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A-LevelBiologyPhotosynthesisMay/June 2023Paper 4 Q89 Marks

(a) In plants such as rice, Oryza sativa, rubisco has a low rate of activity, which in turn affects the rate of photosynthesis. The cereal crop sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, has a high rate of activity of rubisco. A genetically modified (GM) variety of rice was produced. Parts of the quaternary structure of rubisco in rice were altered to be the same as the rubisco in sorghum. The rate of activity of rubisco in non-GM rice and GM rice was measured at different concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). The results are shown in Fig. 8.1. [Figure 8.1]

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Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

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Award 1 mark for identifying the correct principle. Award 1 mark for showing clear working. Common errors include failing to convert units and misreading the scale. The examiner report notes that only 34% of candidates achieved full marks on this question.

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About This A-Level Biology Question

Topic

This structured question tests Photosynthesis in A-Level Biology (syllabus code 9700). It is worth 9 marks.

Source

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Biology May/June 2023 examination, Paper 4 Variant 2.

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