Cell Biology GCSE

Question 1

What is the function of the nucleus?

Answer 1

The nucleus holds the genetic material of the cell

Question 2

What is the function of the Cytoplasm?

Answer 2

The cytoplasm a watery solution where chemical reactions take place

Question 3

What is the function of the cell membrane?

Answer 3

The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell

Question 4

What is the function of mitochondria?

Answer 4

Mitochondria are the sites of aerobic respiration (where they take place)

Question 5

What is the function of the cell wall?

Answer 5

The cell wall is made from cellulose which strengthens the cell.

Question 6

What is the function of the permanent vacuole?

Answer 6

The permanent vacuole is filled with cell sap (fluid) which helps to give the plant cell its shape

Question 7

What is the function of chloroplasts?

Answer 7

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the sites of protein synthesis.

Question 8

What is the function of ribosomes?

Answer 8

Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis.

Question 9

Where is the DNA located in Eukaryotic cells?

Answer 9

Eukaryotic cells have their DNA enclosed in the nucleus.

Question 10

Where is the DNA located in Prokaryotic cells?

Answer 10

Prokaryotic cells have their DNA suspended freely in the cytoplasm.

Question 11

Name an example of a Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cell.

Answer 11

Prokaryotic cell = Bacterial cell. Eukaryotic cell = Animal/Plant cell

Question 12

Name two differences between Prokaryotic cells and Eukaryotic cells.

Answer 12

Eukaryotic cells are multicellular, whereas Prokaryotic cells are simple celled. Prokaryotic cells are much smaller (and much simpler in structure) than Eukaryotic cells.

Question 13

What is the function of a sperm cell?

Answer 13

To swim to find the egg- to ensure fertilisation can occur

Question 14

What are the features of sperm cells?

Answer 14

They have a tail and lots of mitochondria

Question 15

What is the function of muscle cells?

Answer 15

To contract and relax to allow movement to parts of the human body (arms + legs)

Question 16

How are the features of muscle cells adapted to carry out their function?

Answer 16

The mitochondria makes lots of energy in respiration, making movement possible.

Question 17

What is the function of phloem cells?

Answer 17

To transport water and food (dissolved sugars- glucose) from the leaf to the root and vice versa.

Question 18

What are the features of phloem cells?

Answer 18

They have small holes called perforations at the end of each separate cell, limited cytoplasm.

Question 19

How are the features of phloem cells adapted to carry out their function?

Answer 19

The end walls of the vessel cell have pores called sieve plates. They also don’t have no nucleus

Question 20

What are the features of muscle cells?

Answer 20

They contain protein fibres which change length, when a muscle cell contracts these fibres shorten.

Question 21

How are the features of sperm cells adapted to carry out their function?

Answer 21

The tail allows them to swim, and the mitochondria provides the energy requisite for swimming.

Question 22

What is the function of root hair cells?

Answer 22

These reside at the bottom of plants, making contact with the soil in order to absorb water + mineral ions

Question 23

What are the features of root hair cells?

Answer 23

They have countless tiny root hairs around the edges of each root hair cell.

Question 24

How are the features of root hair cells adapted to carry out their function?

Answer 24

The masses of hairs provide a great surface area, allowing the absorption of mineral ions and water to be as efficient as possible. They are long and thin and therefore can fit between soil particles

Question 25

What is the function of xylem cells?

Answer 25

They ensure water can move through the tubes of roots and leaves of a plant

Question 26

What are the features of xylem cells?

Answer 26

They consist of long, thin tubes which join together

Question 27

How are the features of xylem cells adapted to carry out their function?

Answer 27

These tubes are long and thin, meaning water can move through these vessels with ease. The fact that they are hollow also provide substantial space for water.

Question 28

What is the function of nerve cells?

Answer 28

They carry electrical impulses throughout the body

Question 29

What are the features of nerve cells?

Answer 29

These nerve cells have branches of cytoplasm at the end of each cell, and have long fibres.

Question 30

How are the features of nerve cells adapted to carry out their function?

Answer 30

These branches facilitate communication with other nerve cells, allowing impulses to spread from one nerve cell to the next efficiently.

Question 31

What is the function of red blood cells?

Answer 31

To transport oxygen throughout the body for aerobic respiration

Question 32

What are the features of red blood cells?

Answer 32

1. They are small and flexible 2. They have a biconcave shape (flattened disc shape) 3. They have haemoglobin (a red protein that combines with oxygen) 4. They have no nucleus

Question 33

How are the features of red blood cells adapted to carry out their function?

Answer 33

1. Them being small and flexible allow them to fit through narrow blood vessels 2. This maximises their surface area to ensue in oxygen absorption occur more efficiently 4. The fact that they have no nucleus to contain as much haemoglobin as possible