www.dynamicpapers.

com

Cambridge International AS & A Level

BIOLOGY 9700/11
Paper 1 Multiple Choice May/June 2024
1 hour 15 minutes

You must answer on the multiple choice answer sheet.

*8862199181*

You will need: Multiple choice answer sheet

Soft clean eraser
Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended)

INSTRUCTIONS
 There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions.
 For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose the one you consider correct
and record your choice in soft pencil on the multiple choice answer sheet.
 Follow the instructions on the multiple choice answer sheet.
 Write in soft pencil.
 Write your name, centre number and candidate number on the multiple choice answer sheet in the
spaces provided unless this has been done for you.
 Do not use correction fluid.
 Do not write on any bar codes.
 You may use a calculator.

INFORMATION
 The total mark for this paper is 40.
 Each correct answer will score one mark.
 Any rough working should be done on this question paper.

This document has 20 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

IB24 06_9700_11/4RP
© UCLES 2024 [Turn over
 www.dynamicpapers.com
2

1 The diagram shows a stage micrometer scale viewed with an eyepiece graticule, using a
magnification of 200.

0.1 mm

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Using the same magnification, a chloroplast is measured as 4 eyepiece graticule divisions long.

How long is the chloroplast?

A 1.0  101 m

B 4.0  102 m

C 2.5  10–1 m

D 2.5  10–2 m

2 Which range of cell diameters is typical for prokaryotic cells?

A 1 nm to 5  102 nm

B 1  103 nm to 5 m

C 1  101 m to 5  102 m

D 1  102 m to 5  103 m

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24

 www.dynamicpapers.com
3

3 The diagram shows a typical animal cell.

Where would nucleic acids be found?

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

4 Which structure is found in a typical bacterial cell?

A intron
B telomere
C template strand
D capsid

5 What is the maximum number of hydrogen bonds that can form between a single water molecule
and other water molecules?

A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
4

6 The diagrams show the structure of four amino acids in aqueous solution.

COO– COO–
H C H 3N + CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 C
+
N H3 N+H3
H H
glycine lysine

COO– O COO–
CH3 C C CH2 C
N+H3 O– N+H3
H H
alanine aspartate

Which two structures have an overall charge?

A alanine and aspartate

B alanine and glycine
C aspartate and lysine
D glycine and lysine

7 The table shows the number of carbon atoms and the number of carbon–carbon double bonds in
molecules of three triglycerides and the fatty acids they contain.

The information is shown in the format ‘number of carbon atoms : number of carbon–carbon
double bonds’.

triglyceride fatty acid 1 fatty acid 2 fatty acid 3

54 : 1 15 : 0 18 : 0 18 : 1
56 : 4 17 : 0 X 18 : 2
57 : 3 18 : 0 18 : 1 18 : 2

Which description matches fatty acid 2 of the 56 : 4 triglyceride, identified in the table as X?

A saturated with 17 carbon atoms

B saturated with 18 carbon atoms
C unsaturated with 17 carbon atoms
D unsaturated with 18 carbon atoms

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24

 www.dynamicpapers.com
5

8 Collagen molecules are made up of three polypeptide chains interacting together. The individual
polypeptide chains consist of a regular pattern of amino acids. Almost every third amino acid is
glycine.

Which protein structures of collagen are described?

A primary and secondary

B primary and quaternary
C secondary and tertiary
D tertiary and quaternary

9 The masses of the parts of haemoglobin are shown in the table.

component mass / Da

-globin chain 15 126

-globin chain 15 868
haem group 15 617

There are 1000 Da in 1 kDa.

What is the mass of a haemoglobin molecule in kDa?

A 31.6 B 33.5 C 62.6 D 64.5

10 What is the correct order of locations in the cell for the production of an extracellular enzyme?

A nucleus  ribosome  rough endoplasmic reticulum  Golgi body

B ribosome  nucleus  Golgi body  rough endoplasmic reticulum

C ribosome  rough endoplasmic reticulum  nucleus  Golgi body

D rough endoplasmic reticulum  nucleus  Golgi body  ribosome

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
6

11 The graph shows the trend from an enzyme-catalysed reaction.

Which labels are correct for the x-axis and y-axis?

x-axis y-axis

A rate of reaction substrate concentration

B enzyme concentration temperature
C pH rate of reaction
D substrate concentration pH

12 Which statements about the Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) are correct?

1 The higher the Km, the higher the enzyme affinity for the substrate.
2 Km is a measure of the degree of enzyme affinity for the substrate.
3 Km is defined as the substrate concentration at which the enzyme functions at half
its maximum rate.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24

 www.dynamicpapers.com
7

13 The diagram shows how nicotine is transported from the blood plasma into a cell using a type of
cotransporter mechanism.

protons move down their

concentration gradient
blood out of the cell
plasma

cell surface
membrane

cytoplasm
of the cell nicotine is transported cotransporter protein
against its concentration
gradient into the cell

In the phloem tissue, there is a cotransporter mechanism that moves sucrose into the cytoplasm
of a companion cell.

Which statement correctly describes a similarity between the cotransport of nicotine and the
cotransport of sucrose?

A The cotransporter proteins generate a proton gradient by moving protons out of the cell by
active transport.
B The protons are transported through the cotransporter proteins by facilitated diffusion.
C The protons move through the cotransporter proteins in the opposite direction to the
movement of nicotine and sucrose.
D The cotransporter proteins use energy from ATP to transport protons with nicotine and
sucrose.

14 The diagram shows a simple metabolic pathway.

WXYZ

The letters W, X, Y and Z represent four different substances. At each step in the diagram the
substrate undergoes a chemical reaction catalysed by an enzyme. The reaction produces the
next substance in the pathway.

Which statements correctly describe the enzymes taking part in this metabolic pathway?

1 They are all globular proteins.

2 They all have the same tertiary structure.
3 They all contain hydrogen atoms in their structure.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 only

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
8

15 A student observed the effect of two different concentrations of salt solution on blood cells.

The student added each concentration of salt solution to one of two microscope slides, and then
a small drop of fresh blood was added.

Each slide was viewed using the high power lens of a microscope and the student’s observations
were recorded.

slide 1 No red blood cells were visible.

slide 2 The red blood cells were visible but looked slightly crinkled.

Which row correctly explains the results obtained?

slide 1 slide 2

A Swelling of the cells The  of the cell was

caused them all to burst. more negative than the 
of the external solution.

B The  of the cell was The  of the external solution key

more negative than the  was more negative than the   = water potential
of the external solution. of the cell.

C The  of the cell was There is a net movement of

less negative than the  water out of the cell by osmosis.
of the external solution.
D The  of the external solution The  of the cell was very
was less negative than the  similar to, but slightly
of the cell. more negative than, the 
of the external solution.

16 Which statement correctly describes facilitated diffusion?

A The process only occurs using channel proteins that change shape and that use energy
provided by the cell.
B The process occurs using channel proteins or carrier proteins that may or may not change
shape.
C The process occurs using channel proteins or carrier proteins that use energy provided by
the cell.
D The process only occurs using carrier proteins that create a gradient to move ions in
opposite directions.

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24

 www.dynamicpapers.com
9

17 Which row is correct for stem cells?

can be involved in the

can repair cells
formation of phagocytes

A yes no
B yes yes
C no no
D no yes

18 Eukaryotic organisms grow and increase in size as a result of cell division. The diagram shows
some stages of mitosis with one stage missing, labelled X.

What happens in stage X?

A Spindle fibres attach to the centromeres and the chromosomes line up along the equator.
B The chromatin coils and condenses and the nuclear membrane disintegrates.
C The chromosomes line up in pairs along the equator of the cell.
D Microtubules shorten so that spindle fibres contract and the centromeres divide.

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
10

19 The graphs show various distance measurements taken from the start of metaphase of mitosis.
The graphs are to scale when compared to one another.

distance

time

distance

time

Which row correctly identifies the distance measurement for each graph?

X Y
A distance between distance of centromeres
poles of spindle from poles of spindle
B distance between distance between
poles of spindle sister chromatids
C distance of centromeres distance between
from poles of spindle sister chromatids
D distance of centromeres distance between
from poles of spindle poles of spindle

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24

 www.dynamicpapers.com
11

20 Which row is correct for the start of anaphase of mitosis?

DNA is associated state of the

form of DNA with histone cell surface
proteins membrane

A chromosomes always broken apart

B chromosomes sometimes intact
C separated sister chromatids always intact
D separated sister chromatids sometimes broken apart

21 The diagrams show the chemical structure of four bases.

NH2 O

C C CH3
N HN C
C N
HC
C CH C CH
N N O N

H H

1 2

NH2 O

C C
N CH N C NH
HC
C CH C C
O N N N NH2
H H

3 4

Which diagrams show thymine and cytosine?

A 1 and 2 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
12

22 The diagram shows the nucleotide sequence of a small section of the transcribed strand of a
gene.

CGG GCC CCG CGG

The table shows the amino acids coded for by 10 mRNA codons.

mRNA codon amino acid

AAG Lys
ACG Thr
CGG CGC CGU Arg
CCG Pro
GCC GCG Ala
GGC Gly
UGC Cys

What is the sequence of the four amino acids in the polypeptide translated from this small section
of a gene?

A Ala-Ala-Cys-Ala
B Ala-Arg-Gly-Ala
C Arg-Ala-Pro-Arg
D Arg-Arg-Thr-Arg

23 What does the process of translation require?

A DNA, free nucleotide bases and mRNA

B DNA, mRNA, amino acids and RNA polymerase
C mRNA, ribosomes and RNA polymerase
D mRNA, ribosomes, amino acids and tRNA

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24

 www.dynamicpapers.com
13

24 The electron micrograph shows a longitudinal section of part of the stem of a plant.

What is the name of the structure labelled X?

A companion cell
B Casparian strip
C phloem sieve tube element
D xylem vessel element

25 Which substance makes xylem vessel walls impermeable to water?

A cellulose
B lignin
C suberin
D collagen

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
14

26 The following tissues carry an electrical impulse during the cardiac cycle.

1 atrioventricular node
2 muscle wall of atria
3 Purkyne tissue
4 sinoatrial node

In which order does the electrical impulse travel during the cardiac cycle?

A 1234

B 1423

C 4213

D 4231

27 The graph shows changes in the volume of the ventricles during a single cardiac cycle.

atrial ventricular diastole

systole systole
volume of
ventricles P
/ arbitrary
units

R
time

Which row is correct for the atrioventricular valve at P and for the semilunar valve at R?

atrioventricular semilunar
valve at P valve at R

A closes closes
B closes opens
C opens closes
D opens opens

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24

 www.dynamicpapers.com
15

28 The graph shows how changes in oxygen concentration affect the percentage oxygen saturation
of human haemoglobin and cat haemoglobin under normal physiological conditions. The partial
pressure of carbon dioxide was kept constant at 5.0 kPa and the temperature was kept constant
at 37 C.

100 human
cat

percentage
saturation of
haemoglobin
with oxygen

0
partial pressure of oxygen

Which conclusion is supported by the graph?

A The affinity of cat haemoglobin for oxygen is greater than the affinity of human haemoglobin
for oxygen.
B At high partial pressures of oxygen, cat haemoglobin picks up oxygen more easily than
human haemoglobin picks up oxygen.
C At low partial pressures of oxygen, oxygen is released more easily from cat haemoglobin
than from human haemoglobin.
D The shift in the oxygen dissociation curve caused by the Bohr effect is larger for cat
haemoglobin than for human haemoglobin.

29 Which statement is correct about how oxygen combines with haemoglobin?

A Combining all four oxygen molecules with haemoglobin does not affect the shape of
haemoglobin.
B One oxygen molecule can combine with each haem group of the haemoglobin molecule.
C The first oxygen molecule to combine with haemoglobin does not affect the shape of
haemoglobin.
D The third oxygen molecule to combine with haemoglobin makes it more difficult for the fourth
oxygen molecule to combine with haemoglobin.

30 How are alveoli adapted to their function?

A They contain squamous epithelium for a short diffusion distance.

B They contain goblet cells to produce mucus.
C They contain ciliated epithelium to move mucus.
D They contain cartilage to prevent alveolar collapse.

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
16

31 The diagram shows oxygen diffusing from the space inside an alveolus into the blood through the
gaseous exchange surface.

thickness of alveolar
wall and capillary
endothelium

W X
oxygen oxygen
concentration concentration
in the blood inside the
alveolus
oxygen

What would increase the rate of diffusion of oxygen from the alveolus to the blood?

increase decrease keep the same

A W X Y
B W Y X
C Y X W
D X Y W

32 Which tissues are present in a bronchus?

ciliated smooth
cartilage
epithelium muscle

A    key
B     = present
C     = not present
D   

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24

 www.dynamicpapers.com
17

33 Steep concentration gradients must be maintained for efficient gaseous exchange to occur in
the human lungs.

Which row correctly describes how steep concentration gradients can be maintained?

elastic fibres in the walls continual supply of

of the alveoli recoil deoxygenated blood by
when breathing out the pulmonary artery

A   key
B    = helps maintain
C    = does not help maintain
D  

34 A scientist investigated the effect of an antibiotic on the treatment of cholera.

320 people with cholera were divided into two groups. One group was treated with the antibiotic
while the other group was not given the antibiotic. Both groups were given fluids containing
sugars and mineral salts (oral rehydration therapy).

The scientist recorded the number of days that each person had diarrhoea.

The table shows the results.

mean time person had

treatment
diarrhoea / days

antibiotic and oral rehydration therapy 3.2

oral rehydration therapy 5.3

What is the percentage decrease in the mean time that a person had diarrhoea when they were
treated with the antibiotic?

A 39.6% B 60.4% C 165.6% D 252.4%

35 How does the antibiotic penicillin affect the metabolism of a bacterial cell?

A Penicillin reduces cell growth by preventing water uptake.

B Penicillin inhibits the formation of cross-links in the cell wall between peptidoglycan
molecules.
C Penicillin inhibits the hydrolysis of peptidoglycan links in the cell wall during cell extension.
D Penicillin weakens the cell wall by digesting peptidoglycan molecules.

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24 [Turn over

 www.dynamicpapers.com
18

36 Scientists studied the multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in children caused by one type of
bacteria between 2007 and 2015. The percentage of multidrug-resistant infections rose from
0.2% to 1.5%.

What was the percentage increase in multidrug-resistant infections between 2007 and 2015?

A 1.3% B 87% C 130% D 650%

37 Whooping cough is a highly infectious disease of the gas exchange system, caused by the
bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

Which method provides protection to infants against whooping cough and reduces the chance of
developing this disease later?

A a short course of more than one type of antibiotic

B a six-month course of one type of antibiotic
C injections of antibodies specific to Bordetella pertussis
D injections of antigens from Bordetella pertussis bacteria

38 The electron micrograph shows a type of blood cell.

What can be concluded from the electron micrograph?

A The cell secretes products that are toxic to pathogens.

B The cell synthesises a large quantity of proteins.
C The cell synthesises large quantities of antigens.
D The cell digests pathogenic bacteria.

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24

 www.dynamicpapers.com
19

39 Why is mitosis important in the immune response?

A It allows B-lymphocytes to produce plasma cells.

B It allows B-lymphocytes to synthesise antibodies.
C It allows neutrophils to carry out phagocytosis.
D It allows T-lymphocytes to recognise foreign antigens.

40 What is fused with a B-lymphocyte to form a hybridoma cell in monoclonal antibody production?

A antigen
B clone
C macrophage
D myeloma cell

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24

 www.dynamicpapers.com
20

BLANK PAGE

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
Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

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

© UCLES 2024 9700/11/M/J/24