Cross-topic exercise I (Ch 1-6)

questions
Multiple-choice

Level 1

Biomolecules, cell membrane, enzymes

Directions: Questions 1 and 2 refer to the diagrams below, which show the structure of three
types of biomolecules (P, Q and R).
P Q

Key:
phosphate group
R amino acid
fatty acid
glycerol

1 Which of the three types of biomolecules can be found in the cell membrane?
A Q only B P and R only
C Q and R only D P, Q and R

2 Which of the following combinations about the breaking down of biomolecule P into
simpler units is correct?
Type of reaction involved Type of enzyme involved
A condensation amylase

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B condensation lipase
C hydrolysis amylase
D hydrolysis lipase

Scientific investigation, enzymes, nutrition in humans

Directions: Questions 3 and 4 refer to the diagram below, which shows six test tubes. Each of
them contains a cube of milk agar in an enzyme solution of different pH values
and temperatures. The two enzymes are obtained from the pancreatic juice of
humans.

amylase protease
solution, solution,
pH 4, pH 4,
20 C 20 C

milk agar milk agar

cube cube
Tube 1 Tube 2

amylase
solution,
pH 4,
40 C

milk agar
cube
Tube 3

protease amylase
solution, solution,
pH 8, pH 8,
20 C 40 C

milk agar milk agar

cube cube
Tube 4 Tube 5

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 cube
Tube 6

Cross-topic exercise Exercise I (Ch 1-6)

3 Which two tubes should we compare if we want to study the effect of temperature on the
activity of the enzyme which catalyses the digestion of milk agar?
A Tubes 1 and 3
B Tubes 2 and 6
C Tubes 4 and 6
D Tubes 5 and 6

4 In which tube does the milk agar cube show the greatest decrease in size after a period of
time?
A Tube 1
B Tube 2
C Tube 4
D Tube 6

Level 2

Subcellular structures, cell membrane, nutrition in humans

Directions: Questions 5 and 6 refer to the diagram below, which shows an epithelial cell of a
villus in the small intestine and how two substances, X and Y, are absorbed into
the cell through the cell membrane.

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X Y

epithelial cell of villus

5 Which of the following statements about the adaptive features of the epithelial cell for
absorption are correct?
(1) There are many microvilli on the cell.
(2) There are many mitochondria in the cell.
(3) The cell membrane is differentially permeable.
A (1) and (2) only
B (1) and (3) only
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3)

6 Which of the following are most probably substances X and Y?

X Y
A water oxygen
B oxygen fatty acid
C vitamin D water
D amino acid sodium ion

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Subcellular structures, magnification, biomolecules

Directions: Questions 7 and 8 refer to the electron micrograph below, which shows an
organelle found in a pancreatic cell.

membrane-
bounded
sacs
ribosomes
X

( 36 000)

7 A student measured the width (X) of the membrane-bounded sac in the electron micrograph
above as 4 mm. Which of the following shows the correct formula for calculating the actual
width of the membrane-bounded sac (expressed in m)?

A B

C D

8 Which of the following substances could be produced at the organelle shown?

A DNA
B enzymes
C glucose
D glycogen

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Level 3

Subcellular structures, nutrition in humans

Directions: Questions 9 and 10 refer to the pie charts below, which show total
membrane surface areas of different organelles relative to the total membrane
surface areas of all organelles in two types of human body cells (I and II).

Cell type I Cell type II Key:

rough ER

smooth ER

mitochondrion

cell membrane

nucleus

others

9 Which of the following can be deduced from the pie charts?

(1) Cell type I requires less energy than cell type II.
(2) Cell type I secretes more proteins than cell type II.
(3) Cell type I is smaller than cell type II in size.
A (1) and (2) only
B (1) and (3) only
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3)

10 Which of the following are most probably cell types I and II?
Cell type I Cell type II
A Red blood cell White blood cell
B Stomach cell Red blood cell
C Liver cell Epithelial cells in oesophagus
D Pancreatic cell Liver cell


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questions
Short

Level 1

Biomolecules, food substances, nutrition in humans

1 Complete the table below to show the subunits of different food molecules, their functions in
organisms and enzymes for their digestion in human body. (6 marks)
Food Enzymes for its digestion
Subunits Function in organisms
molecule in human body

As the major storage form

a b c
of carbohydrates in plants

Triglycerides d As an energy reserve e

To produce enzymes,
Proteins f antibodies, haemoglobin Pepsin and proteases
and some hormones

Movement of substances across cell membrane, enzymes, food tests, nutrition in humans

2 A student used the set-ups below to study digestion and absorption in humans. The tubes
were placed in a water bath at 35 C. After 20 minutes, he tested the water outside the
dialysis tubing using Benedict’s test.

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Tube P Tube Q Tube R

dialysis dialysis dialysis

tubing tubing tubing
distilled distilled distilled
water water water
solution solution solution
containing containing containing
starch saliva starch and
saliva

Which of three tubes is/are likely to give a positive result in the Benedict’s test? Explain
briefly. (4 marks)

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Level 2

Scientific investigation, enzyme activity, nutrition in humans

3 A student studied the effect of pH on the activity of an enzyme in a digestive juice using
gelatin blocks. Gelatin is a kind of protein extracted from animals. The student mixed the
digestive juice with buffer solutions of different pH values and set up the experiment as
follow.

pH 2.5 pH 4.5 pH 6.5 pH 8.5

drops of digestive
juice of different
pH values

gelatin block

after one hour

appearance of
gelatin blocks

a Identify the independent variable of the experiment. (1 mark)

b Identify two controlled variables of the experiment. (2 marks)

c From the results, deduce the part(s) of the digestive system where the digestive juice
works. (3 marks)

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Microscopes, subcellular structures, properties of cell membrane

4 Fig 1 below is a photomicrograph of an Amoeba taking up a food particle. Fig 2 is an

electron micrograph of a white blood cell engulfing a foreign cell.

Fig 1 (175)

(13 300)
Fig 2

a State two advantages of the electron microscope over the light microscope based on
Fig 1 and Fig 2. (2 marks)

b State two structural similarity between an Amoeba and a white blood cell. (2 marks)

c Name the process that both Amoeba and white blood cell carry out to obtain particles
from the surroundings. State and explain one property of the cell membrane that allows
the cells to carry out this process. (3 marks)

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Biomolecules, protein structure, nutrition in humans

5 Fig 1 below shows the building block of a biomolecule. Fig 2 shows the general plan of the
human digestive system.

Fig 1 Fig 2

a Describe how a number of molecules of the building block shown in Fig 1 can join to
form a biomolecule with specific functions in the body. (4 marks)

b Using the letters in Fig 2, identify the organ(s) where the building block in Fig 1 in
excess is broken down. State the product(s) formed. (3 marks)

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Level 3

Subcellular structures, prokaryotic cells, properties of cell membrane

6 The diagram below shows a cell of Candida albicans, which is a fungus that can cause lung
infections in humans.

a Based on the above diagram, state two difference between a cell of Candida albicans
and a bacterial cell. (2 marks)

b A membrane protein called TMP1 is present in the cell membrane of a Candida

albicans cell. The protein is responsible for transporting sugar molecules into the cells.

i With reference to the structure of cell membrane, explain why a membrane

protein is needed for transporting sugar molecules into the cells. (2 marks)

ii Explain how the organelles P and Q are involved in the production of TMP1.
(2 marks)

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Enzymes, nutrition in humans

7 Ethanol in alcoholic drinks can be converted into harmless substances in our body. The
diagram below shows the reactions involved.

alcohol aldehyde
dehydrogenase dehydrogenase
ethanol acetaldehyde acetate

a Suggest a type of human cell in which the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and
aldehyde dehydrogenase can be found. (1 mark)

b In the past, some wines were added with a chemical called diethylene glycol (DEG) to
make them tasted sweeter. When DEG is broken down in our body, it forms a toxic
substance which causes poisoning. The breakdown reaction of DEG is also catalysed
by alcohol dehydrogenase.

The diagram below shows the structure of an ethanol molecule and a DEG molecule.

H H H H H H

H C C OH HO C C O C C OH
c c c c c c c c
H H H H H H
c c c c c c
ethanol DEG

i With reference to the structure of the two molecules, explain why alcohol
dehydrogenase can catalyse the breakdown of both ethanol and DEG. (2 marks)

ii The poisoning caused by drinking DEG-added wine with a high alcohol content
may be less severe than that caused by drinking DEG-added wine with a low
alcohol content. Suggest why. (3 marks)

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questions
Structured

Level 1
Movement of substances across cell membrane, enzyme activity, food test, nutrition in humans

8 A student used the set-up in Fig 1 to investigate the digestion of starch. The dialysis tubing
allows molecules smaller than starch to pass through. The concentration of starch and that
of reducing sugars inside and outside the dialysis tubing were measured at regular intervals.
Fig 2 shows the change in the concentration of reducing sugars in the set-up during the
experiment.

dialysis tubing containing

starch solution and amylase reducing sugars
concentration

distilled water
at 37 C
time T

Fig 1 Fig 2

a State and explain where starch and reducing sugars can be found in the set-up at time
T. (3 marks)

b Sketch a curve on Fig 2 to show the change in the concentration of starch in the
experiment. (2 marks)

c Suggest one test for detecting each of the following substances in the experiment.
Describe the positive results of the tests.
i starch (2 marks)
ii reducing sugars (2 marks)

d If distilled water at 15 C was used in the experiment, would it take a shorter or longer
time to reach the concentration of reducing sugars at time T shown in Fig 2? Explain
briefly. (2 marks)

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Microscopes, subcellular structures, prokaryotic cells, movement of substances across cell membrane

9 A student is observing a blood smear under a light microscope. The photomicrograph below
shows the image he is observing.

(100)

a Explain why distilled water should not be added to the drop of blood when preparing a
blood smear for observation. (2 marks)

b The student wants to observe cell X in detail at high-power magnification. Describe

what he should do. (4 marks)

c The diagram below shows the amounts of some substances (in percentages of total cell
mass) in cell X.

others (7%)
polysaccharides (2%)
phospholipids (4%)

protein
(17%)
water
(70%)

State how will the percentages of the following substances be different in the following
cells. Explain your answer.

i Polysaccharides in a plant cell (2 marks)

ii Phospholipids in a bacterial cell (2 marks)

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Level 2

Subcellular structures, enzymes, nutrition in humans

10 Trypsin is a protease in pancreatic juice. It is produced in the pancreas and released into the
small intestine to aid digestion.
a The photomicrographs below show two organelles (P and Q) which are abundant in the
pancreatic cells that are responsible for the production of trypsin.

(2000) (3000)

Complete the following table to show the name of the two organelles and their
functions in trypsin production. (4 marks)

Name Function in trypsin production

P i ii

Q iii iv

b Trypsin is produced in an inactive form inside the pancreatic cells. It is converted into
its active form by removing a short chain of amino acids when it reaches the small
intestine.

i Explain why trypsin has to be produced in its inactive form inside the cells.
(1 mark)

ii Suggest how the removal of a short chain of amino acids converts the enzyme
into its active form. (2 marks)

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Scientific investigation, enzymes, protein structure, nutrition in humans

11 A student carried out an investigation to study the effect of the concentration of pepsin on
the breakdown of casein. He prepared three tubes containing the same volume of casein
solution. In each tube, he added 1 cm3 pepsin solution of different concentrations and
recorded the change in the concentration of casein in the three tubes for 10 minutes. The
diagram below shows the results.

1 unit of pepsin per

concentration cm3
of casein 2
(arbitrary unit) 2 unit of pepsin per
cm3

1
4 unit of pepsin per
cm3

0
2 4 6 8 10
time (min)

a State the function of pepsin in our body. (1 mark)

b Identify the dependent variable and independent variable in the investigation.

(2 marks)

c Describe how the change in the concentration of pepsin affects the initial rate of the
breakdown of casein. Explain the effect. (2 marks)

d Explain the importance of amino acid sequence of pepsin on its function.

(3 marks)

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Level 3

Enzymes, nutrition in humans

12 Cholesterol is a kind of lipids. It can be obtained from our diet. When the blood cholesterol
level is high, cholesterol may deposit in the coronary artery, causing cardiovascular
diseases. The photomicrograph below shows a coronary artery of a patient, with cholesterol
deposits within the wall.

cholesterol
deposit

(10)

a Describe how the cholesterol in our diet is absorbed from the lumen of our small
intestine into the epithelial cells of the villi. (2 marks)

b Describe the route through which the cholesterol we obtained in the diet is transported
from the small intestine to the heart after it is absorbed in the small intestine. (3 marks)

c To minimize the risk of getting cardiovascular diseases, some people decide to adopt a
diet without lipids. Explain why they may suffer from deficiency of some vitamins if
they adopt such a diet for a long period of time. (2 marks)

d Cholesterol can also be synthesized in our body. The diagram below shows the
reactions for the synthesis of cholesterol.

HMG-CoA
acetyl-CoA HMG-CoA reductase mevalonate cholesterol

Lovastatin is a drug that can be used to lower the blood cholesterol. It has a shape
similar to HMG-CoA. Suggest how lovastatin helps lower the blood cholesterol level.

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 Cross-topic exercise Exercise I (Ch 1-6)

(2 marks)

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Subcellular structures, membrane structure

13 A scientist carried out an experiment to investigate the process of protein synthesis in a kind
of cells. He first put the cells in a solution containing radioactive amino acids for a few
seconds and removed the cells from the solution. After washing the cells to remove the
radioactive amino acids on them, he incubated them with non-radioactive amino acids.

The diagram below shows the changes in the levels of radioactivity in an organelle X and
secretory vesicles of the cells in the first 100 minutes when the cells were incubating with
non-radioactive amino acids. Secretory vesicles are small, membrane-bounded sacs
containing secretory proteins inside. They are responsible for transporting the proteins to
the cell membrane for secretion.

30
secretory
vesicles
level of
radioactivity 20
(arbitrary unit)

10

organelle X
0
20 40 60 80 100
incubation time (min)

a Suggest what organelle X can be. (1 mark)

b Describe and explain the change in the level of radioactivity in the secretory vesicles
during the period of incubation. (4 marks)

c When secretory vesicles reach the cell membrane, they fuse with the cell membrane to
release the secretory proteins it contains to the outside of the cell. The diagram below
shows the process.

cell membrane

secretory vesicle
secretory protein
cytoplasm

Explain how the structure of cell membrane allows the above process to occur.
(2 marks)

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Essays

Movement of substances across cell membrane, nutrition in humans

14 Protein is one of the components of cell membrane. Describe the arrangement of protein
molecules in the cell membrane according to the fluid mosaic model. Discuss the functions
of these proteins in human nutrition. (11 marks)

Enzymes, nutrition in humans

15 Enzyme activity is easily affected by the pH of the environment. Describe and explain the
effect of pH on enzyme activity and discuss how a suitable pH is provided for the action of
digestive enzymes in the human digestive system. (10 marks)

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 Cross-topic exercise Exercise I (Ch 1-6)

s
Answer
Multiple-choice questions
1 C 2 D 3 C 4 D 5 A
6 C 7 D 8 B 9 A 10 D

Short questions
1 a Starch 1
b Glucose 1
c Salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase 1
d Fatty acids and glycerol 1
e Pancreatic lipase 1
f Amino acids 1

2 Tube R 1
In tube R, salivary amylase in saliva catalyses the breakdown of starch into maltose. 1
Maltose is small enough to diffuse out of the dialysis tubing. 1
Maltose is a reducing sugar. It gives a positive result in the Benedict’s test. 1

3 a pH of the buffer solutions 1

b Temperature / size of the gelatin blocks / size of the drops / time of incubation (any two) 1×2
c At pH 8.5, the largest amount of gelatin is digested. 1
This shows that the digestive juice works best at an alkaline condition. 1
Therefore, the digestive juice works in the small intestine. 1

4 a The electron microscope can produce images with higher magnification and resolution, so more
details can be seen. 1
The electron microscope can produce 3-dimensional images showing the external structures of
the specimen. 1
b Both of them have a nucleus. 1
Both of them are surrounded by a cell membrane. 1
(or other correct answers)
c Phagocytosis 1
The cell membrane is fluid in nature. 1
This allows the cell membrane to change shape and fuse with one another during the process of
phagocytosis. 1

5 a Molecules of the building block (amino acid) join together by condensation to form a
polypeptide. 1
The polypeptide coils and folds in a specific way into a 3-dimensional structure. 1
The polypeptide may combine with other polypeptides to form a protein. 1
The sequence of amino acids determines the final shape of the protein. The unique shape allows
the proteins to perform different functions. 1
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b Amino acid is broken down in organ X. 1

The amino group is removed and converted to urea. 1
The remaining part is converted to carbohydrates or lipids. 1

6 a A cell of Candida albicans has a true nucleus, while a bacterial cell does not. 1
A cell of Candida albicans has membrane-bounded organelles, while a bacterial cell does not. 1
(or other correct answers)
b i Sugar molecules are polar. 1
They are repelled by the phospholipid bilayer and cannot move through it. Therefore, a
membrane protein is needed for transporting them across the cell membrane. 1
ii Organelle P (rough endoplasmic reticulum) is the site for protein synthesis. 1
Organelle Q (mitochondria) provides energy for the synthesis of the membrane protein. 1

7 a Liver cell 1
b i The shape of an ethanol molecule and a DEG molecule is similar. 1
Both of them can fit into the active site of alcohol dehydrogenase. 1
ii The binding of ethanol molecules to the active sites of alcohol dehydrogenase prevents
DEG molecules from binding to them. 1
The more the ethanol molecules in the wine, the less chance for DEG molecules to bind to
the active sites of the enzyme. 1
Therefore less toxic substances are formed, and thus the poisoning is less severe. 1

Structural questions
8 a Starch can be found in the dialysis tubing. 1
Reducing sugars can be found in the dialysis tubing and in the solution surrounding the dialysis
tubing. 1
Starch molecules are too large to pass through the pores of the dialysis tubing, while reducing
sugar molecules are small enough and they can diffuse out of the dialysis tubing. 1
b
reducing sugars
concentration

starch

time T
Correct shape of the curve 1
Correct labelling of the curve 1

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c i Iodine test 1
Iodine solution changes from brown to blue-black. 1
ii Benedict’s test 1
A brick-red precipitate is formed. 1
d It would take a longer time to reach the same concentration of reducing sugars 1
because the activity of amylase is lower at a lower temperature. 1

9 a The water potential of distilled water is much higher than that of the red blood cells. If distilled
water is added, water will enter the cells by osmosis. 1
The cells may burst. No cells can be observed in the blood smear as a result. 1
b Move the cell to the center of the field of view. 1
Rotate the nosepiece to select a high-power objective. 1
Turn the fine adjustment knob to get a sharp focus. 1
Adjust the diaphragm to brighten the view if necessary. 1
c i The percentage of polysaccharides will be higher. 1
Plant cells have a cell wall which is made of cellulose. 1
ii The percentage of phospholipids will be lower. 1
Bacterial cells are prokaryotic cells. They do not have membrane-bounded organelles. 1

10 a i Rough endoplasmic reticulum 1

ii It is the site for the production of trypsin. 1
iii Mitochondrion 1
iv It provides energy for the production of trypsin. 1
b i This is to prevent the protease from causing the breakdown of proteins inside cells. 1
ii The coiling and folding of the polypeptide chain may change after the removal of a short
chain of amino acids. 1
This may change the shape of the active site. 1
iii It may bind to the active site of the enzyme. 1
This prevents the substrate from binding to the active site, so the activity of the enzyme is
lowered. 1

11 a It catalyses the digestion of proteins in the stomach. 1

b Dependent variable: Rate of casein breakdown 1
Independent variable: Concentration of pepsin 1
c The initial rate of reaction increases with pepsin concentration. / The increase in initial rate is
directly proportional to pepsin concentration. 1
The higher the concentration of pepsin, the more the active sites available for catalysing the
breakdown of casein. So the rate of reaction is higher. 1
d Enzymes have a unique active site which fits with a specific substrate. 1
A change in the amino acid sequence of pepsin may cause the shape of the active site to change.
1
Once the active site is change, it cannot bind to the substrate. The enzyme lost its function. 1

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12 a Cholesterol is absorbed into the epithelial cells of the villi by diffusion. 1

Cholesterol is non-polar. It can dissolve in the phospholipid bilayer and move across the cell
membrane. 1
b After being absorbed into the lacteals of the villi, it is carried by the lymph to the main lymph
vessel. 1
It enters the blood near the neck region, where the lymph vessel joins the blood vessel. 1
It is then carried by the blood to the heart through the vena cava. 1
c People who adopt this diet may suffer from deficiency of lipid-soluble vitamins. 1
Lipid-soluble vitamins are absorbed with lipids in our diet. Without lipids, people cannot obtain
sufficient amounts of these vitamins. 1
d Lovastatin may bind to the active site of HMG-CoA reductase. This prevents HMG-CoA from
binding to the enzyme. 1
Less HMG-CoA can be converted into mevalonate, and thus less cholesterol is synthesized. 1

13 a Rough endoplasmic reticulum 1

b In the first 20 minutes, the level of radioactivity was 0. 1
No radioactive proteins were present in the secretory vesicles. 1
Radioactivity was increasing from 20 minutes to 100 minutes. 1
More and more radioactive proteins produced in rough endoplasmic reticulum reached the
secretory vesicles. 1
c The phospholipid molecules in the cell membrane can move laterally. 1
The fluid nature of the cell membrane allows it to fuse with one another and releasing the
secretory proteins to the outside of the cell. 1

Essays
14 Arrangement of protein molecules in cell membrane:
In the cell membrane, protein molecules are interspersed among the phospholipid molecules in a
mosaic pattern. 1
Some of them are attached to the surface of the phospholipid bilayer, some are embedded half-way in
the bilayer and others span the entire bilayer. 1
The functions of membrane proteins in human nutrition:
Some membrane proteins act as channel proteins to provide channels for certain substances to move
across the cell membrane. 1
Minerals are absorbed into the epithelial cells in the small intestine through channel proteins. 1
Some membrane proteins act as carrier proteins to transport certain substances across the cell
membrane. 1
Sugars, amino acids and water-soluble vitamins are absorbed into the epithelial cells in the small
intestine by active transport with the help of carrier proteins. 1
Some membrane proteins act as enzymes to speed up chemical reactions. 1
Enzymes like carbohydrases / proteases are present in the cell membrane of specialized cells in the
epithelium of the small intestine to catalyse the breakdown of disaccharides into monosaccharides /
peptides into amino acids. 1
Communication 3

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15 Effect of pH on enzyme activity:

Each enzyme has an optimum pH at which its activity is the highest. 1
At unsuitable pH, the activity of the enzyme decreases. 1
Unsuitable pH causes denaturation of the enzyme. The substrate can no longer fit into the active site
of the enzyme to form the enzyme-substrate complex. 1
The enzyme loses its catalytic ability permanently. 1
How a suitable pH is provided for the action of digestive enzymes in the human digestive system:
In the mouth cavity, a nearly neutral pH is maintained for the action of salivary amylase in saliva. 1
In the stomach, hydrochloric acid present in the gastric juice provides an acidic pH for the action of
pepsin. 1
In the duodenum, sodium hydrogencarbonate present in the bile, pancreatic juice and intestinal juice
neutralizes acidic chyme and provides an alkaline pH for the action of pancreatic amylase, pancreatic
lipase and proteases in pancreatic juice. 1
Communication 3

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