Explain why a student examining a cell under a light microscope might conclude that the cell is a plant cell rather than an animal cell. In your answer, refer to structures visible under a light microscope.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
A student prepares a slide of an unknown cell and examines it under a light microscope.
Model answer (5 marks)
1. The student would see a rigid, regular shape due to a cell wall, which is only present in plant cells.
2. The cell wall provides support and gives the cell a fixed shape.
3. A large permanent central vacuole would be visible, a feature of plant cells.
4. Chloroplasts would be seen as green, disc‑shaped organelles.
5. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis, which does not occur in animal cells.
2. The cell wall provides support and gives the cell a fixed shape.
3. A large permanent central vacuole would be visible, a feature of plant cells.
4. Chloroplasts would be seen as green, disc‑shaped organelles.
5. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis, which does not occur in animal cells.
Examiner tips
- Use the word "cell wall" and explain its function; mention the vacuole and chloroplasts explicitly; link chloroplasts to photosynthesis; keep the answer concise and structured.
- Include the key structures in separate points to match the 5 marks.
Mark scheme (5 marks)
- The student could see a cell wall, which is present in plant cells but not animal cells
- The cell wall provides support / gives the cell a rigid, regular shape
- The student could see a large permanent vacuole, which is present in plant cells but not animal cells
- The student could see chloroplasts, which are present in plant cells but not animal cells
- Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll / are the site of photosynthesis, which does not occur in animal cells
Key terms in this question
Related
- All AQA A-Level Biology (7402) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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