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Date May 2019 Marks available 2 Reference code 19M.3.SL.TZ1.2
Level Standard level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 1
Command term Outline Question number 2 Adapted from N/A

Question

When feed for animals is stored, moisture levels need to be kept low to prevent the growth of fungi. Feed was exposed to 15 % moisture and placed into a respirometer. O2 consumption was monitored using the respirometer over a period of six days.

[Source: © International Baccalaureate Organization 2019]

Outline how O2 consumption is measured using a respirometer.

[2]
a.i.

Suggest one conclusion that can be drawn from the results shown in the graph.

[1]
a.ii.

Other than humidity, suggest a variable that would need to be controlled in this experiment.

[1]
a.iii.

Outline the role of fungi in nutrient cycling.

[2]
b.

Markscheme

a. a CO2 absorber/KOH is added ✔

b. a bubble/starting water level is measured ✔ 

c. «the rate of» movement of the bubble/pressure reduction is a measure of O2 consumption ✔

a.i.

a. as fungus grows, the rate of oxygen consumption increases ✔

b. around day 4/5 fungus begins to grow/no growth in days 1–3 ✔ 

c. the rate of fungus growth/rate of respiration is highest after 5 days ✔

a.ii.

temperature/amount or type of feed «in the respirometer»/amount of CO2 absorber
OR
other reasonable suggestion ✔

Do not accept light

a.iii.

a. act as saprotrophs/decomposers ✔ 

b. rot/feed on/break down organic matter/food/organisms 
OR
return nutrients trapped in organic matter to the cycle/soil ✔

Do not accept detritivores

b.

Examiners report

Very few candidates achieved a mark. Some confused a respirometer with a spirometer; others mentioned data logging probes. Credit was given for mention of a water column. Only the highest scoring candidates understood that a carbon dioxide absorber is required to allow pressure changes to be measured.

a.i.

Many candidates described what was shown by the graph rather than making a conclusion related to the growth of fungi. Thus “oxygen consumption increased after day 4” or references to the feed respiring were common answers.

a.ii.

Often more than one answer was given but only the first was marked. Temperature and amount of feed were the most common answers.

a.iii.
[N/A]
b.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 2: Molecular biology » 2.8 Cell respiration
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