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Skills Assessment Bundle

Marks 168

Time 216 minutes

Questions 15

Q1.
Read the following passage.

Kidney cells produce a glycoprotein hormone called erythropoietin (EPO). An

EPO molecule contains 165 amino acids and approximately 50% of its mass is
carbohydrate.

EPO is transported in the blood and stimulates the bone marrow to produce
red blood cells. In this way, enough red blood cells are produced to maintain 5
the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity.

Some athletes choose to increase their blood EPO concentration by injecting

synthetic EPO. This practice is called blood boosting and is banned in sport as
a form of drug abuse. Athletics’ authorities use a programme of drug testing to
detect athletes who have injected EPO. In this programme, an ELISA test is 10
performed on urine samples to measure the concentration of EPO in the
athlete.

Two types of monoclonal antibody are used in this ELISA test:

• anti-human EPO antibody, prepared by injecting human EPO into mice

• anti-mouse antibody, prepared by injecting anti-human EPO antibody into 15
goats. An enzyme is attached to the anti-mouse antibody.

Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the following
questions.

(a) Kidney cells produce a glycoprotein called erythropoietin (EPO) (line 1).

Identify two organelles in kidney cells that enable the production of EPO.

1 _________________________________________________________________

2 _________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Explain the biological advantage to athletes of injecting synthetic EPO (lines 7−8).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Describe how mice injected with human EPO produce anti-human EPO antibody
(line 14).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(d) Describe the roles of anti-human EPO antibody and anti-mouse antibody with
enzyme attached (lines 14−16) in producing a positive result for EPO in the ELISA
test.

Role of anti-human EPO antibody ______________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Role of anti-mouse antibody with enzyme attached _________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(e) Some people object to using monoclonal antibodies in testing programmes. Use
information in the passage to suggest why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 10 marks)

Q2.
Read the following passage.

Some insect species feed on the leaves of plants. These leaf-chewers

bite off pieces of leaves. Other insect species feed on sap from phloem
or xylem. These sap-feeders have sharp, piercing mouthparts that they
insert directly into either xylem or phloem. Leaf-chewers and insects
that feed on xylem sap are active feeders; this means they use their 5
jaw muscles to obtain their food. In contrast, insects that feed on phloem
sap are passive feeders; this means they do not use their jaw muscles
to take up sap from phloem.

Feeding on phloem sap presents two problems. Firstly, phloem sap has
sa high sugar concentration. This could lead to a high pressure of liquid 10
in the insect’s gut because of water entering the gut from the insect’s
body tissues. A phloem-sap-feeder polymerises some of these sugars
into polysaccharides which are passed out of its anus as ‘honey dew’.
The secondproblem is that phloem sap has a low concentration of
amino acids. Phloem-sap-feeding insects rely on bacteria in their guts to 15
produce amino acids. Each phloem-sap-feeding insect receives a few of
these bacteria from its parent. This has resulted in a reduction in the
genetic diversity of the bacteria found within these insects.

A scientist investigated the effect of three different insects on the growth

of a plant called the goldenrod. He found that leaf-chewing insects and 20
xylem-sap-feeding insects caused a much greater reduction in total
leaf area than did phloem-sap-feeding insects.

Use the information from the passage and your own knowledge to answer the following
questions.

(a) Phloem-sap-feeders are passive feeders (lines 6–7).

Phloem-sap-feeders do not use their jaw muscles to take up sap from phloem.

Explain why they can take up sap without using their jaw muscles.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

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(b) A phloem-sap-feeder polymerises some of these sugars into polysaccharides (line
12-13).
Suggest the advantage of this.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Each phloem-sap-feeding insect receives a few of these bacteria from its parent.
(lines 16–17).

Suggest how this has caused a reduction in genetic diversity of the bacteria.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) A scientist found that leaf-chewers and xylem-sap-feeders had a greater effect on
plant growth than phloem-sap-feeders (lines 20–22).

Other than environmental factors, give two features the scientist would have
controlled in his experiment to ensure this conclusion was valid.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) The scientist used the reduction in total leaf area of the experimental plants as an
indicator of plant growth.

Outline a method by which you could find the area of a plant leaf.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

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 (Total 10 marks)

Q3.

Ebola is a disease caused by a virus. The Ebola virus has a glycoprotein on its
surface
which binds to a specific receptor protein in the cell-surface membranes of
human cells.
When it binds to this receptor protein, the virus can enter the cell. Some people 5
do not
produce this receptor protein. These people may become infected with the
Ebola virus
but do not develop the disease.

A blood test can be used to determine whether a person has Ebola. People with 10
Ebola
have large numbers of specific plasma cells and a specific antibody in their
blood.
Some scientists have suggested treating people suffering from Ebola by using
transfusions of blood plasma from people who have recently recovered from the
disease.

The Ebola virus has a high mutation rate. This makes it difficult to develop a vaccine.

(a) People who do not have the specific receptor protein in their cell-surface
membranes may be infected with the Ebola virus but do not develop the disease
(lines 1–5).

Explain why they do not develop the disease.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Explain the increase in specific plasma cells and antibody in people infected with the
Ebola virus.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Explain how a blood transfusion from a patient recently recovered from Ebola may

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 be an effective treatment (lines 8–10).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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(3)

(d) A high mutation rate makes it difficult to develop a vaccine (line 11).
Explain why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

Q4.
Read the following passage.

Alzheimer’s disease leads to dementia. This involves small β-amyloid

proteins binding together to form structures called plaques in the brain.

Nerve cells in the brain produce a large protein called amyloid-precursor

protein that has a complex shape. This protein is the substrate of two
different enzymes, α-secretase and β-secretase. These enzymes are 5

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normally produced in the brain. One product of the reaction catalysed by
β-secretase is a smaller protein that can lead to β-amyloid protein formation.
Many people with Alzheimer’s disease have mutations that decrease
α-secretase production, or increase β-secretase production.

One possible type of drug for treating Alzheimer’s disease is a competitive 10

inhibitor of β-secretase. When some of these types of drugs were trialled on
patients, the trials had to be stopped because some patients developed
serious side effects.

Use information from the passage and your own knowledge to answer the following
questions.

(a) Suggest how amyloid-precursor protein can be the substrate of two different
enzymes, α-secretase and β-secretase (lines 3–5).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) One product of the reaction catalysed by β-secretase is a smaller protein (lines 6–
7).

Describe what happens in the hydrolysis reaction that produces the smaller protein
from amyloid-precursor protein.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Many people with Alzheimer’s disease have mutations that decrease α-secretase
production, or increase β-secretase production (lines 8–9).

Use the information provided to explain how these mutations can lead to
Alzheimer’s disease.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(d) One possible type of drug for treating Alzheimer’s disease is a competitive inhibitor
of β-secretase (lines 10–11).

Explain how this type of drug could prevent Alzheimer’s disease becoming worse.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) When some of these types of drugs were trialled on patients, the trials were stopped
because some patients developed serious side effects (lines 11–13).

Using the information provided, suggest why some patients developed serious side
effects.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 10 marks)

Q5.
Read the following passage carefully.

A large and growing number of disorders are now known to

be due to types of mitochondrial disease (MD). MD often
affects skeletal muscles, causing muscle weakness.

We get our mitochondria from our mothers, via the fertilised

egg cell. Fathers do not pass on mitochondria via their 5
sperm. Some mitochondrial diseases are caused by
mutations of mitochondrial genes inside the mitochondria.
Most mitochondrial diseases are caused by mutations of
genes in the cell nucleus that are involved in the functioning
of mitochondria. These mutations of nuclear DNA produce
recessive alleles. 10

One form of mitochondrial disease is caused by a mutation of

a mitochondrial gene that codes for a tRNA. The mutation
involves substitution of guanine for adenine in the DNA base
sequence. This changes the anticodon on the tRNA. This

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results in the formation of a non-functional protein in the
mitochondrion.
15
There are a number of ways to try to diagnose whether
someone has a mitochondrial disease. One test involves
measuring the concentration of lactate in a person’s blood
after exercise. In someone with MD, the concentration is
usually much higher than normal. If the lactate test suggests
20
MD, a small amount of DNA can be extracted from
mitochondria and DNA sequencing used to try to find a
mutation.

Use information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the following
questions.

(a) Mitochondrial disease (MD) often causes muscle weakness (lines 1–3). Use your
knowledge of respiration and muscle contraction to suggest explanations for this
effect of MD.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

Two couples, couple A and couple B, had one or more children affected by a
mitochondrial disease. The type of mitochondrial disease was different for each couple.

None of the parents showed signs or symptoms of MD.

• Couple A had four children who were all affected by an MD.

• Couple B had four children and only one was affected by an MD.

(b) Use the information in lines 5–9 and your knowledge of inheritance to suggest why:

• all of couple A’s children had an MD

• only one of couple B’s children had an MD.

Couple A ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Couple B ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(c) Suggest how the change in the anticodon of a tRNA leads to MD (lines 10–13).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(d) If someone has MD, the concentration of lactate in their blood after exercise is
usually much higher than normal (lines 15–17). Suggest why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(e) A small amount of DNA can be extracted from mitochondria and DNA sequencing
used to try to find a mutation (lines 18–19).

From this sample:

• how would enough DNA be obtained for sequencing?

• how would sequencing allow the identification of a mutation?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 15 marks)

Q6.
Silkworms secrete silk fibres, which are harvested and used to manufacture silk fabric.

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Scientists have produced genetically modified (GM) silkworms that contain a gene from a
spider.

The GM silkworms secrete fibres made of spider web protein (spider silk), which is
stronger than normal silk fibre protein.

The method the scientists used is shown in the figure below.

(a) Suggest why the plasmids were injected into the eggs of silkworms, rather than into
the silkworms.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Suggest why the scientists used a marker gene and why they used the EGFP gene.

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

The scientists ensured the spider gene was expressed only in cells within the silk glands.

(c) What would the scientists have inserted into the plasmid along with the spider gene
to ensure that the spider gene was only expressed in the silk glands of the
silkworms?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d) Suggest two reasons why it was important that the spider gene was expressed only
in the silk glands of the silkworms.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q7.
Malaria is a disease caused by parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium. Two
species that cause malaria are Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.

A test strip that uses monoclonal antibodies can be used to determine whether a person is
infected by Plasmodium. It can also be used to find which species of Plasmodium they are
infected by.

• A sample of a person’s blood is mixed with a solution containing an antibody, A, that

binds to a protein found in both species of Plasmodium. This antibody has a
coloured dye attached.
• A test strip is then put into the mixture. The mixture moves up the test strip by
capillary action to an absorbent pad.
• Three other antibodies, B, C and D are attached to the test strip. The position of
these antibodies and what they bind to is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

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(a) Explain why antibody A attaches only to the protein found in species of
Plasmodium.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Antibody B is important if this test shows a person is not infected with Plasmodium.

Explain why antibody B is important.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) One of these test strips was used to test a sample from a person thought to be
infected with Plasmodium. Figure 2 shows the result.

Figure 2

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 What can you conclude from this result?

Explain how you reached your conclusion.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 8 marks)

Q8.
Read the following passage.

Azidothymidine (AZT) is a drug used to treat people infected with human

immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It inhibits the enzyme that synthesises
DNA from HIV RNA. This does not destroy HIV in the body but stops or
slows the development of AIDS.

5 In the past, some people who took AZT on its own eventually developed
AIDS. Some of the HIV in their bodies had become resistant to AZT.
To prevent this from happening, people infected with HIV are now treated
with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This involves taking AZT
with other anti-HIV drugs at the same time.

10 AZT is taken in low doses. This is because people who took high doses
over long periods of time suffered muscle wastage. It was found that high

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doses of AZT inhibit replication of mitochondria.

Use information from the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions.

(a) Suggest and explain why AZT does not destroy HIV in the body but stops or slows
the development of AIDS (lines 3–4).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(b) Suggest and explain two advantages of using HAART (lines 7–9).

Advantage 1 ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Advantage 2 ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(c) Suggest why high doses of AZT lead to muscle wastage (lines 10–11).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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 (2)
(Total 10 marks)

Q9.
Read the following passage.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infects nerve cells in the face, including some near
the lips. Like many other viruses, HSV can remain inactive inside the body for
years. When HSV becomes active, it causes cold sores around the mouth.

Human cells infected with a virus may undergo programmed cell death. While
HSV is inactive inside the body, only one of its genes is transcribed. This gene is 5
the latency-associated transcript (LAT) gene that prevents programmed cell death
of an infected nerve cell.

Scientists have found that transcription of the LAT gene produces a microRNA.
This microRNA binds to some of the nerve cell’s own mRNA molecules. These
mRNA molecules are involved in programmed cell death of nerve cells. The 10
scientists concluded that production of this microRNA allows HSV to remain in the
body for years.

Use information from the passage and your own knowledge to answer the following
questions.

(a) HSV infects nerve cells in the face (line 1). Explain why it infects only nerve cells.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(b) HSV can remain inactive inside the body for years (lines 2–3). Explain why this virus
can be described as inactive.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Suggest one advantage of programmed cell death (line 4).

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d) The scientists concluded that production of this microRNA allows HSV to remain in
the body for years (lines 10–12).

Explain how this microRNA allows HSV to remain in the body for years.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 10 marks)

Q10.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a non-reversible brain disorder that develops over a

number of years. At the start of 2014 the number of Americans with AD was
estimated to be 5.4 million. Every 30 seconds another person in America
develops AD.

5 In the brain of a person with AD there is a lower concentration of acetylcholine.

This affects communication between nerve cells and initially results in memory
loss and confusion. Some of the symptoms of AD that are associated with
communication between nerve cells are reduced by taking the drug donepezil.
Donepezil inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.

10 A gene mutation called E280A found on chromosome 14 causes early-onset AD

at a mean age of 49 years. The age at which the E280A mutation is expressed
to cause AD varies.
Yaramul is a town in a historically isolated region of the Andes Mountains. The
population of this town has the highest frequency of the E280A mutation in the
15 world. The origin of the E280A mutation in this population has been traced back
to a common ancestor in the 17th century. Natural selection has not reduced
the frequency of the E280A mutation in the population.

This autosomal dominant mutation involves a change in triplet 280 from GAA to
GCA. Scientists analysed chromosome 14 from 102 individuals from Yaramul.
20 They recorded a sample size of 204 and detected 75 E280A mutations but only
74 potential AD cases. The scientists identified individuals with the mutation by
whole genome sequencing. They had decided that a DNA probe would not be a
suitable method to detect the E280A mutation.

(a) Assuming no one with AD died in 2014, calculate the annual percentage increase in
AD cases in America for 2014 (lines 2–4).

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 Answer = ____________________ %
(2)

(b) Explain how donepezil could improve communication between nerve cells (lines 7–
9).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c) Suggest and explain two reasons why there is a high frequency of the E280A
mutation in Yaramul (lines 13–15).

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Explain why natural selection has not reduced the frequency of the E280A mutation
in the population (lines 16–17).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) The age at which the E280A mutation is expressed to cause AD can vary (lines 11–
12).

Suggest and explain one reason for this.

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(f) One scientific study which analysed chromosome 14 involved 102 individuals. The
scientists recorded a sample size of 204. In this sample they detected 75 E280A
mutations but only 74 potential AD cases (lines 19–21).

Suggest explanations for the figures the scientists recorded.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(g) Suggest why a DNA probe for the mutated triplet was not considered a suitable
method for detection of the E280A mutation (lines 22–23).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 15 marks)

Q11.
Read the following passage.

Lake Malawi in East Africa has more species of fish than any other lake in the
world. Many of these species have evolved from a common ancestor. Lake
Malawi is one of the largest lakes in the world and was formed several million
years ago. Since then, the water level has fluctuated greatly. As a result,
5 what is now a large lake was at one time many smaller, separate lakes.

The country of Malawi has a total area of 118 000 km2. The actual land area is
only 94 080 km2, because approximately one-fifth of the country is Lake
Malawi.

In December 1990, forests covered 41.4% of the actual land area of Malawi.
10 In December 2016, forests covered 26.4% of the actual land area of Malawi.

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 Deforestation and farming along the shores of Lake Malawi have caused
increased soil erosion and loss of nutrients into the lake. This has resulted in
a decrease in some fish populations. The mark-release-recapture method can
be used to estimate the size of a fish population. However, this method can
15 produce unreliable results in very large lakes.

Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the
following questions.

(a) Lake Malawi in East Africa has more species of fish than any other lake in the world
(line 1).

Suggest and explain how this speciation may have occurred.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(b) The percentage of forest cover in Malawi decreased between December 1990 and
December 2016 (lines 9–10).

Calculate the mean loss of forest cover in km2 per week during this time period.

Answer _______________ km2 per week

(2)

(c) Loss of nutrients into Lake Malawi has resulted in a decrease in some fish

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 populations (lines 12–13).

Explain why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(d) The mark-release-recapture method can be used to estimate the size of a fish
population (lines 13–14).

Explain how.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

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 (e) Suggest why the mark-release-recapture method can produce unreliable results in
very large lakes (lines 14–15).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 15 marks)

Q12.
Read the following passage.

Plants require phosphate ions that they get from soil. These ions are
often in poor supply and this results in poor growth of the plants. Most
plants have mycorrhizae that help the plants to obtain nitrates.
Mycorrhizal networks can connect the roots of plants growing next to each
other. The use of fertilisers containing phosphate and nitrates in farming 5
inhibits the growth of mycorrhizae. As a result, intensively farmed crop
plants do not have mycorrhizae.

Plants can defend themselves by producing defensive enzymes that

destroy pathogens such as bacteria. Some plants express the genes for
defensive enzymes in response to signal proteins secreted by other plants 10
that are being attacked by a pathogen. These signal proteins can be
released into the air.

Scientists have discovered that tomato plants increase production of

defensive enzymes if plants next to them become infected with a
pathogen. These tomato plants were connected by a mycorrhizal network 15
that can carry signal proteins between them. The largest increase in
defensive enzyme secretion that the scientists found in a tomato plant
in response to the signal protein was by 122.6 per cent.

Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the following
questions.

(a) Suggest and explain two reasons why a poor supply of phosphate ions results in
poor growth of plants (lines 1–2).

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Suggest how defensive enzymes produced by plants destroy bacteria (lines 8–9).

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) The signal proteins secreted into the air by a plant being attacked by a pathogen act
as stimuli leading to the expression of genes for defensive enzymes in other plants
(lines 9–12).

Suggest how they lead to the expression of these genes.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(d) Suggest and explain the advantage to tomato plants of transmitting signal proteins
through mycorrhizal networks, rather than releasing them into the air (line 11–12
and lines 14–16).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) The largest increase in defensive enzyme secretion that the scientists found in a
tomato plant in response to the signal protein was by 122.6 percent (lines 16–18).

The rate of secretion of the defensive enzymes before the signal protein was
produced was 450 µmol dm−3 g−1 hour−1.

Calculate the rate of secretion per second after the response to the signal protein.

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 Answer = _________________________ µmol dm−3 g−1 second−1
(2)

(f) A student who read this passage concluded that farmers should not use fertilisers to
increase yields when growing tomato plants.

Evaluate his conclusion.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 15 marks)

Q13.
A scientist produced transgenic zebrafish.

She obtained a gene from silverside fish. The gene codes for a growth hormone (GH).

She inserted copies of this GH gene into plasmids. She then microinjected these
recombinant plasmids into fertilised egg cells of zebrafish.

(a) Describe how enzymes could be used to insert the GH gene into a plasmid.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Microinjection of DNA into fertilised egg cells is a frequent method of producing
transgenic fish. However, the insertion of the transferred gene into nuclear DNA may
be delayed. Consequently, the offspring of transgenic fish may not possess the

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 desired characteristic.

Suggest and explain how delayed insertion of the GH gene could produce offspring
of transgenic fish without the desired characteristic.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

The scientist investigated whether the transferred GH gene increased the growth of
transgenic zebrafish. She microinjected 2000 fertilised egg cells with the GH plasmid and
left 2000 fertilised egg cells untreated. After 12 months, she determined the mean mass of
the transgenic and non-transgenic fish.

The results the scientist obtained are shown in the table below.

A value of ±2 × SD from the mean includes over 95% of the data.

Mean mass of zebrafish / g (± 2 ×

Type of zebrafish
SD)

Transgenic 1.79 (± 0.37)

Non-transgenic 0.68 (± 0.13)

(c) Using the table above, what can you conclude about the effectiveness of the GH
gene on the growth of zebrafish?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Explain how two features of the design of this investigation helped to ensure the
validity of any conclusions obtained.

Do not include calculating the mean or SD in your answer.

1 _________________________________________________________________

Page 26 of 44
 ___________________________________________________________________

2 _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q14.
Read the following passage.

North American black bears can hibernate for up to 7 months without food or
water. The bears survive using the fat stores in their bodies. The bears build
up the fat stores during the summer. During hibernation, the heart rate of
black bears decreases from a summer mean of 55 beats per minute to 14
beats per minute. Their metabolic rate falls by 75%. 5

In many mammals, ‘uncoupling proteins’ help to maintain a constant body

temperature during hibernation. Uncoupling proteins are found in the inner
mitochondrial membrane and act as proton channels during chemiosmosis.
However, these proton channels do not generate ATP.

In the mountains of North America, when winter changes into spring, the coat 10
colour of snowshoe hares changes from white to brown. Climatic changes
have caused the snow to melt earlier. This has reduced the survival rate of
snowshoe hares in these habitats. The change in coat colour occurs when
new fur replaces old fur. This is called moulting. Recent research has shown
that snowshoe hares within a population moult at different times. Moulting at 15
different times could be a major factor in ensuring the survival of snowshoe
hare populations.

Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the following
questions.

(a) Black bears can hibernate for up to 7 months without food or water (lines 1−2).

Suggest and explain how.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

Page 27 of 44
(b) During hibernation, the heart rate and the metabolic rate of black bears decrease
(lines 3−5).

Use your knowledge of the nervous control of heart rate to describe how these are
linked.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(c) In many mammals, ‘uncoupling proteins’ help to maintain a constant body

temperature during hibernation (lines 6−7).

Suggest and explain how.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Climatic change has reduced the survival rate of snowshoe hares in mountain
habitats (lines 11−13).

Suggest and explain how.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Page 28 of 44
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) Snowshoe hares within a population moult at different times (line 15).

Explain how this could ensure the survival of snowshoe hare populations in these
mountain habitats.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 15 marks)

Q15.
Read the following passage.

In laboratory tests, scientists investigated the effects of a new drug called ABZ
on stomach tumour cells. They found ABZ stopped mitosis by preventing the
formation of spindle fibres. They also found that ABZ affected some healthy
cells.

Mitosis is a controlled process. Cyclin B is a protein found in a cell’s nucleus. 5

It regulates the timing of mitosis during the cell cycle. Mitosis starts when the
concentration of Cyclin B in the nucleus rises sharply and ends when it falls.
The scientists found that ABZ increased, and maintained, a high concentration
of Cyclin B in stomach tumour cells.

Programmed cell death is called apoptosis. Two nuclear proteins, Bcl-2 and 10
Bax, are involved in controlling apoptosis. Apoptosis is prevented when the

Page 29 of 44
ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax is high and is promoted when this ratio is low. The
scientists found that ABZ decreased the concentration of Bcl-2 and increased
the concentration of Bax in stomach tumour cells.

From their results the scientists claimed that ABZ could be used for the 15
successful treatment of stomach cancer.

Use information from the passage and your own understanding to answer the
questions.

(a) Suggest why preventing the formation of spindle fibres (lines 2–3) stopped the cell
cycle.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Suggest and explain why ABZ could be used as a treatment for cancer even though
it affects some healthy cells (lines 3–4).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) What can you conclude about the effect of ABZ on tumour cells?

Use information about changes in the concentrations of Cyclin B (lines 6–7), and
Bcl-2 and Bax (lines 10–14).

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Page 30 of 44
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(d) Evaluate the scientists’ suggestion that ABZ could be used for the successful
treatment of stomach cancer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

Page 31 of 44
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) Rough endoplasmic reticulum/ribosomes and Golgi (apparatus/vesicles);
Ignore nucleus Reject rER for rough endoplasmic reticulum.
1

(b) 1. More red blood cells

OR

More haemoglobin

OR

More oxygen transport;

2. More (aerobic) respiration/ATP produced so exercise longer/harder

OR

Less lactic acid/less anaerobic respiration so exercise longer/harder;

2

(c) 1. (Human) EPO/antigen displayed on antigen-presenting

cells/phagocytes/B cells (in mice);

2. (Specific) helper T cell stimulates B cell to divide/clone;

3. Plasma cells produce/release/secrete antibody;

3

(d) 1. (Anti-human EPO antibody) attaches/binds to EPO/antigen (in

plastic well);

2. (Anti-mouse antibody) attaches/binds to anti-human antibody;

Reject enzyme attaches/binds to anti-human EPO antibody

3. Substrate is added, enzyme causes colour change/product (is

positive result);
3

(e) Ethics of/welfare issues with using mice/goats/animals;

Reference to animals must be qualified, so ignore "use of
animals"
1
[10]

Q2.
(a) 1. Contents of phloem vessel pushed into insect’s mouth by high pressure;

2. (High pressure in phloem vessel) caused by loading of sugars into phloem in

leaf;

3. And (resulting) entry of water by osmosis.

Page 32 of 44
 3

(b) 1. Polysaccharides are insoluble;

2. So do not affect water potential of gut.

2

(c) 1. (Only few bacteria passed from parent, so) only a few (copies of) genes
passed on (in bacteria);

2. May not / does not include all alleles (of genes, so diversity reduced)
OR
Small number of bacteria transmitted means unrepresentative sample.
2

(d) 1. Number / mass / density of insects per plant;

2. Stage of development / size of plants / insects;

Ignore any abiotic factor
2

(e) Draw around leaf on graph paper and count squares;

1
[10]

Q3.
(a) 1. Virus can’t bind (to receptor)/ can’t enter cells;
2. So can’t be replicated/ multiply;
Accept can’t reproduce
3. So, doesn’t damage cell(s)/tissues (and cause symptoms);
Accept no toxins released
2 max

(b) 1. Antigen/glycoprotein on Ebola binds to/stimulates (a

specific) B cell;
Accept correct reference to stimulation of B cells by T cells
2. (Binding causes) replication/cloning of B cell;
Accept replication/cloning of plasma cell;
3. Plasma cells/B cells release/produce antibodies;
2 max

(c) 1. Lots of antibodies (against Ebola) in recovered patient;

2. Transfusion/plasma contains antibodies;
Ignore reference to cells
3. Antibodies (specific so) will bind with (Ebola) antigen;
4. (In recipient) virus destroyed/cannot enter cell;
Antigen destroyed is insufficient
3 max

(d) 1. (High mutation rate leads to) antigens change/antigenic

variability;
Accept (high mutation rate leads to) changes in base
sequence coding for antigen;
2. Vaccine contains specific antigen;
3. Antibodies not complementary to (changed) antigen / won’t
bind to (changed) antigens;

Page 33 of 44
 3
[10]

Q4.
(a) 1. Different parts/areas/amino acid sequences (of amyloid-precursor) protein;
Accept APP
2. Each enzyme is specific/fits/binds/complementary to a different part of the
APP;
Point 2 subsumes point 1 and is worth 2 marks total.
2

(b) 1. Peptide bond broken;

2. Using water;
Hydrolysis in stem
2

(c) 1. Mutations prevent production of enzyme(s)/functional enzyme;

2. (Increase in β-secretase) leads to faster/more β-amyloid production
OR
(Decrease in α-secretase) leads to more substrate for β-secretase;
‘This’ must refer to α-secretase
3. (Leads to) more/greater plaque formation;
3

(d) 1. (Inhibitor) binds to/blocks active site of β-secretase/enzyme;

2. Stops/reduces production of β-amyloid/plaque;
2

(e) 1. Some β-amyloid required/needed (to prevent side effects)

OR
(Some) β-secretase needed;
Accept ‘Both enzymes needed’
2. Leads to build-up of amyloid-precursor protein (that causes harm)
OR
Too much product of α-secretase (causes harm);
Accept build-up of substrate (leads to harm)
1 max
[10]

Q5.
(a) 1. Reduction in ATP production by aerobic respiration;
2. Less force generated because fewer actin and myosin interactions in
muscle;
3. Fatigue caused by lactate from anaerobic respiration.
3

(b) Couple A,
1. Mutation in mitochondrial DNA / DNA of mitochondrion affected;
2. All children got affected mitochondria from mother;
3. (Probably mutation) during formation of mother’s ovary / eggs;

Couple B,
4. Mutation in nuclear gene / DNA in nucleus affected;
5. Parents heterozygous;
6. Expect 1 in 4 homozygous affected.

Page 34 of 44
 4 max

(c) 1. Change to tRNA leads to wrong amino acid being incorporated into
protein;
2. Tertiary structure (of protein) changed;

3. Protein required for oxidative phosphorylation / the Krebs cycle, so less /

no ATP made.
3

(d) 1. Mitochondria / aerobic respiration not producing much / any ATP;

2. (With MD) increased use of ATP supplied by increase in anaerobic
respiration;
3. More lactate produced and leaves muscle by (facilitated) diffusion.
3

(e) 1. Enough DNA using PCR;

2. Compare DNA sequence with ‘normal’ DNA.
2
[15]

Q6.
(a) 1. (If injected into egg), gene gets into all / most of cells of silkworm;
2. So gets into cells that make silk.
2

(b) 1. Not all eggs will successfully take up the plasmid;

2. Silkworms that have taken up gene will glow.
2

(c) Promoter (region / gene).

1

(d) 1. So that protein can be harvested;

2. Fibres in other cells might cause harm.
2
[7]

Q7.
(a) 1. Antibody has tertiary structure;
2. Complementary to binding site on protein.
2

(b) 1. Prevents false negative results;

2. (Since) shows antibody A has moved up strip / has not bound to any
Plasmodium protein.
2

(c) 1. Person is infected with Plasmodium / has malaria;

2. Infected with (Plasmodium) vivax;
3. Coloured dye where antibody C present;
4. That only binds to protein from vivax / no reaction with antibody for
falciparum.
Person is infected with P. vivax / Plasmodium vivax = 2
marks (MP1 and MP2)
4

Page 35 of 44
 [8]

Q8.
(a) 1. Person (infected with HIV) has HIV DNA (in their DNA);
2. New HIV (particles) still made;
3. (AZT) inhibits reverse transcriptase;
4. (AZT) stops these (new HIV particles) from forming new HIV DNA;
OR
Slows / stops replication of HIV;
5. Stops destruction of more / newly infected T cells;
6. So immune system continues to work (and AIDS does not develop);
4. Context is important
4. Allow slows / stops (re)production of HIV
4. Reject (AZT) prevents DNA replication
4 max

(b) 1. Slows / stops the development of AIDS;

2. Because HIV resistant to AZT is damaged / destroyed / prevented from
replicating (by other drugs);
OR
3. AZT continues to work as a drug;
4. Because HAART prevents the spread of AZT-resistant HIV to rest of the
human population;
OR
5. No new HIV particles made;
6. Because HAART might interfere with viral protein synthesis;
Mark in pairs.
Do not mix and match.
2. Neutral HIV killed
2. Accept other drugs prevent HIV resistant to AZT from
infecting new / more cells
6. Accept blocks transcription / translation / synthesis of
lipid envelope / aspect of viral structure
4 max

(c) 1. (Fewer mitochondria so) less (aerobic) respiration;

2. (Muscles receive) less ATP (so waste);
1. Ignore no respiration
2. Reject less energy produced
2. Ignore no ATP is made
2
[10]

Q9.
(a) 1. Outside of virus has antigens / proteins;
2. With complementary shape to receptor / protein in membrane of cells;
3. (Receptor / protein) found only on membrane of nerve cells.
Accept converse argument
3

(b) 1. No more (nerve) cells infected / no more cold sores form;

2. (Because) virus is not replicating.
2

Page 36 of 44
 (c) Prevents replication of virus.
1

(d) MicroRNA binds to cell’s mRNA (no mark)

1. (Binds) by specific base pairing;
2. (So) prevents mRNA being read by ribosomes;
3. (So) prevents translation / production of proteins;
4. (Proteins) that cause cell death.
4
[10]

Q10.
(a) 1. Correct answer of 19.4 / 19.41%
OR
19.47 / 19.5% = 2 marks;
2. Incorrect answer but shows increase of
1,048,320 OR 1,051,200 = one mark;
Accept: 19.46% for one mark.
2

(b) 1. Less / no acetylcholine broken down;

2. Acetylcholine attaches to receptors;
3. (More) Na+ enter to reach threshold / for depolarisation / action
potential / impulse;
1. Accept: more acetylcholine present / remains.
1 and 2. Accept: remains attached for longer = 2 marks.
3. Must be sodium ions.
3

(c) 1. Isolated so inbreeding / low genetic diversity / small gene pool;

2. Allele inherited (through generations) from (common) ancestor;
1. Ignore: Founder effect.
1. Accept: no interbreeding with other populations.
1. Reject: interbreeding within the population.
2

(d) 1. AD / symptoms develops late / at 49;

2. Have already reproduced;
Note: ‘It’ is not equivalent to AD / symptom as the question
stem relates to the mutation.
2

(e) 1. Epigenetics / environment / named factor e.g. stress, alcohol, toxins,

diet, exercise, smoking;
2. methylation (of genes)
OR
acetylation (of histones);
1. Ignore: gender and lifestyle.
2. If further details are provided the context must be
correct e.g. increased methylation or decreased
acetylation inhibit gene expression / transcription.
2

(f) 1. One person was homozygous dominant / has two dominant alleles = 2
marks;

Page 37 of 44
 2. For one mark has two alleles / chromosomes;
1. Accept; homozygous dominant genotype e.g. ‘one
person has AA’ for 2 marks.
2. Accept: is diploid or has two copies of the gene.
2

(g) 1. (GCA / triplet) is common / found in other places;

2. Would not know if it was the mutation / allele / gene
OR
Produces ‘false positives’
1. Accept: Probe will bind elsewhere.
2
[15]

Q11.
(a) 1. Variation/differences due to mutation/s;

2. (Reference to) allopatric (speciation);

Ignore sympatric speciation.

3. Smaller/different lakes have different environmental conditions

OR

Smaller/different lakes have different selection pressures;

Accept different populations for different lakes.

4. Reproductive separation/isolation

OR

No gene flow

OR

Gene pools remain separate;

5. Different alleles passed on/selected

OR

Change in frequency of allele/s;

6. Eventually different species/populations cannot breed to produce

fertile offspring;
4 max

(b) 1. Correct answer of 10/10.4 = 2 marks;;

Ignore any numbers after 10.4

2. Working shows 14,112 = 1 mark

OR

13.09/13.1 = 1 mark;
2

Page 38 of 44
 (c) 1. (Growth/increase of) algae/surface plants/algal bloom blocks light;

2. Reduced/no photosynthesis so (submerged) plants die;

3. Saprobiotic (microorganisms) aerobically respire

OR

Saprobiotic (microorganisms) use oxygen in respiration;

Accept: Saprobiont/saprophyte/ saprotroph
Neutral: decomposer

4. Less oxygen for fish to respire;

4

(d) 1. Capture/collect sample, mark and release;

2. Ensure marking is not harmful (to fish)

OR

Ensure marking does not affect survival (of fish);

Accept examples e.g., marking should not be toxic.

3. Allow (time for) fish to (randomly) distribute before collecting a

second sample;

4. (Population =) number in first sample × number in second sample

divided by number of marked fish in second sample/number
recaptured;
4

(e) 1. Less chance of recapturing fish

OR

Unlikely fish distribute randomly/evenly;

Accept ‘harder to capture marked fish’ (recaptured fish) but
ignore ‘harder to capture fish’.
Accept that fish may remain in one area.
Accept fish may congregate.
1
[15]

Q12.
(a) 1. (Required to) make ATP / glucose phosphate, so less respiration / less energy
for growth;

2. (Required to) make nucleotides, so less DNA / mRNA / tRNA for cell division /
production of protein (for growth);

3. (Required to) make RuBP / NADP, so less CO2 fixed / reduced into sugar;

4. (Required to) make phospholipids for membranes;

2 max

Page 39 of 44
 (b) 1. Hydrolyse;
Accept digest

2. murein / glycoprotein (in cell wall);

2

(c) 1. Bind to receptor (on target plant);

2. Acts as / leads to production of a transcription factor;

3. (Which) binds to promoter

OR
stimulates transcription of genes
OR
production of mRNA (for defensive enzymes);
3

(d) 1. Direct plant-to-plant transmission;

2. (So) localised response

OR
faster response
OR
no dilution of signal protein;
2

(e) 0.278;
Accept 1 mark for 1001.7 or

× 100

= 122.6
2

(f) Should not use:

1. Fertilisers prevent development of mycorrhizae;

2. Mycorrhizae help plants to defend themselves (causing an increase in crop

yield);

3. Mycorrhizae help plants to take up nitrates / phosphates (causing an increase

in crop yield);

Should use:

4. Fertilisers containing phosphate and nitrate increase gross primary production

so increase yield;

5. Most soil is poor in phosphate so without fertiliser (tomato) plant might not get
enough phosphate;
4 max
[15]

Q13.

Page 40 of 44
 (a) 1. Restriction endonucleases/enzymes cuts plasmid;

OR

Restriction endonucleases/enzymes produces ‘sticky ends’;

Ignore restriction enzymes cuts out the gene.
Reject restriction enzymes cuts the gene.

2. Ligase joins gene/DNA and plasmid

OR

Ligase joins ‘sticky ends’;

2

(b) 1. Cell division has occurred (before gene added);

Accept mitosis but reject meiosis.

2. (Cells producing) gametes do not receive the gene;

Accept DNA replication has occurred.
2

(c) 1. No overlap in SDs;

2. Significant increase/difference (in growth/mass)

OR

Increase/difference (in growth/mass) is not due to chance;

Reject ‘the results are significant or not due to chance’.
2

(d) 1. Large sample size so representative;

2. 12 months so can assess/allow growth;

Accept long time for 12 months.
Accept increase in mass for growth.

3. Control (present) for comparison;

Accept description of the control.
2 max
[8]

Q14.
(a) 1. Fat (store) used in respiration/metabolism;
Mark points 1 to 4 = 2 max.
Mark points 5 to 8 = 2 max.

2. Less energy/food (store) is required due to low respiration/metabolism

OR

Less energy/food (store) is required due less movement;

Reject respiration ‘uses energy’ or ‘produces energy’.

Page 41 of 44
 3. Gluconeogenesis;
Accept description in terms of using glycerol, fatty acids or
amino acids.

4. Low surface area to volume reduces heat loss

OR

Fat (layer/insulation) reduces heat loss;

5. Long loop of Henle so less water lost;

Accept thick medulla (in kidney) for long loop of Henle.

6. Water provided from respiration;

7. Reduced/no urination;

8. Less evaporation;
Accept less sweating.
3 max

(b) 1. (Lower metabolism so) less/low CO2 (in blood);

If neither mark point 1 or 2 credited = 3 max.
Accept increase in pH or decrease in H ions/acidity for less
CO2.
Ignore baroreceptors.

2. (Detected by) chemoreceptors;

Ignore detects oxygen, (concentration).

3. (Chemoreceptors) located in aorta/medulla

OR

(Chemoreceptors) located in carotid artery;

Accept carotid body or aortic body.

4. Fewer impulses to cardiac centre;

OR

Fewer impulses to medulla (oblongata);

5. (More) impulses along parasympathetic/vagus pathway/neurones/nerve

OR

Fewer impulses along sympathetic pathway/neurones/nerve;

Reject (once only) reference to ‘an/one impulse’.
Reject ‘signals’, ‘messages’ (once only) for ‘impulses’
Accept ‘action potential/s’ for impulses.

6. (To) SAN;
4 max

(c) 1. Allow passage of protons/H+;

Page 42 of 44
 Ignore direction of movement/diffusion/active transport.

2. (Energy) released as heat;

Accept ‘produces heat’ but reject ‘produces ‘heat energy’.
2

(d) 1. Less snow so less camouflage;

Accept ‘snow melts’
Accept description of less camouflage, e.g. more hares
seen.

2. More hares seen/eaten/killed by predators;

Accept description of predation.
2

(e) 1. Hares which moult earlier (more likely to) survive;

Accept less likely to be killed for ‘survive’.
Accept description of survival e.g. not killed/eaten.
Accept moult quicker/faster for earlier.
Answers must be in the context of moulting
earlier/quicker/faster.
Accept rabbits for hares.

2. Hares which moult earlier (more likely to) reproduce;

Answers must be in the context of moulting
earlier/quicker/faster.
Accept rabbits for hares.
Accept ‘pass on allele to offspring’ or ‘to next generation’ = 2
marks.

3. Pass on (advantageous) allele;

Accept 'pass on alle to offspring' or 'to next generation' = 2
marks.

4. Frequency of allele increases (in future populations);

‘More alleles’ is not enough for a mark.
4
[15]

Q15.
(a)
Mark in pairs as (1 and 2 OR 3 and 4)

1. Chromosomes/centromeres cannot attach (to spindle)

OR

Chromosomes cannot line up (on spindle);

2. (So, no) metaphase;

OR

3. Chromatids cannot separate (on spindle);

Page 43 of 44
 Accept description of ‘cannot separate’ e.g cannot move to poles
Ignore ‘split’

4. (So, no) anaphase;

2

(b) 1. Cancer cells divide more/uncontrollably/rapidly

OR
Healthy cells divide less/slowly;
1

(c)
Ignore references to spindle fibres

1. (ABZ) increases/maintains Cyclin B;

2. (So) mitosis (starts but) does not end (no tumour growth);
Ignore mitosis will continue
Ignore mitosis stops without qualification.

3. (ABZ) lowers ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax;

Accept (ABZ) decreases Bcl-2 and increases Bax

4. (So) apoptosis occurs/cells die (no tumour growth);

4

(d) In support of suggestion

1. Stops mitosis (at metaphase/anaphase)/cell division (so no tumour

growth)
OR
Promotes apoptosis/programmed cell death (so tumour destroyed);

Against suggestion

2. Healthy cells (are) damaged/affected

OR
Causes side effects;

3. Results from laboratory tests/tests on (isolated) cells

OR
No clinical trials/tests on patients/people;
4. Dosage unknown;
5. Effectiveness unknown;
2 max for points "Against suggestion"
3 max
[10]

Page 44 of 44