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Date May 2018 Marks available 2 Reference code 18M.3.HL.TZ1.1
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 1
Command term Outline Question number 1 Adapted from N/A

Question

Data was collected on rabbit red blood cells that were exposed to sodium chloride (NaCl) and scorpion venom. Under some osmotic conditions red blood cells swell and burst, releasing hemoglobin (hemolysis). The graph shows the response of red blood cells to different concentrations of sodium chloride, with and without scorpion venom.

[Source: Adapted from Mirakabadi A Z, et al., (2006), J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis., 12 (1), pages 67–77 (London: BioMed Central)]

Outline the effect of the venom on the hemolysis of red blood cells.

[2]
a.

Describe how the variables would be controlled in an experiment to estimate the osmolarity of plant tissue.

[3]
b .

Markscheme

a. in NaCl concentrations between 0.3 to 0.5 % venom increases the percentage of hemolysis/more cells lyse 

b. venom has no effect below 0.3% and above 0.55% NaCl
OR
Venom has no effect at very low or very high NaCl concentrations

a.

a. weigh all pieces to ensure same amount of plant material/allow comparisons 

b. control surface area by having same shape/ size 

c. carry out experiment at same temperature e.g. using a water bath or constant room temperature 

d. all samples in solution for same length of time 

e. all samples from same plant (to minimize variability) 

f. use a range of solutions of the same solute 

g. constant method of removing excess fluid before weigh tissue samples

Do not accept just a list of controlled variables.

b .

Examiners report

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

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 1: Cell biology » 1.4 Membrane transport
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