Questions....................................................................................................................

1
HKALE 1993 Biology Paper II......................................................................................1
HKALE 1995 Biology Paper II......................................................................................1
HKALE 1998 Biology Paper I.......................................................................................2
HKALE 1993 Biology Paper II......................................................................................3
HKALE 1995 Biology Paper II......................................................................................4
HKALE 1998 Biology Paper I.......................................................................................6
 Questions
HKALE 1993 Biology Paper II
2. (a) Distinguish between diffusion and active transport. (4 marks)

(b) State four environmental factors that influence salt absorption in plants. Explain
how each exerts its effect. (6 rnarks)

(c) (i) Give three examples of body functions in mammals where active transport is
essential.

(ii) Briefly describe the functional significance of active transport in each case.

(iii) With reference to one of the functions you have mentioned in (i), describe
how the structure(s) concerned is / are structurally adapted to this function.
(10 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1995 Biology Paper II

4. Using examples, describe the functions of cellular and subcellular membranes in living
organisms. Relate these functions to the structure and composition of the membrane,
whenever appropriate.
(20 marks)

Suggested Soution
HKALE 1998 Biology Paper I
4. An experiment was set up to study the effects of chemicals on the permeability of the
cell membrane of beet root. Beet root discs were prepared, rinsed with water and blotted
dry. The same number of beet root discs were placed into three test-tubes labelled A, B
and C containing equal volumes of fluids :

tube A contains water,

tube B contains 30% ethanol, and
tube C contains 30% sucrose solution.

Indicate from which test tube(s) the following observations were made during the course
of the experiment. Give your reasons.

(a) Beet root discs sank. The liquid in the test-tube looked intensely red. (2.5 marks)

(b) Beet root discs floated initially and then sank. The liquid in the test tube looked the
same in colour as that in the control test-tube. (3.5 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1993 Biology Paper II
2. (a) Diffusion Active transport
encompass movements that occur direct input of metabolite energy required 1
without metabolic energy being
expended
intake of gases (e.g. oxygen) and ions intake of molecules across the 1
and small polar molecules (e.g. membrane against a concentration
glucose) through diffusion follow the gradient
concentration gradient (i.e. high conc.
to low conc. )
could be reversible usually unidirectional 1
no specific carriers involved specific carriers or pumps required 1
(4)
(b) Factors :
1. Temperature :
1)
increase in temperature will increase rate of salt absorption
narrow temperature range
over maximal temperature will have inhibitory effect
(denaturation of enzymes)

2. Hydrogen ion concentration (pH) :

1)
ionization of electrolytes affected by pH environment
e.g. acidic pH favour for monovalent phosphate ions basic pH
favour for di- and trivalent phosphate ions

3. Light :
1)
light affect opening / closure of stomata, photosynthesis, etc.;
this will in turn affect the mass flow of water so that rate of
salt absorption is affected
light affect photosynthesis / energy formation, thus affect
active transport

4. Oxygen tension :
1)
oxygen concentration affects the rate of respiration, thus
affecting the availability of ATP for active transport
Any other suitable answers
1)
any 6 marks
 (c) (i) reabsorption of glucose from the uriniferous tubules into the blood
1
absorption of digested food from the intestinal lumen
1
the transport of sodium and potassium ions across the membrane of a
neurone 1

(ii) enables complete reabsorption of glucose from the

glomerular filtrate, otherwise it would be excreted and wasted

1
enables complete absorption of digested nutrients from the
alimentary canal, otherwise these nutrients would be egested
and wasted
1
maintains the conc. gradient of ions across the cell
membrane and thereby maintains the polarity across the
membrane (inside negative) in creating the resting
membrane potential
1

(iii) large number of mitochondria for ATP sources

2)
carrier systems for transport of specific molecules / ions
2)
large surface area (long / villi / microvilli, etc.) for increasing
contact with the molecules / ions to be transported
2)
any 4 marks
(20)
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HKALE 1995 Biology Paper II

4. (1) Compartmentalization to safeguard cell and organelle function.(1) OR :
Keep cell shape.()
Forms boundary() of individual cells i.e. plasma membrane and
boundary of organelles like nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts.
Brief mention of function of membrane in compartmentalization in any
one example.(1)
2
 membrane integrity due to arrangement of phospholipids and
proteins.(1)
1
OR : illustration of membrane structure and composition with a
diagram (accurate drawing of phospholipid bilayer and proteins,
labelling of phospholipid, protein).(2)
2
(max. 4)
(2) Control exchange() between two sides of membrane by selective
permeability() : any one example(1) e.g. Nutrient absorption in microvilli
(plasma membrane) of small intestine, (foldings to increase absorption
area ()), ion uptake in plant root, glucose uptake in yeast cell, active
reabsorption of glucose in kidney tubules, calcium pump, establish
electrochemical gradient for nerve impulse conduction.
2

phospholipid bilayer() permeable to fat-soluble substances()

channel proteins() permeable to small particles()
carrier proteins() for facilitated passage of specific solutes and
active transport ()
presence of pores at nuclear membrane() controls passage of
substances into and out of the nucleus()
4
(6)
(3) Site of membrane-bound enzymatic reactions(l) any one example(l)
e.g. electron transport system at cristae of mitochondria, light reactions
at thylakoids of chloroplasts.
2

membrane proteins can be single enzymes or aggregated to form

multi-enzyme complexes(1)
1
foldings() to increase area for such reactions()
1
(4)
[Do not accept enzyme catalyzed protein synthesis at RER as example]

(4) Recognition of stimuli(1) any one example(1) e.g. Insulin / hormone

receptors in (liver) cells, light receptors in rod cells, antigen receptors in
 white blood cells, neurotransmitter receptors in post-synaptic
membranes.
2

membrane glycoproteins / glycolipids as recognition sites(1)

1
(3)
(5) Cell and organelle identity(1) any one example (1) e.g. antigens on RBC
in relation to blood group.
2

membrane glycoproteins as markers(1)

1
(3)
(6) *Endocytosis() any one example() e.g. phagocytosis in Amoeba /
phagocytic WBC, cell uptake of cholesterol by pinocytosis.
1

*Exocytosis() any one example() e.g. glandular secretions, release of

particulate wastes from cells, synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitter.
1

fluidity of membrane() due to phospholipid / cholesterol()

1
(3)
(7) Myelin sheath insulates(1) against "cross-talk" between adjacent axons.
1

electrical resistance due to high lipid composition in membrane(1)

1
(2)
(max. 20)
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HKALE 1998 Biology Paper I

4. (a) tube B() - beet root is denser than 30% alcohol (), ethanol destroys cell
membrane () by dissolving the lipid component of the
membrane (), membrane loses selective permeability, red
pigment leaks out ()
(2)
 (b) tube C() - 30% sucrose solution is denser than the beet root(), beet
root floated initially
- 30% sucrose solution has a lower osmotic potential / lower water potential than
the cell sap () of the beet root, water diffuses out from the cells (), density of
the beet root tissue increases (), the discs sank eventually sucrose does not
affect membrane integrity () no pigment leakage ()
(3)

(6)
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