Q1. Lysozyme is an enzyme consisting of a single polypeptide chain of 129 amino acids.

(a) What is the minimum number of nucleotide bases needed to code for this enzyme?

......................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) The diagram shows the sequence of bases in a section of the mRNA strand used to
synthesise this enzyme.

G G U C U U U C U U A U G G U A G A U A U

(i) Give the DNA sequence which would be complementary to the first four bases in this
section of mRNA.

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) How many different types of tRNA molecule would attach to the section of mRNA
shown in the diagram?

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(c) Give two factors which might increase the frequency at which a mutation in DNA occurs.

1 ...................................................................................................................

2 ...................................................................................................................
(2)

(d) Two single base mutations occurred in the DNA coding for this section of mRNA. These
mutations caused an alteration in the sequence of amino acids in the enzyme. The
diagram shows the original and altered sequences of amino acids.

Original amino acid

Gly Leu Ser Tyr Gly Arg Tyr
sequence

Original mRNA
GGU CUU UCU UAU GGU AGA UAU
base sequence

Altered amino acid

Gly Leu Tyr Leu Trp Arg Tyr
sequence

Altered mRNA
GGU CUU AGA UAU
base sequence

Page 1 of 30
 (i) Use the mRNA codons provided in the table to complete the altered mRNA base
sequence in the diagram.

Amino acid mRNA codons which can be used

Arg AGA

Gly GGU

Leu CUU or UUA

Ser UCU

Trp UGG

Tyr UAU or UAC

(1)

(ii) Use the information provided to determine the precise nature of the two single base
mutations in the DNA.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q2. (a) (i) What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Name the organelle involved in translation.

.............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 2 of 30
(b) Figure 1 shows some molecules involved in protein synthesis.

Figure 1

Complete Figure 1 to show

(i) the bases on the DNA strand from which the mRNA was transcribed;

(ii) the bases forming the anticodons of the tRNA molecules.

(2)

Figure 2 shows the effects of two different mutations of the DNA on the base sequence of the
mRNA. The table shows the mRNA codons for three amino acids.

Figure 2

(c) Name the type of mutation represented by mutation 1.

......................................................................................................................
(1)

(d) Use the information in the table to

(i) identify amino acid X in Figure 1;

.............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 3 of 30
 (ii) explain how each mutation may affect the polypeptide for which this section of DNA
is part of the code.

Mutation 1 ...........................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)

Mutation 2 ...........................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Q3. The black mamba is a poisonous snake. Its poison contains a toxin.

The table shows the base sequence of mRNA that codes for the first two amino acids of this
toxin.

Base sequence of anticodon on tRNA

Base sequence of mRNA A C G A U G

Base sequence of DNA

Complete the table to show

(a) (i) the base sequence of the anticodon on the first tRNA molecule that would bind to
this mRNA sequence
(1)

(ii) the base sequence of the DNA from which this mRNA was transcribed.
(1)

(b) The length of the section of DNA that codes for the complete toxin is longer than the
mRNA used for translation. Explain why.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 4 of 30
 (c) A mutation in the base sequence of the DNA that codes for the toxin would change the
base sequence of the mRNA.

Explain how a change in the base sequence of the mRNA could lead to a change in the
tertiary structure of the toxin.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(1)

(d) The black mamba’s toxin kills prey by preventing their breathing. It does this by inhibiting
the enzyme acetylcholinesterase at neuromuscular junctions. Explain how this prevents
breathing.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

(Extra space) .................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

Q4. The table shows the sequence of bases on part of the coding strand of DNA.

Base sequence on coding strand

C G T T A C
of DNA

Base sequence of mRNA

(a) Complete the table to show the base sequence of the mRNA transcribed from this DNA
strand.
(2)

Page 5 of 30
(b) A piece of mRNA is 660 nucleotides long but the DNA coding strand from which it was
transcribed is 870 nucleotides long.

(i) Explain this difference in the number of nucleotides.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) What is the maximum number of amino acids in the protein translated from this
piece of mRNA? Explain your answer.

Number of amino acids .......................................................................

Explanation .........................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)

(c) Complete the table to give two differences between the structure of mRNA and the
structure of tRNA.

mRNA tRNA

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 6 of 30
Q5. (a) The table shows the mRNA codons for some amino acids.

Codon Amino acid

CUA Leucine

GUC Valine

ACG Threonine

UGC Cysteine

GCU Alanine

AGU Serine

(i) Give the DNA sequence coding for cysteine.

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Name the amino acid coded by the tRNA anticodon UCA.

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(b) A particular gene is 562 base-pairs long. However, the resulting mRNA is only 441
nucleotides long. Explain this difference.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 7 of 30
 (c) Tetracycline binds to bacterial ribosomes. This is shown in the diagram.

Protein synthesis in bacteria is similar to that in eukaryotic cells. Explain how tetracycline
stops protein synthesis.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q6. S The diagram shows a single-celled organism called Chlamydomonas.

Page 8 of 30
(a) Chlamydomonas lives in fresh-water ponds. It uses its flagella to swim towards light of
moderate intensity but away from very bright light. Using information in the diagram,
explain the advantage of this behaviour.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) A Chlamydomonas cell has two flagella. These flagella contain a single sort of protein. A
flagellum consists of a bundle of 242 filaments. Each filament consists of 7500 protein
molecules. Each protein molecule contains 900 amino acid units.

(i) What would be the minimum number of nucleotides in the coding region of the
mRNA used to synthesise this protein?

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) In an investigation, a culture of Chlamydomonas was treated in a way that caused

them to lose their flagella without any other damage to the cells. The flagella grew
back to their original length in 60 minutes.

How many amino acid molecules would be incorporated into each growing flagellum
per minute? Show your working.

Answer .........................................
(2)

Page 9 of 30
(c) The researchers investigated the rate at which the flagella grew in three different media.

1. A medium containing actinomycin D, which prevents transcription by binding to the

guanine in DNA

2. A medium containing puromycin, which prevents translation by attaching to

ribosomes

3. A control medium

The results are shown in the graph.

(i) Describe how the rate of growth was affected by puromycin.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)

Page 10 of 30
 (ii) The researchers concluded

1. that the cells used mRNA that is already present in the cytoplasm for the
regrowth of the flagella;

2. that some of the regrowth uses protein molecules already present in the cell.

Explain the evidence for each of these conclusions.

1 ..........................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

2 ..........................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 11 marks)

Q7. (a) Table 1 shows some of the events which take place in protein synthesis.

A tRNA molecules bring specific amino acids to the mRNA molecule

B mRNA nucleotides join with exposed DNA bases and form a molecule of mRNA

C The two strands of a DNA molecule separate

D Peptide bonds form between the amino acids

E The mRNA molecule leaves the nucleus

F A ribosome attaches to the mRNA molecule

Table 1

(i) Write the letters in the correct order to show the sequence of events during protein
synthesis, starting with the earliest.

................ ................ ................ ................. ................. .................

(2)

(ii) In which part of a cell does C take place?

.............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 11 of 30
 (iii) Which of A - F are involved in translation?

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(b) Table 2 shows some mRNA codons and the amino acids for which they code.

mRNA codon Amino acid

GUU Valine

CUU Leucine

GCC Alanine

AUU Isoleucine

ACC Threonine

Table 2

(i) A tRNA molecule has the anticodon UAA. Which amino acid does the tRNA
molecule carry?

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Give the DNA base sequence that codes for threonine.

.............................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 6 marks)

Q8. (a) The table shows the mRNA codons for some amino acids.

Codon Amino Acid

CUA Leucine

GUC Valine

ACG Threonine

UGC Cysteine

GCU Alanine

AGU Serine

(i) Give the DNA sequence for cysteine.

.............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 12 of 30
 (ii) Name the amino acid coded by the tRNA anticodon UCA.

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(b) A particular gene is 652 base pairs long. The mRNA produced from this gene is only 441
nucleotides long. Explain this difference.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(1)

(c) Tetracycline is an antibiotic. The diagram shows how tetracycline binds to bacterial
ribosomes.

Protein synthesis in bacteria is similar to that in eukaryotic cells. Explain how tetracycline
stops protein synthesis in bacteria.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q9. The diagram shows part of a pre-mRNA molecule.

Page 13 of 30
(a) (i) Name the two substances that make up part X.

................................................... and .................................................

(1)

(ii) Give the sequence of bases on the DNA strand from which this pre-mRNA has been
transcribed.

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(b) (i) Give one way in which the structure of an mRNA molecule is different from the
structure of a tRNA molecule.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Explain the difference between pre-mRNA and mRNA.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(c) The table shows the percentage of different bases in two pre-mRNA molecules.
The molecules were transcribed from the DNA in different parts of a chromosome.

Percentage of base
Part of
chromosome
A G C U

Middle 38 20 24

End 31 22 26

(i) Complete the table by writing the percentage of uracil (U) in the appropriate boxes.
(1)

(ii) Explain why the percentages of bases from the middle part of the chromosome and
the end part are different.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 14 of 30
Q10. (a) Figure 1 shows the exposed bases (anticodons) of two tRNA molecules involved in
the synthesis of a protein.

Figure 1

Complete the boxes to show the sequence of bases found along the corresponding
section of the coding DNA strand.
(2)

(b) Describe the role of tRNA in the process of translation.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(3)

(c) Figure 2 shows the sequence of bases in a section of DNA coding for a polypeptide of
seven amino acids.

Figure 2

TACAAGGTCGTCTTTGTCAAG
The polypeptide was hydrolysed. It contained four different amino acids. The number of
each type obtained is shown in the table.

Amino acid Number present

Phe 2

Met 1

Lys 1

Gln 3

Page 15 of 30
 Use the base sequence shown in Figure 2 to work out the order of amino acids in the
polypeptide. Write your answer in the table below.

Met

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q11. New alleles arise as a result of mutations in existing genes. These mutations may occur
during DNA replication.

(a) Explain what is meant by an allele.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) Explain how DNA replicates.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(4)

Page 16 of 30
 (c) Explain why a mutation involving the deletion of a base may have a greater effect than one
involving substitution of one base for another.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q12. The diagram shows the life cycle of a fly.

When the larva is fully grown, it changes into a pupa. The pupa does not feed. In the pupa, the
tissues that made up the body of the larva are broken down. New adult tissues are formed from
substances obtained from these broken-down tissues and from substances that were stored in
the body of the larva.

(a) Hydrolysis and condensation are important in the formation of new adult proteins.
Explain how.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Most of the protein stored in the body of a fly larva is a protein called calliphorin.
Explain why different adult proteins can be made using calliphorin.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 17 of 30
 The table shows the mean concentration of RNA in fly pupae at different ages.

Age of pupa as percentage of Mean concentration of RNA / μg

total time spent as a pupa per pupa

0 20

20 15

40 12

60 17

80 33

100 20

(c) Describe how the concentration of RNA changes during the time spent as a pupa.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)

(d) (i) Describe how you would expect the number of lysosomes in a pupa to change with
the age of the pupa. Give a reason for your answer.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Suggest an explanation for the change in RNA concentration in the first 40% of the
time spent as a pupa.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)

Page 18 of 30
(e) Suggest an explanation for the change in RNA concentration between 60 and 80% of the
time spent as a pupa.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)

(f) The graph shows changes in the activity of two respiratory enzymes in a fly pupa.

• Enzyme A catalyses a reaction in the Krebs cycle

• Enzyme B catalyses the formation of lactate from pyruvate

Page 19 of 30
 During the first 6 days as a pupa, the tracheae break down. New tracheae are formed after
6 days. Use this information to explain the change in activity of the two enzymes.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

(Extra space) ................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 15 marks)

Q13. (a) The mRNA codon for the amino acid tyrosine is UAU.

(i) Give the DNA triplet for tyrosine.

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Give the tRNA anticodon for tyrosine.

.............................................................................................................
(1)

(b) Give two ways in which the structure of a molecule of tRNA differs from the structure of a
molecule of mRNA.

1 ...................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

2 ...................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

Page 20 of 30
Q14. Read the following passage.

The sequence of bases in a molecule of DNA codes for proteins. Different sequences of bases
code for different proteins. The genetic code, however, is degenerate. Although the base
sequence AGT codes for serine, other sequences may also code for this same amino acid.
There are four base sequences which code for the amino acid glycine. These are CCA, CCC,
5 CCG and CCT. There are also four base sequences coding for the amino acid proline. These
are GGA, GGC, GGG and GGT.

Pieces of DNA which have a sequence where the same base is repeated many times are called
“slippery”. When “slippery” DNA is copied during replication, errors may occur in copying.
Individual bases may be copied more than once. This may give rise to differences in the
10 protein which is produced by the piece of DNA containing the errors.

Use information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the following questions.

(a) Different sequences of bases code for different proteins (lines 1 – 2). Explain how.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) The base sequence AGT codes for serine (lines 2 – 3). Give the mRNA codon transcribed
from this base sequence.

......................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) Glycine-proline-proline is a series of amino acids found in a particular protein. Give the
sequence of DNA bases for these three amino acids which contains the longest “slippery”
sequence.

......................................................................................................................
(2)

(d) (i) Explain how copying bases more than once may give rise to a difference in the
protein (lines 9 – 10).

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) At what stage in the cell cycle would these errors in copying DNA bases occur?

.............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 21 of 30
(e) Starting with mRNA in the nucleus of a cell, describe how a molecule of protein is
synthesised.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(6)
(Total 15 marks)

Page 22 of 30
Q15. The diagram shows part of the metabolic pathway involved in the clotting of blood in
response to an injury.

Haemophilia is a condition in which blood fails to clot. This is usually because of a mutant allele
of the gene for Factor VIII.

(a) Explain how mutation could lead to faulty Factor VIII.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Use information in the diagram to explain how faulty Factor VIII causes haemophilia.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) A boy had haemophilia caused by faulty Factor IX. When his blood was mixed with blood
from a haemophiliac with faulty Factor VIII, the mixture clotted. Suggest an explanation for
clotting of the mixture.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 23 of 30
Q16. This question should be answered in continuous prose.
Quality of Written Communication will be assessed in the answer.

(i) Starting with mRNA, describe how the process of translation leads to the production of a
polypeptide.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(4)

(ii) Normal tomato plants have an enzyme that softens tomatoes as they ripen. Genetically
engineered tomatoes ripen and soften more slowly. A gene was inserted which reduces
the amount of softening enzyme produced.

The diagram shows matching parts of the base sequences for the mRNA produced by the
gene for the softening enzyme and that produced by the inserted gene.

Softening gene mRNA …AAUCGGAAU…

Inserted gene mRNA …UUAGCCUUA…

Suggest how the inserted gene reduces the production of the softening enzyme.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 24 of 30
Q17. Figure 1 shows part of a gene that is being transcribed.

Figure 1

(a) Name enzyme X.

......................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) (i) Oestrogen is a hormone that affects transcription. It forms a complex with a receptor
in the cytoplasm of target cells. Explain how an activated oestrogen receptor affects
the target cell.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Oestrogen only affects target cells. Explain why oestrogen does not affect other cells
in the body.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 25 of 30
 (c) Some breast tumours are stimulated to grow by oestrogen. Tamoxifen is used to treat
these breast tumours. In the liver, tamoxifen is converted into an active substance called
endoxifen. Figure 2 shows a molecule of oestrogen and a molecule of endoxifen.

Figure 2

Use Figure 2 to suggest how endoxifen reduces the growth rate of these breast tumours.

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Q18. (a) Name one mutagenic agent.

......................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 26 of 30
(b) In flax plants the flowers are white, lilac or blue. The diagram shows the pathway by which
the flower cells produce coloured pigments.

(i) A deletion mutation occurs in gene 1. Describe how a deletion mutation alters the
structure of a gene.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Describe and explain how the altered gene could result in flax plants with white-
coloured flowers.

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................
(4)

Page 27 of 30
 (iii) Electrophoresis was used to separate the enzymes involved in this pathway. When
extracts of the differently coloured flax petals were analysed, four different patterns of
bands were produced. In the table, only bands that contain functional enzymes are
shown.

Result of electrophoresis Colour of petal

White

Complete the table to give the colour of the petal from which each extract was taken.
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Q19. (a) Complete the table to show the differences between DNA, mRNA and tRNA.

Number of
Hydrogen bonds present ( )
Type of nucleic acid polynucleotide strands
or not present ( )
in molecule

DNA

mRNA

tRNA
(2)

Page 28 of 30
(b) The diagram shows the bases on one strand of a piece of DNA.

(i) In the space below, give the sequence of bases on the pre-mRNA transcribed from
this strand.

(2)

(ii) In the space below, give the sequence of bases on the mRNA produced by splicing
this piece of pre-mRNA.

(1)
(Total 5 marks)

Page 29 of 30
Page 30 of 30