Cambridge A Level Biology 9700 — 2023 Feb/March Paper 1 · Variant 2

Question 1

1 The photomicrograph shows cells from a human blood smear. neutrophil P Q Which calculation shows a correct method to calculate the actual diameter of the neutrophil shown in the photomicrograph in micrometres (m)? length of line PQ in mm  1000 A magnification of photomicrograph length of line PQ in mm  10 000 B magnification of photomicrograph magnification of photomicrograph C length of line PQ in mm  1000 magnification of photomicrograph D length of line PQ in mm  10 000

Accepted Answer

A

Question 2

2 A student calibrated an eyepiece graticule using a stage micrometer.  Each division of the stage micrometer was 0.01 mm.  With a 10 magnification objective lens, 10 eyepiece graticule units matched 10 divisions on the stage micrometer. The same microscope was used with a 40, instead of a 10, magnification objective lens to measure the diameter of an alveolus. The diameter of the alveolus was found to be 96 eyepiece graticule units. The eyepiece lens was not changed. What is the best estimate for the diameter of the alveolus? A 0.960 mm B 3.84 mm C 240 m D 384 m

Accepted Answer

C

Question 3

3 Which statements are correct for chloroplasts and also for mitochondria? 1 They contain 80S ribosomes. 2 They can transcribe their circular DNA. 3 They can translate mRNA. 4 They are enclosed by double membranes. A 1, 2, 3 and 4 B 1 and 2 only C 2, 3 and 4 only D 3 and 4 only

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

4 The electron micrograph shows some cells from a root. Which cell structure is not usually found in cells from a root? A D B C

Accepted Answer

B

Question 5

5 Dialysis (Visking) tubing is an artificial partially permeable membrane with pore sizes of approximately 2.5 nm. Glucose molecules have a diameter of about 1.5 nm and can pass through the pores in the membrane. What else can pass through the pores? 1 bacteria 2 haemoglobin 3 ribosomes 4 fructose A 1 and 3 B 2 and 4 C 2 only D 4 only

Accepted Answer

D

Question 6

6 What is present in all viruses? A ribose B deoxyribose C adenine D thymine

Accepted Answer

C

Question 7

7 To estimate the concentration of glucose in an unknown solution, equal volumes of a range of known concentrations of glucose were each mixed with the same excess volume of Benedict’s solution. After mixing, the solutions were placed in a thermostatically controlled water-bath at 90 C for three minutes. The unknown solution was then treated in the same way and the colours of the known and unknown solutions compared. What is the independent variable in this procedure? A concentration of glucose B final colour of solutions C temperature of water-bath D volume of glucose solutions

Accepted Answer

A

Question 8

8 Which statements are correct for amylose and also for amylopectin? 1 They are carbohydrate molecules. 2 They are formed by condensation reactions. 3 They are linear molecules. 4 They contain -1,4 glycosidic bonds. A 1, 2 and 3 B 1, 2 and 4 C 1, 3 and 4 D 2, 3 and 4

Accepted Answer

B

Question 9

9 Which statement is a correct comparison between saturated triglyceride molecules and unsaturated triglyceride molecules of approximately the same molecular masses? A Unsaturated triglycerides have more double bonds and fewer hydrogen atoms than saturated triglycerides. B Unsaturated triglycerides have fewer double bonds and fewer hydrogen atoms than saturated triglycerides. C Unsaturated triglycerides have more double bonds and more hydrogen atoms than saturated triglycerides. D Unsaturated triglycerides have fewer double bonds and more hydrogen atoms than saturated triglycerides.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 10

10 The diagram represents a molecule from a cell surface membrane. A D B C Which description of one of the labels is correct? A fatty acid at the hydrophilic end of the molecule B hydrophobic end of the triglyceride molecule C hydrophobic end of the glycerol molecule D phosphate group at the hydrophilic end of the molecule

Accepted Answer

D

Question 11

11 Which row correctly shows levels of protein structure that can be held together by each type of interaction? hydrophobic hydrogen bonds covalent bonds interactions A primary, secondary tertiary structure primary and and tertiary structure tertiary structure B secondary structure primary and tertiary structure tertiary structure C secondary and tertiary structure primary and tertiary structure tertiary structure D secondary and tertiary structure primary and tertiary structure secondary structure

Accepted Answer

C

Question 12

12 Which molecules contain at least three double bonds? saturated triglyceride C A D collagen B haemoglobin

Accepted Answer

D

Question 13

13 Which diagram correctly shows hydrogen bonding between two water molecules? A B C D + + δ+ +δ δ– –δ – – H H H H H H H H O H O O H O O H O O H O – + – δ– δ+ δ– δ+ δ– δ+ + – + H H H H + δ+ δ– –

Accepted Answer

B

Question 14

14 Which statement describes an example of an extracellular enzyme? A Amylase in saliva is an enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of starch in the mouth. B Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that helps in the transport of carbon dioxide in blood. C DNA polymerase is an enzyme that helps build DNA molecules from nucleotides. D RNA polymerase is an enzyme involved in the process of gene transcription.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 15

15 Which row is correct for enzymes that catalyse reactions using the lock-and-key hypothesis? effect of the enzyme on the shape of active site in comparison activation energy of the to the substrate reaction being catalysed A lowers the activation energy changes to become complementary as the enzyme–substrate complex forms B lowers the activation energy complementary before, during and after the formation of an enzyme–substrate complex C raises the activation energy changes to become complementary as the enzyme–substrate complex forms D raises the activation energy complementary before, during and after the formation of an enzyme–substrate complex

Accepted Answer

B

Question 16

16 A scientist investigated the rate of breakdown of hydrogen peroxide. Four experiments were carried out using different mixtures.  substrate only  substrate + enzyme  substrate + enzyme + competitive inhibitor  substrate + enzyme + non-competitive inhibitor The results are sketched in the graph. 1 rate of 2 breakdown of hydrogen 3 peroxide 4 substrate concentration Which row shows the correct lines for two of the experimental mixtures? substrate + enzyme + substrate only competitive inhibitor A 1 2 B 4 2 C 1 3 D 4 3

Accepted Answer

B

Question 17

17 Which of these substances can pass directly through cell surface membranes without using a carrier protein or a channel protein? 1 Ca2+ 2 CO2 3 C6H12O6 A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 and 3 D 2 only

Accepted Answer

D

Question 18

18 What happens to the surface area to volume ratio of a cube when the length of each side is doubled? A The ratio decreases by four times. B The ratio halves. C The ratio doubles. D The ratio increases by four times.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 19

19 Which events are part of the mitotic cell cycle? 1 interphase 2 telophase 3 cytokinesis A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

Accepted Answer

A

Question 20

20 The estimated total number of red blood cells in the human body is 2.5  1013. It is estimated that, each day, 2.5  1011 red blood cells are removed from the circulation and are replaced by stem cells in the bone marrow. Which percentage of the total number of red blood cells is replaced each day? A 0.01% B 0.1% C 1% D 10%

Accepted Answer

C

Question 21

21 DNA polymerase catalyses condensation reactions between molecules during semi-conservative replication of DNA. What is joined by DNA polymerase? A base and base B base and nucleotide C nucleotide and nucleotide D phosphate and ribose

Accepted Answer

C

Question 22

22 Two polynucleotide strands make up a DNA molecule. Which description is correct? A The percentage of cytosine is 50% of that of guanine in the whole molecule. B The percentage of cytosine is the same as that of guanine in the whole molecule. C The percentage of cytosine is the same as that of guanine in each strand. D The percentage of cytosine is the same in each strand of the molecule.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 23

23 The PDx1 protein is found in a wide range of animal species where it is regarded as essential for normal metabolism. In sand rats, the gene coding for the PDx1 protein has a much lower proportion of A and T nucleotides than PDx1 genes from other animals. Finding the complete DNA sequence of the PDx1 gene in sand rats has been difficult. Sequencing involves splitting off nucleotides one at a time from single-stranded DNA. What could account for the difficulty in finding the DNA sequence of the PDx1 gene in sand rats? 1 The PDx1 gene is present in only a small proportion of nuclei. 2 The PDx1 gene is transcribed in only some cells. 3 The strength of the hydrogen bonding between the two strands of the PDx1 gene is unusually high. A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 only C 2 only D 3 only

Accepted Answer

D

Question 24

24 Different tissues in a plant were supplied with a radioactively labelled substance to identify which tissues were actively synthesising mRNA. Which radioactively labelled substances would be suitable for this experiment? 1 adenine 2 uracil 3 inorganic phosphate 4 ribose A 1, 2, 3 and 4 B 1, 2 and 3 only C 2 and 4 only D 4 only

Accepted Answer

C

Question 25

25 Which row correctly matches the structure and function of phloem sieve tube elements? structure function A peripheral cytoplasm to provide as little resistance with no nucleus to flow as possible B end walls modified to to slow down the rate of form sieve plates transport of solutes C elongated cells joined to form a tube to transport end to end dissolved mineral ions and water D cellulose cell wall with no lignin to prevent loss of water

Accepted Answer

A

Question 26

26 Which feature of xylem vessel elements helps adhesion during transpiration? A Lignin forms a complete secondary wall. B New vessels carry extra water as the plants grow. C There are no cross walls between vessel elements. D The vessel elements form a narrow tube.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 27

27 Mass flow is the bulk movement of materials from one place to another. How many of the vessels listed carry fluids by mass flow? ● artery ● phloem sieve tube ● vein ● xylem vessel A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4

Accepted Answer

D

Question 28

28 Cellulose, lignin and suberin are components of various plant cell walls. Descriptions of these cell wall components are listed. 1 a component of the Casparian strip 2 redirects water into the symplast pathway 3 a hydrophobic component of cell walls 4 water interacts with this molecule in the apoplast pathway Which row correctly matches three of the descriptions with cell wall components? cellulose lignin suberin A 2 4 1 B 3 4 2 C 4 1 2 D 4 3 1

Accepted Answer

D

Question 29

29 The arrows show the direction of water movement across a plant root, from water in the soil to the xylem. plasmodesmata water 1 3 5 7 8 in soil 2 4 6 xylem Which arrows show water movement only in the apoplast pathway? A 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 B 2, 4 and 6 C 2 and 4 only D 3, 5 and 7 only

Accepted Answer

C

Question 30

30 Which row correctly identifies sources and sinks of sugars? root cells storage cells of absorbing seed that is mineral ions starting to grow A sink source B sink sink C source source D source sink

Accepted Answer

A

Question 31

31 The photomicrograph shows a section through a tissue with an artery. Which row correctly shows the type of artery and whether the blood inside the artery is oxygenated or deoxygenated? type of artery blood A muscular deoxygenated B muscular oxygenated C elastic deoxygenated D elastic oxygenated

Accepted Answer

A

Question 32

32 Heart surgery may cause a decrease in the transmission of impulses in the Purkyne tissue to the right side of the heart. What is a possible effect of this decrease? A Impulses would be delayed by the atrioventricular node. B The muscle of the right ventricle would contract slightly more slowly than the muscle of the left ventricle. C The muscle of the right atrium would not contract as fully as the muscle of the left atrium. D The sinoatrial node would transmit fewer impulses.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 33

33 The diagram shows a network of blood vessels that supply blood to muscle tissue in the human body. X Y artery vein What is a correct comparison between the blood at X and the blood at Y when the muscle tissue is at rest? water potential of blood pressure blood at X compared at X compared with with water potential blood pressure at Y of blood at Y A equal higher B equal lower C higher higher D higher lower

Accepted Answer

C

Question 34

34 Scientists have shown that the oxygen dissociation curves for haemoglobin of smaller mammals are to the right of those of larger mammals. What does this suggest about the haemoglobin of smaller mammals? A At low partial pressures of oxygen, it binds to oxygen more strongly than the haemoglobin of larger mammals. B It saturates with oxygen at lower partial pressures of oxygen than the haemoglobin of larger mammals. C It releases oxygen more easily than the haemoglobin of larger mammals. D When the partial pressure of oxygen is high, it carries more oxygen than the haemoglobin of larger mammals.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 35

35 What is an effect of an increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood? A increased movement of chloride ions out of red blood cells B increased concentration of haemoglobinic acid C decreased concentration of hydrogencarbonate ions in blood plasma D decreased concentration of carbaminohaemoglobin

Accepted Answer

B

Question 36

36 Two of the requirements of an efficient gas exchange system are a large surface area and a short diffusion distance. Which row correctly describes how alveoli are adapted to meet these requirements? large surface area short diffusion distance A elastin fibres prevent the an extracellular layer inside alveolus wall from collapsing the alveolus wall contains blood capillaries B gases dissolve in a layer of alveolar walls are next liquid to speed up diffusion to capillaries C alveoli are folded and walls of alveoli are interconnected only one cell thick D walls of alveoli are formed of red blood cells are very squamous epithelial cells close to capillary walls

Accepted Answer

C

Question 37

37 What defines infectious diseases? A Symptoms are caused by a bacterium that passes from contaminated air, soil or water to a host. B Symptoms are caused by a pathogen that is transmitted from one host to another. C Symptoms are caused by a microorganism that is carried by a vector. D Symptoms are caused by a virus that mutates to infect a new species.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 38

38 A hurricane destroys a large town on an island. People move away from the town and set up tents, where sanitation is poor. Which disease is most likely to spread within a week of the change in living conditions? A cholera B HIV C malaria D TB

Accepted Answer

A

Question 39

39 Which statement correctly explains why viruses are unaffected by penicillin? A Penicillin only affects host cell metabolism. B Penicillin only binds with 70S ribosomes. C Penicillin only blocks mRNA synthesis in prokaryotes. D Penicillin only blocks peptidoglycan synthesis.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 40

40 Which processes characterise the mode of action of phagocytes? 1 antibody production 2 receptor binding 3 endocytosis 4 exocytosis 5 hydrolysis A 1, 2 and 4 B 1 and 4 only C 2, 3, 4 and 5 D 3 and 5 only

Accepted Answer

C

Question paper16 pages

Mark scheme3 pages

Questions as text

Q1 · The photomicrograph shows cells from a human blood smear

Q2 · A student calibrated an eyepiece graticule using a stage micrometer

Q3 · Which statements are correct for chloroplasts and also for mitochondria?

Q4 · The electron micrograph shows some cells from a root

Q5 · Dialysis (Visking) tubing is an artificial partially permeable membrane with pore sizes…

Q6 · What is present in all viruses?

Q7 · To estimate the concentration of glucose in an unknown solution, equal volumes of a range…

Q8 · Which statements are correct for amylose and also for amylopectin?

Q9 · Which statement is a correct comparison between saturated triglyceride molecules and…

Q10 · The diagram represents a molecule from a cell surface membrane

Q11 · Which row correctly shows levels of protein structure that can be held together by each…

Q12 · Which molecules contain at least three double bonds?

Q13 · Which diagram correctly shows hydrogen bonding between two water molecules?

Q14 · Which statement describes an example of an extracellular enzyme?

Q15 · Which row is correct for enzymes that catalyse reactions using the lock-and-key…

Q16 · A scientist investigated the rate of breakdown of hydrogen peroxide

Q17 · Which of these substances can pass directly through cell surface membranes without using…

Q18 · What happens to the surface area to volume ratio of a cube when the length of each side…

Q19 · Which events are part of the mitotic cell cycle?

Q20 · The estimated total number of red blood cells in the human body is 2.5  1013

Q21 · DNA polymerase catalyses condensation reactions between molecules during…

Q22 · Two polynucleotide strands make up a DNA molecule

Q23 · The PDx1 protein is found in a wide range of animal species where it is regarded as…

Q24 · Different tissues in a plant were supplied with a radioactively labelled substance to…

Q25 · Which row correctly matches the structure and function of phloem sieve tube elements?

Q26 · Which feature of xylem vessel elements helps adhesion during transpiration?

Q27 · Mass flow is the bulk movement of materials from one place to another

Q28 · Cellulose, lignin and suberin are components of various plant cell walls

Q29 · The arrows show the direction of water movement across a plant root, from water in the…

Q30 · Which row correctly identifies sources and sinks of sugars?

Q31 · The photomicrograph shows a section through a tissue with an artery

Q32 · Heart surgery may cause a decrease in the transmission of impulses in the Purkyne tissue…

Q33 · The diagram shows a network of blood vessels that supply blood to muscle tissue in the…

Q34 · Scientists have shown that the oxygen dissociation curves for haemoglobin of smaller…

Q35 · What is an effect of an increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood?

Q36 · Two of the requirements of an efficient gas exchange system are a large surface area and…

Q37 · What defines infectious diseases?

Q38 · A hurricane destroys a large town on an island

Q39 · Which statement correctly explains why viruses are unaffected by penicillin?

Q40 · Which processes characterise the mode of action of phagocytes?

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