| Date | May 2010 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 10M.1.SL.TZ2.6 |
| Level | Standard level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 2 |
| Command term | State | Question number | 6 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
What happens during the G2 stage of interphase?
A. Homologous chromosomes pair
B. Synthesis of proteins
C. Homologous chromosomes separate
D. Replication of DNA
Markscheme
B
Examiners report
Some teachers complained that in some books the synthesis of proteins is in G2 not G1. In all sources checked, the synthesis of proteins is shown in G1. There is synthesis of spindle proteins and histones in G2, but this is not the main activity occurring in this gap stage. This question turned out to be a bad discriminator and was the most difficult question on the paper. There was a spread of choices amongst the four options. It is obvious that this topic was not known well, although it is present in the syllabus.
