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A-LevelBiologyNucleic acids and protein synthesis9700/23 · May/June 2025 · Q57 Marks

Telomeres are lengths of DNA that consist of repetitive nucleotide sequences. Telomeres are present in eukaryotic chromosomes.

  1. (a)Outline the role of telomeres in eukaryotic chromosomes.[3]
  2. (b)(i)Fig. 5.1 shows part of the telomere nucleotide sequence in one of the DNA strands. AATCCCAATCCCAATCCC [Figure 5.1] Scientists have found that the DNA in telomeres can be transcribed to produce RNA known as TERRA. TERRA is transcribed from the DNA nucleotide sequence shown in Fig. 5.1. Complete Fig. 5.2 to show the six bases in the RNA sequence of TERRA. [Figure 5.2] DNA sequence: A A T C C C RNA sequence: ...................[1]
  3. (b)(ii)Fig. 5.3 is a diagram showing DNA triplet codes on the non-transcribed strand of a gene and the amino acids coded by the triplets. [Figure 5.3] Dipeptides are sometimes translated from TERRA RNA. Use Fig. 5.3 to state the two amino acids in the dipeptide translated from TERRA RNA. 1 ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 ........................................................................................................................................................[2]
  4. (b)(iii)Scientists have discovered that TERRA interacts with genes in stem cells. Increased concentrations of TERRA in stem cells result in a large increase in the number of genes that are transcribed. Suggest the result of the large increase in the number of genes that are transcribed in stem cells.[1]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [3] any three from:
  2. [3] allows DNA replication to, occur many times / AW ;
  3. [3] allows (some) cells to carry out, many / continuous / repeated, mitoses / cell cycles / cell divisions ; I cell replication
  4. [3] prevents the loss of, genes / genetic information (from ends of chromosomes) ; ora ; A prevents loss of coding sequences ; I prevents loss of, DNA / genetic material
  5. [3] AVP; e.g. prevents fusion of chromosome ends
  6. [3] prevents ends of chromosomes being recognised as damaged
  7. [1] UUAGGG ;
  8. [2] leucine ;
  9. [2] glycine ;
  10. [2] ecf on asparagine and proline
  11. [1] any one from:
  12. [1] increase in number of different proteins produced ; A increase in number of different enzymes produced ; A increase in the number of different mRNA molecules in the cell
  13. [1] ref. to ability of cell to, become differentiated / become specialised / take on particular function;
  14. [1] increase in growth of cell (in preparation for mitosis);
  15. [1] production of cell organelles (in preparation for mitosis) ;
  16. [1] AVP:

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About this question

Topic
Nucleic acids and protein synthesis, A-Level Biology (syllabus 9700). Structured question, 7 marks.
Source
A-Level Biology, May/June 2025 Paper 2 Variant 3, question 5.

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