S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

Queen’s College
S6 Mock Examination (2015-2016)
Biology Paper I

SECTION B: Question-Answer Book B

This paper must be answered in English.

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Write your Class and Class Number in the space provided on the Class
right. Class Number

Block Number
2 Refer to the general insructions on the cover of the Question
Paper for Section A.

3 The questions in this Question-Answer Book carry 84 marks.

Answer ALL questions. Marker’s Use Only

4 Write your answers in the spaces provided in this Question- Question No. Marks
Answer Book. Do not write in the margins. Answers written in 1
the margins will not be marked.
2
5 Supplementary answer sheets will be provided on request. Write 3
your Class and Class Number, and mark the question number. 4
Fasten them with string INSIDE this Question-Answer Book.
5
6 Present your answers in paragraphs wherever appropriate. 6
7
7 The diagrams in this section are NOT necessarily drawn to scale.
8
8 No extra time will be given students for writing Class and Class 9
Number or filling the question answer number boxed after the
Total:
‘Time is up’ announcment.

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

SECTION B

Answer ALL questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided in this Question- Answer Book.

1 Vitamin C and vitamin A are essential for normal functioning of human body. They are taken into the
cells by different routes across the cell membrane according to their different properties.
Explain how the structure of cell membrane determine the route taken by each of these vitamins.

(a) Vitamin C (3 marks)

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(b) Vitamin A (3 marks)

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Total: 6 marks

2 With reference to the diagram below, it shows an apparatus used to investigate transpiration in plants.

(a) State two precautions that should be taken when setting up the above apparatus in order to
ensure accurate results. (2 marks)

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

The table below shows the rate of water uptake and water loss per hour for the leafy shoot over a 24-hour
period in a sunny day.
Time of day Water loss (g) Water uptake (g)
0400-0500 1.1 0.0
0800-0900 3.2 1.2
1200-1300 25.6 8.6
1600-1700 18.8 23.5
2000-2100 5.0 16.0
0000-0100 0.0 3.4
(b) Describe the pattern of water loss and water uptake in the leafy shoot. (2 marks)

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(c) Describe and explain how the observed result will be changed if the water inside the apparatus
is replaced by seawater. (4 marks)

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Total: 8 marks

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

3 The MMR vaccine is used to protect children against measles, mumps and rubella.

(a) State the type of immunity which is triggered after the vaccination. (2 marks)

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(b) Explain how the MMR vaccine protects children from these diseases. (4 marks)

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Read the passage below and use information from the passage to answer the following questions.

Autism is a brain disorder that can result in behavioural problems. In 1998, Dr Andrew Wakefield published a
report in a medical journal.
Dr Wakefield and his colleagues had carried out tests on 12 autistic children. They claimed to have found a
possible link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Dr Wakefield wrote that the parents of eight of the twelve
children blamed the MMR vaccine for autism. He said that symptoms of autism had started within days of
vaccination.
Some newspapers used parts of the report in scare stories about the MMR vaccine. As a result, many parents
refused to have their children vaccinated. Dr Wakefield’s research was being funded through solicitors for the
twelve children. The lawyers wanted evidence to use against vaccine manufacturers.

(c) Was Dr Wakefield’s report based on reliable scientific evidence? Explain the reason(s) for your
answer. (2 marks)

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(d) Might Dr Wakefield’s report have been biased? Explain the reason(s) for your answer. (2 marks)

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Total: 10 marks
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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

4 The graph below shows the change in blood pressure in various parts of the mammalian blood system.

(a) Describe and explain the changes in blood pressure in the arteries with reference to the above
graph. (6 marks)

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(b) Suggest why it is important that the blood pressure drops steeply in the arterioles. (2 marks)

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The above graph shows that blood pressure is at its lowest in the veins.
(c) Suggest and explain two ways how blood at low pressure is returned to the heart. (4 marks)

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Total: 12 marks

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

5 IAA is a growth factor found in plants. When a young shoot is illuminated from one side, IAA stimulates
growth on the shaded side.

(a) Explain why growth on the shaded side helps to maintain the leaves in a favourable
environment. (2 marks)

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NAA is a similar substance to IAA. It is used to control the growth of cultivated plants. Plant physiologists
investigated the effect of temperature on the uptake of NAA by leaves. They sprayed a solution containing
NAA on the upper and lower surfaces of a leaf of an apple tree. The graph below shows their results.

(b) Suggest and explain why NAA can mimic the action of IAA in plants. (2 marks)

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(c) Explain the effect of temperature on the rate at which NAA is taken up by the lower surface of
the leaf. (2 marks)

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

(d) Explain the differences in rates of uptake of NAA by the lower and upper surfaces of the
leaves. (2 marks)

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(e) If this investigation is to be conducted on other types of plants, would the results be the same as
that in apple trees? Explain. (2 marks)

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Total: 10 marks

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

6 Ecologists investigated succession in some abandoned crop fields. The data that they collected are shown
in the graph below. The curves show the trends that occurred over a period of 60 years.

(a) Explain the change in soil nitrate concentration shown on the graph. (2 marks)

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(b) The pioneer plants had different characteristics from the plants that colonised the fields after 50
years. The pioneer plants had seeds that germinate better when the temperature fluctuates.
Explain the advantage of this to these pioneer plants. (2 marks)

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(c) Explain the advantage to a plant that colonizes after 50 years of having a high rate of
photosynthesis at low light intensities. (1 mark)

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(d) Conservation of grassland habitats involves management of succession.

Use the data in the graph to explain. (2 marks)

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Total: 7 marks

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

7 The diagram below shows the process in the glycolysis of a hexose sugar.

(a) Name X. (1 mark)

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(b) State the net gain of ATP molecules when one molecule of glucose is broken down to pyruvate
in glycolysis. (1 mark)

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(c) Describe how oxidation takes place in glycolysis. (2 marks)

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(d) If the above reaction shown in the diagram occurs in yeast, describe briefly what happens to the
pyruvate if the yeast culture is placed inside an incubator filled with nitrogen gas. (4 marks)

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(e) A significant increase in glucose uptake and the rate of glycolysis is also observed when the
yeast culture is placed inside an incubator filled with nitrogen gas. Explain this observation. (2 marks)

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Total: 10 marks

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

8 The pedigree below shows the inheritance of blood groups in a family.

Key: Male of blood group A

Male of blood group O

Female of blood group A

Female of blood group O

(a) Based on the given information, which blood group, A or O, is the dominant character?
(5 marks)
Explain your answer without using a genetic diagram.

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(b) Define the symbols you use. State the possible genotypes of individual 7 and individual 13. (3 marks)

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(c) Among the children of individuals 1 and 2, list those who can donate blood to individual 1 and
individual 2 respectively. (2 marks)

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Total: 10 marks
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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

For the following question, candidates are required to present their answer in essay form.
Criteria for marking will include relevant content, logical presentation and clarity of expression.

9 Increasing carbon dioxide concentration may affect animals and plants directly or indirectly.
Write an essay to describe and explain these effects on them. Total: 11 marks

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

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End of Paper

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

Suggested Answers
Question 1
a Vitamin C is polar / ionic / water soluble 1m
that cannot pass through the phospholipid layer / hydrophobic regions 1m
It is transported through protein channels / by active transporter / carrier protein with hydrophilic linings 1m
b Vitamin A is non polar / lipid soluble 1m
that dissolves in phospholipid / hydrophobic regions of phospholipid bilayer, 1m
so it can pass through cell membrane directly 1m
Total: 6m
Question 2
a Cut shoot under water / make sure no air in xylem
Insert shoot into potometer underwater / Set up potometer under water
Dry surfaces of leaves / avoid wetting of leaves
All joints, air-tight / water-tight / no air bubbles in potometer
Use healthy, non-wilted shoot
Keep environmental conditions stable 1m
Allow settling / equilibrating time before taking measurements (any 2, 1m each) 1m
b Both water loss and water uptake increase in the morning and drop in the evening
OR higher in the morning and drop in evening 1m
The rise or drop occurs first in water loss, with wate uptake following 1m
c The leafy shoot droops / wilts 1m
The water loss and water uptake stops 1m
The cells of the shoot lose water as water potential of seawater is lower than that of the cells 1m
The cells become flaccid and stomata closed hence stop water loss and water uptake 1m
Total: 8m
Question 3
a Acquired 1m
active immunity. 1m
b The vaccine contains antigens of the causative agents / weakened pathogens of the diseases 1m
After injection of vaccine, the foreign antigens are recognized by immature B cells 1m
antigen-specific memory cells/antigen-specific plasma B cells antibodies/antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells
are developed 1m
A high concentration of antibodies are maintained in the body to protect against the pathogens 1m
c No.
His conclusion just relied on observations of possible link
He have no information of the body status of the patients before and after the vaccination 1m
for comparison and validation of possible link between Autism and vaccination. 1m
d Yes.
He only use the data collected from 12 patients which could imposed a large statistical error 1m
He has not conducted a medical and scientific research on the possible link between vaccination and Autism 1m
Total: 10m
Question 4
a The blood pressure is pulsatile 1m
as it reflects rhythmic pumping action of heart 1m
and the recoiling nature of the arteries 1m
The amplitude of blood pressure is declining 1m
as friction has to be overcome 1m
when being pumped forwards with longer distance from the heart 1m
b To ensure a slower rate of blood flow 1m
that can allow substances exchange in capillaries 1m
/ reduce likelihood of damage arterioles or capillaries
that are not as elastic as arteries (any 1 reasonable answer)
c Presence of valves 1m
to prevent backflow of blood 1m
/ Action of surrounding muscle (NOT muscle in wall of vein) 1m
helps to push blood / squeezes veins that facilitate blood to flow back to heart 1m
/ Large lumen of veins
allows little resistance to blood flow (any 2 reasonable answers)
Total: 12m

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

Question 5
a Causes plant to bend / grow towards light / positive phototropism 1m
to get as much light as possible that is required for photosynthesis; 1m

b The structure of NAA is similar to that of IAA 1m

NAA can bind to IAA hormone receptor binding site on cell membrane and trigger downstream reactions 1m
c NAA molecules gain more kinetic energy with higher temperature 1m
Faster movement of NAA molecules 1m
and hence faster transport / diffusion rate of NAA in air space / water film of mesophyll cells
d Thicker cuticle on upper surface / thinner cuticle on lower surface of leaves 1m
and hence shorter diffusion pathway on lower surface of leaves to shoot 1m
OR Fewer stomata on upper surface / no stomata on upper surface of leaves
and hence faster uptake of NAA on lower surface of leaves to shoot (any 1 reasonable answer)
e The results would be different 1m
Different species have different (qualified) properties
eg cuticle thickness, leaf size, number of stomata 1m
Total: 10m
Question 6
a Increase in dead organisms / humus / decomposition 1m
Leading to increase in nitrification/ammonia to nitrate/activity of nitrifying bacteria/nitrogen fixation 1m
b Temperatures of bare soil fluctuate 1m
The plant enjoys less competition early at start of succession when there is few plants and more bare rocks 1m
c Plant will grow / survive in the shade / when overshadowed by taller plants / when receiving less light 1m
d Grassland consists of small / annual plants that will be outcompeted by woody plants 1m
so these woody plants must be removed / have growth checked / grazed 1m
Total: 7m

Question 7
a NAD 1m
b 2 1m
c Hydrogen is removed from the triose phosphate 1m
NAD is reduced / the hydrogen is accepted by NAD 1m
d Without oxygen, Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain stop / Pyruvate does not enter the Krebs cycle 1m
The pyruvate is reduced ethanol and carbon dioxide 1m
Reduced NAD is oxidized to NAD / NAD is recycled for continual glycolysis 1m
using pyruvate as the hydrogen acceptor 1m
e Less ATP is produced with anaerobic respiration / no ATP is produced in oxidative phosphorylation
or in Krebs cycle / ATP is only produced in glycolysis 1m
To produce the same amount of ATP, the yeast has to break down more glucose in glycolysis 1m
Total: 10m
Question 8
a Blood group A is dominant 1m
Both individuals 3 and 4 have blood group A therefore each of them must possess at least
one allele for blood group A 1m
One of their children (individual 12) has blood group O,that means at least one of the parents
must also possess one allele for blood group O 1m
At least one of the parents is heterozygous 1m
In a heterozygous condition, only the dominant allele will be expressed 1m
OR
Both individuals 3 and 4 have blood group A / are of the same phenotype and
produce offspring who are of two phenotypes
indicating that both parents are heterozygous
Only the dominant allele expresses itself / recessive allele is masked in heterozygous state (any 1 set)
b Defined symbols e.g. : A = allele for blood group A a = allele for blood group O 1m
Genotype of Individual 7 : Aa 1m
Genotype of Individual 13 : AA , Aa (1 or 0m) 1m
c Donors for Individual 1: 5 and 6 (1 or 0m) 1m
Donors for Individual 2: 4, 5, 6 and 7 (1 or 0m) 1m
Total: 10m

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 S6 Mock 2015-16 Bio IB

Question 9
Direct effects of increasing carbon dioxide concentration
Pulmonary ventilation and the mechanism of breathing
Role of chemoreceptors in controlling heart rate
Limiting factor for light-independent reaction of photosynthesis.
Respiration, photosynthesis and human activity giving rise to short-term fluctuations and long-term change
in carbon cycle
Increase fossil fuel burning,
deforestation,
decreased carbon dioxide elimination by photosynthesis
Acid rain
Global warming
Increased yield of crop plants as carbon dioxide level increases
Indirect effects of increasing carbon dioxide concentration
Role of carbon dioxide in producing global warming
Life cycles and number of insect pests
Distribution of animals and plants
Effect of temperature on enzymes;
(any 8 points, 1m each) 1m x 8
Effective communication 3m
Total: 11m

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