Year 7 Cells Worksheet - Intermediate

Year 7 Cells worksheet for Year 7 (Key Stage 3 / Year 7-9 (Ages 11-14)). Intermediate level science practice, aligned to the UK National Curriculum. Print-ready with answer key included.

Science•Key Stage 3 / Year 7-9 (Ages 11-14)•Cellsintermediate

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Inside Cells: The Building Blocks of Life

Year 7 Science | Ages 11–12 | Intermediate

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Instructions: Work through the activities in order, using scientific vocabulary and complete explanations where asked. Read the table carefully and show your working for the microscope calculation. Each question is about cell structures, specialised cells or levels of organisation.

Cell structures and their functions

Use the word bank to complete each sentence with the correct cell structure. Each structure is used once. Choose carefully: some structures are found in both plant and animal cells, while others are characteristic of plant cells.

Word bank: cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplasts, cytoplasm, mitochondria, nucleus, vacuole

1. This structure controls the activities of the cell and contains genetic material: ______________

2. This jelly-like substance is where many of the cell’s chemical reactions happen: ______________

3. This structure controls what enters and leaves the cell: ______________

4. These structures release energy through respiration: ______________

5. This rigid layer supports and strengthens a plant cell: ______________

6. These structures contain chlorophyll and absorb light for photosynthesis: ______________

7. This large space contains cell sap and helps keep a plant cell firm: ______________

Plant and animal cells: compare the parts

Read each statement and decide whether it describes a plant cell, an animal cell or both. Write one of those three answers in each box. A structure can be present in both cell types.

1. Has a cell membrane, cytoplasm, a nucleus and mitochondria.

2. Has a cell wall and chloroplasts.

3. Has a cell membrane but does not have a cell wall or chloroplasts.

4. May have a large permanent vacuole containing cell sap.

5. Has mitochondria where energy is released by respiration.

Using a light microscope

Write your answer in the box below.

Specialised cells and their adaptations

For each specialised cell, give one structural feature and explain how that feature helps the cell do its job. Write a linked explanation rather than naming a feature alone.

1. A red blood cell carries oxygen around the body. Give one adaptation and explain how it helps.

2. A sperm cell swims towards an egg cell. Give one adaptation and explain how it helps.

3. A neurone carries electrical signals over long distances. Give one adaptation and explain how it helps.

4. A root hair cell absorbs water and mineral ions from soil. Give one adaptation and explain how it helps.

From cells to organ systems

Use the word bank to complete the sequence and examples. The levels of organisation go from the smallest biological level listed to the largest. Use each word-bank term where it best fits.

Word bank: cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, muscle, heart, circulatory system

1. Complete the levels of organisation in order: cells → ______________ → ______________ → ______________

2. A group of similar cells working together forms a ______________.

3. Several tissues working together form an ______________.

4. The heart is an example of an ______________; the ______________ is an organ system.

5. Cardiac muscle cells work together to form ______________ tissue in the heart.

Cells are the basic unit of life

Answer in your own words using the evidence in each prompt and your knowledge of cells. Give a clear scientific explanation, and include an example where requested.

1. Explain what is meant by saying that cells are the basic unit of life. [2 marks]

2. A leaf is an organ made of different tissues. Explain how cells, tissues and organs are connected in this example. [3 marks]

3. A student observes a tiny sample under a light microscope. State one reason why a microscope is useful for studying cells and one limitation of a light microscope. [2 marks]

Answer Key

Activity 1: 1. nucleus ; 2. cytoplasm ; 3. cell membrane ; 4. mitochondria ; 5. cell wall ; 6. chloroplasts ; 7. vacuole

Activity 2: 1. both ; 2. plant cell ; 3. animal cell ; 4. plant cell ; 5. both

Activity 3: 1. 12,000 µm ; 2. 12,000 ÷ 60 = 200× ; 3. 20,000 ÷ 100 = 200× ; 4. Eyepiece lens; stage

Activity 4: 1. Any suitable feature and explanation, e.g. a biconcave shape gives a large surface area for oxygen exchange ; 2. A tail propels it towards the egg, or many mitochondria release energy for movement ; 3. A long axon carries signals over a long distance, or branched ends connect with other cells ; 4. A long hair-like projection gives a large surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions

Activity 5: 1. tissues → organs → organ systems ; 2. tissue ; 3. organ ; 4. organ ; circulatory system ; 5. muscle

Activity 6: 1. Cells are the smallest units that carry out the processes needed for life; living organisms are made of one or more cells. ; 2. Leaf cells form tissues, and different tissues work together to make the leaf organ. ; 3. A microscope magnifies cells so their structures can be observed; a light microscope has limited resolution/magnification and cannot show very small structures such as ribosomes clearly.