CAIE A-Level Biology AS Practical Assessment Skills Questions

Practise the AO3 skills assessed in Paper 3 and Paper 5, including experimental work, observation, presentation, analysis, planning and evaluation.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Biology 9700
Level
AS

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

The table shows the volume of water taken up over a 10 minute period for two species of plant, X and Y .

Table for Question 1 — CAIE A-Level Biology AS

Both plants were tested at the same time, in the same room and using identical potometers. A student concluded that Y was a xerophyte so lost less water.

What feature of the experiment could bring this conclusion into doubt?

A

The student did not control air flow or temperature surrounding the plants.

B

The student did not leave the plants to acclimatise to their surroundings.

C

The student did not take measurements at 0 minutes.

D

The student did not take account of the area of leaves.

Question 2

[Maximum number: 2]

Alveolar macrophages are cells of the immune system that remain in the alveolar region of the gas exchange system. The macrophages protect against infection caused by pathogens that have been inhaled.

Alveolar macrophages have the same cell structures as typical animal cells.

Fig. 2.1 is a diagram of an alveolar macrophage showing:
- some of the cell structures that would be visible using an electron microscope
- a newly formed phagocytic vacuole (phagosome) containing two cells of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.1

The cell structures with the functions described in Table 2.1 are not shown in Fig. 2.1.
Complete Fig. 2.1 by drawing and labelling the cell structures described in Table 2.1.

Question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

When making measurements in experiments, which methods could have parallax errors?
1 using a calibrated eyepiece graticule to measure length
2 using a measuring cylinder to measure volume
3 using a ruler to measure length of a shoot

A

1, 2 and 3

B

1 and 2 only

C

1 and 3 only

D

2 and 3 only

Question 4

[Maximum number: 1]

The graph shows the percentage of tuberculosis (TB) patients who were also known to be infected with HIV, from 2004 to 2011.

Figure for Question 4 — CAIE A-Level Biology AS

Which statement about the graph is correct?

A

From 2004 to 2010, the percentage of TB patients with HIV infection in region P increased from 3% to 69%.

B

From 2005 to 2011, the percentage of TB patients with HIV infection increased more rapidly in region P than in regions outside region P.

C

From 2006 to 2011, the percentage of TB patients with HIV infection in regions outside region P doubled.

D

From 2007 to 2011, the percentage of TB patients with HIV infection globally increased from 20% to 30%.

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