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Date November 2017 Marks available 2 Reference code 17N.3.SL.TZ0.10
Level Standard level Paper Paper 3 Time zone TZ0 / no time zone
Command term Explain Question number 10 Adapted from N/A

Question

Researchers in Korea set up an experiment to measure how accumulation of biofilm changes in water pipes under different conditions.

The graph shows the accumulation of biofilm in steel pipes when the water was untreated, treated with chlorine and filtered through a membrane.

[Source: adapted from Yoonjin Lee, (2013), Journal of Environmental Research Public Health 2013, 10 (9), pages 4143 – 4160]

State the effect chlorination has on the accumulation of biofilm in the pipe.

[1]
a.

Suggest why membrane filtration may be more suitable than chlorination in purifying the water.

[1]
b.

Identify which two pipes would be required to study the effect of heat on biofilm accumulation.

[1]
c.

Explain how quorum sensing benefits the bacteria within the steel pipes.

[2]
d.

Markscheme

reduces «the accumulation of biofilm»

a.

a. does not affect taste of water/no chemicals added

b. lower biofilm accumulation over time

[Max 1 Mark]

b.

A and B

Both required

c.

a. quorum sensing is a means of communication between bacteria

b. allows the bacteria to synchronize their activities/work together

c. they can change according to the environment/conditions in the pipe

d. control cell density/gene expression

[Max 2 Marks]

d.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.
[N/A]
c.
[N/A]
d.

Syllabus sections

Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics » Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics (Core topics) » B.3 Environmental protection
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Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics » Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics (Core topics)
Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics

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