AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), 2021: Question 1

15 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Identify cell types and structures, explain muscle cell adaptations, and calculate magnification using a provided formula.

Practise this question

Question

A multi-part GCSE biology question. Part 1.1 asks to match 'Animal', 'Bacterium', and 'Plant' to four cell diagrams. Part 1.2 asks to match functions like 'Contains genetic information' to structures like 'Nucleus'. Part 1.3 is a gap-fill about biological molecules like urea, glycogen, starch, and cellulose. Part 1.4 and 1.5 show a diagram of muscle cells with mitochondria and ask for their function and adaptation. Part 1.6 provides a magnification formula and asks for a calculation using an image width of 2 mm and a real width of 0.05 mm.
Question text

01 Cells are the building blocks of life.

01.1 Draw one line from each type of organism to the diagram of one of its cells.

[3 marks]

Type of organism Diagram of one cell

Animal

Bacterium

Plant

01.2 Cells contain structures. These structures have different functions.

Draw one line from each function to the correct structure.

[3 marks]

Function Structure

Cell membrane

Contains genetic information

Cell wall

Controls what enters and leaves a cell

Chloroplast

Where photosynthesis happens

4 Nucleus

01.3 Chemicals are produced in cells.

Complete the sentences.

Choose answers from the box.

[4 marks]

cellulose DNA glycogen starch urea

A chemical excreted by animals is .

A chemical stored in animal cells is .

A chemical stored in plant cells is .

A chemical that strengthens plant cell walls is .

Figure 1 shows a diagram of muscle cells.

Figure 1

01.4 Give one function of muscle cells.

[1 mark]

01.5 Explain how muscle cells are adapted for their function.

Use Figure 1.

[2 marks]

01.6 One muscle cell was 0.05 mm wide.

When viewed using a microscope the image of the muscle cell was 2 mm wide.

Calculate the magnification used to view the cell.

Use the equation:

width of image

magnification =

width of real cell

[2 marks]

Magnification = ×

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme provides the correct matching for cell types and functions. It lists the correct sequence for the gap-fill: urea, glycogen, starch, cellulose. For muscle cells, it accepts movement or contraction as functions and explains that mitochondria release energy for this. The calculation marks are awarded for the substitution 2 / 0.05 and the final answer of 40.

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.1 AO1

4.1.1.1

4.1.1.2

do not accept more than one line from a box on the left

01.2 AO1

1 4.1.1.2

4.1.2.1

4.1.3.1

1 4.4.1.1

do not accept more than one line from a box on the left

must be in this order

01.3 urea 1 AO1

4.1.1.2

glycogen 1 4.4.1.3

4.4.2.3

starch 1

cellulose 1

01.4 any one from: 1 AO1

4.1.1.3

• (to cause) movement allow example of movement 4.4.2.2

• to contract / shorten ignore to relax / expand

ignore references to strength /

energy / power

01.5 (many) mitochondria 1 AO2

4.1.1.2

to transfer / release (a lot of) allow (mitochondria) for 1 4.1.1.3

energy respiration 4.4.2.1

do not accept to produce / make

/ create energy

ignore reference to the shape /

strength of the cells

01.6 0.05 1 AO2

4.1.1.5

RPA 1

(×) 40 do not accept if a unit is given 1

Total 15

How to answer it

Cell Biology: Structures, Functions, and Magnification

What this question tests

This question assesses your ability to identify different cell types (eukaryotic vs prokaryotic), recall the functions of specific organelles, identify biological molecules used for storage and structure, and perform a standard magnification calculation.

Part 01.1

Identifying Cell Types

Matching organisms to their cellular diagrams

Key Knowledge

  • Animal cells: Irregular shape, no cell wall, nucleus present.
  • Plant cells: Fixed shape, cell wall, large permanent vacuole, chloroplasts.
  • Bacteria: Much smaller, no nucleus (DNA is loose), often have a tail (flagellum).

Correct Matches

  • Animal → 3rd diagram (circular/irregular shape with nucleus).
  • Bacterium → 1st diagram (pill-shaped with flagella and loose DNA).
  • Plant → 2nd diagram (rectangular with cell wall and vacuole).
Award 1 mark for each correct line. Total: 3 marks.
Part 01.2

Organelle Functions

Matching what a structure does to its name

Exam Technique

Read the function first, then find the structure. If you are unsure, use the process of elimination. For example, "photo" in photosynthesis always links to "chloro" in chloroplast.

Correct Matches

  • Contains genetic information → Nucleus
  • Controls what enters and leaves → Cell membrane
  • Where photosynthesis happens → Chloroplast

Common Error

Students often confuse the Cell Membrane (controls entry/exit) with the Cell Wall (provides strength and support). The wall is a rigid outer layer; the membrane is the "gatekeeper."

Part 01.3

Chemicals in Cells

Biological molecules and waste products

Correct Answers (In Order)

  1. A chemical excreted by animals is urea.
  2. A chemical stored in animal cells is glycogen.
  3. A chemical stored in plant cells is starch.
  4. A chemical that strengthens plant cell walls is cellulose.

Quick Recall

Plants and animals both store glucose, but in different forms. Think: Plants = Starch (PS), Animals = Glycogen (AG).

Parts 01.4 & 01.5

Muscle Cell Adaptations

Linking structure to specialized function

01.4 Function

To contract or shorten to cause movement.

01.5 Adaptation

Muscle cells have many mitochondria to release/transfer energy for contraction.

❌ The "Energy" Trap

Never write that mitochondria "make," "produce," or "create" energy. Energy cannot be created. You must use the words release or transfer via respiration.

Part 01.6

Calculating Magnification

Using the I / AM triangle

Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Identify the values: Image width = 2 mm, Real width = 0.05 mm.
  2. Check Units: Both are in mm, so no conversion is needed!
  3. Apply Formula: Magnification = Image ÷ Real
  4. Calculate: 2 ÷ 0.05 = 40

Examiner Commentary

Top marks are awarded for showing the working (2 / 0.05). Even if you make a calculator error, you can still get 1 mark for the correct substitution.

Common Error

Do not add a unit (like "mm") to your final answer. Magnification is a ratio, so it is just a number (e.g., × 40).

1 mark for substitution (2 / 0.05), 1 mark for the correct answer (40). Total: 2 marks.

Topics

Biology · B1: Cell Biology · B2: Organisation · B4: Bioenergetics

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), 2021. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.