West Australian Test

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Biology

Solutions
Year 12
2005
These solutions are intended for use as a guide only.
Year 12 Biology 2005 Solutions 2

SECTION A-MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A 11. B 21. D
2. C 12. D 22. C
3. D 13. C 23. A
4. B 14. A 24. A
5. A 15. D 25. B
6. B 16. D 26. D
7. C 17. B 27. B
8. D 18. C 28. A
9. A 19. A 29. B
10. C 20. B 30. C

SECTION B-SHORT ANSWER

31 a)
Graph Showing Vacuole Contractions for two Organisms in Different Salt
Concentrations

Gm of Na Cl/
100 ml water
30
25
20
ORGANISM A
15
ORGANISM B
10
5
0
20
10

30

40
0

Number of Vacuole Contractions/Minute

b) i. Increasing salt concentration will cause the rate of vacuole contractions per minute
to increase.
ii. Independent- Salt concentration of the water. Dependent-Number of vacuole
contractions per minute
c) i. They could repeat the experiment to verify the original set of results. They could
conduct the experiment with a larger number of each type of cells.
ii. Organism A is usually found in an environment that is less salty than organism B.
d) The no of contractions was highest for both organisms in fresh water and decreased
with increased salinity until there were no contractions.(1) There was no net movement
of water into the cell from 35gm/L and above for organism A and from 45gm/L and
above for organism B.(1) Organism B had higher rate of contractions due to greater
osmosis into cell(presumably as it was usually found in saltier water than A).(1) Water
was entering the cell due to osmosis and filling the contractile vacuole which pumped
out the excess water.(1)

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e) In both cases water would enter the cell due to osmosis possibly filling the
contractile vacuole with water.(1) Alcohol dissolves lipids so would break
down/destroy cells plasma membrane and the membrane surrounding the vacuole and
other membranes.(1) Detergent emulsifies lipids so would break down/destroy
membranes as well.(1) Results of experiment would be that there would be no
contractions of the contractile vacuole as the cell would die.(1)
32. a) Endotherms require energy to maintain their temperature as the energy is used in
metabolic processes which give off heat and other heat producing activities, eg.
Moving.(1) They are generally more active than ectotherms and this means they have a
higher metabolic rate.(1) Ectotherms require less energy to generate heat and attempt
to maintain a constant internal temperature.(1) They are also less active and as such
have a lower metabolic rate.(1)
b) The shrew is a smaller organism and as such has a greater surface area to volume
ratio than the wombat.(2) This means that the shrew will lose more of its warmth to its
surroundings than the wombat.(1) The shrew must expend more energy per unit of
body mass to maintain its internal body temperature than the wombat.(1)
c) Endotherms gain heat from their metabolism(1) as well as from their environment.(1)
Heat is lost through radiation/conduction(1), evaporation and through body wastes.(1)
(Deduct marks for each point missing).
d) A marine fish loses water to its environment via osmosis(1) and gains salt by
diffusion.(1) They solve this problem by drinking large amounts of sea water(1) and
excreting the excess salt from their gills.(1)
e) Any 4 from; Thick waxy cuticle-prevents water loss from leaves(1), Fewer stomata-
often in sunken pits/curled part of leaf-prevents water loss from leaves(1), Hairs that
surround stoma-prevents water loss from leaves(1), Low leaf surface area-lessen
transpiration(1), Leaves hang vertically-prevents water loss in heat of day(1), Small
leaves-allows for better cooling by radiation to prevent over-heating and drying out(1),
light coloured leaves-prevents absorption of radiation and over-heating, Fleshy leaves
and stem-water storage(1), High proportion of woody tissue-maintains plant structure
despite water loss(1), Surface roots to absorb scarce rain(1), Deep tap roots to reach
subsoil water(1), Shape to funnel water to roots(1).
33. a) i. Autosome-a chromosome that does not determine the sex of an individual.(1)
Sex chromosome-a chromosome that has genes that determine the sex of an
individual(1).
ii. Each human has two sex chromosomes-females have two X chromosomes and males
have an X and a Y.(1) We inherit an X from our mother and either an X or a Y from
our father.(1)

b) Crossing over(1) can occur where sections of sister chromatids swap over sections of
their chromosomes.(1) Chromosomes can genetically recombine with either member of
any other pair of chromosomes.(1) Mutation can also occur when chromosomes are
copied during interphase.(1)

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c) Assume D-inflated and d-constricted.(1)

D d
D DD Dd
d Dd dd
(1)
F2 generation
Genotypes; 25% DD, 50% Dd, 25% dd. (1)
Phenotypes; 75% inflated pods, 25% constricted pods.(1)
d) Autosomal(1)-Second generation individual IV would have the condition if it was
sex linked, sex-linked conditions are always passed on from affected mother to son.(1)
Recessive(1)-Second generation individuals I and II neither have condition but son
does. If it were dominant, this would not be possible.(1)
e) A test cross can be used to determine the unknown genotype of an organism when
the trait is determined by an autosomal gene.(1) You must cross the unknown
individual with a homozygous recessive individual.(1) If the unknown individual was
homozygous dominant then all of the offspring will have the dominant trait.(1) If the
unknown individual was heterozygous then half of the offspring will be dominant and
the other half will be recessive.(1)
34. a) A-Mitochondria, B-Chloroplast, C-Golgi Body/Apparatus, D-Endoplasmic
reticulum
b) Golgi Body-Stores, modifies and packages chemicals (1) for export from cell.(1)
Endoplasmic reticulum-Used for transport for synthesised proteins to Golgi
apparatus(1) and for additional processing of proteins as part of cell metabolism.(1)
c) Each group of 3 bases codes for a specific amino acid.(1) These amino acids are
assembled in a particular order as determined by the sequence.(1) This order will
produce certain types of proteins.(1) The proteins that a cell can manufacture is solely
determined by the nitrogenous base sequence.(1)
d) (1 mark for each factor compared/contrasted correctly) 4 marks total
AEROBIC ANAEROBIC
SITE OF PROCESS Mitochondria Cytoplasm
AMOUNT OF ATP 36-38 2
MOLECULES
PRODUCED PER
MOLECULE OF
GLUCOSE
PRODUCTS IN Carbon dioxide and water Lactic acid
ANIMALS
PRODUCTS IN PLANTS Carbon dioxide and water Carbon dioxide and alcohol
e) Plant cells use light energy from the environment(1) to produce chemical energy in
the form of glucose molecules via photosynthesis.(1) This chemical energy is
converted into stored chemical energy within ATP in the process of respiration.(1) A
by-product of respiration is heat energy which is released into the environment.(1)

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35 a) A Combustion, B Respiration, C Photosynthesis, D Respiration

b) i. A heterotroph obtains these four elements from the food that it eats or air breathed
in.(1) Plants and other animals consist of these atoms and these are passed on to the
consumer when it eats other organisms.(1)
ii. Decomposers break the organic compounds that make up living things(1) down into
inorganic substances which are returned to the non-living environment ready to be used
again.(1)
c) (1 mark for each factor compared/contrasted correctly) 4 marks total
NATURAL URBAN
CHEMICAL Low High
ENERGY INPUTS
CHEMICAL Low High
ENERGY
OUTPUTS
RECYCLING OF High Low
MATTER
STABILITY More stable Less stable

d) We measure the total quantity of matter stored as biomass in a biomass pyramid in

grams of carbon per metre squared.(dry weight/unit area)(1) The amount of energy
stored as biomass decreases as you move up through the trophic levels.(1) At each
trophic level energy is lost to the environment as heat(1) as a result of cellular
respiration.(1)
e) We should conserve our natural environment because; maintain biodiversity and the
web of life(1), many species could be beneficial to man through chemical
compounds/drugs or commercial purposes(1), we should leave a legacy for future
generations(1) and we have a moral/ethical right/responsibility to protect all creatures
on Earth(1)
SECTION C-EXTENDED ANSWERS
36 a) Enzymes and their substrates have a specific shape (1). They fit together like a
‘lock and key’(1) and so each enzyme is specific for certain reactions. Enzymes speed
up/catalyse reactions by bringing substrates together more readily and at the right
orientation(2). This enables the substrates to react to produce the product(1). The
enzyme is not altered in the reaction so is able to assist other reactions(1). Enzymes
work at optimal temperatures and pH levels(1). Increased temperature denatures
enzymes and they lose their shape and substrate is unable to fit into active site so
reaction rates slow/stop(1). Lower temperatures slow down the reaction rates as there
is less substrate and enzyme movement and so less contact between them(1). If the pH
is too high or too low the enzyme is denatured, its shape changes and substrate is
unable to fit into active site so reaction rates slow/stop(1).
b) The sun’s energy is converted to glucose/food in plant cells that contain chloroplasts
in the process of photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide + Water (in the presence of light and
chlorophyll) produces Oxygen + Glucose(1). Plants use the sugar with oxygen in the
process of respiration to produce chemical energy in the form of ATP. Oxygen + Sugar
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(in the mitochondria) produces Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy (ATP)(1). The plant
uses ATP to carry out its metabolic processes (growth, movement, reproduction, repair,
etc.)(1). Some of the energy stored in plants is lost to the environment as heat(1).
Primary consumers eat plants to obtain their food and use oxygen to respire(1). This
produces ATP which they use to grow, move reproduce, repair, etc(1). Some of the
energy stored in animals is lost to the environment as heat(1). This process continues
through the food chain so energy is transferred as chemical energy or lost to the
environment as heat(1). Decomposers break down the remains of dead organisms(1)
and use the energy and return the elements to the environment as chemical
compounds(1).
c) Endotherms respond to an increase or decrease in temperature-stimulus (1). Their
response will lesson the stimulus (1).
For example-humans sweating when they are warm will decrease their temperature(1)
and shivering when they are cool (1) will increase their temperature therefore lessoning
the original stimulus(1) This is called negative feedback(1).
Ectotherms can only modify their internal body temperatures through behaviours. (1)
There is a stimulus- ie. too warm/cool and a response. (1)
For example-Lizards seeking shade/shelter when they are warm will decrease their
temperature(1) and basking when they are cool will increase their temperature. (1)
d) The first meiotic division begins with the nucleus having 2 copies of each
chromosome(1) (they replicate before meiosis begins)(1). Each chromosome consists
of 2 chromatids joined at a centromere(1). Segments of chromosomes can become
entangled and exchanged at this stage-crossing over(1). The chromosome pairs line up
on opposite sides of the equator(1). Spindle fibres connect to the centromere of the
chromosomes and separate the chromosomes from their sister chromosomes(1). The
second meiotic division sees each chromatid pair line up at the equator and get pulled
apart at the centromere by the spindle fibres(1). Single chromatids go to each pole(1).
The resultant gametes have half the normal number of chromosomes (haploid)(1)-one
copy of each of the homologous pairs(1).
37 a) Passive processes of osmosis and diffusion(1) would still occur in this cell. These
processes only require that the plasma membrane be permeable(1) to substances and
that there is a concentration gradient(1). A rigid plasma membrane would still allow
substances to pass through(1). Active processes of endocytosis and exocytosis,
including phagocytosis and pinocytosis(1) would not occur in this cell(1). For these
processes to occur the membrane must be fluid enough so that it can fold and bud off(1)
to enclose substances(1) to be brought into the cell or expelled from the cell(1).
Without proteins there would be no protein channels for active transport(1).

b) Species 1 would excrete ammonia(1). As water is in abundance in a freshwater lake

this species would be able to excrete its nitrogenous waste as ammonia mixed with lots
of water to reduce its toxicity(1). Species 2 would excrete uric acid(1). Water is in
short supply in the desert so this species would need to conserve its water(1). It would
therefore need to expend a fair deal of energy producing uric acid as its nitrogenous
waste(1) as this does not need to be excreted with much water at all as it has little
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toxicity(1). Species 3 would excrete urea(1). A forest has moderate amounts of water
compared to the other two environments(1). Urea is mildly toxic and needs to be
excreted with some water to reduce its toxicity(1). The organism would expend some
energy to produce urea in order to save some water(1).
c) Communities with high species diversity are better able to withstand changes to
biotic and abiotic factors as they have a more complex set of interactions(1). The food
web is larger and more broad which allows for the loss of species without adverse
effects(1). There may be more producers which ensures a food source if some
producers are wiped out by the changes(1). There may be more decomposers which
play an essential role in recycling nutrients(1). Decomposition will still continue even
if some decomposers are wiped out by the changes(1). Predators will have a range of
species they feed on and not be reliant on one particular species(1). Communities with
low species diversity are more vulnerable to disease, pests and disturbance(1). The loss
of one species could lead to the collapse of the whole food web(1). A disease or pest
could also lead to the removal of a crucial species in the ecosystem which could lead to
its collapse(1). Introduced species could easily overtake and destroy an environment
with little diversity making it even more vulnerable and fragile(1).
d) The patient should continue taking the dose to the end to ensure that all of the
bacterial cells have been killed(1). The bacterial population will have some
variation(1) and some of the individual cells may be ‘fitter’ than others, ie. resistant to
this antibiotic(1). If the prescription is finished too early there may be some bacteria
still alive that are resistant to the antibiotic(1)-survival of the fittest(1). These bacteria
could then reproduce(1) and pass on this resistance to other cells(1). There could then
be a growing population of antibiotic resistant bacteria which could cause the patient to
become sick again(1). But this time there may not be an antibiotic to treat the bacteria
as the bacteria has evolved(1) to become resistant to that particular type of antibiotic(1).

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