Year 12 F212 Unit 1

Question Year Topic Marks

My Score

1 2(b) Jun-09 immunity 8

2 3(d) Jun-09 reducing sugars 6

3 2(b) Jan-10 properties of water 8

4 3(c) Jan-10 antibiotic resistance 4

5 4(b) Jan-10 R groups and proteins 4

6 6(b) Jan-10 DNA replication 7

7 2(b) Jan-11 enzyme concentration 7

8 7(a) Jan-11 globular proteins 7

9 7(b) Jan-11 similarities in protein

structure 4

10 7(b) Jun-11 DNA replication 7

11 1(b) Jan-12 water properies 9

12 4(d)(i) Jun-12 tests for reducing sugar 5

13 2(b)(ii) Jan-13 RNA 6

14 1(b)(ii) Jun-13 structure of collagen 6

Scientists are developing a vaccine using an attenuated (inactive) form of the malarial parasite. The

aim is to trigger an immune response without the development of the disease. Describe the actions

of the B lymphocytes in the immune response. In your answer you should make clear how the steps

in this part of the immune response are sequenced. (2(b) June 09, 8 marks)

Scientists are developing a vaccine using an attenuated (inactive) form of the malarial parasite. The

aim is to trigger an immune response without the development of the disease. Describe the actions

of the B lymphocytes in the immune response. In your answer you should make clear how the steps

in this part of the immune response are sequenced. (3(d) June 09, 6marks)

Ponds provide a very stable environment for aquatic organisms.

Three properties of water that contribute to this stability are as follows:

the density of water decreases as the temperature falls below 4 °C so ice floats on the

it acts as a solvent for ions such as nitrates (NO3–)

a large quantity of energy is required to raise the temperature of water by 1 °C.

Explain how these three properties help organisms survive in the pond. In your answer you should

make clear the links between the behaviour of the water molecules and the survival of the

organisms. (2(b) Jan 10, 8 marks)

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is becoming an increasing problem. Describe how a sulfonamide-

resistant population of bacteria could develop. (3(c) Jan 10, 4 marks)

Each amino acid has a different R group. Describe how these R groups can interact to determine the

tertiary structure of a protein. (4(b) Jan 10, 4 marks)

Before a cell divides, the DNA needs to be accurately replicated. Describe how a DNA molecule is

replicated. In your answer you should make clear how the steps in the process are sequenced.

(6(b) Jan 10, 7 marks)

Amylase is an enzyme that hydrolyses amylose to maltose. Maltose, like glucose, is a reducing sugar. A student investigated the action of amylase on amylose. She mixed amylase with amylose and placed the mixture in a water bath. Describe how she could measure the change in concentration of maltose (reducing sugar) as the reaction proceeds. In your answer, you should ensure that the steps in the procedure are sequenced correctly.

(2(b) Jan 11, 7 marks)

Haemoglobin is a globular protein. Describe the structure of a haemoglobin molecule. In your

answer, you should include details of the secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of the

molecule. (7(a) Jan 11, 7 marks)

Describe the ways in which the structure of collagen is similar to the structure of haemoglobin.

(7(b) Jan 11, 4 marks)

Describe how the DNA molecule replicates. In your answer, you should make clear the sequence of

events. (7(b) June 11, 7 marks)

Fig. 1.2 shows a hydrogen bond between two water molecules.

Many of the physical properties of water arise as a result of these hydrogen bonds. Describe ways in

which the physical properties of water allow organisms to survive over a range of temperatures. In

your answer you should make clear links between the properties of water and the survival of

organisms. (1(b) Jan 12, 9 marks)

The student did not have access to a colorimeter when testing solutions for the presence of reducing

sugar. Describe how the student could carry out a chemical test for reducing sugar and suggest how

he could estimate the amount of reducing sugar in the sample from tube A. (4(d)(i) June 12, 5 marks)

One type of cell involved in an immune response is a plasma cell, which releases antibodies. Plasma cells contain RNA. Outline the roles of RNA in plasma cells. In your answer you should give an account of the different roles of RNA. (2(b)(ii) Jan 13, 6 marks)

Describe the structure of the collagen molecule. (1(b)(ii) June 13, 6 marks)

Year 12 F212 Unit 2

Question Year Topic Marks

My score

1 5(c) Jan-10 cardiovascular disease 4

2 5(a)(ii) Jun-10 non-specific response to disease 6

3 5(b)(ii) Jun-10 antibiody structure and function 7

4 4(c)(i) Jan-11 parasites 4

5 5(b) Jun-11 lung cancer 6

6 3(b)Iiii) Jan-12 cholesterol and cardiovascular

disease 7

7 5(b)(i) Jun-12 smoking 7

8 5(b)(iii) Jun-12 smoking - COPD 5

9 2(b)(iii) Jan-13 antibody activity 4

10 7(b) Jan-13 microorganisms and food 8

11 3(a)(v) Jun-13 phagocytosis 7

An atheroma can grow to a point where it restricts blood flow in a coronary artery, causing coronary

heart disease (CHD).

Fig 5.2 shows a method of reducing the symptoms of CHD.

A stent is a tubular device, containing a ‘balloon’, which can be inserted into the damaged artery.

The stent can be opened up by inflating the balloon.

Explain how the inserted stent would reduce the symptoms of CHD. (5(c) Jan 10, 4 marks)

In an individual with bronchitis, the mucus contains a large number of pathogenic bacteria. Phagocytic white blood cells destroy the bacteria. Fig. 5.1 shows the sequence of events that results in the destruction of a bacterium. Describe the events taking place at stages A, B, C and D, in sequence. (5(a)(ii) June 10, 6 marks)

Describe how the structure of an antibody molecule is related to its function. In your answer you

must clearly link structure and function. (5(b)(ii) June 10, 7 marks)

Define the term parasite and suggest how the threadworm benefits from this relationship. (4(c)(i) Jan 11, 4 marks)

Describe how smoking contributes to the development of lung cancer. In your answer, you should make clear the links between smoking and the development of lung cancer. (5(b) June 11, 6 marks)

LDL and a similar molecule, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), carry cholesterol in the blood. LDL and

HDL affect the formation of atheromas in the arteries.

Describe the different ways in which LDLs and HDLs affect the formation of atheromas. In your

answer you should make clear the differences in the involvement of LDL and HDL in the formation of

atheromas. (3(b)Iiii) Jan 12, 7 marks)

One of the symptoms of smoking is the development of a smoker’s cough. Explain how smoking

causes a smoker’s cough and how the cough itself can lead to further problems in the lungs over a

long period of time.

In your answer you should clearly distinguish between the development of the cough and the

effects of prolonged coughing. (5(b)(i) June 12, 7 marks)

One form of COPD develops because enzymes are released by phagocytes entering the alveoli. This

enzyme action can break down elastin in the lining of the bronchioles and alveoli. Use the example

of elastin breakdown to explain the induced-fit hypothesis of enzyme action.

(5(b)(iii) June 12, 5 marks)

One type of cell involved in an immune response is a plasma cell, which releases antibodies.

Plasma cells contain RNA.

Outline the roles of RNA in plasma cells.

In your answer you should give an account of the different roles of RNA. (2(b)(iii) Jan 13, 4 marks)

Protein known as mycoprotein is promoted as a healthy alternative to meat. Mycoprotein is made

using fungal microorganisms.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using microorganisms to produce protein for human

consumption.

In your answer you should consider a range of advantages and disadvantages. (7(b) Jan 13, 8 marks)

Bacterial pathogens initially attach to receptors on the surface of phagocytes. Describe the process

by which a pathogen is destroyed after it has become attached to the surface of a phagocyte. In your

answer you should describe clearly the sequence of events that takes place.

(3(a)(v) June 13, 7 marks)

Year 12 F212 Unit 3

Question Year Topic Marks

My score

1 4(b)(i) Jun-09 conservation in situ and

ex situ 4

2 5(c) Jun-09 natural selection 4

3 6(a)(i) Jun-09 effects of smoking 6

4 2(c) Jun-10 classification 4

5 1(c) Jun-11 insecticide 4

6 2(c)(iii) Jan-12 adaptation 5

7 4(b)(iii) Jan-12 adaptation 4

8 5(c)(ii) Jan-12 conservation of species 4

9 3(a) Jun-12 adaptation 4

10 3(c) Jun-12 variation 7

11 7(b) Jun-13 selective breeding 7

A captive breeding programme has been set up in an effort to save the white-backed vulture. Three

centres in India have been built, each housing up to 40 individuals. These vultures have been

collected from different areas of the Indian subcontinent.

Explain why the decision was made to conserve the species in captivity (ex situ) rather than in the

wild (in situ). (4(b)(i) June 09, 4 marks)

Over a period of time, mildew can overcome the resistance bred into the wheat. Use the theory of

natural selection to explain how the mildew fungus adapts to overcome this resistance.

(5(c) June 09, 4 marks)

Describe how smoking could cause changes in alveoli. In your answer you should make the links

between the changes and their causes clear. (6(a)(i) June 09, 6 marks)

The classification of organisms into domains is relatively new. Describe the differences between a

classification system based on domains and one based on kingdoms. (2(c) June 10, 4 marks)

Insect pests, such as aphids, can reduce yield in rye plants by piercing the phloem and removing

materials. Aphids can be killed using an insecticide. However, over a period of time, an increasing

concentration of insecticide is required to control the aphid population. Explain why this is the case.

(1(c) June 11, 4 marks)

Suggest how the effects of insecticide use on a population of Anopheles mosquitoes could be measured and state the steps that should be taken in order to produce valid and reliable results.

(2(c)(iii) Jan 12, 5 marks)

Species that are more closely related in evolutionary terms have more genes in common than

species that are less closely related. Using the information provided, suggest the likely genetic

relationship between the three parrot species. (4(b)(iii) Jan 12, 4 marks)

Many botanic gardens use seed banks as a method of plant conservation. Outline the advantages of

using a seed bank, as opposed to adult plants, in order to conserve an endangered plant species.

(5(c)(ii) Jan 12, 4 marks)

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly. Many species of bat hunt flying insects at night. Bats

are able to use sound waves (echolocation) in order to help them find their prey in the dark. Suggest

how the ability to use echolocation may have evolved from an ancestor that did not have that

ability. (3(a) June 12, 4 marks)

The soprano pipistrelle has an echolocation call that is ‘high pitched’ (between 52 and 60 kHz). The

common pipistrelle has an echolocation call that is ‘low pitched’ (between 42 and 47 kHz). Variation

within and between species can be as a result of genetic or environmental factors. Whatever the

causes of variation, the type of variation displayed can occur in two different forms.

Using the pipistrelle as an example, describe the key features of both forms of variation. In your

answer you should make it clear how genes and environment relate to each form of variation.

(3(c) June 12, 7marks)

Describe how it is possible to use selective breeding to improve the overall disease resistance of a

crop, such as potatoes, in both the short and long term. In your answer you should include

precautions that should be taken to ensure disease susceptibility does not become a problem in the

future. (7(b) June 13, 7 marks)