Q1.

The figure below shows a transmission electron microscope (TEM) image of three
Streptococcus bacteria.

(a) Describe how the appearance of the area containing DNA in a TEM image of a eukaryotic
cell would differ from that shown in the figure.

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(2)

(b) Describe one difference between the structure of DNA in a prokaryotic cell and in a
eukaryotic cell.

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(1)

(c) Streptococcus bacteria can infect the lungs when air is breathed in and cause lung
disease.

Describe the mechanism of breathing that causes air to enter the lungs.

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(3)

(d) Some strains of Streptococcus bacteria are more likely to cause lung disease than other
strains.

Strains that do not cause lung disease are quickly destroyed by phagocytes. Phagocytes
are stimulated when they bind to murein on Streptococcus bacteria.

Each strain of Streptococcus bacteria has a capsule of different thickness from the others.

Suggest how Streptococcus bacteria with a thicker capsule are more likely to survive and
so cause lung disease.

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q2.
(a) Figure 1 shows a fatty acid that contains 20 carbon atoms and four double bonds.

Figure 1

On Figure 1, draw a box around the R group of the fatty acid.

(1)

(b) Figure 2 shows a triglyceride.

 Figure 2

Describe two differences between the structure of the triglyceride shown in Figure 2 and
a phospholipid.

1 _________________________________________________________________

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2 _________________________________________________________________

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(2)

(c) Explain why phospholipids can form a bilayer but triglycerides cannot.

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(3)

(d) Figure 3 shows two fatty acids, A and B.

Figure 3
Scientists fed rats a diet with added fish oil for 4 months.

They obtained samples of red blood cells from the rats before starting this diet (0 months)
and after 4 months on this diet.

For each red blood cell sample, they separated the cell-surface membranes and
measured:

• the percentage of phospholipids containing each of the fatty acids A and B

• the fluidity of the membrane.

The table below shows the scientists’ results.

Mean Mean
Time sample of
percentage of percentage of Mean fluidity of
red blood cells
phospholipids phospholipids the membrane /
obtained /
containing fatty containing fatty arbitrary units
months
acid A acid B

0 19.8 1.7 31

4 11.7 9.0 97

Suggest why the fluidity of the membrane was higher after 4 months.

Use all the information provided in the question.

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(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q3.
Scientists investigated the activation of T lymphocytes.

The scientists studied two types of cell:

• naïve T cells, which are T cells that have not yet been in contact with a foreign antigen
• activated helper T cells, which are T cells that have been activated by a foreign antigen.

The figure below shows electron microscope images of the two types of cell.

The activated helper T cell has a volume of 463 μm3

(a) Calculate the volume of the naïve T cell shown in the figure.
Then calculate how many times larger the activated helper T cell volume is compared with
the naïve T cell volume.
Assume the cell is spherical.
Use line PQ to measure the diameter of the naïve T cell.

Volume of a sphere = πr3 where π is 3.14

Show your working.

Volume of naïve T cell ____________________ μm3

Number of times larger the activated helper T cell

volume is compared with the naïve T cell volume ____________________
(3)

(b) State one feature that shows the images in the figure in part (a) were taken with an
electron microscope and not an optical microscope.
 Explain your answer.

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(2)

(c) State one role of a helper T cell.

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(1)

(d) The rate of translation is increased in T cells activated by antigens.

Describe the role of tRNA in translation.

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q4.
A student investigated the effect of changing surface area on the rate of diffusion of a solution
into the centre of agar blocks.

She used agar coloured by an indicator. The indicator is pink at pH > 8 and colourless at pH 8
and pH < 8

She cut blocks in different shapes as shown in the figure below.

(a) Complete Table 1 to show the surface area and the surface area to volume ratio for the
two shapes.

Table 1

Surface area to
Shape Surface area / cm2 Volume / cm3
volume ratio

C _______________ 64 _______________ : 1

D _______________ 64 _______________ : 1
(2)

(b) The student put the blocks into an acidic solution.

The acidic solution caused the blocks to gradually turn from pink to colourless.

She recorded the time taken for the blocks to turn completely colourless.
She repeated this three times.

Table 2 shows the student’s results.

Table 2

Time for block to turn colourless / Mean time for

Shape s block to turn
Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4 colourless / s

C 3490 1200 3540 3530 _______________

D 1680 1500 1590 1610 1595

After collecting the data, the student noticed that shape C, block 2 was damaged.

Calculate the mean for shape C.

(1)

(c) Suggest what the student should have done when she saw that shape C, block 2 was
damaged.
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(1)

(d) State three variables the student controlled in order to obtain valid results.

1 _________________________________________________________________

2 _________________________________________________________________

3 _________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) Describe how gas exchange occurs in single-celled organisms and explain why this
method cannot be used by large, multicellular organisms.

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(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q5.
The human papilloma virus contains a double-stranded DNA genome.

(a) Which components are found in a human papilloma virus?

Tick ✓ one box.

Capsid and attachment protein

Capsid, attachment protein and reverse

transcriptase

Capsule and attachment protein

Cell-surface membrane and

attachment protein
(1)
(b) The DNA-replication enzymes of a human cell make copies of the human papilloma virus
genome.

Name two enzymes that are involved in replicating the DNA of the human papilloma virus
and describe their roles in the replication process.

Name of enzyme 1 ___________________________________________________

Role of enzyme 1 ____________________________________________________

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Name of enzyme 2 ___________________________________________________

Role of enzyme 2 ____________________________________________________

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(3)

(c) Human papilloma virus infects cells that are no longer dividing. The human papilloma virus
genome contains genes that code for proteins that cause human cells to restart their cell
cycles.

Human papilloma virus infection can cause cancer.

Explain why.

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(1)

(d) Human papilloma virus (HPV) is transmitted through sexual contact.

More than 95% of cervical cancers (which only affect females) are due to HPV infection.
HPV infection of other tissues increases the risk of cancer but this is rare compared with
cervical infection.

A vaccine is available that is over 80% effective at preventing HPV infection, if given
before the person has been exposed to HPV. There is evidence of herd immunity when
more than 50% of the population have been vaccinated.

Evaluate whether 10- to 12-year-old boys should be given the HPV vaccine.

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(4)
(Total 9 marks)

Q6.
(a) Which statement about the function of ribosomes is correct?

Tick ✓ one box.

Site of transcription, catalyse the joining of

amino acids by hydrolysis reactions

Site of transcription, catalyse the joining of

nucleotides by condensation reactions

Site of translation, catalyse the joining of

amino acids by condensation reactions

Site of translation, catalyse the joining of

nucleotides by hydrolysis reactions
(1)

(b) Name two biological molecules that can be coded for by a gene.

Do not include a polypeptide or protein in your answer.

1 _________________________________________________________________

2 _________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Scientists investigated the structure of the endoplasmic reticulum.

The table below shows some of the scientists’ results.

Percentage of endoplasmic
Type of endoplasmic
reticulum made of
reticulum
phospholipids

Rough 46.8

Smooth 52.5

Use the data in the table to suggest how the structure of rough endoplasmic reticulum is
different from the structure of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and how this is related to
their functions.
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(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Q7.
(a) Below are four statements about the structure of prokaryotic cells.

1. No prokaryotic cell has DNA that is associated with proteins.

2. No prokaryotic cell has membrane-bound organelles.
3. All prokaryotic cells have one or more flagella.
4. All prokaryotic cells have smaller ribosomes than eukaryotic cells.

Which statements about the structure of prokaryotic cells are correct?

Tick (✓) one box.

A statements 1, 2 and 3

B statements 1, 2 and 4

C statements 2, 3 and 4

D statements 1, 2, 3 and 4

(1)

A student investigated the effect of two antibiotics on the growth of the bacterium Micrococcus
luteus.

During the investigation, the student:

• transferred 9 cm3 of a liquid culture of M. luteus into each of three bottles

• added the antibiotic chloramphenicol to the first bottle
• added the antibiotic novobiocin to the second bottle
• added no antibiotic to the third bottle.

After 24 hours, he diluted the contents of each bottle by 1 in 100 000 (10–5). He then transferred
0.25 cm3 samples from the first bottle onto each of 3 separate agar plates. He repeated this with
0.25 cm3 samples from the second bottle and the third bottle, resulting in 9 agar plates in total.
He incubated the plates for 48 hours.

The table below shows the number of colonies of bacteria he counted on each plate after 48
hours’ incubation.

Number of colonies of bacteria

Plate with with no
with novobiocin
chloramphenicol antibiotic

1 2 238 276

2 4 263 258

3 6 261 324

(b) Calculate the mean number of bacteria in the undiluted bottle of liquid culture containing
novobiocin.

Give your answer in standard form. Show your working.

Answer ____________________ bacteria

(2)

(c) Starting with a single bacterium, calculate how many generations it would take to produce
at least the number of bacteria you have calculated for your answer in part (b)

You can assume no bacteria die.

You could use the ln or log button on your calculator to calculate your answer.

Answer ____________________ generations

(1)

(d) M. luteus is not resistant to chloramphenicol.

Suggest two reasons why the bacteria were able to grow in the culture containing
chloramphenicol.

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(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Q8.
(a) The figure below shows an ATP synthase enzyme in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Complete the passage with the appropriate terms.

ATP synthase comprises several polypeptides, so is said to have

a _______________ structure.

It catalyses the synthesis of an ATP molecule by a _______________

reaction; this involves the _______________ of a water molecule.

The ATP synthase in the figure above is in a mitochondrion so would catalyse reactions
during _______________.
(2)

(b) As shown in the figure above, ATP synthase has two functions.

• It catalyses the synthesis of ATP.

• It allows the movement of H+ ions.

Suggest how the shape of the ATP synthase allows it to have these two functions.

Explain your answers.

Catalyses the synthesis of ATP _________________________________________

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Allows the movement of H+ ions ________________________________________

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(4)
(Total 6 marks)

Q9.
(a) Outline the similarities in, and the differences between, the structures of DNA and RNA
molecules.

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(6)
 (b) Outline the similarities in, and the differences between, the structures of chloroplasts and
mitochondria.

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(4)
(Total 10 marks)

Q10.
(a) Give the three structural features found in all virus particles and describe the function of
one of these features.

1 _________________________________________________________________

2 _________________________________________________________________

3 _________________________________________________________________

Function of one named feature _________________________________________

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(2)

(b) Explain why viruses are described as acellular and non-living.

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(2)

(c) Give one reason why antibiotics are not effective against viruses.

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(1)
(Total 5 marks)

Q11.
Dengue fever is a human disease caused by the dengue virus.

Scientists designed an ELISA test to detect antibodies to the dengue virus in a patient’s blood
sample.

Figure 1 shows a diagram of this test and some information about how it works.

Figure 1

Figure 2 shows the negative and positive results that were produced 20 minutes after the use
of the test shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2
(a) Suggest what is on the test at line T and explain what causes the line to appear in a
positive test.

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(2)

(b) A line at C shows that the test has worked.

Suggest one reason why a line at C shows the test has worked.

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(1)

Figure 3 shows a flowchart of how the anti-human antibodies with enzyme attached are
produced.

Figure 3

(c) Suggest why the fused cells allow continuous production of monoclonal antibodies.

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(2)

(d) Evaluate the ethics of the production process shown in Figure 3.

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(1)

Early identification of dengue fever can be difficult as many other diseases produce the same
symptoms. Early identification is important because people suffering with dengue fever can
become ill very quickly and may need hospital treatment.

Scientists compared the effectiveness of three diagnostic tests for dengue fever.

• Laboratory-based test – a patient’s blood sample is sent from the doctor’s clinic to a
laboratory for testing.
• Current test used in the doctor’s clinic.
• New test to be used in the doctor’s clinic – the ELISA test shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The scientists’ results are shown in the table below.

A blood sample from each patient with confirmed dengue fever at each time after onset of
symptoms was tested with all three diagnostic tests.

Number of Number of positive results

Time after
confirmed
onset of
dengue fever Laboratorybase Current New
symptoms /
patients d test test test
days
tested

1–2 14 10 0 6

3–4 38 28 6 24

5–7 18 8 14 14

(e) The scientists recommend that the new test is used for the identification of dengue fever
in all countries around the world.

Discuss this recommendation. Use all the information given.

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(3)

(f) The dengue virus causes damage to capillaries so that blood proteins move out of the
capillaries into the tissue fluid.

Explain how this would affect the return of tissue fluid into the capillaries.

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(2)
(Total 11 marks)