AS LEVEL BIOLOGY ASSORTED QUESTIONS

Chapter F: Genetic control

9700_s04_qp_2
5 Fig. 5.1 shows part of a DNA molecule.

Fig. 5.1
(a) (i) Name U to X.
U ...............................................................................................................................
W ..............................................................................................................................
X ...........................................................................................................................[3]
(ii) Name the bonds indicated by Z.
...............................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Describe three features of a polypeptide molecule that are different from those found in
a DNA molecule.
.....................................................................................................................................[3]
[Total: 7]
5 (a) (i) U - phosphate / PO4; R phosphoric acid / phosphorus / P
W - deoxyribose; R pentose
X - cytosine; R nitrogenous base / pyrimidine / C 3
(ii) Z - hydrogen; R H 1

(b) Assume answer is about polypeptide unless indicated otherwise.

A comparison is not required. Information given below is for either polypeptide or DNA features. A ideas
from either column. Do not penalise if points are not corresponding on one line / sentence. Mark all points
on line. Only R if biologically incorrect.
polypeptide
DNA
amino acids
nucleotides ;
one / single strand / chain
two / double strand / chains ;
peptide bonds R between peptides / polypeptides
phosphodiester ;
20 monomers / sub units A > 4 monomers / sub units
only 4 monomers / sub units ; R 4 bases
no phosphate / PO4
has phosphate / PO4 ;
2 / 3 structure
double helix ;
3 max
[Total: 7]

9700_s05_qp_2.pdf
1 Fig. 1.1 shows the replication of one strand of a DNA double helix.

Fig. 1.1
(a) Name W to Y.
W .....................................................................................................................................
X ......................................................................................................................................
Y ................................................................................................................................. [3]
(b) Explain how the structure of DNA enables it to replicate semi-conservatively.
.........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [3]
(c) Explain why it is important that an exact copy of DNA is made during replication.
.................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 8]

1 (a)

W cytosine;
X deoxyribose;
Y nucleotide (triphosphate);
[3]
(b) base pairing/A-T and C-G; A purine - pyrimidine
ref to complementary/explained with ref to H bonds; R complementary in wrong context
(free) nucleotides pair with both, strands/each strand/polynucleotides/sides;
both strands act as templates;
to produce two DNA molecules that are identical to one another; [max 3]
(c) (all nuclei/cells) are genetically identical; A genetic stability, same genetic information,
exact genetic material, genetic material does not vary, same genotype;
no mutation;
any consequence of mutation;
e.g. cells not recognised, cells divide uncontrollably, substitution of 1 amino acid results
in disease e.g. sickle cell anaemia, enzymes active site altered, forms different protein
with different function. [max 2]
[Total: 8]

9700_s05_qp_2.pdf
4 Collagen is found in the extracellular matrix of muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones.
Fibroblast cells in these tissues make collagen by synthesising polypeptides that form
molecules with a triple helix shape. These are secreted from fibroblasts into the extracellular
matrix where enzymes assemble them into collagen fibres.

Fig. 4.1 is a diagram summarising these

events.

Fig. 4.1
(a) (i) Name the processes occurring at A, B and C.
A ...............................................................................................................................
B ...............................................................................................................................
C .......................................................................................................................... [3]
(ii) Name structures D and E.
D ...............................................................................................................................
E .......................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) Name molecule F.
F ........................................................................................................................... [1]

4 (a) (i) A transcription; (ignore mRNA synthesis)

B translation;
C exocytosis; R secretion [max 3]
(ii)
D (sub unit of) ribosome
E Golgi apparatus/body; [2]
(iii)
F mRNA;
[1]
9700_s06_qp_2

3 (a) Complete the table by indicating with a tick () or a cross () whether the statements
apply to proteins, DNA, messenger RNA and cellulose.
You should put a tick or a cross in each box of the table.
statement

protein

DNA

messenger RNA

cellulose

hydrogen bonds
stabilise the
molecule
glucose is the
subunit molecule
subunits are
joined by peptide
bonds
may be
hydrolysed to
amino acids
contains uracil
[5]
During an immune response, B-lymphocytes become plasma cells and begin to make
polypeptides that are assembled into antibodies.
Fig. 3.1 is a diagram showing the formation of a polypeptide at a ribosome in a plasma cell.

Fig. 3.1
(b) State the sequence of bases at J.
.....................................................................................................................................[1]
(c) Use the information in Fig. 3.1 to describe the role of transfer RNA molecules in
translation.
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................[5]
[Total: 11]
3 (a) one mark per row
statement

protein

DNA

messenger
RNA

cellulose

hydrogen
bonds stabilise
the molecule

glucose is the
subunit
molecule

subunits are
joined by
peptide bonds

x ;

may be
hydrolysed to
amino acids

x ;

contains uracil

x ;
[5]

(b) CAG; [1]

(c) tRNA, combines with amino acid / carries amino acid to ribosome;
idea of specificity; e.g. each type of tRNA is specific to an amino acid
anticodon matches amino acid idea;
example from Fig. 3.1;
codon on messenger RNA pairs with anticodon on tRNA;
example from Fig. 3.1;
two sites on ribosome;
further detail; e.g. P and A site (and E)
leave ribosome after amino acid joins polypeptide;
continually reused; [max 5]
[Total: 11]

9700_s10_qp_21.pdf
5 (a) Name the stage during the mitotic cell cycle when replication of DNA occurs.
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) Fig. 5.1 shows details of DNA replication.

Fig. 5.1
(i) Name the bonds shown by the dashed lines on Fig. 5.1.
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Name the nitrogenous bases, M and O.
M ..............................................................................................................................
O .......................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) Explain why DNA replication is described as semi-conservative.
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [2]
(d) The enzyme that catalyses the replication of DNA checks for errors in the process
and corrects them. This makes sure that the cells produced in mitosis are genetically
identical.
Explain why checking for errors and correcting them is necessary.
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 7]
5 (a) interphase / S phase / synthesis phase ; R G1/G2 unqualified by interphase [1]

(b) (i) hydrogen ; [1]

(ii) M = adenine and O = cytosine ; [1]
(c) each strand, of DNA acts as a template (for the synthesis of a complementary strand) ;
A described in terms of base pairing
new DNA (molecule) has one, old / parental / original, strand and one, new / daughter
strand ;
R half old and half new unless clearly referring to two strands [2]
(d) accept ora
(errors are) mutations / named type of mutation ;
ora if corrected there are no mutations
(may lead to) production of altered proteins, so, impaired / loss, of function ;
A altered amino acid in, protein / primary structure
(may lead to) different antigens, so cells are rejected (by immune system) ;
idea that cells cannot function together / impaired coordination ;
ref. to cancerous cells / cancer(s) / tumours / sickle cell anaemia or other named monogenic
condition ;
further detail ;
e.g. uncontrolled, division / mitosis / cell replication / cell growth
e.g. lack of contact inhibition / no apoptosis or described / (proto)oncogene(s) [2 max]
[Total: 7]

9700_s11_qp_21.pdf
3 A molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA) was produced during the transcription of a gene. Part of the
template sequence of DNA was ATGC. Fig. 3.1 shows the part of the molecule of messenger RNA
corresponding to that sequence of four bases.

Fig. 3.1
(a) Name the parts of the mRNA molecule shown in Fig. 3.1 labelled D, E, F and G.
D .....................................................................................................................................
E .....................................................................................................................................
F ......................................................................................................................................
G ................................................................................................................................. [4]
(b) Complete the table to show three ways in which mRNA differs from DNA.
mRNA

DNA

3
[3]
(c) Describe the role of mRNA after it leaves the nucleus and enters the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell.
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [4]
[Total: 11]
3 (a) D uracil ;
E adenine ;
F ribose ; I pentose / sugar
G phosphate ; A phosphate [4]
(b) answers must be in pairs
mRNA
DNA
ribose
deoxyribose ;
differences between pentoses / sugar may be described in terms of OH on C2
uracil / no thymine
thymine / no uracil ;
single, polynucleotide / strand / chain
two, polynucleotides / chains / strands ;
Adouble
no hydrogen bonds
hydrogen bonding ;
not a helix / straight chain
(double) helix ;
ratio of A+G to C+T varies / AW
ratio of A+G to C+T = 1 / AW ;
no base pairing (within molecule)
base pairing ;
base pairing A-U with, tRNA /
base pairing is A-T
anticodon
shorter
longer ;
found in cytoplasm / leaves nucleus
found in nucleus ;
attached to ribosome(s)
not attached to ribosome(s) ;
short-lived
long-lived ;
transfer of information (to ribosome)
information storage / AW ;
codes for one polypeptide
codes for more than one polypeptide ;
produced by transcription
produced by (semi-conservative)
replication
[max 3]
(c) 1 translation ; R if transcription given as well, unless in correct context
A use of, nucleotide / base, sequence, to make, amino acid chain / polypeptide / protein

I protein / polypeptide, synthesis

2 moves towards / combines with, ribosome ;
3 ref to small and/or large sub-units ; I small / large ribosome
4 codon(s) ; only accept in correct context
5 transfer / t, RNA, bringing, amino acid(s), to mRNA / ribosome ;
6 anticodon(s) ; only accept in correct context
7 (complementary) base pairing ;
8 any e.g. of codon:anticodon base pairing ; need six bases
9 ref to polyribosome(s) / used by many ribosomes ;
10 (mRNA short-lived) ref to production of protein for short period of time ; [max 4]
[Total: 11]

COMPILED BY: MD. EMRUL HASAN, A LEVEL BIOLOGY TEACHER, SFX GREENHERALD