(Uace) Abe Sacred Heart Gulu 23RD 09 2023
(Uace) Abe Sacred Heart Gulu 23RD 09 2023
Biology
Educators (ABE)
ABE (U)
2023
║UACE
Association of
Biology Educators
(ABE)
2023 ‘A’ LEVEL NATIONAL SEMINAR-SERIE No: 7 HELD AT
SACRED HEART SECONDARY SCHOOL, GULU (U) ON THE
SATURDAY 07TH OCTOBER, 2023
FOREWORD
This write-up is a university link. The Association of Biology
Educators (ABE) team has curated sample questions to ease your
revision, using expert guidance. ABE CURATORS
A-level Biology Revision Tips DONGO F. SHEMA
First, set your Biology goal. What final grade do you aim to score +256 782 642 338
nucleus is not
used directly in
processes B.
1.2 CELL DIVISION
1.2.1 The figure shows changes over time in the mass of nuclear DNA in some of the cells of the
testes of a diploid organism. During this time period, two different types of nuclear division
occurred.
1.5 HISTOLOGY
1.5.1 (a) Describe how cells are organized into tissues, using xylem and phloem as examples.
(b) What adaptations of xylem and phloem enable them to carry out their functions?
THEME 2: ECOLOGY
2.1 (a) Describe a suitable method of measuring the distribution and abundance of plants over
a short distance.
(b) Describe the types of ecological interaction that can occur between different species in a
Association of Biology Educators (ABE)
habitat.
2.2 The table below shows the net primary production by plants in four different ecosystems.
Net primary production
Ecosystem
(kJ m–2 year–1)
Temperate grassland 9 240
Temperate woodland 11 340
Tropical grassland 13 440
Tropical rainforest 36 160
(a) Explain the differences in net primary production in these ecosystems.
(b) The table below compares the energy egested, absorbed and respired in four types of animal.
(i) Complete the table to show the percentage of energy consumed that is converted into biomass.
(ii) Using the data from the table, explain how the trophic level of a mammal affects the
percentage of its food energy that it is able to convert to biomass.
4 (iii) Suggest which of these four animals could be farmed to provide the maximum amount of
food energy in kJ m–2 year–1 for humans. Explain the reasons for your choice.
2.3 (a) How are bacteria adapted for the diversified mode of life?
(b) Describe the role of bacteria during the evolutionary success of man.
THEME 3: MAINTAINENCE OF LIFE
3.1 NUTRITION
3.1.2 The figure below shows the relationship between light intensity and the relative carbon
dioxide uptake and production in a plant.
(i) State the factor that is limiting
the rate of photosynthesis at A on
the graph.
(ii) Suggest one factor that may
limit the rate of photosynthesis at B.
(iii) Carbon dioxide is given off by
the plant when the light intensity is
lower than X.
Name the process that produces
carbon dioxide in the plant.
(iv) With reference to the figure,
explain the biochemical processes
that are occurring in the plant:
• As light intensity increases from 0 (zero) to X.
3.2 TRANSPORT
3.2.1 The figure below shows the changes in pressure inside the heart chambers during one
heartbeat.
(i) Calculate the heart rate from the
information in the figure.
3.2.2 (a) Describe the hormonal and nervous mechanisms involved in the control of heart 5
rate.
(b) Explain how the activation of the ‘fight or flight’ response affects voluntary,
involuntary and cardiac muscle.
3.2.3 The graph below plots the variation of size of stomatal aperture with time of the day for a
typical plant under various environmental conditions. Three environments are investigated:
normal conditions, very dry soil, and an experimentally induced low carbon dioxide environment.
a) Describe the effect of the following
environmental conditions on stomatal aperture
during the 24-hour period.
(i) Normal conditions.
(ii) Very dry soils.
(iii) Low carbon dioxide environment.
b) Explain the observed results in stomatal
aperture under the different environmental
conditions during the 24-hour period.
c) Contrast the stomatal aperture during day
and during night at all the environmental
conditions. Explain your answer using the
potassium ion-hydrogen ion pump theory.
d) Some plants produce abscissic acid. Explain
how abscissic acid affects stomatal aperture.
Association of Biology Educators (ABE)
a) Using graph A and B, Determine the maximum concentration of antibody B produced by the
6 immune system.
b) (i) Compare the effect of same antigen exposure on antibody concentration as indicated in
graphs A and B.
(ii) Explain the differences in the responses in (b) (i) above.
c) Explain the difference in strength of antigen A and antigen B using the graphs above.
3.4 RESPIRATION
3.4.1 The figure below shows a simplified example of beta oxidation, the process used to break down
fatty acids to acetyl CoA for use in respiration.
3.4.2 (a) Why does aerobic respiration yield fewer molecules of ATP than the theoretical
maximum?
(a) (i) Describe the pattern of respiration shown by cauliflower at increasing storage temperatures
of 0 °C to 20 °C.
(ii) Discuss what the data in the table indicate about the best conditions for storage of fruits and
vegetables.
(iii) Identify, with reasons, which fruit or vegetable listed in the table is least likely to spoil
during storage. 7
(iv) Which fruit or vegetable listed in the table is likely to be the most difficult to keep fresh
during storage? Give a reason for your answer.
(b) Suggest why, even though blood carries oxygen, certain parasites live in the blood of
mammals are adapted to respire anaerobically.
(c) Explain why, anaerobic respiration pathway in animal cells can be reversed, yet this is not
possible in yeast cells.
3.5.2 The figure below shows changes in volume of air in the lungs of a student at rest during
one breath.
3.6 HOMEOSTASIS
8 3.6.1 (a) Explain how the glomerulus is able to perform its function.
(b) Describe the features of the glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule that allow them to perform
their function effectively.
3.6.2 (a) Describe how negative feedback is used to control blood glucose concentration.
(b) Explain the effect of high protein intake in the diet on concentration of urea in urine.
3.6.3 The figure below outlines some of the reaction pathways that take place in the liver cells. The
underlined words represent toxic compounds.
(a) (i) State the product of the ornithine cycle in Pathway P and the organ to which this product is
transported for removal from the body.
(ii) The lactate that enters pathway S is produced by cells, such as muscle cells, undergoing
anaerobic respiration.
(iii) Suggest why lactate that enters pathway S is converted into pyruvate by the hepatocytes (liver
cells) rather than by muscle cells in which it is produced.
(b) Explain what might happen to a person if the liver did not break down insulin as shown in
pathway R.
3.6.4 Figure below shows effect of placing a constricting clamp on the renal artery of one kidney
after the other kidney has been removed. Changes
in systemic arterial blood pressure, renal artery
distal to the clamp and rate of renin secretion are
shown.
(a) Describe the effect of renal artery
constriction on,
i. Sytemic arterial pressure.
ii. Distal arterial renal pressure.
iii. Renin secretion.
(b) Explain the observed changes in systemic
arterial pressu re, distal arterial renal pressure
and renin secretion during renal artery
constriction.
(c) Explain the relationship between sytemic
arterial pressure and distal arterial renal
pressure when constriction is released.
3.7 COORDINATION
3.7.1 (a) Explain how hormones alter a plant’s growth in response to 9
(i) Overcrowding by other plants. (ii) The top plant shoot being eaten by an animal.
(b) Outline the organization and roles of the autonomic nervous system in mammals.
3.7.2 (a) Describe how a neurone receives communication from the adjacent neurone.
(b) What is the importance of the junctions between neurones in the functioning of the
nervous system?
3.7.3 (a) Explain why plants need to be able to respond to their environment.
(b) The figure shows the results of an investigation into the effects of plant growth
substances on germination.
A large number of lettuce seeds was divided into eight equal batches.
Each batch of seeds was placed on moist filter paper in a Petri dish and given a different
treatment.
The batches of seeds were left to germinate at 25 °C in identical conditions and the
percentage germination was calculated.
3.7.4 A neurone was suspended in a suitable solution and connected both to an electrical
stimulator and an oscilloscope. The intensity of the stimulus could be varied. The oscilloscope
produced a visual record of the action potentials in the neurone. The diagrams show the
apparatus and a summary of the results of the
experiment.
(a) (i)What sort of solution would be
suitable to use in this experiment?
(ii) Explain why this solution is used.
(b) Explain why the first three stimuli do
not produce action potentials.
(c) (i)Give two similarities between the action
potentials and graded potentials.
(ii) Sense organs receive stimuli at different intensities. Explain how the neurons transmit this
information.
(d) Explain what happens at a point on a neurone when an action potential is generated
and a resting potential is re-established.
3.8 BEHAVIOR
3.8.1 (a) Describe what is meant by:
(i) Innate behaviour
(ii) Learned behaviour.
(b) Describe the advantages to animals of innate and learned behaviour, with reference to
specific examples of each type of behaviour.
3.9 SUPPORT AND LOCOMOTION
10
3.9.1 (a) The graphs below show the effect of acetylcholine on the stimulation of skeletal and
heart muscle.
(i) Compare
the effects of
acetylcholine on
skeletal muscle and
heart muscle.
(ii) Explain the
effect of
acetylcholine on the
membrane potential
of the skeletal
muscle.
(b) (i) Use
information in the
graph to explain why, at the start of an action potential, the potential difference across the
membrane rapidly changes from negative to positive.
(ii) Suggest why, during a period of intense nervous activity, the metabolic rate of a nerve cell
increases.
(iii) Predict the effect on an action potential of lowering the external concentration of sodium ions.
Explain your answer.
Cockroach dissection
You are provided with a freshly killed cockroach, labeled specimen Q.
a) Suggest the habitat of the specimen with reasons basing on the head. (05marks)
b) Lay the animal ventral side uppermost. Observe the structures posterior to the point of
attachment to the cercus.
i) Count and record the number of abdominal segments visible in this region. (01 mark)
ii) Draw and label (04 marks)
c) Lay the animal dorsal side upper most. Cut through the left lateral side of the abdomen and
thorax, leaving the anterior most segment of the animal intact. Lift the dorsal cuticle and
displace it to one side of the specimen. Cover the dissection with water and clear away the fat
bodies and displace the alimentary canal to the right of the specimen to display structures for
Association of Biology Educators (ABE)
Rat dissection
You are provided with a freshly killed specimen labeled R
i) With reference to the cover the body, give the importance of each of the structure to the animal.
(03marks)
ii) Examine feet of the animal, how are they adapted for its survival in the habitat (03marks)
b) Dissect the specimen on the tray to expose the superficial structures of the ventral side of the
neck, displace the visible neck structures and their accessory structure anteriorly. Draw and
label the musculature of the neck, chest region and thoracic region. (12 marks)
c) Open the abdomen to display vessels that carry blood
i) To structures responsible for chemical digestion from the heart
ii) From structures responsible for secretion and excretion on the left back to the heart.
Draw and label your dissection excluding the heart. (24marks)
DISCLAIMER.
These questions are built in a similar style to that presented within the previous exam board’s sample
assessment materials. There can be no guarantee of the extent to which these questions will reflect
the actual examination questions students will sit. We hope that schools and students find these
questions useful in the exam preparations for this year. However, we take no responsibility for the
relevance of this document to actual examinations sat.
©Copyright: ASSOCIATION OF BIOLOGY EDUCATORS (ABE-2023)
All Rights Reserved
14