Q1.

(a)

Complete the table to describe some of the events during the cell cycle.
Stage of cell cycle

Main event which takes place

Metaphase
Chromosomes coil and shorten
Daughter chromosomes move to poles of
the cell
S-phase
Nuclear envelope re-forms
(5)

(b)

The diagram shows the life cycle of an organism. The numbers show how many
chromosomes are present in one cell at each stage of the life cycle.

(i)

Name the type of cell division that must be involved in producing the spores.
.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

How many chromosomes are there in a male gamete from this organism?
.............................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 1 of 46

Q2.

(a) Describe and explain how water moves via the apoplastic and symplastic pathways
from the soil to the xylem in a root.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(6)

Page 2 of 46

(b)

The graphs show the daily changes in environmental temperature and light intensity, and
changes in the diameter of the trunk of a pine tree.

Page 3 of 46

Use information from the graphs, and your knowledge of the cohesion-tension theory of
water movement through a plant, to explain why the diameter of the trunk is smallest at
midday.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(6)

(c)

Describe and explain three ways in which the leaves of xerophytic plants may be adapted
to reduce water loss.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 15 marks)

Page 4 of 46

Q3.

The photograph shows cells from an onion root tip. The root tip has been squashed and
stained to show the stages of mitosis.

(a)

(i)

At what stage of mitosis is cell A?

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

What is the evidence that cell B is in anaphase?

.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(1)

(iii)

Cell C is in interphase. Give two processes which occur during interphase that
enable cell division to occur.
1 ..........................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
2 ..........................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Explain how you would calculate the magnification of the photograph.

......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 5 of 46

(c)

The number of cells at each stage of mitosis was counted. The results are shown in the
table.
Stage of mitosis

Number of cells

Interphase

123

Prophase

32

Metaphase

12

Anaphase

Telophase

27

One complete cell cycle takes 24 hours. The number of cells at each stage is proportional
to the time spent at that stage. Calculate the length of time spent in metaphase. Show your
working.

Answer ........................................................... hours

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 6 of 46

Q4.

The diagram shows a cell from a potato.

(a)

Give two features which may be found in a prokaryotic cell which would not be found in
this cell.
1 ...................................................................................................................
2 ...................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

(i)

Describe how you could confirm that the granules contained starch.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(1)

.............................................................................................................
(ii)

Name one polysaccharide other than starch that would be found in this cell.
.............................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Explain one advantage of storing starch rather than glucose in potato cells.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 7 of 46

Q5.

In a hospital laboratory, a sterile Petri dish of nutrient agar was inoculated with bacteria from
a patient with a throat infection. Four discs, each of which had been soaked in a different
antibiotic, were placed on top of the bacteria. The dish was incubated at 37 C. Figure 1 shows
the appearance of the dish after incubation.

Figure 1
(a)

Explain why there are clear zones around some of the discs containing antibiotic.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

It was suggested that ampicillin might be the best antibiotic to treat the patients throat
infection. Give the evidence from the laboratory test to support this suggestion.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 8 of 46

(c)

Tetracycline binds to bacterial ribosomes. This is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2
Tetracycline prevents bacterial growth by preventing protein synthesis. Give two other
ways in which antibiotics can prevent bacterial growth.
1 ...................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
2 ...................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q6.

(a) Nucleic acids, such as DNA, are polymers, made up of many repeating monomer
units. Name the monomer from which nucleic acids are made.
......................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 9 of 46

(b)

The table shows the percentage of different bases in the DNA of some organisms.
Percentage of each base
Organism

(i)

Adenine

Guanine

Cytosine

Thymine

Human

31.2

18.8

18.8

31.2

Cow

27.9

22.1

22.1

27.9

Salmon

29.4

20.6

20.6

29.4

Rat

28.6

Virus

24.7

24.1

18.5

32.7

Calculate the missing figures for rat DNA and write them into the table.
(2)

(ii)

The virus has single-stranded DNA as its genetic material. Explain the evidence from
the table which suggests that the DNA is single-stranded.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q7.

A student investigated the stages of mitosis in a garlic root. The root tip was placed on a
microscope slide with a stain. A cover slip was placed on top and the root tip was firmly
squashed.
(a)

Explain why
(i)

a root tip was used;

.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

a stain was used;

.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 10 of 46

(iii)

the root tip was firmly squashed.

.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

The student examined the cells in the garlic root tip under the microscope, and obtained
the following data.
Stage

(i)

Number of cells

Interphase

872

Prophase

74

Metaphase

18

Anaphase

10

Telophase

Calculate the percentage of these cells in which the chromosomes are visible and
would consist of a pair of chromatids joined together. Show your working.

Answer .........................................
(2)

(ii)

A different set of results was obtained when the count was repeated on another
occasion with a different garlic root tip. Give two reasons for the difference in results.
1 ..........................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
2 ..........................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 11 of 46

Q8.

Read the following passage.

10

Straw consists of three main organic substances cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.
Cellulose molecules form chains which pack together into fibres. Hemicellulose is a small
molecule formed mainly from five-carbon (pentose) sugar monomers. It acts as a cement
holding cellulose fibres together. Like hemicellulose, lignin is a polymer, but it is not a
carbohydrate. It covers the cellulose in the cell wall and supplies additional strength. In
addition to these three substances, there are small amounts of other biologically important
polymers present.
The other main component of straw is water. Water content is variable but may be determined
by heating a known mass of straw at between 80 and 90C until it reaches a constant mass.
The loss in mass is the water content.
Since straw is plentiful, it is possible that it could be used for the production of a range of
organic substances. The first step is the conversion of cellulose to glucose. It has been
suggested that an enzyme could be used for this process. There is a difficulty here, however.
The lignin which covers the cellulose protects the cellulose from enzyme attack.

Use information from the passage and your own knowledge to answer the following questions.
(a)

(i)

Give one way in which the structure of a hemicellulose molecule is similar to the
structure of a cellulose molecule.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Complete the table to show two ways in which the structure of a hemicellulose
molecule differs from the structure of a cellulose molecule.
Hemicellulose

Cellulose

..........................................................

..........................................................

..........................................................

..........................................................

..........................................................

..........................................................

..........................................................

..........................................................
(2)

(b)

Name one biologically important polymer, other than those mentioned in the passage,
which would be found in straw.
......................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Explain why the following steps were necessary in finding the water content of straw:
(i)

heating the straw until it reaches constant mass (line 9);

.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................
(1)

Page 12 of 46

(ii)

not heating the straw above 90C (line 9).

.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(2)

(d)

A covering of lignin protects cellulose from enzyme attack (line 14). Use your knowledge of
the way in which enzymes work to explain why cellulose-digesting enzymes do not digest
lignin.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(2)

(e)

Describe the structure of a cellulose molecule and explain how cellulose is adapted for its
function in cells.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(6)
(Total 15 marks)

Page 13 of 46

Q9.

(a)

In which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication take place?

......................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

The diagrams show five stages of mitosis.

List the stages A to E in the correct sequence, beginning with the earliest stage.
.....................

.....................

.....................

.....................

.....................
(1)

(c)

Describe the role of the spindle during mitosis.

......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(2)

(d)

Meiosis also occurs during the life cycle of organisms. What is the importance of meiosis?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 14 of 46

Q10.

The diagram shows how some organelles may be distinguished from each other.

Organelle found in prokaryotic

and eukaryotic cells
Organelle A

Organelle found only in

eukaryotic cells

Organelle found in
animal cells and in
plant cells. Does not
contain membranes
arranged in stacks.

Larger organelle surrounded

by an envelope through which
there are pores. usually one
per cell.
Organelle C
(a)

(i)

Organelle found in
plant cells. Contains
inner membranes
arranged in stacks.
Organelle B

Smaller organelle surrounded

by an outer membrane. Has an inner
membrane, folded to form cristae.
Many in the cell.
Organelle D

Name organelle B.
.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Describe the function of organelle B.

.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Which of organelles A, B, C or D
(i)

is a ribosome;
.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

contains most of the DNA found in a plant cell?

.............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 15 of 46

(c)

Some liver tissue was ground, filtered and centrifuged to make a suspension of
organelle D.
(i)

Explain why the solution in which the liver tissue was ground should be ice-cold.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

The ground liver was centrifuged at low speed. The pellet that formed at the bottom
of the centrifuge tube was thrown away and the supernatant centrifuged again at
higher speed. Explain why it was necessary to first centrifuge the ground liver at low
speed in order to obtain a suspension of organelle D.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q11.

(a) The diagram shows part of a DNA molecule. In the space below, draw a similar
diagram to show this part of the molecule after it has replicated.
Label the original strands and the new strands.

(2)

Page 16 of 46

(b)

Biologists found the mean mass of DNA in three different types of cells from different
animals. Their results are shown in the table.
Mass of DNA in nucleus/picograms
Animal

(i)

Liver cell

Blood cell

Sperm cell

Chicken

2.53

2.51

1.26

Goldfish

3.29

3.28

1.64

Trout

5.79

5.78

2.89

Toad

7.33

7.31

3.68

What would you expect to be the mean mass of DNA in a skin cell from a toad?
Explain your answer.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

A zygote is formed when a sperm cell fertilises an egg cell. How much DNA would
you expect to find in a trout zygote that had just been formed? Explain your answer.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Q12.

(a)

What is a tissue?

......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 17 of 46

(b)

A student cut a thin section of tissue from a potato and examined it with an optical
microscope.
(i)

Starch was present in the cells of this tissue. Describe how the student could find
out where in the cells the starch was present.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

The student cut a thin section of the tissue. Explain why it was important that the
section was thin.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

The cell walls of potato cells contain cellulose. Cellulose and starch are both
carbohydrates. Describe two ways in which molecules of cellulose are similar to
molecules of starch.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 18 of 46

Q13.

The diagram shows a cell cycle.

(a)

The table shows the number of chromosomes and the mass of DNA in different nuclei.
All the nuclei come from the same animal. Complete this table.
Nucleus

At prophase of mitosis

Number of chromosomes

Mass of DNA / arbitrary units

26

60

At telophase of mitosis
From a sperm cell
(4)

(b)

If the DNA of the cell is damaged, a protein called p53 stops the cell cycle.
Mutation in the gene for p53 could cause cancer to develop. Explain how.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(3)

Page 19 of 46

(c)

Drugs are used to treat cancer. At what phase in the cell cycle would each of the following
drugs act?
(i)

A drug that prevents DNA replication

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

A drug that prevents spindle fibres shortening

.............................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 9 marks)

Q14.

The diagram shows part of a DNA molecule.

(a)

Name the two components of the part of the DNA molecule labelled M.
1 ...................................................................................................................
2 ...................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

What is the maximum number of amino acids for which this piece of DNA could code?

(1)

(c)

Scientists calculated the percentage of different bases in the DNA from a species of
bacterium. They found that 14% of the bases were guanine.
(i)

What percentage of the bases in this species of bacterium was cytosine?

Answer .......................................
(1)

Page 20 of 46

(ii)

What percentage of the bases in this species of bacterium was adenine?

Answer .......................................
(1)

(d)

The scientists found that, in a second species of bacterium, 29% of the bases were
guanine.
Explain the difference in the percentage of guanine bases in the two species of bacterium.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q15.

Figure 1 shows a short section of a DNA molecule.

Figure 1

(a)

Name parts R and Q.

(i)

R ....................................................

(ii)

Q ....................................................
(2)

(b)

Name the bonds that join A and B.

......................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 21 of 46

(c)

Ribonuclease is an enzyme. It is 127 amino acids long.

What is the minimum number of DNA bases needed to code for ribonuclease?

(1)

(d)

Figure 2 shows the sequence of DNA bases coding for seven amino acids in the enzyme
ribonuclease.
Figure 2
G T T T A C T A C T C T T C T T C T T T A
The number of each type of amino acid coded for by this sequence of DNA bases is
shown in the table.
Amino acid

Number present

Arg

Met

Gln

Asn

Use the table and Figure 2 to work out the sequence of amino acids in this part of the
enzyme. Write your answer in the boxes below.
Gln
(1)

(e)

Explain how a change in a sequence of DNA bases could result in a non-functional

enzyme.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Page 22 of 46

Q16.

The diagram shows a short sequence of DNA bases.

TTTGTATACTAGTCTACTTCGTTAATA
(a)

(i)

What is the maximum number of amino acids for which this sequence of DNA bases
could code?

(1)

(ii)

The number of amino acids coded for could be fewer than your answer to part (a)(i).
Give one reason why.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Explain how a change in the DNA base sequence for a protein may result in a change in
the structure of the protein.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(Extra space) ................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(3)

Page 23 of 46

(c)

A piece of DNA consisted of 74 base pairs. The two strands of the DNA, strands A and B,
were analysed to find the number of bases of each type that were present. Some of the
results are shown in the table.
Number of bases
C
Strand A

26

Strand B

19

Complete the table by writing in the missing values.

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q17.

The diagram shows an organism called Chlamydomonas.

(a)

Name two structures shown in the diagram that are present in plant cells but are not
present in animal cells.
1 ...................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
2 ...................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(2)

Page 24 of 46

(b)

Chlamydomonas lives in fresh water ponds. Use your knowledge of osmosis to suggest
an advantage of using starch as a carbohydrate store.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

Chlamydomonas has adaptations that help it to maintain a high rate of photosynthesis.

Use information in the diagram to explain what these adaptations are.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(Extra space) ...............................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

Q18.

Phenylketonuria is a disease caused by mutations of the gene coding for the enzyme PAH. The
table shows part of the DNA base sequence coding for PAH. It also shows a mutation of this sequence
which leads to the production of non-functioning PAH.

DNA base sequence coding for

PAH

DNA base sequence coding for

non-functioning PAH

(a)

(i)

What is the maximum number of amino acids for which this base sequence could code?

(1)

Page 25 of 46

(ii)

Explain how this mutation leads to the formation of non-functioning PAH.

...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(Extra space) ........................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(3)

PAH catalyses a reaction at the start of two enzyme-controlled pathways.

The diagram shows these pathways.

(b)

Use the information in the diagram to give two symptoms you might expect to be visible in
a person who produces non-functioning PAH.
1 .....................................................................................................................
2 .....................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

One mutation causing phenylketonuria was originally only found in one population in central
Asia. It is now found in many different populations across Asia. Suggest how the spread of
this mutation may have occurred.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 26 of 46

Q19.

(a)

The diagram shows a stage of mitosis in an animal cell.

(i)

Name this stage.

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Describe what happens during this stage that results in the production of two
genetically identical cells.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

A sample of epithelial tissue from the small intestine of an animal was analysed.
Some of the cells had 8.4 units of DNA, others had only 4.2 units.
(i)

Use your knowledge of the cell cycle to explain why some cells had 8.4
units of DNA and others had only 4.2 units.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

How many units of DNA would you expect to be present in a gamete formed
in this animal as a result of meiosis?

(1)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 27 of 46

Q20.

The diagram shows a chloroplast as seen with an electron microscope.

(a)

Name X and Y.
X ....................................................................................................................
Y ....................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Describe the function of a chloroplast.

........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

Calculate the maximum length of this chloroplast in micrometres (m). Show

your working.

Answer ............................................... m
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 28 of 46

Q21.

The diagram shows part of a DNA molecule.

(a)

(i)

DNA is a polymer. What is the evidence from the diagram that DNA is a polymer?
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Name the parts of the diagram labelled C, D and E.

Part C .......................................................................
Part D .......................................................................
Part E .......................................................................
(3)

(iii)

In a piece of DNA, 34% of the bases were thymine.

Complete the table to show the names and percentages of the other bases.
Name of base

Percentage

Thymine

34

34

(2)

Page 29 of 46

(b)

A polypeptide has 51 amino acids in its primary structure.

(i)

What is the minimum number of DNA bases required to code for the amino acids in
this polypeptide?

(1)

(ii)

The gene for this polypeptide contains more than this number of bases.
Explain why
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 8 marks)

Q22.

(a)

Mitosis is important in the life of an organism. Give two reasons why.

........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
(2)

Page 30 of 46

A biologist used a microscope to investigate plant tissue where some of the cells were dividing by
mitosis. She examined 200 cells and counted the number of cells in interphase and in each stage of
mitosis.
The table shows some of the cells she saw, and the percentage of cells in interphase and in two
stages of mitosis, A and B.
Stage of cell cycle

Percentage of cells

Interphase
90

Stage A
3

Stage B
1

Images by Edmund Beecher Wilson [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

(b)

(i)

Explain why the biologist chose to examine 200 cells.

...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Name Stage A and Stage B. Give the evidence from the photograph that you used to
identify the stage.
Name of Stage A ...................................................................................
Evidence ...............................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Name of Stage B ...................................................................................
Evidence ...............................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
(4)

Page 31 of 46

(c)

In this tissue one complete cell cycle took 20 hours.

Using information from the table, calculate the mean time for these cells to complete
mitosis. Show your working.

Answer ......................................
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Page 32 of 46

M1.

(a) Chromosomes attach to equator/middle of cell/spindle;

Prophase;
Anaphase;
DNA replication/synthesis / chromosome copying/duplication;
Telophase;
5

(b)

(i)

Meiosis;
1

(ii)

32;
1

[7]

M2.

(a)

Apoplastic Via cell walls / spaces external to cell membrane / external to

cytoplasm / between cells;
As far as endodermis / Casparian strip / layer of wax;
Caused by transpiration pull;
Cohesion / hydrogen-bonding between water molecules;

Symplastic Through cell surface membrane (of epidermis / root hair cell) / ref.
vacuoles membrane;
High to low
/
;
Diffusion / osmosis;
Cell-to-cell via plasmodesmata / via strands of cytoplasm;
Secretion / active transport of ions into xylem by endodermis;
OR
Active uptake of ions from soil at epidemis;
Lowers

/
in xylem / increases osmosis into xylem;
[If symplast & apoplast are confused max 5 marks]
max 6

(b)

1. Diameter of trunk minimal at warmest / brightest time of day /

midday = warmest / brightest;
2. Stomata open in light more water loss;
3. Water evaporates more when warm / more heat energy for water evaporation;
4. Hydrogen-bonding between water molecules;
5. Cohesion (/ described) between water molecules;
6. Adhesion (described) between water molecules and walls of xylem vessels;
7. (Xylem) pulled inwards by faster flow of water / pulled in by tension;
8. Reduced pressure at leaves / top of plant / pull from top / from leaves /
tension from leaves / from top of plant due to transpiration / evaporation;
9. Water pulled up plant;
max 6

Page 33 of 46

(c)
Feature

Explanation

Think cuticle / wax layer

Sunken stomata
Hairy
Leaves small / reduced to spines / needles
Leaves roll up in dry weather

waterproof / impermeable;
saturated layer of still air outside;
saturated layer of still air outside;
reduced S.A. for water loss;
less S.A. for water loss / stomata
covered / saturated region of still air;
Reduced number of stomata
reduced S.A. for water loss;
CAM (/ Crassulacean Acid Metabolism)
stomata closed in light / in warm / only
open in dark / when cool;
3 features but no explanations max 1 mark
max 3

[15]

M3.

(a)

(i)

Prophase;
1

(ii)

Chromosomes/chromatids moved apart;

1

(iii)

A wide range of processes occurs during interphase. This list

is by no means exhaustive, but we would expect to see answer
such as:
Increase in volume of cell/volume of cytoplasm / increase in
mass / cell bigger; increase in number of organelles;
synthesis of protein/named protein;
DNA replication/increase / chromosomes copied;
ATP synthesis / respiration;
max 2

(b)

Divide real length of bar (in mm)/10 by 0.02;

1

(c)

12/200 24 / single error in otherwise correct method;

1.44 hours (1 hour 26 min);
2

[7]

M4.

(a) Any two from:

Loop of DNA;
Non-cellulose cell wall;
Plasmid;
Capsule;
Flagellum;
Mesosome;
Accept small ribosomes
2

Page 34 of 46

(b)

(i)

(Granules) turn blue-black/dark blue/black/purple with iodine;

1

(ii)

Cellulose / pectin;
1

(c)

Use principle:
Feature of starch;
Consequence in terms of storage;
e.g.
Insoluble;
Therefore will not wash out of cell / affect water
potential / affect osmosis;
OR
Molecule coiled/branched;
Therefore large amount stored in small space / compact
OR
Does not affect water potential;
So no effect on entry of water (into cell);
2

[6]

M5.

(a) antibiotic has diffused/spread/moved into agar;

killed/inhibited bacteria;
2

(b)

largest clear area/inhibition zone/killed the most bacteria;

1

(c)

disrupts cell wall/prevents cell wall synthesis;

stops DNA replication;
2

[5]

M6.

(a)

nucleotide;
1

(b)

(i)

21.4, 21.4; 28.6;

2

(ii)

amounts of A and T /C and G/complementary bases different;

therefore no base-pairing;
2 max

[5]

Page 35 of 46

M7.

(a)

(i)
where mitosis/division/growing/ occurs
(reject growing cells)
1

(ii)

to distinguish chromosomes/chromosomes not visible

without stain;
1

(iii)

to let light through/thin layer;

1

(b)

(i)

74 + 18/982;
= 9.4% / 9%;
2

(allow 1 mark for identifying prophase & metaphase i.e.92 or

correct method using wrong figures)
(ii)

genetic differences/different types of garlic;

time of day;
chance;
age of root tip;
water availability;
temperature;
nutrient availability;
(environmental factors = 1 but cannot be awarded in addition to a
named environmental factor)
2 max

[7]

M8.

(a)

(i)
both are polymers/polysaccharides/built up from many sugar units/
both contain glycosidic bonds/ contain (C)arbon, (H)ydrogen
and (O)xygen;
1

(ii)

hemicellulose shorter/smaller than cellulose/fewer carbons;

hemicellulose from pentose/five-carbon sugars and cellulose from
hexose/glucose/six-carbon sugars;
(only credit answers which compare like with like.)
2

(b)

protein/nucleic acid/enzyme/RNA/DNA/starch/amylose/amylopectin
polypeptide;
1

(c)

(i)

to make sure that all the water has been lost;

1

(ii)

only water given off below 90 C;

(above 90C) other substances straw burnt/oxidised/broken
down; and lost as gas/produce loss in mass;
2 max

Page 36 of 46

(d)

enzymes are specific;

shape of lignin molecules;
will not fit active site (of enzyme);
OR
shape of active site (of enzyme);
will not fit molecule;
2 max

(e)

1. made from -glucose;

2. joined by condensation/removing molecule of water/glycosidic bond;
3. 1 : 4 link specified or described;
4. flipping over of alternate molecules;
5. hydrogen bonds linking chains/long straight chains;
6. cellulose makes cell walls strong/cellulose fibres are strong;
7. can resist turgor pressure/osmotic pressure/pulling forces;
8. bond difficult to break;
9. resists digestion/action of microorganisms/enzymes;
(allow maximum of 4 marks for structural features)
6 max

[15]

M9.

(a)

Interphase/S-phase;
1

(b)

A D C E B;
1

(c)

Attachment of centromeres/chromosomes/chromatids; Separation of

centromeres/chromatids/chromosomes;
2

(d)

Halves chromosome number/haploid;

Diploid/full number restored at fertilisation;
Allow correct reference to variation
max 2

[6]

M10.

(a)

(i)

Chloroplast;
1

(ii)

Photosynthesis;
Uses light (energy);
To produce carbohydrates/starch/glucose/sugars/ATP/
reduced NADP;
Note that candidates cannot be expected to have a detailed
knowledge of photosynthesis.
max 2

Page 37 of 46

(b)

(i)

A;
1

(ii)

C;
1

(c)

(i)

Slows enzymes/prevents enzymes being denatured/

prevents/stops self-digestion;
Ignore references to bacteria. Reject enzymes not working
1

(ii)

To remove organelle C/nuclei;

Which are larger/more dense;
2

[8]

M11.

(a) Diagram showing two identical molecules;

Each with one original and one new strand;
2

(b)

(i)

7.31 7.36;
Same as liver cell/blood cell/twice sperm cell;
2

(ii)

5.78;
Sperm cell + egg cell, both with 2.89/twice sperm cell;
2

[6]

M12.

(a)

(Group of) similar/identical cells/cells with a common origin;

Q Ignore references to function
1

(b)

(i)

Add iodine/stain specific for starch to the slide/cells/tissue/

/add iodine/stain specific for starch and examine under microscope;
Blue-black/blue/black/purple;
Reject sample
2

(ii)

Need a single layer of cells/only a few cells thick/not too many

layers;
Light must be able to pass through;
Detail obscured by cells underneath;
2 max

Page 38 of 46

(c)

Both are polymers/made of monomers;

Joined by condensation/molecules can be broken down by hydrolysis;
Both have 1-4 links;
Contain C(arbon), H(ydrogen) and O(xygen)/both made up of glucose;
Both insoluble;
Both contain glycosidic bonds;
Accept other valid answers.
Ignore ref to unbranched.
2 max

[7]

M13.

(a)
Number of
chromosomes

Mass of
DNA/arbitrary units

At telophase of
mitosis

26;

30;

From a sperm cell

13;

15;

Nucleus

(b)

Cancer cells often have faulty/damaged DNA;

Protein/p53 faulty/not made;
Cell (with faulty /DNA) divides/completes cell cycle;
Uncontrolled division produces cancer;
p53 refers to the protein so do not accept reference to p53
mutating.
3

(c)

(i)

Interphase/S phase/synthesis phase;

1

(ii)

Anaphase/A;
1

[9]

M14.

(a)

Phosphate;

Deoxyribose;
Q Candidates must specify deoxyribose. This term is a
specification requirement.
Ignore anything that is not incorrect.
2

Page 39 of 46

(b)

4;
1

(c)

(i)

14;
1

(ii)

36;
If (c)(i) incorrect accept [50 (c)(i)]
1

(d)

Different proteins;
Different genes;
Different (DNA) base sequences;
2 max

[7]

M15.

(a)

(i)

Deoxyribose;
pentose/5C sugar = neutral
1

(ii)

Phosphate/Phosphoric acid;
phosphorus/P = neutral
1

(b)

Hydrogen (bonds);
1

(c)

381/384/387;
1

(d)

(Gln) Met Met Arg Arg Arg Asn;

1

(e)

Change in (sequence of) amino acids/primary structure;

Change in hydrogen/ionic/disulfide bonds;
Alters tertiary structure/active site (of enzyme);
Substrate cannot bind/no enzyme-substrate complexes form;
Q Reject = different amino acids are formed
3 max

[8]

Page 40 of 46

M16.

(a)

(i)

9;
Accept: nine
1

(ii)

Introns / non-coding DNA / junk DNA;

Start/stop code/triplet;
Neutral: Repeats.
Accept: Introns and exons present.
Reject: Due to exons.
1 max

(b)

Change in amino acid/s /primary structure;

Change in hydrogen/ionic/ disulfide bonds;
Alters tertiary structure;
Reject: Different amino acid is formed negates first marking
point.
Neutral: Reference to active site.
3

(c)

Number of bases
Number of bases
C

Strand A

26

19

20

Strand B

19

26

20

Second column correct;

Columns three and four correct;
2

[7]

M17.

(a)

Cell wall;

Starch (store);
Chloroplast;
Accept: phonetic spelling
2 max

(b)

Insoluble;
Reduces/stops water entry/osmosis / does not affect water
potential / is osmotically inactive;
Accept: description for first point e.g. does not dissolve.
2

Page 41 of 46

(c)

Light sensitive eyespot / eyespot detects light;

Flagellum enables movement towards light;
Chloroplast/chlorophyll absorbs light/ for photosynthesis;
Do not penalise references to many chloroplasts.
3

[7]

M18.

(a)

(i)

4;
1

(ii)

1.

Change in amino acid / (sequence of) amino acids / primary

structure;
1. Reject = different amino acids are formed

2.

Change in hydrogen / ionic / disulphide bonds;

3.

Alters tertiary structure / active site (of enzyme);

3. Alters 3D structure on its own is not enough for this marking
point.

4.

Substrate not complementary / cannot bind (to enzyme / active site) /

no enzyme- substrate complexes form;
3 max

(b)

1.

Lack of skin pigment / pale / light skin / albino;

2.

Lack of coordination / muscles action affected;

2 max

(c)

Founder effect / colonies split off / migration / interbreeding;

Allow description of interbreeding e.g. reproduction between
individuals from different populations
1

[7]

M19.

(a)

(i)

Anaphase
1

(ii)

1.

Sister / identical chromatids / identical chromosomes;

1. Reject: Homologous chromosomes separate.
1. Allow any reference to chromatids / chromosomes being
identical e.g. same DNA

2.

To (opposite) poles / ends / sides;

2

Page 42 of 46

(b)

(i)

1.

8.4 / cells with twice DNA content = replicated DNA / late interphase /
prophase / metaphase / anaphase;
1. Any reference to interphase must suggest towards end of
interphase.
1. Chromosomes replicate is not enough for DNA replicates.

2.

4.2 = DNA not replicated / (early) interphase / telophase / cell just

divided / finished mitosis;
2

(ii)

2.1;
1

[6]

M20.

(a)

2.

1.

Granum / grana / thylakoid;

1. Ignore references to membranes, stacks or discs.

Stroma;
Allow phonetic spellings.
2

(b)

1.

Absorbs / traps / uses light;

1. Light dependent reaction = marking point 1.

2.

For photosynthesis;

3.

Produces carbohydrates / sugars / lipids / protein;

3. Accept any named product of photosynthesis for marking
point 3.
Reference to light dependent and light independent reactions
= two marks
2 max

(c)

Correct answer in range of 2.53 - 2.66;

Any length divided by 30000 = 1 mark;
2

[6]

M21.

(a)

(i)

Repeating units / nucleotides / monomer / molecules;

Allow more than one, but reject two
1

(ii)

1.

C = hydrogen bonds;

2.

D = deoxyribose;
2. Ignore sugar

3.

E = phosphate;
3. Ignore phosphorus, Ignore molecule
3

Page 43 of 46

(iii)

Name of base

Percentage

Thymine

34

Cytosine / Guanine

16

Adenine

34

Cytosine / Guanine

16

Spelling must be correct to gain MP1

First mark = names correct
Second mark = % correct, with adenine as 34%
2

(b)

(i)

153;
1

(ii)

Some regions of the gene are non-coding / introns / start / stop code / triplet
/ there are two DNA strands;
Allow addition mutation
Ignore unqualified reference to mutation
Accept reference to introns and exons if given together
Ignore junk DNA / multiple repeats
1

[8]

M22.

(a)

1.

Growth / increase in cell number;

Ignore growth of cells

2.

Replace cells / repair tissue / organs /body;

Ignore repair cells
Reject bacteria

3.

Genetically identical cells;

3. Produces 2 genetically identical cells does not reach MP1 as
well as MP3

4.

Asexual reproduction / cloning;

4. Allow example or description
2 max

(b)

(i)

(Ensures) representative (sample);

Accept find some cells in mitosis / not in interphase.
Accept more reliable only if linked to percentage (of
cells).Improves reliability on its own does not gain this mark
Neutral: Large sample
1

Page 44 of 46

(ii)

1.

A = metaphase;

2.

Chromosome / chromatids lie on equator;

2. Reject homologous chromosomes Allow centre / middle

3.

B = anaphase;

4.

Chromatids / chromosomes separating / moving apart / moving to

poles;
4. Reject homologous chromosomes
4

(c)

2 hours / 120 minutes;

Allow 1 mark if working shows candidate understood that mitosis
would take 10%
2

[9]

Page 45 of 46

Page 46 of 46