Exam-style questions

Question 1

Describe the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

Answer 1

Prokaryotic cells lack:
a (true) nucleus/nuclear membrane (1)
membrane bound organelles i.e. mitochondria (1)
rough endoplasmic reticulum (1)

Prokaryotes are single-celled (1)

Eukaryotic cells:
lack a (peptidoglycan) cell wall (1)
do not reproduce by binary fission (1)
lack plasmids (1)

Eukaryotic cells are multicellular (1)

Question 2

Explain how natural selection could lead to the evolution of a new species in a new environment

Answer 2

Different environments have different selection/competition pressures (1)
Variation occurs (during fertilization/meiosis) (1)
Mutations within populations occur (1)
Competition for survival/resources (1)
Best adapted organisms more likely to survive (1)
The organisms that survive pass on their alleles (1)
Changes enhanced over generations (leading to a new species) (1)