Practise 41 exam-style questions on Animal and plant cells for AQA GCSE Biology. Write your answer as you would in the exam and get it marked in seconds against the mark scheme, point by point, with an AI tutor on hand if you get stuck.
41 questions
1–4 marks each
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20 questions, marked as you go
Sample questions with model answers
Here are 4 of the questions in this topic, each with a model answer, an explanation of why it earns the marks and the mark scheme an examiner would use.
Question 1
1 mark
Why are stains used when preparing microscope slides of cells? Give one reason.
Model answer
To increase contrast so organelles / structures become visible (eg nucleus or cell wall).
Explanation
Stains highlight different parts of cells, enhancing contrast and making organelles easier to see under a microscope.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Increase contrast / colour parts to see structures (eg nucleus, cell wall, chloroplasts)
Any correct reason about visibility/contrast.
Question 2
2 marks
Explain the difference between diffusion and active transport.
Model answer
Diffusion is passive movement down a concentration gradient (no energy); active transport moves substances against a gradient and requires energy (ATP) and carrier proteins.
Explanation
Diffusion relies on random motion and moves substances from high to low concentration without energy; active transport uses cellular energy to move substances from low to high concentration via transport proteins.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Diffusion = passive movement down a concentration gradient (no energy)
May include examples like oxygen.
1 mark
Active transport = movement against a concentration gradient requiring energy (ATP) and often carrier proteins
Either energy or movement against gradient must be mentioned.
Question 3
2 marks
Describe how you would distinguish a plant cell from an animal cell when looking at a slide under a light microscope.
Model answer
Look for a rigid cell wall and chloroplasts and a large central vacuole (plant); animal cells lack cell wall and chloroplasts and are more rounded.
Explanation
Plant cells have a cellulose cell wall and may show chloroplasts and large central vacuole; animal cells do not and are typically more rounded in shape.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Presence of cell wall / chloroplasts / large vacuole indicates plant cell
Any one correct indicator.
1 mark
Absence of wall/chloroplasts and rounded shape indicates animal cell
Second distinguishing feature required.
Question 4
3 marks
Describe how chloroplasts are adapted for their function in photosynthesis.
Model answer
Contain chlorophyll in thylakoid membranes arranged in stacks (grana) to increase surface area for light absorption; stroma contains enzymes for Calvin cycle; internal membranes house electron carriers for light-dependent reactions.
Explanation
Grana with chlorophyll maximise light capture and membrane area for light reactions; the stroma has enzymes for carbon fixation; internal structures support ATP and NADPH production and use.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Chlorophyll located in thylakoid membranes / grana; many membranes increase surface area
Surface area and pigment location.
1 mark
Stroma contains enzymes for carbohydrate synthesis (Calvin cycle)
Biochemical environment mention.
1 mark
Membranes contain electron transport chains and ATP synthase for light-dependent reactions
Energy transduction apparatus.
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