May/June 2026 Paper 63

2026 · 3 questions · 18 parts · 40 marks

0/40 marks

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1(a)(i)1(a)(ii)1(a)(iii)1(a)(iv)1(a)(v)1(a)(vi)1(a)(vii)1(a)(viii)1(b)

–/15 mks

2(a)(i)2(a)(ii)2(b)(i)2(b)(ii)

–/14 mks

3(a)(i)3(a)(ii)3(a)(iii)3(b)(i)3(b)(ii)

–/11 mks

Context for question 1

A student investigated osmosis in cylinders of potato tissue placed in different concentrations of salt solution. Water will move by osmosis into or out of cells, from an area of lower salt concentration to an area of higher salt concentration. Salt is a solute. If there is no difference in the solute concentrations inside and outside of the cells, there will be no net movement of water by osmosis. The student was provided with five cylinders of potato tissue. The cylinders all had the same diameter. The student used this method: step 1 Label five test-tubes A, B, C, D and E. step 2 Use the volumes of 4% salt solution and distilled water shown in Table 1.1 to make the salt solutions in test-tubes A, B, C, D and E.

1(a)(i)Easy1 mark

Complete Table 1.1 by writing in the final salt solution concentration in test-tube B.

Table 1.1

test-tube	volume of 4% salt solution / cm³	volume of distilled water / cm³	final percentage concentration of the salt solution
A	0.0	20.0	0.0
B	2.5	17.5	final percentage concentration of the salt solution in test-tube B
C	5.0	15.0	1.0
D	10.0	10.0	2.0
E	20.0	0.0	4.0

Context for 1(a)

step 3 Place the potato cylinders on a white tile and cut each cylinder to a length of exactly 40 mm. step 4 Put one potato cylinder into each test-tube. step 5 Start the stop-clock and keep the potato cylinders in the test-tubes for 60 minutes. step 6 After 60 minutes, remove the potato cylinder from test-tube A and measure the final length of the potato cylinder. step 7 Repeat step 6 with the potato cylinders in test-tubes B, C, D and E.

1(a)(ii)Medium4 marks

Figure 1.1 shows the actual size of the potato cylinders after soaking in the different solutions for 60 minutes.

Figure 1.1, the five potato cylinders A to E drawn side by side at actual size after 60 minutes, each a little shorter than the one before from A to E

Measure the lengths of the potato cylinders shown in Figure 1.1. Prepare a table and record your measurements in your table.

Draw with the mouse or a finger.

1(a)(iii)Easy1 mark

Calculate the change in length for each potato cylinder, using the formula:

change in length = final length - starting length

potato cylinders A, B, C, D and E

1(a)(iv)Easy1 mark

Suggest which concentration of salt solution is closest to the concentration of solutes in the potato cells.

1(a)(v)Easy1 mark

State the independent variable in this investigation.

1(a)(vi)Easy2 marks

State two variables that were kept constant in this investigation.

Two answers required.

1(a)(vii)Medium2 marks

Suggest two improvements to the method used in this investigation.

Your answer

1(a)(viii)Easy2 marks

Identify one hazard in step 3 and describe an appropriate safety precaution.

hazard

safety precaution

1(b)Easy1 mark

Potatoes contain starch. State the result of a positive test for starch.