GCSE BIOLOGY (AQA) EXAM REVISION QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST 2025 UPDATE.
Microscope - ANSWER- an optical instrument used for viewing very small objects, such as
mineral samples or animal or plant cells, typically magnified several hundred times.
Fine focus - ANSWER- Knob that allows you to make fine focusing adjustments. (small knob)
Objective - ANSWER- the lens at the bottom near the sample
Eyepiece - ANSWER- A lens that magnifies the image formed by the objective.
Course focus - ANSWER- used to make big changes in focus (large knob)
Magnification - ANSWER- = size of the image/size of real object
Resolving power - ANSWER- A measure of the clarity of an image; the ability of an optical
instrument to show two objects as separate.
Cell - ANSWER- the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms
Algae - ANSWER- Grow in soil, on trees and on the bodies of turtles and frogs; smallest of all
green plants
Cytoplasm - ANSWER- A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended,
where many chemical reactions take place.
,Cell membrane - ANSWER- A cell structure that controls which substances can enter or leave
the cell.
Mitochondria - ANSWER- An organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which the
biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur.
Ribosome - ANSWER- Cytoplasmic organelles at which proteins are synthesised.
Cell wall - ANSWER- A rigid layer of nonliving material that surrounds the cells of plants and
some other organisms.
Cellulose - ANSWER- A substance (made of sugars) that is common in the cell walls of many
organisms
Chloroplast - ANSWER- An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis
occurs
Chlorophyll - ANSWER- A green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plants, algae, and some
bacteria
Vacuole - ANSWER- Cell organelle that stores materials such as water, salts, proteins, and
carbohydrates
Cytoskeleton - ANSWER- (A-Level)
A network of fibers that holds the cell together, helps the cell to keep its shape, and aids in
movement
Golgi apparatus - ANSWER- (A-Level)
An organelle found in eukaryotic cells responsible for the final stages of processing proteins for
release by the cell.
,Rough endoplasmic reticulum - ANSWER- (A-Level)
System of internal membranes within the cytoplasm. Membranes are rough due to the presence of
ribosomes. Functions in transport of substances such as proteins within the cytoplasm
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum - ANSWER- (A-Level)
Part of the endoplasmic reticulum that contains enzymes used for all sorts of processes
Photosynthesis - ANSWER- Conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy.
6CO2 + 6H2O + light --> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Glucose - ANSWER- A simple sugar that is an important source of energy.
Eukaryotes - ANSWER- Organisms whose cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus and other
organelles
Prokaryotes - ANSWER- Cells that have no internal membranes or internal organelles, like
nuclei or mitochondria.
Bacteria - ANSWER- Constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a
few micrometres in length, they have a number of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals.
Plasmids - ANSWER- Small rings of DNA found naturally in some bacterial cells in addition
to the main bacterial chromosome. Can contain genes for antibiotic resistance or other
"contingency" functions.
DNA - ANSWER- A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the
chromosomes.
, Flagella - ANSWER- A long, whip-like filament that helps in cell movement. Many bacteria
are flagellated, and sperm are flagellated.
Neuron - ANSWER- A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.
Axon - ANSWER- A threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from
the cell body.
Dendrites - ANSWER- A neuron's bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and
conduct impulses toward the cell body.
Myelin sheath - ANSWER- A layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many
neurons; insulates the cell and enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the
impulse hops from one node to the next.
Synapse - ANSWER- A junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to the next.
Striated muscle cells - ANSWER- These cells are made up of fibres and can be much larger
than normal animal cells, with lengths up to 300mm; they can also be multi-nucleated. Combine
to make muscle tissue.
Sperm - ANSWER- Male sex cell or gamete.
Acrosome - ANSWER- A vesicle at the tip of a sperm cell that contains digestive enzymes to
help the sperm penetrate the egg
Specialisation - ANSWER- The structural adaption of a cell to suit a particular function (Eg:
Red blood cells have no nucleus to make room for space to carry oxygen).
Tissue - ANSWER- A group of similar cells that perform the same function.
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST 2025 UPDATE.
Microscope - ANSWER- an optical instrument used for viewing very small objects, such as
mineral samples or animal or plant cells, typically magnified several hundred times.
Fine focus - ANSWER- Knob that allows you to make fine focusing adjustments. (small knob)
Objective - ANSWER- the lens at the bottom near the sample
Eyepiece - ANSWER- A lens that magnifies the image formed by the objective.
Course focus - ANSWER- used to make big changes in focus (large knob)
Magnification - ANSWER- = size of the image/size of real object
Resolving power - ANSWER- A measure of the clarity of an image; the ability of an optical
instrument to show two objects as separate.
Cell - ANSWER- the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms
Algae - ANSWER- Grow in soil, on trees and on the bodies of turtles and frogs; smallest of all
green plants
Cytoplasm - ANSWER- A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended,
where many chemical reactions take place.
,Cell membrane - ANSWER- A cell structure that controls which substances can enter or leave
the cell.
Mitochondria - ANSWER- An organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which the
biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur.
Ribosome - ANSWER- Cytoplasmic organelles at which proteins are synthesised.
Cell wall - ANSWER- A rigid layer of nonliving material that surrounds the cells of plants and
some other organisms.
Cellulose - ANSWER- A substance (made of sugars) that is common in the cell walls of many
organisms
Chloroplast - ANSWER- An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis
occurs
Chlorophyll - ANSWER- A green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plants, algae, and some
bacteria
Vacuole - ANSWER- Cell organelle that stores materials such as water, salts, proteins, and
carbohydrates
Cytoskeleton - ANSWER- (A-Level)
A network of fibers that holds the cell together, helps the cell to keep its shape, and aids in
movement
Golgi apparatus - ANSWER- (A-Level)
An organelle found in eukaryotic cells responsible for the final stages of processing proteins for
release by the cell.
,Rough endoplasmic reticulum - ANSWER- (A-Level)
System of internal membranes within the cytoplasm. Membranes are rough due to the presence of
ribosomes. Functions in transport of substances such as proteins within the cytoplasm
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum - ANSWER- (A-Level)
Part of the endoplasmic reticulum that contains enzymes used for all sorts of processes
Photosynthesis - ANSWER- Conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy.
6CO2 + 6H2O + light --> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Glucose - ANSWER- A simple sugar that is an important source of energy.
Eukaryotes - ANSWER- Organisms whose cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus and other
organelles
Prokaryotes - ANSWER- Cells that have no internal membranes or internal organelles, like
nuclei or mitochondria.
Bacteria - ANSWER- Constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a
few micrometres in length, they have a number of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals.
Plasmids - ANSWER- Small rings of DNA found naturally in some bacterial cells in addition
to the main bacterial chromosome. Can contain genes for antibiotic resistance or other
"contingency" functions.
DNA - ANSWER- A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the
chromosomes.
, Flagella - ANSWER- A long, whip-like filament that helps in cell movement. Many bacteria
are flagellated, and sperm are flagellated.
Neuron - ANSWER- A nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system.
Axon - ANSWER- A threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from
the cell body.
Dendrites - ANSWER- A neuron's bushy, branching extensions that receive messages and
conduct impulses toward the cell body.
Myelin sheath - ANSWER- A layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many
neurons; insulates the cell and enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the
impulse hops from one node to the next.
Synapse - ANSWER- A junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to the next.
Striated muscle cells - ANSWER- These cells are made up of fibres and can be much larger
than normal animal cells, with lengths up to 300mm; they can also be multi-nucleated. Combine
to make muscle tissue.
Sperm - ANSWER- Male sex cell or gamete.
Acrosome - ANSWER- A vesicle at the tip of a sperm cell that contains digestive enzymes to
help the sperm penetrate the egg
Specialisation - ANSWER- The structural adaption of a cell to suit a particular function (Eg:
Red blood cells have no nucleus to make room for space to carry oxygen).
Tissue - ANSWER- A group of similar cells that perform the same function.
