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A-LevelBiologyPhotosynthesis9700/41 · May/June 2023 · Q111 Marks

Fig. 1.1 shows a transmission electron micrograph of part of a chloroplast. [Figure 1.1]

  1. (a)Table 1.1 describes some functions that occur in different parts of a chloroplast. Complete Table 1.1 by identifying the letter on Fig. 1.1 that is a location matching the description. Each letter may be used once, more than once, or not at all. [Table 1.1][4]
  2. (b)(i)Membranes of the type labelled C in Fig. 1.1 were made into a liquid extract. Chromatography was then used to separate and identify the coloured components (pigments) in this extract. The resulting chromatogram showed that these membranes contain a yellow pigment, an orange pigment, a green-brown pigment and two different green pigments. Describe how you would carry out chromatography to separate and identify the coloured pigments in the liquid extract of C.[4]
  3. (b)(ii)Explain why membrane C has many different coloured pigments to function efficiently.[3]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. accumulates (builds up) a high concentration of protons: B;
  2. makes triose phosphate: A;
  3. makes some chloroplast proteins: D;
  4. pumps protons: C;
  5. spot/extract, placed on, pencil line / base line / line of origin ;
  6. repeat/concentrate, spot/extract ;
  7. end/base, of paper, suspended / placed, in (named) solvent ;
  8. mark the solvent front after, some time / paper removed / solvent moves ;
  9. Rf value = distance moved by, spot / pigment/component/ solute + distance moved by solvent (front) ;
  10. compare (Rf) with known Rf values to identify, constituents / pigments ;
  11. detail of method;
  12. (pigments / they / to) absorb / capture / harvest, light (energy) ;
  13. increase (range of) / more / different, wavelengths / colours of light, can be absorbed ;
  14. increase, efficiency / rate, of, photosynthesis / light dependent reaction OR increase / broader, action spectrum ;
  15. ref. two of: chlorophyll a / chlorophyll b / carotene / xanthophyll ;

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About this question

Topic
Photosynthesis, A-Level Biology (syllabus 9700). Structured question, 11 marks.
Source
A-Level Biology, May/June 2023 Paper 4 Variant 1, question 1.

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