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IGCSEBiology
Trial Class

Original practice · 5 questions · 15 marks · about 17 minutes

Cell Membrane and Transport Practice Questions

Biology editorial review is supported by the named review panel. Reviewer participation may vary by guide. Checked against Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026–2028); last reviewed August 2026.

These questions bring together all three transport mechanisms: diffusion, osmosis, and active transport: and test your ability to compare and apply them.

Before you open the answers

  • Attempt every question without notes.
  • Show working for calculations and write complete biological statements.
  • Use the suggested time as a guide, not a strict limit on the first attempt.

These are original practice questions. They do not reproduce an official Cambridge paper or official mark scheme.

  1. Question 1

    Paper 4 Extended 4 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Compare diffusion, osmosis, and active transport in terms of: (a) energy requirement, (b) direction of movement relative to concentration gradient.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Diffusion: no energy needed; down the concentration gradient.
    2. Osmosis: no energy needed; water moves from higher water potential to lower water potential.
    3. Active transport: requires energy from respiration; against the concentration gradient.
    4. Osmosis involves water only; diffusion and active transport can involve other molecules/ions.

  2. Question 2

    Paper 2 Core 2 marks Difficulty 1/5

    State what is meant by "partially permeable" when describing a cell membrane.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Allows some substances to pass through.
    2. But not others / selectively allows molecules through based on size or other properties.

  3. Question 3

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 4/5

    In the small intestine, glucose is absorbed into the blood. Early in digestion, this occurs by diffusion. Later, active transport is used. Explain why.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Early in digestion, glucose concentration in the gut is higher than in the blood: diffusion occurs down the gradient.
    2. Later, most glucose has been absorbed, so concentration in the gut drops below blood concentration.
    3. Active transport moves the remaining glucose against the concentration gradient into the blood.

  4. Question 4

    Paper 4 Both 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    A student places red blood cells in three solutions: pure water, 0.9% salt solution, and 10% salt solution. Predict what happens to the cells in each solution.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Pure water: cells swell and burst (lyse): water enters by osmosis.
    2. 0.9% salt: cells stay the same: isotonic solution, no net water movement.
    3. 10% salt: cells shrink / become crenated: water leaves by osmosis.

  5. Question 5

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 4/5

    Carrier proteins in the cell membrane are involved in active transport. Explain the role of these proteins.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Carrier proteins bind to specific molecules / ions on one side of the membrane.
    2. They use energy from ATP / respiration to change shape.
    3. This moves the molecule/ion across the membrane against the concentration gradient.

Mark the set consistently

Award a point only when the idea is clearly present in the written answer. Correct any missed point in a complete sentence, then test the same skill on a different question several days later.

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