1 What have I learned about cells?

Summary: Tags: science oxford-science student-book-7 biology Created: 2026-05-19 Last Updated: 2026-05-19

In this chapter, you have:

• learned what a cell is, what unicellular organisms are, and how you can observe both using a microscope
• discovered differences in the structures and functions of plant and animal Cells
• understood that specialized cells are adapted to help them do particular jobs
• studied the process of Diffusion, by which useful substances move into a cell and waste Products leave a cell.

Journey through cells What do I already know? - Cells as the building blocks of living things

• The role of cells for living things This chapter - 1.1 Observing cells
• 1.2 Plant and animal cells
• 1.3 Specialized cells
• 1.4 Diffusion in cells
• 1.5 Unicellular organisms What comes next? - Body systems
• Health and lifestyle
• Plants
• Plant and animal cells
• Cell specialization
• Prokaryotic cells
• Reproduction

Figure 2

1. Choose the correct definition of a cell. A cell is a thin slice of cork.A cell is the smallest unit of an organism.A cell is a type of living organism. (1 mark)
2. An amoeba is a unicellular organism. State how many cells make up a unicellular organism. (1 mark)Match the structures in an amoeba with their function. (2 marks) nucleus removes waste contractile vacuole where Respiration occurs mitochondria controls the cell
3. Figure 1 shows a diagram of a plant cell. Figure 1 Name structure X. (1 mark)State the function of structure Y. (1 mark)Name the cell part that contains cell sap. (1 mark)Name two structures that are found in a plant cell but not in an animal cell. (2 marks)
4. A student wants to observe skin cells from the back of their hand. They use a piece of clear sticky tape to remove some dead cells. Name the equipment they should use to observe the cells. (1 mark)Suggest one thing they could do to the skin cells to make them easier to see. (1 mark)Suggest one reason why you should not look at your own blood cells in the classroom. (1 mark)Draw a labelled diagram of what the cells should look like. (3 marks)
5. Table 1 shows examples of specialized cells. Table 1Type of cell Function Adaptation Transport oxygen Flattened cell, contains no nucleus to increase surface area Nerve cell Long and thin, forms connections with many other nerve cells Leaf cell Carry out Photosynthesis Describe a specialized cell. (1 mark)Complete the table to show how three types of cell are adapted to their function. (3 marks)
6. Water diffuses into plants through the root hair cells. Describe the process of diffusion. (1 mark)Name a cell part through which the diffusion of water occurs. (1 mark)Describe one adaptation of a root hair cell. (2 marks)
7. Figure 2 shows a diagram of a euglena. Use the information to decide if a euglena is a plant. Explain your answer. (2 marks)Describe one similarity and one difference between the structure of a euglena and an amoeba. (2 marks)Explain how a euglena’s structure helps it carry out photosynthesis. (3 marks) Figure 2 Full text alternative to the content
8. A student wants to observe the nuclei of onion cells. Describe how they would prepare the slide of onion cells. Explain each step in your method. (3 marks)They observe the cells using a ×10 eyepiece lens and a ×4 objective lens. Calculate the total magnification. (2 marks)