New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition)

Question Bank – New Questions

Chapter 2 The cell as the basic unit of life

Multiple-choice questions

Cross-topic High order thinking

[10174194]
** Directions: The following two questions refer to the table below, which shows
the relative abundance of different organelles in four types of cells.
Cell Relative abundance
type Endoplasmic reticulum Mitochondrion Chloroplast
R + +++ +
S + + 
T +++ + 
U + +++ 
Key: Number of ‘+’ indicates the relative abundance of the organelle;
‘’ indicates the absence of the organelle

Which cell type is most likely the root hair cell?

A R
B S
C T
D U
D
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Cross-topic High order thinking

[10174207]
** Which cell type is most likely found in the wall of a capillary?
A R
B S
C T
D U
B

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New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) Chapter 2
Question Bank – New Questions

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New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) Chapter 2
Question Bank – New Questions

[10174211] Mathematical skills

* Directions: The following two questions refer to the diagram below, which
shows a drawing of a cell observed under an electron microscope.

What is the magnification of the drawing?

A ×10 000
B ×20 000
C ×100 000
D ×1 000 000
A
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[10174214] High order thinking

* Which of the following diagrams shows the same cell observed at a
magnification of ×400 under a light microscope?
A B

C D

D
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New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) Chapter 2
Question Bank – New Questions

Short questions

[10174218] Scientific investigation Cross-topic Mathematical skills

** A student prepared a temporary mount of the lower epidermis of a leaf. She

observed the slide under a light microscope and obtained views M and N below
at two different magnifications. The diameters of the fields of views M and N are
2 mm and 0.5 mm respectively. Both views were obtained using a 10X eyepiece.

a Which of the fields of views should be chosen to find out the stomatal
density of the epidermis? Explain your choice. (1 mark)
b Using the suitable field of view, calculate the stomatal density of the
epidermis. Show your working and correct your answer to the nearest
integer. (Take  = 3.14) (2 marks)
c Describe the sequence of steps in using a light microscope to obtain view N
from view M. (4 marks)

-- answer --
a View M should be chosen because it has a larger field of view. 1m
b 11 / (3.14 × 1 mm × 1 mm) 1m
 4 stomata per mm 2
1m
c Move the part of specimen you want to observe in detail to the centre of the field
of view.
1m
Rotate the nosepiece to select the 40X objective. 1m
Focus with the fine adjustment knob. 1m
Adjust the diaphragm to brighten the view. 1m

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Question Bank – New Questions

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New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) Chapter 2
Question Bank – New Questions

[10174228] Photomicrograph Comparison

* The micrograph below shows part of a pancreatic cell observed under a

transmission electron microscope.

a Calculate the magnification of the electron micrograph. (1 mark)

b The cell synthesizes large amounts of proteins. Name two of the organelles
in the micrograph and explain how they are involved in protein synthesis.
(4 marks)
c Besides the transmission electron microscope, the cell can also be observed
under a scanning electron microscope.
i Give one advantage of using a transmission electron microscope over a
scanning electron microscope to observe the cell. (1 mark)
ii Give one advantage of using a scanning electron microscope over a
transmission electron microscope to observe the cell. (1 mark)

-- answer --
a 15 000 000 nm / 500 nm = 30 000 1m
b Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis. / are associated with messenger
RNA in the process of translation. /
Rough endoplasmic reticulum provides a large surface area for the attachment of
ribosomes for protein synthesis. / is involved in the transport of proteins within the
cell. /
Mitochondria provide energy / ATP for protein synthesis.
The nucleus contains DNA which codes for proteins / which is involved in the
process of transcription. (any 2) 2m x 2
c i It allows observation of the internal structures of the cell. 1m
ii It gives three-dimensional image of the surface of the cell. /
Sectioning of the cell is not required. 1m
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Structured question

[10174232] Mathematical skills High order thinking

** The diagrams below show the drawings of a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic
cell observed at different magnifications under an electron microscope. They are
drawn the same length.

a The actual length of the prokaryotic cell is 2 µm. Calculate the actual length
of the eukaryotic cell (y). Show your working. (2 marks)
b Both the prokaryotic cell and eukaryotic cell have a cell membrane. Explain
why cells need a cell membrane. (2 marks)
Mitochondria are found in eukaryotic cells. It has been proposed that
mitochondria originated from prokaryotic cells. A long time ago prokaryotic cells
were engulfed by larger prokaryotic cells and both of them benefited from the
relationship. This is called the endosymbiont theory.
c Suggest why the following structural features of mitochondria are evidence
for the endosymbiont theory.
i Mitochondria are bounded by a double membrane. (2 marks)
ii Mitochondria contain DNA and ribosomes. (1 mark)
d Explain why the two mitochondria labelled p are different in shape.
(2 marks)

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New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) Chapter 2
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-- answer --
a (2 × 48 000) / 600 1m
= 160 µm 1m
b The cell membrane encloses the cell / separates the cell contents from the
outside environment.
1m
The cell membrane controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
1m
c i The inner membrane may come from the prokaryotic cell being engulfed.
1m
The outer membrane may come from the larger prokaryotic cell. 1m
ii Like mitochondria, prokaryotic cells contain DNA and ribosomes. 1m
d The rod-shaped mitochondria orientate differently. 1m
Different sections of the rod-shaped mitochondria are cut. 1m
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