O-LevelBiologyCell Biology5090/21 · May/June 2014 · Q110 Marks

Fig. 1.1 shows a sample of human blood seen using a microscope. B C A [Figure 1.1]

(a)(i)Name the type of cell labelled A in Fig. 1.1. State the function of this type of cell. type of cell function[2]
(a)(ii)Use your knowledge of the structure of this type of cell to suggest why the cell labelled A in Fig. 1.1 appears to be more lightly coloured at its centre than at its edge.[3]
(b)(i)Name the type of cells labelled B and C in Fig. 1.1. B C[1]
(b)(ii)Some diseases can cause a person to have fewer of cells B and C in the blood. Use your knowledge of how cells B and C carry out their functions to suggest a problem this may cause for a person. Give an explanation for your answer. problem explanation[4]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2014). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[2] red (blood cell) ;
absorb/carry/transport oxygen/transport CO2;
[3] thinner in middle/ref. biconcave ;
ref. haemoglobin ;
more (haemoglobin) at edges than at centre ;
light more easily able to pass through centre ;
lack of nucleus ;
[1] B - white blood cell (phagocyte)
C - white blood cell (lymphocyte) ;
[1] problem: reduced immunity/immune response/less able to fight infection/kill microorganisms or pathogens/more likely to suffer (infectious) disease*;
[3] explanation: ref. phagocytosis ;
ref. antibody production ;
microorganisms/pathogens/bacteria/viruses/remain in blood/body/not destroyed;
more likely to succumb to (infectious) disease* AW ;

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