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CAIE A-Level Biology AS Mathematical and Statistical Skills Questions

Practise the calculations, graph interpretation and statistical decisions required across CAIE A-Level Biology investigations.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Biology 9700
Level
AS

Covered syllabus points

AS and A Level mathematical requirements

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

A potometer was used to measure the transpiration rate of a leafy shoot.
What could be the correct units?

A

cm min

B

cm2 min−1\mathrm{cm}^{2} \mathrm{~min}^{-1}

C

cm3 g−1min⁡\mathrm{cm}^{3} \mathrm{~g}^{-1} \min

D

cm3 min−1\mathrm{cm}^{3} \mathrm{~min}^{-1}

Question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

In mammals, the small intestine is the main site of absorption of the products of digestion.
Fig. 2.1 is a transmission electron micrograph of a longitudinal section (L.S.) of part of an epithelial cell from the small intestine of a mammal.

Fig. 2.2 is a transmission electron micrograph of a horizontal section made at the position indicated by the two arrows in Fig. 2.1.

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.2

Fig. 2.2

A scientist measured the length and the diameter of some of the microvilli shown in Fig. 2.1 to estimate the total surface area of microvilli on the surface of the epithelial cell.

The scientist assumed that each microvillus was cylindrical in shape.
Suggest one other measurement needed to estimate the total surface area of the microvilli of the epithelial cell.

Question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

The number of substrate molecules one enzyme molecule can convert to product in a second is called the turnover number. This number is obtained when all conditions are optimum for the specific enzyme-catalysed reaction.

Table for Question 3 — CAIE A-Level Biology AS

How many times faster at converting substrate to product is catalase compared to phosphatase?

A

29

B

288

C

2884

D

28836

Question 4

[Maximum number: 2]

Pepsin is an enzyme that hydrolyses proteins (protease). Some students used pepsin from the stomach of a mammal.

The activity of the pepsin was investigated by placing a small quantity of the enzyme with a known concentration of the protein albumen.

Fig. 2.1 shows the progress of the enzyme-catalysed reaction that was carried out at \(20^{\circ

Fig. 2.1 shows the progress of the enzyme-catalysed reaction that was carried out at \(20^{\circ

Calculate the initial rate of the reaction.
initial rate of reaction =

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