Mark Scheme

Review 1
Q1) List 3 main differences between a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell

(3 marks)

For 3 marks, any three of the following must be mentioned:

(1) Prokaryotic cells are small while eukaryotic cells are large
(1) Prokaryotic cells dont have a cytoskeleton while eukaryotic cells always do
(1) Prokaryotic cells are always unicellular whereas eukaryotic cells are mostly multi-cellular
(1) Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane bound organelles while eukaryotic cells do
(1) Prokaryotic cells divide by binary fission while in eukaryotic cells they divide by meiosis or
mitosis
Q2) What is the biological function of lysosomes in the cell?

(5 marks)

For 5 marks, any of the following points should be mentioned;

(1) Tiny sacs filled with fluid containing enzymes (i.e. Proteins that act as biological catalysts)
(1) Enable the cell to process its nutrients and are also responsible for destroying the cell after it
has died.
(1) Main sites of digestion, which is the break-down of structures, within cells
(1) Release enzymes outside of the cell (exocytosis)
which may serve the purpose of destroying materials around the cell.
(1) break-down 'digestion' of materials from inside the cell (autophagy)
i.e. By fusing with vacuoles from inside the cell.
(2) This could include digesting worn-out organelles so that useful chemicals locked-up in their
structures can be re-used by the cell
Q3) Name two types of electron microscopes and state their differences.

(2 marks)

(1) Scanning Electron Microscope and Transmission Electron Microscope

(1) SEM produces 3D images while TEM produces only 2D images or SEM uses scattered
electrons whilst TEM uses transmitted electrons or SEM focuses on the samples surface and
its composition, on the other hand, TEM seeks to see what is inside or beyond the surface or
SEM also shows the sample bit by bit while TEM shows the sample as a whole
ACCEPT: SEM and TEM. For full 2 marks, names of the electron microscopes must be given.

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Review 2
Q4) Which stage of mitosis is seen in the pictured cell?

(1 mark)

(1) Anaphase
Q5) What is the stage of the cell cycle where each chromosome is composed of two chromatids in
preparation for mitosis?
(1 mark)
(1) Interphase

Q6) Describe the stages of mitosis in animal cells.

(6 mark)

For the full 6 marks, any of the following points should be mentioned:
(1) Mitosis is the cell division of somatic cells.
(1) Prophase- Chromosomes become visible in the center of cell and the centrioles separate and
begin forming a spindle fiber apparatus. Nucleus begins to disappear
(1) Metaphase- Centrioles are opposite poles, replicated chromosomes line up at equator and
spindle fibres attach to centromeres that hold chromatids together.
(1) Anaphase- Pulls apart. The spindle fibres shorten and pull chromatids to opposite poles.
(1) Telophase- Chromosomes reach opposite poles of cell, reversal of many prophase events
occurs, chromosomes uncoil & decondense to become threadlike chromatin & a nuclear
envelope forms around chromosomes.
(1) Cytokinesis- cytoplasmic division, a cleavage furrow forms as cell membrane pinches inward.
DO NOT ACCEPT interphase as it is not part of mitosis but rather is a part of the cell cycle (cell
growth)

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Review 3

Q7) Describe how meiosis creates genetic variation in humans.

(4 marks)

(1) Independent assortment

(1) (Explaining independent assortment) homologous pairs of chromosomes can align in many
different ways and in any random order.
(1) Crossing Over
(1) (Explaining crossing over) before homologous pairs are separated, the exchange a small
portion of genetic material.

Q8) Name two ways in which meiosis differs from mitosis.

(2 marks)

Any 2 of the following:

(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Meiosis produces four daughter cells while mitosis produces two

Daughter cells in meiosis are haploid whereas those of mitosis are diploid
Meiosis only occurs in gametes, mitosis occurs in somatic cells
Meiosis has two stages of cell division whereas mitosis has only one stage of cell division

Q9) Why is it important that gametes are haploid rather than diploid?
(1) When nuclei of spermatozoa and ovum fuse
(1) They will form a complete set of 23 pairs/46 chromosomes

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(2 marks)