AS Biology 9700 February 2024

Term 1- Test
Grade 12

Name:

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 in the box 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.

Total: 25 marks
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1 The cells in a tissue are often at different stages of the cell cycle.

(a) Fig. 1.1 shows cells at different stages of the cell cycle.

Fig. 1.1

(i) Identify the stages of mitosis occurring in the cells labelled B and C in Fig. 1.1.

B ........................................................................................................................................

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

(ii) Describe the behaviour of the chromosomes in the stage of mitosis shown in cell A in
Fig. 1.1.

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© UCLES 2023 9700/23/M/J/23

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(iii) Cell D in Fig. 1.1 is in interphase.

Describe the role of DNA ligase in interphase.

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(b) Telomerase is an enzyme that is active during interphase in some cells.

Telomerase helps to maintain telomeres present on chromosomes.

(i) State the location of telomeres on a chromosome.

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(ii) Some people with a long lifespan have cells showing a higher than normal activity of
telomerase.

Suggest why a long lifespan could result from a higher telomerase activity.

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[Total: 11]

c. State the importance of telomeres in chromosomes…………………………………………………………………………………

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© UCLES 2023 9700/23/M/J/23 [Turn over

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3 Malaria is a disease caused by the protoctist, Plasmodium. The organism has a very complex life

Fig. 3.1 is a transmission electron micrograph showing the developing Plasmodium cells inside a
protective structure known as an oocyst. In this stage of the life cycle the oocysts are found in the
mosquito gut. When mature, the Plasmodium cells are released and travel to the salivary glands
of the mosquito.

20 μm

Fig. 3.1

(c) The magnification used in Fig. 3.1 can also be obtained using a light microscope.
Suggest why an electron microscope was used to obtain this image instead of a light
microscope.

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(d) Use the scale bar to calculate the magnification of the image shown in Fig. 3.1.

Write down the formula and use it to make your calculation. Show your working.

formula

magnification × ...........................................................[3]

[Total: ]
2: Cells as the basic units of life 3 Copyright (c) UCLES 2018
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6 Fig. 6.1 shows an incomplete diagram of the fluid mosaic model of membrane structure. The
diagram shows the cell surface membrane of a eukaryotic cell.

Fig. 6.1

(a) State what is meant by the term fluid mosaic.

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(b) State the thickness of a cell surface membrane.

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(c) List four features of cell surface membranes of eukaryotic cells that are not visible in Fig. 6.1.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

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2 ................................................................................................................................................

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3 ................................................................................................................................................

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4 ................................................................................................................................................

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[Total: 7]

2: Cells as the basic units of life 4 Copyright (c) UCLES 2018