First exams in 2025

IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.2 Cell structure

Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

Name ___________________ Time allowed: 20 mins SL / 30 mins HL

Mark: / 21(SL) 28(HL)

Multiple choice questions (4 marks)

1. Which features are found in both eukaryotic animal cells and eukaryotic plant cells?
1. Cell wall.
2. Lysosomes.
3. Chloroplasts.
4. Mitochondria.

2. Which improvement has electron microscopy brought to Biology since light microscopy?
1. There is an greater visibility of natural colours.
2. The ability to see living cells.
3. Bigger samples can be used.
4. Images with a greater resolution are produced.

3. Which of the following organelles are not found in multicellular plants?

A. Cilia only.
B. Flagellae only.
C. Cilia and flagellae.
D. Golgi body.

4. The image of a chloroplast on an electron micrograph is 21mm. The true size of the chloroplast
is 4 µm What is the magnification of the image of the chloroplast?
A. 5x
B. 5250x
C. 12000x
D. 52,500x

© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

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 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.2 Cell structure
Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

Structured answer questions

5. The image shows an organelle found in all cells.

a. Identify the organelle and give a reason for your identification. (2 marks)

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b. The scale bar represents 1 µm, estimate the length of the organelle. (1 mark)

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c. What is the function of the organelle in the electron micrograph? (1 mark)

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6. Explain the importance of plasma membranes in eukaryote cells. (2 marks).

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© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

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 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.2 Cell structure
Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

7. A red blood cell (erythrocyte) is called an atypical cell.

Explain the meaning of the term “atypical cell” and describe two features of red blood cells that
are atypical.
(2 marks)

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8. Complete the table below to list the functions of the components of a plant cell.
(5 marks)

Cell component Function

Cell wall

It is the location of Photosynthesis in plant cells.

Ribosome

Large central vacuole

Golgi apparatus

© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

3
 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.2 Cell structure
Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

Extended response question

9. The electron microscope image shows a highly magnified, transverse section of

rough endoplasmic reticulum in a secretory cell.

Describe the composition of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and its function.
(4 marks)

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© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

4
 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.2 Cell structure
Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

Additional Higher Level only (7 marks)

10. Describe how eukaryotic cells are thought to have evolved from a common unicellular ancestor
with a nucleus.
(4 marks)

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11. Explain the process of cell differentiation in multicellular organisms.

(3 marks)

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© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

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