AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Students should be able to explain how the main sub-cellular structures,…
Full specification wording
Animal and plant cells: Students should be able to explain how the main sub-cellular structures, including the nucleus, cell membranes, mitochondria, chloroplasts in plant cells and plasmids in bacterial cells are related to their functions.
Each sub-cellular structure has a shape and position suited to its job.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 8
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Each sub-cellular structure has a shape and position suited to its job. The nucleus contains DNA and controls the cell's activities, including protein synthesis. The cell membrane is a partially permeable barrier that controls what enters and leaves. Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration, releasing energy for the cell. Chloroplasts, found in plant cells, contain chlorophyll and absorb light for photosynthesis. Plasmids in bacterial cells are small rings of DNA that carry extra genes, such as antibiotic resistance. When explaining structure and function, name the structure, describe one feature and link it to the job it performs.
For example: Mitochondria have folded inner membranes that provide a large surface area for respiration reactions.
What earns the marks
- The nucleus contains DNA and controls the cell's activities.
- The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell and is partially permeable.
- Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration and release energy for the cell.
- Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and absorb light energy for photosynthesis.
- Plasmids are small rings of DNA that carry extra genes in bacterial cells.
- Each explanation should link a named structure to the function it performs.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying mitochondria make energy.
Put it right by stating that mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration, where energy is released from glucose.
Saying the cell membrane is fully permeable.
Put it right by describing it as partially permeable and controlling movement.
Confusing chloroplasts with chlorophyll.
Put it right by saying chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which absorbs light.
Exam tips
- Use the structure–function link in every sentence, for example folded membranes give a large surface area.
- Name the cell type when discussing chloroplasts or plasmids, since these are not found in all cells.
- Keep answers specific: avoid saying the nucleus is the brain of the cell without explaining control of activities.
Try the lesson
The start of the Animal and plant cells: Students should be able to explain how the main sub-cellular structures, including the nucleus, cell membranes, mitochondria, chloroplasts in plant cells and plasmids in bacterial cells are related to their functions. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which sub-cellular structure controls the activities of a cell and contains the genetic material?
Listen
Each sub-cellular structure has a shape and position suited to its job. The nucleus contains DNA and controls the cell's activities, including protein synthesis. The cell membrane is a partially permeable barrier that controls what enters and leaves. Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration, releasing energy for the cell. Chloroplasts, found in plant cells, contain chlorophyll and absorb light for photosynthesis. Plasmids in bacterial cells are small rings of DNA that carry extra genes, such as antibiotic resistance. When explaining structure and function, name the structure, describe one feature and link it to the job it performs. For example, mitochondria have folded inner membranes that provide a large surface area for respiration reactions. A strong answer earns marks for these points. The nucleus contains DNA and controls the cell's activities. The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell and is partially permeable. Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration and release energy for the cell. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and absorb light energy for photosynthesis. A common slip: Saying mitochondria make energy. Instead, stating that mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration, where energy is released from glucose. Exam tip: Use the structure–function link in every sentence, for example folded membranes give a large surface area.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Nucleus
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Cell membrane
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Mitochondria
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Chloroplasts
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See every definition
- Nucleus
- Contains DNA and controls the cell's activities, including protein synthesis.
- Cell membrane
- A partially permeable barrier that controls what enters and leaves the cell.
- Mitochondria
- The site of aerobic respiration, releasing energy for the cell.
- Chloroplasts
- Found in plant cells, these contain chlorophyll and absorb light for photosynthesis.
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