Science Test - Cells

Topic 1: Cells – The Basic Units of Life

Revision Materials

Glossary of Key Terms

cell the smallest unit of life; cells are the building blocks of living things and can be many different shapes and sizes

cell membrane the structure that encloses the contents of a cell and allows the movement of some materials in and out

cell theory the theory that states that all living things are made up of cells and that all cells come from pre-existing cells

cellular respiration a series of chemical reactions in which the chemical energy in molecules such as glucose is transferred into ATP molecules, which is a form of energy that the cells can use

chlorophyll the green-coloured chemical in plants, located in chloroplasts, that absorbs light energy so that it can be used in the process of photosynthesis

chloroplasts oval-shaped organelles that are involved in the process of photosynthesis, which results in the conversion of light energy into chemical energy

cytoplasm the jelly-like material inside a cell; it contains many organelles, such as the nucleus and vacuoles

cytosol the fluid found inside cells

electron microscope an instrument used for viewing very small objects; an electron microscope is much more powerful than a light microscope and can magnify things up to a million times

eukaryote any cell or organism with a membrane-bound nucleus (e.g. plants, animals, fungi and protists)

light microscope an instrument used for viewing very small objects; a light microscope can magnify things up to 1500 times

magnification the number of times the image of an object has been enlarged using a lens or lens system; for example, a magnification of two means the object has been enlarged to twice its actual size

metabolism the chemical reactions occurring within an organism that enable the organism to use energy and grow and repair cells

micrometre one millionth of a metre

microscope an instrument used for viewing small objects

mitochondria small, rod-shaped organelles that are involved in the process of cellular respiration, which results in the conversion of energy into a form that the cells can use

multicellular made up of many cells

nanometre one billionth of a metre

nucleus a roundish structure inside a cell that acts as its control centre

organelle any specialised structure in a cell that performs a specific function

photosynthesis a series of chemical reactions that occur within chloroplasts in which the light energy is converted into chemical energy; the process also requires carbon dioxide and water, and produces oxygen and sugars, which the plant can use as ‘food’

prokaryote any cell or organism without a membrane-bound nucleus (e.g. bacteria)

ribosomes small structures within a cell in which proteins such as enzymes are made

tissue a group of cells of similar structure that perform a specific function

unicellular made up of only one cell

vacuoles sacs within a cell used to store food and wastes; plant cells usually have one large vacuole, while animal cells have several small vacuoles or none at all


Test Checklist


Microscopes and Cell Theory

  • Know the three main points of cell theory.

  • Label the parts of a light microscope and describe their functions.

  • Explain how to calculate total magnification of a microscope.

  • Understand the difference between magnification and resolution.


Cell Structure and Function

Identify and describe the function of the following organelles:

  • Nucleus

  • Cell membrane

  • Cytoplasm

  • Mitochondria

  • Ribosomes

  • Vacuole (larger in plant cells)

  • Cell wall (plants only)

  • Chloroplasts (plants only)


Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells/Unicellular vs. Multicellular Organisms

  • Differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, with examples.

  • Compare bacterial cells to animal and plant cells.

  • Compare unicellular and multicellular organisms.


Animal vs. Plant Cells

  • Identify the key differences between animal and plant cells.

  • Recognise organelles found only in plant cells (cell wall, chloroplasts, large vacuole).


Specialised Cells

  • Explain what specialised cells are and why they are important.

  • Know examples of specialised animal cells (e.g., muscle, nerve, red blood cells).