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A-LevelBiologyCell membranes and transport9700/12 · Feb/Mar 2017 · Q171 Mark

The cells in the roots of beetroot plants contain a red pigment. When pieces of root tissue are soaked in cold water, some of the red pigment leaks out of the cells into the water. An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of temperature on the loss of red pigment from the root cells. It was found that the higher the temperature of the water, the higher the rate of loss of red pigment from the root cells. Which of these statements could explain this trend? 1 Enzymes in the cells denature as the temperature increases, so the pigment can no longer be used for reactions inside the cells and diffuses out. 2 As the temperature increases, the tertiary structure of protein molecules in the cell surface membrane changes, increasing the permeability of the membrane. 3 Phospholipid molecules gain kinetic energy as temperature rises, increasing the fluidity of the phospholipid bilayer and allowing pigment molecules to diffuse out more easily.

A1 and 2
B2 and 3
C2 only
D3 only

✓ Correct answer

B: 2 and 3

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About this question

Topic
Cell membranes and transport, A-Level Biology (syllabus 9700). Multiple choice, 1 mark.
Source
A-Level Biology, Feb/Mar 2017 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 17.

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