AQA A-LEVEL BIOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2025/2026.
Describe eukaryotic cells - ANS They are complex cells and include all animal and plant cells,
as well as all algae and fungi cells.
What does it mean if a organism is eukaryotic? - ANS It is a multi-cellular organism that is
made up of eukaryotic cells.
What is an organelle? - ANS A part of a cell that plays a specific role.
Name the organelles you might find in an animal cell - ANS 1)Plasma cell surface membrane
2)Rough/smooth endoplasmic reticulum
3)nucleus (nucleolus)
4)lysosome
5)ribosome
6)Golgi apparatus
7)cytoplasm
8)mitochondrion
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Name the organelles you might find in a plant cell - ANS 1)Plasma cell surface membrane
2)cellulose wall
3)chloroplast
4)rough/smooth endoplasmic reticulum
5)mitochondrion
6)Golgi apparatus
7)vacuole
8)cytoplasm
9)nucleus
10) ribosome
How are algal cells similar to plant cells? - ANS They have the same organelles.
How are fungal cells different to plant cells? - ANS Their cell walls are made of chitin, not
cellulose.
They don't have chloroplasts because they don't need to photosynthesise
Describe the cell surface plasma membrane.
Outline the functions. - ANS It is found on the inside of cells that also have a cell wall (plants),
and is mainly made up of lipids and proteins.
It controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. It also has receptor molecules on
it, to allow it to respond to chemicals like hormones.
Name the components of the nucleus - ANS 1)nucleolus
2)nuclear envelope
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, 3)nucleoplasm
4)nuclear pores
5)chromatin
Describe the nucleus.
Outline the functions. - ANS A large organelle surrounded by a nuclear envelope which
contains many pores. The nucleus contains chromosomes.
The nucleus controls the cell's activities by controlling the transcription of DNA. The pores allow
substances to move between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The nucleolus makes ribosomes.
Describe mitochondrion.
Outline the functions. - ANS They are usually oval-shaped and have a double membrane. The
inner membrane is folded to form structures called cristae. Inside is the matrix, which contains
enzymes involved in respiration.
The site of aerobic respiration, where ATP is produced. They are found in large numbers in cells
that are very active and require a lot of energy.
Describe the structure of chloroplasts.
Outline the functions. - ANS A small, flattened structure found in plant and algal cells. It is
surrounded by a double membrane, and has membrane inside called thylakoid membranes.
They are stacked up in some parts to form grana. Grana are linked together by lamellae.
The site where photosynthesis takes place. Some parts happen in the grana, and other parts
happen in the stroma. (thick fluid found in chloroplasts)
Describe the structure of the Golgi apparatus.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2025/2026.
Describe eukaryotic cells - ANS They are complex cells and include all animal and plant cells,
as well as all algae and fungi cells.
What does it mean if a organism is eukaryotic? - ANS It is a multi-cellular organism that is
made up of eukaryotic cells.
What is an organelle? - ANS A part of a cell that plays a specific role.
Name the organelles you might find in an animal cell - ANS 1)Plasma cell surface membrane
2)Rough/smooth endoplasmic reticulum
3)nucleus (nucleolus)
4)lysosome
5)ribosome
6)Golgi apparatus
7)cytoplasm
8)mitochondrion
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Name the organelles you might find in a plant cell - ANS 1)Plasma cell surface membrane
2)cellulose wall
3)chloroplast
4)rough/smooth endoplasmic reticulum
5)mitochondrion
6)Golgi apparatus
7)vacuole
8)cytoplasm
9)nucleus
10) ribosome
How are algal cells similar to plant cells? - ANS They have the same organelles.
How are fungal cells different to plant cells? - ANS Their cell walls are made of chitin, not
cellulose.
They don't have chloroplasts because they don't need to photosynthesise
Describe the cell surface plasma membrane.
Outline the functions. - ANS It is found on the inside of cells that also have a cell wall (plants),
and is mainly made up of lipids and proteins.
It controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. It also has receptor molecules on
it, to allow it to respond to chemicals like hormones.
Name the components of the nucleus - ANS 1)nucleolus
2)nuclear envelope
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, 3)nucleoplasm
4)nuclear pores
5)chromatin
Describe the nucleus.
Outline the functions. - ANS A large organelle surrounded by a nuclear envelope which
contains many pores. The nucleus contains chromosomes.
The nucleus controls the cell's activities by controlling the transcription of DNA. The pores allow
substances to move between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The nucleolus makes ribosomes.
Describe mitochondrion.
Outline the functions. - ANS They are usually oval-shaped and have a double membrane. The
inner membrane is folded to form structures called cristae. Inside is the matrix, which contains
enzymes involved in respiration.
The site of aerobic respiration, where ATP is produced. They are found in large numbers in cells
that are very active and require a lot of energy.
Describe the structure of chloroplasts.
Outline the functions. - ANS A small, flattened structure found in plant and algal cells. It is
surrounded by a double membrane, and has membrane inside called thylakoid membranes.
They are stacked up in some parts to form grana. Grana are linked together by lamellae.
The site where photosynthesis takes place. Some parts happen in the grana, and other parts
happen in the stroma. (thick fluid found in chloroplasts)
Describe the structure of the Golgi apparatus.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
