plumiMembrane roles and the fluid mosaic model: OCR A‑Level Biology A questions
OCR A-Level Biology A past-paper questions on 2.1.5.1 Membrane roles and the fluid mosaic model, 2016–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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All 17 questions on Membrane roles and the fluid mosaic model, as a list
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): Which component acts as a transport protein? Your answer [1]
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): Which component is made in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum? Your answer [1]
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): Which option describes a role of membranes inside a cell? A The cell surface membrane acts as a barrier between the cell and its environment. B The inner membra
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): The diagram shows part of a plasma membrane. X How can molecule X be described? A It has a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. B It is formed when the glyc
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q4 (1 mark): Which statement describes a feature of plasma membranes? A Channel proteins are a type of intrinsic protein. B Glycolipids are intrinsic proteins that have lipi
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q20(c)(ii) (2 marks): PGE2 receptors are located on the cell surface membrane. State two functions of the cell surface membrane that are illustrated by the action of PGE2. 1 2 [2]
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q25(a) (2 marks): Describe two roles of a cell surface membrane. 1 2 [2]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q18(a) (3 marks): Explain how the structure of phospholipid molecules allows for the formation of plasma membranes. [3]
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q23(b) (2 marks): Explain the role of the membrane in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. [2]
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): The diagram below shows the structure of a plasma membrane. A C B D Which label, A to D, indicates the component of the membrane that can affect its fluidity? Y
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q17(c)(i) (2 marks): State and explain how one property of region A in Fig. 17.2 contributes to the stability of the plasma membrane. [2]
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q17(c)(ii) (2 marks): There are differences between the plasma membrane and membranes within cells. Outline the role of membranes within cells. [2]
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q22(d) (2 marks): Phospholipid molecules also contain fatty acids. Explain how the fatty acids in phospholipids allow the formation of membranes. [2]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q1 (1 mark): Membranes are found within and surrounding cells. Which of the statements, A to D, is not a role of membranes in cells? A acts as a barrier between areas B cell
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q11 (1 mark): The diagram below shows part of a plasma membrane. 1 2 3 Which of the label lines points to a structure that could contain a sulfur atom? A 1, 2 and 3 B Only 1
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): Which option, A to D, describes the role of cholesterol in cell surface membranes in the human body? A Cholesterol binds to phospholipid phosphate heads, increa
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q23(a) (2 marks): How does the fluid mosaic model describe the structure of plasma membranes? [2]
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