AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), 2023: Question 1

11 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Identify cell types, their organ systems, adaptations, and transport mechanisms including diffusion.

Practise this question

Question

A multi-part biology exam question about human cells. Question 01.1 asks to match a brain cell, red blood cell, and sperm cell to the circulatory, nervous, reproductive, or respiratory systems. Question 01.2 asks for an explanation of a sperm cell adaptation. Figure 1 shows a cell with oxygen molecules (represented by small circles) more concentrated outside than inside. Subsequent questions ask why it's not a plant cell, which part controls movement, the name of the transport process shown, and two other substances moving from blood into cells.
Question text

01 The human body is made of different types of cell.

01.1 Draw one line from each type of cell to the organ system where the cell is found.

[3 marks]

01.2 Explain one way a sperm cell is adapted for its function.

[2 marks]

Figure 1 shows a cell.

Oxygen molecules are shown inside and outside the cell.

Figure 1

01.3 Give one way you can tell that the cell in Figure 1 is not a plant cell.

[1 mark]

01.4 Which part of a cell controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Cell membrane

Cytoplasm

Nucleus 5

01.5 What is the name of the process that moves oxygen molecules into the

cell in Figure 1?

Give the reason for your answer.

[2 marks]

Tick ( ) one box.

Active transport

Diffusion

Osmosis

Reason

01.6 Name two substances that move into most cells in the body from the blood.

Do not refer to oxygen in your answer.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme for question 1, worth 11 marks total. 01.1 matches brain cell to nervous system, red blood cell to circulatory system, and sperm cell to reproductive system. 01.2 lists adaptations like a tail for swimming or mitochondria for energy. 01.3 identifies the absence of a cell wall, vacuole, or chloroplasts. 01.4 identifies the cell membrane. 01.5 identifies diffusion because the concentration of oxygen is higher outside the cell. 01.6 lists glucose, water, amino acids, fatty acids, glycerol, or mineral ions as substances moving into cells.

Question 1

AO /

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.1 AO2

4.1.1.3

4.2.1

1 4.2.2.2

4..2.2.3

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

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.2 has a tail allow has flagellum 1 AO1

4.1.1.2

(so) it can swim allow so it can move / travel 1 4.1.1.3

OR

has (many) mitochondria (1)

to transfer / release / energy (for allow for energy

sperm to swim) (1) do not accept energy is made /

produced / created

OR

has enzyme(s) (1)

to penetrate into the egg (1)

OR

is streamlined (1)

to swim faster (1)

OR

has 23 chromosomes (1)

to produce 46 chromosomes in

fertilised cell (1)

allow a correct adaptation (1)

and linked explanation (1)

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.3 any one from: 1 AO2

(cell in Figure 1) does not have 4.1.1.2

• a (cell) wall

• a (large) vacuole

• chloroplasts ignore chlorophyll

8 AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.4 cell membrane 1 AO1

4.1.1.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.5 diffusion 1 AO3

Reason: 1 AO2

concentration (of oxygen) is allow (oxygen moves) from a

greater outside the cell high concentration to a low 4.1.3.1

or concentration

concentration (of oxygen) is allow there is more (oxygen)

lower inside the cell outside the cell (than inside the

cell)

allow there is less (oxygen)

inside the cell (than outside the

cell)

ignore oxygen moves along a

concentration gradient

AO /

Spec. Ref.

ignore oxygen

01.6 any two from: 2 AO2

• glucose / sugar 4.1.3.1

• water allow H2O 4.2.2.1

• amino acids 4.2.2.3

• fatty acids 4.4.2.1

• glycerol 4.4.2.3

• mineral ions allow minerals / salts / vitamins /

hormones

allow named ion / mineral /

vitamin / hormone

ignore carbon dioxide

ignore urea

Total Question 1 11

How to answer it

Specialised Cells and Transport

What this question tests

This question assesses your ability to identify specialised cells and link them to organ systems. It also covers cell structures (organelles), the differences between animal and plant cells, and the process of diffusion.

Part (01.1) Matching Cells to Systems

Correct Matches

  • Brain cell → Nervous system
  • Red blood cell → Circulatory system
  • Sperm cell → Reproductive system

Exam Technique

The question asks for one line from each cell. If you draw two lines from one box, you will likely lose the mark for that cell, even if one of the lines is correct!

Award 1 mark for each correct line. (3 marks total)

Part (01.2) Sperm Cell Adaptations

Key Knowledge

Sperm cells are specialised for reproduction. Common adaptations include:

  • Tail (Flagellum): To allow the sperm to swim to the egg.
  • Mitochondria: To release energy for swimming.
  • Acrosome: Contains enzymes to digest the egg cell membrane.

Common Errors

Never say energy is "made" or "produced". In biology, energy is released or transferred during respiration in the mitochondria.

1 mark for the adaptation (e.g., has a tail) + 1 mark for the reason (e.g., so it can swim).

Part (01.3 & 01.4) Cell Structures

01.3: Not a Plant Cell

You can tell Figure 1 is an animal cell because it does not have:

  • A cell wall
  • A permanent vacuole
  • Chloroplasts

01.4: Controlling Movement

The cell membrane is the part that controls which substances enter and leave the cell.

Part (01.5) Diffusion

Moving oxygen into the cell

The Process

The process is Diffusion. This is the spreading out of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Using the Diagram

Look at Figure 1. Count the dots (oxygen molecules). There are many more dots outside the cell than inside. This is your "reason" for the answer.

Don't Mix Them Up!

  • Diffusion: Gases/Solutes (High to Low).
  • Osmosis: Water only.
  • Active Transport: Needs energy (Low to High).
1 mark for "Diffusion" + 1 mark for "higher concentration outside the cell".

Part (01.6) Substances from the Blood

What else do cells need?

Apart from oxygen, cells need nutrients for growth and energy. Correct answers include:

  • Glucose (Sugar)
  • Water (H₂O)
  • Amino acids (to make proteins)
  • Mineral ions (e.g., Iron, Magnesium)

What to avoid

The question says "Do not refer to oxygen". Also, do not list Carbon Dioxide or Urea, as these move out of the cells into the blood as waste products.

Award 1 mark for each correct substance. (2 marks total)

Topics

Biology · B1: Cell Biology · B2: Organisation

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.