HKDSE BIOLOGY

a modern approach

BIOLOGY PAPER I
MOCK EXAM

Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes

This paper must be answered in English.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. There are TWO sections, A and B, in this Paper. Section A carries 36 marks and Section B
carries 84 marks. You are advised to finish Section A in about 35 minutes

2. Section A consists of multiple-choice questions in this question book. Section contains

conventional questions printed separately in Question-Answer Book B.

3. Answers to Section A should be marked on the Multiple-choice Answer Sheet while answers to
Section B should be written in the spaces provided in Question-Answer Book B. The Answer
Sheet for Section A and the Question-Answer Book for Section B must be handed in
separately at the end of the examination.

SECTION A (MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION A

1. Read the instruction on the Answer Sheet carefully. Stick a barcode label and insert the
information required in the spaces provided.

2. When told to open this book, you should check that all the questions are there. Look for the
words ‘END OF SECTION A’ after the last question.

3. All questions carry equal marks.

4. ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS. You should use an HB pencil to mark all your answers on the
Answer Sheet. Wrong marks must be completely erased.

5. You should mark only ONE answer for each question. If you mark more than one answer, you
will receive NO MARKS for that question.

6. No marks will be deducted for wrong answers.

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 1

There are 36 questions in this section.
The diagrams in this section are NOT necessarily drawn to scale.

1. A hypothesis is

A. a suggested explanation for the observations, but which has not yet been
proved to be correct.
B. a complete explanation for the observations.
C. a suggestion of how an experiment should be carried out.
D. the evidence supporting the experiments.

2. Which of the following are the functions of water in humans?

(1) as a medium for chemical reaction.

(2) to keep the cells turgid.
(3) to cool the body by sweating

A. (1) only
B. (1) and (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

3. Which of the following is a non-reducing sugar?

A. glucose
B. fructose
C. sucrose
D. lactose

4. Which of the following combinations about glycogen is correct?

Building block Nature of chains Occurrence

A. glucose long branched animals
B. fructose short, many-branched plants
C. glucose short, many-branched animals
D. glucose straight, long unbranched plants

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 2

5. The diagram below shows the simplified structure of a phospholipid module. What
could the parts labeled W, X and Y represent?

X Y

W X Y
A. glycerol phosphate fatty acid
B. phosphate glycerol fatty acid
C. glycerol fatty acid phosphate
D. phosphate fatty acid glycerol

6. Which of the following statements about DNA is incorrect?

A. The five carbon sugar in DNA is deoxyribose.

B. The four bases in DNA are adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine.
C. All the bases in DNA are made of nitrogen and oxygen only.
D. The two strands of the DNA molecule wrap around each other to form a
double helix.

7. The diagram below shows a prokaryotic cell. Which of its structures can also be found
in an eukaryotic cell?

1 2
3

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 1 and 4 only
D. 3 and 4 only

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8. Which of the following components gives the cell membrane a ‘fluid’ structure?

A. phospholipids
B. glycoproteins
C. glycolipids
D. transport proteins

9. The diagram below shows two plant cells connecting together. The water potential of
cell I is higher than that of cell II.

II

How do water molecules and solute molecules move within these two cells?
(1) Water molecules move from cell I to cell II.
(2) Water molecules move from cell II to cell I.
(3) Solute molecules move from cell II to cell I.
(4) No movement occurs in solute molecules.

A. (1) and (3) only

B. (1) and (4) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (4) only

10. Colchicine is an alkaloid substance extracted from a crocus. Suitable amount of

colchicine can prevent the formation of spindle fibres.

What stage of mitosis would be prevented if a dividing cell is treated with colcochicine?

A. replication of chromosomes
B. breaking down of nuclear membrane
C. living up of chromosome in the middle of the cell
D. separation of the identical chromatids

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 4

11. Which of the following correctly states the effect of changing the concentration of
substrates on enzyme activity?

A. The enzyme activity increases with increased substrate concentration.

B. The enzyme activity decreases with increased substrate concentration.
C. The enzyme activity increases to an optimum substrate concentration and
then decreases.
D. The enzyme activity increases with increased substrate concentration until all
the active sites are occupied.

12. The electromicrograph below shows a chloroplast.

What are the names and functions of structures X and Y respectively?

Structure X Structure Y
Name Function Name Function
A. granum capture light energy stroma carbon fixation
B. granum carbon fixation stroma capture light energy
C. stroma capture light energy granum carbon fixation
D. stroma carbon fixation granum capture of light energy

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13. The graph below shows the effects of light intensity, temperature and carbon dioxide
concentration on the rate of photosynthesis:

Y
20℃, 0.3% CO2

photosynthesis
Rate of
X Z
10℃, 0.3% CO2

Light intensity (arbitrary units)

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

A. Carbon dioxide is the limiting factor at point X.

B. Light intensity is the limiting factor at point Y.
C. Temperature is the limiting factor at point Y.
D. Temperature is the limiting factor at point Z.

14. The diagram below shows an experimental set up to demonstrate osmosis.

boiling tube
dialysis tubing

solution X
solution Y

The results of the experiment are shown below:

Mass of dialysis tubing and its contents

At the beginning 15.0 g
After 30 minutes 13.8 g

Which of the following combinations is correct?

Solution X Solution Y
A. 4% salt solution 8% salt solution
B. 8% salt solution 4% salt solution
C. 8% salt solution distilled water
D. 4% salt solution distilled water

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 6

15. In lactic acid fermentation, the breakdown of one molecule of glucose will result in the
net gain of

A. 2 molecules of ADP.
B. 2 molecules of ATP.
C. 38 molecules of ADP.
D. 38 molecules of ATP.

16. The diagram below shows the respiratory pathway in an animal cell:

glucose

glycolysis

X
oxygen is oxygen is
present absent

X X

What do X, Y and Z represent?

X Y Z
A. pyruvate lactic acid carbon dioxide and
water

B. pyruvate carbon dioxide and lactic acid

water

C. carbon dioxide and pyruvate lactic acid

water

D. lactic acid pyruvate carbon dioxide and

water

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 7 Go on to the next page

17. The table below shows some information about three major elements for plants:

Major element Deficiency symptoms Function

 poor growth
X A component of nucleic acids and ATP
 leaves turns purple
 poor growth
Y Formation of protein and chromosomes
 chlorosis
Z  chlorosis Formation of chlorophyll

Which of the following shows the correct identity of X, Y and Z?

X Y Z
A. nitrogen phosphorus magnesium
B. phosphorus magnesium nitrogen
C. phosphorus nitrogen magnesium
D. magnesium phosphorus nitrogen

18. Which of the following are adaptations for xerophytes (plants living in dry places)?

(1) small narrow leaves

(2) thick cuticle on the leaves
(3) absence of stomata
(4) extensive root system

A. (1), (2) and (3) only

B. (1), (2) and (4) only
C. (2), (3) and (4) only
D. (1), (2), (3) and (4)

19. A seaweed which can actively accumulate iodine from the sea has a large number of

A. mitochondria.
B. ribosomes.
C. rough endoplasmic reticulum.
D. nucleoli.

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 8

20. Which of the following are the functions of phloem?

(1) Mechanical support

(2) Transport of water and mineral salts
(3) Transport of carbohydrates

A. (1) only
B. (3) only
C. (1) and (2) only
D. (1) and (3) only

21. The diagram below shows the transverse sections of a stem and a leaf of a
dicotyledonous plant:

1 3 4
upper epidermis
2
palisade mesophyll

stem leaf

Which tissues are xylem?

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 2 and 4 only

22. Which of the following statements about milk dentition is correct?

(1) The milk dentition is adapted for the diet of milk only.
(2) The milk dentition does not have molars.
(3) The milk dentition does not have roots.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

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23. Which of the following are the end products formed by the action of protease, amylase
and bile salt?

Protease Amylase Bile salt

A. polypeptides glucose glycerol and fatty acids
B. amino acids maltose glycerol and fatty acids
C. amino acids maltose oil droplets
D. polypeptides glucose oil droplets

24. Which of the following structures help the absorption of digested food by the small
intestine?

(1) presence of villi

(2) presence of microvillus
(3) presence of capillary network
(4) presence of mitochondria in the epithelial cells

A. (1) and (2) only

B. (1), (2) and (3) only
C. (1), (2) and (4) only
D. (1), (2), (3) and (4)

25. Some studies show that smoking inhibits the secretion of sodium hydrogen carbonate
from pancreas. As a result, smokers will have a higher risk of developing duodenal ulcer
in which the epithelium is damaged.

What is the function of sodium hydrogen carbonate in reducing the risk of developing
duodenal ulcer?

A. It forms a protective layer on the inner surface of the duodenum.

B. It helps to emulsify fat in the duodenum.
C. It provides an optimum pH for the action of enzymes in the duodenum.
D. It neutralises the acidic chime from the stomach.

26. The wall of the trachea is strengthened by C-shaped cartilage. The function of the
C-shaped cartilage is to

A. prevent the lungs from collapsing.

B. prevent food entering the trachea.
C. keep the trachea open all the time.
D. trap dust particles and germs.

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 10

27. Which of the following combination about exhalation is correct?

Volume of thoracic Pressure inside the

Intercostal muscles
cavity thoracic cavity
A. contract increases decreases
B. contract decreases increases
C. relax increases decreases
D. relax decreases increases

28. The alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries. The purpose is to

A. provide nutrients and oxygen to the cells of the alveoli.

B. provide a large surface area for the diffusion of gases.
C. maintain a steep concentration gradient of gases between the alveoli and the
blood.
D. provide water for keeping the walls of the alveoli moist.

29. Which of the following substances is not carried by plasma?

A. antibodies
B. oxygen
C. carbon dioxide
D. urea

30. Which of the following shows the correct order of the thickness of the four champers of
the human heart?

A. left and right ventricles > right atrium > left atrium
B. left ventricle > right ventricle > left and right atria
C. right ventricle > left ventricle > left and right atria
D. left atrium > right atrium > left and right ventricles

31. All human sperms contain

A. an X chromosome.
B. a Y chromosome.
C. both X and Y chromosomes.
D. either an X or a Y chromosome.

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32. Which of the following descriptions about a community is correct?

A. the total number of species of all the organisms in a habitat

B. all the plants and animals living in the same habitat
C. all the abiotic factors and living organisms in the same habitat
D. all the flowering and non-flowering plants in the same habitat

33. The table below shows water intake and water loss of a man over a 24-hour period.

Method of water intake Volume (cm3) Method of water loss Volume (cm3)

Drink 1000 Sweat ?

Food 500 Breath 400
Cellular respiration 350 Faeces 150
Urine 550

What volume of water is lost by sweating?

A. 150 cm3
B. 350 cm3
C. 550 cm3
D. 750 cm3

34. The following are the steps of protein synthesis:

(1) attachment of mRNA onto a ribosome

(2) formation of peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids
(3) attachment of anticodon of tRNA onto codon of mRNA
(4) carrying particular amino acids to the ribosome by tRNA

Which of the following is the correct sequence of these steps?

A. (1) → (4) → (3) → (2)

B. (1) → (3) → (4) → (2)
C. (2) → (1) → (3) → (4)
D. (4) → (2) → (1) → (3)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 12

35. Haemophilia is an inherited disease caused by a recessive allele on the X chromosome.
The pedigree below shows the occurrence of haemophilia in a family.

1
Key: normal male

normal female
2 3 haemophiliac male

The genotype of individuals 1,2 and 3 are:

1 2 3
A. XHXH XHY X XH
H

B. XHXh XHY XHXh

C. XHXh XhY XHXh
D. XHXH XhY XHXh

36. Which of the following is not a direct cause of variation in organisms?

A. independent assortment of homologous chromosomes during meiosis

B. random process of fertilisation
C. mutation
D. geographical isolation

END OF SECTION A
Go on to Question-Answer Book B for questions on Section B

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 13

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 14
 Name
B Class

Class Number
HKDSE BIOLOGY
a modern approach

BIOLOGY PAPER I
MOCK EXAM

SECTION B: QUESTION-ANSWER BOOK B

This paper must be answered in English

INSTRUCTIONS Teacher’s
Use Only
(1) Write your Class and Class Number in the space
Question No. Marks
provided on Page 1.
1
(2) Refer to the general instructions on the cover of the
2
Question Book for Section A.
3
(3) The questions in this Question-Answer Book carry
4
84 marks. Answer ALL questions.
5
(4) Write your answers to Section B in the spaces
6
provided in this Question-Answer Book. Do not
7
write in the margins. Answers written in the
margins will not be marked. 8

9
(5) Supplementary answer sheets will be provided on
request. Write your class and class number, fill in 10

the question number. Tie them loosely but securely 11

with a string INSIDE this Question-Answer Book. 12

(6) Present your answers in paragraphs wherever Total

appropriate.
(7) The diagrams in this section are NOT necessarily
drawn to scale.

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 15

 Page total

Section B Conventional questions

1. Complete the table below which shows the biomolecules, the building blocks from which
they are made and their functions in organisms. (8 marks)

Name of Building block(s) from

One function in organisms
biomolecule which they are made

Glycogen (a) (b)

Lipid (c) (d)

Protein (e) (f)

(g) (h) Carriers of genetic information

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2. Complete the following paragraph about photosynthetic process with suitable words.
(8 marks)

The first stage of photosynthesis is about (a) _____________________________

absorption by pigments located on the (b) _____________________________ of
chloroplasts. In view of this, the first stage of photosynthesis is called (c)
_____________________________. In flowering plants the pigments include (d)
_____________________________ and carotenoids.

Electrons emitted from excited pigment molecules pass along a series of electron carriers
from higher to lower energy levels. During the passage, the energy difference is used to
generate (e) _____________________________. Electrons emitted from excited pigment
molecules finally result in the generation of (f) _____________________________. Both
products will be used by the second stage of photosynthesis called (g)
_____________________________. The emitted electrons from the pigment molecules
are replaced by the (h) _____________________________ of water.

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 16

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3. The diagram below shows an outline of stages in respiration in a mammalian cell.

glucose

glycolysis net gain of 2 ATPs

pyruvate

Krebs cycle

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

hydrogen

carrier electron transport system

(a) Where does each of the following occur in a cell? (2 marks)

(i) glycolysis

(ii) Krebs cycle

(b) Explain why the gain of 2 ATPs in glycolysis is described as being a net gain?
(2 marks)

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 Page total

(c) Name the carrier that transfer hydrogen to the electron carrier system and name the
final hydrogen acceptor. (2 marks)

(d) Describe the reactions that link glycolysis to the Kerbs cycle. (4 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 18

 Page total

4. The inner surface of the ileum is highly folded. There are numerous villi. These can
increase the surface area for absorption.

The diagram below shows one of the villi.

blood capillaries

lacteal

(a) Describe and explain two ways by which the structure of a villus helps absorption of
food. (4 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) After absorption, digested food is carry to the liver.

(i) Name the blood vessel which carries digested food to the liver. (1 mark)

(ii) Explain why it is necessary for the digested food to be carried to the liver
before it is transported to other parts of the body. (3 marks)

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 Page total

5. The diagram below shows the structure of a flower which belongs to a plant grown by a
farmer.

anther

stigma

ovary

(a) The farmer removes X before they are ripe. What is the purpose for this? (1 marks)

(b) The farmer then brushes some pollen grains from another plant of the same species

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

onto the stigma of the flower. State and explain one necessary step carried out by the
farmer. (2 marks)

(c) Describe the events that takes place after the pollen grains have been brushed onto
the stigma. (3 marks)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 20

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6. A farmer grows tomato plants. She is worried that from time to time there are many insect
X on the tomato plants in her field. She then sprays some of the tomato plants with a
pesticide to kill insect X. However, she only gets fewer tomato from the plants sprayed
with pesticide than from the unsprayed plants.

Explain why spraying with pesticides might reduce the crop of potato that she harvests.
(3 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

7. A tourist looks at the Peak from Tsim Sha Tsui and then looks at the map he is holding.
Describe how an image of the map is formed on his retina, and all the events taking place
in his eye to focus this image. (7 marks)

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 Page total

8. The diagram below shows a blood capillary and some tissue cells.

tissue cells
X
X

red blood cell

anterial end X
venous end

formation of
tissue fluid return of fluid
Y

(a) Give one difference in composition between fluid X and plasma at Y. Give a reason
for your answer. (2 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) Explain how fluid is returned to the venous end of the capillary. (4 marks)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 22

 Page total

9. The diagram below shows the nitrogen cycle.

D
nitrite nitrates
A

A
nitrogen gas in
atmosphere
B

protein in
plant
action of
decomposers
ammonia
C

protein in
animal

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Name processes A, B, C and D shown in the diagram. (4 marks)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 23 Go on to the next page

 Page total

10. Regulation of blood glucose level is achieved by a feedback mechanism. The following is
a schematic representation of the feedback mechanism for the regulation of blood glucose
level.

Stimulus Regulator Hormone Target organs Response

Feedback loop

(a) State the stimulus which triggers the regulation after a meal rich in carbohydrate.
(1 mark)

(b) Name the regulator and one target organ in the regulation of blood glucose level.
(2 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(c) In view of your answer to (a), explain how the hormone can restore the blood glucose
level back to normal. (3 marks)

(d) What is the effect of the feedback loop on the regulator? (1 mark)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 24

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11. (a) At high altitudes there is less oxygen in the air than at sea level. Explain how this
might affect the uptake of oxygen in the alveoli during breathing. (3 marks)

(b) In order to get a better performance, some athletes inject themselves with extra red
blood cells before the competition. Explain this. (2 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(c) However, the method in (b) is illegal. Suggest another method to improve the
performance and give a reason for it. (2 marks)

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 Page total

12. Give an account on transcription and translation in protein synthesis. (10 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 26

 Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

27
END OF SECTION B
Page total

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

 HKDSE BIOLOGY
a modern approach

BIOLOGY PAPER 2
MOCK EXAM

Time allowed: 1 hour

This paper must be answered in English.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. There are FOUR sections, A, B, C and D in this paper. Attempt ALL questions in any TWO
sections.

2. You are provided with two answer books. Use a separate answer book for each section. Put
the question number on the front cover of each answer book.

3. Each section carries 20 marks.

4. Present your answers with diagrams wherever appropriate.

5. Illustrate your answers with diagrams wherever appropriate.

6. The diagrams in this paper are NOT necessarily drawn to scale.

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 28

 Page total

SECTION A Human Physiology – Regulation and Control

Answer ALL parts of the question. Put your answers in one of the answer books provided.

1.(a) An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of antidiuretic hormone

(ADH) on the volume of urine in a healthy person. Before the experiment, the
person was asked to drink 500 cm3 of distilled water and the subsequent volume of
urine produced was measured.

The person was then injected with ADH and drank 500 cm3 of distilled water at the
same time. The volume of urine produced was measured again. The results of the
investigation are shown in the graph below.

Volume of
urine (cm3)

700

600

500
400

300

200

100
Time
(hour)
0 0.5 1 1.5 2

Drinking of 500 cm3 Injection of ADH +

of distilled water Drinking 500 cm3 of distilled water

(i) Name the gland from which ADH is released. (1 mark)

(ii) Describe and explain the change in volume of urine after drinking 500 cm3 of
distilled water over the first hour. (5 marks)

(iii) What is the effect of ADH on the volume of urine? How is the effect brought
about ? (3 marks)

(iv) In view of the results of this experiment, state two harmful effects arising
from the failure in ADH secretion in humans. (2 marks)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 29 Go on to the next page

1.(b) The diagram below shows the various stages in the formation of female gamete in
an ovary during a menstrual cycle.

(i) Name the hormone which stimulates the development of structure P. (1 mark)

(ii) In a menstrual cycle, several structure P are stimulated to develop but finally
only one can lead to the formation of female gamete. Explain briefly.
(3 marks)

(iii) Name structure Q. How is the release of structure Q brought about? (3 marks)

(iv) Name the hormone(s) secreted by structure R. State the functions of the
hormone(s). (3 marks)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 30

 Page total

SECTION B Applied Ecology

Answer ALL parts of the question. Put your answers in one of the answer books provided.

2.(a) Deforestation has been practiced by human beings long ago.

(i) Give two reasons why deforestation has happened. (2 marks)

(ii) How does deforestation cause an increase in carbon dioxide concentration in

the atmosphere? Explain how this affects the climate. (4 marks)

(iii) How does deforestation affect soil fertility? (3 marks)

(iv) Suggest two methods which can be used to stop deforestation. (2 marks)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 31 Go on to the next page

2.(b) DDT is an effective insecticide used by man to kill insect pests. The diagram below
shows a food chain after DDT has been sprayed on the farmlands for many years.

fish-eating bird (1600 ppm)

large fish (250 ppm)

small fish (5 ppm)

water plant (0.02 ppm)

(i) Many of the fish-eating birds die. Explain why. (5 marks)

(ii) After using DDT for many years, it is found that many insect populations
become resistant to DDT. Explain briefly. (4 marks)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 32

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SECTION C Microorganisms and Humans

Answer ALL parts of the question. Put your answers in one of the answer books provided.

3.(a) The table below summarises the information of two species of bacteria.

Carbon Nitrogen Type of

Species Remarks
source source respiration
Mycobacterium ammonium causative agent of
glucose aerobic
tuberculosis ions tuberculosis

causative agent of
Clostridium
glucose nitrogen gas ? botulism – a form
botulinum
of food poisoning

Based on the above information, a senior secondary three student has designed the
growth medium that will favour the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The
diagram below shows his idea of the growth medium.

gas in gas out

(oxygen gas)

growth medium containing glucose,

ammonium ions and Mycobacterium
tuberculosis

(i) In view of the carbon source, name the mode of nutrition adopted by the two
species of bacteria. (1 mark)

(ii) State and explain one precaution that should be taken when using the above
set-up for growing microorganisms. (3 marks)

(iii) Why are ammonium ions essential for the growth of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis? (1 mark)

(iv) The type of respiration in Clostridium botulinum is unknown. If you were the
student, how would you make use of a similar set-up to find out whether
Clostridium botulinum is an aerobe or anaerobe? (5 marks)

(v) Besides the conditions in the table, name two other conditions that the student
should also consider. (1 mark)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 33 Go on to the next page

3.(b) Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow, using the information
in the passage and your own knowledge.

Preserving milk in ancient times

Milk is a highly nutritious food. Not only is milk appealing to humans but also to
microorganisms. If milk is untreated or left standing for a period of time, the
nutrients of milk attract microorganisms to grow in it, and the milk is spoiled and
becomes unfit for human consumption.

Back to about 8000 years ago, without the technology of pasteurization and
freezing, ancient people preserved milk by converting it into cheese. Cheese
production involves fermentation of milk by a group of lactic acid bacteria. The
reaction in the fermentation of milk by lactic acid bacteria is represented by the
following equation:

C12 H22 O11 + H2O → 4CH3CHOHCOOH

milk sugar water lactic acid

The lactic acid formed lowers the pH of the milk and causes the milk to coagulate
into a curd and liquid whey. The curd mainly consists of protein and fat of the
milk. The curd is separated from the whey to form a crude cheese which can be
kept unspoiled for a longer time than milk.

(i) Why is milk considered as a highly nutritious food? (1 mark)

(ii) Describe and explain how pasteurization help preserve fresh milk. (2 marks)

(iii) Name the milk sugar. What are the monosaccharides making up the milk
sugar? (2 marks)

(iv) With reference to the equation above, state the type of respiration during
fermentation. (1 mark)

(v) Lactic acid plays a crucial role in preserving the fermented milk. Explain why.
(3 marks)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 34

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SECTION D Biotechnology

Answer ALL parts of the question. Put your answers in one of the answer books provided.

4.(a) Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease. It is caused by a defective gene on

chromosome 7. The normal gene codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane
protein (CFTP). Owing to the defective gene, cystic fibrosis patients lack the CFTP
and suffer from thick mucus, which builds up in the airways. Most people with
cystic fibrosis die young.

Gene therapy may offer a treatment for cystic fibrosis patients. The diagram below
outlines the process of gene therapy for cystic fibrosis.

human cell bacterial cell

normal CFTP
gene
plasmid

recombinant DNA technology

recombinant DNA with normal CFTP gene

recombinant DNA
inserted into a host cell

multiplication of host cell;

extraction of recombinant DNA

liposome clone of recombinant DNA

(a sphere of lipid)

recombinant DNA
wrapped in liposomes
liposomes inhaled as aerosol spray

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 35 Go on to the next page

 (i) Is cystic fibrosis an infectious disease? Explain your answer. (2 marks)

(ii) With reference to the diagram, explain the principle of gene therapy in
treating cystic fibrosis. (2 marks)

(iii) Why can liposomes enter cells of the airways? (2 marks)

(iv) A cystic fibrosis patient currently receiving gene therapy is planning to marry.
Does the patient need to consider the passing on of this disease to the
offspring? Explain your answer. (3 marks)

(v) Give two potential hazards of gene therapy in treating hereditary diseases.
(2 marks)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 36

4.(b) Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

Biotechnology in agriculture

Since the practices of agriculture, humans have been facing problems of crop loss
due to damage by pests and weeds. The uses of pesticides and weed-killers seem to
be an effective way to rectify these problems. However, pesticides and
weed-killers pose other problems during their applications. For instance, pesticides
are often toxic to crops as well as to weeds. Overuse of pesticides also causes
pollution problems to the environment.

Bacillus thuringiensis is a soil-dwelling bacterium. It was discovered in 1901 by a

Japanese named Ishiwata. B. thuringiensis contains a gene which codes for a
protein which is toxic to many insects. Thus, B. thuringiensis can be used for
production of transgenic crops which are resistant to insects.

Maize plants are an example of transgenic crops. The gene coding for the toxic
protein is taken from B. thuringiensis and is introduced into the genome of a maize
plant cell. The maize plant arising from this cell thus contains the gene from B.
thuringiensis and produces the toxic protein in its leaves. When insects feed on the
leaves, they ingest the toxic protein which becomes inserted into the insect’s gut
cell membranes, resulting in swelling, lysis and eventually killing the insects.

(i) Why are pesticides used in agricultural systems? (2 marks)

(ii) What is meant by a transgenic crop? (1 mark)

(iii) Suggest and explain a suitable type of maize plant cell for the insertion of B.
thuringiensis gene and subsequent development into a mature maize plant.
(2 marks)

(iv) Outline the principle of introducing the B. thuringiensis gene into the maize
plant cell. (4 marks)

END OF PAPER

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 37

Mock Exam

Answers
Paper 1 Section A
Question No. Answer Question No. Answer
1. A 19. A
2. C 20. B
3. C 21. C
4. C 22. B
5. B 23. C
6. C 24. D
7. B 25. D
8. A 26. C
9. D 27. D
10. D 28. C
11. D 29. B
12. A 30. B
13. D 31. D
14. B 32. B
15. B 33. D
16. B 34. A
17. C 35. C
18. B 36. D

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 38

Paper 1 Section B

1. (a) glucose (1 mark)

(b) energy store (1 mark)
(c) glycerol and fatty acids (1 mark)
(d) energy stores / insulator (1 mark)
(e) amino acids (1 mark)
(f) for growth and repair (1 mark)
(g) nucleic acids (1 mark)
(h) nucleotides (1 mark)
Total: 8 marks

2. (a) light (b) lamellae / grana / thylakoids

(c) photochemical reactions (d) chlorophyll
(e) ATP (f) NADPH2
(g) carbon fixation / Calvin cycle (h) photolysis
Total: 8 marks

3. (a) (i) cytoplasm (1 mark)

(ii) mitochondrion (1 mark)
(b) Two ATPs are used to activate a glucose for glycolysis, (1 mark)
but four ATPs are produced by one glucose after glycolysis. (1 mark)
(c) NAD; (1 mark)
Oxygen (1 mark)
(d) Pyruvate reacts with CoA (coenzyme A) (1 mark)
to produce acetyl-CoA. (1 mark)
During the process a carbon dioxide is produced and NAD is reduced.
(1 mark)
Acetyl-CoA enters Krebs cycle by combining with a 4-carbon compound.
(1 mark)
Total: 10 marks

4. (a) The wall is only one-cell thick/posses a thin epithelium. (1 mark)

It shortens the distance for diffusion of digested food. (1 mark)
The lacteal is surrounded by a network of capillaries (1 mark)
to carry away the digested food. (1 mark)
(b) (i) *hepatic portal vein (1 mark)
(ii) Liver converts excess glucose to glycogen. (1 mark)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 39

 Too much glucose in blood lowers the water potential in blood. (1 mark)
Excess amino acids will be deaminated in liver. (1 mark)
Toxins in food can be broken down/Detoxification occurs in the liver.
(1 mark)
(Any three)
Total: 8 marks

5. (a) to prevent self-pollination / ensure cross-pollination of the flower (1 mark)

(b) He should cover the flower with a plastic bag (1 mark)
to prevent any unwanted pollination / fertilisation from other plants. (1 mark)
(c) The pollen grains germinate and produce pollen tubes (1 mark)
which carry the male gamete down towards the ovule. (1 mark)
The male gamete fuses with / fertilises the egg to form a zygote. (1 mark)
Total: 6 marks

6. Pesticides may also kill honey bees. (1 mark)

Less pollination occurs. (1 mark)
Pesticides also kill the predator of insect X. (1 mark)
Pesticides may harm the plants. (1 mark)
(Any three)
Total: 3 marks

7. Light is first refracted by the cornea. (1 mark)

The lens is originally thin for focusing on the Peak. (1 mark)
Then the ciliary muscles contract. (1 mark)
This reduces the tension of the suspensory ligaments. (1 mark)
The lens becomes thicker (more convex) (1 mark)
due to its elasticity. (1 mark)
It refracts (bends) the light rays more. (1 mark)
Total: 7 marks

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 40

8. (a) X has a higher CO2 content / lower O2 content than Y. (1 mark)
The tissue cells carry out respiration. O2 is taken up and CO2 is released.
(1 mark)
(b) The blood pressured / hydrostatic pressure at venule end is lower. (1 mark)
The water potential of the plasma is lower than the tissue fluid (1 mark)
because there is plasma protein in the blood. (1 mark)
Water returns by osmosis. (1 mark)
Total: 6 marks

9. A – denitrification (1 mark)
B – nitrogen fixation (1 mark)
C – decomposition (1 mark)
D – nitrification (1 mark)
Total: 4 marks

10. (a) Rise in blood glucose level (1 mark)

(b) Regulator: pancreas (1 mark)
Target organ: liver / muscles (1 mark)
(c) When the blood glucose level rises,
the pancreas is stimulated (1 mark)
to secrete more insulin (1 mark)
which enhances the conversion of glucose into glycogen in the liver. (1 mark)
The blood glucose level is restored to normal accordingly.
(d) The feedback loop inhibits the pancreas from further secreting insulin.(1 mark)
Total: 7 marks

11. (a) The concentration gradient between air and blood is less steep. (1 mark)
This slows down the diffusion rate. (1 mark)
Less oxygen is absorbed. (1 mark)
(b) to carry more oxygen to muscle (1 mark)
for faster rate of respiration to release more energy. (1 mark)
(c) The athlete can stay at high altitudes a long period of time (e.g. one month)
before the competition. (1 mark)
During this time the athlete will breathe deeper and the number of red blood
cells will increase. (1 mark)
Total: 7 marks

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 41

12. Transcription takes place in the nucleus while translation occurs in the cytoplasm.
(1 mark)
A region of DNA unwinds, acting as the template.
RNA nucleotides are attached to the complementary bases of the template DNA
strands with base pairings:
DNA RNA
A U
T A
G C
C G
(1 mark)
The mRNA transcribed is then released from the DNA template. (1 mark)
The mRNA passes out / leaves the nucleus through a nuclear pore. (1 mark)
The mRNA strand attach to a ribosome. (1 mark)
tRNA molecules carry amino acids to the ribosome. (1 mark)
Each tRNA carries a particular amino acid. (1 mark)
Each codon of mRNA attracts a tRNA molecule with the complementary
anticodon. (1 mark)
This results in the joining together of amino acids in a specific sequence. (1 mark)
Peptide bonds are formed between adjacent amino acids resulting in the formation
of polypeptides. (1 mark)
Total: 10 marks

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 42

Paper 2

1.(a) (i) posterior pituitary gland (1 mark)

(ii) The volume of urine increases. (1 mark)
Drinking 500 cm3 of distilled water raises the blood water potential
(1 mark)
which in turn inhibits the release of ADH. (1 mark)
The walls of the distal convoluted tubules and collecting duct become less
permeable to water. (1 mark)
As a result, a smaller proportion of water is reabsorbed and a larger
volume of urine is produced. (1 mark)
(iii) ADH decreases the volume of urine. (1 mark)
The effect is brought about by increasing the permeability of the distal
convoluted tubule and the collecting duct to water. (1 mark)
A larger proportion of water is reabsorbed (1 mark)
in these regions and hence a smaller volume of urine is produced.
(iv) excessive loss of water (1/2 mark)
excessive loss of salts (1/2 mark)
Total: 10 marks

1.(b) (i) follicle stimulating hormone (1 mark)

(ii) As structure P is developing, it secretes the hormone oestrogen (1 mark)
which exerts negative feedback on the anterior pituitary gland (1 mark)
and inhibits the release of FSH. (1 mark)
This prevents other structure P from developing.
(iii) ovum (1 mark)
The release of structure Q is brought about by bursts of FSH and LH.
(1+1 marks)
(iv) oestrogen and progesterone (1+1 marks)
They maintain the thickened uterine lining. (1 mark)
Total: 10 marks

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 43

2(a) (i) to provide land for agricultural uses (1 mark)
to provide timber (as building materials and for making paper) (1 mark)
(ii) Fewer trees are available for carbon dioxide absorption during
photosynthesis. (1 mark)
Some farmers clear areas of forest by burning. Hence, more carbon dioxide
is added to the atmosphere. (1 mark)
These contribute to global warming, (1 mark)
resulting in rise of the sea level and flooding. (1 mark)
(iii) Removal of the forest leads to a great loss of nutrients from the lands
(nutrients are locked up in trees). (1 mark)
Deforestation removes the means of soil protection (canopy). (1 mark)
Soil erosion occurs, washing away nutrients. Soil becomes infertile.
(1 mark)
(iv) Reforestation (1 mark)
Sustainable management (1 mark)
Recycling (1 mark)
(Any two)
Total: 11 marks)

2.(b) (i) DDT enters the river from water run off from the farmland. (1 mark)
It is taken up by the water plants by active transport. (1 mark)
Each organism at higher trophic levels in the food chain eats a large
number of organisms lower in the food chain (a large number of water
plant eaten by a small fish and a larger number of small fish eaten by a
large fish and so on) (1 mark)
DDT cannot be excreted or broken down in the body of living organisms.
It accumulates in the body/fatty tissue (along the food chain). (1 mark)
The DDT concentration in the top consumer (fish-eating birds) becomes so
high that that it may kill them. (1 mark)
(ii) Resistant insects appear in the population (due to variation). (1 mark)
They are not killed by DDT. (1 mark)
These will survive to breed more offspring. (1 mark)
Some offspring will inherit allele for resistance. (1 mark)
Therefore the population of resistant insects will increase. (1 mark)
(Any four)
Total: 9 marks

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 44

3.(a) (i) heterotrophic nutrition (1 mark)
(ii) Aseptic techniques should be adopted throughout the experiment / every
step must be sterilised (1 mark)
This is to kill any unwanted/undesirable microorganisms (1 mark)
so that the growth medium would not be contaminated with other
microorganisms. (1 mark)
(iii) Nitrogen in ammonium ions is the raw material for making proteins /
nucleic acids (1 mark)
(iv) Prepare two similar set-ups, each with growth medium containing glucose
and Clostridium botulinum (1 mark)
A mixture of nitrogen and oxygen gas is piped into one set-up (aerobic)
(1 mark)
Nitrogen gas is piped into the other set-up (anaerobic) (1 mark)
Compare the growth of the bacterium in the two set-ups after a period of
time (1 mark)
If the bacterium grows better in the set-up supplied with nitrogen and
oxygen gas, the bacterium is an aerobe.
OR
If the bacterium grows better in the set-up supplied with nitrogen gas, the
bacterium is an anaerobe. (1 mark)
(v) pH and temperature (1 mark)
Total: 11 marks

3.(b) (i) Milk contains most of the food substances needed by humans. (1 mark)
(ii) Milk is heated to 70℃ for 15 seconds (1 mark)
to kill most of the microorganisms. (1 mark)
(iii) lactose (1 mark)
glucose, galactose (1/2 + 1/2 mark)
(iv) anaerobic respiration (1 mark)
(v) Lactic acid causes protein and fat of the milk to solidify into a curd which
can be separated to form crude cheese. (1 mark)
Absence of sugar in crude cheese discourages the growth of
microorganisms. (1 mark)
Lactic acid also inhibits/stops the growth of microorganisms. (1 mark)
Total: 9 marks

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 45

4.(a) (i) No (1 mark)
Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defective gene which cannot be passed to
other people. (1 mark)
(ii) Foreign gene is introduced into the patient’s cells. (1 mark)
As a result, the gene product (CFTP) is produced by the patient. (1 mark)
(iii) Liposome is mainly made up of lipid which has similar chemical
nature/composition as cell membrane. (1 mark)
Liposome and cell membrane can fuse together easily. (1 mark)
(iv) Yes (1 mark)
Only the somatic cells of the patient receive the foreign gene. (1 mark)
The defective gene in the germ cells (sperm and ovum) can still pass to the
offspring. (1 mark)
(v) The introduction of a foreign gene may alter the patient’s genome.(1 mark)
There are potential adverse side effects due to misplacement of target gene
/ errors in the process / defective or harmful gene products produced /
absence of normal gene product (1 mark)
Microbes/chemicals used to carry the gene into patient’s cells may bring
about adverse /unknown effect on human health/the vector may elicit
undesirable response in the patient (1 mark)
(Any two)
Total: 11 marks

4.(b) (i) In agricultural systems usually one species of crops are grown in high
density. (1 mark)
With an abundant supply of food, pests multiply rapidly and eat up the
crops in a short period of time. (1 mark)
Pesticides are thus needed to eliminate the pests/prevent the pests from
booming. (1 mark)
(Any two)
(ii) A transgenic crop is the crop that contains foreign genes/receive genes
from another organism. (1 mark)
(iii) Meristematic cell (1 mark)
It is capable of rapid cell division, thus giving rise to a mature plant easily
and quickly. (1 mark)

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 46

(iv) Cut the bacterial gene from the bacterial genome with an enzyme. (1 mark)
Insert the bacterial gene into a plasmid/vector. (1 mark)
Select the plasmid/vector carrying the bacterial gene. (1 mark)
Infect the cultured cells of crop plants with the vector, thus introducing the
bacterial gene into DNA of the plant cells (1 mark)
Total: 9 marks

© 2009 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 47