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Edexcel GCSE Combined Science

Topic questions Cell biology Osmosis

Osmosis

13 questions · 132 marks · about 2.5 hours

Osmosis questions

Edexcel 1SC0 Osmosis 13 questions

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2025 Foundation tier, Question 6 13 marks

(a)

Figure 12 shows a beaker containing a potato cylinder in distilled water.

Figure for question 6

Explain why the mass of this potato cylinder will change when it is placed in distilled water.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)
(b)

A scientist investigated the rate of diffusion using three agar cubes of different sizes.

Each cube contained a pH indicator that changed from pink to colourless when placed in acid.

The cubes were placed in a beaker containing an acid.

Figure 13 shows some information about each cube.

Figure for question 6
(b)(i)

Calculate the volume of cube C.

........ cm3

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Explain the difference in the times taken for cubes A and B to become colourless.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(ii)
(c)

* (c) Liquid agar was poured into a Petri dish and allowed to set.

A well was cut in the centre of the set agar.

Kiwi fruit juice was poured into the well.

Kiwi fruit juice contains an enzyme that causes set agar to break down into a liquid.

Figure 14 shows the results after 30 minutes.

Figure for question 6

Devise a plan to investigate the effect of different concentrations of kiwi fruit juice on the breakdown of set agar, using the equipment shown in Figure 14.

Your plan should include:

β€’ measurements that need to be taken

β€’ variables that need to be controlled.

[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2025 Higher tier, Question 2 7 marks

(a)

Figure 2 shows a beaker containing a potato cylinder in distilled water.

Figure for question 2

Explain why the mass of this potato cylinder will change when it is placed in distilled water.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)
(b)

A scientist investigated the rate of diffusion using three agar cubes of different sizes.

Each cube contained a pH indicator that changed from pink to colourless when placed in acid.

The cubes were placed in a beaker containing an acid.

Figure 3 shows some information about each cube.

Figure for question 2
(b)(i)

Calculate the volume of cube C.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Explain the difference in the times taken for cubes A and B to become colourless.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)(ii)

Paper 2: Biology 2 June 2024 Higher tier, Question 2 10 marks

(a)

Figure 2 shows a root hair cell from a plant.

Figure for question 2
(a)(i)

Name the part labelled X.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

State one way that the structure of the root hair cell increases the volume of substances it absorbs.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

Explain why root hair cells do not contain chloroplasts.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(iii)
(b)
Question 2, shown as an image
Figure for question 2
(b)(i)
Question 2, shown as an image

from the Elodea cells in tap water.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Explain why placing the Elodea cells in the 10% salt solution causes the changes seen in Figure 3.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)(ii)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2023 Higher tier, Question 5 11 marks

A student investigated the movement of water in potatoes.

The student used three identical cubes of potato.

The size of a cube is shown in Figure 6.

Figure for question 5
Question 5, shown as an image
(a)
(a)(i)

Calculate the volume of this cube.

Include the units in your answer.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

One cube was placed in water and each of the other two cubes were placed in solutions with different concentrations of salt.

The cubes were left for 20 minutes.

Figure 7 shows the student’s results.

Figure for question 5

Give one way the student could ensure the measurement of the mass of the cubes is accurate.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

Explain the mass change in the cube in the concentrated salt solution.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(iii)
(a)(iv)

The student wanted to find the concentration of salt solution where the potato cube did not change mass.

Describe how the student could modify this investigation to find this concentration.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(iv)
(b)

Explain why potato cells do not burst when placed in water.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)

Paper 2: Biology 2 June 2023 Foundation tier, Question 5 11 marks

People with diabetes cannot always control the concentration of glucose in their blood.

(a)

Two people eat identical meals.

One person has diabetes, the other person does not have diabetes.

Figure 9 shows the concentration of glucose in the blood of these two people after eating the meals.

Figure for question 5

time after eating the meal in hours

Figure 9

(a)(i)

Describe two differences in the concentration of glucose in the blood of the two people shown in Figure 9.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Calculate the maximum increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood of the person with diabetes.

........ mmol per dm3

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

Water moved out of the red blood cells of the person with diabetes when the concentration of glucose in the blood was above 15 mmol per dm3.

Explain why water moved out of the red blood cells of the person with diabetes.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(iii)
(b)

The pancreas produces a hormone that causes the concentration of glucose in the blood to decrease.

(b)(i)

Name this hormone.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

State how this hormone is transported from the pancreas to its target organs.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

Which is the target organ for the hormone that controls the concentration of glucose in the blood?

Question 5, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(iii)
(c)

Explain how type 2 diabetes can be controlled.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(c)

Paper 2: Biology 2 June 2023 Higher tier, Question 1 9 marks

People with diabetes cannot always control the concentration of glucose in their blood.

(a)

Two people eat identical meals.

One person has diabetes, the other person does not have diabetes.

Figure 1 shows the concentration of glucose in the blood of these two people after eating the meals.

Figure for question 1

time after eating the meal in hours

Figure 1

(a)(i)

Calculate the maximum increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood of the person with diabetes.

........ mmol per dm3

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Water moved out of the red blood cells of the person with diabetes when the concentration of glucose in the blood was above 15 mmol per dm3.

Explain why water moved out of the red blood cells of the person with diabetes.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(ii)
(b)

The pancreas produces a hormone that causes the concentration of glucose in the blood to decrease.

(b)(i)

Name this hormone.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

State how this hormone is transported from the pancreas to its target organs.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

Which is the target organ for the hormone that controls the concentration of glucose in the blood?

Question 1, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)(iii)
(c)

Explain how type 2 diabetes can be controlled.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(c)

Paper 2: Biology 2 June 2022 Foundation tier, Question 3 9 marks

(a)

Figure 3 shows some onion cells that have been soaked in a concentrated salt solution.

Figure for question 3

(Source: Β© Rattiya Thongdumhyu/Shutterstock)

Figure 3

(a)(i)

The cells in Figure 3 have been stained.

Give one reason why the cells have been stained.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Which is the name of the structure labelled V?

Question 3, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

The salt solution outside the cell has a higher concentration than the solution inside the cell.

Explain why the cytoplasm shrinks away from the sides of the cell when the cells are in salt solution.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(iii)
(b)

Figure 4 shows the equipment used to prepare a microscope slide of onion cells.

Figure for question 3

Describe how this equipment could be used to prepare a slide of onion cells to view under a microscope.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)
(c)

A student investigated the percentage change in mass of potato cylinders placed in sucrose solutions of different concentrations.

Figure 5 shows the results of the student’s investigation.

Figure for question 3

concentration of sucrose solution in mol/dm3

Figure 5

State two conclusions that can be made from these results.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)

Paper 1: Biology 1 November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 3 9 marks

(a)

Carrots have different physical characteristics such as colour.

Which genetic term describes the physical characteristics of a carrot?

Question 3, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)
(b)

Figure 4 shows some carrot sticks.

Figure for question 3

A student chose three carrot sticks and weighed each one.

The carrot sticks were placed in 50 cm3 of distilled water.

After two hours the student weighed each carrot stick again.

Figure 5 shows the results for these carrot sticks P, Q and R.

Figure for question 3
(b)(i)

Give one reason why the student used three carrot sticks instead of just one carrot stick.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Give two ways that this method could be improved.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

Calculate the percentage change in mass of carrot stick Q.

Use the equation

Question 3, shown as an image

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

percentage change =........ %

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)(iii)
(b)(iv)

Explain the change in mass of the carrot sticks.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)(iv)

Paper 1: Biology 1 November 2021 Higher tier, Question 6 11 marks

(a)

Figure 9 shows a sperm cell.

Figure for question 6

Describe how structure A and structure B enable fertilisation.

structure A

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)
(b)

structure B

Figure 10 shows a human egg cell, magnified Γ—700.

Figure for question 6

(Source: Β© Pascal Goetgheluck / Science Photo Library)

Figure 10

Calculate the actual width of the region indicated by the line on Figure 10.

Give your answer in millimetres, in standard form.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)
(c)

* (c) A student investigated the movement of water.

Hens’ eggs were placed in vinegar for two days to dissolve the shell.

This makes the eggs permeable to water.

The eggs were then weighed and placed in different solutions.

After 24 hours the eggs were weighed again.

Figure 11 shows the results.

Figure for question 6

Evaluate the results of this investigation.

You should include calculations using the data in Figure 11.

[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)

Paper 2: Biology 2 November 2021 Higher tier, Question 3 9 marks

Figure 6 shows the structure and actual size of red blood cells (erythrocytes).

Figure for question 3

red blood cells side view of red blood cell (cut)

(Source: Β© N.Vinoth Narasingam/Shutterstock)

Figure 6

(a)(i)

Calculate the image size of the top view of this red blood cell if this cell is

Question 3, shown as an image

Give your answer in mm.

........ mm

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Explain how the shape of a red blood cell is related to its function.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

State the role of haemoglobin inside the red blood cell.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(iii)
(b)

Some blood transfusions contain red blood cells.

Red blood cells are stored in a solution containing 5.0% glucose and 0.9% salt.

Explain why red blood cells cannot be stored in pure water.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)

Paper 2: Biology 2 June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 4 11 marks

Figure 7 shows a plant cell as seen under a light microscope.

Figure for question 4

(Source: Β© HERVE CONGE, ISM/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)

Figure 7

(a)

Draw this plant cell in the box below.

Label three parts of this cell.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)
(b)

Mitochondria cannot be seen with a light microscope.

What is the function of mitochondria in a plant cell?

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)
(c)

A student wanted to investigate the movement of water into and out of cells in potatoes.

The student had the equipment shown in Figure 8.

Figure for question 4

The test tubes in the rack contain different concentrations of sodium chloride solution.

The solutions were 0.1 M, 0.2 M, 0.3 M, 0.4 M and 0.5 M sodium chloride solution.

The test tube in the beaker contains distilled water.

There are three potato chips in each of the six test tubes.

(c)(i)

State why the test tube in the beaker only contains distilled water and three potato chips.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

State two variables that need to be controlled in this investigation.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(ii)
(c)(iii)

Explain why the chips in the 0.5 M sodium chloride solution lost mass.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(iii)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2018 Foundation tier, Question 6 13 marks

(a) Figure 8 shows two potato chips.

Figure for question 6

Figure 9 shows some information about each potato chip.

Figure for question 6
(a)
(a)(i)

Calculate the total surface area of potato chip B using the formula,

Total surface area = 2XY + 2XZ + 2YZ

total surface area =........ cm2

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

The potato chips were placed in distilled water for 20 minutes.

Figure 10 shows the increase in mass of each potato chip.

Figure for question 6

Explain why potato chip B has a greater increase in mass than potato chip A.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

Potato chip A is transferred from the distilled water into a concentrated salt solution.

Explain what will happen to the cells in potato chip A.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)(iii)
(b)
Figure for question 6 Figure for question 6
[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2018 Higher tier, Question 2 9 marks

(a) Figure 4 shows two potato chips.

Figure for question 2

Figure 5 shows some information about each potato chip.

Figure for question 2
(a)
(a)(i)

Calculate the total surface area of potato chip B using the formula,

Total surface area = 2XY + 2XZ + 2YZ

total surface area =........ cm2

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

The potato chips were placed in distilled water for 20 minutes.

Figure 6 shows the increase in mass of each potato chip.

Figure for question 2

Explain why potato chip B has a greater increase in mass than potato chip A.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

Potato chip A is transferred from the distilled water into a concentrated salt solution.

Explain what will happen to the cells in potato chip A.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(iii)
(b)

The potatoes of a potato plant develop underground.

Explain one difference in the sub-cellular structures in a cell in the potato and those in a cell in the leaf of the potato plant.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)

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