Genetic technology applied to medicine — Paper 1 · A Level Biology 9700

34 Some children are born with Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID). These children do not normally have any T-lymphocytes and suffer from many diseases. How can these children be cured? A bone marrow transplantation B continual use of antibiotics C transfusion of antibodies D vaccination against all diseases

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9700/11 Oct/Nov 2008

40 What explains why monoclonal antibodies can be used to target cancer cells? A Cancer cells have different antigens from normal body cells. B Specific cancer drugs can be attached to the monoclonal antibody. C They are one type of a specific antibody that binds to an antigen. D They are secreted by hybridomas of cancer cells and B-lymphocytes.

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9700/12 May/June 2016

40 The statements describe ways in which different types of monoclonal antibodies can work. 1 binding to proteins on cell surfaces and triggering the immune system 2 blocking molecules on cell surfaces that inhibit T-cells 3 blocking cell signalling receptors that trigger cell division 4 blocking cell signalling receptors that trigger the immune response Which types of monoclonal antibody could be used to treat cancer? A 1, 2, 3 and 4 B 1, 2 and 3 only C 1 and 4 only D 2, 3 and 4 only

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9700/11 May/June 2018

39 Growth factors are chemicals that stimulate a cell to divide. Growth factors are transported around the body in the blood, and they attach to cells that have complementary growth factor receptors on their surface. Some cells have too many growth factor receptors on their surface and so the cells continue to divide, forming a tumour. Trastuzumab is used as a treatment for some cancers. Trastuzumab works by binding to a specific growth factor receptor on a tumour cell. This stops the cell dividing and the cell dies. What is trastuzumab? A a monoclonal antibody B a vaccine C an antibiotic D an enzyme inhibitor

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9700/13 May/June 2019

39 Which features of monoclonal antibodies are important to their use in the treatment of cancer? 1 They can bind to tumour-associated antigens. 2 They can distinguish between different strains of pathogens. 3 They can deliver drugs to specific targets. 1 3 0 Oo WwW > Ke 44 ~*~ <x <li «x < & x key ¥ = is important X = is not important

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9700/12 Feb/March 2020

38 What explains why monoclonal antibodies can be used to target cancer cells? A Cancer cells have different antigens from normal body cells. B Specific cancer drugs can be attached to the monoclonal antibody. C They secrete a type of antigen that binds to a specific antibody. D They are secreted by hybridomas of cancer cells and B-lymphocytes.

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 9700/12 May/June 2021

40 Monoclonal antibodies are used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. They are produced using a technique known as cell fusion. Which two structures are fused together in this technique? A antigens and hybridoma cells B T-lymphocytes and cancer cells C cancer cells and plasma cells D hybridoma cells and antibodies

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 9700/11 Oct/Nov 2021

38 T-lymphocytes have a protein, PD-1, on their surface. Some cancer cells have a receptor molecule on their surface which binds with PD-1, inactivating the T-lymphocyte. A monoclonal antibody, lambrolizumab, has been produced against this receptor. Trials showed that in 54 of 135 people with advanced skin cancer who were given lambrolizumab the tumours more than halved in volume. In six of the 57 people who were given the highest dose the tumours disappeared. What may be correctly concluded from this information? 1 Lambrolizumab binds with a receptor on the surface of skin cancer cells. 2 Cancer cells to which lambrolizumab is bound cannot inactivate T-lymphocytes. 3 Lambrolizumab targets and kills skin cancer cells. 4 Lambrolizumab allows a patient’s own immune system to kill cancer cells. A 1, 2, 3 and 4 B 1, 2 and 4 only C 1 and 3 only D 2, 3 and 4 only

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 9700/11 May/June 2022

38 Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease which causes the body’s immune system to attack its own cells. The disease can be treated using monoclonal antibodies. The table shows how five different monoclonal antibodies can work. monoclonal mode of action antibody 1 binding to proteins on cell surfaces and triggering the immune system 2 blocking molecules on cell surfaces that inhibit T-lymphocytes 3 blocking cell signalling receptors that trigger cell division 4 binding to antigens on cell surfaces and releasing a drug 5 blocking cell signalling receptors that trigger the immune response Inflammation and swelling of joints are symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The cytokine, TNFalpha, activates cells in the immune system leading to death of cells in the joint. Which types of monoclonal antibody could be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis? A 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 B 1, 2, 3 and 4 only C 2, 3 and 5 only D 4 and 5 only

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 9700/13 May/June 2022

39 Specific monoclonal antibodies can be used to treat some forms of cancer. One example is trastuzumab, which can be used in the treatment of tumours caused by cancer. Which statements could help to explain why monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab are suitable for this role? 1 The variable regions of monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab can change, allowing the antibodies to bind to cancer cells even if their antigens mutate. 2 Monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab bind to specific cell surface receptors on cancer cells, which prevents these receptors from receiving signals that are needed for cancer cells to grow and divide. 3 The antigen-binding sites of monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab are complementary to antigens found on some cancer cells, and have stable tertiary structures that do not change. A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 9700/12 Feb/March 2025