IBBiologyDPHLExam QuestionsForm & FunctionCell Specialisation

Cell Specialisation (DP IB Biology: HL): Exam Questions

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Cell Specialisation

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1a
1 mark

Amoeba proteus is a unicellular organism that inhabits freshwater ponds and streams. At its largest size, Amoeba proteus can be visible to the naked eye. 

State how the surface area to volume ratio changes as the Amoeba proteus grows.

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1b
1 mark

Gaseous exchange allows the Amoeba to carry out aerobic respiration. 

State which aspect of the surface area to volume ratio has the greater effect on the rate of gaseous exchange.

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1c
1 mark

The contractile vacuole of the Amoeba helps to maintain its osmotic equilibrium by excreting excess water from the cell. 

State which aspect of the surface area to volume ratio would depend on this organelle.

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2a
2 marks

Glia and skeletal muscle cells are two examples of specialised cells that were once stem cells. 

Define the term stem cell. 

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2b
1 mark

All the cells in an organism contain the same set of genes, but the specialised cells mentioned in part (a) can differentiate by expressing some genes and not others.

State the term used to describe an organism’s entire set of genes.

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3a
5 marks

Explain why cells differentiate, using examples within your answer.

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3b
2 marks

Embryonic stem cells are described as totipotent.

Define the term totipotent.

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4a
3 marks

The diagram below shows the structure of a mature human sperm cell.

structure-of-a-sperm-cell-sq

Identify structures A-C.

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4b
2 marks

Describe the role of structure A within the sperm cell shown in part a).

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4c
2 marks

A sperm cell is an example of a haploid cell.

(i) Define the term haploid.

[1]

(ii) Explain the importance of a sperm cell being haploid.

[1]

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4d
1 mark

Structure B in part a) assists with the process of fertilisation.

State the substances contained within structure B that assist with fertilisation.

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5a
1 mark

The human ovum is the only human cell that is large enough that, if isolated, could be seen by the naked eye.

Explain why the ovum is large compared to other human cell types. 

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5b
4 marks

Draw an annotated diagram of a mature human ovum.

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1a
2 marks

A patient with a spinal cord injury was treated using stem cell therapy using the following process:

  1. Stem cells were collected from the patient's own tissues

  2. Stem cells were cultured in laboratory for one month to increase their numbers

  3. Stem cells were injected into the injury site

  4. Stem cells were allowed to develop into nerve cells

State two properties of stem cells that made this therapy possible.

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1b
2 marks

Suggest why the stem cells used in part (a) were taken from the patient and not from a stem cell donor.

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2a
2 marks

State two features of cells of the human body that maximise surface area to volume ratio.

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2b
6 marks

Explain why surface area to volume ratio is an important factor in limiting cell size.

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2c
2 marks

The presence of millions of highly specialised alveoli in the lungs contributes to the efficiency of gas exchange by providing a large surface area.

Describe and explain how cells of the alveoli are adapted for function in the gas exchange surface.

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2d
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2 marks

An adult has a total alveolar surface area of 5.2 x 107 mm2. One alveolus has a surface area of 0.104 mm2.

Calculate how many alveoli this person has in each lung. Give your answer as an ordinary number, not in standard form.

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3
4 marks

Draw an annotated diagram of a mature human sperm cell.

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1a
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3 marks

A plant palisade mesophyll cell is 4 μm in width and depth, and 25 μm in length. Its shape is approximately cuboid. 

Calculate the surface area to volume ratio of this cell.

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1b
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3 marks

The palisade cell in part (a) has a large central vacuole. The vacuole has the same overall cuboid shape as the cell itself, but its outer surfaces are located 500 nm inside the plasma membrane of the cell.      

Calculate the surface area to cytoplasmic volume ratio.

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1c
2 marks

Vacuoles have important roles in plant cell storage and support.

Use your answers to parts (a) and (b) to suggest an additional role of vacuoles in plant cells.

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2
3 marks

Explain the importance of the surface area to volume ratio for a growing bacterial cell.

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