First exams in 2025

IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.2 Cell structure

Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

Name ___________________ Time allowed: 20 mins SL / 30 mins HL

Mark: / 21(SL) 28(HL)
Mark scheme
Multiple choice questions (4 marks)

1. Which features are found in both eukaryotic animal cells and eukaryotic plant cells?
A. Cell wall.
B. Lysosomes.
C. Chloroplasts.
D. Mitochondria.

2. Which improvement has electron microscopy brought to Biology since light microscopy?
A. There is an greater visibility of natural colours.
B. The ability to see living cells.
C. Bigger samples can be used.
D. Images with a greater resolution are produced.

3. Which of the following organelles are not found in multicellular plants?

A. Cilia only.
B. Flagellae only.
C. Cilia and flagellae.
D. Golgi body.

4. The image of a chloroplast on an electron micrograph is 21mm. The true size of the chloroplast
is 4 µm What is the magnification of the image of the chloroplast?
A. 5x
B. 5250x
C. 12000x
D. 52,500x

© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

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 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.2 Cell structure
Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

Structured answer questions

5. The image shows an organelle found in all cells.

a. Identify the organelle and give a reason for your identification. (2 marks)

It is a mitochondrion.

It has a folded inner membrane (forming cristae).

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b. The scale bar represents 1 µm, estimate the length of the organelle. (1 mark)

3 µm (Allow answers from 2.7 to 3.3 i.e. +/- 0.3 µm )

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c. What is the function of the organelle in the electron micrograph? (1 mark)

It is the location of the reactions of aerobic respiration.

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6. Explain the importance of plasma membranes in eukaryote cells. (2 marks).

They create distinct parts of the cells, Compartmentalisation.

They separate the contents of the cell from the external medium.
or
They separate the contents of an organelle from the cytoplasm.
The sepâration allows the maintenance of the internal environment of the cell / organelle.
They provide a surface got the attachment of proteins and enzymes, e.g. to link reactions.
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© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

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 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.2 Cell structure
Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

7. A red blood cell (erythrocyte) is called an atypical cell.

Explain the meaning of the term “atypical cell” and describe two features of red blood cells that
are atypical.
(2 marks)

An atypical cell is a cell which does not have a feature/organelle normally found in a all cells.
Red blood cell lacks a nucleus.
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8. Complete the table below to list the functions of the components of a plant cell.
(5 marks)

Cell component Function

Cell wall Rigidity/structure/shape/support

Chloroplast It is the location of Photosynthesis in plant cells.

Ribosome Protein synthesis

Large central vacuole Storage/support

Manufacture of secretory products, e.g. cell wall.

Golgi apparatus or
Chemical modification and packaging into vesicles.

© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

3
 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.2 Cell structure
Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

Extended response question

9. The electron microscope image shows a highly magnified, transverse section of

rough endoplasmic reticulum in a secretory cell.

Describe the composition of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and its function.
(4 marks)

The RER is made from ribosomes attached to a (hollow) membrane.

Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis / translation of mRNA.
The membrane holds the ribosomes in place.
Proteins that are made enter the membrane or the membrane space.
Proteins within the membrane are transported to the Golgi body (in vesicles).
...........................................................................................................................................................

© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

4
 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.2 Cell structure
Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

Additional Higher Level only (7 marks)

10. Describe how eukaryotic cells are thought to have evolved from a common unicellular ancestor
with a nucleus.
(4 marks)

The common ancestor of the eukaryotic cell had a nucleus.

This cell ingested (engulfed) other unicellular prokaryotic cells.
The ingested cells were held in a small vesivle, not digested.
The ingested cells continued to live inside the cell.
After generations of evolusion these ingested cells formed chloroplasts / mitochondria.
It is a symbiotic / mutualistic relationship.
The process is called endosymbiosis.

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11. Explain the process of cell differentiation in multicellular organisms.

(3 marks)

Cell differentiation is controlled by the activation / expression of a selection of genes.

Cells which become different in this way have a different pattern of gene expression.
The (expressed) genes cause production of proteins.
The proteins carry out specific functions.
These function give rise to specialised cells that form tissues (in multicellular organisms).

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© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

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