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A-LevelBiologyNucleic acids and protein synthesisFeb/Mar 2017Paper 1 Q261 Mark

Meselson and Stahl investigated DNA in bacteria. They grew bacteria in a medium with only heavy nitrogen, 15N, until all of the bacterial DNA contained only heavy nitrogen. These bacteria were then moved from the heavy nitrogen medium and cultured in a medium with only light nitrogen, 14N. Some bacteria were collected from each of the next three generations and their DNA was analysed. Hybrid DNA contains both heavy and light nitrogen. Which row shows the correct DNA of the first and third generations? [Table 26.1]

Aall hybrid half hybrid, half light
Ball hybrid one quarter hybrid, three quarters light
Chalf hybrid, half heavy one quarter hybrid, three quarters light
Dhalf hybrid, half light one quarter hybrid, three quarters light

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The correct answer is B. This question tests the candidate's understanding of nucleic acids and protein synthesis within the Biologysyllabus. The examiner's mark scheme requires...

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Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

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About This A-Level Biology Question

This multiple-choice question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Biology (9700) Feb/Mar 2017 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2. It tests the topic of Nucleic acids and protein synthesis and is worth 1 mark.

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