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AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION BOARD

SECONDARY SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

COMPOSITE EXAMINATION 2008

Biology Paper II

Time allowed: 2 hours 20 minutes Marks 55

INSTRUCTIONS

Please read the following instructions carefully.

1. Check your name and school information. Sign that it is correct.

I agree that this is my name and school.

Candidate's signature

2. Write the number of the seat in which you are sitting.

3. RUBRIC. There are TEN questions. Answer ALL TEN questions. Questions 8, 9 and 10 each
offer two choices. Attempt ONE out of the TWO options in each.

4. When answering the questions:

Read each question carefully.

Use ONLY black ink.
You may use a black pencil for diagrams. Do NOT use colour pencils.
Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correcting fluid.
DO NOT write outside the answer box.
Complete your answer in the allocated space only.

5. The marks for the questions are shown in brackets ( ).

6. You may use a simple calculator if you wish.

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Q.1. (Total 7 Marks)

a. Write the names of four steps of cell division in mitosis. (2 Marks)

Step 1___________________________________

Step 2___________________________________

Step 3___________________________________

Step 4___________________________________

b. Describe the TWO stages from the above where duplication and separation take place.
(4 Marks)

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c. How is the cell division in meiosis different from mitosis? (1 Mark)

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Q.2. (Total 5 Marks)

The following chart shows the five kingdom system of classification.

a. Fill the empty boxes 1, 3, 5 to complete the classification. (3 Marks)

Kingdoms

1 3 5
Monera Plantae

b. State TWO differences between earthworms and ascaris. (2 Marks)

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PLEASE TURN OVER THE PAGE

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Q.3. (Total 7 Marks)

The following pie chart shows the components and percentages of a balanced diet.

X Y
5% Carbohydrates

FATS
1% Organic substances
18%
1% Inorganic substances

WATER 65%

a.

i. Write the name of the component labelled as X. (1 Mark)

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ii. Write the percentage of the component labelled as Y. (1 Mark)

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b. Write the sources of the given components of man’s diet in the following chart. (3 Marks)

Component Source (plant or animal)

1. Lactose
2. Protein

3. Lipid

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c. Describe ectoparasites and give ONE example. (2 Marks)

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Q.4. (Total 5 Marks)

The figures show two plant cells in two different conditions because of the presence and absence of
water respectively.

(i) (ii)

a. Name the conditions of cells i and ii. (1 Mark)

i. ____________________ ii. ___________________

b. Fill in the missing information in the following table with the alternative names of the cells.
(2 Marks)

1. Erythrocytes

2. White blood cells

c. What is osmotic potential and how is it helpful for plants? (2 Marks)

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PLEASE TURN OVER THE PAGE

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Q.5.
(Total 5 Marks)

a. What is meant by the circulatory system? (1 Mark)

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b. Describe the functions of arteries, veins and capillaries. (3 Marks)

Arteries

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Veins

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Capillaries

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c. How is urea formed? (1 Mark)

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Q.6. (Total 7 Marks)

a. Define the term allelomorphic gene with an example. (2 Marks)

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b. What are the causes of mutation? Discuss whether mutation is helpful or harmful. (3 Marks)

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c. Give ONE example of genetic engineering in medical science. (2 Marks)

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PLEASE TURN OVER THE PAGE

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Q.7. (Total 4 Marks)

a. In soil erosion, topsoil is removed and an infertile subsoil is exposed which is poor for
the growth of plants. Describe TWO ways to control soil erosion. (2 Marks)

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b. Bacillary dysentery is a food-borne disease. Describe TWO ways to control this disease.
(2 Marks)

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Q.8. (Total 5 Marks)

EITHER

a. “Biological science does not stand on its own but depends on other sciences”.

Discuss this statement giving at least FIVE examples to support your answer.

OR

b. How is biology helpful in maintaining the environment and disease control? Explain.

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PLEASE TURN OVER THE PAGE

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Q.9. (Total 5 Marks)

EITHER

a. Some bacteria are helpful while all viruses are harmful. Explain this statement giving examples
from daily life.

OR

b. In what ways is the classification of animals and plants helpful to scientists? Describe briefly the
most popular classification.

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Q.10. (Total 5 Marks)

EITHER

a. What is meant by balance in nature? Explain the factors which disturb the balance and what must
be done to maintain the balance.

OR

b. What is a stable ecosystem? Elaborate on the role humans play to preserve it.

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