Topic 1: Cell biology 
This page contains multiple choice questions in the style of Paper 1 of the Biology exams.
They test the breadth of your knowledge of the understandings and skills about cell biology.
To spend more time reviewing the topic before answering these questions, use the revision resources.
Cell biology revision resources
This page lists the understandings and skills expected for Topic 1 and links to the sub-topic pages which contain detailed revision notes, activities and past paper style questions. Great for revision.
Learn from any mistakes. Every question has an examiner's explanation that appears when you check your answers.
The image below shows a eukaryotic cell.
Which structure, visible in the image, could be used as evidence supporting endosymbiosis?
The mitochondria provide evidence supporting endosymbiosis because they have:
- a double membrane
- 70S ribosomes
- DNA
Sodium channels are made from a protein.
Where in the cell are sodium channel proteins found?
Sodium channel proteins are found spanning the plasma membrane. Their structure helps the function for facilitated diffusion in cells because they allow ions to pass cross the membrane.
If the protein was not a trans-membrane protein then it would not be able to transport ions across the membrane.
The graph below shows the % change in mass of carrot parenchyma slices at different concentrations of sucrose.
Which of the following is the best estimate of the molarity of the cytoplasm of these cells?
When a sample of cells show no change in mass, then the net movement of water by osmosis must be zero. This shows the concentration of the cytoplasm of the cells. In this graph it would be about 0.3 mol
What effect does reducing the amount of cholesterol in a cell membrane have on its properties?
Cholesterol is a component of animal cell membranes. Application: Cholesterol in mammalian membranes reduces membrane fluidity and permeability to some solutes.
The 'Cell theory' explains the nature of living things.
Which statement best describes Cell theory?
According to cell theory, living organisms are composed of cells.
Cells come from pre-existing cells and cells are the smallest using of life.
The image below shows erythrocytes and leucocytes.l.
Using the scale bar and the ruler placed on the image, estimate the magnification of the image.
Which answer is the best estimate
Calculate the magnification of an electron microscope image from a scale bar?
Convert the ruler measurement to the same units written on the scale bar, in this case 25mm is 25000µm
then divide the ruler measurement 25000 by the number on the scalebar, 25.
The blood cells below were imaged using an electron microscope.
The magnification is x3000 and the ruler measures the central cell as being 2 cm in diameter.
Estimate the actual size of this white blood cell.
Calculate specimen size using magnification?
First change the size measurement into µm units = 20000µm
Then divide by the magnification. 20000 / 3000 = 20 / 3 = 6.6 µm
Cells are often stored in isotonic conditions because they can be damaged in other concentrations, hypertonic, or hypotonic. Which of the descriptions of hypertonic is the most accurate?
Hypertonic solutions have a higher concentration of solutes, and lower water potentials than cells.
Which label in the image below shows the process of endocytosis?
Endocytosis is the process where a substance is surrounded by the plasma membrane which forms a vesicle inside the cell that then moves into the cytoplasm, separating from the plasma membrane.
The diagram shows a typical eukaryotic plant cell. Which organelles are involved in supporting the cell and plant? I Cell wall II Cytoplasm III Nucleus IV Vacuole.
The cell and plant are supported by the turgor pressure of water in the vacuole acting on the rigid cell wall.
Which organelle in a eukarytotic animal cell synthesises proteins for exocytosis?
The RER synthesises proteins for exocytosis.
Which organelle is visible in an electron microscope but not in a light microscope?
The ribosome is too small to be seen in the electron microscope, the other organelles were seen in the light microscope before the electron microscope was invented.
The diagram is of a plasma membrane. Which label corresponds to a protein channel?
Protein channels cross the membrane to allow hydrophilic substances to pass through the membrane.
Which means of transport across a plasma membrane requires the molecule shown in the picture?
Louis Pasteur used sterile broth and swan necked flasks to disprove which theory?
Pasteur demonstrated that broth would go cloudy only when air was allowed to contact the broth, bringing microbes. He disproved Spontaneous Generation.
Which organelles in a plant cell are believed to have originated as free-living prokaryotic cells?
Both the mitochondria and the chloroplast in plant cells are thought to have been free-living prokaryotes which evolved in a symbiotic relationship with a eukaryotic cell.
Which of the following are believed to be endosymbiotic structures involved in cell locomotion in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Flagellae are locomotory structures found in some Monera (bacteria), and some eukaryotic cells such as male gametes and Protoctista. Mitochondria are not found in prokaryotes. Pseudopodia are involved in locomotion but only in cells without an external wall. Fimbriae in bacteria allow for binding to a host or substrate, the same name is given to projections in the oviduct that aid movement of the ovum towards the uterus.
Which component of the plasma membrane varies in function between differentiated cells?
The protein component of the membrane varies in structure and function.
The image below was taken in 1825 and shows part of the cell cycle.
What is shown in the image?
Cytokinesis occurs after mitosis in plant and animal cells.
Animal cells form a cleavage furrow (looks like a wasps waist) as they don't have cell walls.
The two daughter cells are the same size, so cytokinesis is equal.
A tissue is placed in an isotonic solution. Which of the following is the best description of water movement between the tissue and the solution?
There is no net water movement, gain and loss from the tissue is equal in both directions.
Refresh this page to try a new set of 20 multiple choice questions. The questions will be different next time you visit. Great revision.
Twitter 
Facebook 
LinkedIn