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AS & A Level Biology 9700 · Cell membranes and transport · 4.2

Movement into and out of: past paper questions

60 real questionsasked in 7 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Explain, Suggest, Describe, State, Name

Real questions on movement into and out of

The newest 20 of 60 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

  1. 9700/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(i)[2]

    Calculate the R f value of β‑carotene in Fig. 3.1.

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  2. 9700/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(ii)[2]

    Suggest two explanations for the differences in appearance of chromatograms A and B in Fig. 3.1.

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  3. 9700/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(iii)[1]

    The student found some different R f values for the chloroplast pigments of spinach in a scientific paper. The values in the scientific paper were different from the reference values that the student originally used to identify the pigments on chromatograms A and B in Fig. 3.1. Suggest one reason, other than measuremen...

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  4. 9700/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[4]

    Fig. 3.2 shows the absorption spectra of some chloroplast pigments. key chlorophyll a chlorophyll b carotenoids (β-carotene and xanthophyll) 90 60 percentage absorption 30 0 400 blue 500 600 wavelength of light / nm red 700 Fig. 3.2 Use Fig. 3.2 to compare the similarities and differences between the absorption spectra...

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  5. 9700/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[4]

    In some species of plant, the absorption of light stimulates seed germination. The absorption of light increases the production of gibberellin in the embryo of a seed. Describe the role of gibberellin in the germination of a seed.

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  6. 9700/41 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[2]

    Fig. 4.2 shows the single-celled alga Chlamydomonas. It contains a large, cup-shaped chloroplast for photosynthesis. B Fig. 4.2 Structures A and B in Fig. 4.2 are found within the chloroplast. Name structures A and B. A A

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  7. 9700/41 · May/June 2025 · Q8[6]

    The presence of gibberellins in a plant cell leads to the expression of genes involved in stem elongation. Describe how gibberellin causes stem elongation in plants.

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  8. 9700/41 · October/November 2024 · Q4c[6]

    Plants can carry out cyclic photophosphorylation and non‑cyclic photophosphorylation during the light‑dependent stage of photosynthesis. These processes occur at the grana of chloroplasts. Outline the similarities and differences between cyclic photophosphorylation and non‑cyclic photophosphorylation.

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  9. 9700/51 · October/November 2024 · Q1c(i)[1]

    Suggest one reason why using algal beads, instead of placing the algal cells directly into the indicator solution in the bottles, improves the validity of the investigation.

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  10. 9700/51 · October/November 2024 · Q1c(ii)[3]

    Identify the two independent variables and the dependent variable in this investigation. independent variable independent variable

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  11. 9700/51 · October/November 2024 · Q1c(iii)[8]

    In addition to the colour filters, algal beads, small bottles, indicator solution and a colorimeter, the student had access to standard laboratory equipment. The student carried out the investigation in a temperature‑controlled room. Describe a method the student could use to collect sufficient data so that the rates o...

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  12. 9700/51 · October/November 2024 · Q1d(ii)[1]

    State a null hypothesis for this test.

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  13. 9700/41 · May/June 2024 · Q3b(i)[2]

    With reference to Fig. 3.1, describe the relationship between the concentration of ABA in the xylem sap and stomatal conductance.

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  14. 9700/41 · May/June 2024 · Q3b(ii)[4]

    Suggest explanations for the results shown in Fig. 3.1.

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  15. 9700/41 · May/June 2024 · Q5a(i)[2]

    A and B are areas of the chloroplast. Name areas A and B. A B

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  16. 9700/41 · May/June 2024 · Q5a(ii)[2]

    The group of proteins labelled C, PSI and the protein labelled E are involved in a specific biochemical process during the light‑dependent stage of photosynthesis. Name this specific biochemical process and the protein labelled E. process E

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  17. 9700/42 · February/March 2024 · Q7a(i)[1]

    Explain why the chloroplast suspensions were kept in the dark until required.

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  18. 9700/42 · February/March 2024 · Q7a(ii)[3]

    Describe the results shown in Fig. 7.1.

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  19. 9700/42 · February/March 2024 · Q7a(iii)[3]

    With reference to the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis, explain the differences between the results shown in Fig. 7.1 for red light and for green light.

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  20. 9700/42 · February/March 2024 · Q7b[3]

    Changes in the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, light intensity and temperature can affect the rate of photosynthesis. These three factors directly affect different processes of photosynthesis. Complete Table 7.1 using a tick (3) to identify the processes that can be directly affected by each factor or a cross...

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What examiners said

This question was commonly omitted by candidates as there was no dotted line for them to show their answer. This demonstrates the need for candidates to read all parts of the question paper carefully. Some candidates knew the area of the graph where light intensity acted as a limiting factor on the rate of photosynthesis and needed to place their X on the curve to gain credit.

— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9700/43 Q8(a) (Cambridge)

Many candidates stated that in high light intensity the rate of photosynthesis is increased, and a small proportion went on to reason that because of this, plants would need to make more proteins and enzymes to be used in photosynthesis, such as rubisco and electron carrier proteins. Most candidates suggested that with more photosynthesis occurring there would just be more energy for the plant to...

— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9700/43 Q8(b)(iii) (Cambridge)

Good answers described the structure of cellulose in detail, for example by referring to the many hydrogen bonds between cellulose molecules, or the large number of –OH groups present, whereas many just wrote that there were hydrogen bonds. Some candidates incorrectly thought that cellulose is a fibrous protein and some suggested it is branched. There was some confusion with collagen as candidates...

— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9700/21 Q2(c) (Cambridge)

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Movement into and out of — AS & A Level Biology 9700 past paper questions | AssessPro