Cambridge International Examinations

Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level

BIOLOGY 9700/33
Advanced Practical Skills 1 October/November 2015
CONFIDENTIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Great care should be taken to ensure that any confidential information given, including the identity
* 5 5 2 1 5 3 7 0 2 8 *

of material on microscope slides where appropriate, does not reach the candidates either directly or
indirectly.

If you have any problems or queries regarding these Instructions, please contact CIE
by e-mail: info@cie.org.uk
by phone: +44 1223 553554
by fax: +44 1223 553558
stating the Centre number, the nature of the query and the syllabus number quoted above.

This document consists of 8 printed pages.

DC (NH) 88806/4
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Instructions for preparing apparatus

These instructions give details of the apparatus required by each candidate for each experiment in
this paper. A summary of the questions that will be presented to the candidates is included, where
appropriate, to allow the biology teacher to test the apparatus appropriately.
No access to the Question Paper is permitted in advance of the examination.

If a candidate breaks any of the apparatus, or loses any of the material supplied, the matter should be
rectified and a note made in the Supervisor’s Report.

Candidates must be provided with a microscope with:

• Eyepiece lens, ×10 (equal to 16 mm or 23ʺ)
• Low-power objective lens, ×10 (equal to 16 mm or 23ʺ)
• High-power objective lens, ×40 (equal to 4 mm or 16ʺ)
• Eyepiece graticule fitted within the eyepiece and visible in focus at the same time as the
specimen.

To avoid confusion, Cambridge request that only the lenses specified above are fitted in the microscopes
to be used in the examination. Any lenses which are not ×10 or ×40 should be removed or replaced.

Each candidate must have uninterrupted use of the microscope for at least one hour.

Supervisors are advised to remind candidates that all substances in the examination should be treated
with caution. Pipette fillers and safety goggles should be used where necessary.

In accordance with the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations, operative in
the UK, a hazard appraisal of the examination has been carried out.

The following codes are used where relevant.

C = corrosive substance F = highly flammable substance
H = harmful or irritating substance O = oxidising substance
T = toxic substance N = harmful to environment

internal diameter

When small test-tubes are provided, it is expected

that these are approximately 150 mm in height.
height
If other dimensions of apparatus are required, these
will be specified in the Apparatus list.

Centres are reminded that they are not permitted to open the question paper envelopes before the
examination. Centres should also refer to the Handbook for Centres.

If there are any difficulties with any aspect of setting up this practical examination that the Centre is
not able to resolve, it is essential for Centres to contact the Product Manager as soon as possible by
e-mail to info@cie.org.uk, by fax to +44 1223 553558 or by phone to +44 1223 553554.

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Confidential Instructions

No access to the Question Paper is permitted in advance of the examination.

Each candidate will require:

For both Questions:

• mm ruler.

Question 1

• Solutions provided to the candidates should be supplied in a suitable beaker, or container, for
removal of the solution using a syringe. More of the solutions should be available if requested
by candidates.
• All solutions should be provided to candidates at room temperature.
• Clean, dry test-tubes and syringes are needed for each candidate.
• Fresh S, Y, W and H are needed for each candidate.
• All solutions should be disposed of according to local safety regulations.

Yeast

It is essential to try the yeast well before the examination to make sure that it will become active.

Test the activity of the yeast and hydrogen peroxide solution:

Put 5 cm3 of H into a test-tube and add 1 cm3 of Y. The mixture should foam up with froth on the top,
within a few seconds, showing it is active.

If it is not active then increase the concentration of or replace the hydrogen peroxide or change the
source of the yeast.

Some types of yeast will require more time, after the glucose is added, to become active.

Do not use Brewer’s yeast as this does not always work actively enough in the time.

Summary of solutions:

labelled contents hazard volume

/ cm3
10% sodium
S none at least 60
chloride solution
active yeast cell
Y none at least 60
suspension

W distilled water none at least 60

hydrogen peroxide [H] harmful

H at least 60
solution [H] irritant

It is advisable to wear safety glasses/goggles when handling chemicals.

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Preparation of solutions:

Sodium chloride solution may be prepared the day before but should be kept in covered containers
in a refrigerator. However, the sodium chloride solution should be supplied to candidates at room
temperature for the examination.

(i) S, at least 60 cm3 of 10% sodium chloride solution, in a beaker or container labelled S.

This is prepared by dissolving 10 g of sodium chloride in 100 cm3 of distilled water in a beaker
or container and stirring well.

(ii) Y, at least 60 cm3 of 7.0% yeast cell suspension, in a beaker or container labelled Y. This
volume should not include any froth.

Y should be prepared one hour before the candidates start Question 1. In a large container
put 7.0 g of dried yeast (for baking) into 40 cm3 of warm distilled water. Stir and make up to
100 cm3 with warm distilled water. This should be kept for approximately 30 minutes at a
temperature of 35 °C to 40 °C.
Approximately 15 minutes before the candidates start Question 1, sprinkle 20 g of glucose
over the surface of the suspension and stir thoroughly and keep at a temperature of 35 °C to
40 °C.

To help put the 60 cm3 of Y into the beaker for the candidates, it is suggested that the yeast
cell suspension is poured into a second beaker leaving the froth behind.

(iii) W, at least 60 cm3 of distilled water in a beaker or container, labelled W.

[H] (iv) H, at least 60 cm3 of 10 vols (3%) hydrogen peroxide solution, in a beaker or container
labelled H.

The beaker should be covered to prevent evaporation and should be put out just before the
candidates start Question 1.

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Apparatus for each candidate should be clean.

Syringe needles are not required and must not be given to candidates.

Apparatus for each candidate Quantity ✓

10 cm3 syringe, with the means to wash it out 2
2 cm3 or 3 cm3 or 5 cm3 syringe, with the means to wash it out 1
Beaker or container (capacity approximately 400 cm3), containing approximately
1
300 cm3 tap water for pouring into test-tubes, labelled For washing
Beaker or container (capacity approximately 400 cm3), labelled For waste 1
Paper towels 8
Beakers or containers, to hold at least 50 cm3 6
Test-tubes, to hold a volume more than 40 cm3 and less than 50 cm3 6
Test-tube rack(s), to hold 6 test-tubes or to hold 5 test-tubes and a container to
1
hold 1 test-tube
Glass rod 1
Thermometer, –10 to 110 °C 1
Glass marker pen 1
Safety glasses/goggles 1

During the examination, the Supervisor (not the Invigilator) should, out of the sight of the candidates,
carry out Question 1 using the same solutions as the candidates in order to obtain results for
Question 1(b)(ii). These results should be written in the Supervisor’s Report, on page 8, not on a
spare question paper.

The Supervisor’s Report and the candidates’ seating plan should be enclosed with the candidates’
scripts.

Please ensure that, if the scripts are in several packets, a copy of the Supervisor’s Report and the
candidates’ seating plan are enclosed with each packet of scripts.

The Invigilator should not carry out Question 1.

Question 2

(i) Slide K1 (supplied by Cambridge).

On receipt of the slides, please check that they are labelled K1 and that none of the slides are
broken. The material is confidential (so must not be disclosed to candidates) and the slides
should not be viewed in advance of the examination.

The number of slides supplied by Cambridge will be equal to half the candidate entry.
Therefore, half the candidates should start on Question 2 and the other half should start on
Question 1.

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(ii) Microscope as described on page 2.

For each candidate:

• the microscope must be set up on low power

• the slide must not be on the stage of the microscope.

MATERIALS TO BE SUPPLIED BY CAMBRIDGE

(i) Question papers.

(ii) Slide K1.

RETURN OF EXAMINATION MATERIALS TO CAMBRIDGE

Immediately after the examination the microscope slides must be:

• returned to Cambridge in the containers in which they were received, using the self-adhesive
label. The slides must not be included in the packet of scripts.
Or
• purchased using the order form enclosed with the slides, which should be completed and
returned to Cambridge. The order form must not be included in the packet of scripts.

Slides and boxes will be charged at the rate of £3 per slide and £1 per box.

If the items are not returned or purchased by the deadline stated on the order form they will be charged
at £3.50 per slide plus £1 per box.

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT and SEATING PLAN

The teacher responsible for the examination is asked to fill in the Supervisor’s Report in these
Confidential Instructions.

For Centres where more than one script packet is used, there must be a copy of the completed
Supervisor’s Report and the candidates’ seating plan in each script packet. These Supervisors’ Reports
are essential in order to allow the Examiner to assess all candidates as fairly as possible and should
always be completed by every Centre.

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable
effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will
be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge International
Examinations Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at www.cie.org.uk after
the live examination series.

Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local
Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.

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9700/33
This form should be completed and sent to the Examiner with the scripts

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT

October/November 2015

The Supervisor or Teacher responsible for the subject should provide the following information.

1. Was any difficulty experienced in providing the necessary materials? If so, give brief details.

2. Give details of any difficulties experienced by particular candidates, giving names and candidate
numbers. Reference should be made to:

(a) difficulties arising from faulty specimens or microscopes;

(b) accidents to apparatus or materials;

(c) assistance provided in case of colour-blindness;

(d) any other information that is likely to assist the Examiner, especially if this cannot be
discovered from the scripts.

All other cases of individual hardship, e.g. illness or disability, should be reported direct to CIE on the
normal ‘Special Consideration Form’ as detailed in the Handbook for Centres.

3. During the examination, the Supervisor should, out of the sight of the candidates, carry
out Question 1 using the same solutions as the candidates. The results for Question 1(b)(ii)
should be written in the Supervisor’s Report, which should be enclosed with the candidates’
scripts. If the scripts are in several packets, please ensure that a copy of the Supervisor’s Report
is enclosed with each packet of scripts. The Invigilator should not carry out Question 1.

4. Enclose a seating plan of work benches with the scripts, giving details of the candidate numbers
of the places occupied by the candidates for each question. Use separate paper for this.

Declaration (to be signed by the Principal or the Examinations Officer)

The preparation of this practical examination has been carried out so as to maintain the security of the
examination.

Signed .....................................................................................................................................................

Name (in block capitals) ..........................................................................................................................

Centre number (of enclosed scripts) .......................................................................................................

Centre name ............................................................................................................................................

If scripts are required by CIE to be despatched in more than one envelope, it is essential that a copy
of the
• relevant Supervisor’s Report
• appropriate seating plan(s) are sent inside each envelope.

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Temperature of examination room ......................... °C

Results for Question 1(b)(ii)

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