Cambridge International A Level · Biology (9700)

Cell membranes and transport: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Cell membranes and transport.

10 questions26 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

Which transport mechanism is used by a cell to take in large particles by engulfing them in a vesicle formed from the cell surface membrane?

Question 2

1 mark

What is the primary role of glycoproteins located on the outer surface of the eukaryotic cell surface membrane?

Question 3

1 mark

A botanist places a healthy plant cell into a solution with a water potential significantly higher than that of its cytoplasm. What is the most likely long-term effect on this plant cell, and how would this differ if an animal cell were placed in the same solution?

Question 4

1 mark

A student observes the movement of a small, non-polar molecule across a cell membrane. The molecule moves from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration without the use of a protein.

Which process is being described?

Question 5

1 mark

Which statement correctly describes the function of cholesterol within the fluid mosaic structure of a mammalian cell surface membrane?

Question 6

3 marks

List the three main stages of the cell signalling pathway that occur after a ligand has been secreted from a cell.

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Question 7

3 marks

A researcher observes that a specific cell membrane remains functional even when the temperature drops significantly. Explain how the presence of cholesterol in the fluid mosaic model contributes to maintaining membrane fluidity at low temperatures.

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Question 8

5 marks

Compare and contrast facilitated diffusion with active transport across a cell membrane, referring to the proteins involved and the energy requirements.

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Question 9

3 marks

A student uses a plant tissue to investigate osmosis. The tissue is placed in a solution with a higher water potential than the cell sap.

(a) Explain the direction of net water movement and identify the state of the plant cell at equilibrium.

(b) State why animal cells, such as red blood cells, would react differently to this solution compared to plant cells.

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Question 10

7 marks

The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of cell surface membranes, which are crucial for regulating the movement of substances.

(a) Describe the fluid mosaic model, detailing the arrangement and roles of phospholipids, cholesterol, and different types of proteins.

(b) Explain the mechanisms of facilitated diffusion, active transport, and endocytosis, highlighting the differences in energy requirements and specificity.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

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