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AQA A-level Biology — Cells flashcards

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AQA A-level Biology topic 2: eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, viruses, microscopy and cell fractionation, mitosis and the cell cycle (required practical 2), membrane transport (required practicals 3 and 4) and the immune system, HIV, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.

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Learn deck · part of AQA A-level Biology · written against: AQA AS and A-level Biology (7401/7402) specification, version 1.6, July 2026 (eight topics). Updated 2026-10-10.

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  1. What does the nucleolus do?
    It makes ribosomal RNA and assembles ribosomes.

    A nucleus may contain one or more nucleoli, alongside chromosomes of protein-bound, linear DNA.
    Cells › Cell Structure
  2. Why does the nuclear envelope have pores?
    To let mRNA leave the nucleus for the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.

    The pores also let substances such as nucleotides and proteins enter the nucleus.
    Cells › Cell Structure
  3. How is the inner membrane of a mitochondrion adapted to its function?
    It is folded into cristae, giving a large surface area for the enzymes and proteins of aerobic respiration that make ATP.

    The matrix inside holds the enzymes of the link reaction and Krebs cycle.
    Cells › Cell Structure
  4. Muscle cells and ileum epithelial cells both contain many mitochondria. Why?
    Both need a lot of ATP: muscle for contraction and epithelial cells for active transport.

    More mitochondria means more aerobic respiration and more ATP.
    Cells › Cell Structure
  5. Where in a chloroplast do the two stages of photosynthesis take place?
    The light-dependent reaction on the thylakoid membranes (stacked into grana); the light-independent reaction in the stroma.

    Chloroplasts are found in plants and algae.
    Cells › Cell Structure
  6. What does the Golgi apparatus do with proteins it receives from the rough ER?
    It modifies them (for example adding carbohydrate to make glycoproteins) and packages them into Golgi vesicles.

    The Golgi apparatus also makes lysosomes.
    Cells › Cell Structure
  7. What happens to a Golgi vesicle carrying a protein for secretion?
    It moves to the cell-surface membrane, fuses with it and releases the protein by exocytosis.

    Golgi vesicles also carry lipids round the cell.
    Cells › Cell Structure
  8. What is a lysosome, and what does it do?
    An organelle bounded by a membrane that holds hydrolytic enzymes, such as lysozymes, and releases them.

    They digest engulfed pathogens, worn-out organelles, or the whole cell after it dies.
    Cells › Cell Structure
  9. How does the role of rough ER differ from that of smooth ER?
    Rough ER has ribosomes on its surface and makes and transports proteins; smooth ER has none and makes and processes lipids.

    Cells that secrete enzymes have extensive rough ER.
    Cells › Cell Structure
  10. Cells of the pancreas secrete large amounts of digestive enzyme. Which organelles would you expect to be plentiful?
    Rough ER, Golgi apparatus and mitochondria.

    Rough ER makes the enzymes, the Golgi packages them into vesicles, and mitochondria supply ATP for synthesis and secretion.
    Cells › Cell Structure

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About these cards

Review status: Second-reader reviewed, with corrections applied.

Checked against:

  • Topic outline follows the AQA AS and A-level Biology (7401/7402) specification, version 1.6 (July 2026) (outline only; no specification text reproduced).
  • OpenStax Biology 2e, consulted as a reference; no text copied.
  • Also checked against the AQA AS and A-level Biology required practical handbook, version 2.3 (January 2026), Practical Biology (practicalbiology.org), AQA and Exampro mark schemes (conventions only) and the NHS website (reference only; no text copied).

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