AQA Biology A-Level - Photosynthesis MS PhysicsAndMathsTutor.

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Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) ☑ NADP, ADP, Pi and water;
1

(b) 1. Chlorophyll absorbs light

OR
Light excites/moves electrons in chlorophyll;
Ignore photosystems.

2. Electron/s are lost

OR
(Chlorophyll) becomes positively charged;
Ignore site/molecule from where electrons are lost.
Accept electrons go to electron transport/carrier chain for
‘electrons lost’.
2

(c) Ink and (leaf) pigments would mix

OR
(With ink) origin/line in different position
OR
(With pencil) origin/line in same position
OR
(With pencil) origin/line still visible;
1

(d) 1. Level of solvent below origin/line;

Reject water or any named aqueous solution.
Accept named organic solvent.

2. Remove/stop before (solvent) reaches top/end;

2

(e) Accept any answer in range of 0.58 to 0.62;

Accept 0.58 or 0.62.
Ignore any numbers which follow numbers in range.
1

(f) (Absorb) different/more wavelengths (of light) for photosynthesis;

Accept wider/larger range of wavelengths.
Accept frequency for wavelength.
Accept light-dependent reaction /photophosphorylation
/photoionisation for photosynthesis.
1
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AQA Biology A-Level - Photosynthesis MS PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q2.
(a) 1. (Less/no) ATP;

2. (Less/no) reduced NADP;

Accept NADPH, NADPH + H, NADPH2 NADPH +
H+
Reject reduced NAD, NADH etc,
2

(b) 1. (Less/no) carbon dioxide (reacts) with RuBP;

2. (Less/no) GP;
2

(c) 1. Stroma (of/in chloroplast);

Reject: stoma
Reject stroma of cytoplasm/chlorophyll
Reject stroma of mitochondrion
Ignore references to Calvin cycle or the light-
independent reaction
1

(d) 1. Rubisco activity increases with temperature

OR
Rubisco optimum temperature is above (rubisco activase);

2. (Rubisco) activase activity decreases at high temperatures (allow

any temperature above 25 ºC.)
OR
(Rubisco) activase optimum (allow in range) 25 to 30 ºC.;
Accept denatures at high temperature (allow any
temperature above 25 ºC)

3. (Results/graphs suggest) activase cannot/does not affect activity of

rubisco;

4. (Results are) only for cotton;

Accept may not be the same in other species/types
of plant
Ignore: only one study

5. (Results are) for isolated enzymes;

6. No stats test;
4 max
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AQA Biology A-Level - Photosynthesis MS PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q3.
(a) 1. Osmosis does not occur;
2. Chloroplast / organelle does not burst / lyse / shrivel / shrink;
1. Accept: osmosis would occur if water
potentials were not the same.
1 and 2, Accept: correct reference to osmotic lysis
for 2 marks.
2. Accept: chloroplast would burst / lyse / shrivel
/ shrink if water potentials were not the same.
2. Reject: ‘cell bursts/shrivels’
2. Ignore: damage to chloroplasts on its own is
not enough for a mark.
3. Reject: becomes turgid / flaccid.
2

(b) 1. To show light does not affect DCPIP;

2. To show chloroplasts are required;
Ignore: comparison with other tubes.
2

(c) 1. Reduction of DCPIP by electrons;

2. (From) chlorophyll / light dependent reaction;
1. Accept: hydrogen / H for electrons but not
protons / hydrogen ions / H* on their own.
2. Accept: from chloroplasts / photosystems /
water.
2

(d) Provides a standard / reference point

OR
Can compare different chemicals/weed-killers
OR
Can compare different concentrations of chemicals / weed-killers;
Accept: decolourises quicker than 100% or saves
time waiting for complete decolourisation.
Note: comparisons must be qualified.
Accept: find the most effective weed-killer or the
most effective concentration.
Accept: answers relating to cost effectiveness.
1

(e) 1. Less / no ATP produced;

2. Less / no reduced NADP produced;
3. Less / no GP reduced / converted to TP;
2, Accept: less / no NADPH / NADPH2 / NADPH +
H
2 max
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AQA Biology A-Level - Photosynthesis MS PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q4.
(a) 1. Oxygen produced in light-dependent reaction;
2. The faster (oxygen) is produced, the faster the light-dependent
reaction.
2

(b) 35–36 μmol Oxygen per mg chlorophyll.

Correct difference at 500 μmol photons m–2 s–1 or
incorrect difference but division by 4 shown = 1
mark.
2

(c) At all light intensities, chloroplasts from mutant plants:

1. Have faster production of ATP and reduced NADP;
2. (So) have faster / more light-independent reaction;
3. (So) produce more sugars that can be used in respiration;
4. (So) have more energy for growth;
5. Have faster / more synthesis of new organic materials.
Accept converse points if clear answer relates to
non-mutant plants
4 max
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Q5.
(a) 1. Stirrer distributes heat (energy);
Accept stirrer ensures equal/even temperature or
prevents build up of ‘hot spots’.

2. Insulation/space/air reduces loss/gain of heat

OR

Insulation/space/air reduces conduction/convection;

Reject vacuum.

3. Water has high (specific) heat capacity;

2 max

(b) 3.28 / 3.3 (kJ g−1) = 2 marks;;

Incorrect answer but shows 328 / 33 (ignore any subsequent

numbers and decimal point) = 1 mark

OR

Incorrect answer of 6.56 / 6.6 (kJ g−1) (ignore any subsequent

numbers) = 1 mark;
2

(c) 1. (Light is) reflected;

Light is not absorbed on its own is not enough.

2. (Light is) wrong wavelength;

AQA Biology A-Level - Photosynthesis MS PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Accept frequency for wavelength.

Accept reference to absorbing specified
wavelengths/frequencies.

3. (Light) misses chlorophyll/ chloroplasts/photosynthetic tissue;

4. CO2 concentration or temperature is a limiting factor.

2 max

(d) 1. ATP;

2. Reduced NADP;
Accept 1 and 2 in either order.
Reject Reduced NAD.
Accept NADPH/NADPH2.
2

(e) Correct answer of 1.31/1.3 × 108 (ignoring any subsequent

numbers after 1.31) = 2 marks;;

Incorrect answer but shows 216 = 1 mark

OR

65536 in any correct numerical form = 1 mark OR

Incorrect answer but shows 131 ignoring any subsequent

numbers and ignoring any decimal point = 1 mark;
2
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Q6.
(a) 7.7(%);
1

(b) 1. No error bars / SD;

2. To show if overlap occurs so difference (in means) is not significant /

due to chance
OR
To show if no overlap occurs so difference (in means) is significant /
is not due to chance.
Do not accept ‘no statistical test performed’ as Chi
squared / Spearman’s rank would be inappropriate.
Ignore references to sample size as it can be
assumed that scientists completed the study using
appropriate methodology.
2

(c) 1. Reduced transfer of protons across thylakoid membrane

OR
Reduced chemiosomotic gradient / proton gradient across thylakoid
membrane;
AQA Biology A-Level - Photosynthesis MS PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

2. (So) less ATP produced;

3. (So) less reduced NADP produced;

Accept NADPH / NADPH2 / NADPH+
Reject reduced NAD

4. (So) light-independent reaction slows / stops;

OR
Less reduction of GP to triose phosphate.
4

(d) Idea that energy is released from high energy / excited electron/s (that
were lost from chlorophyll)
1
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