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O-LevelBiologyGenetics & Variation5090/21 · Oct/Nov 2023 · Q69 Marks

Fig. 6.1 shows a biological molecule. [Figure 6.1]

  1. (a)(i)Name this molecule.[1]
  2. (a)(ii)Describe three features of the structure of this molecule.[3]
  3. (b)Animal and bacterial cells contain this molecule. Describe how the location and shape of the molecule differ in animal and bacterial cells. location shape[2]
  4. (c)Explain how this molecule controls cell function.[3]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] 6(a)(i) DNA / deoxyribonucleic acid ;
  2. [3] 6(a)(ii) any three from: two/double strands ; double helix ; made of nucleotides ; strands held together by bonds between the bases ; complementary bases / A – T and C – G ; made from elements C, H, O, N, P ; A sugar phosphate backbone
  3. [2] 6(b) in nucleus in animal cells + in cytoplasm in bacterial cells ; linear/straight / ribbon / strand / AW in animal cells + circular in bacterial cells;
  4. [3] 6(c) any three from: contains genes ; codes / controls for proteins / polypeptides; by the order of bases / nucleotides ; example of protein e.g. enzyme / haemoglobin / antibody ;

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About this question

Topic
Genetics & Variation, O-Level Biology (syllabus 5090). Structured question, 9 marks.
Source
O-Level Biology, Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 2 Variant 1, question 6.

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