Cambridge International AS Level Biology
Answers to EOCQs
Chapter 5
The mark schemes, suggested answers and
comments that appear in this CD-ROM were written
by the author(s). In examinations, the way marks
would be awarded to answers like these may be
different.
Notes about mark schemes
A or accept indicates an alternative acceptable
answer.
R = reject. This indicates a possible answer that
should be rejected.
; The bold semi-colon indicates the award of 1 mark.
/ This indicates an alternative answer for the same
mark. The alternatives may be separated from the
rest of the answer by commas.
( ) Text in brackets is not required for the mark.
Underlining This is used to indicate essential
word(s) that must be used to get the mark.
AW means ‘alternative wording’. It is used to
indicate that a different wording is acceptable
provided the essential meaning is the same, and is
used where students’ responses are likely to vary
more than usual.
AVP means ‘additional valid point’. This means
accept any additional points given by the student
that are not in the mark scheme, provided they are
relevant. But accept only as many additional points
as indicated by the bold semi-colons, e.g. AVP;;
means award a maximum of 2 extra marks.
ORA means ‘or reverse argument’ and is used when
the same idea could be expressed in the reverse
way. For example: ‘activity increases between pH
2 and pH 5 ORA’ means accept ‘activity decreases
between pH 5 and pH 2’.
max. This indicates the maximum number of marks
that can be given.
Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology © Cambridge University Press 2014
Answers to end-of-chapter questions
1 D; [1]
2 B;[1]
3 D;[1]
4 centrosome is a microtubule organising
centre;
makes spindle during mitosis;
contains two centrioles;
located just outside nucleus;
centriole has 9 triplets of microtubules;
no function (during mitosis);
centromere is region of a chromosome that
holds two 2 chromatids together;
point of attachment for microtubules during
mitosis;
point of attachment of chromatids to
spindle;
AVP; [max. 6]
5 a
A anaphase; B  prophase; C  metaphase;[3]
b Information for this answer can be found in
Figure 5.10 on page 92.
1 mark for each correct summary.[3]
[Total: 6]
6 a i metaphase;[1]
ii prophase drawing shows two single
chromosomes, each with a centromere
(not paired chromatids), ‘randomly’
distributed, surrounded by cell surface
membrane but with no spindle;[1]
b a long and a short chromatid, each with
a centromere, are shown inside each
new nucleus;[1]
c six chromatids about half-way between
equator and each pole (12 chromatids in all);
two long, two short, two hooked in each
direction;
centromere leading for each chromatid;[3]
[Total: 6]
7 a
microtubules are made out of tubulin
molecules;
the tubulin molecules stick together in a
particular pattern to form the microtubules,
 Cambridge International AS Level Biology
so the presence of colchicine would interfere
with this; AW[2]
b
spindle;
centrioles;[2]
c
(held up in) prophase;
spindle cannot form (due to presence of
colchicine);
so metaphase cannot occur;
metaphase, normally follows prophase / is
next stage of mitosis; [max. 3]
[Total: 7]
8 a 8.7 cm = 87 mm = 87 000 µm;
(87 000 µm of DNA packed into 10 µm of
chromosome) therefore packing ratio =
87 000 ÷ 10;
= 8700;[3]
b total length of chromosomes = 46 × 6 µm =
276 µm;
1.8 m = (1800 mm =) 1800 000 µm;
(1.8 m/1 800 000 µm of DNA packed into
276 µm of chromosomes) therefore packing
ratio = 1 800 000 ÷ 276;
= 6522;[4]
c 4.5; (50 ÷ 11)
d linker DNA is 53 × 0.34 nm in length;
= 18.02 nm; accept 18 nm
therefore 50 + 18 = 68 nm of DNA in 11 + 18
= 29 nm of chromatin;
packing ratio = 68 ÷ 29;
= 2.34; accept 2.3
e 40; (40 000 ÷ 1000 remember that
1 µm = 1000 nm)
f it suggests that any change in amino acid
composition would be harmful (so only
organisms with conserved molecules survive);
the way they function must therefore involve
nearly all their amino acids / they may have
a very precise shape which is vital for their
functioning; AW[2]
g i (1014 × 1.8 m = )1.8 × 1011 km;[1]
ii Distance to Sun and back
= 2 × 1.5 × 108 = 3 × 108 km;
1.8 × 1011 km ÷ 3 × 108 km
(= 1.8 × 103 ÷ 3 = 0.6 × 103);
= 600 times;[3]
[Total: 18]
Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology © Cambridge University Press 2014
Answers to end-of-chapter questions
9 Award 1 mark for correct statement (True or
False). No explanation is required.
A True;
Centrosomes replicate during interphase,
before M phase begins.
B True;
Sister chromatids are formed by the
replication of DNA. Each contains one
daughter DNA molecule identical to the
parent molecule.
C False;
Microtubules extend from the kinetochore to
the nearest pole. The kinetochores in sister
chromatids are connected to opposite poles.
D False;
This occurs during M phase during spindle
manufacture (polymerisation) and chromatid
movement (depolymerisation).
E False;
Kinetochores are found on chromatids.
F False;
Telomeres are the caps at the ends of
chromosomes. Microtubules are attached at
the centromeres (kinetochores).
G True;
[1]
Chromatids separate at the start of
anaphase.
[Total: 7]
[5]
[1]