Cambridge International AS & A Level

BIOLOGY

9700/12

Paper 1 Multiple Choice

February/March 2024
1 hour 15 minutes

You must answer on the multiple choice answer sheet.

*2474469207*

You will need: Multiple choice answer sheet

Soft clean eraser
Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended)
INSTRUCTIONS
 There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions.
 For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose the one
you consider correct
and record your choice in soft pencil on the multiple choice answer sheet.
 Follow the instructions on the multiple choice answer sheet.
 Write in soft pencil.
 Write your name, centre number and candidate number on the multiple choice answer
sheet in the
spaces provided unless this has been done for you.
 Do not use correction fluid.
 Do not write on any bar codes.
 You may use a calculator.

INFORMATION
 The total mark for this paper is 40.
 Each correct answer will score one mark.
 Any rough working should be done on this question paper.

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

03_9700_12_2024_1.12b
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1

A student used a light microscope to observe a blood smear on a microscope slide.

An eyepiece graticule was used to measure the diameter of a white blood cell on the
slide. The
student recorded that the white blood cell was 5 eyepiece graticule units in
diameter.
Which additional information does the student need to determine the diameter of the
white blood
cell in micrometres?

calibration of the eyepiece graticule using a stage micrometer only

calibration of the eyepiece graticule using a stage micrometer and the

magnification of the
eyepiece lens

the magnification of the eyepiece lens only

the magnification of the eyepiece lens and the magnification of the objective lens

Which statement explains why it is necessary to use an electron microscope to see

the cristae of
a mitochondrion?
A

The magnification of the electron microscope is greater than that of the light
microscope.

The membranes of the cristae are separated by a distance greater than 200 nm.

The maximum resolution of a microscope using visible light is too low.

The wavelength of an electron beam is longer than the wavelength of visible light.

Some stains can be used to identify cell structures in living cells.

A dilute solution of one stain causes the whole cell to appear blue.
The blue colour rapidly disappears from most cell structures. Those cell structures
that release
energy stay blue.
Which type of cell structure is likely to stay blue?
A

endoplasmic reticulum

Golgi body

lysosome

mitochondrion

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3
4

When mucus is secreted from a goblet cell, these events take place.
1

addition of carbohydrate to protein

fusion of a vesicle with the cell surface membrane

extracellular release of a glycoprotein

separation of a vesicle from the Golgi body

What is the sequence in which these events take place?

1→4→2→3

1→4→3→2

4→1→2→3

4→1→3→2

The diagram shows four biological features.

4
RNA

1
DNA

feature

3
70S
ribosomes

2
capsid

Which biological features are present in typical prokaryotes?

A
1, 2 and 3

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1, 2 and 4

1, 3 and 4

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2, 3 and 4

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6

Which row shows features that occur in dicotyledonous plant cells and also in
typical bacterial
cells?
key
✓ = found in dicotyledonous plant cells and also in typical bacterial cells
✗ = not found in at least one of these two types of cell

70S ribosomes

80S ribosomes

centrioles

circular DNA

✓
Which flow chart outlining the test for non-reducing sugars is correct?

add alkaline
sodium hydrogencarbonate
to sample

neutralise with dilute

hydrochloric acid

add Benedict’s solution

and boil

add alkaline
sodium hydrogencarbonate
to sample

neutralise with dilute

hydrochloric acid

add biuret solution

and boil

boil sample with dilute

hydrochloric acid

neutralise with
sodium hydrogencarbonate

add Benedict’s solution

and boil

boil sample with dilute

hydrochloric acid

neutralise with
sodium hydrogencarbonate

add biuret solution

and boil

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8

Which diagrams show the release of a water molecule during the formation of a
glycosidic bond?

1
CH2OH
H

CH2OH

O H

HO

OH

CH2OH
H

O OH

HO

HO

O OH

O H

HO

OH

H2 O

CH2OH

H2O
3
CH2OH
H

O H

HO

OH
CH2OH
H

O H

HO
A

1, 2 and 3

1 only

H 2O

OH
C

2 and 3 only

3 only

Which molecules have a structural formula that contains C=O bonds?

amino acids

fatty acids

glycerol

protein

1, 2 and 3

1, 2 and 4

1, 3 and 4

D
2, 3 and 4

10 Which statement about triglycerides is correct?

A

In any triglyceride, all the fatty acids are saturated or all the fatty acids are
unsaturated.

Two triglycerides are joined together by an ester bond.

Triglycerides are polar hydrophobic molecules.

Glycerol is joined to each fatty acid by a covalent bond.

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11

Many flowers produce a sweet solution called nectar. Bees provided with nectar use
enzyme Q to
change the nectar into honey.
After testing a sample of nectar for the presence of reducing sugar using standard
laboratory
reagents, the sample was blue. After testing a sample of honey in the same way, the
sample was
orange.
Which conclusion about the reaction catalysed by enzyme Q is consistent with these
results?
type of reaction

substrate

product

condensation

maltose

glucose

condensation

sucrose

fructose

hydrolysis

sucrose

fructose

hydrolysis

maltose

glucose

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12 The diagram shows the structure of part of a peptidoglycan molecule.

CH2OH
O

H
O

OH
H
H

H
H

O
H 3C

CH

H
O

CH2OH
C

NH
HC

CH3

CO
NH
HC

(CH3)2COOH

CO
NH
HC

NH2
(CH3)2CHCOOH

CO
NH
HC
COOH

CH3
Which type of 1,4 linkage and how many peptide bonds are shown in this part of the
molecule?
type of
1,4 linkage

number of
peptide bonds

α-1,4

α-1,4

β-1,4

β-1,4

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13 A scientist investigated the progress of two enzyme-catalysed reactions in
separate test-tubes, X
and Y. Both reactions result in colour changes that can be detected using
colorimetry.
3

0.5 cm samples were taken from each test-tube at the start of the investigation and
at regular
intervals for the next 5 minutes. Copper ions were added to each sample as soon as
the sample
was collected to inactivate the enzymes and stop the reactions from progressing
further.
The absorbance of each sample was measured using a colorimeter.
The graph shows the results of this investigation.

X
percentage
absorbance
Y

time / minutes

Which statement is consistent with the results shown in the graph?

A

The substrate in test-tube X has a higher absorbance than the product.

The product in test-tube Y has a lower absorbance than the substrate.

The rate of the reaction in test-tube X increased with time.

The rate of the reaction in test-tube Y increased with time.

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14 A student investigated the hydrolysis of lipid in high-fat milk, using the
enzyme lipase.
3

1 cm of enzyme solution was added to 10 cm of high-fat milk.

The temperature was kept constant.

The pH of the reaction mixture was recorded at time 0 minutes and every minute for
20 minutes.

Which statements correctly describe the expected results of this investigation?

The product forms more slowly as time proceeds because the concentration of the
substrate is decreasing.

The pH of the reaction mixture increases rapidly in the first few minutes and then
increases less rapidly.

The increase in the concentration of product eventually causes the lipase molecules
to denature.

1, 2 and 3

1 and 2 only

1 and 3 only

2 and 3 only

15 What is the correct range of measurements for the width of the cell surface
membrane?
A

0.5–1.0 nm
B

5–10 nm

50–100 nm

0.5–1.0 μm

16 Where in the cell surface membrane are the carbohydrate chains of glycoproteins
and glycolipids
mainly located?
glycoproteins

glycolipids

inner surface

inner surface

inner surface

outer surface

outer surface

inner surface

outer surface

outer surface

17 Sodium ions can enter cells across the cell surface membrane.
Which methods could be used by sodium ions to cross a cell surface membrane and
enter a cell?
A

active transport only

active transport and facilitated diffusion

facilitated diffusion and simple diffusion

D
simple diffusion only

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18 The diagram shows how an artificial partially permeable membrane was used to
separate a
5% sodium chloride solution and a 10% sodium chloride solution in a beaker. The two
sides of the
beaker were labelled R and S.
partially permeable
membrane

5%
sodium chloride
solution

10%
sodium chloride
solution

Which row correctly describes and explains what will happen in the half of the
beaker labelled S?
description of S

explanation

volume of solution increases

net movement of water from a higher water

potential to a lower water potential

volume of solution increases

net movement of water from a lower water

potential to a higher water potential

volume of solution
decreases

net movement of water from a higher water

potential to a lower water potential

volume of solution
decreases

net movement of water from a lower water

potential to a higher water potential

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19 Agar cubes can be used to demonstrate the effect on diffusion of changing the
surface area to
volume ratio.
Three different agar cubes made using a coloured indicator solution were placed
into a dilute acid
that diffused into the cubes. As the acid diffused into the agar cubes, the colour
of the indicator
solution changed.
3

The cubes had volumes of 1 cm , 2 cm and 3 cm and were left in the dilute acid for
10 minutes.
All other variables were kept the same.
After 10 minutes, the agar cubes were removed from the dilute acid and cut in half.
The cut surfaces
were observed and the results were recorded as diagrams. All diagrams were drawn to
the same
scale.
3

The results for the 2 cm cube are shown.

original colour

Which diagrams show the results for the 1 cm and the 3 cm cubes?

A
1 cm3

3 cm3

B
1 cm3

3 cm3

C
1 cm3

3 cm3

D
1 cm3

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3 cm3

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20 During sperm formation in mammals, part of the structure of each chromosome is
replaced with
proteins called protamines. This replacement allows the DNA to be packaged much
more densely
than would otherwise be possible.
Which part of the chromosome is replaced by protamines?
A

centromeres

chromatids

histones

telomeres

21 The diagram shows the mitotic cell cycle.

During which phase do chromosomes condense and become visible?

cytokinesis

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22 Which statements correctly describe features of stem cells that are essential
for their role in cell
replacement and tissue repair?
1

After mitosis of stem cells, the daughter cells can either remain as stem cells or
follow
a developmental pathway that leads to the formation of specialised cells.

Stem cells are different to all other body cells because they retain all of the
genetic
information in their DNA throughout the life of the organism.

A small population of stem cells is retained in the body of adults throughout their
life
time.

Stem cells have more telomeres than other body cells and this allows them to
undergo
an unlimited number of mitotic divisions.

1, 2, 3 and 4

1, 2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

2, 3 and 4 only

23 Which statements are correct for all nucleotides?

The nitrogen-containing base is always attached to carbon atom 1 of the pentose.

The phosphate group is always attached to carbon atom 5 of the pentose.

A condensation reaction occurs to join the nitrogen-containing base to the pentose.

4

Nucleotides are linked together by condensation reactions between phosphate groups.

1, 2 and 3

1 and 2 only

1, 3 and 4

2, 3 and 4

24 How many phosphodiester bonds are present in a circular DNA molecule of 2700
base pairs?
A

2699

2700

5398

5400

25 Which statements about complementary base pairing are correct?

Purines and pyrimidines are different sizes.

Complementary base pairing occurs during translation.

The base pairs are of different lengths.

Uracil forms two hydrogen bonds with adenine.

1, 2 and 3
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1, 2 and 4

1, 3 and 4

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2, 3 and 4

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26 During the mitotic cell cycle, the chromosomal DNA is replicated. The specific
points in DNA
molecules where replication is occurring are known as replication forks.
A typical human chromosome has about 150 million base pairs of DNA. It takes about
1 hour to
replicate the DNA of a typical human chromosome.
The rate of replication using a single replication fork is approximately 50 base
pairs per second.
Approximately how many replication forks must occur in a typical human chromosome
during DNA
replication?
A

835

41 700

50 000

3 000 000

27 Which molecule has its synthesis directly controlled by DNA?

A

amylase

cholesterol

glycogen

phospholipid

28 Which statement correctly describes the association between a companion cell and
its sieve tube
cell?
A

The companion cell provides all of the ATP used for energy-requiring processes in
both
types of cell.

The companion cell controls the active transport of molecules through the sieve
plates.
C

The companion cell prevents side-to-side movement of assimilates between sieve tube
cells.

The companion cell provides a nucleus that controls cellular activities in both
types of cell.

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29 A maize seedling was grown in soil that contained lanthanum ions labelled with a
chemical that
fluoresces under ultraviolet light. The diagram represents what was observed when a
section of
root was examined using a light microscope with ultraviolet illumination.

key
fluorescence

root hair
xylem

Casparian strip

What is a correct conclusion about the transport of lanthanum ions in maize roots?
A

The ions are not transported through the apoplast pathway or the symplast pathway.

The ions are transported through the apoplast pathway only.

The ions are transported through the apoplast pathway and symplast pathway.

The ions are transported through the symplast pathway only.

30 Which description of adhesion and cohesion is correct?

A

Adhesion refers to the force between the water molecules due to hydrogen bonding.
Cohesion
refers to the force between water molecules and the xylem vessel walls.

Adhesion refers to the reduced friction between hydrophobic lignin walls and the
water
molecules. Cohesion refers to the force between water molecules and the xylem
vessel
walls.

Adhesion refers to the reduced friction between hydrophobic lignin walls and the
water
molecules. Cohesion refers to the force between water molecules due to hydrogen
bonding.

Adhesion refers to the force between the water molecules and the xylem vessel
walls.
Cohesion refers to the force between water molecules due to hydrogen bonding.
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31 Which conditions are needed to allow the mass flow of sucrose in phloem sieve
tubes?
phloem sieve tube in sources

phloem sieve tube in sinks

higher hydrostatic pressure

higher water potential

lower hydrostatic pressure

lower water potential

higher hydrostatic pressure

lower water potential

lower hydrostatic pressure

higher water potential

lower hydrostatic pressure

higher water potential

higher hydrostatic pressure

lower water potential

lower hydrostatic pressure

lower water potential

higher hydrostatic pressure

higher water potential

32 One type of congenital heart defect is where the left and right atria are not
completely separated.
This is called an atrial septal defect (ASD).
ASD usually results in blood moving from the left atrium into the right atrium.
This causes increased
blood pressure in the right atrium and decreased blood pressure in the left atrium.
Which row describes other effects caused by ASD?

blood pressure in
pulmonary artery

blood pressure in
aorta

% oxygenation
of blood in
pulmonary artery

A
decreased

increased

decreased

decreased

increased

increased

increased

decreased

decreased

increased

decreased

increased

33 Which property of water, related to its role in blood and tissue fluid, is
correctly described?
A

Water is a solvent for all biological molecules.

Water is a solvent for most non-polar molecules.

Water requires little energy to increase its temperature because it has a high
specific heat
capacity.

Water cools down slowly because it has a high specific heat capacity.

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34 Which statement about tissue fluid formation is correct?
A

The hydrostatic pressure of blood decreases from the arteriole end to the venule
end of a
capillary.

The water potential is always higher in the blood in the capillaries than in the
tissue fluid in
the surrounding tissues.

No cells move out of the blood in the capillaries into the tissue fluid.

Most tissue fluid formation occurs at the venule end of a capillary.

35 Oxyhaemoglobin, carbaminohaemoglobin, haemoglobinic acid and carbonic anhydrase

are found
inside red blood cells.
How many of these substances will show an overall decrease in concentration as a
red blood cell
passes through capillaries in the lungs?
A

3 only

36 Which of these structures typically contain cartilage and cilia?

bronchi

bronchioles
3

trachea

1, 2 and 3

1 and 2 only

1 and 3 only

37 Which statements about the function of tissues found in the human gas exchange
system are
correct?

Collagen in the bronchi prevents them collapsing.

Smooth muscle in the bronchioles can contract to increase the flow of air into the
alveoli.

Elastic fibres in the alveoli stretch and recoil during breathing.

1 and 2

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1 and 3

2 and 3

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3 only

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38 Antibiotic-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are a major problem
when treating TB.
A new antibiotic, teixobactin, could be very effective at killing M. tuberculosis
with only a small risk
that the bacteria will evolve teixobactin resistance.
Penicillin and similar antibiotics bind to a single protein, but teixobactin binds
to two lipids that are
needed for the formation of the bacterial cell wall. Teixobactin binds to regions
of the two lipids that
do not vary across many different species of bacteria.
Which statements help to explain why the use of teixobactin is thought to be less
likely to lead to
the evolution of antibiotic resistance than the use of many other antibiotics, such
as penicillin?

A single mutation can result in bacteria that are resistant to penicillin and
similar
antibiotics but at least two mutations are required to produce teixobactin-
resistant
bacteria.

Mutations can affect the structure of proteins but cannot affect the structure of
lipids
because only proteins are made of amino acids.

The lack of variation across many species of bacteria in the two lipids that bind
to
teixobactin suggest that the particular structure of these lipids is essential for
successful bacterial cell wall formation.

1, 2 and 3

1 and 2 only

1 and 3 only

2 and 3 only

39 Monoclonal antibodies are now being used to treat some human diseases.
What explains why monoclonal antibodies are suitable for this purpose?

1
They can divide by mitosis to produce the large numbers of antibodies required for
treatment.

They are specific to a particular antigen.

They can be modified so that they do not act as antigens themselves.

1, 2 and 3

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1 only

2 and 3 only

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2 only
19
40 Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus.
The graph shows the number of cases of measles each year in a country before and
after a vaccine
was introduced.
900 000
800 000

vaccination introduced

700 000
600 000
number of
cases of
measles

500 000
400 000
300 000
200 000
100 000
0
1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

year

What could have caused the decrease in the number of cases of measles after
vaccination was
introduced?
vaccines provided
artificial active
immunity in people

vaccines provided
artificial passive
immunity in people

fewer people are

able to act as hosts
for the virus

✓
key

✓ = yes

✗ = no

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