Skip to main content
A-LevelBiologyCell membranes and transport9700/12 · Feb/Mar 2024 · Q191 Mark

Agar cubes can be used to demonstrate the effect on diffusion of changing the surface area to volume ratio. Three different agar cubes made using a coloured indicator solution were placed into a dilute acid that diffused into the cubes. As the acid diffused into the agar cubes, the colour of the indicator solution changed. The cubes had volumes of 1 cm³, 2 cm³ and 3 cm³ and were left in the dilute acid for 10 minutes. All other variables were kept the same. After 10 minutes, the agar cubes were removed from the dilute acid and cut in half. The cut surfaces were observed and the results were recorded as diagrams. All diagrams were drawn to the same scale. The results for the 2 cm³ cube are shown. [Figure 19.1] Which diagrams show the results for the 1 cm³ and the 3 cm³ cubes?

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

A1 cm³ cube showing large diffused area; 3 cm³ cube showing small diffused area
B1 cm³ cube showing small diffused area; 3 cm³ cube showing large diffused area
C1 cm³ cube showing almost complete diffusion, very small original colour area; 3 cm³ cube showing very small diffused area, very large original colour area
D1 cm³ cube showing complete diffusion; 3 cm³ cube showing small diffused area

✓ Correct answer

C: 1 cm³ cube showing almost complete diffusion, very small original colour area; 3 cm³ cube showing very small diffused area, very large original colour area

Practise more questions on this topic

Oracle Prep sorts past-paper questions by topic, so you can drill Cell membranes and transport and see which topics are most likely to come up next.

Sign up free →

About this question

Topic
Cell membranes and transport, A-Level Biology (syllabus 9700). Multiple choice, 1 mark.
Source
A-Level Biology, Feb/Mar 2024 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 19.

Questions and mark schemes are from past examination papers and remain the copyright of the exam board. How Oracle Prep builds its content

Related Biology questions

© 2026 Oracle Prep