Cambridge International AS & A Level

BIOLOGY 9700/12
Paper 1 Multiple Choice October/November 2020
1 hour

You must answer on the multiple choice answer sheet.

*9497169310*

You will need: Multiple choice answer sheet

Soft clean eraser
Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended)

INSTRUCTIONS
 There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions.
 For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose the one you consider correct
and record your choice in soft pencil on the multiple choice answer sheet.
 Follow the instructions on the multiple choice answer sheet.
 Write in soft pencil.
 Write your name, centre number and candidate number on the multiple choice answer sheet in the
spaces provided unless this has been done for you.
 Do not use correction fluid.
 Do not write on any bar codes.
 You may use a calculator.

INFORMATION
 The total mark for this paper is 40.
 Each correct answer will score one mark. A mark will not be deducted for a wrong answer.
 Any rough working should be done on this question paper.

This document has 16 pages. Blank pages are indicated.

IB20 11_9700_12/5RP
© UCLES 2020 [Turn over
 2

1 The size of the measles virus, Morbillivirus, is approximately 150 nm.

The Mimivirus is approximately 4.5 times larger than Morbillivirus, whilst the Pandoravirus is
approximately 1.5 times larger than the Mimivirus.

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

Morbillivirus Mimivirus Pandoravirus

A    key
B    = can be seen
C    = cannot be seen
D   

2 The electron micrograph shows a type of virus at a magnification of 60 000.

What is the actual length of the virus?

A 1.1 nm B 11 nm C 110 nm D 1100 nm

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20

 3

3 The electron micrograph shows a structure found in the cytoplasm of an animal cell.

Which biological molecules are found in this structure?

1 nucleic acid
2 protein
3 phospholipid

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

4 Four students were asked to match the function with the appearance of some cell structures in an
animal cell.

The functions were listed by number.

1 mRNA passes through to the ribosome

2 synthesis of lipids
3 packaging of hydrolytic enzymes that will remain in the cell

The appearances were listed by letter.

V membranes which surround an enclosed inner cavity

W non-membrane-bound, spherical structures
X a double membrane interspersed with pores
Y non-membrane-bound, cylindrical structures
Z membrane-bound sacs, arranged as a flattened stack

Which student correctly matched the numbered function with the appearance of the cell
structure?

1 2 3

A V W Z
B V Z Y
C X V W
D X V Z

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20 [Turn over

 4

5 Which are found in typical prokaryotic cells and in typical plant cells?

1 cell wall
2 circular DNA
3 cytoplasm

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

6 The diagram shows some features that occur in organisms.

4 1
RNA DNA

feature

3 2
70S protein
ribosomes

Which features can be present in viruses?

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

7 Diastase is an enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose. Maltose is a reducing sugar.

A sample of starch is treated with boiled diastase and left for 15 minutes.

Samples of the mixture are then tested with iodine solution and with Benedict’s reagent.

What are the results?

iodine solution Benedict’s reagent

A blue-black blue
B blue-black red
C brown blue
D brown red

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20

 5

8 Which pair of monosaccharides forms sucrose?

CH2OH CH2OH
H O H H O OH
H H
A
OH H OH H
OH OH OH H
H OH H OH

CH2OH CH2OH
H O H H O H
H H
B
OH H OH H
OH OH OH OH
H OH H OH

CH2OH
HOCH2 O OH
H O H
H OH
C H
CH2OH
OH H H
OH OH
OH H
H OH

CH2OH
HOCH2 O OH
H O OH
H OH
D H
CH2OH
OH H H
OH H OH H
H OH

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20 [Turn over

 6

9 The diagram shows the structures of two amino acids.

1 2 4 5
H2N CH COOH H2 N CH COOH

CH2 CH2 6

OH
3

OH
7

These amino acids will form part of a protein that has a tertiary structure.

Which numbered groups could form hydrogen bonds to maintain the tertiary structure of the
protein?

A 1 and 6 B 2 and 4 C 3 and 5 D 3 and 7

10 Which row about the structure of proteins is correct?

primary structure tertiary structure quaternary structure

A is the number is the result of cross is the polypeptides

of amino acids bonding between that link together
present in a protein all the amino acids in to form a protein
the primary structure

B is the order of is the shape formed contains two types

amino acids present by folding of a of polypeptide that
in a protein polypeptide and interact forming the
encoded by DNA held together by shape of a protein
hydrogen bonds

C is the result of is the result of ionic is formed by four

translation of an and hydrogen bonds, polypeptides and
mRNA molecule by disulfide bridges an additional
a ribosome into a and hydrophobic reactive group
chain of amino acids interactions between attached to the
amino acids protein

D is the sequence is formed as a result is formed by the

of amino acids in of interaction of the linking together
a protein coded by side chains of of more than one
an mRNA molecule amino acids in the polypeptide to
primary structure form a protein

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20

 7

11 Which row correctly identifies structural features of a collagen molecule and a haemoglobin
molecule?

molecule consists of
globular protein
more than one polypeptide

A collagen and haemoglobin collagen and haemoglobin

B collagen and haemoglobin haemoglobin only
C haemoglobin only collagen and haemoglobin
D haemoglobin only haemoglobin only

12 Which statements describe some enzyme actions?

1 Enzymes hold reacting molecules so that their reactive groups are close together.
2 In an enzyme-catalysed reaction, more molecules have sufficient energy to react
than in the absence of the enzyme.
3 Reactions catalysed by enzymes take place at a lower temperature than they would
without the enzyme.

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

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20 [Turn over

 8

13 Lipase is an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of lipids. An experiment was carried out to
investigate changes in pH when lipase is added to a food sample containing a high proportion of
lipids.

The results are shown in the graph.

pH of
food 7
sample

6
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
time / minutes

Which statements are possible explanations of the results of the experiment between 50 minutes
and 60 minutes?

1 Enzyme concentration becomes the limiting factor.

2 Substrate concentration becomes the limiting factor.
3 All the enzyme active sites are occupied.
4 Denaturation of the enzyme by the products takes place.
5 Products are acting as competitive inhibitors.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1, 4 and 5 C 2, 3 and 4 D 2, 4 and 5

14 The painkiller ibuprofen reduces the activity of an enzyme involved in the production of
prostaglandin.

Ibuprofen binds reversibly to the active site of the enzyme.

Which type of enzyme inhibition describes this example and why?

A competitive inhibition because ibuprofen alters the shape of the enzyme

B competitive inhibition because ibuprofen and the substrate cannot bind at the same time
C non-competitive inhibition because ibuprofen blocks the active site
D non-competitive inhibition because ibuprofen has the same shape as the substrate

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20

 9

15 Equal-sized potato pieces were placed into test-tubes containing equal volumes of different
concentrations of sucrose solution and left for 30 minutes. All other variables were controlled.

After 30 minutes, the potato piece in one of the concentrations of sucrose solution had not
changed in size.

What can be concluded from the result for this potato piece?

1 The concentration of sucrose in the potato is the same as the concentration of the
sucrose solution.
2 The water potential of the potato is the same as the water potential of the sucrose
solution.
3 There is no more movement of water into or out of the potato.

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

16 Four agar blocks are stained green using universal indicator and suspended in 1 mol dm–3
hydrochloric acid.

beaker

hydrochloric acid

agar block

The time taken for the agar blocks to change from green to red was recorded.

Which agar block would be the first to become completely red?

A 2 cm  2 cm  2 cm

B 2 cm  1 cm  4 cm

C 2 cm  3 cm  2 cm

D 5 cm  2 cm  3 cm

17 During the cell cycle, the mass of DNA in a cell is doubled.

At which stage in the cell cycle is the mass of DNA in a cell reduced?

A anaphase
B cytokinesis
C interphase
D prophase

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20 [Turn over

 10

18 How many of the listed structures typically contain genetic material that has telomeres?

 bacterial cell

 chloroplast

 mitochondrion

 nucleus

A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4

19 In eukaryotes, the chromosomes become shorter and thicker during mitosis. The thickening may
be increased by molecules called protamines. The protamines replace part of the structure of the
chromosome.

Which part of the chromosome is replaced by protamines?

A centromeres
B chromatids
C histones
D telomeres

20 How many hydrogen bonds are holding the two strands of this section of a DNA molecule
together?

A A G T G C T G A A G T G T T T
T T C A C G A C T T C A C A A A

A 16 B 32 C 38 D 48

21 Which description of a eukaryotic gene is correct?

A a sequence of bases that forms part of a DNA molecule and codes for a protein
B a sequence of nucleotides that forms part of a DNA molecule and codes for a polypeptide
C a sequence of bases that forms part of an RNA molecule and codes for a protein
D a sequence of nucleotides that forms part of an RNA molecule and codes for a polypeptide

22 The DNA sequence CCAAGAAGTCGACAAACA is translated to synthesise the amino acid chain
gly-ser-ser-ala-val-cys.

As a result of a mutation, the sequence length of the amino acid chain is shortened from six to
two amino acids. A stop codon in mRNA is UGA.

Which base in the DNA sequence was changed by the mutation?

A A B C C G D T

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20

 11

23 Which combination of features is correct for a phloem sieve tube element as it unloads into a
sink?

water potential lignified cell wall

A higher than sink absent

B higher than sink present
C lower than sink absent
D lower than sink present

24 Mass flow is the bulk movement of materials from one place to another.

Which vessels carry fluids by mass flow?

1 artery
2 phloem sieve tube
3 vein
4 xylem vessel

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

25 Which two rows are correct for the movement of water from the soil into a root?

soil root

1 lower solute concentration higher solute concentration

2 higher water potential lower water potential
3 higher solute concentration lower solute concentration
4 lower water potential higher water potential

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

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20 [Turn over

 12

26 ATP is used in companion cells to provide the energy for loading a sieve tube element with
sucrose.

How does the co-transporter mechanism use this energy?

A to pump hydrogen ions into the sieve tube element

B to pump hydrogen ions out of the companion cell
C to pump sucrose into the sieve tube element
D to pump sucrose out of the companion cell

27 Why is the mammalian circulatory system described as a double circulation?

A Blood flows twice through the heart in one complete cardiac cycle.
B Blood flows twice through the heart in one complete circuit of the body.
C Blood remains within arteries, capillaries and veins.
D Blood transports both oxygen and carbon dioxide.

28 Which sequence of letters correctly identifies the order of events during the cardiac cycle?

T atrial walls contract

U impulse is delayed a fraction of a second
V wave of excitation enters the atrioventricular node
W wave of excitation passes down the Purkyne tissue
X wave of excitation spreads from the sinoatrial node
Y ventricles contract

A B C D

V X V X
Y W T U T U Y V

X U W V X W W T
T Y Y U

29 Which factors affect blood pressure?

1 the diameter of the blood vessels

2 the systolic pressure of the heart ventricles
3 the volume of blood returning to the heart in each cardiac cycle

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

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20

 13

30 The diagram is a summary of the role of haemoglobin in the transport of carbon dioxide.

1 3
CO2 in plasma CO2 + 2 4

5
9 6 + 7

8 Cl – Cl – in plasma
O2 in plasma 4O2 11
1
10
CO2 in plasma
12

Which set of labels is correct?

A 1 = facilitated diffusion, 4 = carbonic acid, 7 = hydrogencarbonate ions

B 2 = water, 8 = dissociation, 10 = carbaminohaemoglobin
C 3 = carbonic anhydrase, 9 = oxyhaemoglobin, 11 = carbaminohaemoglobin
D 5 = carbonic anhydrase, 6 = hydrogen ions, 12 = red blood cell

31 The graph shows the oxygen dissociation curves of haemoglobin from two species of
mammal, S and T.

percentage
saturation of
haemoglobin
with oxygen T

0
0
partial pressure
of oxygen / kPa

Which statements could explain the difference in the oxygen dissociation curves of species S and
species T?

1 Species T has a lower haemoglobin concentration in its red blood cells than
species S.

2 The haemoglobin in species T has a lower affinity for oxygen than the haemoglobin
in species S.

3 Species T lives at higher altitudes than species S.

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

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20 [Turn over

 14

32 Which are present in bronchioles?

1 endothelium
2 ciliated cells
3 smooth muscle tissue

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

33 The partial pressure of oxygen in air inside alveoli is 14 kPa.

The partial pressure of oxygen in pulmonary capillaries is 6 kPa.

What will be the effect of these partial pressures on diffusion?

A Carbon dioxide will not diffuse in any direction.

B Oxygen will diffuse from alveoli into capillaries.
C Oxygen will diffuse from capillaries into alveoli.
D Oxygen will diffuse equally in both directions.

34 Which can be directly linked to a reduction in the surface area available for gas exchange in
human lungs?

1 emphysema
2 lung cancer
3 smoking tobacco

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

35 Which row is correct about the affinity between haemoglobin and the gases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and oxygen?

highest affinity lowest affinity

A carbon monoxide carbon dioxide oxygen

B carbon monoxide oxygen carbon dioxide
C oxygen carbon dioxide carbon monoxide
D oxygen carbon monoxide carbon dioxide

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20

 15

36 An earthquake caused damage to sanitation systems in a large tropical village.

Drinking water became contaminated with sewage. Heavy rain then caused flooding and left
large pools of water in the village. Housing was destroyed and people in the village had to live in
very overcrowded conditions.

Which infectious diseases could increase in the village population as a result of the earthquake
and heavy rain?

1 cholera
2 malaria
3 tuberculosis

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

37 Which statements about the use of antibiotics could cause an increase in antibiotic-resistant
bacteria?

1 Patients do not always complete the course of antibiotics.

2 Patients keep unused antibiotics from previous prescriptions and take them at a
later date in smaller doses than prescribed.
3 Antibiotics are used in farming to prevent infections.
4 Doctors prescribe narrow spectrum antibiotics that only kill a few types of bacteria.

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

38 Which row is correct for neutrophils and B-lymphocytes?

neutrophil B-lymphocyte

A can change shape activated by contact with antigens

B found in organs rather than in blood kill virus-infected cells
C may be long-lived cells always short-lived cells
D their lysosomal enzymes digest bacteria secrete cytokines

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20 [Turn over

 16

39 Rabies is usually a fatal disease. Rabies is transmitted to people in the saliva of infected animals.

A person who has been bitten by an infected animal needs immediate treatment.

The treatment is a vaccination against rabies and an injection containing antibodies to the rabies
antigen.

What type of immunity is given by the injection of antibodies?

A artificial active
B artificial passive
C natural active
D natural passive

40 A graft of tissue, such as skin, from a different person is usually rejected by the body.

Which statement about graft rejection is correct?

A The graft is rejected by B-lymphocytes because they make and release antibodies which
react with the surface antigens on the graft cells.
B The graft is rejected by B-lymphocytes because T-lymphocytes are not stimulated to produce
antibodies.
C The graft is rejected by T-lymphocytes because the graft tissue causes T-lymphocytes to
release antibodies.
D The graft is rejected by T-lymphocytes because they circulate in the blood and can gather at
the graft site.

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
Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

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

© UCLES 2020 9700/12/O/N/20