EXAMINATION: BIOMOLECULES AND CELLS (BIOL10002)

The examination in BIOL10002 is three hours in

length and will be based on the material
delivered in lectures, practicals, independent
learning tasks workshops and tutorials. The
examination is marked out of 180, which will
be converted to a score out of 50.

Make sure you read about

how to fill out the answer
sheets in this section of
the LMS

The examination paper consists of three types of

questions:
Section A: Multiple choice
You are asked to choose the most appropriate response from 4 alternatives. These questions may be
worth one or two marks each.
Section B: Short answer
Questions requiring you to choose an appropriate response from a menu of alternatives.
Note: In the list of items in the menus of Section B the numbers start at 1 but there are NO numbers
with a 0 i.e., no 10, 20 or 30.
Section C: Extended response
Questions requiring a written answer in the space provided on the paper.
SAMPLE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS BIOL10002: BIOMOLECULES AND
The following questions have been prepared to provide you with a guide to the format of questions
used on the actual examination
This is a collection of questions from each section of the paper. The number of each type of
question may be different in the actual examination. In particular Section C which will have only
THREE questions on the actual examination paper.

SECTION A

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

(72 marks/ 72 minutes)

In each of the items 152 you should select the CORRECT or MOST APPROPRIATE answer
by marking the appropriate space provided on the SECTION A MULTIPLE CHOICE
answer sheet.
Items 1 2 are worth 1 mark each.
Items 3352 are worth 2 marks each.
If more than one answer is recorded, no credit will be gained for that question
Question 1: Enzymes are
A
B
C
D

used only once.

dependent on external energy to function.
are composed mainly of nucleosides linked by peptide bonds.
able to lower the activation energy to accelerate reactions.

Question 2: Which is true about the interaction of an enzyme with its substrate(s)?
A
B
C
D

The shape of the enzyme does not change.

The enzymes substrate binding is not influenced by pH change.
The interaction is governed by the tertiary and or quaternary structure of the enzyme
protein.
The substrate shape is modified to fit in the enzymes active site.

Question 3: The following cellular molecule is not a polymer.

A
B
C
D

mRNA.
cellulose.
testosterone.
gelsolin.

Question 4: Proteins differ from carbohydrates in that they

A
B
C
D

are polymers of monomers.

can contain carbon rings.
are polymerised by condensations.
are all linear.

Question 5: The majority of the energy released from the tricarboxylic acid (Krebs) cycle is
temporarily stored as
A
B
C
D

acetyl CoA.
ATP.
NADH.
FADH2.

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Question 6: The following is not a component of RNA.

A
B
C
D

deoxyribose.
ribose.
phosphate.
guanine.

Question 7: Triglycerides are

A
B
C
D

all liquid at room temperature.

amphipathic.
stores of high energy bonds.
the major component of membranes.

Question 8: The signals that bind to receptors on the same cell that made them are known as
A
B
C
D

paracrine.
inhibitory
autocrine
endocrine

Question 9: The first component of a signal transduction pathway is a

A
B
C
D

responder molecule.
receptor molecule.
signalling molecule.
effector molecule.

Question 10: The antigen-specific receptor on T cells is called

A
B
C
D

an antibody.
the T-cell receptor.
a G-protein.
a lymphokine.

Question 11: T cells mature in

A
B
C
D

the spleen.
the lymph nodes.
bone marrow.
the thymus.

Question 12: B cells mature in

A
B
C
D

the thymus.
the lymph nodes.
bone marrow.
the spleen.

BIOL10002 Sample Exam

Question 13: Which of the following cells release histamines upon shallow tissue damage?
A
B
C
D

Mast cells
Macrophages
Monocytes
Natural Killer Cells

Question 14: In order for cells to differentiate there must be

A
B
C
D

different types of energy metabolism.

differential gene expression.
communication through gap junctions.
nuclear quiescence.

Question 15: The mammalian zygote is

A
B
C
D

dependent upon glucose as an energy source.

the smallest cell in the body.
totipotent.
haploid.

Question 16: Hormones

A
B
C
D

Are all water soluble.

require membrane bound receptors to act.
all have cholesterol backbones.
can have different effects on different tissues.

Question 17: Enzymes

A
B
C
D

have no effect on the activation energy of a reaction.

are not temperature sensitive
can be regulated by irreversible or reversible inhibition.
are all dependent on ATP activity.

Question 18: Glycolytic activity is tightly regulated at

A
B
C
D

phosphofructokinase.
aldolase.
triosphosphate isomerase.
enolase.

Question 19: The two primary cell types of the nervous system are _______ and _______.
A
fibroblasts; chondrocytes
B
neurons; glial cells
C
epithelial cells; glandular cells
D
neurons; epithelial cells

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Question 20: Which of the following statements about the Cellullar Immune Response is true?
A
B
C
D

It is carried out by T cells.

It is directed against antigens within a cell.
It involves antibodies.
It involves defensins.

Question 21: Each B cell can produce _______ kind(s) of antibodies.

A
B
C
D

1
2
4
More than 4

Question 22: Which of the following is true of all osmoconformers?

A
B
C
D

The osmolarity of their tissue fluids is in equilibrium with their environment.

They must conserve water and excrete salts.
They keep their body fluids almost isotonic to the environment by retaining high
concentrations of urea.
The osmolarity of their tissue fluids does not change as the environment changes.

Question 23: Which of the following animal groups uses uric acid as their main nitrogenous waste
product?
A.
B.
C.
D.

Terrestrial reptiles.
Amphibians.
Cartilagenous fish.
Aquatic invertebrates.

Question 24: In which part of the brain are the neurons which control the basic respiratory cycle in
air-breathing vertebrates?
A
B
C
D

Frontal lobe.
Diencephalons.
Brainstem.
Hypothalamus.

Question 25: Which of the following is true of myoglobin?

A
B
C
D

It is a respiratory pigment only found in birds.

It has a high affinity for carbon dioxide and helps to remove it from body tissues.
It has a high affinity for oxygen and serves as an oxygen reserve in muscle.
It binds oxygen irreversibly when the blood carbon dioxide concentration increases.

Question 26: A function of B plasma cell lymphocytes is to

A
B
C
D

engulf and digest pathogens that enter the body.

initiate a cascade of chemical reactions that leads to blood clotting.
produce and secrete antibodies that bind to invading pathogens.
release histamine when damaged and cause inflammation at the site of injury.

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Question 27: Progeny inherit all the characteristics of a single parent through
A
B
C
D

copulation.
asexual reproduction.
gametogenesis.
sexual reproduction.

Question 28: Oviparous species are

A
B
C
D

egg bearing animals in which development occurs inside mothers body.

egg bearing animals in which development occurs outside mothers body.
live bearing animals in which development occurs outside mothers body.
live bearing animals in which development occurs inside mothers body.

Question 29: In male gametogenesis, the second meiotic division produces four haploid
A
B
C
D

spermatogonia.
primary spermatocytes.
secondary spermatocytes.
spermatids.

Question 30: The following method of contraception also helps prevent the spread of sexually
transmitted disease.
A
B
C
D

Diaphragm
Cervical cap
Condom
Birth control pill

Question 31: In mammals, at the end of cleavage, the embryo is called a

A
B
C
D

blastoderm.
blastula.
blastocyst.
blastopore

Question 32: The following adjective best describes the potency of a zygote.
A
B
C
D

Totipotent.
Multipotent.
Pluripotent.
Differentiated.

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Each correct response to items 33- 52 is worth 2 marks.

Question 33: An enzyme
A
B
C
D

is gradually used up during a reaction.

has its activity prescribed by its amino acid sequence.
slightly alters the final equilibrium.
is insensitive to physical conditions.

Question 34: In glycolysis

A
B
C
D

a glucose molecule is split into two 3-carbon units to release energy.

complex carbohydrates are hydrolysed into monosaccharides.
the net yield of ATP is four.
protons are concentrated in the mitochondrial inter membrane space.

Question 35: Translocation of a solute across a cell membrane against a diffusion gradient is
called
A
B
C
D

facilitated diffusion.
active transport.
osmosis.
passive diffusion.

Question 36: If insufficient oxygen is available, eukaryotic cells revert to fermentation

A
B
C
D

in order to re-oxidise their electron carriers such as NADH.

to oxidise glucose all the way to CO2 and H2O.
to generate ATP by oxidative phosphorylation.
to cycle oxaloacetate.

Question 37: A blood cell will burst when placed in

A
B
C
D

a hypotonic solution.
a hypertonic solution.
sea water.
a solution with lower osmotic potential than that inside the blood cell.

Question 38: B and T cell lymphocytes

A
B
C
D

mediate the process of complement activation.

start the production of A and B cells from the islets of Langerhans.
are antigens presented by MHC molecules.
carry out the adaptive immune response in mammals.

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Question 39: Signals can reach target cells in multicellular organisms via _______ and _______.
A
B
C
D

Chaperones; perfusion
Circulation; diffusion
Conduction; diffusion
Cytoskeleton; perfusion

Question 40: When the neurotransmitter diffuses across the synaptic cleft
A
B
C
D

it automatically causes activation of the postsynaptic target cell

a single molecule is sufficient to trigger activation of the postsynaptic cell
it can have an excitatory or inhibitory effect on the postsynaptic target cell
most molecules are inactivated before reaching the postsynaptic target cell

Question 41: Active transport

A
B
C
D

uses a concentration gradient.

is bi-directional.
does not require a membrane carrier.
utilises ATP

Question 42: The experiment in ground squirrels provided evidence that the hypothalamus acts as
a thermostat. Thus, if the hypothalamus of the ground squirrel were damaged, we
would predict that body temperature would
A
rise with increases in environmental temperature and fall with decreases in
environmental temperature.
B
fall with increases in environmental temperature and rise with decreases in
environmental temperature.
C
not change with changes in environmental temperature.
D
rise no matter what the environmental temperature.
Question 43: How many oxygen molecules bind to human haemoglobin?
A
B
C
D

1
4
6
8

Question 44: A particular disease of the nervous system specifically damages the ability of
secretory vesicles in the nerve terminals to fuse with the plasma membrane. This
disease would therefore affect the
A
B
C
D

axon terminals of the presynaptic cell and the release of K+.

axon terminals of the presynaptic cell and the release of the neurotransmitter.
axon terminals of the postsynaptic cells and the release of K+.
axon terminals of the postsynaptic cells and the release of neurotransmitter.

BIOL10002 Sample Exam

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Question 45: In Brattleboro rats, what gene is mutated and what is the outcome of this?
A
B
C
D

Renin gene and as a consequence produce excessive amounts of urine.

Vasopressin gene and as a consequence produce excessive amounts of urine.
Vasopressin gene and as a consequence produce very little urine.
Renin gene and as a consequence produce no vasopressin.

Question 46: Thiamin (B1) is a

A
B
C
D

fat-soluble vitamin and prevents anaemia.

water-soluble vitamin and prevents beriberi.
water-insoluble vitamin and prevents scurvy.
water-soluble mineral element needed for protein synthesis.

Question 47: In a respiratory system, what is characteristic of the exchange site?

A
B
C
D

Many epithelial layers that decrease the diffusion distance between blood and organs
that need oxygen.
A large surface area and small diffusion distance between the respiratory medium and
blood.
A large surface area and long diffusion distance between the blood and organs that
need oxygen.
Higher concentrations of the respiratory pigment haemoglobin to increase the
oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.

Question 48: Red blood cells are produced in the

A
B
C
D

endothelial cells of blood vessels in the bone marrow.

stem cells of the spleen in response to hypoxia.
bone marrow of the pelvis in response to hypoxia.
skeletal muscle under the control of erythropoietin.

Question 49: The following is the correct order of the structures through which sperm pass from
the time sperm are produced to ejaculation.
A
B
C
D

vas deferens, seminiferous tubules, epididymis, urethra

Epididymis, seminiferous tubules, vas deferens, urethra
Seminiferous tubules, vas deferens, epididymis, urethra
Seminiferous tubules, epididymis, vas deferens, urethra

Question 50: The following is an example of positive feedback control in the reproductive cycle of
females.
A
B
C
D

Increased response of the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland in response to

estrogen.
Decreased response of the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland in response to
estrogen.
Inhibition of luteinizing hormone by high levels of estrogen.
Stimulation of luteinizing hormone by low levels of estrogen

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Question 51: At the end of gastrulation, in all vertebrate embryos

A
B
C
D

radial symmetry and the three primary germ layers are established.
the body plan and two germ layers, ectoderm and mesoderm, are established.
bilateral symmetry and the three primary germ layers are established.
the archenteron, lined with mesoderm and the neural tube are established.

Question 52: From the experiment in which Dolly the sheep was cloned it can be concluded that
A
B
C
D

Scottish Blackfaced sheep cells cannot be used in nuclear transfer experiments.

differentiated animal cells are totipotent in nuclear transplant experiments.
cloning sheep leads to greater genetic variability.
dorset sheep can only be cloned using artificial insemination.
*** END OF SECTION A ***

BIOL10002 Sample Exam

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Student number..
SECTION B (5 questions)

(38marks/38minutes)

Place all answers in the Section B mark sheet as instructed.

Question 1: Section B

(9 marks/9 minutes)

From the numbered list (0112) select the most appropriate descriptions for (AI) in the table
below that compares the three domains of life. Enter your answers in Box 1 of the Section B
Answer Sheet. Each correct response is worth 1 mark. A response may be used more than once or
not at all.
DOMAIN
Bacteria
A

Archaea
B

Eukarya
C

cell division

ribosomes

DNA

Answer list for Question 1B. (numbers ending with a 0 are not used in this list)
01.

70S size and sensitive to chloramphenicol and streptomycin

02.

70S size but not sensitive to chloramphenicol or streptomycin

03.

80S size and sensitive to diphtheria toxin

04.

80S size and sensitive to streptomycin

05.

cell division by binary fission using FtsZ

06.

cell division using a tubulin spindle and actin cell cytokinesis

07.

multiple circular chromosomes

08.

multiple linear chromosomes with histone proteins

09.

single circular chromosomes with histone-like proteins

11.

single circular chromosomes without histone proteins

12.

single linear chromosome

BIOL10002 Sample Exam

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Student number..
Question 2: Section B

5 marks/5 minutes)

Demonstrate your knowledge of where you would find examples of these tissues listed (AE),
matching the letter with the number of the organ (0105).
Enter your answers in Box 2 of the Section B Answer Sheet. Each correct response is worth
1 mark.
Epithelium
A.

Squamous epithelial cells

B.

Cuboidal epithelial cells

C.

Columnar epithelial cells

D.

Smooth muscle cells

E.

Macrophage

Answer list for Question 2B (numbers ending with a 0 are not used in this list)
01.

Kidney tubules

02.

Connective tissue

03.

Lining of small intestine

04.

Outer layer of blood vessels

05.

Cheek

BIOL10002 Sample Exam

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Student number..
Question 3: Section B

(12 marks/12 minutes)

Select the word from (0122) below that completes the sentences (AL). Enter your answers in Box
4 of the Section B Answer Sheet. Each correct response is worth 1 mark. A response may be used
once or not at all.
In mammals, digestion begins when food enters the mouth by A. ______ and mechanical
processing. A bolus of food is moved towards the stomach by waves of muscle contraction called
B. ______. When food arrives in the stomach, it stimulates the release of C. ______ from stomach
mucosal cells. This causes the release of D. ______ from gastric parietal cells, which activates
conversion of the inactive E. ______ into F. ______ . This aids the enzymatic digestion of G.
_____. The term used to describe the mixture of gastric juice and partially digested food that leaves
the stomach is called H. ______ is. When released into the duodenum, it is mixed with I. ______ to
increase the pH and J. ______ to digest lipids. The actions of stomach secretions on the mucosa
were assumed to be the cause of stomach ulcers. However, two Australian researchers discovered
that stomach ulcers were caused by
K. ______ and patients could be cured with L. _____
Answer list for Question 3B (numbers ending with a 0 are not used in this list)
01.

bacteria

12.

nuclease

02.

bicarbonate ions

13.

pepsin

03.

chyme

14.

pepsinogen

04.

enzymatic

15.

peristalsis

05.

Large intestine

16.

dipetides

06.

gastrin

17.

Small intestine

07.

glucagon

18.

antibiotics

08.

hydrochloric acid

19.

proteins

09.

bile

21.

trypsin

11.

mechanical

22.

virus

BIOL10002 Sample Exam

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Student number..
Question 4: Section B

(7marks/7minutes)

For the list of terms pertaining to sexual reproduction in animals (A G), select the appropriate
definition for each from the answer list below (01 14)
Enter the numbers of your chosen alternatives in Box 5 of the Section B Answer Sheet. Each
correct answer is worth 1 mark. An answer may be used once or not at all.

Spermatid

Oocyte

Vasectomy

FSH

Pronucleus

seminal vesicle

Gametogenesis

Answer list for Question 4B (numbers ending with a 0 are not used in this list)
01.

female germ cell

02.

follicle stimulating hormone

03.

fertility sertoli hormone

04.

Leydig and Sertoli cells

05.

male germ cell

06.

one of the organs in which sperm matures

07.

one of the organs that contribute nutrient-rich fluid for sperm

08.

one of the phases of meiosis

09.

prevents release of sperm during ejaculation

11.

the nucleus of a sperm after it enters the egg at fertilization

12.

the production of gametes

13.

the stage and cell type before the progression to secondary spermatocytes

14.

the stage and cell type before the progression to sperm

BIOL10002 Sample Exam

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Student number..
Question 5: Section B

(11marks/11minutes)

Complete the statements by selecting for (AK) the most appropriate answer from the list (0122).
Enter the numbers of your chosen alternatives in Box 1 of the Section C Answer Sheet. Each
correct answer is worth 1 mark. An answer may be used once or not at all.
The immune system protects organisms from A._____ using two systems of defense with
increasing specificity the innate and B.______ immune systems. Physical barriers, such as
C.______ prevent pathogens such as D.______ from entering the organism. If a pathogen breaks
through these barriers, there are E.______ responses. For example, the airways and gut protect body
openings by secreting F.______ containing lysozyme, while the stomach mucosa secretes
G.______ into the lumen. If pathogens successfully evade the innate response, humans possess a
another layer of protection, which is more H.______ that has two arms: (a) The I.______ immune
response involves antibodies in blood and lymph, or membrane bound J.______ on B cells. (b)
The K.______ immune response is able to detect antigens that reside within cells.

Answer list for Question 1C (numbers ending with a 0 are not used in this list)
01

antibodies

12

infection

02

antigenic

13

inflammation

03

adaptive

14

macrophage

04

acid

15

mucus

05

B cells

16

memory

06

bacteria

17

MHC

07

cellular

18

non-specific

08

complement

19

skin

09

cytokine

21

specific

11

humoral

22

T cell

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Student number..
SECTION C (7 questions)

(59 marks/59 minutes)

Write your Student ID number on EVERY PAGE of this section in the spaces provided at the
top of each page.
Write your answers in the spaces provided.

Question 1C

(8 marks/ 8 minutes)

TOTAL

Q 1C

Describe the events that take place when a signalling molecule binds to a G-linked protein receptor.

IF MORE SPACE IS REQUIRED, USE THE BACK OF THIS PAGE ONLY.

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Student number..
Question 2C

(5 marks/ 5minutes)

TOTAL

Q 2C

Give a brief account of the processes involved in the transport of the metabolic waste product
carbon dioxide in the blood.

IF MORE SPACE IS REQUIRED, USE THE BACK OF THIS PAGE ONLY.

BIOL10002 Sample Exam

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Student number..
Question 3C

(6 marks/ 6 minutes)

TOTAL

Q 3C

List the levels used to describe protein structure and provide a one-sentence description of each
level.

IF MORE SPACE IS REQUIRED, USE THE BACK OF THIS PAGE ONLY.

BIOL10002 Sample Exam

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Student number..
Question 4C

(10 marks/ 10 minutes)

TOTAL

Q 4C

Explain why phospholipids are ideal for the formation of cell membranes. Use diagrams to illustrate
your answer.

IF MORE SPACE IS REQUIRED, USE THE BACK OF THIS PAGE ONLY.

BIOL10002 Sample Exam

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Student number..
Question 5C

(10 marks/ 10 minutes)

TOTAL

Q 5C

You have been shipwrecked on a desert island, having spent two days in a life raft at sea with little
water. Describe how your brain and kidney will respond to these dehydrating conditions. (Your
answer can be in dot-point form).

IF MORE SPACE IS REQUIRED, USE THE BACK OF THIS PAGE ONLY.

BIOL10002 Sample Exam

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Student number..
Question 6C

(10 marks/10 minutes)

TOTAL

Q 6C

a. Oogenesis is often described as the production of a haploid ovum (or egg) by meiosis but in
human this is not exactly true. Explain? (5 Marks)
b. If a human female begins taking estradiol and progesterone immediately after the start of a new
menstrual cycle, what effect on ovulation should she expect? (5 Marks)

IF MORE SPACE IS REQUIRED, USE THE BACK OF THIS PAGE ONLY.