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Cell structure

Cell structure for GCSE Media Studies OCR: what it means, how to set the working out, and the questions it is asked in.
  • GCSE
  • OCR
  • Media Studies
  • Spec G7
  • 11 min read
  • 7 revision boxes

Introduction

2 boxes
1 min read

What is cell structure?

Listen to this box

Transcript

A short spoken summary of cell structure and where it is used.

A spoken walk-through of cell structure before you read the notes.
This idea appears again in the higher-mark questions, so it is worth over-learning.
Worth knowing: x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0.
5 rows

The cell structure reference table

The examiner marks the working, so a correct answer with no method still drops marks.
Worth knowing: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
Term
Meaning
Example
Common slip
Row 1 column 1
Row 1 column 2
≈160\approx 160
Row 1 column 4
Row 2 column 1
Row 2 column 2
49=7\sqrt{49} = 7
Row 2 column 4
Row 3 column 1
Row 3 column 2
a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Row 3 column 4

Learning

3 boxes
4 steps

How to work with cell structure

Practise the routine version until it is automatic, then move to the multi-step questions.
Worth knowing: 49=7\sqrt{49} = 7.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for cell structure in the order the method gives.
  3. Substitute the values and simplify.
  4. Check the answer against an estimate before writing it down.
Start from the definition and substitute the numbers the question gives you.
Simplify one line at a time: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}.
Answer: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}
3 rules

Key facts: Cell structure

Sketch the shape even when the question does not ask for one — it makes the next step obvious.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing cell structure laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
Worth knowing: ≈160\approx 160.

  • Rule 1

    How cell structure behaves in the 1st of the cases the specification names.
    49=7\sqrt{49} = 7

  • Rule 2

    How cell structure behaves in the 2nd of the cases the specification names.
    x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0
4 steps

How to work with cell structure

This idea appears again in the higher-mark questions, so it is worth over-learning.
Worth knowing: x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for cell structure in the order the method gives.
  3. Substitute the values and simplify.
Start from the definition and substitute the numbers the question gives you.
Simplify one line at a time: 49=7\sqrt{49} = 7.
Answer: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}

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Examples

2 boxes
3 marks · worked

Worked example: cell structure

The examiner marks the working, so a correct answer with no method still drops marks.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing cell structure laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
Worth knowing: x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0.
4 marks · worked

Practice question 7: ≈160\approx 160

Work through the method one line at a time and write down what changes at each step.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing cell structure laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
Worth knowing: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2.

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Common questions

How many marks is cell structure usually worth?
Between one and four, depending on how many steps the question asks for.
Is this on the GCSE Media Studies OCR paper?
Yes — it sits in the People and organisations strand.