UNIT 1 ( 5 MARK QUESTIONS)

JAN 09
7 (a) The structure of a cholera bacterium is different from the structure of an epithelial cell from the small
intestine. Describe how the structure of a cholera bacterium is different.
Cholera bacterium is prokaryote.
Does not have a nucleus.
No membrane-bound organelles
Small ribosomes only.
Have cell wall.

7 (b) Scientists use optical microscopes and transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) to investigate cell
structure. Explain the advantages and the limitations of using a TEM to investigate cell structure.
Advantages:
1 Small objects can be seen;
2 TEM has high resolution;
3 Wavelength of electrons shorter;
Limitations:
4 Cannot look at living cells;
5 Must be in a vacuum;
6 Must cut into thin section;
7 Preparation may create artefact;
8 Does not produce colour image;

JUN 09
7 (a) Describe the role of the enzymes of the digestive system in the complete breakdown of starch.
Amylase hydrolyses starch to maltose;
Maltase hydrolyses maltose to glucose;
Hydrolysis of glycosidic bond;

7 (b) Describe the processes involved in the absorption of the products of starch digestion.
Glucose moves in with sodium into epithelial cell;
Via carrier protein;
Sodium removed from epithelial cell by active transport via sodium-potassium pump;
Into blood;
This maintains low concentration of sodium in epithelial cell;
Glucose moves into blood;
By facilitated diffusion;

JAN 10
7 (a) The cardiac cycle is controlled by the sinoatrial node (SAN) and the atrioventricular node (AVN).
Describe how.
1. SAN acts as a pacemaker and initiates heartbeat;
2. SAN sends impulses across atria causing atrial contraction;
3. AVN delays impulses;
4. Allowing atria to empty before ventricles contract;
5. AVN sends impulses down Bundle of His;
6. Causing ventricles to contract from base up;

7 (b) What is atheroma and how may it cause myocardial infarction?

1. Cholesterol build up;
2. In artery wall / under lining of artery;
3. causes formation of atheroma, increase risk of blood clot;
4. which may block coronary artery;
5. this reduces oxygen and glucose supply to heart muscle cells;
6. Heart muscle cells dies;

JUN 10
7 (a) Many different substances enter and leave a cell by crossing its cell surface membrane. Describe
how substances can cross a cell surface membrane.
1 (Simple / facilitated) diffusion from high to low concentration / down concentration gradient;
2 Small / non-polar / lipid-soluble molecules pass via phospholipids / bilayer;
OR
Large / polar / water-soluble molecules go through proteins;
3 Water moves by osmosis from high water potential to low water potential;
4 Active transport is movement against concentration gradient;
5 Active transport / facilitated diffusion involves proteins;
6 Active transport requires ATP;
7 Na+ / glucose by co-transporter protein;

7 (b) Describe and explain how the lungs are adapted to allow rapid exchange of oxygen between air in
the alveoli and blood in the capillaries around them.
1 Many alveoli provide a large surface area;
2 Many capillaries provide a large surface area;
3 So fast diffusion;
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4 Alveoli or capillary walls are thin so provide short diffusion distance between alveoli and blood;
5 Flattened epithelium;
6 So short diffusion distance / pathway;
7 So fast diffusion;
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8 Ventilation of lungs / circulation of blood;
9 Maintains diffusion gradient;
10 So fast diffusion;

JAN 11
7 (a) Pulmonary tuberculosis is a disease of the lungs. Describe the transmission and course of infection
of pulmonary tuberculosis.
1 Bacteria transmitted in droplets;
2 Bacteria engulfed by phagocytes;
3 Bacteria encased in tubercle;
4 Bacteria are dormant;
5 If immunosuppressed, bacteria activated;
6 Bacteria destroy alveoli;
7 Leads to scar tissues formed;
8 (Damage) leads to less surface area;
9 Damage allows bacteria to enter blood and spreads to other organs;

7 (b) Emphysema is another disease of the lungs. People with emphysema may feel weak and tired.
Explain why.
1 Loss of elastin;
2 Alveoli collapse;
3 Less surface area leads to less diffusion;
4 Alveoli cannot recoil due to reduced elasticity thus more difficult to expel air;
5 air not replenished cause reduced diffusion gradient;
6 Less oxygen enters blood;
7 Less respiration resulting in less ATP produced;

JUN 11
8 Different cells in the body have different functions. 8 (a) Some white blood cells are phagocytic.
Describe how these phagocytic white blood cells destroy bacteria.
1. Phagocyte attracted to bacteria by chemicals, recognise antigens on bacteria as foreign;
2. Engulf bacteria;
3. Bacteria in vacuole (phagosome);
4. Lysosome fuses with vacuole and empties enzymes into vacuole;
5. Bacteria digested;

8 (b) The epithelial cells that line the small intestine are adapted for the absorption of glucose. Explain
how.
1. Microvilli;
2. provide large surface area;
3. Many mitochondria;
4. (Mitochondria produce ATP (for active transport);
5. Carrier proteins for active transport;
6. Channel / carrier proteins for facilitated diffusion;
7. carrier protein for co-transport of sodium (ions) and glucose;
8. Membrane-bound enzymes digest disaccharides;

JAN 12
8 (a) Vaccines protect people against disease. Explain how.
1. Vaccines contain antigens;
2. Antigens derived from weakened pathogens;
3. on first exposure to immune system, memory cells made;
4. On second exposure memory cells immediately recognise pathogens and produce antibodies;
5. Rapidly and larger concentration;
6. Antibodies destroy pathogens;

8 (b) Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are used to treat diarrhoeal disease. What does an
ORS consist of and how does it work?
1. Contains glucose;
2. Sodium;
3. Co-transporter protein used;
4. Sodium and glucose taken up together from lumen;
5. this lowers water potential in cells;
6. so water taken up by osmosis;

JUN 12
8 (a) The heart controls and coordinates the regular contraction of the atria and ventricles. Describe how.
1. SAN → AVN → bundle of His;
2. Impulses spreads across atria;
3. Atria contract;
4. Non-conducting tissue between atria and ventricles (so impulses need to be sent to AVN);
5. Delay at AVN ensures atria empty before ventricles contract;
6. Ventricles contract from apex upwards;

8 (b) The diet of a person can increase the risk of coronary heart disease. Explain how.
1. Too much saturated fat in diet;
2. Increase in cholesterol (concentration) in blood, builds up under lining;
3. Atheroma forms in artery walls;
4. Reduces diameter of coronary arteries;
5. Less oxygen and glucose to heart muscle cells;
6. Increase in blood pressure;
7. Increased risk of blood clot;

JAN 13
9 (a) Some substances can cross the cell-surface membrane of a cell by simple diffusion through the
phospholipid bilayer. Describe other ways by which substances cross this membrane.
By osmosis (no mark)
1. From a high water potential to a low water potential;
2. Through aquaporins;
By facilitated diffusion (no mark)
3. Channel/carrier protein;
4. Down concentration gradient;
By active transport (no mark)
5. Carrier protein/protein pumps;
6. Against concentration gradient;
7. Using ATP/energy (from respiration);
By phagocytosis/endocytosis (no mark)
8. Engulfing by cell surface membrane to form vesicle/vacuole;
By exocytosis (no mark)
9. Fusion of vesicle with cell surface membrane;

9 (b) Atheroma formation increases a person’s risk of dying. Explain how.

1. Atheroma is formed due to cholesterol deposits;
2. In wall of artery;
3. causes higher risk of aneurysm;
4. causes higher risk of thrombus formation;
5. may blocks coronary artery;
6. Less oxygen and glucose to heart muscle cells;
7. Reduces respiration;
8. Causing myocardial infarction;
9. many block artery to brain;
10. Causes stroke;