Bio exam questions Flashcards
(192 cards)
A student suggested that details of component C could clearly been seen with a very good light microscope
Explain why the student is not correct (2 marks)
(By the way component c is mitochondria)
May 2013 unit 1
The mark scheme says
1- Component C is too small
2-The student would need a microscope with higher resolution
3-The wavelength of light is too long
It says to ignore references about magnification (I’m assuming that’s because it says could not be seen clearly)
New growth in a stem or trunk comes from the cambium which is situated between xylem and phloem tissue
Explain why the new branches in fig 3.2 are seen going from a position just under the bark of the cut surface (2 marks)
May 2013 (unit 1)
- Where cambium/meristem/vascular bundle/xylem/phloem found
- Mitosis occurs in cambium to produce new cells for growth
New cells can differentiate in cambium into xylem and phloem (learnt that in differentiation and stem cells)
Suggest what lenticels are essential to the survival of large multicellular organisms and explain why similar structure are not found in large multicellular animals (2 marks)
Picture shows small holes in branch
(May 2013 unit 1)
- Allows oxygen to reach cells under bark
For aerobic respiration - animals transport oxygen in blood/circulatory/or transport system
Plants do not transport as much oxygen
Name a location where growth occurs in plant
Meristem
Tip/apex of root or shoot
Explain why fetal haemoglobin curve is on the left of the adult haemoglobin curve
(3 marks)
May 2013 unit 1
- Fetal haemoglobin has a greater affinity for oxygen than adult haemoglobin
- This is because the placenta has a low PO2
- so oxygen is more likely to dissociate from haemoglobin there
Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited disorder in which haemoglobin crystallises when the
partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) is low. The red blood cells change shape and oxygen
transport is disrupted.
Treatment with drugs, such as hydroxyurea, can stimulate adults to produce fetal
haemoglobin rather than adult haemoglobin.
Suggest why this treatment might be of benefit to adults with sickle cell anaemia.(2 marks)
May 2013 unit 1
(fetal) haemoglobin may not crystallise as much
(at low pO2) ;
- So (fetal) haemoglobin can pick up more oxygen at low pO2 (than sickle haemoglobin)
So more oxygen can be transported/delivered
around the body
Describe and explain how substances that are dissolved in the blood plasma, such as oxygen
or glucose, enter the tissue fluid from the capillaries.
3 marks + QWC so 4 marks
May 2013 unit 1
There is more hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries than in the tissue,
this makes the capillaries walls leakier.
Fluid is then forced out of the capillaries.
Only small molecules such as glucose and oxygen can leave the capillaries
Plus 1 QWC mark. Also, there are marks for mentioning diffusion and its gradients
What is the function of the phospholipid bilayer?
(1 mark)
May 2013 unit 1 part of a larger question
To provide a barrier to large polar molecules, or to only allow small non-polar molecules through
Distinguish between the term transpiration and the transpiration stream
3 marks
May 2013 unit 1
Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from stomata
Transpiration stream is the movement of water from roots to leaf
Liver cells contain membrane-bound organelles called peroxisomes. These organelles
contain catalase, an enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide to release oxygen
gas.
A student carried out an investigation on catalase using the following procedure:
• two identical sized cubes were cut from a piece of fresh liver
• one cube was frozen overnight and then defrosted
• the other cube was stored in the refrigerator
• both cubes were returned to room temperature and were placed in separate
test tubes containing equal volumes of 2% hydrogen peroxide solution.
The student observed that the cube of the liver that had been frozen and defrosted, bubbled
significantly more than the cube that had been refrigerated.
Suggest an explanation for this result (2 marks)
May 2013 unit 1.
The reason is that when deforested the membrane was damaged (you wrote ice crystals pierced it)
Mark 2
this increases the permeability of the membrane
DNA codes for the structure of polypeptides.
State the role of messenger RNA (mRNA)
mRNA carries a section of or copy of a gene
- out of the nucleus/ transfers to a ribosome
Describe the actions of b-lymphocytes in the immune system ( 6 marks)
- Part of the humoral response ;
- (B) cell/lymphocyte has antigen receptor / carries antibody on its surface
- This is specific to / matches / complementary to, only one antigen ;
- clonal selection happens when
- the correct macrophage selects the b-lymphocyte
- with the complimentary receptor
- Then clonal expansion ;
by (selected cell) divides by mitosis/clones; - (B) cells , differentiate / specialise ;
- (B cells) form, plasma/effector, cells ;
- (which) secrete/produce, antibodies ;
- antibodies are, specific/complementary, to antigen ;
(B cells) form memory cells
this (provides) secondary response
they are long-lasting
suggest why adults who have survived malaria may lose their immunity when they leave a malarial area ( 2 marks)
Because
no further exposure means that you lose immunological memory
their b memory cells are limited/may reduce/get lost
Explain why the decision was made to conserve the species in captivity (ex-situ) rather than in the wild(in-situ) ( 3 marks)
Note: can probably use this template for any question really
- Can monitor the health of organisms/prevent disease
- protection from predation/hunting
- manipulate breeding
- reduce competition between organims
Explain why the white backed vultures in the captive breeding programme were (3 marks)
- collected from different areas
- housed in seperate centres
- Maintains genetic biodiversity
- reduces the risk of inbreeding
- different races of vultures
- less likely to risk losing organims (vultures) to disease
Outline three reasons why the conservation of the white backed vultures is important (3 marks)
Any of the points below, im guessing it can be generic
maintains biodiversity
part of food chain / part of ecosystem / part of food web /
scavengers
have a right to existence / moral reason
specific religious reason
give pleasure / beautiful creatures
ecotourism
useful product / source of medicine / medical research
genetic resource
saves clearing up / remove carcasses
prevents disease
keeps , rat / dog , population down
Suggest three measures that could be taken in the long term to preserve the numbers of
white-backed vultures, once the captive bred individuals have been released into the wild. ( 3 marks)
Any of the points below ban / make illegal , use of this painkiller ; provide alternative painkillers (that do not have the same ecological impact) ; no hunting / no killing / legal protection, of white-backed vultures ; protected areas / sanctuary / reserves ; provide breeding sites ; prevent habitat destruction ; monitoring (of vultures) / tagging ; feeding programme (for released birds) / provide uncontaminated carcasses ; qualified ref. to education ; promotion of ecotourism ; in case the population falls again, sperm and egg banks / frozen embryos ;
State the type of variation shown in figure 5.2 and describe its characteristics
Type of variation: it’s discontinuous btw
Any points below Influenced by single / few, genes It is qualitative ; It has discrete categories There are no intermediates ; no / small / little , environmental effects ;
Outline how a breeding programme could be carried out to produce wheat plants that have both high yield and resistance to mildew (which is a bad fungus that infects them)
artificial selection / selective breeding ;
cross / breed , Iranian / resistant , wheat with ,
high yield / UK , wheat ;
method to prevent self , pollination / fertilisation ;
select , best offspring / offspring with good yield and resistant ;
(back) cross to high yield (UK) wheat / interbreed best offspring
/ interbreed offspring with both characteristics ;
idea of breeding (and selecting) for many generations ;
Over a period of time mildew can overcome the resistance bred into the wheat.
Using the theory of natural selection explain how the mildew fungus adapts to overcome resistance
Mark points below
- There is genetic variation, due to a mutation.
- Wheat resistance acts as a selection pressure
- Mildew fungus that has the overcome resistance are more likely to survive
- The mildew fungus reproduce
- They will then pass on their successful allele to their offspring
- increased frequency in the allele
An investigation was conducted into the effect of smoking on lung function. One measure of
lung function is peak flow rate.
The peak flow rate is the maximum volume of air expelled from the lung in one minute
(dm3 min–1).
Two male volunteers, one a smoker and one a non-smoker, had their peak flow measured
once a year for seven years.
Using the information above suggests three ways of improving the reliability of this investigation
- more individuals (male) should be used
- replicates / repeat measurements (at one time)
- calculate, mean/average
- identify/deal with, anomalous results ;
- take measurements at more frequent intervals;
controlled variable ;
State what benedicts solution tests for and what a positive test is.
June 2010 unit 2
(2 marks)
tests for reducing sugars
blue to red, green, yellow
Describe the structure of a triglyceride molecule (3 marks)
June 2010 unit 2
You could draw it or
- one) glycerol
3 fatty acids
ester bond (between glycerol and fatty acid)
State three roles of lipids in living organisms
(3 marks)
June 2010 unit 2
(thermal) insulation energy, store / source / release protection membranes / phospholipid bilayer / control entry and exit into cells (steroid) hormones / named steroid hormone buoyancy waterproofing source of water (from respiration) ; (electrical insulation) in myelin / around neurones / around axons / around dendrons aid, absorption / storage / production, of, fat soluble / A / D / E / K, vitamins