Q BankQuestion BankDocsDocuments

A2.2.9—Atypical cell structure

Multinucleate fibres, anucleate transport cells, and other atypical cells reveal that cellular organization has important exceptions without removing the broader value of cell theory.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
A2.2.9
Level
SL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing4%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1

Common command terms

  • Identify
  • Discuss
  • State

Scoring notes

Common mistake
Treating an atypical cell as evidence that the entire cell theory is false.

Recent exam appearances

November 2025Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ13(d)[ 1 ]A2.2.9—Atypical cell structure
May 2024Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ21[ 1 ]A2.2.9—Atypical cell structure
November 2018Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ05(c)[ 7 ]A2.2.9—Atypical cell structure
May 2018Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ11[ 1 ]A2.2.9—Atypical cell structure
May 2017Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ21[ 1 ]A2.2.9—Atypical cell structure
Practice this objective

Coverage 2017–2025 · Updated 15 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

  • Striated muscle fibres contain many nuclei in a shared cytoplasm.
  • Aseptate fungal hyphae can extend without complete cellular cross-walls.
  • Mature mammalian red blood cells lack nuclei.
  • Atypical cells qualify simplified cell models while retaining a cellular origin.
ConceptIB Biology SL