M1.

(a) 387;
1

(b) (i) CCAG;

1

(ii) 5;
1

(c) high energy radiation / X rays / ultraviolet light / gamma rays;

high energy particles / alpha particles / beta particles;
named chemical mutagens e.g. benzene / caffeine / pesticide /
mustard gas / tobacco tar / free radicals;
(two named examples of any of the above = 2 marks)
length of time of exposure (to a mutagen);
dosage (of mutagen);
2 max

(d) (i) UAC UUA UGG;

1

(ii) addition and deletion (of bases/nucleotides);

thymine added;
adenine deleted;
(addition of thymine and deletion of adenine = 3 marks)
(allow addition of adenine (RNA) and deletion of uracil (RNA)
= 2 marks)
3
[9]

M2. (a) (i) join/attach nucleotides, to form a strand/along backbone/

phosphodiester bonds;
(reject reference to H bonds, complementary base pairing)
1

(ii) ribosome/RER;
1

(b) (i) CGTTACCAA;

1

(ii) CGU UAC CAA;

1

(c) substitution;
1

Page 1 of 12
 (d) (i) alanine;
1

(ii) (mutation 1)
no change(to sequence of amino acids);
codon for alanine/degenerate codon/same amino acid coded for;
2

(mutation 2)
(change in sequence) valine replaced by alanine/codon for alanine;
folding/shape/tertiary structure/position of bonds may change;
(reject peptide bonds)
2
[10]

M3. (a) (i) UGC;

1

(ii) TGCTAC;
1

(b) (DNA) contains introns / non-coding bases / mRNA only contains exons /
coding bases;
Assume that ‘it’ refers to DNA
Neutral: DNA contains introns and exons
Neutral: ‘splicing’
Neutral: pre-mRNA contains introns
Ignore refs. to start and stop codons
1

(c) Different primary structure / amino acid sequence / amino acid coded for;
Reject: different amino acids produced / formed
Neutral: refs. to bonds
1

(d) 1. Acetylcholine not broken down / stays bound to receptor;

2. Na+ ions (continue to) enter / (continued) depolarisation / Na+ channels

(kept) open / action potentials / impulses fired (continuously);

3. (Intercostal) muscles stay contracted / cannot relax;

3. ‘Muscles contract’ is not enough
Accept: diaphragm stays contracted / cannot relax
3
[7]

Page 2 of 12
M4. (a) GCAAUG; ;
Allow one mark if T instead of U, i.e. GCAATG
2

(b) (i) DNA is edited/introns present in DNA;

Allow reference to ‘junk’ or non-coding DNA
1

(ii) 220; allow 218 or 219-allow 2

Three bases/nucleotides code for one amino acid;
Correct explanation for 218 or 219;
2

(c) mRNA has no base-pairing, tRNA has base-pairing/ mRNA linear,

tRNA cloverleaf shape; mRNA has no binding site for amino acids,
tRNA has; mRNA different for each gene/many kinds, only few/20/64
kinds of tRNA; accept mRNA longer/larger/more nucleotides than tRNA
max 2
[7]

M5. (a) (i) ACG;

1

(ii) serine;
1

(b) idea that DNA contains introns/ mRNA is only exons/ mRNA is “edited’;
(allow junk/ non-sense DNA)
1

(c) translation cannot occur; binds to/blocks codon/ triplet on mRNA;

anticodon/tRNA will not fit in/base-pair; amino acids not
delivered/ joined;
2 max
[5]

M6. (a) chloroplast, so cell photosynthesises;

moves to optimum/best light intensity for photosynthesis;
avoids damage due to bright light;
2 max

(b) (i) 2700

1

(ii) = 27 225 000 / 27 × 106 = 2 marks

(allow 1 mark for principle: )

2

Page 3 of 12
 (c) (i) rate slightly slower / not affected in first 20/30 minutes / lower
peak than control;
then decreases/ much lower (than control);
(allow 1 mark for increase in first 20/30 minutes, then decreased, if
not compared with control/normal)
(disqualify flagellum grows longer)
2

(ii) 1. actinomycin has no effect (on growth of flagella);

even though mRNA production / transcription prevented;
(accept references to ‘expt 1’)
2. (re)growth little affected by puromycin at first;
protein synthesis inhibited, so likely to be using proteins
present;
4
[11]

M7. (a) (i) C→B→E→F→A→D

Mark links: 5 correct = 2, 4 correct = 1, <4 correct = 0
2

(iii) nucleus;
1

(iii) A, D, F; (ignore E if evident)

1

(b) (i) Isoleucine;

1

(ii) TGG;
1
[6]

M8. (a) (i) ACG;

1

(ii) Serine;
1

Page 4 of 12
 (b) DNA contains introns / (pre) mRNA is edited;
1

(c) (Tetracycline) binds to/blocks mRNA triplet;

Anticodon/tRNA triplet cannot pair with mRNA triplet;
Amino acid not added to polypeptide chain;
Translation prevented;
2 max
[5]

M9. (a) (i) Phosphate and ribose;

Accept in either order. Both correct for one mark.
For phosphate accept PO4 / Pi / but not P.
Do not accept phosphorus.
Ignore references to pentose / sugar.
1

(ii) TAGGCA;
1

(b) (i) Does not contain hydrogen bonds/base pairs /contains

codons / does not contain anticodon / straight/not folded / no
amino acid binding site/longer;
Assume that “it” refers to mRNA.
Do not accept double stranded.
1

(ii) (pre-mRNA) contains introns / mRNA contains only exons;

Assume that “it” refers to pre-mRNA.
Accept non-coding as equivalent to intron.
1

(c) (i)

Part of chromosome U

Middle 18

End 21

One mark for both figures correct

1

Page 5 of 12
 (ii) 1. Different genes;

2. Have different (base) sequences / combinations of (bases);

3. (Pre-mRNA) transcribed from different DNA/codes for different proteins;

Note this question is not about the position of bases on genes.
1. Telomere on end is equivalent.
2 max
[7]

M10. (a) AGC; TTC;

2

(b) anticodon complementary to codon/reads message on mRNA;

specific amino acid;
carried/transferred (to ribosome);
correct sequence of amino acids along polypeptide;
3 max

(c)
(Met) Phe Gln Gln Lys Gln Phe

2
(three/four/five correct 1 mark; six correct 2 marks)
[7]

M11. (a) different form of a gene;

1

(b) hydrogen bonds broken;

semi-conservative replication / both strands used (as templates);
nucleotides line up;
complementary / specific base pairing / A and T / C and G;
DNA polymerase;
4 max

(c) deletion causes frame shift / alters base sequence (from point of mutation);
changes many amino acids / sequence of amino acids (from this point);
substitution alters one codon / triplet;
one amino acid altered / code degenerate / same amino acid coded for;
3 max
[8]

Page 6 of 12
M12. (a) 1. Hydrolysis breaks proteins / hydrolyses proteins / produces amino acids (from
proteins);

2. Protein synthesis involves condensation;

3. Hydrolysis of polysaccharides/lipids linked to energy source

(for synthesising proteins);
Do not award any credit if hydrolysis and condensation confused.
3. Accept hydrolysis of other molecules if related to protein
synthesis.
2 max

(b) Amino acids (from calliphorin) can be joined in different sequences/

rearranged;
1

(c) 1. Fall, rise and fall;

2. Rise after 40 and fall after 80;

Ignore concentration values.
2

(d) (i) Fall / increase then fall;

Lysosomes associated with tissue breakdown;

2

(ii) 1. Tissues/cells are being broken down;

2. RNA is digested/hydrolysed/broken down;

3. By enzymes from lysosomes;

4. New proteins not made / no new RNA made;

2 max

(e) 1. (RNA) associated with making protein;

2. New / adult tissues are forming;

2

(f) 1. In the first 6 days no/little oxygen supplied / with breakdown of

tracheae, no/little oxygen supplied;

2. (Without tracheae) respire anaerobically;

3. Anaerobic respiration involves reactions catalysed by enzyme B /

conversion of pyruvate to lactate/involves lactate production;

4. Enzyme A/Krebs cycle is part of aerobic respiration;

Or, with emphasis on aerobic respiration:
1. Tracheae supply oxygen / after 6 days oxygen supplied;
2. (With tracheae) tissues can respire aerobically.
4
[15]

Page 7 of 12
M13. (a) (i) ATA;
1

(ii) AUA;
1

(b) tRNA ‘clover leaf’ shape; (allow reference to loop / folded structure)
tRNA standard length;
tRNA has an amino acid binding site;
tRNA has anticodon available / three exposed bases;
tRNA has hydrogen bonds (between base pairs);
2 max
[4]

M14. (a) Protein made of (chain of) amino acids;

Each amino acid has its own base code/code;
Triplet codes;
max 2

(b) UCA = 2 marks

TCA – 1 mark;
2

(c) CCG;
GGG GGG;
2

(d) (i) Changes base sequence;

Of later triplets/amino acid codes;
2

(ii) S-phase/interphase;
1

(e) 1. mRNA leaves (nucleus) through nuclear pore;

2. To ribosome;
3. tRNA molecules bring amino acids (to ribosome);
4. Specific tRNA molecule for specific amino acid;
5. Anticodon of tRNA corresponds / complementary to codon on mRNA;
6. Peptide bonds form between amino acids;
7. tRNA detaches and collects another amino acid;
8. Ribosome moves along mRNA;
max 6
[15]

M15. (a) mutation changes the amino acid sequence/primary structure of Factor
VIII protein;
changes the tertiary structure/3D shape;
2

Page 8 of 12
 (b) (mutant) Factor VIII protein is non-functional/does not work with Factor IX;
so no conversion of Factor X to active form and pathway blocked;
2

(c) boy’s blood contains (active) Factor VIII;

Factor VIII haemophiliac’s blood contains (active) Factor IX;
the mixture has both Factors and so the pathway can
complete/blood clots;
2 max
[6]

M16. (i) mRNA attaches to ribosome;

codon on mRNA;
binds to an anti-codon on tRNA;
each tRNA brings a specific amino acid;
sequence of codons/bases on mRNA determines order of amino acids;
formation of peptide bonds/amino acids joined by condensation
reactions;
4 max

(iii) inserted gene/mRNA complementary to normal gene/mRNA;

binds to it to prevent protein synthesis/form double strand/prevents
mRNA binding to ribosomes;
will not stop all translation, some mRNA reaches ribosomes/
because not all mRNA is bound by inserted gene mRNA;
2 max
[6]

M17. (a) RNA polymerase;

DNA polymerase is incorrect
Ignore references to RNA dependent or DNA dependent
Allow phonetic spelling
1

(b) (i) (Receptor/transcription factor) binds to promoter;

Stimulates RNA polymerase/enzyme X;

Transcribes gene/increase transcription;

2 max

(ii) Other cells do not have the/oestrogen/ERα receptors;

But do not accept receptors in general.
1

Page 9 of 12
 (c) Similar shape to oestrogen;

Binds receptor/prevents oestrogen binding;

Receptor not activated/will not attach to promoter/no transcription;

Accept alternative
Complementary to oestrogen;
Binds to oestrogen;
Will not fit receptor;
2 max
[6]

M18. (a) high energy radiation /ionising particles;

named particles/α, β, γ;
colchicine;
x rays/cosmic rays;
uv (light);
carcinogen / named carcinogen;
mustard gas / phenols / tar (qualified);
1 max

(b) (i) removal of one or more bases/nucleotide;

frameshift/(from point of mutation) base sequence change;
2

(ii) sequence of bases in mRNA would change;

(sequence of) amino acids different / different primary structure;
(active site / enzyme 1) changed tertiary shape / changed active
sites;
white pigment does not bind;
lilac pigment not produced / white pigment remains unchanged/
enzyme 1 does not function;
4 max

(iii) blue and lilac; white;

colour of petal

(white)

blue

lilac;

white;
2
[9]

Page 10 of 12
M19. (a)
DNA 2

mRNA 1

tRNA 1
One mark for each correct column
Regard blank as incorrect in the context of this question
Accept numbers written out: two, one, one
2

(b) (i) Marking principles

1 mark for complete piece transcribed;
Correct answer
UGU CAU GAA UGC UAG

1 mark for complementary bases from sequence transcribed;

but allow 1 mark for complementary bases from section
transcribed, providing all four bases are involved
2

(ii) Marking principle

1 mark for bases corresponding to exons taken from (b)(i)
Correct answer
UGU UGC UAG
If sequence is incorrect in (b)(i), award mark if section is from
exons. Ignore gaps.
1
[5]

Page 11 of 12
Page 12 of 12