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A-LevelBiologyEnergy and respiration9700/52 · Oct/Nov 2021 · Q117 Marks

Some students researched how yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is used in the food industry. The students found that in different manufacturing processes yeast is provided with different types of sugar. These sugars are either monosaccharides or disaccharides. The students decided to compare the effect of supplying yeast with glucose or with maltose. Glucose is a monosaccharide. Maltose is a disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules joined by a glycosidic bond. • The students made a standard yeast suspension using 100g of dried yeast and 1 dm³ of deionised water. • The suspension was left at 20 °C for two hours. During this time the yeast became active. • After two hours the yeast culture was divided into two samples. • Sample A was provided with glucose and sample B was provided with maltose. • The apparatus shown in Fig. 1.1 was set up for each sample separately. [Figure 1.1] • As the yeast respired, gas collected at the top of the small test-tubes, as shown in Fig. 1.2. [Figure 1.2] The students used the apparatus to test the hypothesis: Yeast has a higher rate of respiration when supplied with glucose than when supplied with maltose.

  1. (a)(i)State the independent variable and the dependent variable in this investigation. independent variable dependent variable[2]
  2. (a)(ii)The students stirred the yeast suspension before dividing it into the two samples. Explain why it is important to stir the suspension.[1]
  3. (a)(iii)Describe a method using the apparatus set up as shown in Fig. 1.1 that the students could use to test their hypothesis. Your method should be set out in a logical order and be detailed enough for another person to follow. You should not include details of how to make the yeast suspension or how to set up the apparatus.[7]
  4. (b)(i)Other students used a gas syringe to measure the volume of gas produced when a suspension of yeast was supplied with glucose or maltose. Fig. 1.3 shows their results. [Figure 1.3] State how the students could calculate the rate of respiration from the results shown in Fig. 1.3.[1]
  5. (b)(ii)State and explain the conclusions that can be made for the results in Fig. 1.3.[3]
  6. (c)When the students evaluated their method they thought that they could measure the change in pH in the yeast suspension as the gas produced by yeast is carbon dioxide. One student suggested using an indicator solution and colour chart. Another student suggested using a pH meter. Suggest the advantages of using a pH meter rather than an indicator solution and colour chart.[3]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [2] independent variable type of sugar or glucose / monosaccharide and maltose / disaccharide; dependent variable height / length, of gas ;
  2. [1] to allow yeast / cells, to be evenly distributed ;
  3. [7] 1 same / stated, concentration of glucose and maltose solutions;
  4. 2 same / stated, volume of each sugar solution ;
  5. 3 same / stated, volume of yeast suspension (for each tube) / equally divide yeast suspension between (each tube) ;
  6. 4 same / stated, volume of water in each (large) tube ;
  7. 5 method of maintaining a constant temperature ;
  8. 6 maintaining a constant pH and use a buffer ;
  9. 7 measure / record, height of gas / liquid, in set time or measure / record, time taken, to reach a set height of gas / liquid ;
  10. 8 use of a ruler / AW for measuring gas / liquid ;
  11. 9 control, using killed yeast / replace yeast with water ;
  12. 10 repeat at least twice / three replicates, and finding mean (for at least one sugar);
  13. 11 low risk;
  14. [1] any one from: divide the volume of gas collected in a stated time, by the (same) time; 1÷ time to reach a stated volume of gas ; use a tangent to the line and divide volume by time / calculate gradient;
  15. [3] any three from: 1 rate of respiration is higher for glucose (than maltose) / ora ;
  16. 2 initial rate of reaction / respiration faster;
  17. 3 gas / CO2, production is higher with glucose / ora ;
  18. 4 maltose is broken down before it can be respired / glucose can be respired immediately;
  19. 5 maltase / enzyme, needed to break down maltose ;
  20. [3] any three from: 1 not subjective / ora ;
  21. 2 more accurate / ora ;
  22. 3 more precise / ora ;
  23. 4 can continuously record data (with data logger / computer);
  24. 5 meter can be used if colour blind / ora ;
  25. 6 meter does not pose a risk or hazard / ora ;

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About this question

Topic
Energy and respiration, A-Level Biology (syllabus 9700). Structured question, 17 marks.
Source
A-Level Biology, Oct/Nov 2021 Paper 5 Variant 2, question 1.

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