Biology 9700/23 October/November 2020: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge AS & A Level Biology (9700), Paper 2 AS Level Structured Questions, October/November 2020. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
Fig. 1.1 shows a section through the human chest. The gross structure of the human gas exchange system is shown.
M A
B
K
C
J
D
H
E
G
F
Fig. 1.1
(a) Descriptions of some parts of the gas exchange system are shown in Table 1.1.
Complete Table 1.1 to:
• state the name of the part described
• write a letter from Fig. 1.1 to identify each part.
Table 1.1
name of part of gas exchange description letter from Fig. 1.1 system supported by incomplete
(C-shaped) rings of cartilage lined by ciliated epithelium and supported by blocks of cartilage lined by squamous epithelium
lined by ciliated epithelium, but not supported by cartilage
[4]
(b) Tobacco smoke contains a number of compounds which can affect the body.
State the appropriate term that matches each of the statements A to E.
A The type of chemical that causes mutation of genes that control the cell cycle.
B A component that causes a short-term increase in blood pressure.
C A component that reduces the carrying capacity of haemoglobin for oxygen.
D A component that increases the production and secretion of mucus from goblet cells.
E A component that causes a short-term increase in heart rate.
[5]
[Total: 9]
Mark scheme
1(a) one mark per row 4
A if names and labels reversed
description name of part of gas label from Fig. 1.1
exchange system
supported by incomplete
trachea B;
(C-shaped) rings of cartilage
lined by ciliated epithelium and bronchus C/J ;
supported by blocks of cartilage A bronchi A C and J
lined by squamous epithelium alveolus / alveoli M;
lined by ciliated epithelium, but bronchiole(s)
H;
not supported by cartilage I terminal / respiratory
1(b) A mutagen(s) / carcinogen(s) ; A tar A named carcinogens 5
B nicotine ;
C carbon monoxide ;
D tar ;
E nicotine ;
The veins of a leaf contain transport tissues. Fig. 2.1 is a drawing made from an electron micrograph showing a cross-section of the transport tissue in a leaf vein.
The cells labelled A are modified companion cells, known as phloem transfer cells. Transfer cells move sucrose and other assimilates from mesophyll cells, B, into the phloem sieve tube element, C.
B
B
A
C A
B
B
A B
Fig. 2.1
(a) State the functions of the mesophyll cells, B, and sieve tube element, C, and explain how their structure is adapted for their function.
cell B – function ……
adaptation ……
cell C – function ……
adaptation ……
[5]
(b) The cell walls of the transfer cells, A, shown in Fig. 2.1, have infoldings.
Explain the advantages of these cell wall infoldings for the movement of sucrose from mesophyll cells to phloem sieve tubes.
…… [3]
[Total: 8]
Mark scheme
2(a) award mp1 and mp8 anywhere in each section of the answer 5
cell B - mesophyll cells
mp1 photosynthesis / described ;
e.g. conversion of carbon dioxide to sugars using light energy
synthesis of complex organic compounds from inorganic compounds using light energy
adaptation – mp2 and one from mp3 to mp7
mp2 chloroplasts / chlorophyll / to absorb light ;
chloroplast pigments
any one from:
mp3 large vacuole to keep chloroplasts at the periphery ;
mp4 starch grains as store of products of photosynthesis ;
mp5 large / moist, surface / cell wall for evaporation of water for transpiration
(stream) ;
A provides water for photosynthesis in
context of water supply transpiration
mp6 thin cell wall gas exchange / diffusion of gases ;
mp7 isodiametric / (roughly) spherical prevents close packing / gives large air
shape spaces ;
cell C - sieve tube element
mp8 transport / movement of, (named) sugars / (named) assimilates / photosynthates / organic substances ;
A translocation
2(a) adaptation – any two from:
mp9 peripheral / described, cytoplasm allowing maximum, volume / space, for
transport of, phloem sap / assimilates ;
A ‘at the edge’ / ‘thin layer’
A less / little, resistance to flow / AW
mp10 no nucleus / few organelles / little allowing maximum, volume / space, for
cytoplasm transport of, phloem sap / assimilates ;
R ‘no organelles’
A less / little, resistance to flow / AW
mp11 elongate / elongated (cells, so to make (sieve) tubes ;
end to end)
mp12 plasmodesmata (un)loading from / AW, companion cells /
cell A ; I ‘between cells A and C’
mp13 sieve pores A flow between sieve tube elements ; AW
mp14 sieve plates prevent, bursting / bulging ;
A maintaining hydrostatic pressure
mp15 AVP for C ;
e.g. phloem proteins and defence against pathogens / sealing wounds
e.g. cell walls with cellulose microfibrils that run around the cells and to prevent
bursting
2(b) mp1, 2, 4 and 6 needs idea of increases / more; this is not needed for mp3 and mp5 3
any three from:
1 increases surface area:volume of cell / increases surface area of (cell surface) membrane ;
2 idea of more space for / increased area for / more, proton pumps / carrier proteins in context of moving protons ;
3 pumping protons, from cytoplasm / into cell wall / into apoplast / AW ;
A create / increase, proton / electrochemical / concentration, gradient
4 idea of more space for / increased area for / more, cotransporter proteins / carrier proteins in context ;
5 cotransport of sucrose / described, into companion cell / into transfer cell / into cell A / from mesophyll cell / from cell B ;
A secondary active transport
A movement of sucrose and protons for cotransport
6 more space for plasmodesmata (between cell A and cell C) ;
Fig. 3.1 shows the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans.
magnification ×250
Fig. 3.1
Stem cells of C. elegans have been studied.
Fig. 3.2 shows the change in mass of DNA per nucleus in a stem cell during one cell cycle.
1 pg = 1 × 10–12 g
A B C D cytokinesis
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
mass of DNA 0.10 per nucleus / pg
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0.00 time
Fig. 3.2
(a) (i) State the phases of interphase shown by A and B in Fig. 3.2.
A ……
B ……
[2]
(ii) State the stage of mitosis shown by D in Fig. 3.2.
…… [1]
(iii) Outline what happens in a cell in preparation for cytokinesis.
…… [2]
(iv) A stem cell of a female C. elegans has 12 chromosomes.
Complete Table 3.1 to show the number of nuclei within the stem cell in stages A, B and D of the cell cycle shown in Fig. 3.2 and the number of chromosomes in each nucleus during these stages.
Table 3.1
stage of the cell cycle
A B D number of nuclei within the stem cell number of chromosomes in each nucleus
[2]
(b) Young nematodes have stem cells throughout the body.
Fig. 3.3 summarises three cell cycles of one of these stem cells.
Key
stem cell
differentiated (specialised) cell not drawn to scale
Fig. 3.3
With reference to Fig. 3.3, outline the role of stem cells in animals.
…… [3]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
3(a)(i) A – G1 / gap 1 ; 2
B – S / synthesis ; A DNA replication I S1 / S2 / replication unqualified
3(a)(ii) telophase ; 1
3(a)(iii) any two from: 2
increase in cytoplasm / increase in number of (named) organelle(s), during interphase ; A synthesis of organelles
I cell growth
(re)formation of nuclear envelope ;
nuclear envelope, forms around each group of chromosomes ;
A nuclear membrane as an ECF if used for mp2
(movement of) organelles to be shared between two daughter cells ;
spindle, disassembles / breaks down / degrades / disappears / AW ;
cleavage furrow forms ;
A cytoplasm / cell membrane, pinches in / constricts / infolds
AVP ;
e.g. (actin) microfilaments / microtubules, form contractile ring / AW, around equator of cell / beneath cell surface
membrane
A cytoskeleton for microtubules / microfilaments
3(a)(iv) one mark per row 2
stages of cell cycle
A B D
number of nuclei within the stem cell 1 1 2;
number of chromosomes ineach nucleus 12 12 12 ;
3(b) 1 stem cells) continue to divide / divide repeatedly (by mitosis) ; 3
A at least one daughter cell, retains ability to divide / is a stem cell / A ‘repeated mitosis’ / A ‘to produce more stem
cells’
any two from mps 2-5:
to produce cells
2 for growth ;
3 for repair of tissues ; R repair of cells
4 for replacement of, worn out / old / dead, cells ;
A damaged cells if repair of tissues not given
5 to differentiate for formation of, tissues / organs ;
A specialised cells for forming, tissue / organs
and:
6 AVP ; e.g. ref. to potency of stem cells (multipotent or pluripotent)
Antibiotic sensitivity tests can be carried out to choose appropriate antibiotics to use for treatment of bacterial diseases.
A researcher carried out an antibiotic sensitivity test using two pathogenic bacteria, X and Y.
The researcher prepared two Petri dishes containing agar.
• A culture of each bacterium was spread over the surface of the agar.
• Filter paper discs containing antibiotics were placed on the surface of the agar in each dish.
• The Petri dishes were incubated at 25 °C for two days.
The results of the test using three antibiotics, P, Q and R, are shown in Fig. 4.1.
antibiotic P on Petri dish filter paper discs containing agar
P P
Q R Q R
X Y
Key bacterial growth no bacterial growth
Fig. 4.1
(a) (i) State the most effective antibiotic to treat infections of bacterium X and bacterium Y.
bacterium X ……
bacterium Y ……
[1]
(ii) Suggest why bacterium Y had a different sensitivity to each of the three antibiotics.
…… [2]
(b) Explain how the use of vaccines in the control of infectious diseases differs from the use of antibiotics.
…… [3]
[Total: 6]
Mark scheme
4(a)(i) X–R 1
and
Y–P;
4(a)(ii) any two from: 2
mp1 = resistance with ref. to P / Q / R
Y, is resistant to Q / has no resistance to P ;
A Y has some resistance to (antibiotic) R
mp2 = antibiotics used at different concentrations
(antibiotic) R may, have different concentration / be less effective, compared with P ;
mp3 = reason for resistance
ref. to gene(s) for resistance (on plasmids)
or
Y has, cell wall / cell membrane, that prevents entry of antibiotic Q
or
Y has enzyme that breaks down, Q / R ;
mp4 = action of antibiotics
idea that antibiotics have, different / specific, target(s) / AW ;
A any example of process inhibited by antibiotic, e.g.
cell wall synthesis
transcription
translation
DNA replication
cell surface membrane function
synthesis of folic acid
4(a)(ii) mp5 = AVP ;
e.g. idea that P may be bacteriocidal / (antibiotic) R is bacteriostatic
e.g. idea that gene for resistance to antibiotic R passed by, vertical / horizontal, transmission
4(b) any three from: 3
to award the MP1 to MP5 you must be able to see a difference between the two stated clearly
vaccines antibiotics
1 (generally) are preventative / are not a treatment / v are (generally) not preventative / are a treatment /
are not a cure are a cure
or or
use before a person, has an infection / is ill used when a person, has an infection / is ill ;
2 effective against bacteria and viruses (in context v not effective against viruses / only effect against
of different vaccines) bacteria ;
3 idea of indirect effect on pathogens v idea of direct effect on pathogens ;
A example of effect
4 not given as a course / give once or a few times v given as a course / over many days / AW ;
(or with boosters)
5 specific for particular, pathogen v (most) antibiotics act on a range of pathogens ;
6 stimulate an immune response or do not stimulate an immune response ;
7 detail e.g. stimulate, (B- / T-) lymphocytes / or do not stimulate, (B- / T-) lymphocytes / production
production of antibodies of antibodies ;
A stimulates production of memory cells A no stimulation of memory cells
8 provide long-term, protection / immunity or do not provide long-term, protection / immunity ;
9 does not lead to resistance or may lead to resistance ;
10 time delay before being effective / AW or have effect, faster / sooner / AW ;
A molecule of collagen consists of three identical polypeptides that form a triple helix.
The amino acid glycine forms one third of the amino acids in a collagen molecule.
Fig. 5.1A shows a polypeptide molecule during protein synthesis. A molecule of glycine is shown just before it is added to the polypeptide.
H H
N
A
H C H
H C H
H C H
H C H O H O
H rest of polypeptide N C C + N C C
OH H OH
H H H
H H
N
B
H C H
H C H
H C H
H C H
rest of polypeptide N C C
H H
Fig. 5.1
(a) (i) Complete Fig. 5.1B to show the molecule of glycine added to the end of the polypeptide.
[2]
(ii) State the type of reaction that occurs when glycine is added to the end of the polypeptide.
…… [1]
(iii) Explain the importance of glycine in a collagen molecule.
…… [2]
(b) Collagen is a fibrous protein.
Explain how the structure of collagen is related to its functions within the mammalian body.
…… [4]
(c) The enzyme collagenase catalyses the breakdown of collagen molecules. This enzyme acts by using an induced fit mechanism.
Describe the mode of action of collagenase.
…… [5]
(d) Students investigated the effect of pH on the activity of collagenase extracted from the bacterium Bacillus licheniformis at 50 °C.
The results are shown in Fig. 5.2.
100
90
80
70 relative activity
60
/ percentage of maximum
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 pH
Fig. 5.2
With reference to Fig. 5.2, describe and explain the effect of pH on the activity of collagenase.
…… [4]
[Total: 18]
Mark scheme
5(a)(i) I presence or absence of water 2
diagram shows bond between C (of lysine) and N (of glycine) and
double bond to O shown correctly ;
glycine drawn correctly ;
R if R is used instead of H on glycine
5(a)(ii) condensation ; A dehydration (reaction) 1
5(a)(iii) I high tensile strength 2
any two from:
allows close packing of, triple helix / three polypeptides ; A chains
I tight coiling A ‘binds more tightly’
glycine, has smallest R group / R group of glycine is H / is smallest amino acid ; A glycine is small
glycine, is every third amino acid in the, polypeptide / chain ;
5(b) I collagen is insoluble / collagen is strong 4
any four from:
1 collagen, has high tensile strength / does not stretch / AW ;
A withstands large pulling forces
2 any ref. to use of collagen in the body ;
e.g. (walls of) arteries or veins / tendons / cartilage / skin / basement membranes / around alveoli / bones / teeth
I hair / R if any ref. to elastic(icity)
three from
3 triple helix has many hydrogen bonds between, polypeptides / chains ;
mp4, 5, 6 and 7 – must be clear that answers are about molecules, but accept triple helix for molecule
4 collagen molecules form, fibrils / fibres ;
5 strong / covalent, (cross) links between molecules ;
6 (ends of) molecules (in fibril / fibre) are staggered ;
7 AVP ; e.g. (many) collagen molecules lie parallel
5(c) induced fit 5
1 active site changes shape ;
A active site moulds round substrate
A ‘active site changes to fit the substrate (more closely)’
2 (so) active site becomes (fully) complementary shape to collagen ;
any four from
3 formation of, enzyme-substrate complex / ESC ;
4 lowering of activation energy ;
5 breakage of peptide bond ;
6 active site returns to, pre-ESC / original, shape and can be reused ;
7 AVP ;
e.g. ref. to, binding site / catalytic site (of active site)
e.g. suggestion of how activation energy lowered, e.g. strain put on bond / alternative pathway
5(d) description 4
1 general description of effect of pH on activity ;
e.g. as pH increases the activity increases and then decreases
e.g. as pH increases activity reaches a peak
e.g. use of data with unit for relative activity to describe increase and decrease (see next page)
2 2 optimum pH is 7 ;
explanation
any three from:
3 partial denaturation in, acid and alkaline conditions / AW ;
A ‘starts to denature’ as alternative to partial denaturation
small changes either side of optimum
4 (ionisable) R-groups in, active / catalytic, site affected ;
large changes either side of optimum
5 hydrogen bonds / ionic bonds, break / disrupted ;
6 active site (shape) / (enzyme) tertiary structure, changes, so substrate / collagen, no longer fits into active site / fewer
ESC complexes formed ;
A fits less well in context of partial denaturation
7 AVP ; e.g. detail of R groups
(a) Fig. 6.1 shows Vorticella, which is a single-celled organism that lives in freshwater. Vorticella has many cilia which it uses for feeding.
X
Y
Fig. 6.1
The distance shown by X–Y on Fig. 6.1 is 150 μm.
Calculate the magnification of Fig. 6.1.
State the formula that you will use and show your working.
Write your answer to the nearest whole number.
formula
…… [3]
(b) The food particles are taken into the gullet by a current of water created by movement of cilia.
Any particles suspended in the water, such as bacteria, are taken into the cell as shown in
Fig. 6.2.
infolding of cell surface membrane
Z
lysosome
Fig. 6.2
(i) State the name of the process which takes the bacteria into the cell at Z and describe the way in which it occurs.
name ……
description ……
[3]
(ii) Describe the role of lysosomes in intracellular digestion in Vorticella.
…… [3]
[Total: 9]
Mark scheme
6(a) formula (magnification =) size of image ; 3
actual size
A M = I / A or l = A × M
A magnification triangle
length of line X–Y = 30 mm (± 2 mm) / 30 000 μm = 3.0 × 10–2 m
actual length = 150 μm / 0.15 mm = 150 × 10–6 m
working
length of the image (in m, mm or cm) divided by the actual size (A ± 2 mm) ;
(x) 200 ; A answer in range 187 – 213
6(b) 1 endocytosis / phagocytosis ; 3
two from
2 particles / bacteria, reach end of, gullet / AW ;
3 binding / fusion / attachment, (of bacteria / food particles) to, receptors / (cell surface) membrane ; I ‘makes contact
with’
4 membrane engulfs, bacteria / food particles ;
5 fusion of phospholipids / membrane fusion ;
6 (phagocytic) vacuole / vesicle, pinches off from, surface / membrane ;
6(b)(ii) I bulk transport 3
1 fuse / bind, with, phagosome / food vacuole / phagocytic vacuole / phagocytic vesicle ; A food vacuole, etc. implied
2 contain / add, hydrolytic / digestive, enzymes ; A hydrolases
A description of one type of breakdown reaction catalysed by a lysosomal enzyme
3 an example of hydrolase or enzyme ; e.g. protease / lipase / carbohydrase / nuclease / lysozyme
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Biology 9700/23 for October/November 2020 is out of 60 marks, with 1 hour 15 minutes to answer it, across 6 questions.
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