HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts New question highlights
Question bank (Sample) Cross-topic essays
VI. Cross-topic essays
|!|BCEEA0070000001|!| Cross topic
Nitrogen is a mineral essential to the human body. Give an account on how humans
obtain nitrogen from diet and the assimilation of nitrogen into body proteins. (12 marks)
##
Source of nitrogen
Humans obtain nitrogen from proteins in food. (1)
Digestion of proteins in food
Food containing proteins is mechanically broken into small pieces in the mouth
cavity and the stomach (chewing by the teeth and churning in the stomach) (1)
Chemical digestion of proteins starts in the stomach. Gastric juice contains
proteases and hydrochloric acid. (1)
The protease pepsin in the stomach catalyses the breakdown of proteins into
peptides. (1)
In the small intestine, pancreatic proteases catalyse the breakdown of proteins into
peptides and amino acids. (1)
Proteases on the cell membranes of the epithelial cells in the intestinal wall
catalyse the breakdown of peptides into amino acids. (1)
Absorption of amino acids
Amino acids in the small intestine are absorbed by diffusion and active transport
into the blood capillaries of the villi. (1)
The amino acids are carried by the bloodstream to different parts of the body for
cells to use. (1)
Assimilation of amino acids
Amino acids are used as raw material to make organelles (e.g. cell membrane and
cytoplasm), cells, muscles, connective tissue, etc. (1)
Communication (Max. 3)
_________
(12 marks)
##
Skills assessed Marks
Applying concepts 9
Communication 3
© 2020 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. - 168 -
HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts New question highlights
Question bank (Sample) Cross-topic essays
|!|BCEEA0070000004|!| Cross topic
The ileum is an organ. In complex organisms, cells are organized into tissues which are
organized into organs. Based on your biological knowledge, discuss the roles of the
different tissue layers of the ileum in digestion and absorption. (11 marks)
##
Epithelium of the inner wall of the ileum (Max. 4)
It is the innermost layer which is in contact with food. (1)
It is deeply folded into numerous villi to increase the surface area for
absorption. (1)
The surface of the epithelial cells of villi bears microvilli which further increases
the surface area for absorption. (1)
The epithelium of each villus is thin / one-cell thick. This shortens the distance of
absorption. (1)
The epithelial cells of villi contain many mitochondria which provide energy for
active transport of certain food molecules. (1)
Blood vessels and lymph vessels (Max. 2)
The blood vessels branch into many networks of blood capillaries, while the lymph
vessels branch into many lacteals. (1)
Each villus has a central lacteal surrounded by a dense network of capillaries.
These vessels carry the absorbed nutrients away rapidly. (1)
Circular muscles and longitudinal muscles (Max. 2)
Alternate contraction and relaxation of these two layers of muscles enables
peristalsis. (1)
Peristalsis moves food along the ileum. (1)
Peristalsis helps mix food and digestive juice together. (1)
Communication (Max. 3)
_________
(11 marks)
##
Skills assessed Marks
Applying concepts 8
Communication 3
© 2020 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. - 169 -
HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts New question highlights
Question bank (Sample) Cross-topic essays
|!|BCEEA0100000002|!| Cross topic
Humans and land plants absorb nutrients by small intestine and roots respectively.
Describe how small intestine and roots are adapted to the absorption of nutrients.
(10 marks)
##
Adaptation of small intestine in the absorption of nutrients (Max. 4)
Small intestine is long and this can provide sufficient time for the absorption of
nutrients. (1)
The inner wall of small intestine is highly folded and has numerous villi. This
increases the surface area for absorption of nutrients. (1)
The epithelial cells have microvilli. This increases the surface area for absorption of
nutrients. (1)
The epithelium is thin that provides a short distance for nutrients to diffuse into the
bloodstream. (1)
The network of blood capillaries allows the absorbed nutrients to be transported
away quickly. (1)
Epithelial cells contain mitochondria that provide energy for the absorption of
nutrients (e.g. glucose, amino acids and minerals) by active transport. (1)
Adaptation of roots in the absorption of nutrients (e.g. minerals) (Max. 3)
Roots have extensive branching that increases the surface area for absorption of
minerals. (1)
There are numerous root hairs developed on the root epidermis. Root hairs increase
the surface area for absorption of minerals. (1)
Root hairs are long and fine. They can penetrate the spaces between soil particles to
absorb minerals. (1)
Root cells contain mitochondria that provide energy for the absorption of minerals
by active transport. (1)
Communication (Max. 3)
_________
(10 marks)
##
Skills assessed Marks
Understanding basic concepts 7
Communication 3
© 2020 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. - 170 -
HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts New question highlights
Question bank (Sample) Cross-topic essays
|!|BCEEB0050000002|!| Cross topic
Discuss the nature of enzymes and the importance of enzymes to humans. (11 marks)
##
Content Description Mark
Nature of - protein structure
enzymes - act as biological catalysts / speed up chemical
reactions
- reusable
- specific in action
- form enzyme-substrate complex with substrate
- activity affected by temperature, pH and inhibitors (Max. 3)
Importance to - catalyse metabolic reactions (any two of the
humans following examples + explanation)
(physiological) digestion (breakdown of large organic food
substances)
respiration (breakdown of glucose)
assimilation (synthesis of organic food
substances)
detoxification (get rid of hydrogen peroxide by
catalase)
(Or other relevant examples) (Max. 3)
Importance to - Meat tenderizers - Making stonewashed
humans - Clarifying fruit juice jeans
(everyday - Removing lactose - Making glucose test
life) from milk strips
- Making baby food - Production of biofuels
- Making contact lens (Or other relevant
cleaner examples)
- Making biological
washing powders (Max. 2)
Communication (Max. 3)
_________
(11 marks)
##
Skills assessed Marks
Understanding basic concepts 8
Communication 3
© 2020 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. - 171 -
HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts New question highlights
Question bank (Sample) Cross-topic essays
|!|BCEEB0110000001|!| Cross topic
Both humans and plants develop vascular system(s) for transport within their bodies.
Contrast the structure of their vascular systems. Explain why transport in human is more
effective than that in plants. (11 marks)
##
Structures of their vascular systems: (Max. 4)
Humans have two connected systems―the lymphatic system opens into the blood
circulation, while plants have two separate systems―xylem and phloem. (1)
The blood vessels and lymph vessels in humans are made up of living cells. In plants,
xylem is made up of dead cells and phloem is made up of living cells. (1)
The lumens of vessels in humans are surrounded by cells (extracellular), while the
lumens of vessels in plants are within cells (intracellular). (1)
The diameter of vessels in humans can be adjusted (arteries are elastic / veins can be
distended), while vessels in plants are rigid and their diameter is fixed. (1)
Valves are present in veins and lymph vessels of humans, while sieve plates are
present in the phloem of plants. (1)
Why transport in humans is more effective: (Max. 4)
In humans, the heart acts as a pump to provide the driving force to propel blood
along vessels, while there is no well defined organ to generate a driving force in
plants. (1)
In humans, the continuous flow of blood and lymph are maintained by various ways:
- the elastic wall of arteries recoils and pushes blood forward (1)
- presence of valves in veins and lymph vessels to prevent backflow (1)
- contraction of skeletal muscle squeezes lymph and venous blood towards the
heart (1)
- inhalation creates a negative pressure in the thorax to draw in lymph and venous
blood from the peripheral circulation (1)
while transpiration pull and root pressure in plants provide the driving force to
maintain the flow. (1)
Communication (Max. 3)
_________
(11 marks)
##
Skills assessed Marks
Understanding basic concepts 8
Communication 3
© 2020 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. - 172 -
HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts New question highlights
Question bank (Sample) Cross-topic essays
|!|BCEEB0140000001|!| Cross topic
Human adults and foetuses employ the lungs and the placenta respectively for gas
exchange. These organs share some common principles in their structural adaptations to
be effective. Describe how these common principles enable the two organs to work
effectively for gas exchange. (11 marks)
##
Content: (Max. 8)
Both organs have a large surface area (1) for rapid gas exchange by diffusion:
- lungs: the presence of numerous air sacs (1)
- placenta: the presence of numerous chorionic villi (1)
The walls of air sacs, chorionic villi and capillaries are one-cell thick / very thin. (1)
The capillaries are in close contact with air sacs and chorionic villi. (1)
This shortens the diffusion distance (1) for rapid gas exchange by diffusion.
Both organs are highly vascularized / with numerous and dense capillary network (1) so
that the absorbed gases can be transported away quickly (1) to maintain steep diffusion
gradients of gases (1) for rapid gas exchange by diffusion.
Communication (Max. 3)
_________
(11 marks)
##
Skills assessed Marks
Understanding basic concepts 8
Communication 3
© 2020 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. - 173 -
HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts New question highlights
Question bank (Sample) Cross-topic essays
|!|BCEEB0170000001|!| Cross topic
Compare and contrast the features of the hormonal coordination in humans and plants.
(10 marks)
##
Similarities (Max. 3)
In both humans and plants, hormones are produced by specific cells in the
organism. (1)
Both human and plants hormones are transported from the site of production to
different parts of the organism. (1)
Both human and plants hormones act on specific cells / organs. (1)
Differences (Max. 4)
Humans Plants
Coordination is elicited by internal Coordination is elicited by external
stimuli. stimuli.
Hormones are produced in Hormones are produced in a
endocrine glands. variety of tissues, usually at
meristems / dividing cells.
Hormones are transported more Hormones are transported more
rapidly to the target cells. slowly to the target cells.
Hormones are transported in the Hormones are transported in
bloodstream. vascular tissues / from cells to
cells.
Responses to hormones are usually Responses to hormones are usually
faster. slower.
Coordination involves feedback There are no feedback
mechanisms. mechanisms.
Communication (Max. 3)
_______
(10 marks)
##
Skills assessed Marks
Understanding basic concepts 7
Communication 3
© 2020 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. - 174 -
