CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL BIOLOGY: COURSEBOOK

Sample answers have been written by the authors.

Coursebook answers
Chapter 5
Self-assessment questions
1 a The primary structure of a protein is the Mitosis is the type of nuclear division
amino acid sequence. required to produce genetically identical
nuclei.
b It suggests that any change in the primary
structure would threaten survival – in 4 a 92 chromatids
other words, the precise tertiary structure
of the histones is vital for survival. It b 92 DNA molecules (each chromatid
highlights the critical importance of contains one DNA molecule)
histones. Only organisms with conserved / c 92 kinetochores
unchanged molecules are likely to survive.
d 46 chromatids
c 8.7 cm = 87 mm = 87 000 µm
e 92 chromatids
87 000 µm of DNA is packed into 10 µm
of chromosome 5 a
therefore packing ratio = 87 000 ÷ 10 =
8700

d total length of chromosomes = 46 × 6 µm =

276 µm

1.8 m = 1800 mm = 1 800 000 µm

1 800 000 µm of DNA is packed into

276 µm of chromosomes

therefore packing ratio = 1 800 000 ÷ 276 = metaphase


6522
b
e Histones provide a scaffolding around
which DNA molecules can coil. A coiled
strand can be packed into a smaller
volume than a straight strand.

2 Microtubules can be shortened by removal of

tubulin subunits (depolymerisation).

3 Asexual reproduction involves production of

new individuals that are genetically identical
to the parent. The nuclei in the cells of these
individuals must be genetically identical. anaphase


1 Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology © Cambridge University Press 2020

 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL BIOLOGY: COURSEBOOK

6 Their function is to hold chromatids together
and to attach chromosomes to the spindle.
7 Of 75 000 cells, 9 were undergoing mitosis.
Mitosis lasts one hour. Therefore, cell cycle is
75 000 / 9 hours long
= 8333 hours
= 8333 / 24 days
= 347 days.
(Cell cycles vary in length in adult animals
from less than eight hours to more than one
year.)
8 It suggests that specialisation is not due to
different genes being present in different cells,
but that different genes are switched on in
different cells. In a liver cell, for example, only
the genes that control the activities of a liver
cell are switched on, even though liver cells
contain all the information to make any cell.
9 Cancer cells are immortal. They achieve this
by renewing their telomeres after each division.
To do this, telomerase is required. (A normal
cell would eventually use up its telomeres and
die if it divided repeatedly like a cancer cell.)

2 Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology © Cambridge University Press 2020