ZIMBABWE SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level

CHEMISTRY 9189/4
PAPER 4 Option Topics
NOVEMBER 2011 SESSION 1 hour 15 minutes
Additional materials:
. Answer paper
Data booklet
Graph paper
Mathematical tables and/or electronic calculator

TIME 1 hour 15 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

Write your name, Centre number and candidate number in the spaces provided on the answer paper.
Answer a total of four questions. Do not answer more than two questions from anyone Option.
You are advised not to attempt questions on Options for which you have not been prepared.
Write your answers on the separate answer paper provided.
Begin each answer on a fresh page.
If you use more than one sheet of paper, fasten the sheets together.

INFORMA TION FOR CANDIDATES

The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
Where relevant, the symbols for aluminium, chlorine and iodine are printed as: AI; Cl; I;
respectively.
You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers.

This question paper consists of 8 printed pages.

Copyright: Zimbabwe School Examinations Council, N2011.
©ZIMSEC N2011 [Turn over
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BIOCHEMISTRY

Not more than two questions to be answered from this Option.

1 (a) State any two differences between DNA and RNA. [2]

(b) Describe the primary, secondary and tertiary structures of proteins. [3]

(c) Describe the transcription and translation phases in protein synthesis. [5]
[Total: 10]

2 (a) (i) Define an enzyme. [1]

(ii) Explain how enzymes function in biochemical processes. [2]

(b) With the aid of sketch diagrams, explain how the following types of inhibition
occur:

1. competitive

2. non-competitive [7]
[Total: 10]

3 (a) (i) Draw a diagram to show the fluid mosaic model of membranes, explaining
how phosphoglyceride is useful in such a structure. [4]

(ii) Name two other molecules attached to the membrane and explain the
function(s) of each of these molecules. [4]

(b) Explain the significance ofthe Na+/K+ pump. [2]

[Total: 10]

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ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

Not more than two questions to be answered from this Option.

4 (a) A number of compounds resulting from man's activities are known to cause
atmospheric pollution.

(i) Give the names and formulae of any three atmospheric pollutants, stating
the effect of the pollution from each.

(ii) Suggest a method of reducing the release of one of the pollutants you
named in (i). [4]

(b) In a catalytic convertor, carbon monoxide, carbon soot and unbumt hydrocarbons,
CxHy, are oxidised to carbon dioxide and water.

(i) Give two other equations to show the oxidation process involved, given
that one of the three equations is

(H) Using the equation in (b)(i), deduce the formula of the hydrocarbon,
given that 20 crrr' ofthe hydrocarbon, CxHy, were exploded with an excess
of 120 crrr' of oxygen. 90 cnr' of gas remained after the explosion and
were reduced to 50 cnr' on standing over aqueous alkali. [6]
[Total: 10]

5 (a) The depletion of the ozone layer is an environmental issue. Though ozone screens
us from harmful radiation, it is sometimes described as a problem when present in
some part of the atmosphere.

.- (i) Name the part of the atmosphere in which ozone is a problem.

(H) Describe the adverse effects of ozone when present in the part named
in (i). [3]

(b) Maintenance of ozone concentration in the stratosphere is beneficial and hence

the need to control the concentrations of pollutants.

(i) State any two sources of substances that catalyse the destruction of the
ozone layer.

(ii) Write equations to show the depletion ofthe ozone layer.

(ill) Describe how the concentration of ozone is maintained in the atmosphere. [7]
[Total: 10]
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6 (a) (i) State the feature that gives clay soils their large water holding capacity.

(ii) Explain why

1. sandy soils contain a higher concentration of carbon dioxide

than the atmosphere.

2. clay soils contain more methane than sandy soils. [3]

(b) Show by means of a diagram the structure of

(i) kaolinite,

(ii) silicate ion. [4]

(c) Soil pH is a very important factor in plant growth.

(i) Outline two factors that cause soil pH to be reduced.

(ii) Give ODe factor that causes soil pH to be increased. [3]

[Total: 10]

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PHASE EQUILIBRIA

Not more than two questions to be answeredfrom this Option.

7 (a) Paper and thin layer are examples of techniques of chromatography.

(i) Explain the term chromatography.

(ii) With the aid of a diagram, explain how paper chromatography is carried
out.

(iii) State the difference between thin layer and paper chromatography.

(iv) Give one advantage of thin layer chromatography over paper

chromatography. [8]

(b) Give two applications of chromatography in medicine and industries. [2]

[Total: 10]

8 (a) (i) Explain the term partition coefficient. [1]

(ii) Under what conditions is the partition coefficient valid? [2]

(b) Solvent extraction is an application of the partition coefficient.

Describe the principles of solvent extraction. [3]

(c) A 10 g sample of iodine was dissolved in 50 cm' of potassium iodide solution.

The resulting solution was then shaken with 20 cnr' of ether.

(i) Calculate the mass of iodine extracted in ether, given that the partition
coefficient between ether and water is 85 at 25°C. [1]

(ii) Given that the experiment was repeated using two separate volumes of
10 cnr' of ether, find the total mass extracted. [2]

(ill) Explain why repetitive extractions are preferred than using the bulk of
ether at once. [1]
[Total: 10]

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 6
9 (a) Raoult's law is obeyed by ideal liquid mixtures such as benzene and
methylbenzene.

(i) Define the term ideal liquid mixture.

(ii) Calculate the vapour pressure of each component of an ideal mixture

containing 15 g of benzene and 23 g of methyl benzene.

[The vapour pressures of pure benzene and methylbenzene are 100 Kpa
and 150 Kpa respectively at a given constant temperature.] [3]

(b) Explain why a mixture of ethanol and water shows positive deviation from
Raoult's law. [2]

(c) When a mixture of ethanol and water was distilled using a fractional distillation
apparatus, an azeotropic mixture of 96% ethanol was produced.

(i) Describe the features of an efficient fractionating column.

(ii) Define the term azeotropic mixture.

(ill) Draw a boiling point-composition curve of the liquid mixture. [5]

[Total: 10]

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TRANSITION ELEMENTS

Not more than two questions to be answered from this Option.

10 (a) The major impurity in copper ores is zinc. Explain how zinc is removed during
the electrolytic purification of copper. [4]

(b) Explain the chemistry behind the use of alkaline copper (Il) complexes as a test
for aldehydes. [3]

(c) A 0.250 g sample of brass was dissolved in concentrated nitric acid. The resulting
nitrates were dissolved in water and excess ofKI(aq) added. After suitable
treatment the precipitated Cul(s) weighed 0.58 g.

(i) Calculate the percentage of copper in the brass.

(ii) Give another alloy of copper. [3]

[Total: 10]

11 (a) Describe, with the aid of one suitable example in each case, the commonly
occurring shapes of complex ions formed by transition metals. [4]

(b) Two isomeric complex ions of chromium (Ill) exist which have the following
formula [Cr(C204)3r-

(i) What type ofligand is C20;-?

(ii) Draw two structural formulae of these isomeric ions and name the form
of isomerism shown by these isomers.

(iii) Draw another type of isomerism shown by octahedral complexes other

than the one above. [6]
[Total: 10]

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8
12 Iron ions are required in the diet as essential minerals but their availability for absorption
is affected by intake of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).

(a) (i) Using Ee data, explain why iron is more available under acidic than
alkaline conditions.

(ii) Explain the effect of type of ligand on the stability of iron ions. [4]

(b) State the biochemical importance of iron. [2]

(c) State and explain the observations in tests used to distinguish between Fe2+(aq) and
Fe3+(aQ)' [4]
[Total: 10]

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