Cell structure and organisation: Edexcel International A Level Biology questions

Every Edexcel International A Level Biology exam question on Cell structure and organisation (specification points 3.1–3.6), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 98 questions on Cell structure and organisation, as a list

June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q1(a) (1 mark): The digestive system is an organ system. State what is meant by the term organ system. (1)
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Name organelle A, shown in the photograph. (1)
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the role of this organelle in the formation and transport of extracellular enzymes. (2)
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Which row gives the name and function of structure Z? (1) Name Function A capsule adhesion to surfaces B capsule prevent water loss C cell membrane protein synt
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Give the name and function of structure X and structure Y. (2) Name of structure X Function Name of structure Y Function
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(iii) (1 mark): Which structure could be found inside a prokaryotic cell? (1) A chloroplast B linear DNA C nucleolus D ribosome
June 2025, AS Unit 2, Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): The cell labelled P has a diameter of 0.60 µm. Calculate the volume of cell P. Use the formula: V = 4 3 πr 3 Give your answer to two decimal places. (2) Answer
June 2025, Unit 4, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Where in the chloroplast is this DNA located? (1) A intergranal membrane B matrix C stroma D thylakoid space
June 2025, Unit 4, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which other structures in a plant cell contain DNA? (1) A amyloplast and mitochondria B mitochondria and nucleus C nucleus and vacuole D vacuole and amyloplast
January 2025, AS Unit 2, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Which is the correct function of this organelle? (1) A formation of lysosomes B formation of microtubules C formation of ribosomal RNA D formation of vesicles
January 2025, AS Unit 2, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why the two views of this organelle look different. (1)
January 2025, AS Unit 2, Q6(c) (3 marks): Some millipedes have bacteria in their gut that can break down fungal cells. The diagram shows a fungal cell. 80S ribosome nucleus cell wall made of chitin glyc
January 2025, AS Unit 2, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): Structure Y can be found in the cytoplasm or on the surface of an organelle in a eukaryotic cell. Which organelle would have structure Y on its surface? (1) A G
January 2025, AS Unit 2, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give the function of structure Y. (1)
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Draw and label a nucleolus in this plant cell. (1)
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): The nucleus in a diatom contains DNA. Name two processes that take place in the nucleus of a diatom. (2) 1 2
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q4(c)(i) (3 marks): Describe the role of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus in the production of these enzymes. (3)
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Suggest one advantage of having a capsule to this type of bacteria. (1)
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why this type of bacteria does not need a flagellum. (1)
October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q7(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which of the following structures would be found in a bacterial cell? 1. cell membrane 2. cell wall 3. ribosomes (1) A 1 and 2 only B 1 and 3 only C 2 and 3 onl
October 2024, Unit 4, Q7(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe two differences in the structure of DNA found in prokaryotic cells and the structure of DNA found in human cells. (2)
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q1(a) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term organ. (1)
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Which organelle is labelled X? (1) A chloroplast B endoplasmic reticulum C Golgi apparatus D plasmodesmata
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): The organelle surrounded by the membrane labelled Y contains the nucleolus. Give the name and function of the organelle that contains the nucleolus. (1) Name Fu
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): Which of the following are functions of the nucleolus? 1. production of ribosomes 2. synthesis of DNA 3. synthesis of RNA (1) A 1 and 2 only B 1 and 3 only C 2
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q2(d)(i) (1 mark): Give an example of a tissue that could be produced in a plant. (1)
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q8(a) (3 marks): Describe the role of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the formation of extracellular enzymes. (3)
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q8(b)(i) (3 marks): Comment on the results of this investigation. (3)
June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q8(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one reason for the difference in breakdown of the wood by species A and species B. (1)
June 2024, Unit 4, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Cellulose and lignin are broken down by enzymes released from the bacteria and fungi. Fungi belong to the domain Eukarya. Which of the following statements are
January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Which structures enable E.coli to stick to the surface of fish? (1) A capsule and flagellum B capsule and pili C flagellum and pili D flagellum and ribosomes
January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Give the name and function of this organelle. (1) Name Function .
January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q6(a) (4 marks): The table shows some structures found in living cells. Complete the table to show in which type of cells these structures are present () or absent (). (4) Ani
January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q6(b) (1 mark): The smallest living cell has a diameter of 0.2 µm. The volume of a sphere is calculated using the formula: 4 r 3 3 Which of the following shows the volume of th
January 2024, Unit 4, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the smallest difference between the diameters of S. cerevisiae and S. aureus. Give suitable units with your answer. (1) Answer
January 2024, Unit 4, Q7(a)(ii) (2 marks): The table gives some statements about cells. For each statement, put one cross in the appropriate box, in each row, to show whether these statements are true fo
October 2023, AS Unit 2, Q1(a) (1 mark): Which is organelle T? (1) A centriole B lysosome C nucleolus D ribosome
October 2023, AS Unit 2, Q4(b) (3 marks): The cytoplasm of T. magnifica contains structures called pepins. The function of pepins is protein synthesis. Pepins contain circular DNA and ribosomes and are
October 2023, Unit 5, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): DNA is present in bacterial cells. Where is DNA found in a bacterial cell? (1) A nucleus only B plasmid only C plasmid and cytoplasm D plasmid and nucleus
October 2023, Unit 5, Q8(a) (2 marks): Give the meaning of the term ‘sensory organ’ (paragraph 2). (2)
October 2023, Unit 5, Q8(b) (2 marks): Fascia is a type of connective tissue. Use ticks and crosses to complete the table comparing types of connective tissue found in the human body (paragraphs 3 to
June 2023, AS Unit 2, Q3(a) (2 marks): Describe the role of the Golgi apparatus in the formation of these extracellular enzymes. (2)
June 2023, AS Unit 2, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): Which three structures are found in both plant cells and bacterial cells? (1) A cell membrane, cellulose cell wall and DNA B cell membrane, DNA and pili C cell
June 2023, AS Unit 2, Q5(c)(iii) (3 marks): Compare and contrast the structure and function of lysosomes and acrosomes. (3)
June 2023, AS Unit 2, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term tissue. (1)
June 2023, Unit 4, Q4(b) (3 marks): The microorganisms in the intestines of giant pandas include both bacteria and fungi. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms. Put one cross [x] in the appropriate box,
January 2023, AS Unit 2, Q3(c) (2 marks): The cells from algae contain some structures that are characteristic of animal cells. The photograph shows one of these structures. (Source: © DON W. FAWCETT/SC
January 2023, AS Unit 3, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): The photograph shows an animal cell. This photograph was taken using an electron microscope. (Source: © DR GOPAL MURTI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY) Draw this cell as
January 2023, AS Unit 3, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): State one difference and one similarity between the nuclear envelope and the cell membrane. (2) Difference Similarity
January 2023, Unit 5, Q8(h) (2 marks): Suggest how damaged mitochondria are removed by ‘autophagy’ (paragraph 11). (2)
October 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the diagram by drawing and labelling a flagellum and a plasmid. (2)
October 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): State the function of a plasmid. (1)
October 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): The ribosomes in prokaryotic cells are different from the ribosomes in eukaryotic cells. Give one difference between prokaryotic ribosomes and eukaryotic riboso
October 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(c)(ii) (1 mark): How many of the following statements about eukaryotic ribosomes are correct? • ribosomes are located on the surface of both types of endoplasmic reticulum • rib
October 2022, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(iii) (5 marks): Rhesus antigens are glycoproteins. Describe how a Rhesus antigen would be produced from its polypeptide chain and transported to the cell surface membrane. (5)
June 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(a) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term organ system. (1)
June 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term tissue. (1)
June 2022, AS Unit 2, Q2(a) (2 marks): Draw and label a capsule and two pili on the diagram. (2)
June 2022, AS Unit 2, Q6(a) (1 mark): The photograph shows an organelle taken from a sperm cell, as seen using an electron microscope. The diagram shows a sperm cell. W X Y Z (Source: © Science Hist
June 2022, AS Unit 2, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe the role of one organelle involved in the production of this enzyme. (2) Organelle Role
January 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(b) (1 mark): The photograph shows an organelle found in a plant cell, as seen using an electron microscope. (Source: © SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY) State the function of this orga
January 2022, AS Unit 2, Q1(c) (4 marks): The other domains in the three‑domain system are Archaea and Bacteria. Complete the table to show in which of the domains the following structures would be foun
January 2022, AS Unit 2, Q8(a) (2 marks): Suggest how the sticky proteins would have been secreted. (2)
January 2022, Unit 4, Q6(a)(iv) (1 mark): Which is the correct order of size, smallest to largest? (1) A P R S B P S R C R S P D S R P
October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Which of the following is a correct statement about rough endoplasmic reticulum? (1) A it has 70S (small) ribosomes B it has 80S (large) ribosomes C it forms ve
October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name a substance synthesised by the organelle labelled A in the diagram. (1)
October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(iii) (2 marks): Name two structures that could be present inside the nucleus in the diagram. (2) 1 2
October 2021, Unit 5, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which organelle is involved in chemically modifying cytokine proteins before they are secreted? (1) A Golgi apparatus B ribosome C smooth endoplasmic reticulum
June 2021, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(i) (4 marks): Draw a labelled diagram of the Golgi apparatus. (4)
June 2021, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): How many of the following are functions of the Golgi apparatus? • formation of extracellular enzymes • modification of proteins • formation of peptide bonds thr
June 2021, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(iii) (1 mark): A cell was supplied with radioactive amino acids. The cell took in these amino acids and used them in protein synthesis. Which structure in the cell would becom
June 2021, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the percentage difference in these diameters. (1) Answer %
June 2021, Unit 4, Q2(a) (3 marks): Compare and contrast the structure of a chloroplast with the structure of a mitochondrion. (3)
January 2021, AS Unit 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Name two structures found in bacterial cells that are involved in the synthesis of these enzymes. (1) 1 2
January 2021, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Describe the function of this organelle. (3)
January 2021, AS Unit 2, Q2(c) (3 marks): Rough endoplasmic reticulum is another organelle found in caterpillar cells. Draw a labelled diagram of rough endoplasmic reticulum. (3)
January 2021, AS Unit 2, Q4(c) (3 marks): Analysis of some mouse egg cells showed that the lipid droplets were located within 10 nm of mitochondria. Suggest why mitochondria were located within 10 nm of
January 2021, AS Unit 2, Q7(c)(i) (1 mark): State the function of a nucleolus. (1)
January 2021, AS Unit 3, Q1(c)(iii) (2 marks): State two differences you would observe between a plant cell and a human red blood cell when using a light microscope. (2) 1 2
October 2020, AS Unit 2, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): In which of the following is a cell membrane present? (1) A animal cells only B animal and plant cells only C plant and prokaryotic cells only D animal, plant a
October 2020, AS Unit 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): In which of the following is a cell wall present? (1) A plant cells only B animal and plant cells only C plant and prokaryotic cells only D animal, plant and pr
October 2020, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): This cell contains chloroplasts. State the function of these chloroplasts. (1)
October 2020, AS Unit 2, Q2(b)(iii) (1 mark): This cell is not a prokaryotic cell as it contains chloroplasts. Give one other reason why this organism is not a prokaryotic cell. (1)
October 2020, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term tissue. (1)
October 2020, Unit 4, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): How many of the organelles labelled in this diagram have membranes? (1) A 1 B 3 C 5 D 7
January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Which labelled structure is a plasmid? (1) A W B X C Y D Z
January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which labelled structure enables this cell to adhere to other bacterial cells in conjugation? (1) A V B X C Y D Z
January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q1(a)(iii) (1 mark): State how ribosomes in prokaryotic cells are different from those in eukaryotic cells. (1)
January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q1(b) (2 marks): Prokaryotic cells may also have a capsule and a flagellum. State one function of each of these structures. (2) Capsule Flagellum
January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Which labelled structure produces ribosomes? (1) A P B Q C R D S
January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q7(a)(ii) (2 marks): The structures labelled T and U are the same type of organelle. Suggest why these structures look different in this photograph. (2)
January 2020, AS Unit 2, Q7(b) (5 marks): Describe how the protein insulin is transported from the ribosomes and then secreted by a beta cell. (5)
June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Which organelle was seen? (1) A centriole B Golgi apparatus C rough endoplasmic reticulum D smooth endoplasmic reticulum
June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q4(a)(iii) (2 marks): Give two differences between an organ and a tissue. (2) 1 2
June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q4(c) (4 marks): Cells in the pancreas use amino acids to synthesise polypeptides. These cells also secrete enzymes and glycoproteins into the small intestine. Cells from the pa
June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): State the function of each of these structures. (2) Slime capsule . Pili
June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): How many of the labelled structures contain DNA? (1) A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4
June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q7(a)(ii) (2 marks): Sperm cells contain mitochondria. Describe the function of mitochondria in the movement of sperm cells. (2)

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