1. The diagram below shows part of a metabolic pathway which occurs in mitochondria.

c -i sa c o n i t a t e i s o c i t r a t e o x a l o s u c c i n a t e

N A+ D +
N A D H + H

(a) Explain what is meant by the term metabolic pathway.

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+
(b) Suggest what happens to the NADH + H formed during the conversion of isocitrate to
oxalosuccinate.

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 (c) The conversion of cis-aconitate to isocitrate is catalysed by the enzyme aconitase. The
leaves of some plants contain a substance called fluoroacetate. If this is eaten by animals,
it is absorbed into their cells where it is converted to fluorocitrate. Fluorocitrate is an
inhibitor of the enzyme aconitase.

Suggest what effect fluorocitrate would have on the production of ATP by mitochondria.
Give an explanation for your answer.

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(Total 8 marks)

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2. The cell surface membrane is a barrier which prevents foreign material entering the cell and vital
molecules and organelles from leaving. All cell membranes have some limited permeability to
water, but the epithelial cells lining parts of the kidney nephrons have membrane water
permeabilities many times greater than the normal level. This is due to the presence of specific
membrane proteins, known as aquaporins, which only allow the passage of water molecules.

(a) Explain why fatty acids and cholesterol, oxygen and carbon dioxide all diffuse freely
through the cell surface membrane, but polar molecules and ions, such as sodium, do not.

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 (b) The graph below shows the permeability to water of different parts of the nephron.

1 0 0 0 0
P e r m e a b i l i t y
t o w a t e r / a r b i t r a r y
u n i t s ( l o g s c a l e )
H i g h
A D H
1 0 0 0

1 0 0
L o w
A D H

1 0
P r o x i D m e a s l c e A n ds ci n e gn dD i ni s g t a l C o l l e c t i n g
c o n v o l ul i tm e d b l i m b c o n v o l u t de ud c t
t u b u l e t u b u l e
Loop of Henlé

Part of nephron

What can you conclude from the graph about the number of aquaporins in the proximal
convoluted tubule compared with the number in the distal convoluted tubule?

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 (c) Reabsorption of water from the filtrate depends on a water potential gradient between the
filtrate and the blood. Explain how a water potential gradient is created in the proximal
convoluted tubule.

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(d) Using the information in the graph, and your own knowledge, explain how the loop of
Henlé enables the kidney to produce concentrated urine.

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 (e) Describe and suggest an explanation for the effect of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) on the
membrane permeability of the cells of the collecting duct, as shown on the graph.

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(Total 15 marks)

3. Write an essay on the following topic:

The roles of proteins in living organisms.

(Total 15 marks)

Marks will be awarded for scientific content, coverage of the topic, and the quality of written
communication. You should include in your answers any relevant information from the whole of
your course. You may include diagrams if you wish, but make sure that they are relevant to your
essay and add extra information to it.

4. Write an essay on the following topic:

The structures and functions of different types of plant cells.

(Total 15 marks)

Marks will be awarded for scientific content, coverage of the topic, and the quality of written
communication. You should include in your answers any relevant information from the whole of
your course. You may include diagrams if you wish, but make sure that they are relevant to your
essay and add extra information to it.

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5. Write an essay on the following topic:

The production of gametes in humans, fertility and the implications for world population trends.
(Total 15 marks)

Marks will be awarded for scientific content, coverage of the topic, and the quality of written
communication. You should include in your answers any relevant information from the whole of
your course. You may include diagrams if you wish, but make sure that they are relevant to your
essay and add extra information to it.

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