Edexcel A-Level Biology B 9BI0
Biological Molecules
Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things
Classification and Biodiversity
Exchange and Transport
Energy for Biological Processes
Microbiology and Pathogens
Modern Genetics
Origins of Genetic Variation
Control Systems
Ecosystems
Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things
Prokaryotic cells and Gram staining
- 3 things to know
- Papers 1, 2 and 3
Overview
Recall questions on how prokaryotic cells differ from eukaryotic, the bacterial cell wall, and what Gram staining distinguishes.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Why do Gram positive bacteria appear purple after Gram staining?
How does the outer membrane of Gram negative bacteria affect their antibiotic susceptibility?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is the nucleoid in a prokaryotic cell?
Model answer
The nucleoid is a region containing the circular chromosome of DNA, not enclosed by a membrane.
- 2
What are plasmids and what genes do they commonly carry?
Model answer
Plasmids are small circular DNA molecules in prokaryotes that replicate independently of the chromosome and often carry genes for antibiotic resistance.
- 3
What is the size of prokaryotic ribosomes?
Model answer
Prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S in size, smaller than eukaryotic ribosomes.
- 4
What substance is found in prokaryotic cell walls and what is its function?
Model answer
Prokaryotic cell walls contain peptidoglycan (murein), which provides structural support and protection.
- 5
Why do Gram positive bacteria appear purple after Gram staining?
Model answer
Gram positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall, which retains the crystal violet stain, causing them to appear purple.
- 6
Describe the cell wall structure of Gram negative bacteria and explain why they appear pink after Gram staining.
Model answer
Gram negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer surrounded by an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides. They appear pink because they do not retain the crystal violet stain and instead take up the counterstain.
Other ways to work this
The same content, four other ways.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Every question in Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.