6

Infections, immunity and forensics

1 The diagram below represents the information flow process in protein synthesis.
A A A C G T G G A DNA

I Topic test

mRNA G G A

G Y

incoming tRNA carrying an amino acid

aa1

aa2

aa3

aa4 growing polypeptide chain

aa 5

The positions of bases are represented by boxes in the nucleic acids here, and some of the individual bases are identified by their initial letter, as in the genetic code. a Write in the diagram the missing initial letters in: i the DNA strand ii the mRNA iii the one unidentified tRNA. (3) b Identify by means of a label the antisense strand of the DNA. (1) c State: i the name of step X ___________________________________________________ (1)

ii the name of step Y ___________________________________________________ (1) iii the chemical formula of the bond represented by Z ______________________________________________________________________ (1)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

d Draw and fully annotate a diagram of an organelle in which step Y is occurring.

(4) e Outline how it is that any one gene may give rise to more than one protein.

(4)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

f Give a concise explanation of the following statement. In effect, many of our proteins are an army of workers on behalf of our genes, endlessly available for reconstruction.

(5) 2 DNA profiling exploits the techniques of genetic engineering to identify a person or organism from a sample of their DNA. The bulk of our DNA does not code for proteins, and about 1025% of this nonsense DNA consists of clusters of 510 nucleotides repeated thousands of times. These regions are known as microsatellites. We inherit a distinctive combination of them, half from our mother and half from our father. Consequently, each of us has a unique sequence of nucleotides in our DNA (except for identical twins, who share the same pattern). It is our microsatellites that are used in profiling. To produce a genetic fingerprint, a sample of DNA is cut into small, double-stranded fragments using a restriction enzyme, which cuts close to but not within the microsatellite DNA. The resulting fragments are of varying lengths, and are separated by gel electrophoresis into bands. Then the gel is treated to split the DNA fragments into single strands, and a copy is transferred to a membrane. Selected, radioactively labelled DNA probes are added to the membrane to bind to particular bands of DNA, and then the excess probes are washed away. The membrane is now overlaid with X-ray film, which becomes selectively fogged by emission from the retained labelled probes. The X-ray film is later developed to show up the positions of the bands (fragments) to which probes have attached. The result is a profile with the appearance of a bar code. a What is genetic engineering? Your concise statement should make clear how this technique differs from genetic modification by artificial selection.

(2)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

b A sample of cells is obtained from body fluid, hair root, or tissue samples, and the DNA extracted. Where a tiny quantity of DNA is all that can be recovered, it may be precisely copied by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to obtain sufficient DNA to analyse. The PCR is an automated process carried out by a machine, and having three steps. What are the key changes that occur in each of these steps, and how are they brought about?

(3) c Restriction enzymes are obtained from micro-organisms. i What is their natural role?

(1) ii One particular restriction enzyme cuts at GAATTC, forming sticky ends. Explain what this means. Diagrams may be helpful.

(2)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

d By means of a fully annotated sketch, outline what electrophoresis involves.

(4) e Outline how DNA probes are made and then used in DNA profiling.

(4) f DNA profiling has important applications in captive breeding programmes. Explain why it is particularly useful in this context.

(2)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

3 a Complete the table below to highlight the structural differences between viruses and bacteria.
Virus size Bacterial cell

protective external coat

cytoplasm

nuclear material

(8) b Outline three arguments in support of the suggestion that viruses cannot be considered as living organisms. i _____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ (2) ii ____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ (2) iii ____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ (2) c The activities of micro-organisms impact on the cycling of nutrients in the biosphere. Detail two ways in which activities of bacteria may contribute to the changing concentration of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere. i _____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ (2) ii ____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ (2)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

4 a The body surface is a barrier to the entry of micro-organisms. Compare the ways in which our external skin and internal body surfaces (such as lungs, and gut) maintain effective barriers to their entry.
External skin Internal body surfaces (such as lungs, gut)

(6) b Contrast the ways that the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the virus disease agent HIV gain entry to the body, and cause infections that may lead to death of the host (on the next page).
How M. tuberculosis gains entry How HIV gains entry

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

Typical profile of TB infection

Typical profile of AIDS infection

(10) 5 a Locally acting hormones and alarm chemicals play a part in the bodys responses to localised tissue damage. Where do these substances originate, and what are their specific effects?

(6)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

b Contrast the actions of lysozyme and interferon as components of our defence against infection.
Lysozyme Interferon

(3) c What part do white cells play in the non-specific response to infection? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ (3) 6 The graph below shows the profile of the concentration of a specific antibody, circulating in blood plasma during infection and a subsequent re-infection by a disease-causing microorganism. These responses are brought about by interactions of B-lymphocytes and Tlymphocytes, circulating in the blood system and held in store in lymph nodes, prior to arrival of antigens.

primary response to initial infection

secondary response if same infection (antigen) returns

antibody concentration

5 days time

5 days

a Where do these lymphocytes originate in the body, and by what pathway do they complete maturation, prior to reaching the lymphatic system? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ (3)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

10

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

b Create a fully annotated flow diagram of the steps by which these lymphocytes, activated by encounter with specific antigens, interact to produce a clone of plasma cells that then mass-produce antibodies which can overcome the antigen.

(8) c After antibodies have tackled the antigens (foreign matter) and the disease threat they introduced, the antibodies disappear from the blood and tissue fluid, along with the bulk of the specific lymphocytes responsible for their formation. Yet in the event of a subsequent re-infection an early and effective response is mounted by the body. How is this possible? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ (3)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

11

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

7 a What distinctive features of the mode of action of antibiotics result in the possibility that they are effective against bacteria but always ineffective against viruses?

(6)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

12

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

b What factors in the deployment of antibiotics have resulted in their becoming mixed blessings rather than simply wonder drugs?

(8)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

13

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

c Describe how you have investigated the effectiveness of different antibiotics.

(6) 8 Estimates of the time of death of a body found in mysterious circumstances, made by a forensic scientist, are based upon study of the state of the cadaver on discovery within the context of local environmental conditions. a On death, body temperature is no longer maintained. What factors influence temperature loss by a cadaver, and why?

(5)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

14

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

b i

What conditions in skeletal muscle tissue brings about rigor mortis?

(2) ii Why is the rigidity of the body (due to rigor mortis) lost after 48 hours?

(1) c The bulk of the microbiological decay of the interior of an intact cadaver occurs under anaerobic conditions, and is affected by temperature. Why is this the case?

(2) d The sequence of colonising insects and the stages of their development exhibited may provide a reliable indication of time of death in the case of a body that has lain undiscovered for days and weeks. i Why is this the case?

(2)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009

15

INFECTIONS, IMMUNITY AND FORENSICS: TOPIC TEST

ii A forensic entomologist, called to examine a decaying corpse, first makes a detailed examination of the body and of its immediate environment (as well as collecting samples for further analysis). List the types of observation required and explain why is it essential for this data to be recorded, before any further disturbance to the cadaver occurs.

(8)

Edexcel Biology for A2 Dynamic Learning

Hodder Education 2009