable so as to allow glucose
to enter for cell respiration and other products such as protein and lipids. It also allows the removal of
substances such as carbon dioxide. The chloroplast has a inner and outer membrane as well as a third
membrane called thylakoid membrane. Each define three compartments namely the intermembrane
space, stroma and thylakoid respectively. The inner membrane regulates passage for substances in and
out of the chloroplast. The outer membrane is permeable to small organic molecules. The thylakoid
contains chlorophyll as well as light-harvesting complex as well as electron transport chains that are
used in photosynthesis which takes place in the chloroplast.

6. Compare prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells using the following features: size, energy generating
structures , genetic materials[3 marks]

Size- in prokaryotes size ranges from 0.1 to 5.0μm while eukaryotes size ranges from 10 to 100μm.
Energy generating structures- in prokaryotes they lack mitochondria and as such they produce ATP on
the surface of the cell membrane while in eukaryotes they contain mitochondria that provides the cells
with most of its energy and as such produces energy rich molecules called ATP. Genetic material- in
prokaryotes there is a single molecule of circular or naked DNA while in eukaryotes there is a linear
histone bound DNA and it generally contain more genetic material than prokaryotes.
7. Name the parts labelled A,B,C,D and M. [ 5 marks ]

A-Cell membrane B- Microtubules C- Golgi apparatus D- Rough endoplasmic reticulum M-

Mitochondria