AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2025: Question 1

11 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Identify cell structures in a muscle cell and bacterial cell, describe cell functions, state stem cell types and processes, and evaluate methods of producing blood cells.

Practise this question

Question

Question 1 consists of parts 01.1 through 01.8 spanning two pages. Figure 1 shows a muscle cell diagram with labels A (nucleus), B (cell membrane), C (cytoplasm), and D (mitochondrion). Part 01.1 asks to match 'Cytoplasm' and 'Nucleus' to their corresponding letter labels. Parts 01.2 and 01.3 ask for the function of the nucleus and which part controls the entry of substances. Figure 2 shows a diagram of a bacterium. Part 01.4 asks to classify the bacterial cell from three options. Part 01.5 asks to select two features of bacterial cells from a list of five checkboxes. Part 01.6 asks for the type of stem cells found in bone marrow, and 01.7 asks which process produces stem cells. Table 1 compares blood cells produced from stem cells in a laboratory against blood cells from blood donation, followed by part 01.8 asking for two reasons supporting why laboratory stem cells are better for transfusion.
Question text

01 This question is about cells.

Figure 1 shows a muscle cell.

Figure 1

01.1 The nucleus and cytoplasm are parts of a muscle cell.

Draw one line from each part of the muscle cell to the correct label from Figure 1.

[2 marks]

01.2 What is the function of the nucleus?

[1 mark]

01.3 What part of a cell controls the movement of substances into the cell?

[1 mark]

Figure 2 shows a bacterial cell.

Figure 2

01.4 What type of cell is the bacterial cell in Figure 2?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A fungal cell

A prokaryotic cell

A sperm cell

01.5 Which are two features of bacterial cells?

[2 marks]

Tick ( ) two boxes.

Bacterial cells are larger than animal cells.

Bacterial cells contain a loop of DNA.

Bacterial cells contain a nucleus.

Bacterial cells contain chloroplasts.

Bacterial cells have a cell wall. 5

Stem cells are cells that are not specialised.

Stem cells can be collected from human bone marrow.

01.6 What type of stem cells are found in bone marrow?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Adult stem cells

Embryonic stem cells

Meristem cells

01.7 Which process produces stem cells in humans?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Digestion

Mitosis

Respiration 6

01.8 Stem cells can be used to produce blood cells.

A blood transfusion is when a patient is given blood cells.

Table 1 compares two different methods of providing blood cells that can be given to

a patient.

Table 1

Blood cells produced Blood cells from a

from stem cells in a laboratory blood donation

• A small sample of blood is • 470 cm3 of blood is collected

taken from a person. from a person.

*05•*All of the new blood cells can • The cells can function for

function for 120 days. between 1 and 120 days.

• The stem cells from the blood

sample can produce unlimited

quantities of blood cells.

A scientist stated:

‘Blood cells produced from stem cells are better to use for a blood transfusion than

blood cells from a donation.’

Suggest two reasons that support the scientist’s statement.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for Question 1 detailing parts 01.1 to 01.8. 01.1 gives 1 mark for Cytoplasm connected to C and 1 mark for Nucleus connected to A. 01.2 awards 1 mark for carrying DNA or controlling the cell. 01.3 awards 1 mark for cell membrane (or B). 01.4 gives 1 mark for 'a prokaryotic cell'. 01.5 gives 2 marks for 'bacterial cells contain a loop of DNA' and 'bacterial cells have a cell wall'. 01.6 gives 1 mark for 'adult stem cells'. 01.7 gives 1 mark for 'mitosis'. 01.8 awards 2 marks for any two comparative points from Table 1, such as smaller sample needed, cells last longer, unlimited quantities produced, or lower infection risk. Total marks: 11.

AO /

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.1 AO1

4.1.1.2

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

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.2 any one from: 1 AO1

4.1.1.2

• carries / contains / has DNA allow contains genetic material

allow contains chromosomes /

genes

• controls the cell

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.3 (cell) membrane allow B 1 AO1

4.1.1.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.4 a prokaryotic cell 1 AO1

4.1.1.1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.5 bacterial cells contain a loop of 1 AO1

DNA 4.1.1.1

bacterial cells have a cell wall 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.6 adult stem cells 1 AO1

4.1.2.3

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.7 mitosis 1 AO2

4.1.2.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

allow converse if clearly stated

01.8 any two from: 2 AO3

4.1.2.3

• less need for blood donors 4.2.2.3

• smaller sample needed allow requires less blood to be

taken from the donor

allow only small sample

needed

• (can produce) larger

quantities / amount of (red)

blood cells

• less risk of infection

• blood cells last longer (from

stem cells)

• rare / specific blood group / allow (blood cells) will be the

type can be produced same blood type

Total Question 1 11

Question 2

How to answer it

Eukaryotic Cells, Prokaryotic Cells & Stem Cells

Specification Check: AQA Trilogy 4.1.1 & 4.1.2

What this question tests

This question assesses fundamental biology recall and simple data evaluation:

  • Identifying and naming sub-cellular structures of an animal (muscle) cell (nucleus, cytoplasm, membrane, mitochondria).
  • Recalling the roles of the nucleus and cell membrane.
  • Distinguishing between eukaryotic and prokaryotic (bacterial) cell structures.
  • Stem cell origins (bone marrow = adult stem cells) and the cell division process that forms them (mitosis).
  • Evaluating comparative medical data between donor transfusions and laboratory stem cell cultures.
Question 01.1

Labelling Muscle Cell Structures

Matching sub-cellular parts to diagram labels [2 marks]

✅ Correct Answer

  • Cytoplasm connects to C [1 mark]
  • Nucleus connects to A [1 mark]

💡 Diagram Key

  • A: Nucleus (large, dark central organelle)
  • B: Cell membrane (outer boundary)
  • C: Cytoplasm (jelly-like fluid filling the cell)
  • D: Mitochondria (small oval structures for respiration)

🧠 Exam Technique

Always draw exactly one straight line from each box on the left. The mark scheme explicitly states: "do not accept more than one line from a box on the left."

❌ Common Errors

Confusing B (cell membrane) with cytoplasm, or mistaking individual mitochondria (D) for the nucleus.

Questions 01.2 & 01.3

Functions of Cell Components

Cell biology recall: Nucleus and Cell Membrane [2 marks total]

✅ Correct Answers

01.2 Function of nucleus [1 mark]:
Any one from:

  • Contains / carries DNA (or genetic material / chromosomes / genes).
  • Controls the activities of the cell.

01.3 Movement into cell [1 mark]:

  • (cell) membrane (allow B).

🧠 Exam Technique & Traps

Never say the nucleus is the "brain of the cell"—this is a classic primary school analogy that receives zero marks at GCSE!

Be specific: it contains DNA or controls cell activities / chemical reactions.

Questions 01.4 & 01.5

Prokaryotic (Bacterial) Cells

Classification and key anatomical features [3 marks total]

✅ Correct Answers

01.4 Cell Type [1 mark]:

  • Tick: A prokaryotic cell

01.5 Two Features of Bacteria [2 marks]:

  • ☑ Bacterial cells contain a loop of DNA. [1 mark]
  • ☑ Bacterial cells have a cell wall. [1 mark]

💡 Key Knowledge: Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes

  • Prokaryotes (bacteria): Much smaller than animal cells (typically 1–10 µm), have no nucleus, carry a single circular DNA loop and plasmids, and have a non-cellulose cell wall.
  • Eukaryotes (animals, plants, fungi): Have genetic material enclosed inside a nucleus and possess membrane-bound organelles (e.g. mitochondria).

❌ Common Errors on 01.5

  • "Bacterial cells are larger than animal cells" — False, bacteria are roughly 10 to 100 times smaller!
  • "Bacterial cells contain a nucleus" — False, their DNA is free in the cytoplasm.
  • "Bacterial cells contain chloroplasts" — False, only certain plant and algal cells have chloroplasts.
Questions 01.6 & 01.7

Stem Cells & Cell Division

Bone marrow and cell production processes [2 marks total]

✅ Correct Answers

01.6 Stem cell type in bone marrow [1 mark]:

  • Tick: Adult stem cells

01.7 Process producing stem cells [1 mark]:

  • Tick: Mitosis

💡 Stem Cell Summary

  • Embryonic stem cells: Found in early human embryos; can differentiate into almost any cell type.
  • Adult stem cells: Found in bone marrow; can differentiate into certain types like blood cells (RBCs, WBCs, platelets).
  • Meristem cells: Found in growing tips of plant roots and shoots.
  • Mitosis: The form of cell division that creates identical copies of cells for growth and repair.
Question 01.8

Evaluating Transfusion Methods

Using comparative data from Table 1 [2 marks]

✅ Correct Answers (Any two points for [2 marks])

  • Longevity / lifespan: Blood cells from stem cells all last/function for 120 days (whereas donated cells only last 1 to 120 days).
  • Volume needed: Only a small sample of blood is needed from a person (rather than 470 cm³ from a blood donation).
  • Quantity produced: Can produce larger / unlimited quantities of blood cells from stem cells.
  • Safety: Less risk of infection / contamination.
  • Donor reliance: Less need for public blood donors.
  • Matching: Rare or specific blood groups can be produced easily (or matched to the donor).
Note: Converse statements about donations are accepted if clearly stated (e.g. "donated blood requires a much larger volume of 470 cm³").

🧠 Exam Technique: Comparative Data

When given a table comparing two methods, quote or directly interpret the contrast:

  • Don't just write "they last 120 days". Emphasise that all of them last the full 120 days, whereas donated cells may last as little as 1 day.
  • Link numbers to clear benefits: taking a "small sample" is less invasive than taking 470 cm³.

Topics

Biology · B1: Cell Biology · B2: Organisation

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.