IB Biology HL B2.1 Membranes and membrane transport questions

Exam-style multiple choice and written questions with full markschemes. Check multiple choice answers straight away, or type, photograph or draw a written answer and get it marked.

Question 1

Paper 2Medium16 marks

A researcher investigated the movement of different solutes across a model phospholipid bilayer. The same apparatus was used for separate trials, one solute per trial. Figure 1 shows the initial conditions for each trial. After 30.0 minutes, the amount of solute detected in chamber B was measured.

Avolume = 1.00 cm³initially: 20.0 nmolof one soluteBvolume = 1.00 cm³initially: no solutephospholipid headshydrocarbon chains
Solute testedDescriptionAmount detected in chamber B after 30.0 min / nmol
SteroidNon-polar molecule15.2
GlucosePolar molecule1.6
Sodium ionsIons0.8
PolymerLarge, hydrophilic molecule0.2
(a)

State the independent variable, the dependent variable and one variable controlled in the investigation.

[3]
(b)

Calculate the percentage of the initial amount of steroid detected in chamber B after 30.0 minutes.

[2]
(c)

Compare the amounts detected in chamber B for the four solutes.

[3]
(d)

Explain how the structure of the phospholipid bilayer accounts for the results for the steroid and the other three solutes.

[4]
(e)

A student concludes that the bilayer is an effective barrier to every solute tested. Evaluate this conclusion using the data.

[4]

The best questions are still waiting

Unlock every question in this topic, then type, photograph or draw your answer and have it marked against the markscheme. Find out where you are dropping marks.