Cambridge International AS & A Level

BIOLOGY 9700/42
Paper 4 A Level Structured Questions February/March 2024
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 100

Published

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.

Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report f or
Teachers.

Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.

Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes f or the February/March 2024 series f or most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.

This document consists of 21 printed pages.

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Generic Marking Principles

These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alon gside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:

Marks must be awarded in line with:

• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:

Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:

Marks must be awarded positively:

• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assess ed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:

Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptors.

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GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:

Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the fu ll mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:

Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptors in mind.

Science-Specific Marking Principles

1 Examiners should consider the context and scientific use of any keywords when awarding marks. Although keywords may be presen t, marks
should not be awarded if the keywords are used incorrectly.

2 The examiner should not choose between contradictory statements given in the same question part, and credit should not be awarded for
any correct statement that is contradicted within the same question part. Wrong science that is irrelevant to the questi on should be ignored.

3 Although spellings do not have to be correct, spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and unambiguous separation fro m other
syllabus terms with which they may be confused (e.g. ethane / ethene, glucagon / glycogen, refraction / reflection).

4 The error carried forward (ecf) principle should be applied, where appropriate. If an incorrect answer is subsequently used i n a scientifically
correct way, the candidate should be awarded these subsequent marking points. Further guidance will be include d in the mark scheme
where necessary and any exceptions to this general principle will be noted.

5 ‘List rule’ guidance

For questions that require n responses (e.g. State two reasons …):

• The response should be read as continuous prose, even when numbered answer spaces are provided.
• Any response marked ignore in the mark scheme should not count towards n.
• Incorrect responses should not be awarded credit but will still count towards n.
• Read the entire response to check for any responses that contradict those that would otherwise be credited. Credit should not be
awarded for any responses that are contradicted within the rest of the response. Where two responses contradict one another, this
should be treated as a single incorrect response.
• Non-contradictory responses after the first n responses may be ignored even if they include incorrect science.

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6 Calculation specific guidance

Correct answers to calculations should be given full credit even if there is no working or incorrect working, unless the question states ‘show
your working’.

For questions in which the number of significant figures required is not stated, credit should be awarded for correct answers when rounded
by the examiner to the number of significant figures given in the mark scheme. This may not apply to measured values.

For answers given in standard form (e.g. a  10n) in which the convention of restricting the value of the coefficient ( a) to a value between 1
and 10 is not followed, credit may still be awarded if the answer can be converted to the answer given in the mark scheme.

Unless a separate mark is given for a unit, a missing or incorrect unit will normally mean that the final calculation mark is not awarded.
Exceptions to this general principle will be noted in the mark scheme.

7 Guidance for chemical equations

Multiples / fractions of coefficients used in chemical equations are acceptable unless stated otherwise in the mark scheme.

State symbols given in an equation should be ignored unless asked for in the question or stated otherwise in the mark scheme.

Mark scheme abbreviations:

; separates marking points

/ alternative answers for the same marking point
R reject
A accept
I ignore
AVP any valid point
AW alternative wording (where responses vary more than normal)
ecf error carried forward
underline actual word underlined must be used by candidate (grammatical variants accepted)
max indicates the maximum number of marks that can be given
ora or reverse argument
mp marking point
() the word / phrase in brackets is not required, but sets the context
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Question Answer Marks

1(a) A – label line to collecting duct ; 4

B – label line to inner part of Bowman’s capsule ;

C – label line to, loop of Henle /

part of collecting duct below level of convoluted tubules ;

D – label line to wider blood vessel entering Bowman’s capsule ;

1(b) any four from: 4

1 microvilli, for large surface area / increases surface area (for reabsorption) ;

2 cotransporter (proteins) for movement of, glucose / amino acids

(with sodium ions) ;

3 tight junctions / described, to, stop substances passing in between cells /

cause substances to pass though cells ;

4 many mitochondria to provide ATP for, active transport / pumping of Na+ ;

5 folded basal membrane for many sodium (potassium) pumps ;

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Question Answer Marks

2(a) any four from: 4

1 test cross ;

2 cross (tall plant) with dwarf plant ;

3 (dwarf plant must be) le le / homozygous recessive ;

4 if all offspring are tall then parent plant is, Le Le / homozygous dominant ;

5 if offspring are 1:1 tall:dwarf / if any offspring are dwarf,

then parent plant is, Le le / heterozygous ;

6 AVP ; e.g. detail of breeding experiment

cross pollination, seed harvesting, seed germination

2(b)(i) hormone / cell signalling (molecule) ; A ligand / plant growth regulator 1

2(b)(ii) 1 (causes) cell elongation ; A increases cell, division / mitosis 2

2 idea that plant / stem, grows taller ;

Question Answer Marks

3(a) 1 both alleles of a, gene / genotype, are the same ; 2

2 phenotype / effect, of (recessive) allele is masked by a dominant allele

or
two copies of the (recessive) allele are needed for phenotype to be displayed
or
alleles only affect the phenotype in the absence of a dominant allele
or
(genotype) must be homozygous for the (recessive) allele to affect the phenotype ;

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Question Answer Marks

3(b)(i) number of heterozygous people = 1 680 000 ; ; ; 3

must be to 3 significant figures or more
A 1 675 000 to 1 685 000 ; ; ;

R 1 700 000

max 2 if decimal places in final answer

allow max 2 for working if final answer incorrect

(q = √10 800 / 67 100 000 or √0.000161 or 0.0127)

p = 1 – 0.0127 or 0.987

(2pq = 2  0.9873  0.0127 or 0.0251)

calculation for number of heterozygous people = 67 100 000  0.0251 or 2pq

3(b)(ii) any three from: 3

1 ref. natural selection ;

2 selection pressure against cystic fibrosis (CF) ;

3 (people with) CF do not survive as long / AW ;

4 heterozygotes are calculated from a smaller CF population / AW ;

5 (some) people with CF who have died will have passed on CF allele ;

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Question Answer Marks

3(c)(i) any three from: 3

1 (median) predicted life expectancy increased (over time) ;

2 data quote ; e.g. from 2008 to 2020 increase from 38.8 to 50.6 years
increase of 11.8
% increase of 30.4

3 treatment can be started early ;

4 better treatment / improved care (between 2008 and 2020) ;

3(c)(ii) any three from: 3

1 reduces worry / AW, if result is negative ; ora

2 can make informed reproductive decisions / AW ;

3 cost / availability, of test ;

4 plan for care of child with CF ;

5 idea of further genetic testing ; e.g. counselling / testing of embryo / testing of partners

6 idea that test is not 100% accurate ;

7 problems related to, stigma / discrimination / insurance / confidentiality ;

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Question Answer Marks

4(a) 1 temperature increases and milk yield decreases ; 2

2 comparative data quote – April = 10 °C and 792–798 kg cow–1,

August = 18 °C and 711–716 kg cow–1 ;

4(b) 1 continuous 3
and
(milk yield) does not fall into distinct classes / shows a range /
intermediates / no distinct categories / AW ;

2 environment
and
(milk yield) affected by air temperature ;

3 genetic / polygenic
and
many / 20, genes have effect (on milk yield)
or
heat-tolerant cattle have lower milk yield than Holstein Friesian cattle ;

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Question Answer Marks

4(c) any three from: 3

1 SLICK allele increases milk yield (in both months / at both temperatures) ;

2 in March / at 5 °C, there is a small difference (between milk yield) ;

3 in September / at 14 °C, there is a larger difference (between milk yields) ;

4 cattle with SLICK allele maintain milk yield

(in both months / at both temperatures) ;

5 comparative data quote to support mp1–mp4 ;

Month Holstein without Holstein with

SLICK / kg cow–1 SLICK / kg cow–1

March / at 5 °C 780–785 795–800

Sept / at 14 °C 690–700 770–780

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Question Answer Marks

4(d) any six from: 6

gene editing selective breeding

1 (first) offspring have SLICK allele ;
2 can have, negative / unknown, effects ;
3 presence of SLICK allele (in offspring) can be confirmed by, ;
genetic testing / phenotypic observation
4 done by humans / artificial methods ;

5 only, and affects many genes ;

PRLR / one, gene is affected
6 all offspring have SLICK allele and some offspring have SLICK allele ;
7 immediate / one generation and performed over (many) generations ;
8 performed on, and mating ;
embryos / zygotes / cells / artificial insemination
9 technical requirements and mating / performed on the farm ;
e.g. laboratory, training, molecular e.g. physiological method
method
10 maintains, heterozygosity / genetic and loss of, heterozygosity / genetic ;
variation / variation /
desirable characteristics desirable characteristics
11 regulatory approval and no regulatory approval ;
12 no outbreeding required and outbreeding required ;

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Question Answer Marks

5 (many) generations / (many) years / (a long) time / AW ; 6

mutations / similarities ;

meiosis / crossing over / recombination ;

databases ;

amino acid ;

microarray ;

Question Answer Marks

6(a) absorb carbon dioxide (produced by peas) ; 1

6(b) any two from: 2

1 idea of repeatability ;

2 check to see how consistent the results are /

the more consistent the results, the more valid the results /
carry out a (named) statistical test or measure /
calculate standard deviation / calculate standard error ;

3 a control respirometer / described ; e.g. with glass beads instead of peas

4 ref. to checking variables (other than temperature) ;

e.g. volume of germinating peas / volume / concentration of KOH

6(c) acclimatisation / equilibration / AW ; 1

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Question Answer Marks

6(d) 5 points plotted accurately ; 2

smooth curve drawn linking all plotted points / curve of best fit ;
R extrapolation

6(e) any three from: 3

1 ref to enzymes ;

2 (as temperature increases) kinetic energy increases ;

3 (so) rate increases, due to more enzyme-substrate complexes formed

(in same time)
or
(so) rate increases, due to higher, proportion / frequency, of,
successful / effective, collisions ;

4 (rate decreases after 30 °C) due to denaturation of enzymes ;

5 further detail ; e.g. active site shape change / ref. optimum temperature

Question Answer Marks

7(a)(i) light not absorbed / stop photosynthesis / stop photoactivation / 1

stop light dependent stage ;

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Question Answer Marks

7(a)(ii) any three from: 3

1 all decrease in absorbance (with time) ;

2 (all decrease) at constant rate ;

3 green, highest absorbance (throughout) /

absorbance stays fairly constant / smallest decrease in absorbance ;
ora red

4 smallest rate of decrease in green ; ora red

5 data quote – 2 colours compared to support mp1 or mp3 ;

4 mins

green 1.44

blue 0.90

red 0.70

7(a)(iii) any three from: 3

with red light ora green light

1 more, light / energy, absorbed (by chlorophyll) ;

2 (so) more, photoactivation / electrons emitted ;

3 more / faster rate of, electrons transferred to DCPIP ;

4 more / faster, decolourisation of DCPIP ;

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Question Answer Marks

7(b) factor stage ✓or  3

carbon dioxide Calvin cycle ✓

;
concentration photophosphorylation 
Calvin cycle 
light intensity ;
photophosphorylation ✓
Calvin cycle ✓
temperature ;
photophosphorylation ✓

Question Answer Marks

8(a)(i) chemoreceptor ; 1

8(a)(ii) any two from: 2

1 (different mycobacterial species produce) the same / similar,

chemicals / proteins ;

2 (since) share common ancestors / same genus / share many genes /

closely related ;

3 same chemoreceptors stimulated ;

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Question Answer Marks

8(b) kingdom Animalia 2

phylum Chordata
class Mammalia
order Rodentia
family Nesomyidae
genus Cricetomys
species gambianus

4 correct = 2 marks
1 / 2 / 3 correct = 1 mark

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Question Answer Marks

8(c) any four from: 4

comparative statements required

Eukarya Bacteria
1 linear DNA and plasmids / circular DNA ;
2 histones and no histones ;
3 cell walls only in some and cell walls in all ;
4 cellulose / chitin, cell walls and peptidoglycan cell wall ;
5 divide by mitosis and divide by binary fission ;
6 some sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction ;
7 (70S and) 80S ribosomes and 70S ribosomes (only) ;
8 have cells > 5 m diameter and cells1–5 m diameter ;

8(d) any two from: 2

1 have DNA or RNA ;

2 nucleic acid is double or single stranded ;

3 AVP ; e.g.presence or absence of phospholipid envelope

presence or absence of tail sheath
type of host
type of disease caused

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Question Answer Marks

9(a) any four from: 4

1 (blue) light decreases germination / AW ;

2 as intensity of (blue) light increases percentage germination decreases ;

3 data quote ;

light intensity percentage

/ arbitrary units (au) germination
0 (dark) 98.0
36 76.9
48 45.0
57 14.7

4 (blue) light increases (the concentration of) ABA ;

5 ABA inhibits gibberellin (synthesis / activity) ;

6 any further valid suggestion of ABA action ;

e.g. DELLA not broken down / promotes dormancy / stops gene expression

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Question Answer Marks

9(b) any seven from: 7

1 auxin binds to receptor on the cell surface membrane ;

2 stimulates proton pumps ;

3 protons move from, cytoplasm / cell, to cell wall ;

4 pH of cell wall decreases ;

5 expansins activated ;

6 loosens linkage between cellulose microfibrils ;

7 by breaking hydrogen bonds ; Ignore weakening bonds

8 K+ channels open ;

9 K+ diffuse into, cytoplasm / cell ;

10 water potential (of cytoplasm / cell) decreases ;

11 water enters by osmosis ;

12 increase in turgor pressure / volume of cell increases ;

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Question Answer Marks

10(a) any four from: 4

1 troponin binds Ca2+ and changes shape ;

2 (so) tropomyosin moves away from the binding sites on actin ;

3 myosin heads, bind to / form cross-bridges, with actin ;

4 myosin head, pulls actin / performs power stroke, to,

either
shorten / contract, sarcomere
or
cause Z lines to move closer together / Z lines move closer to M lines ;

5 myosin head, is ATPase / binds to ATP, to allow detachment ;

10(b) any three from: 3

1 succinylcholine binds to ACh receptors

or
succinylcholine acts as a competitive inhibitor ;
R if binds to active site of receptor

2 (sodium ions) channel proteins do not open ; R if voltage gated

3 sodium ions do not enter, muscle cell / sarcoplasm ;

4 sarcolemma / post-synaptic membrane, not depolarised ;

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Question Answer Marks

10(c) any three from: 3

1 sex-linked / gene on X chromosome ;

2 recessive (allele) ;

3 males only have one, copy of gene / allele / X chromosome ;

4 female heterozygotes, do not have DMD / are carriers

or
only homozygous females have DMD ;

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