1

TEMASEK JUNIOR COLLEGE

Preliminary Examinations 2015
Higher 2

BIOLOGY

9648/01

Paper 1 Multiple Choice

Thursday, 17 September 2015 2007

1 hour 15 minutes

Additional Materials: Multiple Choice Answer Sheet

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write in soft pencil.
Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid.
Write your name, Centre number and index number on the Answer Sheet in the spaces
provided unless this has been done for you.
There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions. For each question there
are four possible answers A, B, C and D.
Choose the one you consider correct and record your choice in soft pencil on the
separate Answer Sheet.
Read the instructions on the Answer Sheet very carefully.
Each correct answer will score one mark. A mark will not be deducted for a wrong answer.
Any rough working should be done in this booklet.
The use of an approved scientific calculator is expected, where appropriate.

This document consists of 18 printed pages.

[Turn over

2
1

Membranes within and at the surface of cells have different roles. The flowchart shows a
scheme to identify various membranes/ organelles within the cell, by describing the
structure and function of the membranes/ organelles.

Which of the following outcomes correctly identifies the various membranes/ organelles?
1

chloroplast

vesicle

smooth
ER

rough
ER

nucleolus

mitochondrion

nucleolus

rough
ER

vesicle

smooth
ER

nucleus

mitochondrion

nucleus

smooth
ER

vesicle

rough
ER

mitochondrion

chloroplast

nucleus

rough
ER

vesicle

smooth
ER

mitochondrion

chloroplast
HCI/PRELIM10/Q1

[Turn over

3
2

The figure below shows the structural formulae of three polysaccharides.

3
Which of the following is correct?
1

amylose

cellulose

glycogen

amylose

amylopectin

cellulose

cellulose

amylose

amylopectin

glycogen

cellulose

amylopectin
Modified MI/PROMO10/H2/Q03

The diagram shows the structure of two lipid molecules.

Which of the following statements correctly describe the two lipid molecules?
1

Both molecules are esters of glycerol.

Both molecules are made by condensation reactions.

The hydrocarbon chains of molecule X and Y may be from saturated or unsaturated

fatty acids.

The hydrocarbon chains of molecule X are always the same length.

A 1 and 2 only
B 1, 2 and 3 only
C 1, 3 and 4 only
D All of the above
Modified N10/H2/Q03

[Turn over

4
4

The curves show the rates of reaction of an enzyme with and without inhibitors.

What do the curves show?

curve 1

curve 2

curve 3

competitive inhibition

non-competitive
inhibition

normal activity

competitive inhibition

normal activity

non-competitive
inhibition

normal activity

competitive inhibition

non-competitive
inhibition

normal activity

non-competitive
inhibition

competitive inhibition
N94/Q06

Which diagram shows anaphase I of meiosis of a nucleus which contains two pairs of
homologous chromosomes?
A
B
C
D

Modified N12/H2/Q24

[Turn over

5
6

The loci of two genes E/e and F/f are on the same chromosome. Which chromosomal
event in meiosis increases genetic diversity in the next generation?
A
B
F
F
E
E
E

Modified N09/H2/P1/Q25, N86/Q26, N94/Q14

7

In 1958, an experiment was carried out to investigate the way in which DNA replicates.
Escherichia coli bacteria were grown in a medium containing 15NH4Cl. After very many
generations all the bacterial DNA contained 15N and was described as heavy.
The bacteria were then transferred to a medium containing 14NH4Cl. Some of the
bacteria were removed as soon as they had reproduced once (first generation). Further
samples were removed after the second and third generations.
The bacterial DNA was then extracted from each sample, placed in a solution of
caesium chloride and spun in a centrifuge. The percentage of 15N (heavy) DNA in each
sample was then calculated.
What will be the percentage of cells containing

15

N in the third generation?

Percentage of DNA in the sample obtained from the third generation/ %

14

N-14N

14

N-15N

15

N-15N

75

25

25

75

50

25

25

75

25

0
Modified N07/H1/P2/Q2

[Turn over

6
8

The following statements illustrate the processes that occur during translation, although
not necessarily in this order.
1

The large subunit of the ribosome binds and forms the translation initiation complex.

The second amino acyl-tRNA complex now binds to mRNA at the A site of the
ribosome.

The small ribosomal subunit, with initiator tRNA bound, binds to the 5 cap of the
mRNA and scans for the first start codon.

Soluble protein called release factor recognises the stop codon and binds at the A
site.

Formation of a peptide bond between the first and the second amino acids by
peptidyl transferase.

The second amino acyl-tRNA complex moves from the A site to the P site.

Using the information provided above, deduce the order in which these processes occur.
A 132564
B 132654
C 312564
D 312654
Modified N10/H2/Q08
9

Which of the following correctly describes the mutation that gives rise to sickle cell
anaemia?
A Hydrophilic glutamic acid is changed to hydrophobic valine.
B Hydrophilic valine is changed to hydrophobic glutamic acid.
C Hydrophobic glutamic acid is changed to hydrophilic valine.
D Hydrophobic valine is changed to hydrophilic glutamic acid.
Similar to N10/H2/P1/Q09

10 The diagram below shows the result of hybridizing mature mRNA of ovalbumin to the
ovalbumin gene.

Y
Which of the following statement is correct?
X

Number of exons

Number of introns

Mature mRNA

DNA

Mature mRNA

DNA

DNA

Mature mRNA

DNA

Mature mRNA

3
Similar to N12/H2/Q17

[Turn over

7
11 The diagram below shows the results of two types of gene mutation.
CGATTACCATGCATA

original base sequence

CGATTACCTGCATA

CGATTACCAGGCATA

mutant sequence 1

mutant sequence 2

Which one of the following shows the types of gene mutation producing mutant
sequences 1 and 2?
1

deletion

insertion

deletion

substitution

substitution

insertion

substitution

substitution

12 Which of the following statements are true about the end-replication problem of DNA?
1

When a linear DNA molecule replicates, a gap is left at the 3 end of each new strand
because DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides to a 5 end.

Telomerase prevents the end-replication problem from occurring.

Repeated rounds of replication produce shorter and shorter DNA molecules.

Prokaryotes do not have the end-replication problem.

A
B
C
D

1 and 2 only
1 and 4 only
2 and 3 only
3 and 4 only
NYJC/PRELIM10/Q19

[Turn over

8
13 During egg production in Drosophila, there is an increased production of eggshell
proteins. The genes which code for the eggshell proteins are clustered on the X
chromosome.

Mass of
DNA/ g

Key:

Mass of protein
- - - Mass of DNA

20

40

15

30

10

20

10

Mass of
protein/ g

0
0

10

15

20

Time/ h

Which of the following best explains the trends observed in the graph?
A Gene amplification has occurred, increasing the rate of transcription. The rate of
degradation of poly(A) tail is slower, increasing the duration of translation.
B DNA replication has occurred, increasing the rate of and duration of translation.
C Gene amplification has occurred, increasing the rate of mutation. The rate of
degradation of poly(A) tail is slower, increasing the duration of translation.
D DNA replication has occurred. The abundance and activity of eukaryotic translation
initiation factors are increased simultaneously, thereby increasing the rate of
translation.
HCI/PRELIM10/Q14
14 Four different genes are regulated in different ways.
Gene 1

undergoes tissue-specific patterns of alternative splicing

Gene 2

is part of a group of structural genes controlled by the same regulatory

sequences

Gene 3

is in some circumstances subject to methylation

Gene 4

codes for a repressor protein which acts on an operator site close by

Which row of the table correctly identifies the prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes?
Prokaryotic

Eukaryotic

1 and 2

3 and 4

1 and 3

2 and 4

2 and 3

1 and 4

2 and 4

1 and 3
MJC/PRELIM10/Q14

[Turn over

9
15 In [Link], repression of the trp operon occurs when tryptophan binds to the
A operator of trp mRNA
B operator of DNA
C inactive repressor
D active repressor
PJC/PRELIM10/Q16
16 How do viruses cause disease in animals?
1

They inhibit DNA, RNA or protein synthesis in the host cell.

They disrupt the oncogenes of the host cell, thus causing uncontrolled cell division.

Their viral proteins and glycoproteins on the surface of host cell cause them to be
recognized and destroyed by the bodys immune system.

They deplete the host cell of cellular materials essential for metabolic functions.

A 1 and 4 only
B 3 and 4 only
C 1, 2 and 4 only
D 1, 3 and 4 only
Modified MJC/PRELIM10/Q22
17 Which combination correctly identifies influenza virus?
RNA genome

DNA genome

Number of strands of
viral genome

Protein

Phospholipid

VJC/PRELIM10/Q12
18 In specialized transduction,
A any random bacterial gene can be transduced.
B only genes on a plasmid can be transduced.
C only bacterial genes near the site of integration of the phage DNA can be
transduced.
D only phage genes near the recipient bacteria integration site can be transduced.
VJC/PRELIM10/Q13
19 Which of the following would cause phenotypic variation among organisms of the same
genotype?
A Mutation
B Continuous variation within the species
C Exposure to different environments
D Different varieties of the same species
JJC/PRELIM10/Q14

[Turn over

10
20 The pedigree chart below shows the inheritance of a genetic disease in a family.

What is the nature of the allele that causes this disease?

A Dominant and sex linked
B Dominant and non-sex linked
C Recessive and sex linked
D Recessive and non-sex linked
CJC/PRELIM10/Q18
21 Which one of the following features is an example of discontinuous variation in humans?
A blood group
B body mass
C height
D skin colour
J87/Q23
22 A linkage group is composed of genes which
A associate during prophase I.
B are in the same nucleus.
C segregate at mitosis.
D are situated on the same chromosome.
J86/Q23

[Turn over

11
23 A pure-breeding plant with the dominant phenotype of character P and the recessive
phenotype of character Q was crossed with another pure-breeding plant with the
recessive phenotype of character P and the dominant phenotype of Q. The offspring of
this cross were crossed with a double homozygous recessive for P and Q and the
following results were obtained:
22 were phenotypically dominant for P and recessive for Q.
5 were phenotypically dominant for both P and Q.
4 were phenotypically recessive for both P and Q.
24 were phenotypically recessive for P and dominant for Q.
Which one of the following types of inheritance is illustrated by these results?
A gene linkage of P and Q
B Mendelian dihybrid inheritance
C multiple alleles
D polygenic inheritance
N84/Q30
24 The , and globin chains of human, chimpanzee, gorilla and gibbon haemoglobin
were analysed. The number of differences in the amino acid sequences in comparison
with the human molecules is shown in the table.
species

Number of differences in amino acid sequence from human molecules

globin

globin

globin

chimpanzee

gorilla

gibbon

What do the differences suggest?

A Humans and gorillas are more closely related than humans and gibbons.
B Humans and gibbons do not share a common ancestor.
C Gibbons are the ancestor of gorillas and chimpanzees are the ancestor of humans.
D Humans and gibbons are more closely related than humans and chimpanzees.

[Turn over

12
25 A large lake was inhabited by one species of fish. Over time it is inhabited by many
different species of fish, each of them is a descendant of the original population which
inhabited the large lake.
This is an example of
A artificial selection
B natural selection
C allopatric speciation
D sympatric speciation
Modified NYJC/PRELIM/Q25
26 Which of the following are regarded as evidence for evolution?
1
2
3
4

Embryological homology
Fossil record
Biogeography
Analogous structures

A
B
C
D

1, 3 only
2, 3 only
1, 2, 3 only
All of the above

27 How many molecules of NADH and FADH2 will be produced given two molecules of
pyruvate?
A 3 NADH, 1 FADH2
B 4 NADH, 1 FADH2
C 6 NADH, 2 FADH2
D 8 NADH, 2 FADH2
Modified JJC/PRELIM11/H2/Q27

[Turn over

13
28 The diagram shows the ultrastructure of a plant cell.

Z
Which of the following row is correct?
Site of ATP synthesis

Site of carbohydrate synthesis

X, Y

X, Y, Z

29 The diagram below shows the processes that occur in the chloroplast during
photosynthesis.

H2O

Light dependent
reactions

Calvin cycle

CO2

O2

Sugar

What are X and Y?

X

ATP

NADH

ATP

NADPH

Protons

Electrons

FADH2

NADH
Similar to N04/Q24

[Turn over

14
30 What is a similarity between G-protein-linked receptors and tyrosine-kinase receptors?
A Both are activated upon dimerization.
B Both have hydrophobic stretches of amino acids that serve to anchor the receptors in
the membrane.
C Both have intracellular domains that are involved in ligand binding.
D Both rely solely on protein kinase activity to amplify the signal received.
NJC/PRELIM10/Q20
31 Impulses travel very rapidly along nerves from the leg muscles of a mammal because
A there is a high concentration of Na+ ions inside the axons.
B the nerves contain myelinated fibres.
C there is a potential difference across the axon membranes
D a nerve impulse is an all-or-nothing phenomenon.
N82/Q18
32 Viral RNA polymerase is studied using genetic engineering techniques. Some of these
stages are listed.
1

cloning into an expression vector

disruption of cells and isolation of cytoplasmic fraction

expression of viral protein

selection of the bacteria with recombinant plasmid

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) of viral cDNA

reverse transcription of viral genomic RNA

isolation of viral genomic RNA from virus

transformation into Escherichia coli cells

What is the correct order?

A 7, 2, 3, 1, 8, 5, 6, 4
B 7, 6, 5, 1, 8, 4, 3, 2
C 7, 6, 5, 8, 4, 2, 3, 1
D 8, 4, 1, 2, 7, 6, 3, 5
IBO2006/A55/Q55
33 lacZ gene is a genetic marker found in the plasmid which can be used in genetic
engineering.
What is the function of lacZ in a cloning vector?
A Express lac repressor
B Distinguish between introns and exons
C Break down lactose to galactose and glucose
D Screen for cells with the recombinant plasmid

[Turn over

15
34 Which of the following statements are true about adult stem cells?
1

They can undergo many rounds of mitosis.

They can be totipotent, pluripotent or multipotent.

They can differentiate into almost any cell type.

They can give rise to specialised cells.

A 1 and 4 only
B 3 and 4 only
C 1, 2 and 4 only
D 1, 3 and 4 only
35 The figure below shows several stages in the development of an embryo.
Day 1

Day 1 or 2

Day 2 or 3

Zygote

2-Cell

4-Cell

Day 4 or 5

X
Morula

Day 5 or 6

Blastocyst

Which of the following statement is true about the cells labelled X and Y?
A X is a pluripotent cell while Y is a multipotent cell.
B X is a totipotent cell while Y can divide to give multipotent cells.
C Both X and Y are totipotent.
D X can divide to give totipotent cells while Y can divide to give pluripotent cells.
36 Which of the following has the correct information about the genetic diseases and their
corresponding forms of gene therapy?
Genetic Disease

Inheritance Pattern

Gene Therapy

Cystic Fibrosis

Sex-linked recessive

Cystic Fibrosis

Autosomal recessive

ADA-SCID

Autosomal recessive

X-linked SCID

Sex-linked recessive

Recombinant DNA molecule is

packaged in a modified
adenovirus
Recombinant RNA molecule is
packaged in a modified
adenovirus
Recombinant RNA molecule is
packaged in a modified
retrovirus
Recombinant DNA molecule is
packaged in a modified
retrovirus

[Turn over

16
37 Which row correctly states the effects and possible consequences of producing the
various genetically-modified organisms?
Bt corn
possible
consequence
improve
become
quality
weeds

Golden rice
effect
possible
consequence
improve
become
yield
weeds

GM salmon
effect
possible
consequence
improve displace native
yield
species

improve
yield

become
weeds

improve
quality

cause
allergies

improve
yield

displace native
species

improve
yield

become
weeds

improve
yield

cause
allergies

improve
quality

cause
allergies

improve
yield

become
weeds

improve
quality

become
weeds

improve
yield

cause
allergies

effect

Modified JJC/PRELIM11/H2/Q40
38 The figure shows the results of an experiment involving callus culture.

Vessel P

Vessel Q

Callus
tissue

shoots

roots
10 cm3 agar containing
2.0 mg cm-3 auxin and
0.02 mg cm-3 cytokinin

10 cm3 agar containing

0.02 mg cm-3 auxin and
1.0 mg cm-3 cytokinin

Which of the following statements explains the result of the experiment?

A A high auxin to cytokinin ratio promotes root while a low auxin to cytokinin ratio
promotes shoot formation.
B The cells making up the callus are uniform with no variations in morphology and
physiology.
C The callus consists of actively dividing cells while the roots and shoots contain
differentiated cells.
D High auxin level inhibits shoot formation while high cytokinin level inhibits root
formation.

[Turn over

17
39 A method that uses allele-specific oligonucleotide probes has been developed to detect
cystic fibrosis. Oligonucleotide probes, complementary to the region where a 3-base
deletion is located, have been chemically synthesised. One probe binds to the mutant
(F508) allele whilst the other binds to the normal allele.
DNA samples from Sissy Fibrosa, her parents and two siblings were isolated and
amplified. Their DNA samples were blotted on nitrocellulose paper and treated with
oligonucleotide probes. The results obtained were shown in the figure below. Dark
spots indicate binding of probe.
Autoradiogram
Normal probe
F508 probe

Father
Child 1
Child 2
Sissy Fibrosa
Mother
Which members of Sissys family have cystic fibrosis, which are normal and which are
carriers?
cystic fibrosis

normal

carriers

Child 1

Sissy Fibrosa

Father, Mother, Child 2

Child 1

Father, Mother, Child 2

Sissy Fibrosa

Sissy Fibrosa

Father, Mother, Child 2

Child 1

Sissy Fibrosa

Child 1

Father, Mother, Child 2

[Turn over

18
40 Some of the goals and benefits of Human Genome Project (HGP) are listed below.
1

Prescribe the right drug, in the right dosage and combination to each individual
based on the genotype of the individual

Develop computer programs or software to analyze the data from HGP

Design drugs based on the primary structure and the 3D shape of the target proteins

Develop genetic tests to screen for carriers of genetic disorders

Develop more efficient methods for DNA sequencing and sequence analysis

Create a genetic linkage map and physical map of the human genome

Which row correctly identifies the goals and benefits of HGP?

Goals

Benefits

1, 3, 4

2, 5, 6

1, 4, 5

2, 3, 6

2, 3, 6

1, 4, 5

2, 5, 6

1, 3, 4
Similar to N12/H1/Q28, N12/H2/Q39

END OF PAPER

[Turn over