plumiCell structures: OCR GCSE Combined Science A questions
Every OCR GCSE Combined Science A exam question on B1.1 Cell structures, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
Paper
All papers
Exam
All years
Calculations
Q12(a)
The whole paper ↗Q12(b)
The whole paper ↗Q12(a)
The whole paper ↗- Your answer
- Your answer
- Your answer
Q12(a)
The whole paper ↗Q12(b)
The whole paper ↗- Your answer
- Your answer
- Your answer
- Your answer
- Your answer
- Your answer
- Your answer
- Your answer
Q12(a)
The whole paper ↗- Your answer
Q14(b)
The whole paper ↗Q15(a)
The whole paper ↗
All 61 questions on Cell structures, as a list
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q12(a) (2 marks): The student uses a coverslip to make the slide. Describe the function of the coverslip. [2]
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q12(b) (2 marks): When the student looks down the microscope, they see an image like the one below. X Vacuole Identify subcellular structure X and describe its function. Name Fun
- June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q12(a) (1 mark): Name the sub-cellular structure which stores the genetic material in an animal cell. [1]
- June 2025, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): What is the definition of resolution? A How large an image is compared to the object. B The shortest distance apart that two objects can be and still be seen as
- June 2025, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): How is this image of a cell generated? A Electron microscope B Hand lens C Light microscope D X-ray machine Your answer [1]
- June 2025, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): Which sub-cellular structure is not found in eukaryotic cells? A Chloroplast B Nucleus C Plasmid D Ribosome Your answer [1] Section B
- June 2025, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q12(a) (2 marks): Calculate the actual length of the cell marked X. Use the line on the image. X Y Actual length = mm [2]
- June 2025, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q12(b) (1 mark): State the function of the sub-cellular structure labelled Y. [1]
- June 2025, Biology Paper 8 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): The diameter of a bacterium is 0.540 μm. The diameter of a virus is 0.054 μm. By how many orders of magnitude is the diameter of the bacterium larger compared t
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): A student prepares a microscope slide to view colourless plant cells. Which type of substance is used to colour the cells? A Acid B Hormone C Lipid D Stain Your
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): The total magnification of an image viewed using a light microscope is calculated using a formula. What is the correct formula for total magnification? A Total
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Plasmids are small rings of genetic material. Which row describes where plasmids are found? Where they are found Type of cell A cytoplasm eukaryotic B cytoplasm
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): The length of a bacteria cell is 5.3 µm. What is the length of this cell in mm? (1 mm = 1000 µm) 5.3 × 10–6 A 5.3 × 10–3 B 5.3 × 103 C 5.3 × 106 D Your answer [
- June 2024, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): The length of a bacteria cell is 5.3 µm. What is the length of this cell in mm? (1 mm = 1000 µm) 5.3 × 10–6 A 5.3 × 10–3 B 5.3 × 103 C 5.3 × 106 D Your answer [
- June 2024, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): What are two characteristics of a cell membrane? A Non-selective barrier and contains plasmids B Non-selective barrier and contains receptors C Selective barrie
- June 2024, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): The resolution of a microscope is limited to half the wavelength of light used to see the image. Our eyes only detect light with a wavelength greater than 400 n
- June 2024, Biology Paper 8 Higher, Q12(a) (2 marks): Compare the genetic material found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. [2]
- June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): Which cell size in the table is the mode? Cell 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Size 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.3 (mm) A 0.3 mm B 0.4 mm C 0.5 mm D 0.6 mm [1] Your answ
- June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q14(b) (2 marks): The photograph shows part of an artery seen using a light microscope. X Y The actual thickness of the wall at X–Y is 2 mm. Calculate the magnification of the im
- June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q15(a) (1 mark): Which structure labelled in the diagram would not be found in a eukaryotic plant cell? Tick (3) one box. Cell wall Cytoplasm DNA Plasmid [1]
- June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q15(b) (2 marks): Prokaryotic cells are much smaller than most eukaryotic plant cells. Explain why an electron microscope is used to view smaller prokaryotic cells instead of a l
- June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q15(c) (1 mark): Some prokaryotic cells contain chlorophyll in their cytoplasm. Where is chlorophyll found inside eukaryotic plant cells? [1]
- June 2023, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): What are plasmids? A Genetic material found in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell. B Genetic material found in the cytoplasm of a prokaryotic cell. C Genetic ma
- June 2023, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): What is one advantage of a light microscope compared to an electron microscope? A Only light microscopes are able to observe live specimens. B Only light micros
- June 2023, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): The table shows the sizes of different cells. Cell 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Size 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.5 0.3 (mm) Which statement about the results is correct?
- June 2023, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): Which row shows correct information about cell membranes? Contains Forms a Found in Found in receptor selective eukaryotic prokaryotic molecules barrier cells c
- June 2023, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q15(b) (3 marks): The photograph shows part of an artery seen using a light microscope. X Y The image has been magnified 8 times. Calculate the actual thickness of the artery bet
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): Which part of the cell provides a selective barrier to molecules entering the cell? A Cell membrane B Cell wall C Cytoplasm D Plasmid Your answer [1]
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): A microscope has a ×10 eyepiece lens and a ×40 objective lens. What is its magnification? A ×10 B ×40 C ×50 D ×400 Your answer [1]
- June 2022, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): The diagram shows a student preparing some cells to view using a light microscope. What are they lowering into place? A Cover slip B Lens C Slide D Stain Your a
- June 2022, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Which term describes a cell that contains plasmids but no mitochondria? A Embryonic B Meristem C Prokaryotic D Specialised Your answer [1]
- June 2022, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q12(a)(i) (1 mark): The structure labelled X contains enzymes needed for cellular respiration. Identify the name of structure X. [1]
- June 2022, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q15(a)(i) (3 marks): The image has been magnified 5800×. Measure the length of W in mm. Use your answer to calculate the actual width of the nucleus. Give your answer in µm to 2 sig
- June 2022, Biology Paper 8 Higher, Q12(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe how to take a thin section of the nodule and prepare it to view under a light microscope. [3]
- June 2022, Biology Paper 8 Higher, Q12(b)(ii) (1 mark): The bacteria were not visible clearly using a light microscope. The student found an image taken using a different type of microscope. Fig. 12.3 shows this imag
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): Which term describes a microscope with a higher resolution than a light microscope? A Digital microscope B Electron microscope C Neutron microscope D Proton mic
- November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): A student uses a light microscope to observe onion cells. They magnify the cells 400×. The magnification of the eyepiece is 20×. What is the magnification of th
- November 2021, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): A student uses a light microscope to observe onion cells. It magnifies the cells 400×. The magnification of the eyepiece is 20×. What is the magnification of th
- November 2021, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): What advantage does a light microscope have compared to an electron microscope? A Complex preparation of sample B Greater magnification C Greater resolution D L
- November 2021, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): Which statement is a correct description of a prokaryotic cell? A The cell contains chloroplasts and plasmids. B The cell has mitochondria in the cytoplasm but
- November 2021, Biology Paper 8 Higher, Q13(b)(i) (3 marks): HPV (human papilloma virus) causes cervical warts. Fig. 13.1 is a diagram representing the size of HPV as it would be seen using an electron microscope. 50 mm F
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q1: A student uses a light microscope to look at cells. The magnification of the eyepiece lens is ×10. The magnification of the objective lens is ×20. Calculate the
- November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q11(d) (2 marks): The pathogen that causes tuberculosis (TB) has cells that are different from animal cells. There are also similarities between the two types of cells. Which str
- November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q11(e) (2 marks): Read the information in the box. The rod like structure of the tobacco mosaic virus is ~0.018 μm in diameter. The light microscope was developed in the 1670s. L
- November 2020, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): Which term describes the ability to see two points as separate points and not merged into one? A Depth of field B Magnification C Power D Resolution Your answer
- November 2020, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q16(a)(i) (2 marks): The alga cell is a eukaryotic cell. Describe two differences in structure between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. 1 2 [2]
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): The resolution of an electron microscope is 0.0001 µm. The resolution of a light microscope is 0.2 µm. How many times greater is the resolution of the electron
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): A student draws this image of a prokaryotic cell. The cell image drawn by the student is 55 mm long. The actual length of the prokaryotic cell is 0.001 mm. What
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q13(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of the part of the cell labelled X in Fig. 13.1? Tick (✓) one box. Chloroplast Cell membrane Mitochondria Nucleus [1]
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q13(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how the structure of part X is related to its functions. [2]
- June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): Look at the bacterial cell that causes disease. 0.0008 mm The human eye can see objects 0.1 mm in size. What minimum magnification will be needed before the eye
- June 2019, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): Look at the diagram of a bacterial cell. X What is the name of the structure labelled X? A Mitochondrion B Nucleus C Plasmid D Receptor molecule Your answer [1]
- June 2019, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): The resolution of an electron microscope is 1×10–10 m. 7 The resolution of a light microscope is 2×10–7 m. How many times greater is the resolution of the elect
- June 2019, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): A student draws this image of a prokaryotic cell. The cell image drawn by the student is 55 mm long. The actual length of the prokaryotic cell is 1 μm. What is
- June 2019, Biology Paper 8 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): Look at the sperm cell. 0.006 mm The eye can see objects 0.1 mm. What minimum magnification will be needed before the eye can see the head of this sperm cell? A
- June 2019, Biology Paper 8 Higher, Q14(c) (2 marks): The scientist observes some of the bacteria growing on the agar plates using a light microscope. The diagram in Fig. 14.2 shows a bacterium cell. A Fig. 14.2 Th
- June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): The drawing shows some of the structures found in an animal cell. A B D C Which labelled structure contains enzymes for cellular respiration? Your answer [1]
- June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q11(a) (3 marks): Draw a large labelled diagram of cell X. [3]
- June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q11(b) (2 marks): The plant cells shown in Fig. 11.1 are not root cells. Explain how you can tell this from the picture. [2]
- June 2018, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q13(a) (2 marks): The actual length of plant cell X is 75 µm. You can use this fact to calculate the magnification of the image. Explain how. [2]
- June 2018, Biology Paper 7 Higher, Q13(b) (3 marks): The same cells can be observed using an electron microscope. Magnification of the cells can be increased using an electron microscope. Explain how and why the i
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