Cambridge International AS & A Level: BIOLOGY 9700/43
Cambridge International AS & A Level: BIOLOGY 9700/43
Cambridge International AS & A Level: BIOLOGY 9700/43
* 9 4 3 1 2 3 7 7 3 7 *
BIOLOGY 9700/43
Paper 4 A Level Structured Questions October/November 2020
2 hours
INSTRUCTIONS
● Section A: answer all questions.
● Section B: answer one question.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● You may use a calculator.
● You should show all your working and use appropriate units.
INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 100.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
DC (CJ/SW) 185659/3
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Section A
1 Fig. 1.1 is a transverse section through a leaf from the maize plant, Zea mays.
Maize is a C4 plant.
Fig. 1.1
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(ii) Explain how the leaf anatomy shown in Fig. 1.1 adapts the C4 plant to maintain a high
rate of photosynthesis at high temperatures.
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(c) Fig. 1.2 shows the results of an experiment comparing the rate of carbon dioxide uptake in
a C3 plant (Chenopodium album) and a C4 plant (Amaranthus retroflexus) in high and low
carbon dioxide (CO2) conditions.
45
40
35 Key
C4 plant in high CO2
30 conditions
C4 plant in low CO2
rate of CO2 25 conditions
uptake
/ μmol m–2 s–1 20 C3 plant in high CO2
conditions
15 C3 plant in low CO2
conditions
10
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
temperature / °C
Fig. 1.2
(i) Using Fig. 1.2, compare the rates of photosynthesis in high CO2 conditions in the C3
and C4 plants.
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(ii) Using Fig. 1.2, compare the rates of photosynthesis in low and high CO2 conditions in
the C4 plant between 30 °C and 35 °C and suggest an explanation for this difference.
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[Total: 13]
2 Domestic goats are small, herbivorous animals that provide milk for human use. Goats’ milk is an
important source of food for people living in rural China. Xinong Saanen and Guanzhong are the
names of two varieties (breeds) of goat common in China.
In these breeds, there is genetic variation at nucleotide position 5752 of a gene coding for a growth
factor. At this position there is either a cytosine (C) or a guanine (G) nucleotide. Some individuals
are homozygous for the allele containing C at this position (CC), some are homozygous for the
allele containing G at this position (GG) and some are heterozygous (CG).
Table 2.1 compares the mean milk yield of the first milk-producing period (first lactation) and the
next milk-producing period (second lactation) for Xinong Saanen goats of each genotype.
Table 2.1
CC 679 940
CG 622 858
GG 616 834
(a) (i) Variation in a phenotypic characteristic such as milk yield is caused by a combination of
genetic and environmental factors.
Goats also show variation in milk yield between the first lactation and second lactation.
Suggest, with reasons, whether the variation in milk yield between the first lactation and
second lactation, as shown in Table 2.1, is genetic or environmental.
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(ii) The variation at position 5752 of the gene coding for a growth factor is due to a
substitution mutation from G to C.
With reference to Table 2.1, describe the importance of the substitution from G to C.
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The Hardy-Weinberg principle can be used to predict the number of goats with CC, CG and
GG genotypes in the population, using the equation:
p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1
For example, the number of goats with genotype GG can be predicted to be 131.
(i) Use the Hardy-Weinberg principle to predict the number of goats with genotypes CC and
CG in this population of Xinong Saanen goats.
Table 2.2 shows the actual number of goats with each genotype in a population of Xinong
Saanen goats and in a population of Guanzhong goats.
Table 2.2
(ii) A close match between your predicted figures in (b)(i) and the actual numbers in Table
2.2 would mean that the Xinong Saanen population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
State the name of a statistical test that could be used to find out whether or not the
Xinong Saanen population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
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(iii) The predicted numbers of goats with each genotype in the Guanzhong population
according to the Hardy-Weinberg principle are:
• CC = 16
• CG = 135
• GG = 289.
These figures are significantly different from the actual figures in Table 2.2.
With reference to Table 2.2, describe the evidence that shows that the Guanzhong
population is not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and suggest reasons for this.
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(c) Goats can be genetically modified to produce human proteins in their milk.
In 2009, an anti-clotting protein produced in this way was approved for use as a drug in
people who lack the protein.
State one ethical advantage and one ethical problem of producing medicinal drugs from the
milk of genetically modified goats.
advantage .................................................................................................................................
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[Total: 14]
To create a DNA barcode, a specific region of DNA is sequenced so that it can be compared to an
online database of reference DNA. One region of DNA that is commonly used is 648 base pairs
long within a mitochondrial gene, coding for the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase I.
DNA barcoding has shown that approximately 2.5 million years ago T. solitaria evolved into
two subspecies, Tringa solitaria solitaria and Tringa solitaria cinnamomea.
Suggest and explain how the two subspecies T. s. solitaria and T. s. cinnamomea could have
evolved from the original T. solitaria population.
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Fig. 3.1
DNA barcoding analysis suggests that the American oystercatcher and the black oystercatcher
are not separate species.
Suggest how DNA barcoding evidence could indicate that the American oystercatcher and
black oystercatcher are not separate species.
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(c) Customs officers at airports can use a hand-held DNA barcoding device to identify biological
specimens entering or leaving a country.
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[Total: 8]
4 There are a number of mutations affecting the production of fetal haemoglobin, HbF, and normal
adult haemoglobin, HbA.
• The HbA allele codes for the normal β-globin polypeptide of haemoglobin.
• The HbS allele, caused by a base substitution mutation, codes for an abnormal β-globin
polypeptide.
• The base substitution results in the amino acid glutamine, which has a polar R group, to be
replaced by valine, which has a non-polar R group, in the polypeptide.
The abnormal haemoglobin molecules (HbS) form fibres in low partial pressures of oxygen (pO2).
The fibres cause red blood cells to become sickle shaped and the cells can block blood capillaries.
Individuals with adult haemoglobin molecules that are all abnormal (HbS) have sickle cell anaemia.
This is a painful chronic condition that can be life-threatening.
(a) Explain why this mutation causes the HbS to form fibres.
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(b) Fetal haemoglobin, HbF, is produced by the fetus until just before birth, when adult
haemoglobin begins to be made.
By the age of six months, adult haemoglobin has replaced most of the HbF. This change
occurs when the genes coding for HbF are switched off and the genes coding for adult
haemoglobin are switched on.
Individuals who have both sickle cell anaemia and British-198 mutation have reduced
symptoms of sickle cell anaemia.
(i) Suggest why having the British-198 mutation reduces the symptoms of sickle cell
anaemia.
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(ii) In adults with the British-198 mutation, the gene coding for a fetal haemoglobin
polypeptide remains switched on. This is due to the presence of a protein that controls
gene expression.
State the term that is used to describe a protein that controls gene expression.
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(c) Gel electrophoresis can be carried out to test individuals for the different versions of
haemoglobin: HbA, HbS and HbF.
• A buffer with alkaline pH is used to make all haemoglobin molecules negatively charged.
• HbS molecules have an additional positive charge compared to HbA.
(i) Describe and explain how gel electrophoresis is used to diagnose sickle cell anaemia.
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(ii) Four individuals had their haemoglobin analysed by gel electrophoresis. One of the
individuals was heterozygous for the HbA and HbS alleles and had a condition known as
sickle cell trait (SCT).
Some of the results are shown in Fig. 4.1. In Fig. 4.1, lane 1 and lane 5 are complete.
HbA
HbF
HbS
Fig. 4.1
Predict the results for the individuals analysed, by adding bands to lanes 2, 3 and 4 on
Fig. 4.1. [2]
[Total: 11]
5 Fig. 5.1 shows a cat displaying the recessive phenotype for two unlinked genes.
• H/h controls hair length. The allele for short hair is dominant to the allele for long hair.
• R/r controls coat pattern. The allele for ‘full colour’, with pigment on all parts of the body, is
dominant to the allele for ‘pointed’, where the pigment is restricted to the ears, face, paws and
tail.
Fig. 5.1
(a) Draw a genetic diagram to predict the offspring genotypes and phenotypes when the cat in
Fig. 5.1 is crossed with a cat that is heterozygous for the hair length gene and heterozygous
for the coat pattern gene.
parent phenotypes:
parent genotypes:
gametes:
F1 genotypes:
F1 phenotypes:
[5]
(b) Scientists isolated two sections of DNA thought to correspond with the allele for full colour (R)
and the allele for pointed (r).
Sequencing these two DNA sections showed that the DNA sequence for full colour, R, had a
restriction site for the restriction enzyme HpaII. This restriction site did not occur in the DNA
sequence r because of a single nucleotide substitution.
The scientists then carried out an analysis of three generations of cats. Each cat was
assessed for three features:
Fig. 5.2 shows the relationships of these cats and the results of the assessment.
– – – – + +
2 4 3 4 6 7
– – – – – – – + – + – +
1 2 2 4 2 4 4 6 4 7 3 7
– – – –
2 2 3 4
Key
pointed female
Fig. 5.2
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[Total: 10]
6 (a) (i) Identify the precise location in a cholinergic synapse that is described in each of the
statements.
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(b) Some insecticides contain compounds called organophosphates. Organophosphates can act
as enzyme inhibitors in neuromuscular junctions.
People who use organophosphates and do not follow safety guidelines are at risk of
organophosphate poisoning, which affects muscle function.
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(c) Outline the role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in the contraction of striated muscle.
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[Total: 12]
A – pyruvate F – NAD
C – ethanol H – lactate
E – cytoplasm J – mitochondrion
Complete Table 7.1 by matching each description with one letter chosen from A to J to show
the correct structure or compound.
You may use each letter once, more than once or not at all.
Table 7.1
description letter
end product of glycolysis
cellular location of respiration in anaerobic conditions
end product of respiration in anaerobic conditions in yeast cells
compound used to reduce pyruvate
end product of respiration in anaerobic conditions in muscle cells
gas released during alcoholic fermentation
[6]
(b) Respiration in anaerobic conditions in muscle cells during vigorous exercise can create an
oxygen debt. Extra oxygen is breathed in after exercise to pay back the oxygen debt.
Explain two ways in which the mammalian body uses this extra oxygen.
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[Total: 8]
8 Palm oil is a vegetable oil that is used very widely in food products. The oil is extracted from the
fruit of the oil palm tree.
(a) Oil palm trees have a higher oil yield than that of other oil-producing plants.
5000
4000
3000
oil yield
/ kg ha–1 yr–1
2000
1000
0
oil palms olives sunflowers soya
beans
crop plant
Fig. 8.1
Calculate how many hectares of soya bean plants would be needed to produce the same
yield of oil as one hectare of oil palm trees.
Show your working and write your answer to one decimal place.
(b) Oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia have been created by cutting down rainforests.
This reduces biodiversity.
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(c) Palm oil companies are now being asked to produce palm oil in a sustainable way. This
means that no more deforestation should take place.
Suggest ways in which individual consumers can encourage manufacturers to use palm oil
from sustainable sources.
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[Total: 9]
Section B
9 (a) Describe and explain the properties of plasmids that allow them to be used in gene cloning. [7]
(b) Explain the roles of restriction endonucleases, ligases and reverse transcriptase in genetic
engineering. [8]
[Total: 15]
10 (a) Describe how adrenaline can stimulate liver cells to convert glycogen to glucose. [7]
(b) Describe the role of abscisic acid (ABA) in the closure of stomata during times of drought. [8]
[Total: 15]
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