Biology Unit 1 topic 2 Questions

Q1. Catalase is an enzyme found in many tissues. Catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water
and oxygen.
One molecule of catalase can break down millions of molecules of hydrogen peroxide in one second.
(a) Suggest why one molecule of catalase can break down hydrogen peroxide so quickly.
(3)
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(b) A student investigated the activity of catalase present in a range of different foods. He investigated
three vegetables: cannellini beans, potatoes and carrots. He also investigated bananas and milk.
The table below shows the results of this investigation.

(i) Another student made the following conclusions from these results:
 all vegetables contain catalase
 bananas contain more catalase than potatoes
 milk contains catalase
 products made from carrots may contain catalase.
Place a cross in the box next to the number of correct conclusions made by this student.
(1)
A none B one C two D three
*(ii) Describe an experiment to investigate the effect of cooking on catalase activity in potatoes.
(6)
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(Total for question = 10 marks)

Q2. The diagrams below show the structure of two carbohydrate molecules, α-glucose and galactose.
(a) Use the information in the diagrams to explain why these two molecules are classed as
monosaccharides.(2)
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(b) Use the information in the diagrams to give two differences between a molecule of α-glucose and a
molecule of galactose.(2)
1 ..........................................................................................................................................
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(c) (i) Place a cross in the box next to the carbohydrate that is formed when a molecule of α-glucose
and a molecule of galactose join together.(1)
A amylose B lactose C maltose D sucrose
(ii) Describe how these two monosaccharides join to form this carbohydrate.
(3)
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(iii) An enzyme is involved in the formation of this carbohydrate. A different enzyme is involved in the
formation of a carbohydrate made from two glucose molecules.
Explain why different enzymes are involved in the formation of these different carbohydrates.
(3)
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(d) Give two differences between a monosaccharide and a polysaccharide.
(2)
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(Total for question = 13 marks)
Q3. Animals are adapted to obtain oxygen from their environment.
(a) Tubifex tubifex is a worm that lives in sediments at the bottom of freshwater streams and lakes.
(i) In an investigation, the concentration of dissolved oxygen in a stream was measured.
The table below shows the results of this investigation.

Calculate the percentage difference in the concentration of dissolved oxygen in these two samples.
Show your working.
(2)

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(ii) T. tubifex obtains oxygen from the water through the surface of its body.
The photograph below shows T. tubifex with a scale.

Use the photograph and your own knowledge of gas exchange surfaces to suggest how the structure
of T. tubifex is adapted to obtain oxygen from the water.
(3)
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* (b) Mammals have adaptations for gas exchange.
Explain how the adaptations found in mammalian lungs ensure rapid gas exchange.
 (5)
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(Total for question = 10 marks)
Q4. Molecules are transported through cell membranes in a number of different ways.
(a) Explain the role of phospholipids in the formation of a cell membrane.(3)
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(b) Put a cross in the box that completes each of the following statements.
(i) Cells take up very large molecules or particles by(1)
A endocytosis, which is an active process
B endocytosis, which is a passive process
C exocytosis, which is an active process
D exocytosis, which is a passive process
(ii) A partially permeable cell membrane(1)
A allows the movement of all substances into the cell
B allows the movement of some substances into the cell
C blocks the movement of all substances into the cell
D blocks the movement of water into the cell
(c) The diagram below shows a liver cell.
Liver cells play an important role in maintaining blood glucose concentrations.

(i) The transport of glucose across the cell membranes of liver cells does not require energy.
Using information in the diagram, suggest how glucose is taken into liver cells from the blood.(2)
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(ii) The hormone insulin activates an enzyme that converts glucose to glycogen in liver cells.
Explain how insulin increases the rate at which glucose is taken into liver cells.(2)
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(d) Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in the CTFR gene.
Suggest how mutations in the CTFR gene affect the movement of water through cell membranes.(4)
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(Total for question = 13 marks)
Q5.
(a) The diagram below shows part of a template (antisense) DNA strand.

DNA replication and transcription will produce different molecules from this DNA strand. Compare the
molecules that will be produced, from this strand of DNA, by DNA replication and by transcription.
(3)
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*(b) Translation follows transcription.
Describe how translation produces a polypeptide chain, using the code from this template strand of
DNA.(6)
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(Total for question = 9 marks)
Q6. DNA contains the genetic information required for the development and functioning of living
organisms.
(a) The diagram below shows the structure of a DNA mononucleotide.
Name the parts labelled J, K and L.(2)

J ...........................................................
K ...........................................................
L ...........................................................
(b) Explain how mononucleotides combine to form a DNA molecule.(2)
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(c) RNA is another nucleic acid.
(i) Give two differences between the structure of RNA and the structure of DNA.(2)
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*(ii) Describe the roles of RNA molecules in protein synthesis.(5)

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(Total for question = 11 marks)
Q7. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is an inherited disorder caused by a mutation.
In EDS, the structure of collagen may be altered or less collagen is produced. Collagen is a fibrous
protein.
(a) Describe the structure of a fibrous protein.(3)
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(b) Suggest how a mutation could cause the structure to be altered.(3)
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(c) One problem associated with EDS is a weakening of the structure of the arteries. This may cause
arteries to rupture (burst).
Suggest why an alteration in the structure of collagen, or less collagen being produced, could cause
arteries to rupture.(3)
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(d) One form of EDS is caused by a recessive allele.
Explain how parents who are both heterozygous for this form of EDS could calculate the probability of
having a child with the disorder.(4)
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(Total for question = 13 marks)
Q8. Cystic fibrosis and glycogen storage disease type (II) are examples of recessive genetic disorders.
Glycogen storage disease type (II) is caused by mutations in the GAA gene.
This results in a deficiency of an enzyme called acid alpha-glucosidase.
(a) Explain the meaning of each of the following terms.
(i) Recessive allele(1)
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(ii) Gene mutation(2)
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*(b) Explain how a mutation in the GAA gene could result in a change in the activity of the enzyme acid
alpha-glucosidase.(5)
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(c) The enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase breaks the glycosidic bonds in glycogen.
Suggest why a deficiency in acid alpha-glucosidase results in a lack of energy for muscle contraction.
(2)
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(d) The incidence of glycogen storage disease type (II) is about 1 in 40 000 of the population.
(i) Name a test that could be used to find out if an unborn child has this disease.(1)
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(ii) Suggest why testing for glycogen storage disease type (II) is not offered to all pregnant women.(1)
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(iii) Give one disadvantage of carrying out genetic tests on unborn children.(1)
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(Total for question = 13 marks)
Q9. Genetic information is encoded in DNA.
(a) The diagram below shows part of a DNA double helix.
Some parts are shown in the boxes labelled P, Q, R and S. One of the bonds is labelled N.
 For each of the statements below, put a cross in the box next to the correct answer.
(i) One of the bases in box S is adenine, the other base in box S is
(1)
A cytosine
B guanine
C thymine
D uracil

(ii) The bond labelled N is a

(1)
A covalent bond
B glycosidic bond
C hydrogen bond
D phosphodiester bond

(iii) The box that contains a mononucleotide is

(1)
A box P
B box Q
C box R
D box S

(b) Name the sugar present in a DNA mononucleotide.

(1)
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(c) The accepted theory of DNA replication is semiconservative replication.
(i) Explain the meaning of the term semiconservative replication.
(2)
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(ii) Name the scientists whose classic experiments provided evidence to support semiconservative
replication of DNA.(1)
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(Total for question = 7 marks)
Q10.The genotype and phenotype of an individual can be affected by gene mutations.
(a) Explain what is meant by each of the following terms.
(i) Genotype(1)
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(ii) Phenotype(2)
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(b) Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a form of inherited blindness.
LCA is a recessive condition caused by a gene mutation.
This mutation affects the production of a protein in the eyes.
The diagram below shows the inheritance of LCA in a family.

Put a cross in the box that completes each of the following statements.
(i) The individuals that must be heterozygous for this condition are(1)
A P and Q B R and S
C U and V D W and X
(ii) The chance of individual U being heterozygous for this condition is(1)
A 0% B 25% C 50% D 100%
(iii) Explain how gene therapy could be used to treat individuals with LCA.(3)
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(Total for question = 8 marks)
Q11. Hereditary haemochromatosis is a disorder resulting from the inheritance of recessive alleles.
(a) Explain what is meant by the term recessive allele.(2)
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(b) Explain how a genetic pedigree diagram could show how haemochromatosis is inherited.(3)
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(c) Prenatal testing can be used to determine whether or not a fetus has hereditary haemochromatosis.
Name one method of prenatal testing and describe how it can be used to detect hereditary
haemochromatosis.(4)
Method.............................................................................................................................................
Description of how the method is used
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(Total for question = 9 marks)
Q12. One function of the cell membrane is to control which molecules can enter or leave the cell.
The diagram below represents the structure of the cell membrane.

(a) Put a cross in the box that completes each of the following statements.
(i) In phospholipids, the fatty acid tails are(1)
A non-polar and hydrophilic B non-polar and hydrophobic
C polar and hydrophilic D polar and hydrophobic
(ii) In phospholipids, the fatty acid tails are formed from(1)
A carbon and hydrogen only B carbon only
C hydrogen only D carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
(iii) In phospholipids, each fatty acid is joined to glycerol by(1)
A an ester bond B a glycosidic bond
C a peptide bond D a phosphodiester bond
(b) Cholesterol is a component of the cell membrane.
The graph below shows the effect of cholesterol to phospholipid ratio on membrane fluidity.
 (i) Describe the relationship between the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipid and membrane fluidity.
(1)
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(ii) Calculate the percentage change in membrane fluidity when the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipid
increases from 0.4 to 0.8.
Show your working.
(2)

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(iii) Suggest how cholesterol affects membrane fluidity.
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(c) The concentration of potassium ions in red blood cells is higher than the concentration in blood
plasma.
Explain how this difference in potassium ion concentration is maintained.
(2)
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(d) Red blood cells swell and burst if placed in water.
Explain why this happens.
(3)
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(Total for question = 13 marks)
Q13. Human lungs are adapted for rapid gaseous exchange.
(a) (i) Place a cross in the box next to the features of the gas exchange surface in the lungs that
allow rapid gaseous exchange.(1)
A large surface area and high concentration gradient
B large surface area and low concentration gradient
C small surface area and high concentration gradient
D small surface area and low concentration gradient
(ii) Place a cross in the box next to the cell transport mechanism involved in gaseous exchange.
(1)
A active transport B diffusion C facilitated diffusion D osmosis
(b) A peak flow meter is a hand-held device that measures airflow through the bronchi. Peak flow is the
maximum rate at which air can be breathed out.
The diagram below shows an example of a peak flow meter being used.

The graph below shows peak flow readings for healthy men and healthy women of different ages and
of different heights.

(i) Using the information in the graph, describe the difference in peak flow rate of men and women of
the same height.
Suggest an explanation for this difference.(3)
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(ii) Suggest how the graph might look for women of height 190 cm.(2)
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(c) People with cystic fibrosis have a reduced rate of gaseous exchange and lower peak flow rates than
people who do not have this condition.
Explain why people with cystic fibrosis have a lower peak flow rate.(4)
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(Total for question = 11 marks)
Q14. Casein is a protein that can be hydrolysed by the enzyme pepsin.
The graph below shows the effect of pepsin concentration on the hydrolysis of casein.

(a) Calculate the initial rate of hydrolysis for 8 units per cm3 of pepsin.
Show your working.
(2)

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(b) Using the information in the graph, describe the effect of pepsin concentration on the initial rate of
hydrolysis.(2)
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(c) Explain the effect of pepsin concentration on the initial rate of hydrolysis.(3)
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*(d) Suggest how the primary structure of pepsin determines its three-dimensional structure and
properties.(5)
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(Total for question = 12 marks)
Q15. Pulmonary thrombosis is a condition in which blood clots form in the lungs.
(a) Put a cross in the box that completes each of the following statements.
(i) The role of thrombin in blood clotting is to(1)
A stimulate the release of prothrombin from platelets
B catalyse the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin
C stimulate the release of thromboplastin from platelets
D catalyse the conversion of fibrin to fibrinogen
(ii) The ion required in the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin is(1)
A calcium B chloride C potassium D sodium
(iii) Blood clots form only when required because the clotting factors used are(1)
A pre-synthesised in an active form in the blood
B present in an inactive form in the blood
C synthesised in an active form when required
D synthesised in an inactive form when required
*(b) Describe how the human lung is adapted for rapid gas exchange.(5)

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(c) Suggest why blood clots, formed in pulmonary thrombosis, reduce gas exchange in the lungs.(2)

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(Total for question = 10 marks)
Q16. The fluid mosaic model describes the structure and properties of cell membranes.
(a) The diagram below shows the structure of a cell membrane based on this model.

(i) Name the molecule labelled A.(1)

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(ii) Explain how the properties of molecule A contribute to the fluid mosaic model of cell membranes.
(3)
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(b) An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of pH on the permeability of beetroot
membranes.
Beetroots are root vegetables that appear red because the vacuoles in their cells contain a water-
soluble red pigment. This pigment cannot pass through membranes.
Seven cubes of beetroot were cut, rinsed and blotted dry. One piece of beetroot was placed into a
tube containing 10 cm3 of a solution with a pH of 2. This tube was left for 20 minutes at 5 °C.
The beetroot cube was then removed from the tube after 20 minutes and the absorbance of light by
the red fluid left in the tube was measured using a colorimeter. As the intensity of the colour increases,
the absorbance of light increases.
The procedure was repeated using solutions with six other pH values.
The graph below shows the results of this experiment.
 (i) Use the information in the graph to describe the effect of pH on membrane permeability.(2)
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(ii) Suggest an explanation for the effect of pH on membrane permeability.(2)
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(Total for question = 8 marks)
Q17. The fluid mosaic model has been developed from the knowledge of the structure and properties of
the cell membrane.
* (a) Describe the structure of the cell membrane.(5)
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(b) Molecules can enter and leave a cell through the cell membrane.
In an experiment, red blood cells were placed in three different sodium chloride solutions, a control
solution, solution P and solution Q.
The control solution had a solute concentration that is the same as the solute concentration in the
blood.
The electronmicrographs below show a red blood cell from each of the solutions.

Place a cross in the box next to the correct words to complete the following statement.
(i) The solute concentration in solution P is(1)
A greater than the concentration in solution Q
B greater than the concentration of the control solution
C less than the concentration in the cell in solution Q
D the same as the concentration in the cell in the control solution
(ii) Suggest an explanation for the appearance of the red blood cell in solution Q.(3)
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(Total for question = 9 marks)
Q18. Collagen is a fibrous protein. Prolidase is an enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of collagen.
(a) Which one of the following bonds is hydrolysed by prolidase?(1)
A ester B glycosidic C peptide D phosphodiester
(b) Mutations in the gene for prolidase result in an enzyme that cannot hydrolyse collagen.
* (i) Describe the process of transcription in the synthesis of prolidase.(5)
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(ii) Prolidase hydrolyses the bonds that join hydroxyproline to adjacent amino acids in collagen.
Explain how a mutation could result in prolidase that is unable to hydrolyse collagen.(4)
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(Total for question = 10 marks)
Q19. Triglycerides are synthesised from fatty acids and glycerol.
One of the reactions involved in the synthesis of triglycerides is shown below.

(a) Diglyceride acyltransferase (DGAT) is the enzyme that completes the synthesis of a triglyceride by
joining a fatty acid onto a diglyceride.
(i) Name the bond that links fatty acids to glycerol.(1)
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(ii) Which of the following arrangements of atoms links a glycerol molecule to a fatty acid?(1)

(iii) Fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated.

Distinguish between the structure of a saturated fatty acid and the structure of an unsaturated fatty
acid.(2)
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(iv) The enzyme DGAT attaches the third fatty acid to a diglyceride. Other enzymes are involved with
 the synthesis of the diglyceride.
Suggest why the enzyme DGAT can only catalyse the addition of the third fatty acid to the
diglyceride.(3)
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(b) The effect of DGAT concentration on the synthesis of triglycerides was investigated.
The graph below shows the results of this investigation.

(i) Explain why the initial rate of reaction was measured in this investigation.(2)
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(ii) Explain why a buffer solution should be used in this investigation.(4)
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(Total for question = 13 marks)