Cell Structure and Functions: A GCSE Guide
The Role of the Nucleus
The nucleus controls cell activities and contains genetic material.
Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells
Bacterial cells are prokaryotic, lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
DNA in prokaryotic cells is organized as a single circular strand in the cytoplasm.
Cellular Respiration and Energy
Aerobic respiration occurs in the mitochondria, releasing energy for the cell.
Muscle cells have many mitochondria to release more energy.
Protein Synthesis and Ribosomes
Ribosomes are responsible for making proteins within the cell.
Plant Cell Structures
Chloroplasts in plant cells contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
Root hair cells have a large surface area to absorb water and minerals.
Cell Division and Specialisation
Mitosis produces two genetically identical cells for growth and repair.
Differentiation is the process by which cells specialize for specific functions.
Stem cells divide to produce specialized cells.
Questions
Q1 Where does aerobic respiration occur in a cell?
Ribosomes
Chloroplasts
Mitochondria
Cytoplasm
Q2 What is osmosis?
The diffusion of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane
The production of water in respiration
The active transport of nutrients
The movement of water molecules from a high to a low concentration
Q3 Bacterial cells are ___________.
Q4 Aerobic respiration occurs in the ____________.
Q5 _______ is the diffusion of water across a partially permeable membrane.
Q6 Which of the following statements about mitosis is correct?
It produces two genetically identical cells
It produces four genetically different cells
It reduces the chromosome number by half
It occurs only in gametes
Q7 What do muscle cells have a lot of, and why?
Ribosomes, to produce more proteins
Chloroplasts, to carry out photosynthesis
Nuclei, to store more DNA
Mitochondria, to release more energy
Q8 Which of the following is a prokaryotic cell?
Animal cell
Bacterial cell
Plant cell
Fungal cell
Q9 Which type of cell division is used for growth and repair?
Meiosis
Mitosis
Binary fission
Differentiation
Q10 What process do cells use to specialize for a specific function?
Differentiation
Osmosis
Respiration
Mitosis
Q11 Root hair cells have a large surface area for __________.
Q12 _______________ allows cells to specialize for specific functions.
Q13 _________ are responsible for protein synthesis.
Q14 What is the primary role of ribosomes in a cell?
To transport materials
To make proteins
To produce energy
To replicate DNA
