Cambridge International AS & A Level

Ishan Willathgamuwa
* 8 7 7 6 6 8 8 9 4 1 *

BIOLOGY 9700/22
Paper 2 AS Level Structured Questions February/March 2023

1 hour 15 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● 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 60.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

This document has 20 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (PQ/CT) 313406/4
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1 (a) Table 1.1 lists cell structures that can be found in eukaryotic cells or prokaryotic cells. Some
of these cell structures can be found in both types of cell.

Complete the table using a tick (3) to show that the cell structure can be present in a particular
type of cell and a cross (✗) to show that the cell structure cannot be present.

Put a tick or a cross in every box.

The top row has been completed for you.

Table 1.1

cell structure eukaryotic cells prokaryotic cells

nucleus 3 ✗

Golgi body

circular DNA

70S ribosome
[2]

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(b) All cells have a cell surface membrane. Fig. 1.1 shows a transmission electron micrograph of
part of two adjacent animal cells, cell 1 and cell 2.

cell 1
R

cell 2

×300 000

Fig. 1.1

In the space provided, draw a diagram of the region in the box labelled R on Fig. 1.1. Your
diagram should show the four dark lines.

Label the diagram to identify what is shown by the dark lines and each of the three spaces
between them.

space for diagram:

[3]
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(c) Mitogens are short chains of amino acids that function as cell-signalling molecules. Mitogens
are released from secretory cells and travel in the blood to target cells, where the mitogens
bind to cell surface receptors. The target cells respond by progressing from the G1 phase to
the S phase of the mitotic cell cycle.

(i) Outline what happens in the G1 phase and S phase of the mitotic cell cycle.
It is the longest stage where the number of organelles increases, ATP synthesis
G1 phase ...........................................................................................................................
takes place, Protein synthesis takes place
...........................................................................................................................................
* RNA, synthesised/transcribed/translated, increase in volume of cytoplasm
...........................................................................................................................................
It is the stage where DNA replication takes place, through the semi conservative
S phase .............................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
replication, where a new strand is formed from the original strand, by the addition of nucleotides

and forming phosphodiester bonds and sugar phosphate backbones.

...........................................................................................................................................
* doubles, mass / number of strands, of DNA ; [2]

(ii) As a result of mutation, the production and release of mitogens into the blood can be
greatly increased.

Suggest a possible consequence for target cells of increased concentrations of mitogens

in the blood.
The cells will move from the G1 phase to the S phase uncontrollably soon after cytokinesis
...........................................................................................................................................
so less ATP production and protein synthesis takes place and less number of organelles produced
...........................................................................................................................................
so G1 phase doesnt take place completely.
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

* uncontrolled/increased, cell division / mitosis [Total: 8]

* more cells move from the G1 to the S phase

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2 (a) Cysteine is an amino acid containing sulfur. Fig. 2.1 shows the structure of the molecule
formed by joining two cysteine molecules together.

SH
CH2 O H
H O H
C C N C C N
O H
H H CH2
SH

Fig. 2.1

Draw a circle around an R-group in the molecule shown in Fig. 2.1. [1]

(b) Goblet cells in the human gas exchange system produce proteins called mucins.

(i) The ends of mucin molecules contain many cysteine residues. Mucin strands are formed
by joining the ends of mucin molecules together through covalent bonds between
R-groups.

State the name of these covalent bonds.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Mucin strands are transported out of the goblet cells and then absorb water to form
mucus.

Suggest and explain how mucin strands are transported out of the goblet cells.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

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Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by a mutation in the human CFTR gene. This results in
mucus that is thicker than normal.

(c) Suggest how thicker mucus interferes with the maintenance of healthy gas exchange surfaces
in the lungs.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(d) Row 1 and row 2 of Table 2.1 show the DNA base sequences of part of the normal CFTR
allele and the same part of a mutated CFTR allele. The base sequences shown are for the
DNA strands used in the synthesis of RNA. When Table 2.1 is completed, row 3 will show the
base sequence of the RNA synthesised from the same part of the mutated CFTR allele.

Table 2.1

1 DNA base sequence

of part of the normal T A G T A G A A A C C A
CFTR allele
2 DNA base sequence
of part of the mutated T A G T A A C C A C A A
CFTR allele
3 RNA base sequence
synthesised from the
mutated CFTR allele

(i) The difference between the DNA base sequence in row 1 and the DNA base sequence
in row 2 of Table 2.1 is caused by a single gene mutation.

State the name of this type of gene mutation.

Deletion
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Row 1 and row 2 in Table 2.1 show the DNA strands used in the synthesis of RNA.

State the term used to describe the DNA strand that is used in the synthesis of RNA.
Transcription transcribed / template
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) Complete Table 2.1 to show the missing bases in row 3. [1]

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(iv) The normal CFTR allele is approximately 189 000 base pairs in length. The CFTR
polypeptide consists of only 1480 amino acids.

Explain the reasons for this difference between the number of base pairs and the number
of amino acids.
3 bases coding for 1 amino acid. Introns, the non-coding regions of the transcript is removed from
...........................................................................................................................................
the primary transcript RNA with the support of spliceosome organelle which performs RNA
...........................................................................................................................................
splicing where it moves from the 5' cap to the 3' poly a tail. Exons, the coding regions of amino
...........................................................................................................................................
acids are connected instead. The STOP codon of the mRNA does not code for an amino acid.
...........................................................................................................................................
Methionine begins the translation process as the 1st amino acid anticodon from tRNA attached
...........................................................................................................................................
complementarily to the 1st codon of the mRNA.
...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 13]

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3 (a) Fig. 3.1 is a diagram of an area of phloem tissue from a transverse section through the stem
of a squash plant, Cucurbita pepo.

companion cell

Fig. 3.1

(i) Cell X and cell Y in Fig. 3.1 are sieve tube elements.

Explain why cell X and cell Y have very different appearances in this transverse section.
Y is the sieve plate with pores and is present at different heights, whereas X doesnt contain
...........................................................................................................................................
any pores.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

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(ii) Sucrose is formed from the glucose synthesised by mesophyll cells in the leaves of C. pepo.

Explain how companion cells are involved in the transfer of sucrose into phloem sieve tubes.
Companion cells receive sucrose from the mesophyll cells (source) which moves down a
...........................................................................................................................................
concentration gradient by facilitated diffusion so the concentration of sucrose in the companion
...........................................................................................................................................
cells increase. This causes the proton pump in the cytoplasm of the companion cells to release H+
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
ions (protons) into the cell wall of the companion cells and is transported back into the cytoplasm of

the companion cells using ATP. Sucrose makes use of cotransporter proteins which transport
...........................................................................................................................................
sucrose through the plasmodesmata into the phloem sieve tube by facilitated. This process is
...........................................................................................................................................
known as loading. The xylem vessels then secrete water into the phloem sieve tube via osmosis
...........................................................................................................................................
down a water potential gradient causing the hydrostatic pressure at the top of the phloem
...........................................................................................................................................
sieve tube to increase.
.....................................................................................................................................
* sucrose moves against its concentration gradient ---> from companion cells [4]

(b) Hydrogen bonding is important in the movement of water in xylem.

(i) Explain how hydrogen bonding occurs between two water molecules.
Due to the forces of cohesion, when two water molecules are brought close together, the H and
small charges ...........................................................................................................................................
O atoms have different electronegativities, H (Delta positive) O (Delta negative) this results
...........................................................................................................................................
in the formation of strong forces of attraction due to its tensile strength between the shared pair
...........................................................................................................................................
of electrons. O has two lone pairs of electrons whereas, so ion dipole attraction forms as water
...........................................................................................................................................
is a polar molecule with strong pd forces and H bonds.
..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Outline how hydrogen bonding is involved in water transport in the xylem of a plant stem.

...........................................................................................................................................
Due to the H bonding between water molecules it results in a cohesion forces which provide

high tension, and causes the water molecules to form a column of water and move up the
...........................................................................................................................................
transpiration stream via a transpiration pull into the leaves. It also makes use of adhesion due to
...........................................................................................................................................
attraction between water molecules and cellulose cell walls. This helps to reduce the capillarity
...........................................................................................................................................
of the xylem vessel which makes it narrow and water moves up as a result of transpiration
...........................................................................................................................................
which leads to water loss in the leaves.
...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

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(iii) Hydrogen bonding between water molecules gives water a relatively high latent heat of
vaporisation.

Suggest why it is important to plants that water has a high latent heat of vaporisation.
It prevents excessive loss of water from the plant as water will not evaporate easily and lost
...........................................................................................................................................
until high temperatures, so prevents loss of turgidity of plant cells and prevents plant
...........................................................................................................................................
from wilting and provides a suitable medium for transport of minerals and ions and
...........................................................................................................................................
allows efficient photosynthesis to take place and produce glucose which converts to energy
...........................................................................................................................................
for active transport and growth, due to strong H bonds.
..................................................................................................................................... [2]

* plant leaves heat up, when light absorbed for photosynthesis [Total: 13]
* reducesenzyme denaturation
* high latent heat of vaporisation leads to large cooling effect

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Question 4 starts on page 12.

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4 Tuberculosis (TB), influenza and polio are examples of infectious diseases.

(a) (i) Explain what is meant by an infectious disease.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Name a species of organism that causes TB.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Immunity can be described as artificial or natural and passive or active.

Name the type of immunity that a mother gives to her baby through breast milk.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(c) The influenza virus can mutate frequently to produce different strains of the virus. A new
vaccine is often necessary to stimulate the production of new antibodies to these new strains.

Explain why different antibodies need to be produced to give immunity to these new strains.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

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(d) Polio is a serious viral disease affecting young children. In 1996, polio caused paralysis in
more than 75 000 children across Africa. A long-term vaccination programme allowed the
World Health Organization (WHO) to declare that Africa was largely free of polio in 2020.

(i) Explain how vaccination programmes can help to control the spread of infectious
diseases, such as polio.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

(ii) Antibiotics, such as penicillin, do not help to prevent the spread of viral diseases, such
as polio.

Explain why penicillin is not effective against viruses.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 11]

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5 Pneumonia is a severe lung disease that can interfere with gas exchange. A person with
pneumonia can be connected to an ECMO machine. This machine performs the gas exchange
functions of the lungs.

A cannula (tube) is inserted into the right atrium and this takes blood to the ECMO machine. In the
ECMO machine, blood is passed firstly to an artificial pump and then to an oxygenator, where gas
exchange occurs. The blood is then warmed and returns by another cannula to the vena cava.

(a) Complete Fig. 5.1 to show how the ECMO machine is connected to the right atrium and to the
vena cava. Use a single line to represent each cannula.

artificial
pump

ECMO
machine
oxygenator

heater

Fig. 5.1
[1]

(b) In the oxygenator, a partially permeable membrane separates the blood from air that has
been enriched with extra oxygen.

(i) State the name of a structure in the gas exchange system that has the same function as
the partially permeable membrane of the oxygenator.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

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(ii) In the oxygenator, blood and oxygen-enriched air flow in opposite directions.

Suggest and explain how the oxygenator carries out the functions of gas exchange that
normally occur in the lungs.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

(c) Fig. 5.2 is a photomicrograph showing a transverse section of part of the human aorta.

tunica media

tunica externa

×16

Fig. 5.2

Explain how the structure of the tunica media in Fig. 5.2 is different from the structure of the
tunica media in a muscular artery and relate the difference to the function of the aorta.
Tunica media consist of strong collagen fibres and elastic fibres and also allows the formation of
...................................................................................................................................................
elastic membranes and smooth muscle. The tunica media in aorta is thicker in order to withstand the
...................................................................................................................................................
strong blood pressure and pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the organs. The tunica media in aorta
...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
is thicker than a normal artery and has a larger lumen compared to it. All these features allow

the aorta to stretch and prevents it from bursting, so that the flow of blood is controlled.
...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

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(d) Some biologists investigated the transport of carbon dioxide in the blood of Caiman latirostris,
a type of reptile.

The biologists found that when C. latirostris respires:

• most of the carbon dioxide is converted into hydrogencarbonate ions in red blood cells
• the hydrogencarbonate ions combine with haemoglobin inside the red blood cells
• the hydrogencarbonate ions remain combined with haemoglobin until the blood reaches
the lungs.

(i) Explain why the physiology of C. latirostris requires carbonic anhydrase.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Explain why the physiology of C. latirostris does not require the chloride shift.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 10]

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Question 6 starts on page 18.

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6 (a) Collagen is the most common structural protein in vertebrates. Collagen provides the skin
with flexibility and strength.

Explain how the structure of a collagen fibre provides the skin with strength.
Collagen is a fibrous protein which consist of a triple helix structure held strongly by H bonds.
...................................................................................................................................................
It consists of a quaternary structure with strong bonds in the amino acid R groups such as H bonds,
...................................................................................................................................................
ionic, disulphide and hydrophobic interactions and strong peptide covalent bonds.
...................................................................................................................................................
They contain many glycine monomers, (simplest amino acid) which provide compactness and
...................................................................................................................................................
lysine amino acids allows the strong fibrils to form string fibres. So they contain a strong 3D structure
...................................................................................................................................................
and is insoluble in water.
...................................................................................................................................................
* provides tensile strength
............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(b) The enzyme collagenase breaks down collagen. Collagenase has several important medical
uses, such as in the treatment of burnt skin.

Scientists investigated the effect of pH on the activity of collagenase at 37 °C.

The results of their investigation are shown in Fig. 6.1.

100

80

percentage 60
of maximum
activity 40

20

0
4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0
pH

Fig. 6.1

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Explain why the activity of collagenase is lower at pH 8.0 than at the optimum pH.
Because beyond the optimum pH (7.4), the enzymes begin to denature, so the shape of the active
...................................................................................................................................................
site begins to change as the tertiary bonds in the R groups of amino acids are altered, so the
...................................................................................................................................................
substrates will not be able to fit the active site of the enzyme properly, so less enzyme substrate
...................................................................................................................................................
complexes form at 8 pH, so less products formed, as the enzyme specificity is changed so 3D structure
...................................................................................................................................................
of enzyme is changed.
............................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 5]

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