INTERNATIONAL

ADVANCED LEVEL
Biology

Topic 3

Cell Structure,
Reproduction and
Development

Mark scheme

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Q.No Marking guidance Comments Mark
1. (i) A smooth endoplasmic reticulum / SER mark first response on each 4
B nuclear, membrane / envelope; line only
C mitochondrion; Accept nucleus, membrane /
D nucleolus; envelope
Accept mitochondria
Reject nucleous
(ii) (mitochondria) vary in shape; Accept sausage shaped/long 2
longer than wide; and thin
Accept if shown by drawing
cut in different planes / angles / AW; Accept C has been cut on
longitudinal plane, E has
just divided / growing; been cut in transverse,
artefact / deformed during preparation section / plane
of section Accept one cut horizontally,
other cut vertically
Accept in different positions /
one viewed from above the
other from the side
(iii) correct answer = two marks if answer incorrect allow one 2
mark for correct working
actual length = = 3.75 / 3.8 Accept if 3.75 or 3.8 is seen
anywhere in response
(even if later rounded to 4)
Max 1 if response is 4 with no
working
how to award one mark for
working e.g.
candidate shows correct
calculation but wrong answer
OR
candidate uses magnification
(× 4000) in calculation:
actual length = 15000 / 4000;
length of C should be 15mm /
15000μm
Accept ecf for working mark if
length of C is not
measured correctly but
incorrect figure is used in
calculation correctly
2. (i) a cell that is unspecialised / not Reject replication 2
differentiated; Accept totipotent / pluripotent
capable of, division / mitosis; / omnipotent
able to, differentiate / specialise /
become other cell types;
(ii) cambium / meristem / early embryonic Accept plants have no stem 1
cells; cells

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Q.No Marking guidance Comments Mark
3. growth (of tissue / organism); initially mark first response on 3
replace (cells) / repair (tissues); each line if not all lines used,
asexual reproduction / cloning / producing go back and credit further
genetically identical cells; correct points
maintain chromosome number in all cells; Reject growth of cells
Reject repair of cells
Accept ref to maintain,
haploid / diploid, number
4. Reject chromatid 4
Figures must have correct
units
Accept any figure(s) in range
10 – 100 µm
Accept any figure(s) in range
10 – 20 nm
Accept 70 S
Reject sometimes or usually
present

5. (i) flagellum / cilium / microtubule / Accept plurals 1

microfilament / undulipodium;
(ii) (movement inside cells of)
chromosomes / chromatids (in cell
division);
(cytoplasm in) cytokinesis;
organelles / named organelle;
RNA (in protein synthesis);
proteins;
6. A Nuclear envelope;
B Nucleus;
C Ribosomes;
D Smooth endoplasmic reticulum / SER;
E Rough endoplasmic reticulum / RER
7. tissue; specific; cilia; soluble
factors/protein/signalling; epithelium
Reject mitosis / cell division 2
e.g. centriole / vesicle /
lysosome / mitochondrion /
chloroplast / ribosome
ensure that the proteins are
being moved in cytoplasm by
microtubules rather than by
ER or in vesicles (mark given
above)
mark first response only on 5
each point
Accept nucleus, membrane /
envelope
Accept SER, RER
Reject nucleous, nucleolus
Max 1 for each 5

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Q.No Marking guidance Comments Mark
8. haploid / half genetic information / Accept use of comparative 2
chromosome number is n; chromosome numbers as
genetic information not identical / example
produces genetically different cells; Reject identical / not identical
4 cells produced; without ‘genetic’
Reject smaller cells
9. flagellum for movement; 3
chromosomes / DNA, in haploid nucleus /
AW, for fertilising egg cell;
head / cap / acrosome, shaped for
penetrating egg cell (membrane);
(many) mitochondria for energy / ATP, for
movement;
10. (i) prophase; 1
(ii) interphase / S phase; 1
(iii) telophase; Ignore cytokinesis 1
11. altered; proteins; promoter; totipotent; Max 1 for each 5
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS)
12. (i) asexual; A binary fission / cloning Ignore mitosis 1
(ii) 1 restore diploid number when gametes Award 1 mark max for 2 3
fuse / AW; points
2 prevents doubling of chromosome
number (in each successive generation); Award full marks for 5 points
3 without use of gametes there is less
variation;
4 no input of genetic material from more
than one individual;
5 triploid / 5n / etc, would be infertile;
6 AVP; e.g. polyploid would result in loss
of variation
13. Recombinant chromatid: Chromatids after Award Max 2 for diagram 4
the cross-over. Max 1 for each definition
Non-recombinant chromosomes: Same as
parental type

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Q.No Marking guidance Comments Mark
14. (i) embryo, potential human / member of Reject questions 1
society / right to life / killed / AW;
may be from abortion; Max 1, accept any one of
scientist making decision for use of embryo / the points.
consent may not be required; Ignore more than one if all
parents may not know fate; correct.
religious objection; If more than one and all
may involve cloning; not correct, look for one
some stem cells can be obtained instead correct answer and award.
from umbilical cord;
AVP;
(ii) treat/cure for, anaemia/sickle cell Accept eg. stroke/brain 2
anaemia/named blood disease; damage/retinal repair
blood, for transfusion/to replace loss; Accept (must be relevant
treat, immune disorders/SCID/lupus; to) use of blood cells or
treat, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma/some types neurones
of cancer/leukaemia;
treat/cure for, Alzheimer’s disease; Max 2, accept any 2 of the
treat/cure for, Parkinson’s disease; points.
treat paraplegics/repair injury to, Ignore more than 2 if all
nerves/spinal cord; correct.
treat, genetic disorders affecting If more than 2 and all not
nerves/Huntington’s/Tay Sachs/Lou Gehrig’s; correct, look for 2 correct
treat multiple sclerosis/motor neurone answers and award.
disease;
15. Award 1 for each correct 3
16. Polygenic inheritance refers to a single Accept trait / characteristic 1
(a) (i) inherited phenotypic trait that is controlled by
two or more different genes.
(ii) Height / weight / skin colour / hair colour / Any of the above 1
eye colour
(b) Wide Ignore genotype 2
(c) with more than one gene controlling the trait Accept trait / characteristic 2
there are a greater number of allele Accept multiple
combination possibilities combination
17. (i) mammalian fertilization Award 1 2
Accept all the steps Award 1
(ii) Fertilization ensures genetic diversity; 4
ensure dominant characters; brings parents’
adaptations into the offspring
18. (i) represses transcription and translation of the Award 2 for each 4
gene; Addition or removal of an acetyl group
controls gene expression
(ii) Polygenic Inheritance and Continuous 2
Variation

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 INTERNATIONAL
ADVANCED LEVEL
Biology

Topic 4

Plant Structure and

Function,
Biodiversity, and
Conservation

Mark scheme
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Q.No Marking guidance
1. (a) (i) Chloroplast: perform photosynthesis
Plasma membrane: protect cell from
surroundings / outside
Vacuole: maintain turgidity; store,
breakdown waste products
Cell wall: provide support to the
plant / stand upright / works as
exoskeleton
(a) (ii) Animal cells don’t need cell wall;
animals cells make up tissues and
those into organs; organs held in
place by skeleton.
(b) main function is to provide stability;
cementing material present between
adjacent plant cells that helps to hold
them together.
Substitute in animal cell tight junctions
2. (i) transports water (up plant);
transports, minerals / ions, (up plant);
support (plant / stem / shoot);
(ii) F1 (lignin), strengthens / thickens, the
(xylem) wall;
F2 waterproofing (wall) / AW;
F3 (improving) adhesion of water
(molecules);
F4 (spiral) pattern allows flexibility /
stretching / movement;
3. A Xylem transport water & nutrients /
minerals / ions up
B Phloem transports soluble organic
compounds
C Root hairs absorb water &
nutrients / minerals / ions from soil
Comments Mark
Accept making food for plant 4
(chloroplast)
Accept acts as bone (cell wall)
for each cell
Accept plants cell wall acts as 2
exoskeleton to each cell; they
stand without bones; animal
have bones, don’t need cell
wall
Accept labelling in figure / 2
function to mark 1
Substitute in animal cell mark 1
Accept alternative wording for 1
transport e.g. movement
Reject up and down
Reject water and sugars
Accept alternative wording for
transport
Ignore ref nutrients / solutes
Sugars support (plant / stem /
shoot);
Accept keeps plant upright
Accept support only if in 3
specific context of supporting
the xylem wall
Accept waterproofs cell
Reject adhesion and cohesion
when used together
Flexibility / stretching must ref,
pattern of lignin laid down i.e.
spirals
Award any three functions
Award 1 max for each 3
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Q.No Marking guidance Comments Mark
4. (i) long; thin cell wall; Max 1, accept any one of the 1
lack of, waterproof layer / cuticle; points.
large surface area; NOT if cilia / villi / Ignore more than one if all
microvilli / tails / etc. correct.
present in large numbers; If more than one and all not
(membrane) proteins / carriers / correct, look for one correct
channels / aquaporins; answer and award.
many mitochondria;
AVP; (adaptation of part of the cell)
(ii) active transport / diffusion / facilitated If candidate gives a list or a 1
diffusion / described; choice, all must be correct
A pinocytosis
NOT passive transport / osmosis / bulk
transport
(iii) lower water potential inside / ora; Accept osmotic pressure 2
movement, down water potential
gradient / from high Ψ to low Ψ;
through, channel proteins / partially
permeable membrane / aquaporins /
AW; walls freely permeable; osmosis;
5. lack of contents / no cytoplasm / Accept lack of end walls 4
hollow / lumen / continuous / AW; Reject strength / rigid,
less resistance to flow / more space unqualified
linked to idea of lack of contents / AW; Reject ideas on resisting
treat large as neutral positive pressure
thickening / rings / spirals / lignin (in pits / AW;
the wall); treat cellulose as neutral Accept pores / holes (in the
prevents collapse / gives support / side walls)
adhesion of water; Allow lateral movement / AW;
Reject ‘let things in or out’
unqualified
6. polysaccharide, polymer, beta- Award 1 mark for each correct 6
glucose, molecule, hydrogen bonds, word
rigid
7. (i) Sclerenchyma fibres (provide support) Accept supporting fibres 1
(ii) Sclerenchyma fibres are of great Accept making natural source 2
economic importance, since they ropes / alternative to nylon /
constitute the source material for jute ropes
many fabrics (e.g. [flax] hemp, jute,
and ramie).
8. (i) Reusable; decreases the production of Any two 2
harmful gases into the atmosphere /
causes less air pollution; prevents
animals from choking on them.
(ii) starch bags/ biodegradable bags or Accept any suitable answer 1
any other suitable answer

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Q.No Marking guidance Comments Mark
9. (i) Researchers can compare the drug's 2
effectiveness against the placebo’s
effectiveness
(ii) 1st phase: involves testing the drug on Reject any ref to 2nd phase 2
healthy individuals to see if there are any
side effects.
3rd phase: involves testing the drug on
thousands of patients by dividing them into
two groups - one group gets the existing
drug treatment and the other gets the new
drug treatment. The results are
compared.
(iii) Double-blind study Accept doctors, patients 1
don’t know
10. (i) William Withering Accept Withering 1
(ii) Digitalis 1
11. C Endemism: When a species is found Award 3 marks max for 6
only in a specific geographical location correctly identifying the
and is not naturally found anywhere else; term.
Genetic diversity: Variations of alleles Award 1 each for
within a species; differentiating with other
Species richness is the measure of terms.
species diversity in a habitat; Award for differentiating
Species evenness is abundance of each even if identification is
species in an area wrong.
12. (i) Nature selects best allele, fittest for both Accept disadvantageous 2
survival and successful reproduction; and allele eliminated / lost after
Increase in allele frequency after few few generations
generations.
(ii) Predators evolve / develop / modify new Accept change food habit 2
methods to hunt; to the more numerous
Change the food habit to the newly allele
developed allele instead of the old
(iii) Behavioural; adaptation to make Ignore temperature change 2
camouflage more effective; easily avoid
prey in dark background; utilise the layer
of black carbon soot on the trees
13. Viability ensure that seeds are germinated Max 2 3
from time to time; collect new seeds
produced; ref to suitable storage
conditions; genetic variability ensure that
you have many seeds; collect seeds from Max 1
different areas; ref to mixture of
genotypes;

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Q.No Marking guidance Comments Mark
14. Management problems Quality of written 8
1 Capture of species/AW; communication Max 1
2 Numbers of species caught ref to
extinction;
3 Ref to named example e.g. elephants;

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