Cambridge International Examinations

Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level

BIOLOGY 9700/12
Paper 1 Multiple Choice October/November 2016
1 hour
Additional Materials: Multiple Choice Answer Sheet
Soft clean eraser
*1003441361*

Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended)

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write in soft pencil.

Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid.
Write your name, Centre number and candidate number on the Answer Sheet in the spaces provided unless
this has been done for you.
DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES.

There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions. For each question there are four possible

bestexamhelp.com
answers A, B, C and D.
Choose the one you consider correct and record your choice in soft pencil on the separate Answer Sheet.

Read the instructions on the Answer Sheet very carefully.

Each correct answer will score one mark. A mark will not be deducted for a wrong answer.
Any rough working should be done in this booklet.
Electronic calculators may be used.

This document consists of 16 printed pages.

IB16 11_9700_12/3RP
© UCLES 2016 [Turn over
 2

1 Until recently, the typical viruses known to science were 20 – 150 nm in size.

In 2003, the Mimivirus was discovered with a size of approximately 680 nm.

In 2013, the Pandoravirus was discovered which has a size of over 1000 nm.

Which viruses can be seen using both a light microscope with a maximum resolution of 0.25 µm
and an electron microscope?

typical virus Mimivirus Pandoravirus

A


key
B 


= can be seen
C  
= cannot be seen
D   

2 This electron micrograph of a section of a leaf has a magnification of × 210.

What is the actual length along the line X–Y?

A 2.43 µm B 24.3 µm C 243.0 µm D 2430 µm

3 What is the correct order in which organelles function to make and secrete an enzyme?

A nucleolus → ribosome → Golgi body → vesicle

B nucleolus → smooth endoplasmic reticulum → lysosome → vesicle

C nucleus → rough endoplasmic reticulum → Golgi body → vesicle

D nucleus → smooth endoplasmic reticulum → lysosome → vesicle

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16

 3

4 The diagram shows a stage micrometer scale, with divisions 0.1 mm apart, viewed through an
eyepiece containing a graticule.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 10

What is the area of the field of view of the microscope at this magnification? (π = 3.14)

A π × 12.5 × 12.5 = 4.9 × 102 µm2

B π × 50 × 50 = 7.9 × 103 µm2

C π × 125 × 125 = 4.9 × 104 µm2

D π × 250 × 250 = 2.0 × 105 µm2

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16 [Turn over

 4

5 A scientist carried out an experiment to separate the organelles in an animal cell by mass.

The scientist mixed the cells with a buffer solution which had the same water potential as the
cells. He then broke the cells open with a blender to release the organelles.

The extracted mixture was filtered and then spun in a centrifuge at a high speed to separate the
heaviest organelle. This sank to the bottom, forming a solid pellet, 1.

liquid above
pellet

solid pellet

The liquid above pellet 1 was poured into a clean centrifuge tube and spun in the centrifuge at a
higher speed to separate the next heaviest organelle. This organelle sank to the bottom, forming
a solid pellet, 2.

He repeated this procedure twice more to obtain pellet 3 and pellet 4, each containing a single
organelle.

What is the function of the organelle extracted in pellet 2?

A digestion of old organelles

B production of ATP
C production of mRNA
D synthesis of protein

6 Which is a correct comparison between a typical prokaryotic cell and a typical eukaryotic cell?

prokaryote eukaryote

A circular DNA only linear DNA only

B naked DNA DNA associated with protein
C rough endoplasmic smooth endoplasmic reticulum and
reticulum present rough endoplasmic reticulum present

D ribosomes approximately ribosomes approximately

22 nm diameter 18 nm in diameter

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16

 5

7 The diagrams show four monosaccharides with the formula C6H12O6.

1 2 3 4

CH2OH CH2OH CH2OH CH2OH

H O H H O OH H O H H O H
H H H H
OH H OH H H H OH HO
HO OH HO H HO OH HO OH
H OH H OH OH OH H H

Which diagrams do not show glucose molecules?

A 1 and 2 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4

8 Complete digestion of polysaccharides requires all the glycosidic bonds between the monomers
to be broken.

Amylase breaks only α-1,4 glycosidic bonds.

How completely can amylase digest molecules of amylose, amylopectin or glycogen?

carbohydrate
amylose amylopectin glycogen

A + +++ ++ key
B + ++ +++ + some digestion

C ++ + +++ ++ more digestion

D +++ ++ + +++ most digestion

9 Which statements about a triglyceride molecule are correct?

1 It always contains unsaturated hydrocarbon tails.

2 It is formed using ester bonds.
3 It does not form hydrogen bonds.
4 It contains a hydrophilic glycerol head.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 2, 3 and 4 C 1 and 4 only D 2 and 3 only

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16 [Turn over

 6

10 The table shows some features of collagen and haemoglobin.

Which row is collagen?

number of solubility in
type of protein
polypeptides water

A fibrous three insoluble

B fibrous four soluble
C globular three insoluble
D globular four soluble

11 The ring structure of sugars can also be represented as a linear structure, as shown in the
diagram.

C O

H C OH

HO C H

H C OH

H C OH

CH2OH

Which of the sugar molecules could be represented by this formula?

1 β-glucose
2 ribose
3 sucrose

A 1 and 2 only B 2 and 3 only C 1 only D 2 only

12 What is the minimum number of carbon atoms in an amino acid?

A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16

 7

13 HIV-1 protease is an enzyme produced by the HIV virus.

Two identical chains of 99 amino acids form the enzyme. In each chain, amino acids 25, 26 and
27 in the sequence form part of the active site.

Which orders of protein structure control the shape of the active site?

A primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary

B primary, secondary and tertiary only
C primary and quaternary only
D quaternary only

14 The graph shows the results of an investigation into the effect of amylase on starch at three
different temperatures.

50 °C
60 °C
concentration of
reducing sugar 70 °C
/ arbitrary units

0 30 60
time / minutes

Which statements are correct conclusions using these results?

1 The optimum temperature is 50 °C.

2 The initial rate of reaction is highest at 70 °C.

3 The higher the temperature the more quickly the enzyme denatures.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

15 Substances called furanocoumarins are found in some fruits, where they act as inhibitors of the
enzyme CYP3A4. This enzyme is needed to break down toxins in the human digestive system,
so dangerous levels of these toxins may develop if these fruits are eaten.

What does this information suggest about molecules of the enzyme CYP3A4?

A They lower the activation energy of the toxin breakdown process.

B They show specificity for a particular substrate found in fruits.
C They will change permanently when acted upon by furanocoumarin molecules.
D They will resume normal activity when levels of furanocoumarins decrease.

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16 [Turn over

 8

16 Which observations support a link between active transport and ATP production?

1 Active transport occurs only in living cells.

2 The rate of active transport decreases in low oxygen concentrations.
3 Companion cells have large numbers of mitochondria.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 2 and 3 only D 3 only

17 A method called freeze-fracture can be used to study the structure of cell membranes. The
membrane is frozen and then split down the middle, separating the two layers of phospholipids
from each other. Any proteins contained within one layer remain in that layer. Proteins which
span the membrane can be found in either layer after freeze-fracture, depending on the
properties of the protein.

Which statement about the results of freeze-fracture studies are correct?

1 It provides evidence for the bilayer nature of membranes.

2 It provides evidence for the arrangement of proteins.
3 It shows that the proteins in the membrane do not contribute to its strength.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 2 and 3 only D 1 only

18 The stalk of a dandelion flower is a hollow tube. Pieces of the stalk are cut as shown and placed
in sucrose solutions of different water potentials.

thick walled
outer cells
hollow centre
of stalk

cuts thin walled

inner cells

Which diagram shows the piece that is placed in the sucrose solution with the highest water
potential?

A B

C D

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16

 9

19 Three of the molecules found in prokaryotes are listed below.

1 phospholipid
2 protein
3 peptidoglycan

Which of these molecules are found in prokaryotic cell surface membranes?

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

20 Which row correctly shows the behaviour of the nuclear envelope, the centrioles and the spindle
during a stage of mitosis?

stage of behaviour of organelle

mitosis nuclear envelope centrioles spindle
A prophase disappears replicate spindle microtubules
begin to form
B metaphase not present begin to move to spindle microtubules
poles of cell fully formed
C anaphase begins to reform at opposite some spindle
poles of the cell microtubules shorten
D telophase reforms one beside spindle microtubules
each nucleus break down

21 Which group of cells can all divide by mitosis?

A bacterial cells, cancer cells, stem cells

B bacterial cells, lymphocytes, stem cells
C cancer cells, lymphocytes, red blood cells
D cancer cells, lymphocytes, stem cells

22 Which row represents the correct features of the nitrogenous base cytosine?

joins its
has a
complementary
single ring is a purine
base by three
structure
hydrogen bonds

A

 key
B


= true
C 
 = false
D  

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16 [Turn over

 10

23 Bacteria were grown in a medium containing 15N. After several generations, all of the DNA
contained 15N. Some of these bacteria were transferred to a medium containing the common
isotope of nitrogen, 14N. The bacteria were allowed to divide once. The DNA of some of these
bacteria was extracted and analysed. This DNA was all hybrid DNA containing equal amounts of
14
N and 15N.

In another experiment, some bacteria from the medium with 15N were transferred into a medium
of 14N. The bacteria were allowed to divide three times. The DNA of some of these bacteria was
extracted and analysed.

What is the composition of this DNA?

A B
100 100

75 75
percentage percentage
50 50
of DNA of DNA
25 25

0 0
14 14
N N / 15N 14
N 14
N / 15N

C D
100 100

75 75
percentage percentage
50 50
of DNA of DNA
25 25

0 0
14 14
N N / 15N 14
N 14
N / 15N

24 Which processes are involved in the mass movement of water through xylem vessels?

1 hydrogen bonding between water molecules

2 cohesion between water molecules
3 adhesion between water molecules and lignin

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16

 11

25 The diagrams show transverse sections of parts of a plant.

leaf stem
3
1
4

In the transverse sections, which tissues transport most mineral ions?

1 2 3 4

A

 key
B
 

= yes
C 

 = no
D 


26 Which changes to the water potential and the volume of liquid in the phloem occur when amino
acids are transferred from leaves to be transported to a sink in the phloem sieve tube element?

water potential volume of liquid

in phloem sieve in phloem sieve
tube element tube element

A higher decreases
B higher increases
C lower decreases
D lower increases

27 External factors change the rate of transpiration, which also affects the water potential gradient of
cells in the leaf.

Which combination of statements is correct?

external factor changing the water potential gradient

rate of transpiration in the leaf

A decreasing temperature increases

B decreasing wind speed increases
C increasing relative humidity decreases
D increasing sunlight decreases

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16 [Turn over

 12

28 The diagram shows a model to demonstrate mass flow.

water
concentrated dilute sucrose solution
Y X Z
sucrose solution

partially permeable partially permeable

membrane membrane

In a plant, what are the structures W, X, Y and Z and what is the direction of flow of solution along
W?

phloem xylem roots leaves direction of flow along W

A W X Y Z from Z to Y
B W X Z Y from Y to Z
C X W Y Z from Y to Z
D X W Z Y from Z to Y

29 Which blood vessels carry blood into the atria of the heart?

A coronary artery and pulmonary artery

B pulmonary artery and vena cava
C pulmonary vein and vena cava
D vena cava and coronary artery

30 Which statement describes the effect of increased carbon dioxide concentration on the oxygen
dissociation curve of human haemoglobin and its significance?

A The curve shifts to the left allowing haemoglobin to bind more oxygen in active tissues.
B The curve shifts to the left allowing haemoglobin to offload more oxygen in active tissues.
C The curve shifts to the right allowing haemoglobin to bind more oxygen in active tissues.
D The curve shifts to the right allowing haemoglobin to offload more oxygen in active tissues.

31 What combines with haemoglobin to form carbaminohaemoglobin?

A carbon dioxide
B carbon monoxide
C carbonic acid
D hydrogencarbonate ions

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16

 13

32 The graph shows the pressure in three parts of the heart during one cycle.

pressure key
/ kPa left ventricle
aorta
left atrium

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
time / s

At 0.2 seconds, which part of the heart is responding to the excitatory stimulus?

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16 [Turn over

 14

33 The diagram shows part of the organisation of the circulation of a mammal.

1 2 3 4

vena cava
aorta

Where are both the blood pressure and speed of flow lowest?

lowest blood lowest speed

pressure of flow

A 1 4
B 2 3
C 3 2
D 4 1

34 A student made some labelled drawings of lung tissue using the high-power lens of a light
microscope, but did not label two airways, P and Q.

The drawing of the lining layer of P showed both ciliated cells and goblet cells, whilst the drawing
of the lining layer of Q showed ciliated cells but very few goblet cells.

What are airways P and Q?

airway
P Q

A bronchiole trachea
B bronchiole bronchus
C bronchus bronchiole
D trachea bronchus

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16

 15

35 What maintains the steep concentration gradients needed for successful gas exchange in the
lungs?

1 Air flow in the alveoli is in the opposite direction to blood flow in the capillaries.
2 Blood arrives in the lungs with a lower oxygen concentration and a higher carbon
dioxide concentration than the air in the alveoli.
3 Blood is constantly flowing through and out of the lungs, bringing a fresh supply of
red blood cells.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

36 The photomicrograph shows part of the lung as seen using a light microscope.

2
3

Which row is correct for the features labelled 1, 2 and 3?

1 2 3

A alveolus bronchiole capillary

B alveolus capillary bronchiole
C bronchiole alveolus small artery
D small artery alveolus bronchiole

37 Which disease is not likely to be passed directly from parents to child?

A cholera
B malaria
C sickle cell anaemia
D tuberculosis

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16 [Turn over

 16

38 Why is it difficult to control the spread of measles?

1 Global air travel for commerce and tourism has increased.

2 The virus that causes measles rapidly evolves resistance to antibiotics.
3 The virus that causes measles shows great antigenic variability.
4 Civil unrest and poverty result in overcrowded living conditions.

A 1, 2 and 4 B 1, 2 and 3 C 1 and 4 only D 4 only

39 The following are all responses made by cells of the immune system to a pathogen.

1 mitosis
2 bind to infected cell
3 produce memory cells
4 secrete antibodies

Which of the responses is correct for β-lymphocytes?

A 1, 2, 3 and 4 B 1, 2 and 4 only C 1 and 3 only D 2, 3 and 4 only

40 What occurs when active immunity is artificially induced?

A Non-self antibodies attack self antigens.

B Non-self antigens attack self antibodies.
C Self antibodies attack non-self antigens.
D Self antigens attack non-self antibodies.

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
International Examinations Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at
www.cie.org.uk after the live examination series.

Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local
Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2016 9700/12/O/N/16