Igcse Model Questions Vol1 2019 Biology Question 1

Practice practical question 1 from the 2019 Igcse Model Questions Vol1 Biology examination. This question covers Cell Structure, Microscopy, Cell Measurements .

Igcse Model Questions Vol1 2019 Biology Practical
Topics: Cell Structure Microscopy Cell Measurements
Question 1 IGCSE_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1 • 2019 • BIOLOGY • practical

You are given a prepared slide of human cheek epithelial cells stained with methylene blue. Using a light microscope equipped with an ocular micrometer (scale = 0.01 mm per division) you observe five cells and record the longest diameter of each cell as shown in the table. | Cell | Diameter (mm) | |------|----------------| | 1 | 0.058 | | 2 | 0.062 | | 3 | 0.055 | | 4 | 0.060 | | 5 | 0.057 | Assume the cells are approximately spherical.

Question Parts

( a )
Calculate the mean (average) diameter of the five cells.
( b )
Assuming a spherical shape, estimate the average volume of a cell in mm³. (Use V = 4/3 π r³, where r = diameter/2.)
( c )
Calculate the surface‑area‑to‑volume ratio (SA:V) for the average cell. (Use SA = 4 π r².) Express your answer in mm⁻¹ and give one decimal place.
( d )
Briefly explain why a high surface‑area‑to‑volume ratio is advantageous for cells that carry out absorption.

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About This Question

This is Igcse Model Questions Vol1 2019 Biology Question 1. It is one of the practical questions from the 2019 Igcse Model Questions Vol1 Biology examination.

The question covers Cell Structure, Microscopy, Cell Measurements .

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