\

4 The graph shows the oxygen dissociation curves of haemoglobin from four species of
mammal.

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100
Key
Percentage saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen (%)

 Elephant
 Horse
80  Cat
 Mouse

60

40

20

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0
0 5 10 15
Oxygen partial pressure / kPa

(a) Explain the shape of the haemoglobin dissociation curve.

(3)

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................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8
*P51462A0824*


(b) Calculate how much more oxygen is released as the partial pressure falls from 10 kPa to
5 kPa in the mouse than in the cat.
(3)
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Answer ........................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Explain why the dissociation curve for mouse haemoglobin is to the right-hand
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side of the dissociation curve for elephant haemoglobin.

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(3)

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(d) Some species of horse live at high altitudes where the partial pressure of oxygen
is very low.
Draw a curve on the graph to show the oxygen dissociation curve of these horses.
(1)

(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)

9
*P51462A0924* Turn over
Question
Answer Additional Guidance Mark
Number
4(a) An explanation that that makes reference to three of the
following:

 (haemoglobin) {saturated / high affinity / IGNORE concentration of oxygen

associates} at high ppO2
OR
(haemoglobin) {less saturated / low affinity /
dissociates}
at low ppO2 (1)

 binding of the first oxygen molecule is difficult (1)

 changes shape of haemoglobin molecule (1)

 therefore facilitates binding of other oxygen

molecules (1) (3)

Question
Answer Additional Guidance Mark
Number
4(b) example of calculation

 correct values read from graphs (1) cat 95 and 50

mouse 80 and 31

 subtraction for cat and for mouse (1) cat 45% mouse 49%

 difference calculated (1) 49 – 45 = 4

ACCEPT 2 marks if incorrect values

read from graph (3)
Question
Answer Additional Guidance Mark
Number
4(c) An explanation that that makes reference to three of the
following:

 mouse (haemoglobin) {releases more oxygen / ACCEPT converse for all Mps
lower affinity / dissociates more / is less saturated}
at the same ppO2 / mouse (haemoglobin) is
saturated at a higher ppO2 (1)

 mice {cells / tissues} need more oxygen /

mice have higher {respiration rate / metabolic rate}
(1)

 because mice have larger surface area to volume

ratio (1)

 therefore mice lose more heat (1) (3)

Question
Answer Additional Guidance Mark
Number
4(d)
 curve drawn to the left of the horse curve
(1)
 (c) In mammals, the mother and fetus have separate circulatory systems. Materials
are exchanged between the two circulatory systems in the placenta.
The graph shows the oxygen dissociation curves for adult and fetal haemoglobin.

100 –
Percentage oxygen saturation (%)

80 –

60 – Key:
Adult haemoglobin
Fetal haemoglobin
40 –

20 –

0–
–

–
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Partial pressure of oxygen / kPa

(i) Calculate the percentage increase in oxygen saturation between adult

haemoglobin and fetal haemoglobin at an oxygen concentration of 4 kPa.
(2)

Answer ....................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16
60
*S47567A01628* Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Biology B
Sample Assessment Materials – Issue 1 – December 2014 © Pearson Education Limited 2014
 (ii) Explain why fetal haemoglobin ensures the transfer of oxygen from the
maternal to the fetal circulation.
(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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The oxygen dissociation curve for myoglobin is different from that for adult
haemoglobin.
(iii) Draw a line on the graph to show the dissociation curve for myoglobin.
(1)
(iv) The table shows the results of an investigation to measure the myoglobin
content in the muscle tissue of two different mammals.

Myoglobin concentration in muscle tissue / mg g–1

Dolphin Whale
25 68

Explain why the difference in myoglobin concentration affects the time

mammals can spend underwater.
(3)

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(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)

17
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Biology B
Sample Assessment Materials – Issue 1 – December 2014 © Pearson Education Limited 2014 *S47567A01728* Turn over
61
 80

Question Answer Additional guidance Mark

Number
6(a) An explanation that makes reference to the following:

• to move molecules quickly between gas exchange

surfaces and cells (1)

• in organisms that have small surface area to volume

ratio where diffusion would be inadequate (1) (2)
Sample Assessment Materials – Issue 1 – December 2014 © Pearson Education Limited 2014

Question Answer Additional guidance Mark

Number
6(b)(i) C (1)

Question Answer Additional guidance Mark

Number
6(b)(ii) C (1)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Biology B

Question Answer Additional guidance Mark

Number
6(c)(i) correctly extracts values from graph 55 and 35 (1) Correct answer gains full marks,
with no working shown.
[(55-35) ÷ 35] x 100 = 57 % (1) (2)

Question Answer Additional guidance Mark

Number
6(c)(ii) An explanation that makes reference to the following:

• fetal haemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen (1)

• therefore at lower oxygen partial pressures oxygen

will transfer from adult to fetal haemoglobin more
readily (1) (2)
Sample Assessment Materials – Issue 1 – December 2014 © Pearson Education Limited 2014
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Biology B

Question Answer Additional guidance Mark

Number
6(c)(iii)

• non-sigmoid line drawn to left of fetal haemoglobin

(1) (1)

Question Answer Additional guidance Mark

Number
6(c)(iv) An explanation that makes reference to the following:

• myoglobin stores oxygen (1)

• greater concentration in whale means more oxygen

can be stored so can remain underwater for longer
(1)
• because cells having to respire anaerobically (1) (3)

(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)

81
6 The graph below shows the oxygen haemoglobin dissociation curves for a blood sample
from an elephant and a mouse.

100 –

80 –
Percentage oxygen saturation (%)

60 –
key
mouse
elephant
40 –

20 –

0–
–

–
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Partial pressure of oxygen / kPa

(a) Use the information in the graph to determine the difference in percentage
saturation between elephant haemoglobin and mouse haemoglobin at a partial
pressure of oxygen of 4 kPa.
(1)

Answer ................................................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14
62
*s47569A01432* Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology B
Sample Assessment Materials – Issue 1 – December 2014 © Pearson Education Limited 2014
 *(b) Explain the effect that body size has on the metabolic rate of these two mammals.
(6)

. . . . . . . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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15
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology B
Sample Assessment Materials – Issue 1 – December 2014 © Pearson Education Limited 2014 *s47569A01532* Turn over
63
(c) The graph below shows the oxygen haemoglobin dissociation curves when two
different blood samples, A and B, are compared.

100 –
A

80 – B
Percentage oxygen saturation (%)

60 –

40 –

20 –

0–
–

–
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Partial pressure of oxygen / kPa

Which row of the table below shows the correct comparison of the blood samples?
(1)

Blood sample A Blood sample B

A blood before exercise blood after exercise

B adult blood fetal blood

C blood at lower pH blood at higher pH

D blood at higher temperature blood at lower temperature

(Total for Question 6 = 8 marks)

16
64
*s47569A01632* Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology B
Sample Assessment Materials – Issue 1 – December 2014 © Pearson Education Limited 2014
 Question Correct Answer Additional guidance Mark
Number
88

6(a) 56 - 36 = 20 (1) (1)

Question Indicative content

Number
6(b)* Answers will be credited according to candidate's deployment of knowledge and understanding of the material in
relation to the qualities and skills outlined in the generic mark scheme.

The indicative content below is not prescriptive and candidates are not required to include all the material which is
indicated as relevant. Additional content included in the response must be scientific and relevant
Sample Assessment Materials – Issue 1 – December 2014 © Pearson Education Limited 2014

• Dissociation curve for mouse haemoglobin is to the right of the curve for elephant haemoglobin
• Mouse haemoglobin has a lower affinity for oxygen
• Mouse haemoglobin allows more dissociation
• Mouse has bigger surface area to volume ratio
• Mouse loses more heat / needs to regenerate more heat
• Maintenance of body temperature
• Mouse has higher metabolic rate
• Mouse needs more oxygen
• Accept converse answers for elephant
Level Mark Descriptor
0 No awardable content
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology B

Level 1 1-2 Demonstrates isolated elements of biological knowledge and understanding to the given context with
generalised comments made.

The explanation will contain basic information with some attempt made to link knowledge and
understanding to the given context.
Level 2 3-4 Demonstrates adequate knowledge and understanding by selecting and applying some relevant
biological facts/concepts to provide the explanation being presented.

Lines of argument occasionally supported through the application of relevant evidence (scientific ideas,
 processes, techniques and procedures).
Sample Assessment Materials – Issue 1 – December 2014 © Pearson Education Limited 2014
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology B

The explanation shows some linkages and lines of reasoning with some structure.
Level 3 5-6 Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and understanding by selecting and applying relevant
knowledge of biological facts/concepts to provide the explanation being presented.

Line(s) of argument supported throughout by sustained application of relevant evidence (scientific ideas,
processes, techniques and procedures).

The explanation shows a well-developed and sustained line of reasoning which is clear, coherent and
logically structured.

Question Correct Answer Additional guidance Mark

Number
6(c) A (1)

(Total for Question 6 = 8 marks)

89