Q1.

(a) Complete the table to give two differences between DNA and RNA.

Difference DNA RNA

(2)

(b) Describe the part played by RNA in protein synthesis.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

(Extra space) ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Q2.
(a) The genetic code is degenerate and non-overlapping.

Explain the meaning of:

Degenerate _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Non-overlapping _____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

The table shows a short section of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule and the section
of a polypeptide for which it codes.

mRNA GGG GCU UCA CCG GCA ACG

Polypeptide glycine alanine serine proline alanine threonine

Page 1 of 25
 (b) Name the bases represented in the table by:

A _________________________________

C _________________________________

G _________________________________

U _________________________________
(2)

(c) Use information in the table to give the sequence of bases in DNA that codes for
serine.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 5 marks)

Q3.
Haemoglobin is a protein. It is made of two alpha polypeptides and two beta polypeptides.
Each alpha polypeptide has 141 amino acids and each beta polypeptide has 146 amino
acids.

(a) What term is used to describe the structure of a protein made of two or more
polypeptides?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Calculate the minimum number of DNA bases needed to code for the number of
amino acids in one alpha polypeptide.

Answer = ____________________
(1)

(c) Describe the role of haemoglobin in supplying oxygen to the tissues of the body.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

Page 2 of 25
Anaemia is a condition in which there is a decrease in the concentration of haemoglobin in
blood. In some people with anaemia, substances are produced which change the oxygen
dissociation curve of haemoglobin.

The graph shows the effect of these substances on the oxygen dissociation curve of
haemoglobin.

(d) (i) Use information in the graph to find the difference in the percentage saturation
of haemoglobin with oxygen between a healthy person and a person with
anaemia at a partial pressure of oxygen of 4 kPa.

Answer = ____________________
(1)

(ii) Explain the advantage to a person with anaemia of the change shown in the
oxygen dissociation curve.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Page 3 of 25
 ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q4.
Lysozyme is an enzyme consisting of a single polypeptide chain of 129 amino acids.

(a) What is the minimum number of nucleotide bases needed to code for this enzyme?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) The diagram shows the sequence of bases in a section of the mRNA strand used to
synthesise this enzyme.

G G U C U U U C U U A U G G U A G A U A U

(i) Give the DNA sequence which would be complementary to the first four bases
in this section of mRNA.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) How many different types of tRNA molecule would attach to the section of
mRNA shown in the diagram?

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Give two factors which might increase the frequency at which a mutation in DNA
occurs.

1. _________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Two single base mutations occurred in the DNA coding for this section of mRNA.
These mutations caused an alteration in the sequence of amino acids in the
enzyme. The diagram shows the original and altered sequences of amino acids.

Original amino acid

Gly Leu Ser Tyr Gly Arg Tyr
sequence

Original mRNA
GGU CUU UCU UAU GGU AGA UAU
base sequence

Page 4 of 25
 Altered amino acid
Gly Leu Tyr Leu Trp Arg Tyr
sequence

Altered mRNA
GGU CUU AGA UAU
base sequence

(i) Use the mRNA codons provided in the table to complete the altered mRNA
base sequence in the diagram.

Amino acid mRNA codons which can be used

Arg AGA

Gly GGU

Leu CUU or UUA

Ser UCU

Trp UGG

Tyr UAU or UAC

(1)

(ii) Use the information provided to determine the precise nature of the two single
base mutations in the DNA.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q5.
(a) (i) Why is the genetic code described as being universal?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) The genetic code uses four different DNA bases. What is the maximum
number of different DNA triplets that can be made using these four bases?

Page 5 of 25
 (1)

Transcription of a gene produces pre-mRNA.

(b) Name the process that removes base sequences from pre-mRNA to form mRNA.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) The figure below shows part of a pre-mRNA molecule. Geneticists identified two
mutations that can affect this pre-mRNA, as shown in the figure.

Base sequence Base sequence Base sequence

coding removed coding
for amino acids from pre-mRNA for amino acids

Mutation 1, Mutation 2,
single base single base
deletion substitution

(i) Mutation 1 leads to the production of a non-functional protein.

Explain why.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(Extra space) ___________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(ii) What effect might mutation 2 have on the protein produced?

Page 6 of 25
 Explain your answer.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q6.
(a) The genetic code is described as being degenerate. What does this mean?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) What is a codon?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) (i) What is the role of RNA polymerase during transcription?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) mRNA can be converted to cDNA.

Name the enzyme used in this process.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(d) The diagram shows the base sequence on DNA where a restriction endonuclease
cuts DNA.

Page 7 of 25
 Use evidence from the diagram to explain what is meant by a palindromic
recognition sequence on DNA.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 6 marks)

Q7.
The diagram shows a short sequence of DNA bases.

TTTGTATACTAGTCTACTTCGTTAATA
(a) (i) What is the maximum number of amino acids for which this sequence of DNA
bases could code?

(1)

(ii) The number of amino acids coded for could be fewer than your answer to part
(a)(i).

Give one reason why.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Explain how a change in the DNA base sequence for a protein may result in a
change in the structure of the protein.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Page 8 of 25
 (Extra space)________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c) A piece of DNA consisted of 74 base pairs. The two strands of the DNA, strands A
and B, were analysed to find the number of bases of each type that were present.
Some of the results are shown in the table.

Number of bases

C G A T

Strand A 26

Strand B 19 9

Complete the table by writing in the missing values.

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q8.
(a) The table shows the mRNA codons for some amino acids.

Codon Amino acid

CUA Leucine

GUC Valine

ACG Threonine

UGC Cysteine

GCU Alanine

AGU Serine

(i) Give the DNA sequence coding for cysteine.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Name the amino acid coded by the tRNA anticodon UCA.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) A particular gene is 562 base-pairs long. However, the resulting mRNA is only 441
nucleotides long. Explain this difference.

Page 9 of 25
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Tetracycline binds to bacterial ribosomes. This is shown in the diagram.

Protein synthesis in bacteria is similar to that in eukaryotic cells. Explain how

tetracycline stops protein synthesis.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q9.
Read the following passage.

The sequence of bases in a molecule of DNA codes for proteins. Different sequences of
bases
code for different proteins. The genetic code, however, is degenerate. Although the base
sequence AGT codes for serine, other sequences may also code for this same amino
acid.
There are four base sequences which code for the amino acid glycine. These are CCA,
CCC,
5 CCG and CCT. There are also four base sequences coding for the amino acid proline.
These
are GGA, GGC, GGG and GGT.

Pieces of DNA which have a sequence where the same base is repeated many times are

Page 10 of 25
 called
“slippery”. When “slippery” DNA is copied during replication, errors may occur in copying.
Individual bases may be copied more than once. This may give rise to differences in the
10 protein which is produced by the piece of DNA containing the errors.

Use information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the following
questions.

(a) Different sequences of bases code for different proteins (lines 1 – 2). Explain how.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) The base sequence AGT codes for serine (lines 2 – 3). Give the mRNA codon
transcribed from this base sequence.

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Glycine-proline-proline is a series of amino acids found in a particular protein. Give

the sequence of DNA bases for these three amino acids which contains the longest
“slippery” sequence.

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) (i) Explain how copying bases more than once may give rise to a difference in
the protein (lines 9 – 10).

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) At what stage in the cell cycle would these errors in copying DNA bases
occur?

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(e) Starting with mRNA in the nucleus of a cell, describe how a molecule of protein is
synthesised.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Page 11 of 25
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(6)
(Total 15 marks)

Q10.
(a) (i) What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Name the organelle involved in translation.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Figure 1 shows some molecules involved in protein synthesis.

Figure 1

Page 12 of 25
 Complete Figure 1 to show

(i) the bases on the DNA strand from which the mRNA was transcribed;

(ii) the bases forming the anticodons of the tRNA molecules.

(2)

Figure 2 shows the effects of two different mutations of the DNA on the base sequence of
the mRNA. The table shows the mRNA codons for three amino acids.

Figure 2

(c) Name the type of mutation represented by mutation 1.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d) Use the information in the table to

(i) identify amino acid X in Figure 1;

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) explain how each mutation may affect the polypeptide for which this section of
DNA is part of the code.

Page 13 of 25
 Mutation 1 _____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

Mutation 2 _____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Q11.
(a) What name is used for the non-coding sections of a gene?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

Figure 1 shows a DNA base sequence. It also shows the effect of two mutations on this
base sequence. Figure 2 shows DNA triplets that code for different amino acids.

Figure 1

Original DNA base sequence A T T G G C G T G T C T

Amino acid sequence

Mutation 1 DNA base sequence A T T G G A G T G T C T

Mutation 2 DNA base sequence A T T G G C C T G T C T

Figure 2

DNA triplets Amino acid

GGT, GGC, GGA, GGG Gly

GTT, GTA, GTG, GTC Val

ATC, ATT, ATA Ile

TCC, TCT, TCA, TCG Ser

CTC, CTT, CTA, CTG Leu

(b) Complete Figure 1 to show the sequence of amino acids coded for by the original
DNA base sequence.

Page 14 of 25
 (1)

(c) Some gene mutations affect the amino acid sequence. Some mutations do not.
Use the information from Figure 1 and Figure 2 to explain

(i) whether mutation 1 affects the amino acid sequence

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) how mutation 2 could lead to the formation of a non-functional enzyme.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(d) Gene mutations occur spontaneously.

(i) During which part of the cell cycle are gene mutations most likely to occur?

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Suggest an explanation for your answer.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 9 marks)

Q12.
The table shows the sequence of bases on part of the coding strand of DNA.

Base sequence on coding

C G T T A C
strand of DNA

Base sequence of mRNA

(a) Complete the table to show the base sequence of the mRNA transcribed from this

Page 15 of 25
 DNA strand.
(2)

(b) A piece of mRNA is 660 nucleotides long but the DNA coding strand from which it
was transcribed is 870 nucleotides long.

(i) Explain this difference in the number of nucleotides.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) What is the maximum number of amino acids in the protein translated from this
piece of mRNA? Explain your answer.

Number of amino acids ___________________________________________

Explanation ____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Complete the table to give two differences between the structure of mRNA and the
structure of tRNA.

mRNA tRNA

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q13.
(a) Complete the table to show the differences between DNA, mRNA and tRNA.

Number of
Hydrogen bonds present ( )
Type of nucleic acid polynucleotide strands
or not present ( )
in molecule

DNA

mRNA

Page 16 of 25
 tRNA
(2)

(b) The diagram shows the bases on one strand of a piece of DNA.

(i) In the space below, give the sequence of bases on the pre-mRNA transcribed
from this strand.

(2)

(ii) In the space below, give the sequence of bases on the mRNA produced by
splicing this piece of pre-mRNA.

(1)
(Total 5 marks)

Page 17 of 25
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) Two suitable differences between DNA and RNA;
1 mark per correct row to 2 max

e.g.

DNA is double stranded, RNA is single stranded;

DNA has thymine present, RNA has Uracil present;
Accept T and U

DNA is larger/heavier/longer, RNA is smaller/lighter/shorter;

DNA has a deoxyribose sugar, RNA has a ribose sugar;
DNA stays in the nucleus, RNA leaves the nucleus;
2 max

(b) Three suitable examples;

e.g.

Carries coded information about the sequence of amino acids;

Copied from DNA/gene;
Code is in sequence of bases / triplet / three bases / a codon codes
for one amino acid;
Moves out of nucleus/goes into cytoplasm;
To ribosomes;
Accept codons allow anticodons / tRNA to bind
Accept carries ‘start’ and ‘stop’ codes
Accept moves through ribosomes
3 max
[5]

Q2.
(a) 1. Degenerate: more than one (base) triplet for each amino acid;

2. Non-overlapping: each base is part of only one triplet.

Accept codon (as would be applicable to mRNA code)
2

(b) A = adenine

C = cytosine

G = guanine

U = uracil
All four correct = 2
One error = 1
Two or more errors = 0
2 max

(c) AGT;
1

Page 18 of 25
 [5]

Q3.
(a) Quaternary (structure);
Accept phonetic spelling eg quarternary/quarternery /4°
Award no mark for quaternary as part of a list
1

(b) 423;
1

(c) 1. Oxyhaemoglobin formed/ haemoglobin is loaded/

uptakes/associates/binds with oxygen in area of higher
ppO2 / in gas exchange surface/lungs/gills;
Reference to “react with” = max 1
Accept: reversible interaction with oxygen
Ignore: haemoglobin is carried / contained in red blood cells
2. (oxygen) unloaded/dissociates from/released (in area
of lower ppO2 / in capillaries/to cells/tissues);
2

(d) (i) 56(%);

Accept responses in the range 54-58(%)
1

(ii) 1. (Anaemia curve shifted to right) haemoglobin has

lower affinity for oxygen / binds less tightly;
Assume reference is to haemoglobin of anaemia unless
stated
2. releases more oxygen / oxygen is released quicker /
oxygen dissociates/ unloads more readily to
muscles/tissues/cells;
3. (For) respiration;
Accept: even with a lower haemoglobin concentration / meet
demand for ATP/energy;
3
[8]

Q4.
(a) 387;
1

(b) (i) CCAG;

1

(ii) 5;
1

(c) high energy radiation / X rays / ultraviolet light / gamma rays;

high energy particles / alpha particles / beta particles;
named chemical mutagens e.g. benzene / caffeine / pesticide /
mustard gas / tobacco tar / free radicals;
(two named examples of any of the above = 2 marks)
length of time of exposure (to a mutagen);
dosage (of mutagen);

Page 19 of 25
 2 max

(d) (i) UAC UUA UGG;

1

(ii) addition and deletion (of bases / nucleotides);

thymine added;
adenine deleted;
(addition of thymine and deletion of adenine = 3 marks)
(allow addition of adenine (RNA) and deletion of uracil (RNA)
= 2 marks)
3
[9]

Q5.
(a) (i) (In all organisms / DNA,) the same triplet codes for the same amino acid;
Accept codon / same three bases / nucleotides
Accept plurals if both triplets and amino acids
Reject triplets code for an amino acid
Reject reference to producing amino acid
1

(ii) 64;
1

(b) Splicing;
Ignore deletion references
Accept RNA splicing
1

(c) (i) 1. (Mutation) changes triplets / codons after that point / causes frame
shift;
Accept changes splicing site
Ignore changes in sequence of nucleotides / bases

2. Changes amino acid sequence (after this) / codes for different

amino acids (after this);
Accept changes primary structure
Reject changes amino acid formed / one amino acid
changed

3. Affects hydrogen / ionic / sulfur bond (not peptide bond);

4. Changes tertiary structure of protein (so non-functional);

Neutral 3-D structure
3 max

(ii) 1. Intron non-coding (DNA) / only exons coding;

Context is the intron
Do not mix and match from alternatives
Neutral references to introns removed during splicing
1.and 2. Ignore ref. to code degenerate and get same /
different amino acid in sequence

Page 20 of 25
 2. (So) not translated / no change in mRNA produced / no effect (on
protein) / no effect on amino acid sequence;
Accept does not code for amino acids

OR

3. Prevents / changes splicing;

4. (So) faulty mRNA formed;

Accept exons not joined together / introns not removed

5. Get different amino acid sequence;

2 max
[8]

Q6.
(a) One / an amino acid (can be) coded for by more than one triplet;
Accept codon for triplet
Accept description of triplet − three bases / nucleotides
1

(b) 1. Triplet / three bases on mRNA;

1. Accept nucleotide for base
1. Accept DNA for mRNA
1. Ignore references to RNA unqualified

2. That code for an amino acid;

2. Accept code for stop / start
2

(c) (i) To join nucleotides together to form mRNA / premRNA / RNA;

Reject forming base pairs
Accept checking and correcting mismatched base pairs
1

(ii) Reverse transcriptase;

If they give two enzymes, no mark
1

(d) GGATCC same as CCTAGG in opposite direction;

Accept reads same both ways / same forward and back
Neutral bases are the opposite of each other / reference to
base pairs
1
[6]

Q7.
(a) (i) 9;
Accept: nine
1

(ii) Introns / non-coding DNA / junk DNA;

Page 21 of 25
 Start / stop code / triplet;
Neutral: Repeats.
Accept: ‘Introns and exons present’.
Reject: ‘Due to exons’.
1 max

(b) Change in amino acid / s / primary structure;

Change in hydrogen / ionic / disulfide bonds;

Alters tertiary structure;

Reject: ‘Different amino acid is formed’ – negates first
marking point.
Neutral: Reference to active site.
3

(c) Number of bases

Number of bases

C G A T

Strand
26 19 20 9
A

Strand
19 26 9 20
B

Second column correct;

Columns three and four correct;

2
[7]

Q8.
(a) (i) ACG;
1

(ii) serine;
1

(b) idea that DNA contains introns / mRNA is only exons / mRNA is “edited’;
(allow junk / non-sense DNA)
1

(c) binds to / blocks codon / triplet on mRNA so anticodon / tRNA will not fit in /
base-pair;
amino acids not delivered / joined;
Accept translation will not occur for 1 mark
2
[5]

Q9.

Page 22 of 25
 (a) Protein made of (chain of) amino acids;
Each amino acid has its own base / triplet code;
2

(b) UCA = 2 marks

TCA – 1 mark;
2

(c) CCG;
GGG GGG;
2

(d) (i) Changes base sequence;

Of later triplets / amino acid codes;
2

(ii) S-phase / interphase;

1

(e) 1. mRNA leaves (nucleus) through nuclear pore;

2. To ribosome;
3. tRNA molecules bring amino acids (to ribosome);
4. Specific tRNA molecule for specific amino acid;
5. Anticodon of tRNA corresponds / complementary to codon on mRNA;
6. Peptide bonds form between amino acids;
7. tRNA detaches and collects another amino acid;
8. Ribosome moves along mRNA;
max 6
[15]

Q10.
(a) (i) join / attach nucleotides, to form a strand / along backbone / phosphodiester
bonds;
(reject reference to H bonds, complementary base pairing)
1

(ii) ribosome / RER;

1

(b) (i) CGTTACCAA;

1

(ii) CGU UAC CAA;

1

(c) substitution;
1

(d) (i) alanine;

1

(ii) (mutation 1)
no change(to sequence of amino acids);
codon for alanine / degenerate codon / same amino acid coded for;
2

(mutation 2)
(change in sequence) valine replaced by alanine / codon for alanine;

Page 23 of 25
 folding / shape / tertiary structure / position of bonds may change;
(reject peptide bonds)
2
[10]

Q11.
(a) Introns;
1

(b) Ile Gly Val Ser;

1

(c) (i) Has no effect / same amino acid (sequence) / same

primary structure;
Q Reject same amino acid formed or produced.
1

Glycine named as same amino acid;

1
It still codes for glycine = two marks.

(ii) Leu replaces Val / change in amino acid (sequence) / primary structure;

Change in hydrogen / ionic bonds which alters tertiary structure / active

site;
Q Different amino acid formed or produced negates first
marking point.

Substrate cannot bind / no longer complementary /

no enzyme-substrate complexes form;
Active site changed must be clear for third marking point but
does not need reference to shape.
3

(d) (i) Interphase / S / synthesis (phase);

1

(ii) DNA / gene replication / synthesis occurs / longest stage;

Allow ‘genetic information’ = DNA.
Allow ‘copied’ or ‘formed’ = replication / synthesis
1
[9]

Q12.
(a) GCAAUG; ;
Allow one mark if T instead of U, i.e. GCAATG
2

(b) (i) DNA is edited / introns present in DNA;

Allow reference to ‘junk’ or non-coding DNA
1

(ii) 220; allow 218 or 219-allow 2

Three bases / nucleotides code for one amino acid;
Correct explanation for 218 or 219;

Page 24 of 25
 2

(c) mRNA has no base-pairing, tRNA has base-pairing / mRNA linear,

tRNA cloverleaf shape; mRNA has no binding site for amino acids,
tRNA has; mRNA different for each gene / many kinds, only few / 20 / 64
kinds of tRNA; accept mRNA longer / larger / more nucleotides than tRNA
max 2
[7]

Q13.
(a)
DNA 2

mRNA 1

tRNA 1

One mark for each correct column

Regard blank as incorrect in the context of this question
Accept numbers written out: two, one, one
2

(b) (i) Marking principles

1 mark for complete piece transcribed;
Correct answer
UGU CAU GAA UGC UAG

1 mark for complementary bases from sequence transcribed;

but allow 1 mark for complementary bases from section
transcribed, providing all four bases are involved
2

(ii) Marking principle

1 mark for bases corresponding to exons taken from (b)(i)
Correct answer
UGU UGC UAG
If sequence is incorrect in (b)(i), award mark if section is
from exons. Ignore gaps.
1
[5]

Page 25 of 25