Subject

Class

Name

Class

Candidate
Number

2BI

ANGLO-CHINESE JUNIOR COLLEGE

Preliminary Examination 2009

BIOLOGY

9747/03

Higher 2

27 August 2009
1 hour 30 minutes

PAPER 3 Applications Paper

Additional Material: Writing Paper
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
Write your name, subject class, form class and candidate number in the spaces at the top of this page and
on all separate answer paper used.
Write in dark blue or black pen.
You may use a soft pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working.
Answer all questions.
The intended number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
At the end of the examination, fasten your work securely together with the string provided.
You are reminded of the need for good English.

FOR EXAMINERS USE

1
2
3
4
TOTAL

65

This document consists of 8 printed pages.

Anglo-Chinese Junior College

9747/03/ Prelim 09

[Turn over

For
Examiners
Use

Answer all the questions in spaces provided.

1

In 1995, a plan to completely sequence the human genome was outlined. However, due to the
sheer size of the genome, the chromosomes could not be sequenced directly. For instance,
Chromosome 13 is 95,567,076 base pairs long. This chromosome must be first broken into
smaller pieces. These pieces are then sequenced a process which involves two procedures.
The first is a modified procedure of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (shown in Fig. 1.1) using
dideoxyribonucleotides, ddNTPs (structure shown in Fig. 1.2). The second procedure produces
a result shown in Fig. 1.3, from which the DNA sequence can be read.

Add deoxyribonucleotides (dATP, dTTP, dCTP, dGTP) and

polymerase to each tube

Fig. 1.1

Fig. 1.2
Fig. 1.3

(a) On Fig. 1.1, label the 5 and 3 ends of the DNA marked with an asterisk (*).

[1]

(b) Explain how the chromosome is broken into smaller pieces.

[2]
Anglo-Chinese Junior College

9747/03/ Prelim 09

[Turn over

For
Examiners
Use

(c) Describe three features that distinguish the process in Fig. 1.1 from that of regular PCR.

[3]

(d) With reference to Fig. 1.2, explain the need to use ddNTP in the sequencing process.

[2]

(e) State why is it necessary to label the primer.

[1]

(f) Briefly describe the procedure that would give rise to the result shown in Fig. 1.3.

[4]

(g) State two ethical concerns of the Human Genome Project.

[2]
[Total:15]
Anglo-Chinese Junior College

9747/03/ Prelim 09

[Turn over

For
Examiners
Use

2
(a)
In genetic engineering of plants, Ti plasmid of the bacterium Agrobacterium
tumefaciens was used in the transferring of foreign genes into the plant genome.
Genetically engineered tobacco plants with insect resistance were developed using this
method to become transgenic Bt plants. These transgenic plants express the cry genes
encoding for insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
(i)

Describe the genetic engineering process in the use of Ti plasmid to form a Bt

tobacco plants.

[4]

(ii)

Explain how a population of pests may develop resistance to a toxin after constant
exposure to the toxin.

[2]

(iii) Describe two advantages in expressing Bt toxins in transgenic Bt crops.

[2]

Anglo-Chinese Junior College

9747/03/ Prelim 09

[Turn over

For
Examiners
Use

(b) Fig. 2.1 shows the effect of applying different concentrations of auxin on the growth of
tobacco plant callus.

Fig. 2.1
(i)

Calculate the percentage increase in the rate of growth obtained when the concentration
of auxin is increased from 1 to 2 mg/dm3. Show your working.
[1]

(ii)

It would not be advisable in tissue culture to apply more than 2mg/dm3 of auxin to this
tobacco plant callus. Explain.

[2]

(iii) Suggest why the callus were initially washed with sodium hypochlorite (bleach).
[1]

Anglo-Chinese Junior College

9747/03/ Prelim 09

[Turn over

For
Examiners
Use

(iv) State two advantages and one disadvantage of using the technique of tissue culturing.
Advantages:

Disadvantage:
[3]
[Total: 15]

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder.

(a) Explain how mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)
gene can give rise to the recessive mode of inheritance of cystic fibrosis.

[2]

(b) Since 1989 when the CFTR gene was discovered, scientists have tried using gene therapy
to treat the disease. Both viral and non-viral approaches have been used to deliver the
normal CFTR gene to the airways of affected individuals. In the viral approach, the cDNA of
the normal CFTR gene is carried by the modified virus.
(i)

Describe and explain one way in which cDNA of normal CFTR gene differs from the
normal CFTR gene.

[2]

(ii)

Suggest why cDNA of the normal CFTR gene is used instead of the normal CFTR
gene.

[1]

(iii) The DNA sequence carried by the modified virus also contains a promoter sequence.
Suggest why this is necessary.

[1]
Anglo-Chinese Junior College

9747/03/ Prelim 09

[Turn over

7
(iv)

For
Examiners
Use

It took scientists many years to determine that the CFTR gene was responsible for
cystic fibrosis. With the completion of the human genome project, it has become
much easier to identify genes that are responsible for diseases and to design genetic
tests for these diseases. State three other benefits of the human genome project.

[3]

(c) An experiment using a non-viral vector to deliver the CFTR gene was carried out on five
individuals with cystic fibrosis. Three doses of plasmids bearing the CFTR gene were
administered to the patients at four-week intervals. After each dose, tests were carried out
on the patients to detect the following: plasmid-derived CFTR DNA, plasmid-derived CFTR
mRNA, plasmid-derived CFTR protein and CFTR protein function. The results are shown in
Table 3.1 below, with positive samples marked +.
Table 3.1
Patient
1
2
3
4
5

Dose 1

Dose 2

DNA

mRNA

protein

protein
function

DNA
mRNA
protein
protein function

DNA

mRNA

+
+

+
+

protein

Dose 3
protein
function

DNA

mRNA

protein

protein
function

+
+
+

: detection of plasmid-derived CFTR DNA

: detection of plasmid-derived mRNA
: detection of plasmid-derived CFTR protein
: detection of CFTR protein function

For questions (i) to (iv), use the data from Table 3.1.
(i)

Calculate the percentage success rate of CFTR gene delivery by liposomes for all 15
doses.
[1]

(ii)

Calculate the percentage success rate of transcription of plasmid-derived CFTR DNA

for cases where gene delivery was successful.
[1]

Anglo-Chinese Junior College

9747/03/ Prelim 09

[Turn over

For
Examiners
Use

(iii) From your answer in (i) and (ii), determine whether gene delivery or transcription of
the delivered gene was the more significant obstacle to successful gene therapy.
[1]

(iv) Repeated administration of certain kinds of gene therapy to a patient may diminish
the success rate of gene delivery in subsequent doses. Explain whether this is a valid
concern for this experiment.

[2]

(v)

Suggest why the presence of plasmid-derived CFTR protein may not result in the
presence of CFTR protein function as seen in Patient 4.
[1]
[Total: 15]

Write your answers to this question on the ruled pages provided.

Your answer should be illustrated by large, clearly abeled diagrams, where appropriate.
Your answer must be in continuous prose, where appropriate.
Your answer must be set out in sections (a), (b) etc., as indicated in the question.

4 (a) Describe the three major types of stem cells.

[6]

(b) Describe and evaluate the use of viral and non-viral gene delivery systems commonly used
for gene therapy treatment of cystic fibrosis.
[8]
(c) The Bt gene has been used to create transgenic organisms. With reference to two other
named examples, discuss the significance and concerns of using transgenic organisms in
solving the demand for food in the world.
[6]
[Total: 20]

Anglo-Chinese Junior College

9747/03/ Prelim 09

[Turn over