Biology Year 12

Assessment -2

1.

The diagram below shows part of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule.

U
(a)

(i)

How many codons are shown in this section of mRNA?

..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

What is specified by a sequence of codons in an mRNA molecule?

..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

A tRNA molecule carries a complementary base sequence for a particular codon.

(i)

Write the complementary sequence for the first codon in the mRNA sequence given
above.
..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Describe the role of tRNA molecules in the process of protein synthesis.

..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

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2.

An experiment was carried out with cells of carrot tissue to determine the effect of temperature
on the absorption of potassium ions.
Slices of carrot tissue were immersed in a potassium chloride solution of known concentration.
The changes in concentration of potassium ions in the solution were determined at intervals for 6
hours. From these measurements, the mass of potassium ions taken in by the carrot cells was
found. The experiment was carried out at 2C and 20C. The solutions were aerated
continuously.

The results are shown in the graph below. Absorption of potassium ions is given as micrograms
of potassium per gram of fresh mass of carrot tissue (g g1).
700

600

A t 2 0 C

500

400
K + a b s o rp tio n
/ g g -1 f r e s h m a s s
300

200

100

0 x
0

A t 2 C

T im e / h o u r s
(a)

During the first hour, some of the potassium ions enter the cells by diffusion. State two
conditions which are necessary for a substance to enter a cell by diffusion.
1

(2)

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(b)

(i)

Calculate the mean rate of absorption of potassium ions at 20C, between 2 and 6
hours. Show your working.

Answer .......................................................
(3)

(ii)

Compare the rates of absorption of potassium ions at 2C and 20C during this
experiment.
..
..
..
..
..
(3)

(iii)

Suggest an explanation for the differences in the rates of absorption of potassium

ions at the two temperatures.
..
..
..
..
..
(3)
(Total 11 marks)

3.

Explain what is meant by the following terms.

(a)

Osmosis
...
...
...
...
...
(3)

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(b)

Facilitated diffusion
...
...
...
...
...
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

4.

Cystic fibrosis is a common inherited disorder amongst Europeans. It is caused by a single gene.
The diagram below is part of a family pedigree showing the inheritance of this disorder.

I
II

III

(a)

U n a ffe c te d m a le

A ff e c te d m a le

U n a ffe c te d fe m a le

A ff e c te d fe m a le

Describe one piece of evidence from the information given on the diagram which suggest
that the allele causing this inherited disorder is recessive and one piece of evidence that it
is autosomal.
Evidence that the allele is recessive ...................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Evidence that the allele is autosomal .................................................................
.............................................................................................................................

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(2)

(b)

A person whose family includes people with cystic fibrosis may wish to know if they or
their partner are carriers of this inherited disease, before deciding to have children.
Suggest how an individual with the heterozygous genotype for this disorder could be
identified.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

Suggest two reasons why chorionic villus sampling is more acceptable than amniocentesis
in detecting genetic disorders in a fetus.
1 ..............................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
2. ..............................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

5.

Fabrys disease is a sex-linked recessive genetic disorder that causes mental retardation.
A study was carried out into the inheritance of this disorder in a family, and the results are shown
in the pedigree below.

1
3

4
5

K ey

U n a f f e c te d f e m a le
U n a f f e c te d m a le
M a l e w it h F a b r y 's d i s e a s e

(a)

Using the symbol A for the dominant allele and a for the recessive allele, state the
genotype of person 2.
.................................................................................................................................
(1)

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(b)

Using the evidence from the pedigree, explain why Fabrys disease is described as a sexlinked recessive genetic disorder.
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
(3)

(c)

Explain why person 3 is unaffected but why one of his children (person 5) has Fabrys
disease.
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
(3)

(d)

What are the chances of the children of persons 6 and 7 having Fabrys disease? Give
reasons for your answer.
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 11 marks)

6.

The table below refers to four membrane transport processes: diffusion, facilitated diffusion,
osmosis and active transport. If the statement is correct, place a tick ( ) in the appropriate box
and if the statement is incorrect, place a cross (X) in the appropriate box.
Process

Takes place against a

concentration gradient

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Requires energy in the

form of ATP

Diffusion
Facilitated diffusion
Osmosis
Active transport
(Total 4 marks)

The diagram below shows part of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule.

U
(a)

(i)

How many codons are shown in this section of mRNA?

four / 4;
(1 mark)

(ii)

What is specified by a sequence of codons in an mRNA molecule?

sequence / order of amino acids / primary structure of polypeptide / protein;
(1 mark)

(b)

A tRNA molecule carries a complementary base sequence for a particular codon.

(i)

Write the complementary sequence for the first codon in the mRNA sequence given
above.
AUG;
(1 mark)

(ii)

Describe the role of tRNA molecules in the process of protein synthesis.

tRNA has an unpaired triplet of bases / anticodon;
attaches / binds / joins to MRNA codon / triplet of bases;
tRNA carries a specific / eq. amino acid;
correct reference to formation of peptide bond /
OR amino acids joined by peptide bond;
(3 marks)
[Total 6 marks]

8.

An experiment was carried out with cells of carrot tissue to determine the effect of temperature
on the absorption of potassium ions.
Slices of carrot tissue were immersed in a potassium chloride solution of known concentration.
The changes in concentration of potassium ions in the solution were determined at intervals for 6
hours. From these measurements, the mass of potassium ions taken in by the carrot cells was
found. The experiment was carried out at 2C and 20C. The solutions were aerated
continuously.
The results are shown in the graph below. Absorption of potassium ions is given as micrograms

Gateway International School (PVT) Limited

of potassium per gram of fresh mass of carrot tissue (g g1).

700

600

A t 2 0 C

500

400
K + a b s o rp tio n
/ g g -1 f r e s h m a s s
300

200

100

A t 2 C

0 x
0
(a)

T im e / h o u rs
During the first hour, some of the potassium ions enter the cells by diffusion. State two
conditions which are necessary for a substance to enter a cell by diffusion.
1.
membrane must be permeable to substance;
must be a concentration gradient / higher outside cell than inside;

2.

substance must be in solution / a gas / a liquid;

(2 marks)

(b)

(i)

Calculate the mean rate of absorption of potassium ions at 20C, between 2 and 6
hours. Show your working.
640 295 OR 345;
4;
= 86.25 g g

hour ;
(3 marks)

(ii)

Compare the rates of absorption of potassium ions at 2C and 20C during this
experiment.
fastest uptake occurs at start / both decrease;
rate of uptake at 20C is greater than at 2C converse;

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uptake at 20C continues, levels off at 2C;

credit manipulation of figures, e.g. final mass taken up at 20C greater than at
2C quoting Two figures from graph;
(3 marks)

(iii)

Suggest an explanation for the differences in the rates of absorption of potassium

ions at the two temperatures.
reference to increase in temperature increasing movement / kinetic energy /
OR converse;
(So) faster / eq. diffusion at higher temperature; diffusion no longer occurs
when there is no concentration gradient / eq.;
ions also taken up by active transport / ref. to ion pumps;
active transport increases at higher temperatures;
reference to increased respiration / increased ATP;
+

uses more K higher temperature;

(3 marks)
[Total 11 marks]

9.

(a)

(b)

Diffusion of water molecules;

Through a partially permeable membrane;
From a region of high concentration of water molecules to a region of lower;
concentration of water molecules/eq in terms of water potential;

Means whereby polar molecules are transported across membranes;

Molecules bind with transport proteins;
Transport protein changes shape and moves molecule across membrane;
No metabolic energy required;

3
[6]

10.

(a)

parents do not show disorder (not dominant)

affects both male and female ( not sexlinked)

1
1
(2)

(b)

(i)

2 0.978 0.022
(=) 4.3 (%)

[no credit for consequential error]

1
1
(2)

(ii)

heterozygous people are carriers / normal phenotype

but have a recessive allele
ref. to 25% / 1 in 4 probability of child of two carriers
having the disorder
affected allele remains in gene pool
correct calculation for q2 (0.022 2)
and so % in population

1
1
1
1
1
(max 2)

(c)

(radioactive) gene probe / marker / indicator

identify DNA sequence of gene / allele

1
1
(2)

(d)

can be done earlier than 14th 15th week/eq

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1
9

results quicker / soon / within 24 hours

cells actively dividing so no need to culture
less risk to fetus
[ / converse]

1
1
1
(max 2)
[10]

11.

(a)

Must be heterozygous to score mark in (a)

Aa / XA Xa / X A Xa /eq:

(b)

Only males have the disease / disorder /eq (accept converse) ;

(Probably) carried on the X chromosome ;
Male sufferers are produced from unaffected/ eq parents ;
Recessive only expressed when no dominant allele is present / eq
females may be carriers;
Male has only one locus / allele for the disease /
disorder / no locus on Y /eq ;

(c)

Max 3

Person 3 / father is XAY/eq ;

(As) person 4 / mother is carrier / XAXa / Aa / heterozygous ;
Person 5 / son inherits Y from person 3 / father /eq ;
And Xa / recessive allele / disorder from person 4 / mother / eq

(d)

Max 3

Accept marks from genetic diagram. If unclear whether mother is AA or Aa, can only
score mark for person 6s genotype.
Person 6 / father is XA Y / A /eq
Person 7 / mother is carrier /eq is heterozygous / Aa ;
All the females / daughters will be unaffected / eq ;
Half /eq of the sons / males will be unaffected /eq (or converse) ;
There is a one in four /eq chance (but not ratios)
of producing a sufferer (or converse)

Max 4
[11]
12.

Process

Takes place against

a concentration
gradient

Requires energy in
the form of ATP

Diffusion

Facilitated diffusion

Osmosis

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10

Active transport

Any two correct boxes for one mark

[4]

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11