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Name: ________________________________

SB3 | Genetics
Higher Tier Triple

Marks Available: 50 marks

Total Marks: ____/50 - _____% - Grade _____

- You may use a calculator.

- You may need a ruler and a pencil.
- You have 45 minutes to complete this practise paper.
- Topics in the practise paper: DNA, Protein Synthesis, Inheritance,
Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

Questions

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Q1. A DNA molecule consists of two strands coiled to form a double helix.

( a ) Describe how the two strands of a DNA molecule are linked together.
(2)

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( b ) The bar chart below shows the percentage of guanine and thymine in a sample of DNA.
Complete the bar chart to show the percentage of adenine and cytosine in the sample of
DNA.
(2)

( c ) The diagram shows part of one DNA strand.

( i ) Complete the empty boxes to show the mRNA strand coded for by this DNA strand.
(2)

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( ii ) State the maximum number of amino acids that are coded for by this DNA strand.
(1)

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( d ) Name the structure where translation occurs.

(1)

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(Total for Question 1 = 8 marks)

(____/8 marks)

Q2. Strawberry plants grow runners and new strawberry plants develop along the runners.
The new plants are genetically identical to the parent plan. The diagram below shows the
parent plant with new plants attached to runners.

( a ) ( i ) Name the type of cell division that results in the production of these new plants.
(1)

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( ii ) Farmers cut the runners and sell the new plants. Suggest advantages of producing new
strawberry plants in this way.
(2)

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( b ) Some students extracted DNA from strawberries. The diagram below shows the method
used.

Suggest the purpose of stages 1 and 3 in the DNA extraction.

(2)

Stage 1 ………………………………………………………………………………………

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Stage 2 ………………………………………………………………………………………

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( c ) A short section of DNA from a strawberry is shown in the diagram below.

( i ) How many codons are shown in this section of DNA. Circle the letter of the correct
answer.
(1)
A 2
B 3
C 4
D 12

( ii ) This DNA is found in a structure within a cell of a strawberry plant. On the diagram of
the plant cell below, draw and name the structure containing DNA.
(2)

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(Total for Question 2 = 8 marks)

(____/8 marks)

Q3. ( a ) Describe how a section of DNA determines the structure of a protein.

(4)

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*( b ) Describe the structure of DNA, including the roles of scientists involved in its
discovery.
(6)

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( c ) Human DNA was sequenced during the Human Genome Project. Explain how the
Human Genome Project has contributed to advances in medicine.
(2)

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(Total for Question 3 = 12 marks)

(____/12 marks)

Q4. Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder. The genetic diagram shows the inheritance of
this disorder.

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( a ) ( i ) Use words or letters from the box to complete the following sentences.
(2)

Huntington’s disease is caused by a ………………………… allele.

People with Huntington’s disease can have the genotype Hh or …………………… .

( ii ) Complete the Punnett square to show the potential offspring of two parents heterozygous
for Huntington’s disease.
(2)

( iii ) State the probability that a child of two parents, heterozygous for Huntington’s disease,
will have the disease.
(1)

…………………………………
( b ) The genetic diagram below shows the inheritance of cystic fibrosis.

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( i ) Explain why, if both sets of parents are heterozygous, the chance of inheriting
Huntington’s disease is greater than the chance of inheriting cystic fibrosis.
(2)

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( ii ) Complete the sentence by circling the letter of the correct answer. A symptom of cystic
fibrosis is the overproduction of…
(1)
A mucus
B red blood cells
C stomach acid
D white blood cells

( iii ) Explain why a man with cystic fibrosis may be infertile.

(2)

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(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)

(____/10 marks)

Q5. ( a ) Sperm cells and egg cells are needed for human sexual reproduction. Describe in
detail the type of cell division that produces sperm cells.
(4)

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*( b ) The diagram shows some of the stages that occur in the formation of a human fetus.

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Using the diagram and your own knowledge, describe the processes that take place in the
formation of the fetus from a sperm cell and an egg cell.
(6)

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( c ) State two differences between sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction.

(2)

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(Total for Question 5 = 12 marks)

(____/12 marks)

END OF QUESTIONS FOR SB3 PRACTICE QUESTIONS

GRADE BOUNDARIES (2023 SERIES) FOUND ON MARK SCHEME

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Edexcel GCSE Biology 9-1 | SB3 Mixed AGW