Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Proteins (SL IB Biology)

Exam Questions

1 hour26 questions
1a1 mark

The image below shows the amino acid histidine.

e-1a

Circle the section of the amino acid that is unique to histidine. 

1b1 mark

State the type of reaction that occurs when two amino acids bond with each other. 

1c1 mark

The image shows two histidine amino acids with the diagrams not fully complete. 

Complete the image to include the structure of a peptide bond joining the two amino acids together into a dipeptide.

e-1c

1d1 mark

In a polypeptide with 100 amino acids, how many peptide bonds exist within the chain? 

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24 marks

One mark is available for clarity of communication throughout this question.

Describe the process of protein denaturing. 

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13 marks

The amino acid alanine has a single methyl group (-CH3) as its R group.

Draw the dipeptide formed when two alanine molecules join together.

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22 marks

Calculate, in pairs of nucleotides, the total length of a gene that codes for a polypeptide of 351 amino acids in length. In this gene, 40% of its DNA is non-coding.

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3a4 marks

Use your knowledge of the denaturation of proteins to explain the nutritional benefits of cooking protein-rich food like eggs before eating them.

3b1 mark

The proteins of many different extremophile prokaryotes have been studied extensively. A common feature among these proteins is a more tightly-packed hydrophobic core that prevents denaturation at high temperature or extremes of pH.

Suggest one benefit of humans developing detailed knowledge of these proteins and their structures.

3c2 marks

State the source and the property of the enzyme Taq polymerase that allows it to be used in the Polymerase Chain Reaction when amplifying small amounts of genetic material.

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4a3 marks

Following partial hydrolysis of a naturally-occurring protein, samples of the polypeptides that were produced were identified.

Select from the table below the two molecular formulas that could be one of the naturally-occurring polypeptides.

Give reasons for your answer.

Polypeptide Number Number of amino acids long Molecular formula
I. 12 C30H54N10O33S4
II. 44 C66H86O78N59S3
III. 6 C18H26O18N12
IV. 37 C60H102O75N42S15
4b2 marks

A protein found in leaves is thought to be the most abundant protein in nature.

State its name and describe its basic function. 

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5a3 marks

Use your knowledge of protein structure to explain the term, 'specificity' in the context of immunoglobulins and their mode of action.

5b4 marks

Outline, with examples, the main roles that proteins play in organisms.

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63 marks

The table below shows some of the events which take place in protein synthesis.

A

mRNA nucleotides join with exposed DNA bases and form a molecule of mRNA

B

Peptide bonds form between the amino acids

C

tRNA molecules bring specific amino acids to the mRNA molecule

D

The introns are spliced from the pre-mRNA to produce mRNA

E

A ribosome attaches to the mRNA molecule

F

The two strands of a DNA molecule separate

G

The mRNA molecule leaves the nucleus

Identify the correct order of letters to show the sequence of events during protein synthesis, starting with the earliest.

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1a
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2 marks

Suggest, with a reason, which label (I, II, or III) indicates a catabolic reaction.2-1-h-1a-paper-2

1b
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3 marks

Fats and cholesterol are essential to structures and functions in the bodies of animals and therefore need to be transported in blood.

Discuss how these molecules are transported.

1c
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4 marks

Draw a labelled diagram of a generalised amino acid.

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2a3 marks

Albumin is a protein that can be found in a range of vertebrate species.

Different species have slight variations in the structure of the protein. For example, bovine (cow) albumin has 583 amino acids. 

Cows and humans share a common ancestor. 

Suggest why it is the case that the two types of albumin are similar, but not completely the same as each other. 

2b4 marks

Egg whites are mostly made of albumin.

When the albumin in egg white becomes denatured it causes the 'white' to change from being colourless to being opaque white.

A student wanted to investigate how temperature affects the denaturing of albumin. 

Outline a method that the student could use in order to carry out this investigation. 

2c2 marks

When the albumin in the egg white is not denatured it is soluble in the liquid, however, when it denatures it becomes insoluble. This is the mechanism that causes the colour change. 

Explain how the protein can have different properties before and after denaturing. 

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33 marks

Some amino acids exist that have been man-made in a lab and have never been used naturally in the proteins of living organisms. 

Describe the features that must exist in these molecules in order for them to be classified as amino acids. 

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4a2 marks

Insulin is a protein that is produced naturally by most people, however, people with insulin-dependent diabetes rely on injecting insulin to replace the protein that they cannot produce for themselves. 

Explain why the insulin must be injected into the blood instead of taken orally. 

4b2 marks

Many years ago, insulin used to be taken from cows and pigs to treat people with diabetes. 

Using your knowledge of protein structure, suggest why pig and cow insulin was less effective at regulating blood glucose levels than human insulin. 

4c3 marks

In modern medicine, human insulin is secreted from genetically modified bacteria into large industrial vats called fermenters. This allows the insulin to be extracted and purified for human use.

Outline why the insulin produced by the genetically modified bacteria is identical to insulin produced by a human.

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53 marks

The image below shows the part of haemoglobin that binds to oxygen to deliver it around the body. 

Is this an amino acid? Explain your reasoning. 

haemoglobin

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6a3 marks

One mark is available for clarity of communication throughout this question. 

State the essential properties of membrane-bound proteins.

6b7 marks

If a person has been infected with the influenza virus in the past they possess the necessary immunoglobulins to provide immunity to that virus again in the future. 

Influenza viruses contain RNA as their genetic information. 

State, with reference to RNA and protein structure, why it is possible for people to get the flu several times in their life. 

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