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Cell structure: AQA GCSE Combined Science questions

Every AQA GCSE Combined Science exam question on 4.1.1 Cell structure, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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3,069 questions

  1. Q06.1

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 06.1: Give one piece of evidence that an electron microscope was used to produce the image shown in Figure 7. Do not refer to colour in your answer. [1 mark]

  2. Q06.2

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.1.1 Cell structure4.3.1 Communicable diseases
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 06.2: Describe the function of ciliated cells in the oviduct. [1 mark]

  3. Q06.3

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    5 marks4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 06.3: The mean length of the cilia in an image was 6 mm. The cilia were viewed at a magnification of 1.5 × 103 Calculate the real mean length of the cilia. Give your

  4. Q01.1

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 01.1: The nucleus and cytoplasm are parts of a muscle cell. Draw one line from each part of the muscle cell to the correct label from Figure 1. [2 marks]

  5. Q01.2

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 01.2: What is the function of the nucleus? [1 mark]

  6. Q01.3

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 01.3: What part of a cell controls the movement of substances into the cell? [1 mark]

  7. Q01.4

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 01.4: What type of cell is the bacterial cell in Figure 2? [1 mark] Tick () one box. A fungal cell A prokaryotic cell A sperm cell

  8. Q01.5

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 01.5: Which are two features of bacterial cells? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Bacterial cells are larger than animal cells. Bacterial cells contain a loop of DNA. Ba

  9. Q02.7

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.1 Cell structure4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.7: The cells in tissue A contain chloroplasts. What is the name of the green chemical in chloroplasts? [1 mark]

  10. Q05.1

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 05.1: Figure 3 shows bacteria viewed using a microscope. Figure 3 What type of microscope was used to view the bacteria in Figure 3? Give a reason for your answer. [1

  11. Q05.2

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    3 marks4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 05.2: Bacterial cells are prokaryotic cells. Give three ways that a prokaryotic cell is different from a eukaryotic cell. [3 marks] 1 2 3

  12. Q05.3

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    5 marks4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 05.3: Figure 4 shows a special slide used to determine the size of a cell viewed using a microscope. Figure 4 Calculate the magnification of the cell shown in Figure

  13. Q01.1

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    3 marks4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 01.1: Label parts A, B and C on Figure 1. Choose answers from the box. [3 marks] cell membrane cell wall chloroplast cytoplasm nucleus

  14. Q01.2

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 01.2: What is the function of the nucleus in a cell? [1 mark] Tick () one box. To contain a solution called cell sap To control the activities of the whole cell To c

  15. Q01.3

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 01.3: What is the function of the mitochondria in a cell? [1 mark] Tick () one box. To produce glucose during photosynthesis To produce proteins for the cell To rele

  16. Q01.4

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    4 marks4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 01.4: Figure 2 shows a light microscope. Figure 2 A student is given a prepared slide of animal cells to view using the microscope. Complete the sentences. Use labels

  17. Q01.5

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    4 marks4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 01.5: Figure 3 shows a different animal cell. Figure 3 Calculate the magnification of the image in Figure 3. Complete the following steps. [4 marks]

  18. Q01.1

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.1 Cell structure4.6.1 Reproduction
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 2 Foundation, question 01.1: Cystic fibrosis affects the movement of substances into and out of cells. Which part of a cell controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell? [1

  19. Q02

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    6 marks4.1.1 Cell structure
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 02: Figure 2 shows onion cells viewed using a light microscope. Figure 2 Figure 3 shows the apparatus given to a student. Figure 3 Describe how the student could us

  20. Q04.4

    June 2023 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks4.1.1 Cell structure4.1.3 Transport in cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 04.4: Figure 5 shows a pair of guard cells around a stoma. Figure 5 During the day, glucose is made in the guard cells. Describe how an increase in glucose concentrat
All 63 questions on Cell structure, as a list
  1. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q06.1 (1 mark): Give one piece of evidence that an electron microscope was used to produce the image shown in Figure 7. Do not refer to colour in your answer. [1 mark]
  2. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q06.2 (1 mark): Describe the function of ciliated cells in the oviduct. [1 mark]
  3. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q06.3 (5 marks): The mean length of the cilia in an image was 6 mm. The cilia were viewed at a magnification of 1.5 × 103 Calculate the real mean length of the cilia. Give your
  4. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.1 (2 marks): The nucleus and cytoplasm are parts of a muscle cell. Draw one line from each part of the muscle cell to the correct label from Figure 1. [2 marks]
  5. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.2 (1 mark): What is the function of the nucleus? [1 mark]
  6. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.3 (1 mark): What part of a cell controls the movement of substances into the cell? [1 mark]
  7. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.4 (1 mark): What type of cell is the bacterial cell in Figure 2? [1 mark] Tick () one box. A fungal cell A prokaryotic cell A sperm cell
  8. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.5 (2 marks): Which are two features of bacterial cells? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Bacterial cells are larger than animal cells. Bacterial cells contain a loop of DNA. Ba
  9. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.7 (1 mark): The cells in tissue A contain chloroplasts. What is the name of the green chemical in chloroplasts? [1 mark]
  10. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05.1 (1 mark): Figure 3 shows bacteria viewed using a microscope. Figure 3 What type of microscope was used to view the bacteria in Figure 3? Give a reason for your answer. [1
  11. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05.2 (3 marks): Bacterial cells are prokaryotic cells. Give three ways that a prokaryotic cell is different from a eukaryotic cell. [3 marks] 1 2 3
  12. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05.3 (5 marks): Figure 4 shows a special slide used to determine the size of a cell viewed using a microscope. Figure 4 Calculate the magnification of the cell shown in Figure
  13. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.1 (3 marks): Label parts A, B and C on Figure 1. Choose answers from the box. [3 marks] cell membrane cell wall chloroplast cytoplasm nucleus
  14. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.2 (1 mark): What is the function of the nucleus in a cell? [1 mark] Tick () one box. To contain a solution called cell sap To control the activities of the whole cell To c
  15. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.3 (1 mark): What is the function of the mitochondria in a cell? [1 mark] Tick () one box. To produce glucose during photosynthesis To produce proteins for the cell To rele
  16. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.4 (4 marks): Figure 2 shows a light microscope. Figure 2 A student is given a prepared slide of animal cells to view using the microscope. Complete the sentences. Use labels
  17. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.5 (4 marks): Figure 3 shows a different animal cell. Figure 3 Calculate the magnification of the image in Figure 3. Complete the following steps. [4 marks]
  18. June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q01.1 (1 mark): Cystic fibrosis affects the movement of substances into and out of cells. Which part of a cell controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell? [1
  19. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q02 (6 marks): Figure 2 shows onion cells viewed using a light microscope. Figure 2 Figure 3 shows the apparatus given to a student. Figure 3 Describe how the student could us
  20. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.4 (2 marks): Figure 5 shows a pair of guard cells around a stoma. Figure 5 During the day, glucose is made in the guard cells. Describe how an increase in glucose concentrat
  21. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q07.1 (1 mark): Where do mutations happen in a bacterial cell? [1 mark]
  22. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q07.6 (2 marks): Stem cells containing antibiotic were produced by growing the cells for 24 hours in a solution containing the antibiotic. How did the antibiotic enter the stem
  23. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.1 (3 marks): Draw one line from each type of cell to the organ system where the cell is found. [3 marks]
  24. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.2 (2 marks): Explain one way a sperm cell is adapted for its function. [2 marks] Figure 1 shows a cell.
  25. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.3 (1 mark): Give one way you can tell that the cell in Figure 1 is not a plant cell. [1 mark]
  26. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.4 (1 mark): Which part of a cell controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Cell membrane Cytoplasm Nucleus
  27. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q07 (6 marks): Figure 10 shows onion cells viewed using a light microscope. Figure 10 Figure 11 shows the apparatus given to a student. Figure 11 Describe how the student coul
  28. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.1 (2 marks): What are two similarities between a bacterial cell and an animal cell? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Both have a cell membrane. Both have a cell wall. Both have
  29. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q02.1 (1 mark): Write the biological structures from the box in the correct order of size. [1 mark] cell chromosome gene nucleus Smallest Largest
  30. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q02.2 (1 mark): Name Process A. [1 mark]
  31. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q02.7 (1 mark): Give one way that cell division by mitosis is important in fully grown animals. [1 mark]
  32. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.1 (1 mark): Give one way that the palisade layer is adapted for photosynthesis. [1 mark]
  33. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.3 (3 marks): A student viewed a section of a leaf using a microscope. The student measured the length of one of the palisade cells. The cell image measured 28 mm in length w
  34. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.1 (1 mark): Mutations in cells cause cancer. Where in a cell do mutations happen? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Cell membrane Cytoplasm Nucleus
  35. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.1 (2 marks): What are two similarities between a bacterial cell and an animal cell? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Both have a cell membrane. Both have a cell wall. Both have
  36. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.1 (1 mark): Write the biological structures from the box in the correct order of size. [1 mark] cell chromosome gene nucleus Smallest Largest
  37. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.2 (1 mark): Name Process A. [1 mark]
  38. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.7 (1 mark): Give one way that cell division by mitosis is important in fully grown animals. [1 mark]
  39. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.3 (1 mark): Name the piece of equipment used to view the virus. [1 mark]
  40. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q06.3 (2 marks): Explain one way sieve tube cells are specialised for their function. Use Figure 6. [2 marks]
  41. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q06.4 (2 marks): What does the structure of the companion cells suggest about the process that moves dissolved sugars through the phloem tissue? Give a reason for your answer. U
  42. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.1 (3 marks): Draw one line from each type of organism to the diagram of one of its cells. [3 marks] Type of organism Diagram of one cell Animal Bacterium Plant
  43. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.2 (3 marks): Cells contain structures. These structures have different functions. Draw one line from each function to the correct structure. [3 marks] Function Structure Con
  44. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.3 (4 marks): Chemicals are produced in cells. Complete the sentences. Choose answers from the box. [4 marks] cellulose DNA glycogen starch urea A chemical excreted by animal
  45. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.4 (1 mark): Give one function of muscle cells. [1 mark]
  46. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.5 (2 marks): Explain how muscle cells are adapted for their function. Use Figure 1. [2 marks]
  47. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.6 (2 marks): One muscle cell was 0.05 mm wide. When viewed using a microscope the image of the muscle cell was 2 mm wide. Calculate the magnification used to view the cell.
  48. November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.6 (2 marks): Which two characteristics are features of organisms in the domain Archaea? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Can only survive in light Can survive in extreme enviro
  49. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q02.3 (1 mark): Give one advantage of using an electron microscope compared with using a light microscope. [1 mark]
  50. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q02.5 (3 marks): The real length of one villus is 0.8 mm Calculate the image length if the villus is viewed at a magnification of ×20 Use the equation: magnification = size of i
  51. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q02.9 (4 marks): Figure 2 is repeated below. Figure 2 Explain how villi are adapted for efficient absorption of sugar molecules. [4 marks]
  52. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.1 (4 marks): Describe four differences between a bacterial cell and a plant cell. [4 marks] 1 2 3 4
  53. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.3 (1 mark): Give one advantage of using an electron microscope compared with using a light microscope. [1 mark]
  54. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.5 (3 marks): The real length of one villus is 0.8 mm Calculate the image length if the villus is viewed at a magnification of ×20 Use the equation: magnification = size of i
  55. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.9 (4 marks): Figure 6 is repeated below. Figure 6 Explain how villi are adapted for efficient absorption of sugar molecules. [4 marks]
  56. June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.3 (2 marks): Describe two differences between a bacterial cell and a eukaryotic cell. [2 marks] 1 2
  57. June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05.1 (4 marks): The root hair was viewed at a magnification of ×50 The image length of the root hair X–Y is 43 mm Calculate the real length of the root hair in micrometres (µm)
  58. June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05.2 (4 marks): A microscope has a ×5 eyepiece lens. Describe how to use this microscope to observe a prepared slide of root hair cells at a magnification of ×50 [4 marks]
  59. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.1 (2 marks): Draw one line from each cell structure to the type of cell where the structure is found. [2 marks] Cell Structure Type of cell where the structure is found Nucl
  60. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.2 (1 mark): Figure 1 shows a plant cell. Figure 1 What are the names of structures A, B and C? [1 mark] Tick one box. Structure A Structure B Structure C Chloroplast Vacuol
  61. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.3 (1 mark): Describe how the student should adjust the microscope to see the cells on Slide A more clearly. [1 mark]
  62. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.4 (2 marks): Describe how the student should adjust the microscope to see the cells on Slide B more clearly. [2 marks]
  63. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.5 (3 marks): The student made the necessary adjustments to get a clear image. Figure 3 shows the student’s drawing of one of the cells. Figure 3 The real length of the cell

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