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A-LevelBiologyCell membranes and transportOct/Nov 2025Paper 3 Q120 Marks

Dialysis tubing is a partially permeable membrane. Glucose molecules can diffuse through the dialysis tubing. You are required to investigate the diffusion of glucose across dialysis tubing. You are provided with the materials shown in Table 1.1. [Table 1.1] If any solution comes into contact with your skin, wash off immediately with cold water. It is recommended that you wear suitable eye protection. You will need to: • put glucose solution into dialysis tubing surrounded by water • take samples of the water surrounding the dialysis tubing • test for the presence of glucose in each sample of water. Carry out step 1 to step 11. step 1 Draw a mark 8 cm from the top of a large test-tube, as shown in Fig. 1.1. [Figure 1.1] step 2 Remove the dialysis tubing from beaker D. Tie a knot in the dialysis tubing as close as possible to one end, so that the end is sealed. step 3 The whole length of the dialysis tubing needs to be separated to allow the tubing to be filled with solution. To do this, rub the whole length gently between your finger and thumb. step 4 Put 10 cm³ of 20.0% glucose solution, G, into the open end of the dialysis tubing. step 5 Rinse the outside of the dialysis tubing by dipping it in the water in beaker D. step 6 Put the dialysis tubing containing G into the large test-tube and keep it in position using an elastic band as shown in Fig. 1.2. [Figure 1.2] step 7 Put distilled water into the large test-tube so that the top of the water is above the level of the glucose solution in the dialysis tubing. step 8 Start timing. You are required to take samples of the water surrounding the dialysis tubing every 5 minutes for 15 minutes. You will collect three samples. step 9 Label three test-tubes with the times the samples of water will be taken (5, 10 and 15). step 10 After 5 minutes (step 8), put a 1 cm³ syringe into the water surrounding the dialysis tubing so that the end of the syringe is level with the mark on the test-tube. Remove 1 cm³ from the water surrounding the dialysis tubing and put this into the test-tube labelled 5. Repeat this action to remove another 1 cm³ from the water surrounding the dialysis tubing and put this into the test-tube labelled 5. The test-tube labelled 5 will now contain a 2cm³ sample. Do not stop timing. step 11 Repeat step 10 at 10 minutes and at 15 minutes using the appropriately labelled test-tubes. You need to carry out a dilution of the 20.0% glucose solution, G, to make a 1.0% glucose solution. You will need 20cm³ of this 1.0% glucose solution.

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About This A-Level Biology Question

This structured question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Biology (9700) Oct/Nov 2025 examination, Paper 3 Variant 3. It tests the topic of Cell membranes and transport and is worth 20 marks.

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