What is the function of the nucleolus?

It makes ribosomal RNA and assembles ribosomes.

What is the function of the nuclear pores?

They allow mRNA and other molecules to move between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.

What is the difference between rER and sER?

rER is covered in ribosomes and makes proteins; sER has no ribosomes and makes and stores lipids.

What does the Golgi apparatus do?

It modifies and packages proteins into vesicles.

A single-membrane vesicle containing hydrolytic enzymes that digests worn-out organelles and engulfed material.

How is a mitochondrion adapted to make ATP?

Its inner membrane is folded into cristae, giving a large surface area for the electron transport chain and ATP synthase.

What is the function of centrioles?

They organise microtubules to form the spindle during cell division.

Name three structures found in a bacterium but not in a human cell.

For example cell wall, capsule, flagellum, plasmid, circular DNA, pili.

A small loop of DNA, separate from the main chromosome, in bacterial cells.

What is the function of a bacterial capsule?

It protects the cell, e.g. from drying out or being engulfed by phagocytes.

What is the size of ribosomes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

70S in prokaryotes, 80S in eukaryotes.

Why does an electron microscope show more detail than a light microscope?

Electrons have a shorter wavelength, so the resolution is higher.

State the magnification formula.

Magnification = image size ÷ actual size.

Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structureEdexcel A-Level Biology A: Flashcards

Card 1 of 140 of 14 known

Question

Name four features that all cells share.

Tap or press Space to reveal

Tap card or press Space to flip

See all 14 cards

Name four features that all cells share.: Cell-surface membrane, cytoplasm, DNA and ribosomes.
What is the function of the nucleolus?: It makes ribosomal RNA and assembles ribosomes.
What is the function of the nuclear pores?: They allow mRNA and other molecules to move between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
What is the difference between rER and sER?: rER is covered in ribosomes and makes proteins; sER has no ribosomes and makes and stores lipids.
What does the Golgi apparatus do?: It modifies and packages proteins into vesicles.
What is a lysosome?: A single-membrane vesicle containing hydrolytic enzymes that digests worn-out organelles and engulfed material.
How is a mitochondrion adapted to make ATP?: Its inner membrane is folded into cristae, giving a large surface area for the electron transport chain and ATP synthase.
What is the function of centrioles?: They organise microtubules to form the spindle during cell division.
Name three structures found in a bacterium but not in a human cell.: For example cell wall, capsule, flagellum, plasmid, circular DNA, pili.
What is a plasmid?: A small loop of DNA, separate from the main chromosome, in bacterial cells.
What is the function of a bacterial capsule?: It protects the cell, e.g. from drying out or being engulfed by phagocytes.
What is the size of ribosomes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes?: 70S in prokaryotes, 80S in eukaryotes.
Why does an electron microscope show more detail than a light microscope?: Electrons have a shorter wavelength, so the resolution is higher.
State the magnification formula.: Magnification = image size ÷ actual size.

Exam questions on Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure

A technician examines a transmission electron micrograph of a liver cell. The cell has a large round nucleus containing a densely staining region, many rod-shaped structures with a folded inner membrane, a stack of flattened membrane-bound sacs with small vesicles budding from the edges, and many small round structures bounded by a single membrane and containing digestive enzymes.
The cell contains many mitochondria. Explain how the structure of a mitochondrion makes it well suited to producing ATP.2 marks
A microbiologist compares a rod-shaped bacterium with a yeast cell. The bacterium has a cell wall, a capsule, a flagellum, small ribosomes and a loop of DNA lying free in the cytoplasm. The yeast cell is eukaryotic.
An antibiotic binds to the ribosomes of the bacterium but does not stop protein synthesis in human cells. Suggest why.2 marks
A student studies an electron micrograph of a mitochondrion. On the printed micrograph the mitochondrion measures 45 mm in length and the magnification of the micrograph is ×15 000. The student's teacher says that a light microscope could not show the internal structure of the mitochondrion.
Calculate the actual length of the mitochondrion. Give your answer in micrometres (µm).3 marks

See the full worksheet

Written by the Exaim team, led by Shaun Daswani (Head of Upper Secondary, Improve ME Institute; MSc Financial Mathematics, Imperial College London; BSc, UCL) and Jason Daswani (operational lead, Improve ME Institute; LSE).