HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts

Mock Exam (December 2020)

BIOLOGY PAPER 1

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. You are advised to finish Section A in about 35
minutes.

2. Section A consists of multiple-choice questions in this question paper. Section B 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 B for Section B will be collected
separately at the end of the examination.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION A (MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS)

1. Read carefully the instructions on the Answer Sheet. After the announcement of the start of the
examination, you should fill in the information required in the space provided. No extra time will be
given for filling in the required information after the ‘Time is up’ announcement.

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 are advised to use an HB pencil to mark all the answers on the
Answer Sheet, so that wrong marks can be completely erased with a clean rubber. You must mark
the answers clearly; otherwise you will lose marks if the answers cannot be captured.

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.

Not to be taken away before

the end of the examination

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 1 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

 SECTION A (MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS)

There are 36 questions in this section.

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

1. The diagram shows a section of a plastic ruler, with divisions 0.1 mm apart, viewed through an
eyepiece containing a graticule.

Using the same magnification, a plant cell is observed.

What is the actual length of the nucleus of the plant cell?

A. 0.04 mm
B. 0.01 mm
C. 25 μm
D. 4 μm

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 2 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

2. Which of the following biomolecules can be found in the cell membrane of a prokaryotic cell?

(1) phospholipid
(2) protein
(3) peptidoglycan

A. (1) and (2) only

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

Directions: Questions 3 and 4 refer to the following experiment.

A student cut four strips from a fresh potato and weighed each of them. One strip was placed in water
and the others were each placed in sucrose solutions of different concentrations. After an hour, the
strips were removed from the liquids, blotted dry and then reweighted. The results are shown in the
table.

Liquid Initial mass (g) Final mass (g)

P 2.60 2.60
Q 2.65 3.02
R 2.58 3.00
S 2.61 2.48

3. Which of the liquids P, Q, R and S is water?

A. P
B. Q
C. R
D. S

4. Which of the following conclusion(s) can be drawn from the results?

(1) The water potential of the potato tissue is the same as that of liquid P.
(2) Potato cells in liquids Q and R have burst.
(3) Potato cells in liquid S have become plasmolysed.

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

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 3 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

Directions: Questions 5 and 6 refer to the diagram below, which shows a set-up used to study the
action of yeast on glucose.

oil layer
lime water turns milky
living yeast suspension and
boiled glucose solution bubble

5. Which of the following would be formed by the yeast in the set-up?

(1) carbon dioxide

(2) ethanol
(3) lactic acid

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

6. What modification should be made in the above set-up in order to prepare a control?

A. removing the oil layer

B. using boiled yeast suspension instead of living yeast suspension
C. replacing the boiled glucose solution with distilled water
D. replacing the lime water with distilled water

7. The following are events that occur in plant cells:

(1) Oxygen acts as a hydrogen acceptor.

(2) Carbon dioxide is fixed into organic compounds.
(3) ATP is synthesized.
(4) NADP acts as a hydrogen acceptor.

Which of the following matches each event with the set of reactions in which it occurs?

Photosynthesis Respiration Photosynthesis and

only only respiration
A. (2) (1) (3) and (4)
B. (2) (3) (1) and (4)
C. (2) and (4) (1) (3)
D. (2) and (4) (3) (1)
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8. Which of the following cell types probably has the highest density of mitochondria?

A. red blood cells

B. cells of the capillary wall
C. epithelial cells of air sacs of the lungs
D. epithelial cells of kidney tubules

9. The table below shows the amounts of some nutrients present in 100 g of four different foods.

Food Vitamin C (mg) Vitamin D (IU*) Calcium (mg) Iron (mg)

1 53.2 0 40 0.1
2 0 87 50 1.2
3 3.7 0 15 0.3
4 1.5 0 19 3.3
* IU = Internal unit, 1μg of vitamin D is equal to 40 IU.

Which food would be best for a person suffering from bleeding gums?

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

10. The photograph below shows the cross section of a leaf.

Which of the following correctly states the functions of cell types X, Y and Z?

X Y Z
A. photosynthesis protection support
B. protection storage support
C. photosynthesis storage transport
D. protection photosynthesis transport

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 5 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

Directions: Questions 11 and 12 refer to the experimental set-up below.

leafy shoot

oil layer
measuring cylinder
water

electronic balance

11. Which of the following data are needed to calculate the rate of transpiration of the leafy shoot?

(1) the change in water level in the measuring cylinder

(2) the change in the reading of the electronic balance
(3) the duration of the experiment

A. (1) and (2) only

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

12. Which of the following explain why the leaf shoot should be cut under water?

A. to prevent the cut end of the leafy shoot from drying up

B. to prevent air from entering the xylem of the leafy shoot
C. to prevent the collapse of the xylem of the leafy shoot
D. to allow the leafy shoot to adapt to the new environment

13. A long-sighted man is looking at a nearby object. Which of the following correctly states the
condition of the suspensory ligaments and the position where the image seen is focused in his
eyes?

Suspensory ligaments Position of image focused

A. slackened behind the retina
B. tightened behind the retina
C. slackened in front of the retina
D. tightened in front of the retina

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 6 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

14. The graph below shows the changes in air pressure in the lungs of a person.

Air pressure in the lungs

762

(mm Hg)
760 Time (s)
1 2 3 4

758
Atmospheric pressure = 760 mm Hg

Which of the following graphs shows the corresponding changes in the volume of the lungs?

A. B.
Volume of the lungs

Volume of the lungs

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Time (s) Time (s)

C. D.
Volume of the lungs

Volume of the lungs

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Time (s) Time (s)

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 7 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

Directions: Questions 15 and 16 refer to the diagram below, which shows a section of an air sac
and its associated blood capillary.

air sac
W

linked to
pulmonary vein
linked to
pulmonary artery
blood capillary
X Z

red blood cell

Y

15. At which point is the carbon dioxide concentration the highest?

A. W
B. X
C. Y
D. Z

16. The red blood cells will first return to which chamber of the heart?

A. left atrium
B. right atrium
C. left ventricle
D. right ventricle

17. If a person has pneumonia (a serious lung infection), the air sacs may fill with excess mucus.
What would be the effect of this on the person?

A. The breathing rate would decrease.

B. The exhaled air would contain a higher percentage of water vapour.
C. The rate of gas diffusion through the mucus would increase.
D. The oxygen content in the blood would decrease.

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 8 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

18. Which of the following statements about the circulatory system is correct?

A. The left ventricle has a thick and muscular wall because it pumps blood to the whole
body.
B. The flow of blood in the aorta is assisted by the closing of the bicuspid valve.
C. The blood in arteries is under high pressure due to the pumping action of the heart.
D. Capillaries can change their lumen size to regulate blood flow.

Directions: Questions 19 and 20 refer to the diagram below, which shows the reproductive system
of a male.

P
Q

19. In which of the labelled structures does mitosis take place?

A. P only
B. P and Q only
C. Q and R only
D. P, Q and R

20. Which of the following will occur if structure Q on both sides of the body are tied and cut?

A. Structure R will stop producing sperm.

B. The semen will contain no sperm.
C. The man would fail to ejaculate during sexual intercourse.
D. The breasts will enlarge.

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21. The graph below shows the changes in the thickness of the uterine lining of a woman over a
certain month.

uterine lining
Thickness of

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31

Day of the month

During which of the following periods would sexual intercourse most likely lead to pregnancy?

A. the 3rd–6th day

B. the 9th–14th day
C. the 19th–24th day
D. the 25th–28th day

22. The photomicrograph below shows a cross section of the tube of the cochlea.

Which of the following statements about canals 1, 2, and 3 are incorrect?

A. Canal 1 is connected to the oval window while canal 3 is connected to the round
window.
B. Canals 1 and 3 are liquid-filled.
C. Canal 2 is air-filled.
D. Canal 2 contains receptors for hearing.
2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 10 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.
Directions: Questions 23 and 24 refer to the diagram below, which shows a section of the human
brain.

23. Which of the following combinations of the labelled structures and their functions is incorrect?

Structure Function
A. P site of intelligence
B. Q controls muscle contraction
C. R reflex centre for swallowing
D. S secretes anti-diuretic hormone

24. The liquid in cavity T is derived from blood. Which of the following component of blood can be
found in this liquid?

(1) glucose
(2) carbon dioxide
(3) red blood cells

A. (1) and (2) only

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

25. Lucy had been injured in a traffic accident. A doctor confirmed that her brain was still
functioning normally. When her hand was pricked by a pin, Lucy withdrew her hand but she was
unaware of the touch and the withdrawal of her hand. Which part of her nervous system was
probably damaged?

A. sensory neurone
B. interneurone carrying signals to the brain
C. interneurone carrying signals from the brain
D. motor neurone

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 11 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

26. The diagram below shows some bones and muscles in a human arm.

X
Y

Which of the following combinations correctly describes the conditions of X, Y and Z while the
forearm is being lifted?

X Y Z
A. contracting relaxing shortened
B. relaxing contracting lengthened
C. contracting relaxing under tension
D. relaxing contracting slackened

27. Which of the following structures does not contain cartilage?

A. rib cage
B. bronchus
C. pinna
D. penis

28. Scientists have identified a particular mutation that has no effect on the polypeptide encoded by
the gene. This mutation probably involved a

A. chromosome translocation.
B. deletion of one nucleotide.
C. insertion of one nucleotide.
D. substitution of one nucleotide.

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 12 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

Directions: Questions 29 and 30 refer to the diagram below, which shows a set-up to study
phototropism in oat coleoptiles.

mica
aluminium plate
foil
plain
agar
block light

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

29. Which coleoptiles will bend towards the light source?

A. (1) and (3)

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

30. What hypothesis can be tested by comparing the growth of coleoptiles (2) and (3)?

A. The tip of the coleoptile is responsible for detecting unilateral light.

B. The substance controlling phototropism is produced at the tip of the coleoptile.
C. The substance controlling phototropism promotes growth in the region behind the tip
of the coleoptile.
D. The substance controlling phototropism is destroyed by light.

31. The diagram below shows the pyramid of biomass for a food chain consisting of three types of
organisms, R, S and T.

R
S
T

Which of the following statements about the food chain is correct?

A. The size of T is larger than that of S.

B. S does not feed solely on T.
C. Some energy in S is not transferred to R.
D. T can carry out photosynthesis.
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Directions: Questions 32 and 33 refer to the photograph below, which shows a Cape sundew
(Drosera capensis) catching an insect with its sticky leaf. The plant will digest the
insect to obtain nitrates.

[Photo source: NoahElhardt / CC-BY-SA-3.0]

32. What trophic level(s) does the Cape sundew occupy?

(1) secondary consumer

(2) primary consumer
(3) producer

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

33. The Cape sundew requires nitrates for the synthesize of

(1) amino acids

(2) cellulose
(3) chlorophyll

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

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 14 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

34. The diagram below shows some of the processes in the nitrogen cycle in nature

nitrogen in the air

2
1

nitrates in soil proteins in plants

ammonium organic residues in

compounds in soil 3 soil

Which of the following combinations correctly matches the microorganism involved in processes
1, 2 and 3?

1 2 3
A. nitrifying bacteria denitrifying bacteria nitrogen fixing bacteria
B. denitrifying bacteria nitrifying bacteria nitrogen fixing bacteria
C. nitrifying bacteria nitrogen fixing bacteria fungi
D. denitrifying bacteria nitrogen fixing bacteria fungi

35. The electron micrograph below shows part of an active cell.

P Q

Molecule X will move out from P to direct an important synthetic process at Q. Which of the
following combinations correctly identities molecule X and the synthetic process occurring at Q?

Molecule X Synthetic process occurring at Q

A. DNA transcription
B. DNA translation
C. RNA transcription
D. RNA translation

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 15 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

36. The diagram below shows a method to study the effect of an antibiotic on bacteria. The diameter
of the clear zone is measured every day for five days.

agar plate paper disc diameter of clear

containing soaked with zone measured
bacteria antibiotic every day

grown for
five days

area with
bacteria growing

The table below shows the results of the study on five different types of bacteria. Clear zones of
less than 13 mm indicate the presence of resistant bacteria.

Type of Diameter of clear zone (mm)

bacteria Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
1 18.9 13.7 13.2 12.4 11.5
2 23.8 21.9 19.5 17.2 14.8
3 19.2 15.1 13.2 8.3 0.0
4 17.9 15.2 12.0 8.8 0.0
5 21.4 20.8 20.4 20.2 20.2

Which of the following statements is supported by the results?

A. The antibiotic is not effective in killing any of the types of bacteria studied in the
experiment.
B. Types 1, 3 and 4 of the bacteria have developed resistance to the antibiotic.
C. The antibiotic can be used to treat types 2 and 5 of the bacteria only.
D. Type 5 of the bacteria can never develop resistance to the antibiotic.

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

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2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1A 17 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.
 B Name

Class
HKDSE BIOLOGY:
Class number
Connecting Concepts

Mock Exam (December 2020)

BIOLOGY PAPER 1

SECTION B: Question-Answer Book B

This paper must be answered in English

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION B Teacher’s

(1) After the announcement of the start of the Use Only

examination, you should first write your name, class Question No. Marks
and class number on this page.
1
(2) Refer to the general instructions on the cover of the
2
Question Paper for Section A.
3
(3) Answer ALL questions.
4
(4) Write your answers in the spaces provided in this
Question-Answer Book. Do not write in the margins. 5
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.
6
(5) Supplementary answer sheets will be provided on
7
request. Write your name, class and class number; fill
in the question number on each sheet, and fasten 8
them with string INSIDE this Question-Answer Book.
9
(6) Present your answers in paragraphs wherever
10
appropriate.
Total
(7) The diagrams in this section are NOT necessarily
drawn to scale.

(8) No extra time will be given to you for filling in your

name, class and class number after the ‘Time is up’
announcement.

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SECTION B
Answer ALL questions. Put your answers in the spaces provided.

1. (a) Organisms can be classified as autotrophs or heterotrophs based on how they obtain energy
and nutrients. Select from Column II all example(s) that belong(s) to the two types of
organisms in Column I and put the letter(s) in the spaces provided. (2 marks)

Column I Column II

(i) autotroph A. yeast

(ii) heterotroph B. moss

C. green algae

D. cyanobacteria

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

E. tapeworm

(b) Decomposers are heterotrophs that perform a crucial function in ecosystems. Describe
briefly how they obtain energy and nutrients, as well as the function they perform in
ecosystems. (2 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

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2. Catalase is an enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide, which is a waste
product of cell metabolism. The reaction is represented by the equation:

2 H2O2 2 H2O + O2

A student conducted an investigation to study the effect of temperature on the activity of catalase
extracted from pig livers. Samples of catalase solution and hydrogen peroxide solution were each
kept at a number of temperatures (10 °C, 20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C) before being
mixed together. Upon mixing, a mass of bubbles were released, forming a layer of foam on top
the reaction mixture. The depth of the foam formed in the reaction mixtures at different
temperatures were measured and recorded in the table below.

Temperature of reaction mixture (°C) Depth of foam (mm)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

10 7
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20 15

30 34

40 42

50 30

60 6

(a) Describe a test to show that the bubble of gas released is oxygen. (1 mark)

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(b) Plot a graph to show the effect of temperature on catalase activity. (3 marks)

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(c) Based on your graph, estimate the optimum temperature of catalase. (1 mark)

(d) Suggest how this investigation could be improved to get a more accurate estimate of the
optimum temperature. (1 mark)

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(e) Catalase is also found in plants, including apples. A student predicted that the optimal
temperature of catalase extracted from apples would be expected to be much lower than
that of catalase from pig livers.
Do you agree or disagree with the student’s prediction? Explain your choice. (1 mark)

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3. (a) Thomas suffers from insulin-dependent diabetes. With reference to the cause of the disease,
explain why his urine contains glucose. (4 marks)

(b) Thomas adopts a daily routine to control his diabetes. He eats three meals a day: breakfast,
lunch and an evening meal. He is advised to take in complex carbohydrates in his meals
instead of sugar. He injects insulin once before breakfast and once before the evening meal.

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

The injection he uses before breakfast is a mixture of two types of insulin: a slow-acting
type and a fast-acting type.

Slow-acting insulin Fast-acting insulin

Onset 1 to 3 hours 10 to 15 minutes
Peak 5 to 8 hours 1 to 2 hours
Duration Up to 18 hours 3 to 5 hours

(i) Why should diabetic patients take in complex carbohydrates in their meals instead of
sugar? (2 marks)

(ii) Why is it beneficial to use both types of insulin before breakfast? (2 marks)

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(iii) Thomas skipped lunch one day. Even though he had injected himself with the mixture
of insulin before breakfast, his blood glucose did not fall dangerously low. Suggest a
reason to explain this. (1 mark)

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4. The photomicrograph below shows a lily flower.

(a) State one visible feature of the flower that is an adaptation for insect pollination. (1 mark)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) You are conducting a genetic experiment that crosses two different lily plants. Describe the
procedure you would follow to ensure cross-pollination, but not self-pollination to take
place. (3 marks)

(c) The lily plant can also reproduce by vegetative propagation. Compare and explain the
variability of the offspring produced by vegetative propagation and self-pollination.
(4 marks)

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5. (a) Plant seeds remain dormant in winter. State two changes in environmental conditions that
enable seed germination in spring. Explain the importance of each condition. (4 marks)

(b) After a seed has germinated, its radicle will develop into the root of the plant. Root growth
occurs by mitotic cell division of a specific group of cells in the root tip. Name this group
of cells. (1 mark)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(c) The photomicrograph below shows a cell undergoing mitotic cell division.

[Photo Source: Josef Reischig / CC-BY-SA-3.0]

Name the stage of mitotic cell division and describe what is happening to the chromosomes.
(2 marks)

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(d) Chemical X can prevent the formation of spindle fibres during cell division. The graphs
below show the changes in DNA content of two cells treated with and without chemical X.

5 5
4 4
(arbitrary unit)

(arbitrary unit)
DNA content

DNA content
3 3

2 2

1 1

0 0
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 0 4 8 12 16 20 24
Time (hour) Time (hour)

Using the graphs and your knowledge of the cell cycle, explain why chemical X may have

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

a potential to be a drug for the treatment of cancer. (3 marks)

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6. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll molecules, which are organized into photosynthetic units called
photosystems. The diagram below shows the emission of electrons from a photosystem in a
chloroplast illuminated by light.

e-
light energy

photosystem

(a) Where are photosystems located in a chloroplast? (1 mark)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) Describe the events that cause emission of electrons from the photosystem. (2 marks)

(c) The flow of electrons can be studied using DCPIP. DCPIP is blue when oxidized and
colourless when reduced:

oxidized DCPIP reduced DCPIP

(blue) (colourless)
Describe and explain any colour change that would occur when blue DCPIP solution is
added to a chloroplast suspension illuminated by light. (2 marks)

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(d) Explain what normally happens to the electrons emitted from the photosystem in the
chloroplast. (3 marks)

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7. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a genetic disease. People with G6PD

deficiency will develop acute haemolysis (sudden damage of red blood cells) when exposed to
certain chemicals.

(a) Is the blood of people with G6PD deficiency suitable for use in blood transfusion? Explain
your answer. (1 mark)

It is known that G6PD deficiency is caused by an X-linked recessive allele. The pedigree below
shows the inheritance of the disorder in a family.

1 2

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3 4 5

Key: normal female female with G6PD deficiency

normal male male with G6PD deficiency

(b) Explain why individual 4 is normal even though his father, individual 1, has G6PD
deficiency. (Marks will not be awarded for genetic diagrams.) (3 marks)

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(c) Individual 5 is a carrier of the recessive allele for G6PD deficiency. With the aid of a
genetic diagram, find the probability of individuals 4 and 5 giving birth to a son with
G6PD deficiency. (5 marks)

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8. (a) The photomicrograph below shows a section of the inner lining of the trachea.

air passage

(x 800)

With reference to the features shown in the photomicrograph, describe how the inner wall
of the trachea helps protect against lung infections. (3 marks)

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(b) SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus identified as the causative agent of coronavirus

disease 2019 (COVID-19).

(i) To combat COVID-19, scientists all over the world are developing vaccines. Explain
how vaccination can help to prevent viral infections. (4 marks)

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(ii) A woman infected with SARS-CoV-2 during her pregnancy gave birth to a baby who
has antibodies against the virus. Suggest two possible ways that babies can acquire
antibodies from their mothers. (2 marks)

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9. The photograph below shows a species of penguin, Pygoscelis papua. Recently, scientists
studied the genetics and morphology of different populations of P. papua throughout the
southern hemisphere and have found significant differences between the populations. It is
proposed that those populations of P. papua have evolved and should be reclassified as four
different species.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(a) To which group of vertebrates does the penguin belong? Give one feature observable in the
photograph above to support your answer. (2 marks)

(b) Based on your biological knowledge, suggest how scientists could determine the
evolutionary relationship among different organisms by analysing their genome. (3 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1B 17 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

 Page total

(c) Scientists revealed that global warming has driven some populations of P. papua to migrate
further south. The northern populations and the southern populations are thus separated by
long distances. Explain how this may have led to the speciation of P. papua into four
species. (4 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1B 18 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

 Page total

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.

10. A man had a meal consisting of rice and chicken breast. Give an overview on how his body
would digest and assimilate the main food substances in each of the two types of food.
(11 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1B 19 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

 Page total

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1B 20 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

 Page total

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

END OF PAPER 1

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 1B 21 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

 HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts

Mock Exam (December 2020)

BIOLOGY PAPER 2

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. Write your answers in the Answer Book provided. Start each question (not part of a question) on a
new page.

3. Present your answers in paragraphs wherever appropriate.

4. Illustrate your answers with diagrams wherever appropriate.

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

Not to be taken away before

the end of the examination
session

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 2 1 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

SECTION A Human Physiology: Regulation and Control

Answer ALL parts of the question.

1. (a) Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature falls below 35 °C. Treatment of mild
hypothermia aims at helping the patient to rewarm. Researchers studied the effect of two
warming methods for hypothermia patients:

 Wrapping the patient in a blanket

 Supplying warm (about 40 °C) humidified air for the patient to inhale

The researchers monitored the changes in the core temperature of two patients, each
being treated with either of the above methods. The graph below shows the results.

2.5

blanketed
2.0
Change in core temperature (°C)

1.5

inhaling warm
1.0 humidified air

0.5

0.0
10 20 30 40 50 60

-0.5
Time (min)

(i) A sign of hypothermia is shivering, which is a physiological response to cold

conditions. Explain how shivering helps warm the body. (2 marks)

(ii) Describe the change in the core temperature of the patient who was inhaling warm
humidified air. Suggest an explanation for the change. (3 marks)

(iii) Wrapping the patient in a blanket would stimulate thermoreceptors in the skin,
leading to a fall in the core temperature during the first 10 minutes as shown in the
graph. Describe the physiological response that lead to this fall in the core
temperature. (5 marks)

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 2 2 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

1. (b) The table below shows the volume of blood in a teenager’s left ventricle at different times
over one second when he is at rest.

Time (second) Volume of blood in the left ventricle (mL)

0.0 107
0.1 115
0.2 90
0.3 60
0.4 45
0.5 50
0.6 79
0.7 94
0.8 106
0.9 115
1.0 90

(i) Using the data given in the table, calculate the teenager’s heart rate at rest.
(2 marks)

(ii) Determine the teenager’s cardiac output at rest. (2 marks)

(iii) The teenager’s cardiac output increases during exercise. Describe the nervous
coordination leading to this response. (3 marks)

(iv) During exercise, the blood supply to the skeletal muscles greatly increases. Explain
the significance of this response. (3 marks)

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 2 3 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

SECTION B Applied Ecology

Answer ALL parts of the question.

2. (a) Forests are often cut for wood or to clear land for agricultural purposes. An ecological
restoration programme was introduced for restoring region X through planting vegetation.
Native plant species (P and Q) and exotic plant species (R and S) were used. The
photograph below shows region X before the restoration programme. The table below
shows the change in the species composition in region X in 20 years of the programme.

Region X before the restoration programme

1982 (Day one) 1992 2002

Number of Number of Percentage of Number of Percentage of
Plant species
individuals individuals total individuals individuals total individuals
P 100 113 14.2 89 13.5
Q 100 107 13.4 76 11.5
R 100 456 57.1 403 61.1
S 100 122 15.3 92 13.9

(i) State the effects of deforestation on soil structure. (2 marks)

(ii) Ecological restoration programme is often considered as a means to improve

species diversity. With reference to the data in the table, explain why the
restoration programme in region X is unsuccessful in terms of improving the
species diversity. (3 marks)

(iii) Describe the change in the population size of species R from 1992 to 2002. Suggest
one possible cause for the change. (2 marks)

(iv) Deduce how the native animal community in region X would change from 1992 to
2002. Explain your answer. (3 marks)

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 2 4 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

2. (b) The graph below shows the change in the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere
from 1960 to 2020.

Carbon dioxide concentration in the

400
atmosphere (ppm)

380

360

340

320

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Time (year)

(i) Describe the trends and patterns in the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration
shown in the graph. Suggest possible causes to explain these trends and patterns.
(4 marks)

(ii) A researcher claims that algal blooms may contribute to reducing global warming
by regulating the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. Propose arguments for
and against this claim. (4 marks)

(iii) Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are greenhouse gases that are commonly used
as cooling agents in refrigerators and air-conditioners. Since January 2020, the
import of HCFCs was completely banned in Hong Kong. Explain how this practice
helps reduce global warming. (2 marks)

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 2 5 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

SECTION C Microorganisms and Humans

Answer ALL parts of the question.

3. (a) Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain species of the mould
Aspergillus. Cereals (e.g. maize, wheat and rice) are often found contaminated with
aflatoxins. The photograph below shows a mouldy maize plant contaminated with
aflatoxins.

mouldy part

Mouldy maize kernels

(i) With reference to the nutritional content of cereals, explain why cereals are
susceptible to mould spoilage. (4 marks)

(ii) Consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxins can cause acute liver damage
in humans. Explain why. (3 marks)

(iii) John proposes two food safety tips about handling mouldy foods:

1 It is safe to eat mouldy foods by scraping off the mouldy parts from the
foods.

2 Cook mouldy foods thoroughly before eating.

Comment on the feasibility of the above food safety tips. Explain your answer.
(3 marks)

(iv) Suggest one way in handling and storage of crops after harvest to minimize
aflatoxins in crops and provide the underlying biological principle involved.
(2 marks)

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 2 6 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

3. (b) Lactobacilli are lactic acid bacteria which can be used in the production of dairy products
such as yoghurt and cheese from milk. Lactobacilli also play an important role in body
defence in humans.

(i) Write a simple word equation for lactic acid fermentation. (1 mark)

(ii) In the production of yoghurt using milk and Lactobacilli, the milk is first
pasteurized. Explain the significance of this process. (1 mark)

(iii) Explain how the action of Lactobacilli on milk in the fermentation process
contributes to the taste and texture of yoghurt. (3 marks)

(iv) Lactobacilli naturally colonize the vagina of a healthy woman. Explain how these
bacteria exhibit a mutualistic relationship with humans. (3 marks)

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 2 7 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

SECTION D Biotechnology

Answer ALL parts of the question.

4. (a) Some microalgae are mass cultured by humans as food or health supplements. Unlike
heterotrophic microorganisms, microalgae cannot be cultured to a high density. This
makes the culturing cost expensive. To lower the cost, scientists are trying to genetically
modify microalgae so that they can take up glucose from the culture medium and can
grow to a higher density.

(i) With reference to their mode of nutrition, explain why it is difficult to culture
microalgae to a high density. (2 marks)

(ii) The table below outline the steps to genetically modify microalgae.

Step Description
1 Insert the gene encoding membrane proteins that facilitate the
transport of glucose into plasmids
2 Purify the recombinant plasmids
3 Introduce the recombinant plasmids into microalgal cells
4 Screen for successfully transformed microalgal cells

(1) Briefly describe how the gene of interest could be inserted into a plasmid.
(3 marks)

(2) Two types of plasmids may form after step 1, the unmodified plasmids and
the recombinant plasmids. Explain why gel electrophoresis can be used to
separate the recombinant plasmids from the unmodified plasmids. (3 marks)

(3) Since the transformation efficiency is very low, scientists have to screen for
microalgae that have successfully picked up the recombinant plasmid. Given
that the plasmid used in step 1 contains no selective markers (e.g. antibiotic
resistance gene), describe how genetically modified microalgae can be
screened. (3 marks)

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 2 8 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

4. (b) To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, early detection of patients and prompt treatment are
very important. One approach of testing is to detect the presence of the virus
SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) in patients’ samples. The
bodies of the infected patients produce antibodies to neutralize the virus. These antibodies
are useful for developing more effective treatments and diagnostic tests.

(i) Some diagnostic tests make use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect
viral nucleic acids in the mucus collected from a suspected patient’s throat. Explain
why such tests coupled with PCR have high sensitivity and accuracy. (2 marks)

(ii) By injecting antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 patient can recover in a

shorter time. Scientists have tried to use genetically modified bacteria to mass
produce antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. However, the proteins synthesized by the
GM bacteria cannot bind to the antigens of SARS-CoV-2.

(1) Explain why genetically modified bacteria can synthesize polypeptides

according to the codon sequence of the human antibody gene. (1 mark)

(2) Although genetically modified bacteria are able to produce proteins

according to the human antibody gene, the proteins produced cannot
function as an antibody against SARS-CoV-2. Explain why. (1 mark)

(3) Instead of bacteria, scientists genetically modify human myeloma cells

(cancerous plasma cells) to mass produce antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
Suggest why myeloma cells but not normal plasma cells are used. (3 marks)

(iii) Besides treatment, the antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 can also be used in the
detection of viral antigen in a sample. In such diagnostic test, monoclonal
antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 produced by the GM human myeloma cells are
used. Explain why monoclonal antibodies instead of antibodies extracted from a
person recovered from COVID-19 are used. (2 marks)

END OF PAPER 2

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO 2 9 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

 HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts

BIOLOGY MOCK EXAM December 2020

ANSWERS

Paper 1

Section A Multiple-choice questions (36 marks)

Question No. Answer Question No. Answer

1. A 19. D

2. A 20. B

3. C 21. B

4. C 22. C

5. B 23. B

6. B 24. A

7. C 25. B

8. D 26. C

9. A 27. D

10. D 28. D

11. C 29. C

12. B 30. A

13. A 31. C

14. C 32. C

15. D 33. B

16. A 34. D

17. D 35. D

18. C 36. B

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A1 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

Section B Structural questions (84 marks)

1. (a) (i) B, C, D (1)

(ii) A, E (1)
(b) Decomposers obtain energy and nutrients by breaking down the organic wastes or dead
bodies of producers and consumers. (1)
Decomposers recycle material by returning inorganic nutrients back to the environment
for reuse by producers. (1)
Total: 4 marks

2. (a) Insert a glowing splint into the gas sample and it relights if the gas is oxygen. (1)
(b) Effect of temperature on the catalase activity indicated by the depth of foam formed

50

40
Depth of foam (mm)

30

20

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Temperature (°C)

Correct title (1)

Correct choice and labelling of axes with units (1)
Correct plotting and joining of points (1)
(c) 37 / 38 °C (1)
(d) Take more measurements to find an average value / Take measurements at smaller
temperature intervals between 30 °C to 50 °C. (1)
(e) Agree. As apples grow in a moderate climate which has a lower temperature than the
body temperature of a pig, it would be expected that the catalase extracted from apples
has an optimum temperature lower than that extracted from pig livers.
OR
Disagree. It would be expected that the enzyme is the same in both organisms and would
therefore have the same optimum temperature.
(Accept other reasonable answers.) (1)
Total: 7 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A2 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

3. (a) His pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin (1)
to stimulate liver cells to convert glucose into glycogen for storage / to stimulate body
cells to take up glucose from blood. (1)
The concentration of glucose in the blood may become so high / exceed the threshold
value (1)
that glucose cannot be completely reabsorbed in the kidney (1)
Therefore, glucose appears in the urine.
(b) (i) It takes time for complex carbohydrates to be digested to form glucose for
absorption. (1)
The fluctuation of blood glucose concentration is less. / Blood glucose
concentration will not increase too quickly after a meal. (1)
(ii) Fast-acting insulin responds quickly to the increase in blood glucose after
breakfast. (1)
Slow-acting insulin reduces blood glucose from other meals before the evening
meal / eliminates the need to inject at lunch. (1)
(iii) The pancreas secretes more glucagon to stimulate liver cells to convert stored
glycogen into glucose. / Insulin injected before breakfast causes cells to take up
glucose too slowly for levels to become dangerously low. / He is not active and so
little glucose is used in respiration. (1)
Total: 9 marks

4. (a) The petals are large to attract insects. / The petals have insect guides. / The stigma is
broad to pick up pollen grains from insects. (1)
(b) Remove the anthers from the flowers of a plant. (1)
Use a brush to transfer the pollen grains from a flower of the other plants to the stigma of
the treated flowers. (1)
Use a plastic bag to wrap the treated flowers. (1)
(c) Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction which involves mitotic cell
division only. (1)
The offspring produced are genetically identical to the parent plant. (1)
Self-pollination is a form of sexual reproduction which involves meiotic cell division for
gamete formation. (1)
Genetic variations will be introduced by independent assortment of chromosomes,
crossing over and random fertilization. (1)
Total: 8 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A3 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

5. (a) Increased rainfall in spring provides water (1)
to soften and rupture the seed coat / to activates enzymes / to hydrolyse the stored food
(e.g. starch) for use in respiration to provide energy / to provide a medium for
transporting the soluble food to the growing parts. (1)
The temperature increases in spring (1)
to provide warmth, which allows enzymes in the seed to work efficiently. (1)
(b) Apical meristem (1)
(c) Metaphase (1)
The chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell / at the equatorial plate. (1)
(d) Interphase occurs in cells treated with and without chemical X as the DNA content
doubles / changes from 2 to 4 arbitrary units. (1)
When treated with chemical X, there is no halving of DNA at 20 hours. (1)
The lack of spindle fibres prevents anaphase / prevents the sister chromatids of
chromosomes from being pulled apart towards the ends / poles of the cell, and the cell
cannot successfully divide into two. (1)
Total: 10 marks

6. (a) Thylakoid / Thylakoid membrane (1)

(b) Chlorophyll molecules in the photosystem capture light energy. (1)
Some electrons of the chlorophyll molecule are excited to a higher energy level and are
emitted from the photosystem. (1)
(c) The reaction mixture changes from blue green to green (1)
because the blue DCPIP solution is reduced by the electrons emitted from chlorophyll
molecules and becomes colourless. (1)
(d) The excited electrons are picked up by an electron transport chain in the thylakoid
membrane. (1)
Energy is gradually released as the electrons pass from an electron carrier of a higher
energy level to another carrier of a lower energy level. (1)
Some of the energy released is used to synthesize ATP / carry out phosphorylation of ADP.
(1)
Total: 8 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A4 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

7. (a) Yes. It is not an infectious disease and so the recipient will not contract the disease from
receiving the blood of G6PD deficiency people.
OR
No. If the recipient is under medication of drugs that G6PD deficiency people should
avoid, the transfused red blood cells will be damaged. (1)
(b) Individual 4 is a male. He has inherited an X chromosome from individual 2 and a Y
chromosome from individual 1. (1)
The allele for G6PD deficiency is not found on the Y chromosome, and thus, individual 1
cannot pass the allele to individual 4. (1)
Individual 2 has passed an X chromosome bearing the dominant normal allele to
individual 4. (1)
Therefore, individual 4 is normal.
(c) Let G represent the normal allele and g represent the allele for G6PD deficiency. (1)

Parents: Individual 4 Individual 5

X GY  X GX g (1)

Gametes: XG Y XG Xg (1)

F1 genotypes: X GX G X GX g X GY XgY
F1 phenotypes: normal normal normal G6PD deficiency (1)
daughter daughter son son

The probability of giving birth to a son with G6PD deficiency is 1/4 (or 25%). (1)
Total: 9 marks

8. (a) Mucus secreting cells secrete mucus to trap pathogens / bacteria / microbes from the
incoming air. (1)
Cilia sweep the mucus up to the throat, where is it then swallowed or coughed up. (1)
Closely packed epithelial cells prevent the entry of pathogens / form a physical barrier. (1)
(b) (i) A vaccine against a virus contains the antigen of the virus. (1)
The antigen stimulates the immune system to produce memory cells for that type of
antigen. (1)
On the second exposure to the same antigen, (1)
these memory cells are capable of producing a large amount of antibodies in a short
time. (1)

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A5 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

 (ii) Some antibodies in the maternal blood pass through the placenta and enter the
foetal blood. (1)
Some antibodies in the mother’s milk are passed to the baby via breast feeding. (1)
Total: 9 marks

9. (a) Birds (1)

Any one of the following: (1)
 It has feathers covering their bodies.
 Its legs are covered with dry scales.
 Its fore limbs are modified into wings.
 It has a beak.
(b) Scientists can analyse the base sequence of DNA of the different organisms. (1)
Organisms that share more similarities in the base sequence of DNA (1)
have a closer evolutionary relationship than those with fewer similarities. (1)
(c) The populations of P. papua could not meet or interbreed due to the long distances
between them, so there was no gene flow between the populations. (1)
Genetic variations exist among individuals of each population. (1)
Under different environmental conditions, different favourable variations were selected
by natural selection in each population. (1)
Over many generations, variations accumulated in each population. The genetic
compositions of members from different populations have become so different from each
other that even if they reach each other again, they cannot interbreed to produce fertile
offspring. (1)
Total: 9 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A6 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

10.
Digestion max. (5)
 In the mouth cavity, the rice and the chicken breast are chewed by the teeth into small pieces and
mixed with saliva. (1)
 Salivary amylase in saliva catalyses the breakdown of some of the starch in the rice into maltose.
(1)
 Muscles in the stomach wall contract to churn the food and mix it with gastric juice. (1)
 Pepsin in the gastric juice catalyses the breakdown of proteins in the chicken breast into peptides.
(1)
 In the small intestine (duodenum), bile is present. Bile salts in the bile emulsify lipids in the
chicken breast into small droplet. (1)
 In the small intestine (duodenum), pancreatic juice is present.
– Pancreatic amylase catalyses the breakdown of the remaining starch into maltose. (1)
– Pancreatic lipase catalyses the breakdown of lipids into fatty acids and glycerol. (1)
– Proteases catalyse the breakdown of proteins to peptides and peptides to amino acids. (1)
 Enzymes embedded in the membranes of epithelial cells in the small intestine further digest food
molecules.
– Carbohydrases catalyse the breakdown of disaccharides to monosaccharides. (1)
– Proteases catalyse the breakdown of peptides into amino acids. (1)
Assimilation max. (3)
 After being absorbed into the capillaries of villi, monosaccharides and amino acids are carried by
the blood to the liver through the hepatic portal vein. (1)
 After being absorbed into the lacteals of the villi, lipids and lipid-soluble food molecules are
carried by the lymph to the main lymph vessel, which empties into blood vessels near the neck
region / the heart.
 In the liver, some food molecules are stored. Some are processed and released back into the
bloodstream through the hepatic vein. (1)
 Glucose is broken down by respiration to release energy for cellular activities. (1)
 Amino acids are used by cells to make different kinds of proteins for growth and repair / as the
raw materials for making enzymes, antibodies and some hormones. (1)
 Lipids are used by cells to make cell membranes and some hormones / serve as energy reserve in
the body. (1)
Communication max. (3)
Total: 11 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A7 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

Paper 2
Section A
1. (a) (i) When the skeletal muscles contract in short bursts, the rate of respiration increases
in these muscles, (1)
thus releasing more heat to help warm the body. (1)
(ii) The core temperature of the patient inhaling warm humidified air increased
throughout the 60 minutes. (1)
When warm humidified air comes into contact with the respiratory tract, the blood
in the blood vessels gains heat from the inhaled air. (1)
When the rate of heat gain is higher than the rate of heat loss, the core temperature
increases. (1)
(iii) Thermoreceptors in the skin detect a rise in the skin temperature. (1)
This stimulates the heat loss centre in the hypothalamus (1)
which signals the arterioles near the skin surface to dilate. (1)
As more blood flows to the capillaries near the skin surface, (1)
more heat is lost from the skin to the surroundings by conduction, convection and
radiation. (1)
Total: 10 marks

1. (b) (i) Length of a cardiac cycle = 0.8 s (1)

Heart rate = 60 / 0.8 = 75 beats per minute (1)
(ii) Stroke volume = 70 mL (1)
Cardiac output = 75 beats per minute × 70 mL = 5250 mL per minute (1)
(iii) More nerve impulses are sent through the sympathetic nerve to the SA node and the
cardiac muscle. (1)
This stimulates the cardiac muscle to contract more frequently and more forcefully.
(1)
Thus, the heart rate and the stroke volume increase, (1)
leading to an increase in the cardiac output.
(iv) The increased blood supply can bring more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles (1)
for respiration to provide energy for muscle contractions. (1)
The increased blood flow can also remove carbon dioxide from the muscles more
quickly. (1)
Total: 10 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A8 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

Section B
2. (a) (i) Without tree roots to hold the soil particles in place, (1)
soil erosion / desertification is more likely to occur. (1)
(ii) Comparing with the species composition at the beginning of the programme, the
number of individuals of species R increased greatly while the number of
individuals of species P, Q and S decreased. (1)
The relative abundance of species R became much higher than that of other species.
(1)
This shows that the species diversity of the plant community in region X decreased.
(1)
Thus, the restoration programme in region X is unsuccessful in terms of improving
the species diversity.
(iii) The population size of species R decreased from 1992 to 2002. (1)
Any one of the following:
 Specific nutrients in the soil were depleted as species R became dominant
species. (1)
 Species R may be killed by diseases or pests. (1)
(Accept other reasonable answers.)
(iv) The native animal community would decline / native animal species which are
more adapted to the non-native plant community would become the dominant
species (1)
as the population sizes of native plant species P and Q decreased from 1992 to
2002, (1)
leading to a decrease in the availability of food / habitats for the native animal
species. (1)
Total: 10 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A9 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

2. (b) (i) The atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration increases from 1960 to 2020 (1)
as fossil fuel consumption has increased / more forests have been cut. (1)
The atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration shows fluctuation annually. (1)
It is because the day length is longer / air temperature is higher in summer than in
winter, so photosynthetic rate is higher in summer. Plants consume more CO2 in
the atmosphere. (1)
(ii) Arguments for the claim:
Algae consume a large amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the water for
photosynthesis. (1)
More carbon dioxide from the atmosphere can dissolve into the water. (1)
Arguments against the claim:
Any one set of the following: (2)
 Algae grow densely and cover the water surface. This prevents sunlight from
penetrating the water. Aquatic plants cannot obtain sufficient light for
photosynthesis and may die, (1)
leading to a decrease in the overall photosynthetic rate and thus a reduction in
the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. (1)
 After the algae die, decomposers break down the carbon compounds in the
algal cells, (1)
releasing the carbon dioxide absorbed during photosynthesis of the algal cells
back to the atmosphere. (1)
(Accept other reasonable answers.)
(iii) With lower HCFCs emissions, the atmosphere traps less heat reflected from the
Earth’s surface. (1)
This helps slow down the increase in the atmospheric temperature. (1)
Total: 10 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A10 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

Section C
3. (a) (i) Cereals are rich in starch / carbohydrates. (1)
Moulds can secrete enzymes externally through their hyphae (1)
to digest starch / carbohydrates in the cereals (1)
into simple sugars / glucose which can be absorbed by the moulds for rapid growth.
(1)
(ii) The liver is an organ for detoxification. / Toxins are metabolized in the liver. (1)
Consumption of foods that contain high levels of aflatoxins (1)
can cause damage to the liver tissues in a short period of time. (1)
(iii) Food safety tips 1 and 2 are not feasible. (1)
Food safety tip 1:
Hyphae of the moulds may grow deeply into the foods and produce toxins. / The
contaminated parts of the foods / toxins cannot be identified with naked eyes. (1)
Food safety tip 2:
Moulds may produce toxins that are heat-resistant and cannot be destroyed by
cooking. (1)
(iv) Any one set of the following: (2)
 Harvested crops should be stored at a low temperature and a low humidity /
dried as quickly as possible. (1)
This is to slow down the growth of moulds. (1)
 Damaged crops / crops with signs of mould infestation should be discarded.
(1)
Mould spores can infect crops through areas of damage. / This can help
prevent the spread of moulds. (1)
(Accept other reasonable answers.)
Total: 12 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A11 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

3. (b) (i) glucose (sugars) → lactic acids + energy (1)
(ii) This process kills pre-existing microorganisms in milk that may contaminate the
yoghurt. (1)
(iii) Lactobacilli break down the lactose in the milk into lactic acid. (1)
The lactic acid lowers the pH and causes the proteins in milk to denature and
coagulate, giving yoghurt a curd-like texture. (1)
The lactic acid also gives yogurt a sour taste. (1)
(iv) Lactobacilli produce lactic acid, maintaining a low pH environment in the vagina.
(1)
Low pH inhibits the growth of many pathogens. This can prevent pathogens from
infecting the vagina. (1)
Humans provide nutrients / habitats for Lactobacilli. (1)
Total: 8 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A12 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

Section D
4. (a) (i) Microalgae are autotrophs which synthesize their organic food by carrying out
photosynthesis. (1)
As the density of the cultured microalgae grow to a high density, light cannot
penetrate deeply into the culture for the microalgae to carry out photosynthesis. (1)
(ii) (1) Cut the plasmid and both ends of the gene of interest with the same
restriction enzyme (1)
to generate complementary sticky ends. (1)
Use DNA ligase to join the cut plasmid and the cut gene of interest
together. (1)
(2) During electrophoresis, DNA fragments move towards the positive pole. (1)
DNA fragments of larger size moves slower than DNA fragments of smaller
size. (1)
As the size of the recombinant plasmid is larger than the unmodified plasmid,
the two types of plasmids are thus separated by gel electrophoresis. (1)
(3) After the transformation step, culture the microalgae in a culture medium
containing glucose. (1)
Keep the culture in darkness for a few days. (1)
The unmodified microalgae will die due to their inability to produce food by
photosynthesis. / The genetically modified microalgae will survive as they
have the membrane proteins that take up glucose. (1)
Total: 11 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A13 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.

4. (b) (i) PCR can amplify the tiny amount of viral nucleic acid for further analysis, so the
sensitivity of detecting the viral nucleic acid is very high. (1)
The base sequences of the primers used in PCR are designed according to the
nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 so that they only anneal to the nucleic acid of
SARS-CoV-2 but not nucleic acids of other organisms. (1)
(ii) (1) As the genetic code is universal, bacteria can transcribe and translate the
antibody gene to synthesize polypeptides. (1)
(2) After the synthesis of the polypeptide of the correct amino acid sequence, the
polypeptide is unable to coil / fold up / the polypeptide chains are not able to
intertwine with each other to form the antibody with the required
conformation. (1)
(3) Unlike normal plasma cells, myeloma cells divide without limit (1)
so that large amounts of the GM myeloma cells can be cultured (1)
to produce a large amount of antibodies. (1)
(iii) The antibodies extracted from the serum of the patient consist of a large variety of
antibodies that bind to the antigens of various types of pathogens. (1)
In contrast, monoclonal antibodies can only bind to the antigens of SARS-CoV-2.
Thus the test is specifically targeted at SARS-CoV-2. (1)

Total: 9 marks

2020-DEC-MOCK-BIO ANS A14 © Aristo Educational Press Ltd.