Cell Structure and Function (Structured Question 1 & 2)

Question 1:
Diagram below shows a plant cell as seen under an electron microscope.

(a)(i) On the diagram, label the structures A, B, C and D. (2 marks)

(a)(ii) State the function of structure A and structure D. (2 marks)

(b) Explain the role of C to maintain cell turgidity. (2 marks)

(c) Every somatic cell which contains structure B has a potential to form a complete new organism.

(i) Name the technique used to produce new plants in large quantities. (1 mark)

(ii) By using one suitable part of the plant, explain the technique in (c)(i). (4 marks)

Answer:

(a)(i)

A: Chloroplast

B: Nucleus

C: Vacuole

D: Golgi apparatus
(a)(ii)

A: Absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

D: Collects chemical produced and pack them in a membrane to form secretory granules.

(b)

– Maintain the osmotic concentration of the cell sap.

– If the cell is flaccid, more water will enter the cell by osmosis.

(c)(i)

Culture tissue / Cloning

(c)(ii)

– Use shoot / root / meristem issue

– Wash and treat with the sterilizing agent hydrogen peroxide.

– The tissue or explant is cultured in a nutrient medium, at a suitable temperature and pH value.

– Cells divide by mitosis to form a callus.

– The callus differentiates to form a clone.

Question 2:
Diagram below shows the structure of an animal cell.
(a)(i) On the diagram, label the structures R and T. (2 marks)

(a)(ii) Explain the function of the chromosomes. (2 marks)

(b) Explain what will happen to the production of extracellular enzymes if the Golgi apparatus and T are
absent. (4 marks)

(c) Explain why the sperm cells contain more mitochondria. (2 marks)

(d) Explain why lysosomes help in eliminating damaged organelles in the cells. (2 marks)

Answer:

(a)(i)

R: Plasma membrane

T: Rough endoplasmic reticulum

(a)(ii)

Chromosomes carry genetic material which is transferred from the parent to the offspring.

(b)

If T (the rough endoplasmic reticulum) is absent, there will be less ribosomes in the cells. Only the free
ribosomes in the cytoplasm will synthesise proteins/ enzymes. Without the Golgi apparatus, enzymes
which are proteins cannot be packaged or processed to be transported out of the cell.

(c)

Sperm cells need a large amount of energy so that it can swim towards the uterus for fertilization.

(d)

Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes/ lysosomes which will digest/ hydrolyse damages organelles,
absorb the useful nutrients and eliminate the waste.

Cell Organisation (Structured Question 1 & 2)

(Structured Question 1 & 2)

April 10, 2014 by

Question 1:
Diagram below shows four levels of cell organization in humans.
(a) Complete Table below by naming Level 2 and Level 3. [2 marks]
(b)(i) The cells undergo process P to become specific cells that perform a
specific function.
Name process P. [1 mark]

(ii) What is the function of the structure in level 2? [1 mark]

(iii) The structure in level 4 is one of the body systems.

Name this system. [1 mark]

(iv) State one function of the system in (b)(iii). [1 mark]

(c)(i) Name and explain the condition which can cause a blockage in blood
vessel W. [3 marks]

(ii) A person is suffering from the condition in (c)(i).

State three effects on the person’s health. [3 marks]

Answer:
(a)
Level 2: Tissue
Level 3: Organ

(b)(i)
Process P: Differentiation

(b)(ii)
Function: able to contract and relax to pump the blood

(b)(iii)
Blood circulatory system

(b)(iv)
Transport oxygen, nutrients and antibodies

(c)(i)
Thrombosis – Deposition of cholesterol inside the lumen of a blood vessel which
clogs the blood vessel.
Or
Embolism – Movement of cholesterol inside a blood vessel which clogs the blood
vessel and leads to thrombosis.
Or
Arteriosclerosis – Deposition of cholesterol/ fat/ calcium inside the lumen of a
blood vessel which cause narrowing of the lumen and leads to clogging.

(c)(ii)
1. Chest pain
2. Stroke
3. Heart attacks

3.4.1 The Movement of Substances Across the Plasma Membrane (Structured Question 1 & 2)
(a) In Diagram I. label the following structures:
1. Phospholipid bilayer, with letter R
2. Carrier protein, with letter S [2 marks]

(b) State two characteristics of the phospholipid bilayer. [2 marks]

(c) Name the process of the movement of substances across the plasma
membrane as shown in Diagram I and Diagram II. [2 marks]
(d)(i) Glucose molecules are transported across the plasma membrane into the
cell through the process shown in Diagram I. Explain why. [2 marks]
(ii) If the substances in Diagram II are calcium ions, describe how they are
transported into the cell. [4 marks]

Answer:
(a)
(b)
1. It consists of hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails
2. The hydrophilic heads are facing the exterior and the interior of the cell
3. The bilayer is dynamic/ not static
(Choose any 2)

(c)
Process in Diagram I – Facilitated diffusion
Process in Diagram II – Active transport
(d)(i)
1. Glucose consists of uncharged large sized molecules which cannot pass
through the phospholipid bilayer.
2. It needs a specific carrier protein to transport it across the phospholipid
bilayer.

(d)(ii)
1. By active transport – The movement of calcium ions is against the
concentration gradient
2. And it needs energy which is produced by cellular respiration ( in the form
of ATP molecules)
3. Carrier proteins bind with the calcium ions and change their shape, thus
carrying the ions across the plasma membrane.
3.4.2 The Movement of Substances Across the Plasma Membrane in Everyday Life (Structured Question
1 & 2)

Question 1:
Diagram I and Diagram II show the movement of substances P and Q across the
plasma membrane respectively. The movement of P needs energy but the
movement of Q does not.
(a) Name the processes involved in the movement of P and Q. (2 marks)

(b)(i) Name one example of P and Q. (2 marks)

(b)(ii) Describe the movement of Q shown in Diagram II. (2 marks)
(c) Diagram III shows the condition of a plant cell before and after being
immersed in a type of solution. (3 marks)
Explain the condition of the cell after being immersed in the solution.

(d) A housewife makes mango pickles by immersing mango slices in a

concentrated sugar solution.
State one advantage and two disadvantages of the method used, compared to
storing fresh mangoes. (3 marks)
Answer:
(a)
P: Active transport
Q: Simple diffusion

(b)(i)
P: Nitrate
Q: Oxygen

(b)(ii)
The partial pressure of Q is higher in the alveolus than in the blood capillary. As
a result, Q diffuses into the blood capillary following the concentration gradient.
(c)

The plasma membrane is pulled away from the cell wall, the vacuole becomes small, as a result the cell
becomes flaccid and plasmolysis occurs.

(d)
Advantage: It keeps food for longer period.

Disadvantages:

1. The sugar content of the food is too high.

2. Some of the nutrients such as vitamin C are lost.

Question 2:
Diagram I below shows a plant cell that has been immersed in 30% sucrose
solution.

(a)(i) On the diagram, label P and Q. (2 marks)

(a)(ii) Name the solution which filled the space between the cell wall and P.
Explain how the solution filled the space. (2 marks)

(b) The plant cell in the Diagram has undergone plasmolysis.

Explain how this happened. (2 marks)
(c) Diagram II and III below show the condition of two plants which are added
with fertilizer. The plant in Diagram III is added with excess fertilizer.
Explain the condition of the plant in Diagram III. (3 marks)
(d) Diagram IV shows a method of preserving vegetables.

Explain the method used. (3 marks)

Answer:

(a)(i)

P – Plasma membrane

Q – Vacuole
(a)(ii)

Solution: Sucrose solution

Explanation: Cell wall is permeable to allow sucrose solution to pass through and fill up the spaces.

(b)

When water molecules diffuse out of the large vacuole by osmosis, the plasma membrane will be pulled
away from the cell wall. The cytoplasm shrinks due to osmosis.

(c)

Excess fertilizer will cause the soil water to be hypertonic towards the root hair cells. As a result, water
from the root hair cells diffuses out to the soil by osmosis. The cells become plasmolysed and this leads
to wilting.

(d)

Salting – Concentrated salt solution is used to soak vegetables, The hypertonic solution causes vegetable
tissues to be dehydrated. Microorganisms lose water by osmosis and cannot live without water.