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IGCSEBiology
Trial Class

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

Plant vs Animal Cells 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.

Test your ability to compare and contrast plant and animal cells, identify structures from diagrams, and explain functional differences.

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 2 Both 4 marks Difficulty 2/5

    Draw a table comparing plant and animal cells. Include four structures and state whether each is present or absent in each cell type.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Cell wall: present in plant cells, absent in animal cells.
    2. Chloroplasts: present in plant cells (in green parts), absent in animal cells.
    3. Large permanent vacuole: present in plant cells, absent (or small temporary) in animal cells.
    4. Cell membrane: present in both.

  2. Question 2

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Explain why a plant cell placed in pure water does not burst, but an animal cell does.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Water enters both cells by osmosis (higher water potential outside).
    2. Plant cell has a strong/rigid cellulose cell wall that resists expansion: becomes turgid.
    3. Animal cell has no cell wall: continues to swell and eventually lyses (bursts).

    Watch for: Saying the cell wall "stops water entering": it does not. Water still enters; the wall prevents bursting.

  3. Question 3

    Paper 2 Core 2 marks Difficulty 1/5

    Name two structures found in both plant and animal cells.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Nucleus.
    2. Cell membrane / cytoplasm / mitochondria / ribosomes (any two).

  4. Question 4

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Root cells are plant cells but do not contain chloroplasts. Explain why.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Root cells are underground / do not receive light.
    2. Chloroplasts are needed for photosynthesis, which requires light.
    3. So chloroplasts would serve no function in root cells.

  5. Question 5

    Paper 4 Both 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    State the role of the vacuole in a plant cell and explain what happens to the vacuole when a plant cell loses water.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Vacuole is filled with cell sap and pushes cytoplasm against the cell wall, keeping the cell turgid.
    2. When the cell loses water, the vacuole shrinks.
    3. The cell becomes flaccid / plasmolysis occurs (cytoplasm pulls away from cell wall).

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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