plumiProkaryotic cells: Edexcel International A Level Biology questions
Edexcel International A Level Biology past-paper questions on 3.1.4 Prokaryotic cells, 2019–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Q5(c)(ii)
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All 39 questions on Prokaryotic cells, as a list
- June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q5(c)(ii) (6 marks): The proportions of these molecules change as a bacterial cell prepares to divide, as it divides into two new bacterial cells and as each new bacterial cell grow
- 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
- 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
- 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, 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, 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, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate how many times larger T. magnifica is than M. genitalium. Give your answer in standard form. (2) Answer
- 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
- 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, 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, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Name a structural molecule in each type of cell wall. (2) Plant cell wall . Prokaryotic cell wall
- January 2023, Unit 4, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Which labelled structure contains the genes coding for the enzymes involved in photosynthesis? (1) A P B Q C R D T
- 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
- June 2022, AS Unit 2, Q2(a) (2 marks): Draw and label a capsule and two pili on the diagram. (2)
- 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 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, Unit 4, Q7(d)(i) (2 marks): Give two examples of circular DNA found in cells. (2)
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q7(d)(ii) (2 marks): Give two differences between the structure of circular DNA and that of linear DNA, other than their shapes. (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)(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)
- 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
- June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): State the function of each of these structures. (2) Slime capsule . Pili
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