O Level Combined Science 5129 · Topic 1

Cells: past paper questions

160 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: State, Describe, Calculate, Draw, Complete

Real questions on cells

The newest 20 of 127 written questions, plus 33 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

5129/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2a[1]
State the name of apparatus A.
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5129/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[3]
The student makes an error assembling the apparatus. Draw a circle around the part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2.1 that is assembled incorrectly. Describe the effect of the error in the circled part of the apparatus, and explain how the error is corrected. correction effect of error
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5129/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(i)[1]
Record the initial and final temperatures. initial temperature °C
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5129/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(ii)[1]
Calculate the temperature change. temperature change = °C
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5129/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(iii)[1]
State the boiling point of the liquid collected in the beaker.
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5129/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[2]
State the name of the apparatus labelled X. Explain why it is used in this arrangement. explanation name of apparatus
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5129/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[2]
procedure The student: • • • • places a metre rule near the load releases the load and starts a stopwatch records the position of the bottom of the load at different times stops the stopwatch when the load is no longer moving. Fig. 3.2 shows the position of the load before it is released, and Fig. 3.3 shows the positio...
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5129/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[3]
Table 3.1 shows the student’s results. Table 3.1 time / s 0 extension / cm 0 10 30 50 70 90 3.6 5.7 6.1 6.8 6.8 Include, in Table 3.1, your value from (b) for the extension of the material after 5 s. On the grid provided in Fig. 3.4, plot a graph of time on the x-axis against extension on the y-axis. Start your graph a...
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5129/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3d(i)[2]
State the name of the type of error that is minimised. Explain how the arrangement minimises this error. type of error explanation
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5129/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3d(ii)[1]
Describe one additional source of error in the procedure described in (b).
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5129/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3d(iii)[1]
Describe one improvement that can be made to this experiment.
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5129/21 · May/June 2025 · Q7[5]
The boxes on the left contain the names of specialised human cells. The boxes on the right each contain a cell function. Complete Fig. 7.1 by drawing five straight lines to link five of the specialised cells to their function. specialised cell cell function red blood cell motor neurone allows rapid diffusion of gases l...
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5129/21 · May/June 2025 · Q16a(i)[1]
impure substances and
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5129/21 · May/June 2025 · Q16a(ii)[1]
insoluble in the solvent used. substance
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5129/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(i)[1]
State the name of the apparatus X.
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5129/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(ii)[1]
The student’s results are shown in Fig. 1.3. min s min s pH 7 pH 9 Fig. 1.3 Using the measurements shown in Fig. 1.3, complete Table 1.1. Record the times to the nearest second. Table 1.1 pH of crushed peach mixture time taken to collect 5 cm 3 of peach juice / s
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5129/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(iii)[1]
Other students repeat the investigation. Explain why the results are more accurate if the investigation is repeated.
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5129/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(i)[4]
The student now investigates the effect of changing the temperature of the crushed peach mixture on the volume of peach juice collected in 3 minutes. The student uses 2 cm 3 of the enzyme and a buffer solution of pH 7. The results are shown in Table 1.2. Table 1.2 temperature of the crushed peach mixture / °C volume of...
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5129/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(ii)[2]
Describe the relationship between the temperature of the crushed peach mixture and the volume of peach juice collected in 3 minutes.
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5129/31 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(i)[3]
A B C Name the apparatus labelled A, B and C. (a) (i)
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What examiners said

Only a few candidates knew that structure X was the prostate gland and could state one of its functions. Candidates should learn that it produces a liquid that carries the sperm cells.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5129/21 Q11(a)(i) (Cambridge)

Most candidates knew the structure Y was a testis and that it produces sperm cells.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5129/21 Q11(a)(ii) (Cambridge)

Most candidates were able to match at least one structure with a correct description.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 5129/21 Q9(a) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

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In the syllabus

1.1 Cell structure and function

Identify on diagrams, photomicrographs or electron micrographs, the mitochondria, nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane in an animal cell
Identify on diagrams, photomicrographs or electron micrographs, the mitochondria, chloroplasts, nucleus, sap vacuole, cytoplasm, cell membrane and cellulose cell wall in a plant cell
Describe the functions of the above structures in animal and plant cells
Understand that cells can become specialised and that their structures are related to their specific functions, as illustrated by examples covered in the syllabus

1.2 Movement into and out of cells

Describe the role of water as a solvent in organisms with reference to digestion, excretion and transport
Understand diffusion as the net movement of molecules or ions from a region of their higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration (i.e. down a concentration gradient), as a result of their random movement
Describe how the rate of diffusion is affected by surface area, temperature, concentration gradients and distance
Understand osmosis as the net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential to a region of lower water potential, through a partially permeable membrane (calculations of water potential are not required)
Describe the effects of osmosis on plant and animal tissues and explain the importance of water potential gradient and osmosis in the uptake and loss of water
Investigate and explain the effects on plant tissues of immersing them in solutions of different concentrations, using the terms turgid, turgor pressure, plasmolysis and flaccid

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