BIOLOGY O levels

HIGH DEMAND QUESTIONS

1. The diagrams below show the equations for anaerobic respiration in humans and in yeast.

(a) (i) State two similarities between the two reactions.

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[2]
(ii) State two differences between the two reactions.
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[2]
(b) (i) Explain what is meant by the term anaerobic respiration.
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[2]
(ii) In what circumstances does anaerobic respiration occur in humans?
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[1]
(c) A student investigated the effect of temperature on the production of carbon dioxide by yeast.
A solution of yeast and sugar was kept at different temperatures and the volume of carbon dioxide given
off at 5 minutes intervals was recorded. The table shows the results.

Volume of carbon dioxide/cm3

(i)

At which temperature was most carbon dioxide produced?

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[1]
(ii) Suggest why.
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[2]
(d) Explain why so little carbon dioxide was produced at 55 C.
0

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[1]
TOTAL /11
2. Canadian pondweed is a common aquatic plant. A student investigated the production of starch in
Canadian pondweed using lengths of leafy stem which had previously been destarched. The pieces of
plant were placed in four flasks labelled A to D and treated as shown in the table below. The flasks were
kept at room temperature, and after 36 hours the pieces of plant were tested for starch.
Flask

Fluid in which
pondweed
was bathed

Water enriched
with carbon dioxide

B
C
D

Glucose solution enriched

with carbon dioxide

Conditions in
which
flasks were
placed

results of testing
for
starch

Light

Present

Dark

Absent

Light

Present

Dark

Absent

(a) How and why was the Canadian pondweed destarched?

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[3]
(b) Why were the water and glucose solutions enriched with carbon dioxide?
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[2]
(c) Suggest reasons for the results seen in each of the flasks A to D.
A:
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[2]
B: .....................................................................................................................................................................
...
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[2]
C: .....................................................................................................................................................................
...
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[2]
D: .....................................................................................................................................................................
...
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[2]
TOTAL / 13

3. The table shows the nutritional requirements of a 16 year old male.

Carbohydrate has an energy value of 17 kJ per gram and fat has an energy value of 35 kJ per gram
(a) Calculate the mass of protein needed per day by the 16 year old male. Show your working.

Answer......................................

[2]

(b) (i) Calculate how much energy the 16 year old should obtain from carbohydrate. Show your working.

Answer......................................

[2]

(ii) Calculate the mass of carbohydrate the 16 year old would need to eat to supply the energy needed
from carbohydrate. Show your working.

Answer......................................

[2]

(c) Eskimos of the same age have a daily energy requirement which is 40% higher. Suggest a reason

for this.
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[1]
TOTAL / 7

4. The diagram shows a section of human skin.

(a) Name the parts labelled A and B.

A. .......................................................................................................................................................... [1]
B. .......................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) How does the substance produced by structure B help a person to lose heat?
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[2]
(c) After vigorous exercise the skin may look flushed and feel hot.
(i) Explain why the skin may look flushed and feel hot.

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[3]
(ii) How does this help a person to lose heat?
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[1]
TOTAL / 8

5. The diagram shows the carbon cycle.

(a) In what form does carbon exist in the atmosphere?

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[1]
(b) What process is represented by,
(i) arrow 1?
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[1]
(ii) arrow 2?
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[1]
(iii) arrow 5?

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[1]
(iv) arrow 6?
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[1]
(c) In 1978 the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere by process 6 was 4.8 billion tonnes.
In 1998 this had risen to 5.4 billion tonnes.
Calculate the percentage increase in the amount of carbon released.
Answer.......................................................... [2]
(d) Describe, in detail, how carbon in the atmosphere becomes carbon present in organic remains in the
soil.
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[6]
TOTAL / 13