Protein Synthesis [34 marks]
1. 22M.1.HL.TZ2.27
[1]
Markscheme
2. 22M.1.HL.TZ1.27
[1]
Markscheme
3. 22N.1.SL.TZ0.10
[1]
Markscheme
Examiners report
In question 10, candidates were asked to state which bases would be found on a
tRNA anticodon transcribed from DNA. The question discriminated poorly with
most candidates opting for response A which corresponded to the bases that
would be found on the mRNA strand. It was commented that there might be
confusion with the use of "the strand that is transcribed" and perhaps using the
words coding or template strands would be less ambiguous. Another commented
that a diagram may have made the question clearer.
4. 21N.1.SL.TZ0.11
[1]
Markscheme
B
5. 19N.1.HL.TZ0.7
[1]
Markscheme
6. 22M.1.HL.TZ1.28
[1]
Markscheme
Examiners report
The discrimination index for this question was low, and as only 44 % answered
correctly, the explanation was not that it was too easy. The question asked for the
bases of the anticodons used to produce a polypeptide. They will be
complementary to the DNA sense strand, because it will have the same base
sequence (apart from T/U) as the codons of the mRNA that is translated into the
polypeptide. B was almost as popular as the correct answer, but gives the
codons, rather than the anticodons.
7. 22N.1.HL.TZ0.28
[1]
Markscheme
8. 22M.1.SL.TZ1.7
[1]
Markscheme
9. 21M.1.HL.TZ2.28
[1]
Markscheme
Examiners report
The G2 forms raised two concerns with this question.
Firstly, the use of the term codon to describe a DNA sequence of 3 bases when
this term is normally used for sequences of bases on mRNA. It is normal to use
the term triplet referring to bases on a strand of DNA though codon is an accepted
but infrequently used alternative.
Secondly, the question does not make it clear if it is referring to the sense or
antisense strand, both of which would give different responses.
Both answers C and D were accepted as correct, and the question will be
changed before the paper is published.
10. 22M.1.SL.TZ1.10
[1]
Markscheme
11. 20N.1.HL.TZ0.28
[1]
Markscheme
12. 19N.2.SL.TZ0.2
(a)
[1]
Markscheme
«three bases on mRNA» coding for one amino acid «in a polypeptide» ✔
(b.i)
[1]
Markscheme
met-ser-arg-arg
OR
start-ser-arg-arg
OR
met-ser-arg-arg-stop
OR
start-ser-arg-arg-stop ✔
Do not accept peptides containing an amino acid/leu for the last codon.
(b.ii)
[1]
Markscheme
TAC TCG GCT TCC ATC GAC ✔
(c)
[1]
Markscheme
they occurred after the common origin of life OWTTE
OR
the genetic code is not «in fact» universal ✔
Look for alternatives.
(d.i)
[1]
Markscheme
any annotation between a C=O and the next NH ✔
e.g.
(d.ii)
[1]
Markscheme
condensation ✔
Do not accept anabolism alone.
(e)
[2]
Markscheme
Award [1] per correct row or correct column.
13. 21N.2.HL.TZ0.6
(a)
[4]
Markscheme
a. ribose drawn as pentagon and labelled sugar/ribose;
b. base drawn with correct link to (C1 of) ribose and labelled base/nitrogenous
base;
c. phosphate drawn with correct link to (C5 of) ribose and labelled P/phosphate;
d. two (or more) ribonucleotides drawn with correct link (C3 to C5)
Examiners report
Many candidates were able to draw the structure of an RNA nucleotide and link it
correctly by a 5’ to 3’ bond to another nucleotide. The commonest error was to
show two strands of nucleotides linked by base pairing, indicating confusion
between RNA and DNA.
(b)
[7]
Markscheme
a. synthesis of RNA/mRNA / transcription of DNA to RNA;
b. RNA nucleotides linked together to form a strand/chain;
c. RNA strand assembled on DNA template/antisense strand / copy made of
sense strand;
d. RNA polymerase carries out transcription/links RNA nucleotides;
e. uncoiling/separation of DNA strands;
f. 5’ end of nucleotides linked to 3’ end of (growing RNA) strand;
g. complementary base pairing (is the basis of copying the base sequence);
h. uracil instead of thymine in RNA;
i. starts at/RNA polymerase binds to a promoter;
j. regulated by transcription factors/DNA binding proteins/nucleosomes;
Annotated diagrams can be used.
Examiners report
Answers were mixed. Strong candidates had no difficulty in describing
transcription in detail but weaker ones tended to get confused with replication
and/or translation. Helicase was often stated as the enzyme that uncoils and splits
the double helix, rather than RNA polymerase. Marks were not awarded merely
for stating that transcription is 5’ to 3’ unless it was clear that the candidate
understood that the 5’ terminal of a free nucleotide is linked to the 3’ terminal of
the chain of nucleotides already linked up. Candidates are expected to show
understanding in their answers, rather than just state memorized phrases.
(c)
[4]
Markscheme
Examiners report
Differences between continuous and discrete variation were not well known and
the average performance for this question was the lowest for any part of Section
B. A general fault was to describe the two types of variation separately and in
consequence forget to include both sides of a distinction. For example, some
candidates stated that the environment can cause continuous variation, but most
did not then also state that discrete variation is generally unaffected by
environment. A mark was awarded for examples of the two types of variation, but
in some cases an inappropriate example was chosen, such as hair colour for
discrete variation or eye colour for continuous variation. The latter example was
best avoided entirely as there are aspects of both continuous and discrete
variation in the pigmentation of the iris.
© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2024
