OXFORD CAMBRIDGE AND RSA EXAMINATIONS

Advanced GCE

BIOLOGY 2805/04
Microbiology and Biotechnology
Friday 24 JUNE 2005 Afternoon 1 hour 30 minutes

Candidates answer on the question paper.

Additional materials:
Electronic calculator
Ruler (cm/mm)

Candidate
Candidate Name Centre Number Number

TIME 1 hour 30 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
• Write your name in the space above.
• Write your Centre number and Candidate number in the boxes above.
• Answer all the questions.
• Write your answers, in blue or black ink, in the spaces provided on the question paper.
• Read each question carefully before starting your answer.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

• The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each
question or part question.
FOR EXAMINER’S USE
• You will be awarded marks for the quality of written communication
where this is indicated in the question. Qu. Max. Mark
• You may use an electronic calculator.
1 12
• You are advised to show all the steps in any calculations.
2 13

3 19

4 12

5 14

6 20

TOTAL 90

This question paper consists of 18 printed pages and 2 blank pages.

SPA (DR) S75154/3
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Answer all the questions.

1 (a) Enzymes are used in many commercial processes, either in a free, soluble form or
immobilised.

Immobilised enzymes are being used in a bioreactor that attaches to spacesuits. The
bioreactor was developed during ‘Water Recovery Tests’. This immobilised enzyme
bioreactor removes the urea from an astronaut’s urine. The bioreactor uses immobilised
urease enzyme, which catalyses the hydrolysis of urea, forming carbon dioxide and
ammonia. These products react to form ions, which are then removed by the bioreactor.

(i) State the meaning of the term immobilised enzyme.

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(ii) State two different methods of immobilising an enzyme.

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(iii) Suggest three practical advantages of using an immobilised urease bioreactor in a

space ship.

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(b) Soluble and immobilised lipases were tested for their ability to hydrolyse palm oil. When
oil is hydrolysed, it produces fatty acids and glycerol.

The two forms of lipase showed optimal activity at the same pH and temperature (pH
7.5 and 35 °C). At that pH and temperature, 100% of the oil was hydrolysed in two
minutes.

If the temperature was increased to 45 °C, 100% of the oil was hydrolysed using
immobilised lipase but when soluble lipase was used, only 80% was hydrolysed within
the two-minute period.

(i) Define the term hydrolysis.

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(ii) Using the information from the passage and your knowledge of the products of the
reaction, explain the advantages of using an immobilised enzyme to hydrolyse
palm oil.

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[Total: 12]

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2 (a) In this question, one mark is available for the quality of spelling, punctuation and
grammar.

Many different types of bacteria live on the surface of the skin. Some of them convert
the proteins in sweat into ammonia, which produces unpleasant smells. Many people
use deodorants; some deodorants simply mask the smell but others work by inhibiting
the action of bacteria.

Describe how you would test to find out which of a pair of liquid deodorants has the
most effective antibacterial properties. Include details of the aseptic techniques you
would use.

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Quality of Written Communication [1]

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(b) Human sweat contains some natural anti-bacterial substances.

(i) Suggest the benefits in hot weather, other than reducing body odour, of sweat
containing anti-bacterial substances.

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(ii) Some anti-bacterial substances ‘punch’ holes in bacterial cell walls.

Explain why they do not have the same effect on plant and animal cells.

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[Total: 13]

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3 Bacteria and viruses cause many common diseases. However, many people confuse
viruses with bacteria.

Viruses are different from bacteria in both size and structure.

(a) Complete the table below by stating the differences between the structure of viruses
and the structure of bacteria.

s truc tura l fe a ture virus ba c te ria

outer coating

cytoplasm

nuclear material

[3]
(b) Fig. 3.1 is a diagram of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

A diagram has been removed due to third party copyright

restrictions

Details:

A diagram of the human immunodeficiency virus

Fig. 3.1

Name structures A to C .

A ......................................................................................................................................

B ......................................................................................................................................

C ..................................................................................................................................[3]
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(c) In this question, one mark is available for the quality of use and organisation of scientific
terms.

Describe the life cycle of HIV.

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Quality of Written Communication [1]

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(d) Some viruses, known as bacteriophages, infect bacteria. The DNA of bacteriophage λ
becomes incorporated into the bacterial chromosome and is known as a prophage. The
host bacterial cell remains unaffected and can continue to grow and reproduce
asexually.

Describe asexual reproduction in the bacterial cell and explain how this allows the
replication of the prophage.

You may use the space below for any diagrams.

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[Total: 19]

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4 Artificial selection has been used for many years to produce plants and animals with
characteristics valued by breeders.

A hybrid variety of watermelon has been produced which is small, sweet and seedless. This
was achieved by selectively breeding two different varieties of watermelon plant, as shown in
Fig. 4.1.

watermelon variety A watermelon variety B

(sweet flesh) ✕ (small fruit)

hybrid watermelon
(sweet flesh and small fruit)

Fig. 4.1

The hybrid from this cross is sterile because it is triploid (3n). Tissue culture may be used to
clone more of this hybrid variety.

(a) Explain why the hybrid is sterile.

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(b) Describe how plants that produce watermelons with sweet flesh and small fruits could
be obtained by cloning from tissue culture.

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(c) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the technique of tissue culture for
cloning plants.

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[Total: 12]

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5 A student investigated the fermentation of two sugars, glucose and maltose, by yeast cells.
Two fermentation tubes were prepared containing equal volumes of a yeast suspension and
the respective sugar solutions.

Each fermentation tube was placed inside a test tube, as shown in Fig. 5.1.

A diagram has been removed due to third party copyright

restrictions

Details:

A diagram showing a student placing a fermentation tube into

a test tube

Fig. 5.1

The test-tubes were turned through 180° and placed in a test-tube rack. The yeast
suspensions were left to ferment for 80 minutes. During this time, gas collected as shown in
Fig. 5.2.

An image has been removed due to

third party copyright restrictions

Details:

An image fof a test tube with a bubble

of gas shown above the fermentation
tube

Fig. 5.2

The student determined the volume of gas collected in each tube at intervals of ten minutes.
The results are shown in Fig. 5.3.

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4.0
glucose
3.5

3.0

2.5

volume of maltose
2.0
gas / cm3

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
0 20 40 60 80
time / minutes

Fig. 5.3

(a) (i) Suggest three variables, other than type of sugar, that could affect the results of
this investigation.

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(ii) Name the gas that is produced by fermentation.

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(b) (i) Using the data in Fig. 5.3, describe the results obtained with glucose.

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(ii) Suggest reasons for the results you have described in (b) (i).

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(c) Suggest why there is a difference between the results for maltose and the results for
glucose.

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[Total: 14]

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6 Fig. 6.1 shows a batch fermenter used to produce penicillin.

A diagram has been removed due to third party copyright restrictions

Details:

A diagram of a batch fermenter used to produce penicillin

Fig. 6.1

(a) Explain why sterile air is pumped into the fermenter.

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(b) (i) The fungus that produces penicillin needs a supply of carbon and nitrogen.
Give the form in which these elements are added to the culture.

carbon ......................................................................................................................

nitrogen ................................................................................................................[2]

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(ii) Explain why it is necessary to pump water into the jacket surrounding the culture.

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(iii) State why pH is monitored and describe how it is controlled.

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Question 6 continues on the next page.

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(c) Fig. 6.2 is a graph showing the production of penicillin and the growth of the fungus,
Penicillium, in the fermenter shown in Fig. 6.1.

X
50 7500

penicillin

40 6000

30 4500
dry mass units of
of fungus fungus penicillin
/ g dm–3 per cm3
20 3000

10 1500

0 0
0 24 48 72 96 120 144
time / hours

Fig. 6.2

(i) Using the data in Fig. 6.2, state the time when Penicillium enters its stationary
phase.

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(ii) Explain why there is no antibiotic produced during phase X.

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(d) Penicillin is removed from the fermenter for downstream processing.

Describe what happens during downstream processing.

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(e) Other medically important products, such as insulin and growth hormone, are produced
on a large scale using microorganisms.

Give reasons for using microorganisms in the production of insulin and growth
hormone.

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[Total: 20]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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