Examable

Biology (9700)
AS & A Level
Worksheet Answer Key

Total questions: 15

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Generated on June 21, 2026
 9700/21 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2025
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Question Answer Marks

2(a) any two from: 2

cilia
(composed of) microtubules / not composed of microfilaments / not composed of actin (fibres) ;
R if microvilli have microtubules

9+2, arrangement / pattern / structure (in horizontal section) ;

AVP ; e.g. ref. to component proteins – e.g. tubulin / dynein
(cilia) extend from / attach to, a basal body / basal body at base
R centrioles

2(b) number of microvilli (over the surface of the cell) ; 1

I amount / quantity

2(c) mitochondrion ; 2

synthesises / makes / produces / provides, ATP for, active transport / active uptake / endocytosis / exocytosis ;
I absorption
A provides energy if no ATP
A any other suitable function of an epithelial cell in the small intestine
e.g. synthesis of, enzymes / carrier proteins / mucus
or movement of organelles within cell

2(d) no ora for this question 2

organisation for one mark
linear, chromosome / DNA
A straight
or
DNA associated with, histones / histone proteins / basic proteins ;
A ref. to chromatin

distribution for one mark

DNA, contained in nucleus / surrounded by nuclear envelope / surrounded by nuclear membranes ;
A ref. to DNA in nucleolus

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 AVP ; e.g. maintain equilibrium to increase reaction between carbon dioxide and water

1(b) endocytosis / pinocytosis ; A bulk transport 1

Question Answer Marks

2(a) X (nucleolus) synthesis / AW of, ribosomal subunits / ribosomes ; 2

A synthesis of organelles that are the sites of protein synthesis

Y (chromatin) contains gene(s), coding for the polypeptide(s) / AW ;

A site, of transcription / for production of mRNA

2(b)(i) primary ; 1

2(b)(ii) any one from: 1

9700/21 carboxylic acid / carboxyl, group ;Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme October/November 2023
A both have C=O PUBLISHED
Question contain carbon / hydrogen / oxygen ; Answer Marks

2(b)(iii) any three from: 3

ref. to role in / forms part of, overall 3D shape ;

A tertiary / quaternary structure
A forms part of hydrophobic region of ghrelin

allows ghrelin to bind to receptor ;

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allows, ghrelin / part of ghrelin, to have a complementary shape / be complementary (to the receptor) ;
A description

suggested detail ; e.g. interacts with hydrophobic region of the receptor molecule (for binding)

AVP ; e.g. help interaction with / embeds in, hydrophobic portion of the cell surface membrane in context of bringing a
complementary part of the molecule closer to receptor for binding

suggestion that fatty acid chain allowed, incorporation into / attachment to, a transport molecule in plasma to reach
target cell

ref. to effect of binding triggering reactions inside the cell ;

2(c)(i) 1.8% ; 2
working ; 30  3  100
5000
9700/21 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme October/November 2023
codons for 29 amino acids (including start met) and a PUBLISHED
stop codon

Question allow 1 mark if only 28 or 29 instead of 30, so 1.7% answer obtained

Answer Marks

2(c)(ii) any two from: 2

introns / non-coding regions, removed / AW ;

exons / coding regions, are joined together ;

gene splicing / RNA splicing ; R DNA splicing

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poly A tail / many As, added (to 3ʹ end)

Question Answer Marks

3(a) (cell type A) phloem sieve tube element ; 3

plus any two from:

connect the cytoplasm of the two cells / ref. to the symplast pathway ;

idea of allow (rapid) diffusion of, sucrose / named molecules, from one cell to an adjacent cell / AW ;

idea of efficiency of, loading into / unloading from, sieve tubes ;

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Question Answer Marks

1(a)(i) A mitochondrion ; 2

B rough endoplasmic reticulum ; A ribosome / 80S ribosome

1(a)(ii) any three from: 3

(more efficient) synthesis / metabolism / AW, of named product ;

e.g. lipid / named lipid
phospholipid
steroid / steroid hormone / named, e.g. oestrogen / testosterone
sterol / cholesterol
I ref. to storage

other function ; e.g. detoxification

max two from:

idea that synthesis of products / AW, is a pathway / requires more than one enzyme ;
further detail ;
e.g. enzymes of same pathway are, close together / in clusters
products of one reaction are substrates of the next

suggestion that membrane gives enzymes, more stability / greater protection (from degradation) ;

9700/21 AVP ; Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme October/November 2022
e.g. idea of greater efficiency as enzyme held so that active site faces substrates in lumen
PUBLISHED
suggestion that allows reactions to occur on cytoplasmic side of membrane
Question suggestion that allows reaction to continue / complete, in SER
Answertransport vesicles Marks

1(b) any three from: 3

higher magnification (without loss of detail) ;

higher resolution / ability to see object that are close together as separate objects ;

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/ 0.27µm
ref. to resolution of (up to) 0.5 nm compared to, 200 nm Page (light microscope) ;
of 17
A ranges, e.g. 0.5–30 nm and 100–300 nm

ability to see organelles such as, SER / ribosomes / other named organelle ;

AVP ;
e.g. very thin sections, qualified, e.g. for greater internal detail

Question Answer Marks

2(a)(i) closed circulation because 2

blood is contained within blood vessels ;

double circulation because

blood flows through the heart twice for one complete, circuit of the body / circulation ;
A described
A pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation

2(a)(ii) Q = vena cava 1

and
R = aorta ;

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 2 septum in heart separates (oxygenated and deoxygenated) blood ;

3 oxygenated blood is in pulmonary, venules / veins and deoxygenated blood is in, pulmonary arteries / arterioles ;

4 (because mixing prevented by) double circulation / double circulatory system / pulmonary and systemic circulations ;

5(a) plasmodesma ; 2

plus any one from

R if stated as apoplast

1 allows / AW, symplast, pathway / movement ;

2 allows transport of / AW, water / sucrose / sugars / amino acids / organic substances / ions / mineral salts (A
minerals) / lipids / assimilates / hormones / cell signalling molecules ; in context of between cells
I substance unqualified
9700/22 I osmosis of water if in a longer list whereInternational
Cambridge other substances are
AS & A named
Level correctly
– Mark Scheme May/June 2021
R osmosis of water if this is the only item noted PUBLISHED

Question 3 cell to cell / AW, communication / signalling ; A cell communication

Answer Marks

5(b)(i)2021
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(only) polypeptides / proteins, synthesised at ribosomes ;
9700/22 carbohydrates / polysaccharides, Cambridge
not synthesised at ribosomes
International AS &;A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2021
enzymes, for synthesis / required, not located at ribosomes ;
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5(b)(ii)
Question exocytosis ; Answer Marks1

5(c) accept substrate for cellulose and enzyme for cellulase 3

allow use of extracted data to support a response to confirm awarding a mark

1 correct description ; overall trend or more detailed break down

e.g. as, cellulose / substrate, concentration increases, rate of reaction increases

or
as, cellulose / substrate, concentration increases, steep increase in rate of reaction then, less steep increase / (begins
to) plateau

I ‘rate of reaction is fast and then slows down’

needs ref. to rate of reaction, describing ‘gradient of curve’ is not enough

plus any two from

2 increasing cellulose concentration increases number of, collisions between enzyme and substrate / enzyme-substrate
complexes / ESCs ;
A collisions between active site and substrate
A idea of increased chances of cellulose binding to active site

3 at low cellulose concentrations, (many) active sites, available / not all used / not saturated ;

4 at higher cellulose concentrations, active sites becoming saturated / most active sites occupied / most active sites not
available / AW ;
A actives sites are, saturated / occupied

5 named limiting factor(s), qualified ;

e.g. at low(er) cellulose concentrations, cellulose concentration limiting / enzyme concentration not limiting
A idea of, not enough cellulose / enzyme in excess
as cellulose concentration increases, change from cellulose concentration limiting to enzyme concentration as limiting
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at higher cellulose concentrations, enzyme concentration limiting / cellulose concentration not limiting
A idea of, cellulose in excess / not enough enzyme / enzyme working at its fastest rate / active sites not emptying
quickly enough for substrate available

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Question Answer Marks

5(d)(i) mark to max 2 if microorganisms are considered to be enzyme inhibitors 3

lower Km for pectinase, any two from

ultrasound
increases affinity of enzyme for substrate ;

makes shape of active site more complementary ;

makes (position of) active site more accessible (to substrate) ;

A makes it easier for substrate to enter (active site)

breaks up pectin, aggregates / AW, to expose more substrate for binding ;

higher Vmax for xylanase, any two from

ultrasound
increases rate of, collision between enzyme and substrate / more enzyme-substrate complexes per unit time ;
I more ESC form needs idea of increased rate

increases rate of catalysis after binding ;

may change substrate for easier hydrolysis ;

may lower, more than normal, activation energy required for reaction ; A described, e.g. increased ability to, break / form,
bonds

5(d)(ii) yes (as all have) increased, catalytic efficiency / productivity / Vmax /Km ; 1
A manipulated data for increased catalytic efficiency
any two from pectin 24.5 / 25%
cellulase 17.25 / 17%
xylanase 16.8 / 17%

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 e.g. both new double helices have one, parental / conserved, strand and one newly synthesised strand

4(d) ribose ; I pentose 1

Question Answer Marks

5(a)(i) scanning (electron microscope) ; 1

5(a)(ii) Vibrio cholerae ; 1

5(b) prokaryotic cell walls are, made of peptidoglycan / made of murein / not made of cellulose ; 1

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Question Answer Marks

1(a) actual width = image width ÷ magnification ; 3

AA=I÷M M=I÷A I = A × M or magnification triangle

working = width divided by 4275 ;

e.g.

16 000 ÷ 4275 17 000 ÷ 4275 18 000 ÷ 4275 19 000 ÷ 4275 ;

3.7 (μm) 4.0 (μm) 4.2 (μm) 4.4 (μm) ;

R answer if given to more than 1 dp or whole number

1(b)(i) DNA – A / B / C ; 4
cellulose – E ;
phospholipid – A / C ;
histone proteins – A / B ;

1(b)(ii)
9700/21 chloroplast / mitochondrion ; Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme 1
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1(b)(iii) nucleus ; A chloroplast / mitochondrion 1
Question R nucleolus Answer Marks

1(c) any two from 2

1 (section at) high resolution ;
A suggestion of a correct value of resolution for a TEM

2 any named structure visible in Fig. 1.1 that can, only be seen in a TEM / not be seen in a photomicrograph ;
e.g. internal structure of chloroplasts / thylakoid(s) / grana
e.g. internal structure of mitochondria / cristae

3 high magnification / higher magnification (magnification > 1000 / higher than with light microscope) ;
in context of higher than light microscope

4 (very) thin ;

5 2D / no surface contours / no surface features / AW ; A not 3D

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Question Answer Marks

2(a) any three from 3

1 (diagram shows) hydrogen bond is a weak bond ;
2 each oxygen (atom) forms two hydrogen bonds / each hydrogen (atom) forms one hydrogen bond ;
3 (attraction) between oxygen (atom) of one water molecule and hydrogen (atom) of another (forms a hydrogen bond) ;
R cohesion / adhesion – if used for attraction
4 water is dipolar ;
5 detail ;
e.g. electrons not shared equally between oxygen and hydrogen
A oxygen is more electronegative (than hydrogen)
A ref. to (two) lone pair(s) (of electrons) on oxygen

A uneven distribution of, electrons / charge

e.g. oxygen has, small / slight, negative charge / δ–, and, hydrogen has, small / slight, positive charge / δ+
only needs to state ‘small’ once

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Question Answer Marks

3(a) 3
feature prokaryotic cell eukaryotic cell

circular DNA ✓ ✓

80S ribosomes X ✓

a cell diameter of X ✓
20 m

one mark per correct row

if no marks gained, check correct column for 1 mark

3(b) allow enzyme for protein 3

any three from:
protease (produced by S. epidermidis) is, secreted / released ;
A protease is an extracellular enzyme

protease breaks down proteins (needed for survival) specific to S. aureus ; AW

explanation ; e.g. protease active site complementary to substrate (of S. aureus)
protease complementary to substrate and form enzyme-substrate complexes

protease breaks down, protein in biofilm / (biofilm) polymers ;

idea that without biofilm the S. aureus cannot remain attached to skin cells ;

9700/23 other example of S. aureus protein broken down

Cambridge ;
International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2025
e.g. cell membrane proteins / receptors / binding sites PUBLISHED

Question AVP ; e.g. S. aureus cells need substances from biofilm for survival
Answer Marks

3(c)(i) allow, bacteria / pathogens / microorganisms, for S. aureus 2

secrete / produce / AW, mucus / mucin ;

mucus, traps S. aureus cells / acts as a barrier (to reach cells) ;

R virus
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3(c)(ii) ciliated epithelial cell ; 1

A ciliated epithelium cell
I ciliated cell

3(d)(i) any three from: 3

prevent formation of crosslinks / cross bridges, (between peptidoglycan chains) ;
if not gained, allow ecf for vancomycin difference

stop / prevent, synthesis / repair, of cell wall ;

differences
penicillin, binds to / is an inhibitor of, enzyme(s) / transpeptidase(s) (that catalyse formation of cross links) ; ora

vancomycin, binds to / acts on / AW, peptidoglycan / cross link, components ;

ora
idea that vancomyin, blocks access to peptidoglycan component / may prevent binding of enzyme that joins peptidoglycan
subunits together ;

if no marks gained because of incorrect knowledge of pencillin mechanism of action, allow one mark as ecf for an answer
incorporating a feature of vancomycin mechanism of action shown on Fig. 3.2

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Question Answer Marks

3(d)(ii) any three from: 3

1 prescribing / take, antibiotics only when (absolutely) necessary ;
A examples e.g. do not use for viral infections
do not use as preventative medicine

2 make sure, correct / effective, antibiotic(s), prescribed / used ;

A only use antibiotic for the prescribed condition

3 complete course / follow instructions for use ;

A ref. to DOTS

4 use other antibacterials

or
develop new, drugs / antibiotics ;

5 reduce / control, antibiotics in, agriculture / animals used for food ;

6 ref. to break transmission cycle / described example ;

e.g. vaccines
good hygiene in hospitals
quarantine

7,8 AVP ; ; e.g check / improve / AW, knowledge of, healthcare professionals / public, qualified
report patterns of antibiotic resistance / AW
ref. to monitor to check if antibiotic is effective ;
ref. to WHO Global Plan to End TB
vary antibiotic treatment
use a number of different antibiotics at the same time
limit / prevent, antibiotics being sold context is control by prescription

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 flat cells ;
cells with, prominent / bulging / AW, nucleus ;
one cell thick ;

Question Answer Marks

2(a) peptidoglycan / murein ; 3

ribosomes ;

(permanent / large) vacuole ;

2(b) any two from: 2

to prevent, lysis / bursting / AW or to prevent, (protoplast ) shrinking / shrivelling / AW ;
I damaged
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ref. to no net movement / AW, of water (occurs) ; PUBLISHED
Question (otherwise movement of water) by osmosis / down a waterAnswer
potential gradient / AW ; Marks
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2(c)(i) max 2 if stated as a protein or includes protein featuresPage 10 of 18 3

any three from:

cellulose molecule max 2

(-glucose(s) joined by) glycosidic / glucosidic, bonds / linkages ;

(monomers / -glucose(s)) joined by () 1,4 (glycosidic) bonds ;

R -1,4 bonds
R ()1,4 and 1,6 bonds

adjacent, monomers / -glucoses, rotated through 180° ; AW

straight / linear, chain ;

cellulose microfibril max 2

parallel, molecules / chains, of cellulose ;
hydrogen bonds, between molecules / form cross bridges / between OH groups ;

idea that between adjacent cellulose molecules,

beginnings and ends in different places /
overlap between starts and ends /
staggered starts and ends ;

2(c)(ii) any one from: 1

hemicellulose ;

pectin ;

lignin ;

AVP ; e.g. expansin

2(d) spongy mesophyll / palisade mesophyll / palisade / mesophyll, (cell) ; 1

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Question Answer Marks

2(a)(i) any three from: 3

1 phagocytosis / endocytosis ;

2 (antigens on) bacteria, attach / bind, to cell (surface) membrane / receptors ;

I ‘bonding’ / binding sites
A in context of, opsonins / antibodies, attached to bacteria

3 infolding / invagination / pinching in of membrane / AW ;

A pseudopodia / cytoplasm, moves around bacteria

4 fusion of membrane of macrophage (to form vacuole) ;

5 formation of, vacuole / vesicle / phagosome ;

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6 active process / uses ATP / uses energy ; PUBLISHED
R active transport
Question I lysosomes Answer Marks

2(a)(ii) any three from: 3

lysosomes contain enzymes

1 (lysosomes contain enzymes) to, break down / digest / AW, pathogens / bacteria / viruses ;

2 (lysosomes contain enzymes) to break down, worn out / old / non-functioning, organelles / cell components ;
A named organelle / worn out cells / old cells / ref to autolysis

3 using, hydrolytic enzymes / hydrolases

or
any two examples of enzymes ;
e.g. nuclease / protease / carbohydrase / lipase / glycosidase / lysozyme

4 isolate harmful enzymes from rest of the cell / membrane-bound to protect rest of cell (from hydrolytic enzymes) ;

5 AVP ;
e.g. maintaining acid environment / optimum pH, for enzyme action
ref. allows antigen presentation
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2(b)(i) any two from: 3

if working and numerical answer shown correctly but no minus sign or decrease stated = 2 marks

(number of new cases in 1993) 25 000 – 25 100

and
(number of new cases in 2018) 8000 – 10 000 ;

16 000
percentage change = x 100 ;
25 000
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answer = - 64(%) / decrease by 64(%) ;
Question A answer between – 60 and – 68 (%) Answer Marks

2(b)(ii) any two from 2

1 (number of new cases overall) decrease ;

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2 steep(er) decrease between 1993 and 2001 ;

3 (number of new cases) constant / stable / plateau, between, 2013 / 2014, to 2018 ;

4 (number of new cases) increases in 2015 ;

I fluctuation for mp3 and mp4

2(c) any one from: 1

I references to (more) accurate

can make, statistical / valid, comparisons between, years / countries ;

A takes into account the population sizes of different countries

AVP ;
e.g. can set targets for the control of TB (e.g. keep below n per 100 000)
ref. to supply of, vaccines / drugs / hospital beds / AW
can, monitor / evaluate, success of TB control programmes
to find out which countries have high, rates / incidence, of TB
R ‘high numbers’

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Question Answer Marks

2(d) any two from: 2

1 Mycobacterium / pathogen / TB bacteria, remains dormant in the body ;

A ref. to latent TB / bacterium present in the body but no symptoms

2 treatment takes a, long time / minimum of 6 months ;

3 many people do not complete treatment ;

4 many people do not have access to treatment ;

5 drug-resistant / antibiotic resistant, strains of Mycobacterium / pathogen / TB bacteria ;

R ‘immune’

6 HIV/AIDS or any other medical condition that increases susceptibility to TB ;

e.g. weakened immune system / increased activation of dormant bacteria
I TB is opportunistic, infection / disease, without further detail

7 vaccine reluctance ;

8 movement / migration, of people, infected with TB / from countries with high rates of TB ;

9 poor housing / overcrowded living conditions / homelessness ;

10 malnutrition / poor diet ;

11 transmission from cattle by, drinking unpasteurised contaminated milk / eating meat from contaminated cattle ;

12 lack of education / AW, about preventing spread of TB ;

13 AVP ;
e.g. vaccination is not effective for adults / AW
TB is difficult to diagnose

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 squamous epithelial cell  × ×

Question Answer Marks

3(a)(i) X neutrophil ; 2

Y monocyte ; A lymphocyte I B– / T–

3(a)(ii) image / line Z, length / width 2

(magnification) = ; A (M) = I / A
9700/23 actual width
Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2023
A magnification triangle PUBLISHED
Question (x) 1500 ; A 1375 (for 11 mm) / 1438 (for 11.5 mm) Answer Marks

3(b)(i) any four from: 4

1 (carbonic anhydrase) catalyses the reaction between CO2 and H2O ; AW

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2 to form, carbonic acid / H2CO3 ;

3 H+ forms (together with HCO3- from dissociation of H2CO3) ;

4 H+ binds to haemoglobin to form haemoglobinic acid ;

5 displacing / releasing, oxygen from haemoglobin ;

6 allosteric effect / change in tertiary structure / AW, in (oxy)haemoglobin (causes release of oxygen) ;

3(b)(ii) curve below the original line ; 2

curve, merging / will merge, with the original line after it begins to plateau ;

Question Answer Marks

4(a)(i) 3
description level of protein structure

a gliadin protein is a single polypeptide that

tertiary
forms a compact structure

20% of the amino acids in a glutenin

primary
molecule are glycine

gliadin and glutenin molecules contain

secondary
regions of -pleated sheets

1 mark per correct row ;;;

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Question Answer Marks

1(a)(i) any one from: 1

no chloroplasts (present) ;

presence of (many) small vacuoles / no large vacuole / no central vacuole ;

central nucleus
or
nucleus not located at the, edge / periphery ;

1(a)(ii) one mark per row ;;;; 4

If 0 marks, allow 1 mark if name of cell structure column completed correctly

function name of cell structure letter on Fig.1.1

gas exchange cell surface membrane A

I phospholipid bilayer

mitochondrial membrane(s) E

production of subunits of ribosomes nucleolus / nucleoli C

active transport of ions cell surface membrane A

ecf for cell membrane
or
tonoplast / vacuolar membrane F
or
mitochondrial membrane(s) E
or
nuclear envelope B
A nuclear membrane(s)
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1(b)(i)
Question endocytosis / pinocytosis ; R phagocytosis Answer Marks1

1(b)(ii)
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any three from: Page 8 of 18
3

1 hydrolysis / use water to break bonds ; A ref. to hydrolytic enzymes

2 (action of) protease(s) / peptidases / proteolytic enzyme(s) ;

3 peptide bonds broken ;

R if part of a list with other bonds not found in proteins, such as glycosidic, ester, phosphodiester

4 to form, peptides / amino acids ;

1(c) 1 formation of phagolysosomes / described ; 2

A fusion with, phagosomes / phagocytic vesicle or vacuole

2 breakdown / digestion, of, pathogen / bacteria / microorganisms / AW ;

A kill / destroy, pathogen / bacteria / microorganisms / AW

one from:
3 (by) two named enzymes ;
e.g. lysozyme, protease, lipase, carbohydrase, nuclease

4 any two named substrates that are hydrolysed ;

e.g. polysaccharides, peptidoglycans, proteins, lipids, glycogen, nucleic acid(s)

5 to form, harmless / useful / soluble / AW, products ;

I ref. to breakdown of organelles

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Question Answer Marks

6(a) correct working ; e.g. 14 000 000 ÷ 1400 (A–B = 13 to 15 mm) 2

(x) 9286 / 9642 / 10 000 / 10 357 / 10 714 ;

incorrect conversions used in working or incorrect measured value of A–B can be awarded the answer mark as ecf – the
working must show use of dividing by 1400 (or incorrect conversions of 1400)

6(b) any four from 4

two chromatids drawn with, non-metacentric centromere / chromosome arms unequal length ;

(sister) chromatid ;
centromere ; allow as a constriction
telomere ; must be labelled at / towards the end

AVP ; e.g. four telomeres labelled or telomere sectioned off at each chromatid end and one labelled
DNA and histones
gene / allele must be shown as a section

6(c) R homologous chromosomes 1

any one from

most condensed state ; AW I chromosomes, are condensing / condense

chromosomes (all) in one, plane / focus ;

A idea of all at the equator (so clearly visible)
I line up. horizontally / vertically

6(d) anaphase ; 1

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Question Answer Marks

6(a) A rough endoplasmic reticulum ; 2

E Golgi, body / apparatus / complex ;

6(b) transport from, (R)ER / ribosomes, to Golgi ; A from A to E 1

A transport from Golgi to, cell surface membrane / phagosome
A separate, acid hydrolases / enzymes, from, rest of cell / AW

6(c) phagocytosis / endocytosis ; 1

6(d) any three from 3

1 break down / digest / destroy, bacteria / pathogen(s) ;
2 break down / digest / destroy, (worn out / defective / AW), organelles / named organelle (in animal cell) ; A autophagy
3 catalyse / speed up, hydrolysis ;
4 any two named substrates ;
e.g. (any named) polysaccharides / proteins / (phospho)lipids / (named) nucleic acids
5 idea that recycle / reuse, biological molecules within cell ;
6 (macrophage / phagocyte) cut up to present antigen ;

6(e) moves / pump(s), hydrogen ions / protons, into the lysosome against concentration gradient ; 2

active transport / uses ATP / energy from respiration / ref to conformational change of carrier ;
R if a ref to facilitated diffusion

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 evaluate or monitor success of vaccination programme
maintain cold chain (to ensure vaccine is effective)
use a thermostable vaccine
provide different types of the vaccine (e.g. Sabin (oral) and Salk (injected); different manufacturers for Covid)

I develop new vaccines in response to new, strains / variants / AW, of pathogen

6(a) 4
feature plant cell prokaryotic cell virus

external structure cell wall composed of cell wall composed of capsid composed of
cellulose peptidoglycan / murein ; protein / polypeptides ;
A capsomeres

size of ribosomes 80S and 70S 70S ; no ribosomes

9700/23 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme October/November 2024

nucleic acids DNA and RNA PUBLISHED
DNA and RNA DNA or RNA ;
R DNA and RNA
Question Answer Marks

6(b)(i) any one from: 1

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024 Page 14 of 15
untreated / raw, sewage ; A poor sewage treatment / poor sewer system
contaminated drinking water ;
contaminated food / crops fertilised by raw sewage / seafood contaminated by raw sewage ;
AVP ; e.g. newly arrived people infected with, Vibrio cholerae / cholera pathogen (e.g. UN troops in Haiti in 2010)

6(b)(ii) choleragen is composed of more than one polypeptide ; A 6 / 7, polypeptides A amino acid chain 1
A composed of, multiple / several, polypeptides

6(b)(iii) glycolipid / glycoprotein ; 1

6(b)(iv) ATP / adenosine triphosphate ; I adenine triphosphate 1

6(b)(v) chloride ions decrease the water potential of, intestine lumen / outside of cells / AW ; A lower water potential 2
A loss of chloride ions makes the, cytoplasm / the cells, have a less negative / higher, water potential
(so water, leaves cell / enters lumen) by osmosis / down water potential gradient / from high to low water potential ;

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 9700/22 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2024
PUBLISHED
Question Answer Marks

2(a)(i) one mark each correct row 3

cell structure function

nucleolus ; manufactures ribosomal subunits from proteins

and ribosomal RNA

smooth endoplasmic synthesises triglycerides and other lipids

reticulum ;
R endoplastic

organise microtubules of the cell cytoskeleton

pair of centrioles ;
R centrosomes

2(a)(ii) structures should be labelled and drawn with enough detail not to be mistaken for another structure 2

all three correct = 2 marks

one or two correct = 1 mark
all three structures correctly drawn but no labels = 1 mark

 roughly spherical organelle within the nucleus labelled as nucleolus

 minimum of one single membrane-bound tubular sac labelled as, smooth endoplasmic reticulum / smooth ER / SER
9700/22 R if dots (ribosomes) drawn and resembles
Cambridge RER AS & A Level – Mark Scheme
International May/June 2024
PUBLISHED
 two, short lines or cylinders, not parallel to each other labelled as (pair of) centrioles
Question R if inside the nucleus Answer Marks

2(b)(i) allow, M. tuberculosis / pathogens / bacteria, for bacterial cells 2

endocytosis occurs / described ; e.g.

(macrophage cell surface) membrane, surrounds / AW, bacterial cells
pseudopodia, surrounds / form round / AW, bacterial cell
(alveolar) macrophage / phagocyte / (phagocytic) cell, envelops / engulfs, bacterial cells ;

eventPress
© Cambridge University occurring before
& Assessment 2024or after ; Page 10 of 21
e.g. before
ref. to chemotaxis / chemotactic response
bacterial cells / bacteria / (bacterial) antigens, bind / attach / join / AW, to (macrophage cell surface),
receptors / membrane I binding to, macrophage / cell
suggestion of (in alveolar space) opsonisation of /antibody binding to, bacterial cells

e.g. after
membrane fusion / (phagocytic), vacuole pinches off / AW
9700/22 A vesicle for vacuole Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2024
PUBLISHED
2(b)(ii) lysosomes / lysosome ; 1
Question A lysosomal vesicles Answer Marks

2(c) any four from: 4

1 cells are replicating / AW (because live vaccine) ;

2 high / increased / AW, levels of (non-self / foreign) antigen (because live vaccine) ;

3 (so) strong / effective / good / AW, (primary) immune response ;

A described e.g. (T-/B-) memory cells are formed
idea that memory cells present when Mycobacterium infects / AW
secondary response occurs when Mycobacterium infects / AW

4 provides (artificial) active immunity ;

R natural active immunity

5 (so) boosters not needed (to build sufficient immunity) ;

6 vaccine
© Cambridge University does not
Press & Assessment cause,
2024disease / TB (because, weakened
Page 11 of /21
attenuated) ;
I doesn’t show symptoms

7 easy to, transport / store / deliver (because freeze-dried) ;

8 AVP ;;
e.g. effective against M. tuberculosis and M. bovis
no / few / mild, side effects, so people not discouraged (from having vaccine)
memory cells / immunity, (relatively) long-lived / long-lasting
only need one dose
(good immunity for most individuals) provides herd immunity (a consequential effect)

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9700/22/M/J/24
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