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No. 6 1 3 1 0 1
Paper Reference(s)

6131/01 Examiner’s use only

Edexcel GCE Team Leader’s use only

Biology (Salters-Nuffield)
Advanced Subsidiary Question Leave
Number Blank

Unit Test 1 1
Wednesday 10 January 2007 – Morning 2
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes 3
4
Materials required for examination Items included with question papers
Nil Nil 5
6
7

Instructions to Candidates
In the boxes above, write your centre number, candidate number, your surname, initial(s) and
signature.
The paper reference is shown above. Check that you have the correct question paper.
Answer ALL SEVEN questions in the spaces provided in this booklet.
If you need to use additional answer sheets, attach them loosely but securely inside this booklet.
Show all the steps in any calculations and state the units. Calculators may be used.
Include diagrams in your answers where these are helpful.

Information for Candidates

The marks for individual questions and parts of questions are shown in round brackets: e.g. (2).
The total mark for this question paper is 60.

Advice to Candidates
You will be assessed on your ability to organise and present information, ideas, descriptions and
arguments clearly and logically, taking into account your use of grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Total
This publication may be reproduced only in accordance with
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1. For a cell to function normally, it needs to be able to control the transport of molecules
and ions across its surface membrane. Complete the following passage by writing the
appropriate word(s) in each space.

(a) Molecules and ions move into cells by a variety of methods. Oxygen passes

passively into cells by ............................................... Hydrophilic molecules that

are larger than gases pass into cells with the aid of membrane proteins in another

passive process called ............................................... If substances are being moved

against a concentration gradient, a method called ..............................................

is used. This requires input of .............................................. and involves

.............................................. proteins in the membrane. Bulk transport of materials

into cells is by ...............................................

(3)

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(b) Give one similarity and one difference between the following methods of transport
across cell membranes:

(i) Diffusion and osmosis

Similarity

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Difference

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(ii) Endocytosis and exocytosis

Similarity

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Difference

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(4) Q1

(Total 7 marks)

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2. Diseases of the cardiovascular system are a major cause of death worldwide. Most
cardiovascular diseases are caused by fatty deposits called plaques. The diagrams below
show stages in the development of a plaque and the narrowing of the lumen of an artery.

Normal lumen Narrow lumen

Normal artery Tear in artery Plaque

wall

(a) Describe how this narrowing of the lumen can increase the risk of further damage to
an artery.

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(2)

(b) (i) Describe the sequence of events that results in the formation of a blood clot.

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(3)

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(ii) Explain how a blood clot can cause a heart attack.

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(3) Q2

(Total 8 marks)

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3. The diagram below shows two family trees (A and B) where some of the family members
have Huntington’s Disease (HD). HD is caused by a dominant allele. This disease leads
to degeneration of the nervous system usually when the sufferer is in their late thirties.

Key
= Male with HD = Male without HD

= Female with HD = Female without HD

A B
1 2

3 4

(a) Using H to represent the allele for Huntington’s Disease and h to represent the normal
allele:

(i) Give the genotype of individuals 1 and 4 in family tree A.

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

4 ............................
(2)

(ii) Draw a genetic diagram for family tree B to explain why none of the children will
develop HD, even though one of their parents suffers from the disease.

(3)

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(b) The children in family B have had some of their cells genetically screened to find out
whether the allele for HD was present.

The diagrams below show some of the main steps involved in testing the DNA from
cells. The DNA is separated into fragments so that a faulty allele can be identified
using a gene probe.
DNA Sample

faulty
allele

Describe the techniques involved in the steps shown on the diagram, which allow the
DNA to be separated and identified using a gene probe.

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(5) Q3

(Total 10 marks)

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4. Proteins have a wide range of functions in living organisms. The function of a protein is
related to its precise three dimensional shape, which is determined by its specific sequence
of amino acids. The diagram below shows a model of a typical protein molecule.

(a) (i) Complete the diagram below to give the structure of the amino acid glycine.

(2)

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(ii) Explain how a specific sequence of amino acids can form the precise three
dimensional shape of a protein molecule.

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(3)

(b) The following DNA base sequence codes for part of a protein molecule.

TACGGTATGCCAACCTTC

(i) State the number of amino acids coded by this section of DNA.

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(1)

(ii) Name the process involved in converting a base sequence of DNA into a base
sequence of messenger RNA (mRNA).

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(1)

(iii) Give the complementary mRNA sequence to the DNA sequence above.

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(2) Q4

(Total 9 marks)

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5. (a) The following table contains some statements about the properties of polysaccharides,
lipids and proteins. Complete the table by placing a 9 if a statement is correct and a
8 if it is incorrect.

Polysaccharides Lipids Proteins

Are polymers

Have ester bonds

Contain carbon, hydrogen,

oxygen and nitrogen

Form components making

up the structure of cell
membranes
(6)

(b) Give one difference between the following pairs of molecules:

(i) Saturated and unsaturated lipids

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(ii) Glycogen and starch

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(2) Q5

(Total 8 marks)

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6. Lowering the level of blood cholesterol in an individual by 1% can decrease the risk of
coronary heart disease by 2–3%. A low cholesterol diet can help to lower the level of
blood cholesterol.

(a) (i) Suggest a specific change in diet that could help to lower the level of blood
cholesterol.

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(1)

(ii) Suggest and explain why a low cholesterol diet might not result in a lower blood
cholesterol level.

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(2)

(b) Statins are drugs currently in use to help lower blood cholesterol levels. The table
below gives the results of some trials carried out to determine if statins reduce the risk
of heart disease in men and women.

Drug used Number of subjects % of subjects who had heart % reduction

involved attacks in heart
attacks
Control group Statin group Control group Statin group
Statin A 4502 4512 15.9 12.3 22.6
Statin B 2223 2221 15.0 8.7 42.0
Statin C 3301 3304 14.8 8.9

(i) Use the figures shown in the table to calculate the % reduction in heart attacks
after taking Statin C. Show your working.

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

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(ii) State which statin was the most effective.

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(1)
(iii) Suggest a reason for:

The number of subjects involved

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The control group

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(2) Q6

(Total 8 marks)

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7. The graph below shows the percentage of males and females that were classified as
clinically obese in a population between 1980 and 2000.

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20
Percentage of males
and females classified 15
as clinically obese Males
(BMI greater than 30) 10 Females

0
1980 1986 1991 1995 2000

(a) (i) Describe the trends shown on the graph.

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(3)

(ii) Suggest reasons for these trends.

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(2)

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(b) One way of defining obesity is to use the body mass index (BMI).

Calculate the BMI for an individual who weighs 76 kg and whose height is 1.70 metres
and state if this individual would be described as obese.

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(2)

(c) Explain the links between obesity and health problems.

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(3) Q7

(Total 10 marks)
TOTAL FOR PAPER: 60 MARKS

END

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