Q1.

A student investigated the effect of putting cylinders cut from a potato into sodium chloride
solutions of different concentration. He cut cylinders from a potato and weighed each
cylinder. He then placed each cylinder in a test tube. Each test tube contained a different
concentration of sodium chloride solution. The tubes were left overnight. He then removed
the cylinders from the solutions and reweighed them.

(a) Before reweighing, the student blotted dry the outside of each cylinder. Explain why.
(2)

The student repeated the experiment several times at each concentration of sodium
chloride solution. His results are shown in the graph.

(b) The student made up all the sodium chloride solutions using a 1.0 mol dm–3 sodium
chloride solution and distilled water.

Complete the table to show how he made 20 cm3 of a 0.2 mol dm–3 sodium chloride
solution.

Volume of 1.0 mol dm–3 sodium chloride Volume of distilled

solution water

(1)

Page 1 of 15
 (c) The student calculated the percentage change in mass rather than the change in
mass. Explain the advantage of this.
(2)

(d) The student carried out several repeats at each concentration of sodium chloride
solution. Explain why the repeats were important.
(2)

(e) Use the graph to find the concentration of sodium chloride solution that has the
same water potential as the potato cylinders.
(1)
(Total 8 marks)

Q2.
The diagram shows part of a plasma membrane. The arrows show the path taken by
sodium ions and by substance X when they diffuse through the membrane into a cell.

(a) An optical microscope cannot be used to see a plasma membrane. Explain why.
(2)

(b) Give one property of the molecules of substance X which allows them to diffuse
through the membrane at the position shown.
(1)

(c) The effect of the concentration of sodium ions in the surrounding solution on their
rate of diffusion across the membrane was investigated. The graph shows the
results.

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 (i) What limits the diffusion of sodium ions across the membrane between
A and B on the graph? Give the evidence for your answer.
(2)

(ii) Explain the shape of the curve between C and D.

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q3.
The diagram shows the structure of the cell-surface membrane of a cell.

(a) Name A and B.

(2)

(b) (i) C is a protein with a carbohydrate attached to it. This carbohydrate is formed
by joining monosaccharides together. Name the type of reaction that joins
monosaccharides together.

Name the type of reaction that joins monosaccharides together.

(1)

(ii) Some cells lining the bronchi of the lungs secrete large amounts of mucus.
Mucus contains protein.

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 Name one organelle that you would expect to find in large numbers in a
mucus-secreting cell and describe its role in the production of mucus.
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q4.
The water potential of leaf cells is affected by the water content of the soil.

Scientists grew sunflower plants. They supplied different plants with different volumes of
water.

After two days, they determined the water potential in the leaf cells by using an instrument
that gave a voltage reading.

The scientists generated a calibration curve to convert the voltage readings to water
potential.

Figure 1 shows their calibration curve.

Figure 1

(a) The scientists needed solutions of known water potential to generate their calibration
curve.

Table 1 shows how to make a sodium chloride solution with a water potential of
−1.95 MPa

Complete Table 1 by giving all headings, units and volumes required to make
20 cm3 of this sodium chloride solution.

Table 1

Water Concentration of Volume of

potential / sodium chloride 1 mol dm−3 sodium
MPa solution / mol dm−3 chloride solution / ________________

_________________ ___________/ ____

−1.95 0.04 _________________ ________________

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 (2)

Table 2 shows some of the concentrations of sodium chloride solution the scientists used
and the water potential of each solution.

Table 2

Concentration of Water
sodium chloride potential / MPa
solution / mol dm−3
0.04 −1.95
0.10 −4.87
0.12 −5.84

(b) There is a linear relationship between the water potential and the concentration of
sodium chloride solution.

Use the data in Table 2 to calculate the concentration of sodium chloride solution
with a water potential of −3.41 MPa
(2)

In addition to determining the water potential in the leaf cells, the scientists measured the
growth of the leaves.

They recorded leaf growth as a percentage increase of the original leaf area.

Their results are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

(c) One leaf with an original area of 60 cm2 gave a voltage reading of −7 µV

Use Figure 1 and Figure 2 to calculate by how much this leaf increased in area.
Give your answer in cm2
(2)

(d) Sunflowers are not xerophytic plants. The scientists repeated the experiment with
xerophytic plants.

Suggest and explain one way the leaf growth of xerophytic plants would be different
from the leaf growth of sunflowers in Figure 2.
(2)

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 (e) Use your knowledge of gas exchange in leaves to explain why plants grown in soil
with very little water grow only slowly.
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Q5.
The figure below shows the processes involved in absorbing amino acids into a capillary
from the small intestine.

(i) Name processes A, B and C. In each case, give the evidence for your answer.
(3)

(ii) Explain how process B creates the conditions for process A to occur.
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q6.
(a) Describe the roles of iron ions, sodium ions, and phosphate ions in cells.
(5)

(b) The movement of substances across cell membranes is affected by membrane

structure. Describe how.
(5)
(Total 10 marks)

Q7.
The diagram outlines the digestion and absorption of lipids.

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(a) Tick (✔) the box by the name of the process by which fatty acids and glycerol enter
the intestinal epithelial cell.

Active transport

Diffusion

Endocytosis

Osmosis

(1)

(b) Explain the advantages of lipid droplet and micelle formation.

(3)

(c) Name structure Q in the diagram above and suggest how it is involved in the

Page 7 of 15
 absorption of lipids.
(4)
(Total 8 marks)

Q8.
(a) Cells lining the ileum of mammals absorb the monosaccharide glucose by co-
transport with sodium ions. Explain how.
(3)

A student set up the experiment shown in the diagram below.

The material from which Visking tubing is made is partially permeable.

After 15 minutes, the student removed samples from the liquid in the beaker and from the
liquid inside the Visking tubing. She carried out biochemical tests on these samples. She
drew the table below to record her results.

(b) Complete the table by placing a tick (✔) in each box that you expect to have shown
a positive result.

Liquid from Liquid inside

Biochemical test
beaker Visking tubing

Biuret reagent

Iodine in potassium
iodide

Benedict’s solution

(3)

(c) Justify your answers to part (b).

(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Page 8 of 15
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) Water will affect the mass / only want to measure water taken up or lost;

Amount of water on cylinders varies / ensures same amount of water on

outside;
Neutral: removes water
Accept: ‘(sodium chloride) solution’ for water
Do not accept ‘sodium chloride’
Neutral: refs. to fair testing
2

(b) 4 cm3 (of 1.0 mol dm–3 sodium chloride solution) and 16 cm3 (of distilled water);
Reject: factors and multiples of these figures e.g. 2 cm3 and
8 cm3, as final volume should be 20 cm3
1

(c) Allows comparison / shows proportional change;

Idea that cylinders have different starting masses / weights;

Reject: if comparison is in context of the start and final mass
of the same cylinder
Neutral: different masses
Neutral: different starting sizes
2

(d) (Allows) anomalies to be identified / ignored / effect of anomalies to be

reduced / effect of variation in data to be minimised;

Makes the average / mean / line of best fit more reliable / allows concordant
results;
Accept: ‘outliers’ instead of anomalies
Q Reject: abnormalities
Reject: idea of not recording anomalies / preventing
anomalies from occurring
Accept: ‘cancels out anomalies’ as bottom line response
Q Reject: makes the average / mean more accurate
Neutral: makes the average / mean more valid
Neutral: makes ‘it’ / results / conclusion more reliable
2

(e) 0.35 (mol dm–3)

1
[8]

Q2.
(a) Does not have the resolution / cannot distinguish between points this close together;
As light has longer wavelength;
The key ideas in marking this part of the question are resolution and wavelength.
2

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 (b) Lipid soluble / small / non-polar / not charged;
1

(c) (i) Concentration of sodium ions (outside cell);

As concentration / independent variable increases so does
the rate of diffusion;
2

(ii) Sodium ions are passing through the channels / pores at their maximum
rate;
Rate is limited by the number of sodium channels / another limiting
factor;
2
[7]

Q3.
(a) 1. A: phospholipid (layer);
1. Reject hydrophobic / hydrophilic phospholipid

2. B: pore / channel / pump / carrier / transmembrane / intrinsic / transport

protein;
2. Ignore unqualified reference to protein
2

(b) (i) Condensation (reaction);

1

(ii) Organelle named; Function in protein production / secretion;

Function must be for organelle named
Incorrect organelle = 0

eg

1. Golgi (apparatus);
1. Accept smooth endoplasmic reticulum

2. Package / process proteins;

OR

3. Rough endoplasmic reticulum / ribosomes;

3. Accept alternative correct functions of rough endoplasmic
reticulum. ER / RER is insufficient
3. Accept folding polypeptide / protein

4. Make polypeptide / protein / forming peptide bonds;

OR

5. Mitochondria;

6. Release of energy / make ATP;

6. Reject produce / make energy
6. Accept produce energy in the form of ATP

Page 10 of 15
 OR

7. Vesicles;

8. Secretion / transport of protein;

2
[5]

Q4.
(a)
Water Concentration of Volume of
potential / sodium chloride 1 mol dm−3 sodium Volume of water
MPa solution / chloride solution / __________________
mol dm−3 cm3
cm3 ____________/ ____
__________________
0.8
19.2
−1.95 0.04 ___________________
__________________
_
1 mark for each row.
If values do not match the given unit, max 1.
Accept dm3 / mm3 for volume unit.
Accept 0.0008/8 x 10−4 and 0.0192/1.92 x 10−2
Accept 800 and 19200
Ignore units in 2nd row.
Do not accept mm−3/cm−3/dm−3/ ml
2

(b) Correct answer of 0.07 (mol dm−3) = 2 marks;;

Incorrect answer 1 mark for any evidence of

48.6 to 48.8
OR
0.02
OR
0.7
OR
A final answer between 0.04 and 0.10
OR
A final answer of minus 0.07/−0.07;
Ignore minus signs on other 1 mark options.
2

(c) Correct answer of 9 (cm2) = 2 marks;;

Incorrect answer 1 mark for evidence of water potential of

between -1.85 and -1.95 (MPa)
OR
growth of 15%
OR
69 (cm2)
OR
A final answer between 8.7 and <9;

Page 11 of 15
 Allow 9.0
Accept correct reading labelled on the graph
shown on Figure 1 or Figure 2.
2

(d) EITHER

1. Low/slow growth;

2. Due to smaller number/area of stomata (for gas exchange);

OR

3. Growth may continue at lower water potentials;

4. (Due to) adaptations in enzymes involved in photosynthesis/metabolic

reactions;
Mark as pair – 1 and 2 OR 3 and 4.
Reference to stomata must not relate only to water loss.
2 max

(e) 1. Stomata close;

2. Less carbon dioxide (uptake) for less photosynthesis/glucose

production;
‘Less’ only required once.
Reject ‘no photosynthesis’ but accept ‘carbon dioxide can’t enter
so less photosynthesis’.
Ignore oxygen for respiration but reject oxygen for photosynthesis.
Ignore less water for photosynthesis.
Accept only correct chemical formulae.
For ‘glucose’ accept named product of photosynthesis eg triose
phosphate, TP, amino acid, lipid.
2
[10]

Q5.
(i) In all cases reject ‘energy’ unless qualified

A – facilitated diffusion as transport protein needed but ATP not needed;

B – active transport ‘energy’ unless as (transport protein and) ATP needed;
qualified
C – (simple) diffusion as neither ATP nor transport protein needed;
(Ignore all references to concentration gradients)
3

(ii) creates low concentration of amino acids / Na+ in cell concentration gradient
established between lumen and cell (of amino acids or Na+)
2
[5]

Q6.
(a)

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 Must have MP1 for 5 max
3 max for sodium and 3 max for phosphate

Iron ions

1. Haemoglobin binds/associates with oxygen

OR
Haemoglobin transports/loads oxygen;
Ignore reference to 2+ or 3+ in Fe2+ or Fe3+

Sodium ions

2. Co-transport of glucose/amino acids (into cells);

3. (Because) sodium moved out by active transport/Na – K pump;

4. Creates a sodium concentration/diffusion gradient;

5. Affects osmosis/water potential;

Phosphate ions

6. Affects osmosis/water potential;

Accept 5. OR 6. – not both

7. Joins nucleotides/in phosphodiester bond/in backbone of DNA/RNA/in

nucleotides;

8. Used in/to produce ATP;

Reject ‘energy produced’

9. Phosphorylates other compounds (usually) making them more reactive;

10. Hydrophilic/water soluble part of phospholipid bilayer/membrane;

Accept for 1 mark,
Sodium ions cause water reabsorption in kidneys
OR
Sodium ions establish resting potential (in neurones)
OR
Sodium ion diffusion creates action potential
5 max

(b) 1. Phospholipid (bilayer) allows movement/diffusion of non-polar/lipid-

soluble substances;
1. and 2. Accept correct named examples
1. and 2. Ignore water
Accept phospholipid (bilayer) allows movement/diffusion of O2/CO2
Accept water-insoluble

2. Phospholipid (bilayer) prevents movement/diffusion of polar/

charged/lipid-insoluble substances
OR
(Membrane) proteins allow polar/charged substances to cross the
membrane/bilayer;
Accept water-soluble

Page 13 of 15
 3. Carrier proteins allow active transport;

4. Channel/carrier proteins allow facilitated diffusion/co-transport;

Accept aquaporins allow osmosis

5. Shape/charge of channel / carrier determines which substances move;

6. Number of channels/carriers determines how much movement;

7. Membrane surface area determines how much diffusion/movement;

6. and 7. Accept correct reference to faster/slower/rate for ‘how
much movement’
Accept microvilli / Golgi (apparatus) / ER / rER
Accept surface area to volume for ‘surface area’

8. Cholesterol affects fluidity/rigidity/permeability;

Accept cholesterol affects vesicle formation/
endocytosis/exocytosis/phagocytosis;
5 max
[10]

Q7.
(a) Diffusion
Automarker
1

(b) 1. Droplets increase surface areas (for lipase / enzyme

action);
2. (So) faster hydrolysis / digestion (of triglycerides /
lipids);
3. Micelles carry fatty acids and glycerol /
monoglycerides to / through membrane / to (intestinal
epithelial) cell;
1. Context is important
1. Reject micelles increase surface area
2. Ignore ‘breakdown’
3. Ignore ‘small enough’
3. Accept description of membrane
3. Reject any movement through membrane proteins
3

(c) 1. Golgi (apparatus);

2. Modifies / processes triglycerides;
3. Combines triglycerides with proteins;
4. Packaged for release / exocytosis
OR
Forms vesicles;
Ignore ‘processes and packages’ unqualified
2. Reject synthesises triglycerides
3. Accept ‘forms / are lipoproteins’
4
[8]

Page 14 of 15
Q8.
(a) 1. Sodium ions actively transported from ileum cell to blood;

2. Maintains / forms diffusion gradient for sodium to enter cells from gut (and with
it, glucose);

3. Glucose enters by facilitated diffusion with sodium ions;

3

(b)

Biochemical Liquid from Liquid inside

test beaker Visking tubing

Biuret reagent ✔

I2/KI ✔ or blank

Benedict’s ✔ ✔

1 mark for each correct row

3

(c) 1. Biuret: protein molecules too large to pass through tubing;

Neutral: enzyme molecules

2. Iodine in potassium iodide solution: starch molecules too large to pass through
tubing;
If no tick in 04.2, allow no starch hydrolysed

3. Benedict’s: starch hydrolysed to maltose, which is able to pass through tubing.

Reject: glucose
3
[9]

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