Cambridge International AS & A Level
1: Biological molecules – Topic questions
The questions in this document have been compiled from past papers, as indicated in the table below.
Use these questions to formatively assess your learners’ understanding of this topic.
Question Year Series Paper number
2 2017 May/June 21
4 2017 May/June 23
6 2017 May/June 23
The mark scheme for each question is provided at the end of the document.
You can find the complete question papers and the complete mark schemes (with additional notes where
available) on the School Support Hub at [Link]/support
1: Biological molecules – Topic questions 1 Copyright © UCLES 2018
2 Phosphatases are enzymes that catalyse the removal of phosphate groups from organic
compounds.
Some students investigated the effect of substrate concentration on the rate of the reaction
catalysed by an acid phosphatase (enzyme A). The results are shown in Fig. 2.1.
16
14
12
10
rate of reaction
/ μmol dm–3 8
min–1
6
0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5
concentration of substrate / mmol dm–3
Fig. 2.1
(a) The students used Fig. 2.1 to derive the Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) for enzyme A as
0.3 mmol dm–3.
Explain how they derived Km.
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1: Biological molecules – Topic questions 2 Copyright © UCLES 2018
4
(b) The students investigated a different phosphatase enzyme (enzyme B) and found the value
of Km to be higher than 0.3 mmol dm–3.
Explain the difference between the values of Km for these two phosphatase enzymes.
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(c) The students repeated their investigation on enzyme A with a competitive inhibitor.
They used the same concentrations of substrate as before, but added a competitive inhibitor
to each reaction mixture.
They used the same concentration of the inhibitor in each reaction mixture.
The students found that Vmax was the same as before, but Km was higher than
0.3 mmol dm–3.
Explain how the addition of the competitive inhibitor results in the same value for Vmax but a
higher value for Km.
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[Total: 8]
1: Biological molecules – Topic questions 3 Copyright © UCLES 2018
9
4 (a) Complete Table 4.1 by using a tick (3) to indicate which statements apply to each of the
molecules. Use a cross (7) for statements that do not apply.
Some of the boxes have been completed for you.
Table 4.1
statement ATP cellulose haemoglobin phospholipid
contains phosphorus 3 7
found in plants
contains iron 7
has a structural role
[4]
(b) Fig. 4.1 shows two amino acids.
Complete Fig. 4.1 to show how a peptide bond forms between these two amino acids.
H CH3
H O H O
N C C N C C
H OH H OH
H H
Fig. 4.1
[3]
[Turn over
1: Biological molecules – Topic questions 4 Copyright © UCLES 2018
10
(c) Some glycoproteins in cell surface membranes function as transport proteins.
State two other functions of glycoproteins in cell surface membranes.
1 ................................................................................................................................................
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[Total: 9]
1: Biological molecules – Topic questions 5 Copyright © UCLES 2018
12
6 (a) In the space below, draw a diagram to show a hydrogen bond between two water molecules.
[3]
(b) (i) Movement of water in xylem depends on the force of attraction between water molecules
as a result of hydrogen bonding.
State the name given to this force of attraction.
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(ii) State the property of water that results in a cooling effect as water evaporates from the
surface of organisms.
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[Total: 5]
1: Biological molecules – Topic questions 6 Copyright © UCLES 2018
Mark scheme abbreviations
; separates marking points
/ alternative answers for the same point
A accept (for answers correctly cued by the question, or by extra guidance)
R reject
AW alternative wording (where responses vary more than usual)
underline actual word given must be used by candidate (grammatical variants accepted)
max indicates the maximum number of marks that can be given
ora or reverse argument
mp marking point (with relevant number)
ecf error carried forward
I ignore
AVP alternative valid point
Question Answer Mark
2(a) half Vmax / AW, = 7 (µmol dm–3 min–1) / take half of Vmax of 14 (µmol dm–3 min–1) ; 2
A description of using the graph to find ½ Vmax without reference to figures
read (substrate concentration) from x-axis / AW ;
alternative
plot 1 / [S] = x
1: Biological molecules – Topic questions 7 Copyright © UCLES 2018
Question Answers Marks
2(b) allow phosphate group(s) / organic compound for substrate max 2
if affinity not used, accept idea of ability to form ESC
check for ora
I ref. to competitive inhibition
1 enzyme B has a lower affinity for its substrate (than enzyme A)
or
the higher the Km the lower the affinity of the enzyme for its substrate ;
R if substrate has affinity for the enzyme
2 enzyme B needs a higher concentration of substrate to reach, Vmax / ½Vmax / Km (than enzyme A) ;
3 AVP ; e.g.
enzyme B forms fewer ESC in the same unit of time
enzyme B active site is a less good fit for substrate
idea that in normal cell enzyme A is saturated (with substrate) so works at a constant rate
variations in substrate concentration will have less effect on the rate of formation of product by enzyme A
I ref. to turnover number(s)
2(c) marks can be taken from a sketch graph max 4
1 competitive inhibitor, occupies / competes with substrate for / AW, active site (of the enzyme) ;
2 reduces frequency of collisions (with substrate) / fewer ESCs form ;
R no ESCs form
3 reduces reaction rate at low substrate concentrations ;
4 idea that curve with inhibitor is to the right of the curve without inhibitor ;
5 at high substrate concentration / with increasing substrate concentration, the inhibitor has, no / less, effect ;
A idea that substrate outcompetes inhibitor at high substrate concentration
6 therefore Vmax is the same as it is determined by the enzyme concentration / AW ;
A explanation in terms of active sites, saturated / fully occupied
7 idea of intercept to curve gives a higher value for Km ;
Total: 8
1: Biological molecules – Topic questions 8 Copyright © UCLES 2018
Question Answer Marks
4(a) 4
4(b) allow diagrams with glycine on right 3
bond forms between the C of the carboxyl group and the N of the amino group ; A amine for amino
water / H2O, is formed ; A condensation (reaction) R hydrolysis amino acid residues correctly drawn ;
1: Biological molecules – Topic questions 9 Copyright © UCLES 2018
Question Answer Marks
4(c) receptor(s) / cell signalling ; max 2
cell recognition / antigens ;
cell adhesion ;
form H-bonds with water to stabilise membrane ;
enzyme ;
AVP ; e.g. ref. to role in antigen presentation / MHC
Total: 9
Question Answer Marks
6(a) two water molecules drawn with correct bonding ; I Fischer projections 3
partial charges shown as σ+ on at least one H and σ– on at least one O ;
hydrogen bond shown ; e.g. labelled or as dashed or dotted lines between H of one molecule and O of another ;
6(b)(i) cohesion ; 1
6(b)(ii) high / large, latent heat of, vapourisation / evaporation ; 1
A takes a large amount of, heat / energy, to evaporate / turn liquid to water vapour
Total: 5
1: Biological molecules – Topic questions 10 Copyright © UCLES 2018