Cells as the basic units of: past paper questions
Real questions on cells as the basic units of
The newest 20 of 114 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9700/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1a[2]
A student incorrectly stated that an enterocyte has many cilia on its apical surface. Explain the difference between a cilium and a microvillus.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1c(i)[1]
Blood vessel X receives blood from an artery. Name the type of blood vessel represented by X.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1e(ii)[3]
One of the functions of a Paneth cell is to synthesise and secrete peptides and proteins that act against pathogens in the gut lumen. State and explain the evidence, visible in Fig. 1.2, which suggests that a Paneth cell: • • is a secretory cell synthesises many peptides and proteins.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1e(iii)[1]
Explain why a Paneth cell has a very different appearance to an intestinal stem cell.
See it on the paper → - 9700/23 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[3]
With reference to Fig. 2.1, explain how the molecules of collagen are arranged and held together in a collagen fibril.
See it on the paper → - 9700/23 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(i)[2]
Suggest two properties of collagen that contribute to the function of cartilage in the trachea in the gas exchange system.
See it on the paper → - 9700/23 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(ii)[1]
State the function of elastic fibres in the alveoli in the lungs.
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[2]
Microvilli and cilia are cell structures. Describe how the structure of cilia differs from the structure of the microvilli visible in Fig. 2.1 and Fig. 2.2.
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[1]
A scientist measured the length and the diameter of some of the microvilli shown in Fig. 2.1 to estimate the total surface area of microvilli on the surface of the epithelial cell. The scientist assumed that each microvillus was cylindrical in shape. Suggest one other measurement needed to estimate the total surface ar...
See it on the paper → - 9700/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2c[2]
Identify the organelle labelled Z in Fig. 2.1 and explain why there is a large number of these organelles in the epithelial cells of the small intestine. organelle explanation
See it on the paper → - 9700/23 · May/June 2025 · Q3c(ii)[1]
S. aureus cells can infect tissues by passing in between cells that line the lumen of the trachea. State the name of a cell type, other than goblet cells, that lines the lumen of the trachea.
See it on the paper → - 9700/41 · May/June 2025 · Q6b[2]
A student cut a fresh kidney lengthways and placed one half in the freezer. After 24 hours, the student examined the kidney section and tested its firmness with a mounted needle. Sodium chloride concentration affects the freezing point of a solution. The student drew the diagram in Fig. 6.1 to show an area that had fro...
See it on the paper → - 9700/51 · May/June 2025 · Q1c(i)[2]
oesophagus trachea movement of gastric juice stomach (filled with gastric juice) Fig. 1.4 Gastric juice can damage the laryngeal epithelium. Gastric juice contains hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Some scientists identified a reduction in the quantity of two proteins, CA3 and Sep70, present in the laryngeal epithelium of...
See it on the paper → - 9700/51 · May/June 2025 · Q1c(ii)[2]
The results of this investigation were published in a scientific paper. A student who read the scientific paper concluded that pepsin causes damage to the laryngeal epithelium in people with LPR. Suggest why the results of this investigation might not support this conclusion.
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · October/November 2024 · Q2c(ii)[3]
Scientists have identified other features of the cell structure of P. jirovecii. Some of these are listed in Table 2.1. Complete each row of Table 2.1 so that the table shows: • • • four structural features identified in P. jirovecii one function for each structural feature whether the structural feature is present (✓)...
See it on the paper → - 9700/22 · October/November 2024 · Q2d(i)[2]
Cell surface glycoproteins known as gpA glycoproteins are essential in allowing P. jirovecii cells to adhere to alveolar epithelial cells and ECM proteins. Suggest how a gpA glycoprotein is able to adhere to alveolar epithelial cells and ECM proteins.
See it on the paper → - 9700/42 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(i)[2]
Identify structures A and B. A
See it on the paper → - 9700/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6a(i)[1]
State the category of indicators to which DCPIP belongs.
See it on the paper → - 9700/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6a(ii)[1]
Describe the colour change that occurs in DCPIP during experiments to determine the rate of respiration.
See it on the paper → - 9700/42 · October/November 2024 · Q8a(i)[2]
Name cell X and part Y. X
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
This question was well answered by many candidates who showed a clear understanding of the arrangement of phospholipids in a membrane. Some candidates drew a single layer of phospholipids rather than a bilayer and gained credit for their knowledge of phospholipid structure only. Some candidates confused the structure of a phospholipid with that of a triglyceride and drew three fatty acid tails rat...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9700/21 Q5(b)(i) (Cambridge)
An outline of chromosome behaviour in only a part of the cell cycle was required. Some gave concise answers and made at least three relevant points to gain full credit. Many candidates knew that DNA replication occurred in the S phase, fewer stated that this resulted in the formation of two sister chromatids, and a minority included the involvement of histone proteins in the formation of the chrom...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9700/22 Q1(c) (Cambridge)
The adaptations of rice plants which allow them to grow in flooded fields were generally well described by candidates and some were able to explain them. The presence of aerenchyma tissue facilitating the delivery of oxygen to submerged parts of the plant was not always linked to aerobic respiration. While many recognised that rice plants could rapidly grow tall, often detailing the mechanisms inv...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9700/42 Q1(c) (Cambridge)
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