Cell Biology-SL

Section A

During the development of multicellular organisms, cells differentiate into specific cell lines.
A study was carried out on the early stages of differentiation in cells from mouse embryos
that were grown in cultures. Two differentiated cell lines were studied, one of inner
embryonic tissue (endodermal cells) and the other of external embryonic tissue (nerve cells)
after 48 and 96 hours of incubation in cell cultures. A culture of undifferentiated cells was
used as a control group. Cell population growth was measured by changes in cell density in
all three cell lines.
600

500

400
Cell numbers /
300
unit volume
200

100

0
0 48 96
Time / hours

Key: control cells (undifferentiated) endodermal cells nerve cells

(a) Distinguish between the changes in cell numbers in the three cell lines that occur
during the 96 hour period. [2]
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(b) Using the data in the graph, deduce the relationship between cell differentiation and
population growth. [1]

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 There are three phases of interphase in the cell cycle:
• the growth phase with the synthesis of RNA and proteins (G1)
• the phase of DNA replication (S)
• and the pre-mitotic phase of rapid growth (G2).

The graph shows the percentage distribution of the three cell lines in the different stages of
interphase after 96 hours of incubation.

100

80

Percentage 60
of cells Key:
40
G2

20 S
G1
0
Control Endodermal Nerve
Cell lines

[Source: V. Bryja, J. Pacherník, J. Vondráček, K. Souček, L. Čajánek, V. Horvath, Z. Holubcová, P. Dvořák and A. Hampl.
“Lineage specific composition of cyclin D–CDK4/CDK6–p27 complexes reveals distinct functions of CDK4, CDK6 and individual
D-type cyclins in differentiating cells of embryonic origin”. Cell Proliferation, Vol 41, Issue 6 (pages 875–893).
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2184.2008.00556.x/epdf]

(c) Compare and contrast the percentage of control and nerve cells in each of the
three phases after 96 hours of incubation. [2]

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(d) Using the data of both graphs, deduce the relationship between the percentage of cells
in each cell cycle phase and the population growth. [2]

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(e) Interphase is followed by mitosis. State the final product of the mitotic cell cycle. [1]

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The role of regulators in the different stages of differentiation was also studied. After
96 hours of incubation a sample was taken of each cell line and the cyclins separated by
gel electrophoresis. The presence of different cyclins D1, D2 and D3 was analysed in the
three cell lines. The image shows the results. The size and the intensity of the band is
an indicator of the quantity of cyclins.

Control Endodermal Nerve

Cyclin D1

Cyclin D2

Cyclin D3

[Source: V. Bryja, J. Pacherník, J. Vondráček, K. Souček, L. Čajánek, V. Horvath, Z. Holubcová, P. Dvořák and A. Hampl.
“Lineage specific composition of cyclin D–CDK4/CDK6–p27 complexes reveals distinct functions of CDK4, CDK6 and
individual D-type cyclins in differentiating cells of embryonic origin”. Cell Proliferation, Vol 41, Issue 6 (pages 875–893).
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2184.2008.00556.x/epdf]

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 (f) Compare and contrast the amounts of the different cyclins in nerve cells and
control cells. [2]

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(g) Using the data, discuss the possible roles of the three cyclins in the differentiation of
nerve and endodermal cell lines. [3]
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2.

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3

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 Section B
1. a) Draw a labelled diagram of a eukaryotic plant cell as seen in an electron micrograph. [4]

2. Draw a labelled diagram to show the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane. [4]

3. Describe the origin of eukaryotic cells according to the endosymbiotic theory. [4]

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4. (i) State the process that divides one nucleus into two genetically identical nuclei.
(ii) Explain how the cell cycle is controlled. [5]

Outline the role of proteins in active and passive transport of molecules through membranes.

[5]

5. Draw a labelled diagram of a eukaryotic plant cell as seen in an electron micrograph. 4

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6.

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7. . Unicellular and multicellular organisms share the same functions of life. Outline four
functions of life. [4]

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 8.

Mark scheme

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 3

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 4

ii homeostatis 1

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 Section B

1.

2.

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3.

4. (i) mitosis

(ii)
a. cell cycle is a sequence of stages / cell cycle is G1, S, G2 and mitosis
b. (control of the cell cycle) by cyclins/cyclin
c. levels of cyclins rise (and fall)/fluctuate during the cell cycle/surge at different times/have to reach
a certain concentration
d. conditions inside as well as outside the cell affect regulation
e. four cyclins/different cyclins to enter different stages of/events in the cell cycle / cyclins regulate
the sequence/timing of the cell cycle / cyclins trigger the next stages
The idea of different cyclins acting at different phases must be clear.
f. cyclin-dependent kinases / cyclins bind to kinases and activate them
g. kinases phosphorylate other proteins
h. phosphorylated proteins perform specific functions in the cell cycle

5. Cell wall shown with two continuous lines to indicate the thickness
Plasma membrane/cell membrane shown as a single continuous line
Accept inner line of wall as membrane if clearly labelled.
Nuclear membrane/nucleus shown with double membrane and nuclear pores
Vacuole «membrane»/tonoplast shown as a single continuous line
Chloroplast/plastid shown with a double line to indicate the envelope and thylakoids/grana

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Mitochondrion shown with double membrane/cristae

6.

7.

8.

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