Kwun Tong Maryknoll College

F.4 Biology (2023-24)

Final Examination
Time allowed: 2 hours
Total marks: 100

Name __________________________ F.4 _____ No. ____

Section A Multiple choice questions (20 marks)

Use an Hb pencil to mark your answer on the multiple-choice answer sheet provided.

Choose the correct answer and write the respective letter (A, B, C or D) in the box provided.

1. The diagram below shows four leafy shoots taken from a terrestrial plant. One or two surfaces
of all the leaves in some of the shoots are covered with vaseline. The leafy shoots are then left
in a room.

leafy shoot

paraffin oil

measuring
cylinder

water

(1) (2) (3) (4)

upper surface lower surface both surfaces no surface
covered covered covered covered

After 3 hours, which of the following is most likely the correct comparison of the heights of
the water levels in the measuring cylinders?
A (3) < (1) < (2) < (4) B (3) < (2) < (1) < (4)
C (4) < (1) < (2) < (3) D (4) < (2) < (1) < (3)

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2. In an experiment, a student enclosed the aerial part of a potted plant in a transparent plastic bag.
He then placed the plant in a certain place in his house. He collected air sample from the
plastic bag and measured its carbon dioxide concentration every 6 hours.

air sample collected

potted from here
plant plastic bag enclosing the
plant

The graph below shows the change in the carbon dioxide concentration of the air sample in a
certain day.

12

10

8
carbon dioxide
concentration 6
(arbitrary unit)
4

0
00:00 06:00 12:00 18:00 24:00
time

Which of the following can be deduced from the results?

A The rate of photosynthesis was the highest from 0:00 to 6:00.
B The closure of stomata stopped gas exchange at 18:00.
C The plant did not carry out respiration at 18:00.
D The plant was carrying out photosynthesis from 6:00 to 18:00.

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3. The photograph below shows the leaves of a green plant which suffers from a deficiency disease.

yellow

green

Which of the following is the most possible cause of the disease in the plant?
A deficiency of phosphate in the soil
B deficiency of magnesium ions in the soil
C deficiency of water in the soil
D deficiency of nitrogen gas in the soil air

4. The table below shows the average number of chloroplasts in three types of cells in the leaf.

Cell Average number of chloroplasts in the cell

X 0
Y 18
Z 5

Which of following is the most likely cell type of X, Y and Z?

X Y Z
A epidermal cell palisade mesophyll cell spongy mesophyll cell
B epidermal cell spongy mesophyll cell palisade mesophyll cell
C spongy mesophyll cell epidermal cell palisade mesophyll cell
D spongy mesophyll cell palisade mesophyll cell epidermal cell

5. Which of the following is not an adaptation of roots for the absorption of water?
A The root is highly branched.
B The epidermis is not covered by cuticle.
C Root hair cells contain numerous mitochondria.
D Root hairs are long and fine.

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6. Blood pressure in arteries changes periodically because
A the artery wall is thick.
B the heart contracts and relaxes alternately.
C the blood has to overcome great friction of the artery wall.
D the arteries are highly branched.

Directions: The following two questions refer to the diagram below,

This diagram shows the longitudinal section of the heart.

Y
W

7. Which of the following is a vein that carries oxygenated blood?

A Blood vessel W
B Blood vessel X
C Blood vessel Y
D Blood vessel Z

8. Which of the following combinations correctly shows the conditions of the valves P and Q
when the ventricles contract?
P Q
A closed closed
B closed open
C open closed
D open open

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9. When people get old, they usually have difficulties in focusing their eyes when looking at
nearby objects. This is because

A. their lens has become inelastic.

B. their cornea has become uneven.
C. their vitreous humour has become cloudy.
D. their eyeball has become smaller.

Directions: The following two questions refer to the digestive system in humans.

(1)

(5)

(2) (6)

(3)
(7)

(8)
(4)

10. Which structures produce enzymes for the digestion of proteins?

A (6) and (7) only
B (1), (2) and (3) only
C (3), (6) and (7) only
D (6), (7) and (8) only

11. Which structure is responsible for the absorption of most minerals in food?
A (4) B (5)
C (6) D (8)

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12. Refer to the table below, which shows the average number of drops of different fruit juices
needed to decolourize 1 cm3 of DCPIP solution.
Average number of drops needed to
Fruit juice
decolourize 1 cm3 of DCPIP solution
P 14
Q 7
R 28
S 16

From the results, which fruit juice is best for preventing scurvy?
A fruit juice P B fruit juice Q
C fruit juice R D fruit juice S

13. The table shows the amounts of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in 10 g of rice and fish.

Food Carbohydrates (g) Proteins (g) Lipids (g)

Rice 2.79 0.27 0.028
Fish 0 1.78 0.092
What would be the main end products of digestion of a meal containing rice and fish?
A glycerol and amino acids
B simple sugars and amino acids
C simple sugars and fatty acids
D glycerol and simple sugars

Directions: The following two questions refer to the diagram below

It shows the teeth on the lower jaw of an adult human.

6
5
4
3
2 1
14. Which of the following correctly identifies teeth 3 and 5?
Tooth 3 Tooth 5
A incisor canine
B canine premolar
C canine molar
D premolar molar

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15. Which teeth are absent in the teeth set of a 4-year-old child?
A teeth 3, 4 and 5
B teeth 4, 7 and 8
C teeth 4, 6 and 7
D teeth 4, 5 and 8

16. Invertase is an enzyme that catalyses the following reaction.

sucrose glucose + fructose

Invertase solution was added to sucrose solution in a test tube. The tube was then incubated at
a constant temperature. The graph below shows the rate of breakdown of sucrose in the
reaction mixture over time.

rate of
breakdown of
sucrose
(arbitrary unit)

0 40 80 120 160
time (min)

Which of the following statements about the enzymatic reaction is/are correct?
(1) In the first 40 minutes, the reaction rate was the highest.
(2) The amount of glucose in the reaction mixture remained constant in the first 40 minutes.
(3) Invertase was used up after 120 minutes.
A (1) only
B (2) only
C (1) and (2) only
D (1) and (3) only

17. The water potential of the cytoplasm of a cell is lower than that of the surrounding solution.
Which of the following statements is correct?
A The surrounding solution is said to be hypertonic.
B The cell has a lower concentration of solutes than the surrounding solution.
C There will be a net movement of water from the surrounding solution into
the cell.
D The cell is in danger of plasmolysis.

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18. The diagrams below show three set-ups.
(1) (2) (3)

starch
solution +
starch amylase amylase
solution solution solution
water bath water bath water bath
at 25 °C at 25 °C at 25 °C
After 1 day, iodine solution was added to each test tube. In which test tube(s) did a blue-black
colour appear?
A (1) only B (1) and (2) only
C (1) and (3) only D (2) and (3) only

19. The graph below shows the time taken for the completion of an enzymatic reaction at different
temperatures.
completion of reaction
time taken for the

10 20 30 40 50 60
temperature (°C)

Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the graph?

A The optimum temperature for this enzymatic reaction is 55 °C.
B This enzymatic reaction will complete faster at 60 °C.
C This enzyme works faster at 30 °C than at 20 °C.
D This enzyme is found in the human body.

20. The diagram below shows a set-up used to study diffusion.

beaker
sugar solution X

dialysis tubing filled with

20% sugar solution

More sugar diffuses out of the tubing than diffuses in. What is the concentration of sugar
solution X?
A 10% B 20%
C 30% D 40%
END OF SECTION A

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 Kwun Tong Maryknoll College
F.4 Biology (2023-24)
Final Examination Question-Answer Book
Time allowed: 2 hours

Name __________________________ F.4 _____ No. ____ Marks _____/100

SECTION B: Conventional questions (80 marks)

Answer all the questions.
1. The photomicrograph below shows a longitudinal section of a Coleus shoot tip.

(×40)

(a) Name region P and region Q. (2 marks)

b i Name the group of cells shown in the graph at the shoot tip. (1 mark)

ii Apart from shoot tips, where can this group of cells be found in
plants? (1 mark)

(Total: 4 marks)
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2. The diagram below shows the ‘finger-nose’ test, which is used to test whether a person can
carry out a series of motor actions to produce smooth and accurate movement. In this test,
the doctor will hold his finger in front of the person, who has to touch the doctor’s finger
with his index finger and then touch his own nose. The test is repeated with the doctor’s
hand placed at different positions.

(a) Describe the function(s) of each of the following structures when a person is performing the
test:

(i) the cerebrum (3 marks)

(ii) the spinal cord (1 mark)

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 (b) Why a person fail to touch the doctor’s finger if his cerebellum is damaged. (1 mark)

(Total: 5 marks)

3. Peter took the biology examination in the school hall yesterday. When the time was up, the
bell rang and Peter put down his pen. After the teachers collected the exam papers, Peter
stood up and left. The diagram below shows the structure of a human ear.

X
Y

sound

auditory canal

Z
(a) When the bell rang, Peter put down his pen. Is this a voluntary or involuntary action?
Explain your answer. (2 marks)

(b) Construct a flowchart to show the nervous pathway involved starting when the bell rang till
Peter put down his pen. Briefly describe what happened at each point. (5 marks)

______________________________ in the inner ears → auditory nerve → _________ area of the

___________ to produce hearing →_______________ area of the cerebrum for interpretation and
decision making → motor area of the cerebrum to send command → interneurone through spinal
cord → ________________ → _______________

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(c) Peter looked at a diagram on the exam paper and then looked at the clock on the wall.
Describe the changes that took place in his eyes in order to see the clock clearly. (3 marks)

(Total: 10 marks)

4. Why swallowing or yarning can help to release the pain in the ear when someone is inside an
elevator which ascends rapidly from the ground floor to the 50th floor? (2 marks)

(Total: 2 marks)

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5. The photographs below show some onion bulbs and oranges.
When an onion bulb and the seed of an orange were planted in moist soil.
They developed into young plants.

seed

onion bulbs oranges

(a) Which type of cell division takes place during the early development of the young plants?
(1 mark)

(b) Explain why the young plant developed from a seed of an orange is genetically different from
the parent plant. (3 marks)

(c) If an onion bulb and a seed of an orange were planted in dry soil, the onion bulb would have a
higher chance to develop new plants than the seed. Suggest why.
(1 mark)

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(d) Overcrowding of offspring is less likely to occur when planting a seed, but it is more likely to
occur when planting an onion bulb. Explain why. (2 marks)

(e) If an onion bulb is evenly cut into pieces of the same shape and size, only some of the pieces
can give rise to new plants when planted in favorable conditions. Suggest why. (1 mark)

(f) A scientist wishes to carry out plant cloning. Suggest which type of flower reproduction
method should he employ. Explain briefly. (2 marks)

(Total: 10 marks)

6. The table below shows some historical events that contributed to our knowledge of the human
nervous system.
Camillo Golgi tried to use silver nitrate, a chemical used in the making of
1873
photographic film, to stain cells and developed a new cell-staining method.

Santiago Ramon Cajal used Golgi’s cell-staining method to stain brain tissues and
1891 observed that there were gaps between neurones. He also proposed a hypothesis
that nerve impulses were transmitted in one direction in a neurone.

Charles Scott Sherrington proposed that the directional transmissionof nerve

1897 impulses in a neurone was due to the gaps between neurones. He named the gaps
‘synapses’.

Henry Hallett Dale and Harold Ward Dudley isolated acetylcholine, a chemical
1929
involved in the transmission of nerve impulses, in animal tissues.

Scientists observed the detailed structure of synapses using the newly invented
1954
electron microscopes.

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(a) State the direction in which nerve impulses are transmitted in a neuron. (1 mark)

(b) Explain how synapses cause the unidirectional transmission of nerve impulses between
neurones. (2 marks)

(c) Scientists found that there are many mitochondria in synaptic knobs. What is the function of
mitochondria in the transmission of nerve impulses across synapses? (2 marks)

(d) Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme in the membrane of

dendrons, which breaks down acetylcholine.

Explain the importance of releasing acetylcholinesterase in the transmission of nerve

impulses.
(1 mark)

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(e) Elaborate on how the above historical events can be used to demonstrate the three aspects of
the nature of science listed in the table below. (3 marks)

Nature of science Elaboration

Doing science requires

creativity and imagination.

Scientists build on the work of

other scientists.

Science is affected by the

technology and the types of
equipment available at the time.

(Total: 9 marks)

7. The diagram below shows a bent arm.

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(a) Name muscles X and Y. (2 marks)

(b) Describe how muscles X and Y act to bring about the bending of the arm. (2 marks)

(c) Explain how the features in the synovial joints allow it to have a smooth movement.
(4 marks)

(Total: 8 marks)

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8. The diagrams below show a capillary bed.

And the water potential change when the blood flows through it.

arteriole capillary venule

arteriole capillary venule

water
potential

distance

(a) Why does the water potential keep constant along the arteriole and venule?
(2 marks)

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(b) Explain the change in the water potential of the blood in the capillary.
(5 marks)

(c) Tissue fluid formed near the capillaries is drained into the lymph capillaries.
Describe how the lymph flows in the lymph vessels. (2 marks)

(d) State two functions of the lymphatic system. (2 marks)

(Total: 11 marks)

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9. The photomicrograph below shows the transverse section of a dicotyledonous stem.

P
Q
R
S

(×10) T

(a) Name structures R and S. (2 marks)

(b) With reference to the photomicrograph, state one structural difference between the cells in
structure R and the cells in structure S. (1 mark)

(c) Describe and explain one structural adaptations of structure R for transport. (2 marks)

(Total: 5 marks)

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10. The graph below shows the change in the relative amounts of DNA per nucleus during two cell
divisions in an animal tissue. X and Y are two different types of cell divisions.

B D
Relative amounts of

8
DNA per nucleus
(arbitary unit)

6 A C E F

2 X Y

0
Time

(a) Name the types of nuclear divisions X and Y. Explain your answer. (4 marks)

(b) Deduce what is happening at points A and B. (2 marks)

(Total: 6 marks)

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11. Before birth, the placenta is the organ for gas exchange in humans; after birth, the air sacs in
the lungs take up this function. Compare and contrast the adaptations of the placenta and the
air sacs to gas exchange. (10 marks)

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END OF SECTION B
END OF PAPER

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F4 Final Exam 23-24
Answer Key

1 C 11 D
2 D 12 B
3 B 13 B
4 A 14 B
5 C 15 D
6 B 16 A
7 D 17 C
8 C 18 A
9 A 19 C
10 D 20 A

1. (a) P: region of cell division, Q: region of elongation (2)

(b) (i) Meristem (1)

(ii) Root tips / vascular cambium (1)

(Total: 4 marks)
2. (a) (i) To receive impulses from the eye and produce vision
/ from the skin and produce the touch sensation. (1)
To make judgement about the position of the doctors’s finger. (1)

To send out impulses to the muscles for producing the appropriate movement.

(1)

(ii) To relay impulses from the skin to the cerebrum / from the cerebrum to the arm
muscles (1)

(b) Because the series of muscular contractions cannot be coordinated. (1)

(Total: 5 marks)

3. (a) It is a voluntary action. (1)

The sound of the bell is detected by the ear and nerve impulses are sent to the
auditory centre in the cerebrum through the auditory nerve to produce the sensation
of sound. The cerebrum is involved in the process. (1)
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 (b) sensory hair cells in the inner ears → auditory nerve (1) → sensory area of the
cerebrum to produce hearing (1) → association area of the cerebrum for
interpretation and decision making (1) → motor area of the cerebrum to send
command (1)→ interneurone through spinal cord → motor neurones → (arm)
muscles (1) (total: 5)

(c) When switching to focus on a distant object (the clock), the ciliary muscles relax.
The perimeter of the ciliary body increases. (1)
This increases the tension in the suspensory ligaments which pulls on the lens.(1)
The lens becomes less convex (thinner). A thinner lens refracts light rays less, so the
image of the distant object can be focused sharply onto the retina. (1)

(Total: 10 marks)

4 When altitude changes drastically, the air pressure on either side of the ear drum
becomes unequal and the person feel painful. Swallowing or yawning can open up
the opening of the Eustachian tube at the Pharynx (1) to equalize the pressure on both
side again. (1)
(Total: 2 marks)

5 (a) Mitotic cell division (1)

(b) Seeds are produced through sexual reproduction (1)

which involves the fusion of gametes. (1)

A seed contains a combination of genetic materials from the parents. (1)

(c) The onion bulb has a higher water content and the buds in the bulb can grow in the

expense of the food reserve stored in the swollen scale leaves. (1)

(d) There are multiple buds inside an onion bulb. (1)

They may develop at the same time. (1)

(e) Only some cut pieces contain buds which can develop into new plants. (1)

(f) Vegetative propagation. (1)

No genetic variation/ all desirable character could be kept. (1)

(Total: 10 marks)

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6 (a) Nerve impulses are transmitted from the dendrons to the axon in a neurone. (1)

(b) In synapses, only the endings of axons / synaptic knobs can release neurotransmitter. (1)
Thus, nerve impulses can only travel from the axon of one neurone to the cell body or
dendron of the next neurone. (1)

(c) Mitochondria release energy through aerobic respiration. (1)

The energy released is used in synthesis of neurotransmitter / movement of synaptic
vesicles. (1)

(d) Acetylcholinesterase breaks down acetylcholine to stop it from stimulating the dendrons
continuously. This prevents a continuous generation of nerve impulses in the dendrons.
(1)

(e)Nature of science Elaboration

Doing science requires Camillo Golgi developed a new

creativity and cell-staining method using a

imagination. chemical used in the making of

photographic film.

Scientists build on the Santiago Ramon y Cajal used Golgi’s

work of other cell-staining method to stain brain

scientists. tissues and this led to the discovery

of synapses.

Science is affected by The detailed structure of synapses can

the technology and only be observed after the invention

the types of of electron microscopes.

equipment available

at the time.

(Total: 9 marks)
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7. (a) X: triceps (1)
Y: biceps (1)

(b) X and Y work in opposite direction to bring about movement. (1)

To bend the arm, X relaxes and Y contracts (1)

(c) The articular cartilage minimises the friction between bones, prevent wearing of bones.

(1)
The synovial membrane secrets synovial fluid. (1)
The synovial fluid serves as a lubricant for smooth movement of bones. (1)

The ligaments attach to the two bones at the joint, which helps to prevent dislocation

of joint during movement. (1)

(Total: 8 marks)

8.
a The walls of the arteriole and venule are impermeable. (1)
No exchange of materials occurs there. The content of the blood and hence
the water potential remains unchanged. (1)

b At the arteriole end of the capillary, high blood pressure forces some
components of the plasma like water, minerals, sugar, lipids and hormones
out of the capillary wall. (1)

This leads to a decrease in the water potential of the blood in the capillary.
(1)
Plasma proteins are too large to pass through the capillary wall. They
remain in the blood.
(1)
At the venule end, the water potential of the blood is lower than that of the
tissue fluid due to the presence of plasma proteins.
(1)
Water in the tissue fluid is drawn into the capillary, causing the water
potential to increase.
(1)
c Lymph is kept flowing by the contraction of skeletal muscles which
surround the lymph vessels.

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 (1)
Valves are present in the lymph vessels to prevent the backflow of lymph.
(1)
d Collects and returns excess tissue fluid to the blood circulation. /
Protects us against disease by filtering out germs from the lymph at the
lymph nodes. /
Transports lipids from the lacteals in the small intestine to the blood.
(2)
(Total: 11 marks)

9.
a R: phloem (1)
S: xylem (1)
b The cell walls of the cells in structure S are thicker than those of the cells
in structure R. (1)
c The cells of structure R have pores on the end walls. (1)
This allows organic nutrients to pass through. (1)

or

The cells of structure R contain little cytoplasm and no nucleus.

This allows organic nutrients to move along the tube with little resistance.

(Total: 5 marks)

10.
(a) X is mitosis (1)
because at the end of the division the amount of DNA per nucleus remains unchanged.(1)
Y is meiosis (1)
because at the end of the division the amount of DNA per nucleus reduces by half. (1)
(b) At A, DNA molecules are undergoing replication. (1)
Therefore, the amount of DNA doubles at A and C.
At B, the amount of DNA halves to become normal. (1)
This is due to the division of nucleus into two daughter nuclei.

(Total: 6 marks)

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11.
There are a lot of blood vessels in the placenta and the air sacs are surrounded
by a network of capillaries. (1)
Gases can be carried away rapidly along the steep concentration gradient. (1)
Both the wall of the embryonic villi in the placenta and the wall of air sacs are
very thin. (1)
These provide a short distance for the diffusion of gases. (1)
The presence of embryonic villi in the placenta greatly increases the surface
area for gas exchange. (1)
There are numerous air sacs in the lungs so that the surface area is large for gas
exchange. (1)
Gas diffusion occurs in air sac. In placenta, both gas exchange and nutrients
transport occurs. (1)

Effective Communication (3)

(Total: 10 marks)

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