Cells and microscopy: Edexcel GCSE Biology questions

Every Edexcel GCSE Biology exam question on Cells and microscopy (specification points 1.1–1.6), 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 114 questions on Cells and microscopy, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete the table to show the function of structure P and structure Q. (2) structure function P Q
June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): On the original image, the length of one bacterial cell is 12 mm. The actual length of this bacterial cell is 2.0 µm. Calculate the magnification. (2) magnifica
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Genes are found on chromosomes. Name the part of the human cell where chromosomes are found. (1)
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the part labelled R. (1)
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Draw one straight line from each part of the sperm cell to its function. (2) part of the sperm cell function produces glucose releases energy S controls the cel
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(b) (1 mark): Animal and plant cells are both eukaryotic. State one structure found in a plant cell that is not found in an animal cell. (1)
June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q4(a) (3 marks): Figure 7 shows a type of bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus) that is found in cow’s milk. A (Source: © Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock) Figure 7 The magnification of
June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(b) (3 marks): A student wanted to view the cross-section of a leaf on a prepared slide. Describe how a light microscope would be used to observe this slide. (3)
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a) (3 marks): Figure 22 shows a type of bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus) that is found in cow’s milk. A (Source: © Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock) Figure 22 The magnification
June 2024, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): The student wore gloves while using a swab to collect cells from their mouth. Give one other safety precaution the student should take. (1)
June 2024, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(a)(ii) (3 marks): A light microscope was used to obtain an image similar to the one shown in Figure 6. (Source: © STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY) Figure 6 Describe how
June 2024, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(b) (2 marks): The cytoplasm of a cell contains a nucleus. Explain the role of one other structure in the cytoplasm of a human cell. (2)
June 2024, Paper 1 Higher, Q6(c)(i) (3 marks): At a magnification of ×62 000 this mitochondrion has a length of 434 mm. Calculate the actual length of this mitochondrion. Give your answer in micrometres (µm)
June 2024, Paper 1 Higher, Q6(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why an electron microscope is used to see mitochondria clearly. (2)
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): What is structure W? (1) A cell wall B cytoplasm C chromosomal DNA D plasmid
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give the name of structure Z. (1)
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the function of structure Z. (1)
June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the part labelled X. (1)
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(a) (2 marks): Draw one straight line from each part of the microscope to its function. (2) part of microscope function to stain the cells to focus the image so that it is cle
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Draw, in the box, the bacterial cell labelled X. Label one part of the bacterial cell on your diagram. (3)
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): State one advantage of using a light microscope and one advantage of using an electron microscope to study these bacterial cells. (2) A light microscope An elec
June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): A rod-shaped bacterium is 0.005 mm long. A student draws the rod-shaped bacterium. The bacterium in the drawing is 80 mm long. Calculate the magnification of th
June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Which row of the table shows the functions of structure A and structure B? (1) function of structure A function of structure B A releases energy contains the ge
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Which part of the cell is labelled Y? (1) A cell wall B cell membrane C nucleus D cytoplasm
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which structures are found in the part labelled Z? (1) A chromosomes B mitochondria C ribosomes D vacuoles
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(iii) (1 mark): Name the part of an animal cell where respiration occurs. (1)
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Give one advantage of using a microscope to look at cells. (1)
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Draw one straight line from each part of the microscope to its function. (2) part of the microscope function to place a slide on to carry the microscope eyepiec
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(c) (1 mark): Figure 3 shows some of the units used when cells and organelles are measured. micrometre = 10–6 m picometre = 10–12 m nanometre = 10–9 m millimetre = 10–3 m Fig
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why DNA is found in bones. (1)
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9(b)(iii) (2 marks): A rod-shaped bacterium is 0.005 mm long. A student draws the rod-shaped bacterium. The bacterium in the drawing is 80 mm long. Calculate the magnification of th
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9(c) (6 marks): Figure 18 shows a bacterial cell and a plant cell. bacterial cell plant cell Figure 18 Describe the similarities and differences of a bacterial cell and a plan
June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): The length of one guard cell in this image is 6 mm. Convert the length of this guard cell into micrometres (µm). (1)
June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q9(a)(ii) (3 marks): The image has been magnified 150×. Calculate the actual size of the guard cell. Give your answer in standard form in mm. (3) mm
June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): These cells require energy. The cell organelles labelled X release energy during respiration. Name the organelles labelled X. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): The cell organelle labelled Y contains chromosomes. Name the organelle labelled Y. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(a)(iii) (1 mark): Klebsiella pneumoniae is a prokaryotic cell. Which is a characteristic feature of a prokaryotic cell? (1) A it has chloroplasts B it does not have a nucleus C i
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): The cells that are made can become specialised. Figure 13 shows a diagram of a sperm cell. Figure 13 Describe two ways that the sperm cell is specialised. (2) 1
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10(a)(ii) (1 mark): These cells require energy. The cell organelles labelled X release energy during respiration. Name the organelles labelled X. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10(a)(iii) (1 mark): The cell organelle labelled Y contains chromosomes. Name the organelle labelled Y. (1)
June 2022, Paper 2 Higher, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): The width of this root nodule is 7.5 mm. Give the width in µm. (1) µm
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Which organelle is needed to produce large amounts of protein? (1) A ribosome B vacuole C chloroplast D flagellum A small lymphocyte has a diameter of 10 µm (mi
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the diameter of the image of the lymphocyte seen using this microscope. (2) image size µm
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(b)(iii) (1 mark): How many micrometres are in 1 mm (millimetre)? (1) A 10 B 100 C 1 000 D 10 000
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): The cells in Figure 5 have been stained. Give one reason why the cells have been stained. (1)
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which is the name of the structure labelled V? (1) A chloroplast B vacuole C nucleus D cell wall
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(b) (3 marks): Figure 6 shows the equipment used to prepare a microscope slide of onion cells. Figure 6 Describe how this equipment could be used to prepare a slide of onion c
November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(a)(iv) (1 mark): The diameter of one cell in Figure 7 is 0.075 mm. Which is this diameter in µm? (1) A 0.75 µm B 75 µm C 750 µm D 75 000 µm
November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(b) (2 marks): A student placed a prepared slide on the stage of a light microscope. Describe how to adjust the microscope to view the slide at a magnification of ×400. (2)
November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q9(a) (2 marks): Figure 13 shows a sperm cell. structure A structure B Figure 13 Describe how structure A and structure B enable fertilisation. (2) structure A structure B
November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q9(b) (3 marks): Figure 14 shows a human egg cell, magnified ×700. (Source: © Pascal Goetgheluck / Science Photo Library) Figure 14 Calculate the actual width of the region indi
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Which part of the cheek cell is labelled W? (1) A cell wall B nucleus C cell membrane D cytoplasm
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which labelled part of the sperm cell is also found in the cheek cell? (1) A nucleus B tail C middle piece D acrosome
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b) (1 mark): Name the part of a plant cell that gives the cell support and protection. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): State what can be added to the slide to make the plant cells more visible. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): The microscope has two lenses: • an eyepiece lens with ´10 magnification • an objective lens with ´40 magnification Which is the total magnification of this mic
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(c) (1 mark): Name one part of a light microscope that can be moved to obtain a clear image of plant cells. (1)
November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(a)(i) (4 marks): Draw the cell labelled A in the box below. Label three parts of this cell on your diagram. (4)
November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the function of the ciliated epithelial cells in the airways of the human breathing system. (1)
November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the image size of the top view of this red blood cell if this cell is magnified 400×. Give your answer in mm. (2) mm
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): The organelle labelled X controls the activities of the white blood cell. What is the name of organelle X? (1) A mitochondrion B ribosome C chromosome D nucleus
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(b) (1 mark): Figure 2 shows a white blood cell on a 100 µm scale. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Figure 2 State the width of the white blood cell. (1) µm
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1(c) (2 marks): Figure 1 shows human blood seen using a light microscope. Explain why using an electron microscope shows the structures in the white blood cells more clearly. (
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7(b) (3 marks): Figure 13 shows guard cells and stomata on the lower surface of a leaf. guard cell stomata (Source: © Rattiya Thongdumhyu/Shutterstock) Figure 13 Measure the le
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(a)(i) (4 marks): Draw the cell labelled A in the box below. Label three parts of this cell on your diagram. (4)
November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q3(a)(ii) (3 marks): A student took a sample of cells from a meristem to view under a light microscope. Describe how the student would prepare a microscope slide using these cells.
November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Name structure Z. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give one function of the mitochondrion. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): Describe how a prokaryotic cell is different from the cell in Figure 3. (2)
November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): Why are the cells from birds described as eukaryotic? (1) A they have membrane-bound organelles B they do not have nuclei C they have a rigid cell wall D they h
November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q7(a)(iii) (1 mark): The scientist put a small sample of the bacteria on a microscope slide and used a magnification of ×1000 to view the sample. The bacteria could not be seen very
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): What is structure X? (1) A cell membrane B cell wall C cytoplasm D nucleus
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): The bacterial cell in Figure 4 has a flagellum. State the function of a flagellum. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): Give one other difference between the bacterial cell and the animal cell shown in Figure 4. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(c) (2 marks): A plant leaf cell is 0.04 mm long. Calculate the length of the image after this cell has been magnified 500 times. (2) length of image = mm
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9(a)(ii) (3 marks): A student took a sample of cells from a meristem to view under a light microscope. Describe how the student would prepare a microscope slide using these cells.
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): Name structure Z. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give one function of the mitochondrion. (1)
November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the mean number of starch grains in potato cells P, Q and R. (1) starch grains
November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which structures are found in plant cells but are not found in animal cells? (1) A cell membrane, nucleus, chloroplast B cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm C n
November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage difference in the mean length of starch grains in potato 2 at 5 weeks and in potato 3 at 10 weeks. (2) %
November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): State two variables the scientist should have controlled to improve this investigation. (2) 1 2
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the mean number of starch grains in potato cells P, Q and R. (1) starch grains
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which structures are found in plant cells but are not found in animal cells? (1) A cell membrane, nucleus, chloroplast B cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm C n
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage difference in the mean length of starch grains in potato 2 at 5 weeks and in potato 3 at 10 weeks. (2) %
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b)(ii) (2 marks): State two variables the scientist should have controlled to improve this investigation. (2) 1 2
June 2019, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the actual diameter of the cyanobacterium. Give your answer in micrometres (µm). (3) µm
June 2019, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): Bacterial cells contain plasmids. Describe three other features of a bacterial cell. (3)
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): The student squashed the root tip on a microscope slide to spread out the cells. The slide was placed on the stage of a microscope. Describe how to use the micr
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Name structure Z. (1)
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): Sperm B has a larger middle section than sperm A. Explain why sperm B will be more likely to fertilise an egg than sperm A if they were both released at the sam
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): A leaf cell is 0.08 mm long. Calculate the length of the image of this cell after it has been magnified 50 times using a microscope. (2) mm Pine trees can live
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(a) (4 marks): Draw this plant cell in the box below. Label three parts of this cell. (4)
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(b) (1 mark): Mitochondria cannot be seen with a light microscope. What is the function of mitochondria in a plant cell? (1) A respiration B make proteins C photosynthesis D
June 2018, Paper 1 Higher, Q3(b) (2 marks): The potatoes of a potato plant develop underground. Explain one difference in the sub-cellular structures in a cell in the potato and those in a cell in the lea
June 2018, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(a)(iii) (1 mark): Figure 10 shows some Streptococcus bacteria. © Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock Figure 10 Some bacteria are motile, meaning they can move themselves. Why is a Streptoc
June 2018, Paper 1 Higher, Q6(c) (2 marks): Figure 12 shows a root tip with cells in different stages of mitosis. The image was magnified 400 ×. © WIM VAN EGMOND/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Figure 12 Explain ho
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(a) (4 marks): A student cut a piece of onion and placed it on a microscope slide. The student then placed this slide on the stage of a light microscope and looked through the
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(c) (2 marks): Explain one advantage of using an electron microscope to observe plant cells. (2)
June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): These cells are animal cells. Animal cells do not have (1) A cytoplasm B a cell membrane C a cell wall D mitochondria
June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): The actual length of the red blood cell from a turtle is 20.5 μm. Calculate the length of the magnified image of the red blood cell of the turtle when magnified
June 2018, Paper 2 Higher, Q2(a)(iii) (2 marks): The width of the human red blood cell, when magnified 400 ×, is 3.08 mm. Calculate the actual width of the cell and show your answer in standard form. (2) mm
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): These cells are animal cells. Animal cells do not have (1) A cytoplasm B a cell membrane C a cell wall D mitochondria
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(a)(ii) (2 marks): The actual length of the red blood cell from a turtle is 20.5 μm. Calculate the length of the magnified image of the red blood cell of the turtle when magnified
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(a)(iii) (2 marks): The width of the human red blood cell, when magnified 400 ×, is 3.08 mm. Calculate the actual width of the cell and show your answer in standard form. (2) mm
Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(c) (3 marks): Figure 7 shows some Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that cause cholera. flagellum Magnification ×8000 (Source: Corbis) Figure 7 The length of one flagellum on Fig
Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Which row of the table identifies both structure P and structure Q? (1) structure P structure Q A nucleus cell membrane B nucleus cell wall C vacuole cell membr
Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Plant cells have a cell wall and a large vacuole. Draw one straight line from each structure to its function. (2) structure function where respiration occurs co
Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): The total magnification of the animal cell is (1) A ×50 B ×140 C ×400 D ×4000
Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): The diameter of the cell is 15 µm. Use Figure 7 to estimate the diameter of the cell nucleus. (1) diameter of nucleus = µm
Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b)(iii) (1 mark): Give the measurement of 15 µm in mm. (1) mm The development of electron microscopes has increased our understanding of cells and their features. Figure 8 shows
Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(c) (3 marks): Explain how the electron microscope image helps us to understand more about ciliated epithelium. (3)
Specimen, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the features of a plant cell that help to maintain its structure. (2) Figure 17 shows a photomicrograph of a root cell. Figure 17
Specimen, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b)(iii) (3 marks): Draw and label a single plant cell from this photomicrograph. (3)

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