CAIE A-Level Biology A2 As and a Level Mathematical Requirements Questions

Practise the calculations embedded across Biology 9700, including units, precision, magnification, geometry, averages, percentages, graphs and rates.

Covered syllabus points

M.1—Prefixes, units, symbols and standard form M.2—Calculator use, estimations and significant figures M.3—Magnification, actual size and geometry M.4—Averages, ratios, percentages and experimental error M.5—Graphs, data transformation and rates of change

[Maximum number: 1]

In 2014, scientists published a phylogenetic (evolutionary) tree diagram showing how and when different groups of insects developed from ancestral groups.

To construct the diagram, the scientists compared nucleotide and amino acid sequence data for 1478 genes from each of 103 different insect species. The 103 species represented all 32 orders of the class Insecta.

The data were used to arrange the species in related groups according to their degree of molecular similarity and to track how sequences changed over time.

For this study, new software for processing large quantities of data was developed.

Calculate the total number of sequences that were compared, considering both the nucleotide and amino acid sequences for each gene.

$(1478 \times 103 \times 2=) 304468 ;$

[Maximum number: 2]

Fig. 6.1 is a diagram of mitochondrion.

Fig. 6.1

Assume that the mitochondrion in Fig. 6.1 is a cylinder.

Calculate the surface area of this mitochondrion.
Use the formula: Surface area of cylinder $=2 \pi r^{2}+2 \pi r h$
Show your working.

\text{surface area = }\underline{\hspace{4cm}}\,\mu\mathrm{m}^{2}

b(ii)

$\left(2 \times \pi \times 0.36^{2}\right)+(2 \times \pi \times 0.36 \times 5.25)$

or

$2 \pi \times 0.36(0.36+5.25) ;$

12.7

or

12.68

or

12.69 ;

Marking guidance:

accept 3.14 or $\pi$ in workings

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Covered syllabus points

Question 1

Question 2