Cambridge International AS & A Level

BIOLOGY 9700/12
Paper 1 Multiple Choice October/November 2024
1 hour 15 minutes

You must answer on the multiple choice answer sheet.

*7527025565*

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.
 Any rough working should be done on this question paper.

This document has 20 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

IB24 11_9700_12/5RP
© UCLES 2024 [Turn over
 2

1 A light microscope is used to observe two structures that are 200 nm apart on the slide.

What is the actual distance between the two structures when the magnification is changed from
40 to 400?

A 2 m B 20 m C 200 nm D 2000 nm

2 A cell is shown in the micrograph.

Which statement explains how it is possible to identify the type of microscope used to produce
the micrograph?

A The nucleus is visible, so an electron microscope was used.

B The endoplasmic reticulum is not visible, so a light microscope was used.
C Chloroplasts are visible, so a light microscope was used.
D Ribosomes are visible, so an electron microscope was used.

3 Which statement supports the fact that mature plant cells contain organelles that carry out the
same role as lysosomes?

A A range of hydrolytic enzymes can be found within mature plant vacuoles.

B Glycogen, found within vesicles, can be hydrolysed to glucose molecules.
C Double membrane-bound vesicles are formed from plant Golgi bodies.
D Vesicles, formed from the cell surface membrane, contain enzymes.

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24

 3

4 Which cell structures may contain cisternae?

endoplasmic
chloroplast Golgi body mitochondrion
reticulum

A    
B    
C    
D    

key
 = may contain cisternae
 = does not contain cisternae

5 The diagram shows some cell structures of one type of cell.

5
2

4 3

Which labelled cell structures are present in typical eukaryotic cells and typical bacterial cells?

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

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24 [Turn over

 4

6 The diagram shows part of a collagen fibril made of collagen triple helices. The collagen triple
helices are linked to each other by one type of bond. This bond is labelled as X in the diagram.

X collagen
fibril

collagen triple helix

What is bond X?

A covalent bond
B disulfide bond
C hydrogen bond
D peptide bond

7 The table shows some information about the polypeptides that make up haemoglobin.

-globin -globin
total number of amino acid 141 146
residues in polypeptide chain
position of amino acid cysteine 104 93 and 112
in polypeptide chain

Scientists studied the region of the -globin polypeptide chain containing the amino acid cysteine
at position 93. They found that:

● this region faces outwards when no oxygen is attached to the haem group
● this region faces inwards when oxygen is attached to the haem group
● replacing cysteine with a different amino acid reduces the Bohr shift.

What can be concluded from the information about cysteine in haemoglobin?

A More than 1% of the amino acids in one haemoglobin protein are cysteine.

B In -globin, there is a cysteine closer to the end of the polypeptide chain with an unreacted
carboxyl group than in -globin.

C The replacement of the cysteine at position 93 in -globin decreases the affinity of

haemoglobin for oxygen at low pH.

D The binding of oxygen to the haem group causes the region of -globin containing cysteine
at position 93 to become more hydrophilic.

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24

 5

8 Which feature of glycogen distinguishes it from starch?

A All glycogen molecules are highly branched.

B All glycogen molecules are polysaccharides.

C All glycogen molecules contain -glucose.

D All glycogen molecules contain 1,4-glycosidic bonds.

9 The diagram shows a biological molecule.

H H H H H
H O H H H H H H
C C C C C C H
H C O C C C C C C
H H H H H
H H H H H H

H H H H H H H
O H H H H H H H H
C C C C C C C C H
H C O C C C C C C C C
H H H H H H H
H H H H H H H H

H H H H H H
O H H H H H H H
C C C C C C C H
H C O C C C C C C C
H H H H H H
H H H H H H H H

Which molecules would be produced if this biological molecule was hydrolysed?

A amino acids and glycerol only

B amino acids, glycerol and water
C fatty acids and glycerol only
D fatty acids, glycerol and water

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24 [Turn over

 6

10 A mixture of glucose and starch solutions was placed in a length of dialysis (Visking) tubing and
the tubing sealed. The tubing was then placed in a boiling tube containing distilled water. Two
samples were immediately removed from this water (time 0 minutes) and tested with either iodine
solution or Benedict’s solution. This was repeated at 10 minute intervals for 30 minutes.

The iodine solution gave an orange-brown colour each time.

The table shows the results of the Benedict’s test.

time / minutes
0 10 20 30
colour produced
blue green yellow red
by Benedict’s test

What may be concluded from these results?

1 The pores in the Visking tubing are too small for a starch molecule to pass through.
2 Glucose diffuses through the Visking tubing down a diffusion gradient.
3 Water diffuses into the Visking tubing.

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

11 Which molecules are globular proteins?

1 amylase
2 haemoglobin
3 DNA polymerase

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

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24

 7

12 The initial rate of a reaction catalysed by an enzyme was measured at various substrate
concentrations.

Which graph shows the effect of a low concentration of non-competitive inhibitor on the reaction?

A B

initial rate initial rate

of reaction of reaction

substrate substrate key

concentration concentration = without
inhibitor
C D = with
inhibitor

initial rate initial rate

of reaction of reaction

substrate substrate
concentration concentration

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24 [Turn over

 8

13 Gout is a type of arthritis in which small uric acid crystals form inside and around the joints. It
causes sudden attacks of severe pain and swelling.

The diagram shows how uric acid is formed from hypoxanthine catalysed by the enzyme
xanthine oxidase.

O O O
H H H
HN N HN N HN N
xanthine oxidase xanthine oxidase
O
N N O N N O N N
H2O + O2 H2O2 H2O + O2 H2O2 H
H H
hypoxanthine xanthine uric acid

Gout can be treated using a drug called allopurinol which has a similar shape to hypoxanthine.

OH

N
N
N N
H
allopurinol

What can be concluded from this information about how allopurinol prevents the formation of uric
acid?

A It binds to the active site of xanthine oxidase instead of hypoxanthine, resulting in reduced
production of uric acid.
B It binds to another part of xanthine oxidase and this changes the shape of the active site.
C It disrupts the hydrogen bonds within xanthine oxidase so it denatures and the active site is
no longer complementary to hypoxanthine and xanthine.
D It hydrolyses the peptide bonds within xanthine oxidase to change the shape of the active
site.

14 Phospholipids are formed in a similar way to triglycerides.

A sample contained six phospholipid molecules.

● The molecular weight of a phosphate ion is 95 g mol–1.

● The molecular weight of each individual fatty acid in this sample was found to be
282 g mol–1.
● The molecular weight of glycerol is 92 g mol–1.
● The molecular weight of water is 18 g mol–1.

What is the molecular weight of the sample in g mol–1?

A 2598 B 4182 C 4506 D 4830

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24

 9

15 Which statements about phospholipids in cell surface membranes are correct?

1 Fatty acid tails allow most ions to pass through the membrane.
2 Hydrophobic tails point inwards facing each other.
3 All polar heads face the cytoplasm.
4 The phospholipids help with the flexibility of the membrane.

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

16 In an experiment, pieces of onion epidermis are put into three different concentrations of sucrose
solutions, P, Q and R. The pieces of onion are left for an hour and then examined using the low
power of a light microscope.

Each diagram shows one cell from the epidermis that was placed in each of the sucrose
concentrations.

P Q R

What explains the appearance of cells in solution Q?

A The concentration of solution Q is equal to the concentration of the solutes in the cell sap.
B The cytoplasm has the same concentration of sucrose as solution Q.
C The water potential of the cytoplasm is equal to the water potential of the vacuole.
D The water potential of the cell sap is equal to the water potential of solution Q.

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24 [Turn over

 10

17 The electron micrograph shows rod-shaped bacteria.

length 2.0 μm

diameter 0.5 μm

The actual length of the bacterium is 2.0 m and the diameter is 0.5 m. Assume that the
bacterium is cylinder-shaped.

What is the surface area to volume ratio of the bacterium?

A 3.0 : 1.0 B 5.0 : 1.0 C 8.0 : 1.0 D 9.0 : 1.0

18 Chickens have 78 chromosomes in the nucleus of a body cell.

How many DNA molecules are there in a chicken body cell at the start of prophase of mitosis?

A 46 B 78 C 92 D 156

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24

 11

19 The photomicrograph shows cells undergoing mitosis.

Which statement describes what will happen next in cell X?

A Chromatin coils up tightly and the nuclear envelope breaks down.

B Chromosomes line up along the equator of the cell and attach to the spindle.
C Sister chromatids move towards opposite poles, pulled by the spindle fibres.
D Spindle fibres break down and the cell prepares for cytokinesis.

20 Which processes occur in bone marrow cells that are in a mitotic cell cycle?

1 Phosphate groups bind to ADP molecules to form ATP.

2 Bonds form between nucleotides in a DNA strand.
3 Hydrogen bonds form between tRNA anticodons and mRNA codons.

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

21 The enzyme telomerase prevents loss of telomeres after many mitotic cell cycles.

Which cells need to transcribe telomerase enzyme?

1 stem cells
2 activated memory B-lymphocytes
3 helper T-lymphocytes secreting cytokines

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

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24 [Turn over

 12

22 A polypeptide molecule contains the amino acid sequence:

glycine – leucine – lysine – valine.

The table shows DNA triplets for these amino acids.

glycine leucine lysine valine

CCC GAA TTT CAA

Which tRNA anticodons are needed for the synthesis of this polypeptide?

A CCC GAA TTT CAA

B CCC GAA UUU CAA
C GGG CUU AAA GUU
D GGG CUU UUU GUU

23 The diagram shows a section of a strand of DNA.

Which type of bond is labelled X?

A glycosidic
B hydrogen
C peptide
D phosphodiester

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24

 13

24 Which row correctly describes cytosine?

number of hydrogen
ring structure bonds it forms with its type of base
complementary base

A double three purine

B double two pyrimidine
C single three pyrimidine
D single two purine

25 During the production of protein molecules, only one strand from the DNA double helix is used.

Which name is given to the DNA strand that is used to produce a new protein?

A non-transcribed strand
B leading strand
C template strand
D lagging strand

26 The diagram shows a longitudinal section of a phloem sieve tube with a companion cell.

Where are the mitochondria located for the release of energy for cotransport?

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24 [Turn over

 14

27 The diagram shows a phloem sieve tube element and a companion cell that are involved in
translocation of sucrose.

W X Y Z

Which process correctly describes the translocation of sucrose through these cells?

A Sucrose moves from Y to Z by active transport.

B Protons move from Y to Z by active transport.
C Protons move from Z to Y by diffusion.
D Protons move from X to W by diffusion.

28 Which types of molecules are cotransported into companion cells?

A monomers and disaccharides

B monomers and polysaccharides
C polymers and disaccharides
D polymers and monosaccharides

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24

 15

29 The diagram shows a section through the human heart.

Which label is correct?

A pulmonary artery
B left ventricle
C right atrium
D aorta

30 The graph shows how the volume of the left ventricle changes during one cardiac cycle.

Which point on the graph represents the start of atrial systole?

D
A
100 C

ventricular
volume / cm3 B

40
time

31 Which statement is correct?

A In a red blood cell, CO2 can combine with haemoglobin to form haemoglobinic acid.
B Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that catalyses the reaction between CO2 and H2O.
C At the lungs, carbon dioxide is released when carbonic acid and water react together.
D The greater the concentration of CO2 in the blood, the higher the affinity of haemoglobin for
oxygen.

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24 [Turn over

 16

32 Which row is correct for an artery?

inner layer middle layer outer layer

A smooth layer of collagen, elastic fibres collagen only
endodermis cells and smooth muscle
B smooth layer of elastic fibres and collagen and
endodermis cells smooth muscle only elastic fibres
C smooth layer of collagen, elastic fibres collagen and
squamous cells and smooth muscle elastic fibres
D smooth layer of elastic fibres and collagen only
squamous cells smooth muscle only

33 Which row shows the features of the gas exchange surface that increase diffusion of
carbon dioxide and oxygen?

concentration diffusion
gradient distance

A steep long
B steep short
C shallow long
D shallow short

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24

 17

34 The electron micrograph shows some of the airways in the gaseous exchange system of an
insect and the respiring body cells that surround them.

respiring body cell

Each trachea is Tracheoles are

filled with air which narrow tubes which
enters through tiny branch from a wide
holes called spiracles. trachea. They lie
Each trachea is held next to body cells
open by spirals of a and gaseous
material called chitin. exchange occurs
across them directly
into respiring body
cells.

Which statements describe correct differences between the insect gas exchange system shown
in the electron micrograph and the human gas exchange system?

1 Gas exchange occurs through the walls of the airways directly into respiring body
cells in insects but this does not occur in humans.
2 There are spirals of chitin in the walls of a trachea in insects to hold it open but not
in humans.
3 There is more than one trachea in the gas exchange system of the insect but only
one in humans.

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

35 Which row is correct for the wall of the trachea and the wall of the bronchus?

smooth goblet
cartilage
muscle cells

A    key
B     = present
C     = not present
D   

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24 [Turn over

 18

36 A bacterial pathogen produces a protein that acts as a toxin. This toxin is harmful to humans.

Scientists are developing monoclonal antibodies that can be used to detect the presence of the
toxin in the body so that early treatment can be given.

Which statements describe steps in the development of these monoclonal antibodies?

1 The toxin protein is injected into a mouse and triggers mitosis of specific
B-lymphocytes.
2 Antibodies are collected from the spleen of the mouse and fused with myeloma
cells.
3 A hybridoma cell produces many antibodies with a variety of different variable
regions.

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

37 Which statements are correct for penicillin?

1 It is harmful to prokaryotic cells.

2 It disrupts cell wall synthesis.
3 It becomes less effective with regular use.

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

38 Why is passive immunity effective for only a short time?

A Antibodies are rapidly broken down.

B Antigens are rapidly broken down.
C Memory cells soon die.
D Phagocytes soon die.

39 Which row is correct for the control or prevention methods for each disease?

TB malaria cholera

A vaccination chlorination of water vaccination

B chlorination of water contact tracing destruction of the vector
C contact tracing destruction of the vector chlorination of water
D destruction of the vector vaccination contact tracing

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24

 19

40 Peptidoglycan is stained purple by the chemical crystal violet.

Which cells would stain purple in the presence of crystal violet?

A palisade mesophyll cells

B Vibrio cholerae cells
C Plasmodium falciparum cells
D endothelial cells

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24

 20

BLANK PAGE

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

© UCLES 2024 9700/12/O/N/24