7 Serotonin is a neurotransmitter released in some synapses in the brain.

It is transported back out of the synaptic gap

by a transport protein in the pre-synaptic membrane.
(a) Serotonin diffuses across the synaptic gap and binds to a receptor on the post-synaptic membrane.
Describe how this causes depolarisation of the post-synaptic membrane. [2 m]
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(b) It is important that a neurotransmitter such as serotonin is transported back out of synapses. Explain why. [2 m]
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AQA JUNE 13

7 (a) P1. Causes sodium ion channels to open;

P2. Sodium ions enter (cell and cause depolarisation);
Reject if wrong sequence of events
Reject sodium on its own only once

7 (b) P1. (If not removed) keeps binding (to receptors);

P2. Keeps causing action potentials/depolarisation (in postsynaptic membrane);
P3. Prevents information being carried across synapse/described consequence;
Accept answers based on what happens if it is transported out – ie what should happen
. Accept keeps Na+ channels open(ing)

7 The presence of auxin can lead to changes in a plant cell, such as the promotion of cell elongation.
Which is a correct description of a change in a plant cell caused by the presence of auxin?
A A decrease in pH optimises conditions for respiratory enzymes and the rate of aerobic respiration increases.
B In the cell wall, cross-links between cellulose microfibrils break owing to acid hydrolysis.
C Proteins responsible for binding to transcription factors are destroyed and gene transcription begins.
D The cell is stimulated to activate proton pumps and transport hydrogen ions across the cell surface membrane
into the cell.
CIE JUNE 13

9 Stomatal opening is correlated with which one of the following events?

A accumulation of potassium ions in the neighbouring epidermal cells by active uptake from the guard cells
B membrane potential generated by ion movement so that the inside of the guard cell is more positive in charge
relative to the outside
C more negative water potential inside guard cells with respect to the external environment of the guard cells
D proton pumps in the cell surface membrane of guard cells allow active uptake of hydrogen ions from
neighbouring epidermal cells
CIE JUNE 13

6 Membranes are important features of many eukaryotic cell structures.

Which statement(s) is / are correct?
I Cell structures bound by a double membrane include mitochondria, nuclei and chloroplasts.
II Cell structures bound by a single membrane include Golgi apparatus, centrioles and ribosomes.
III Cell structures bound by a single membrane include lysosomes, nucleoli and RER.
IV Cell structures bound by a single membrane include proteasomes, SER and cilia.
A I B I, II C II,III D III, IV
CIE JUNE 13

1 Processes A-G in the table represent different photosynthetic processes in C3, C4 and CAM plants.
CIE JUNE 13

process
A cyclic photophosphorylation
B non-cyclic photophosphorylation
C photolysis of water
D regeneration of ribulose bisphosphate
E C3 plant, light-independent stage
F C4 plant, light-independent stage
G CAM plant, light-independent stage

Match each of the following to the correct process number.

(i) Carbon fixation occurs to produce organic acid which is stored overnight in vacuoles. [ G ]
(ii) The ATP that is produced involves photosystem 1, but not photosystem 2. [ A ]
 (iii) Carbon fixation occurs in the mesophyll cells and the products are transported to bundle sheath cells for
decarboxylation. [ F ]
(iv) The coenzyme NADP is reduced. [ B ]

For each of the questions 1–4 only one statement is correct. The correct statements describe the sequence of events that
occur at a neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle contraction. For each question identify the correct statement.
CIE JUNE 13
1 A Acetylcholine hydrolysed by acetylcholinesterase on post-synaptic membrane.
B Acetylcholine released from the pre-synaptic membrane of the sensory neurone.
C Neurotransmitter released from the post-synaptic membrane of the motor neurone.
D Neurotransmitter released from the pre-synaptic membrane of the motor neurone.

2 A Muscle fibre depolarised.

B Muscle fibre in absolute refractory period.
C Muscle fibre in relative refractory period.
D Muscle fibre repolarised.

3 A Action potential propagation along muscle fibre sarcolemma allows calcium ions to flow in down their
concentration gradient from surrounding tissue fluid.
B Action potential propagation along muscle fibre sarcolemma results in active uptake of calcium ions from the
sarcoplasmic reticulum.
C Action potential propagation into T-tubules of muscle fibre allows calcium ions to flow out of the sarcoplasmic
reticulum, down their concentration gradient.
D Action potential propagation into T-tubules of muscle fibre allows calcium ions to flow into the muscle fibre from
surrounding tissue fluid, down their concentration gradient.

4 A Binding of calcium ions to myosin heads repels tropomyosin, exposing myosin heads for cross-bridge formation.
B Binding of calcium ions to myosin heads repels troponin, exposing myosin heads for cross-bridge formation.
C Binding of a calcium ion to troponin causes attached tropomyosin to be pulled away from the myosin binding site.
D Binding of a calcium ion to tropomyosin causes a change in shape of the attached troponin, exposing myosin
heads.

5 Sometimes scientists need to isolate organelles. This can be achieved

by taking a number of cells and breaking their cell surface membranes
to release the contents of the cells into a buffer solution.
In zonal centrifugation, the suspension of cell contents is placed on top
of a sucrose density gradient. The tube is then placed in a centrifuge
and spun at high speed. The heavier particles will move towards the
bottom of the tube faster than lighter particles, as shown below.
If a sample of intact prokaryotes had been added to a suspension of
eukaryotic cell contents, where would you expect them to be found?
D
Specimen 2016
12 A particular snake venom causes death by leading to paralysis of muscles. It exerts its effect at synapses.
The statements below were put forward as possible explanations for the effects of this venom.
I It interferes with the binding of neurotransmitter vesicles to the membranes.
II It binds with neurotransmitter receptor sites.
III It blocks calcium and sodium channels.
IV It destroys the myelin sheath of the neurone.
V It binds with neurotransmitter.
Which statements should be investigated further?
A I, II, III and V B II, IV and V C IV only D All
Specimen 2016
13 What happens during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis?
I ADP is hydrolysed. II ADP is phosphorylated.
III ATP is hydrolysed. IV ATP is phosphorylated.
V NADP is oxidised. VI NADP is reduced.
A I and V only B II and VI only C I, IV and V only D II, III and VI only