SMK GOMBAK SETIA

STPM Trial Examinations Gombak District 2010

D. CONTROL AND COORDINATION 6
10. Nervous system 4 1 1
11. Hormonal/chemical coordination 2
F. REPRODUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, AND GROWTH 8
13. Reproduction 3
1 1
14. Development 3
15. Growth 2

1 The propagation of action potentials along an axon usually occurs in only one
direction because
A ions can flow along the axon only in one direction
B exchange of ions at the nodes of Ranvier occurs only in one direction
C both sodium and potassium voltage-gated channels open in one direction
D the brief refractory period prevents opening of voltage-gated Na+ channels
Answer: D

2 Which of the following events occurs as a direct result of the depolarisation of

the presynaptic membrane of an axon?
A Opening of voltage-gated calcium channels
B Fusion of synaptic vesicles with the membrane
C Spilling of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft
D Generation of an action potential in the postsynaptic membrane
Answer: A

3 The diagram below shows the sequence of events occurring as an action

potential arrives at a synapse. The arrows indicate the direction of the
movement of substances across the membranes.

Which of the following are represented by 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5?

1 2 3 4 5
A + + Acetylcholin 2+
K Na Ca K+
e
B Acetylcholin
K+ Na+ K+ Ca2+
e
C Acetylcholin
Na+ K+ Ca2+ Na+
e
D Acetylcholin
Na+ K+ Na+ Ca2+
e
Answer: C

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4 Which of the following occur in the myofibrils when a muscle contracts?

Sarcomere H Zone A band I Band

A No change in
Shortens Shortens Shortens
length
B No change in
Lengthens Shortens Shortens
length
C Shortens Lengthens Shortens Lengthens
D No change in
Shortens Shortens Shortens
length
Answer: A

5 The diagram below shows the control of hormones in a female reproductive

system.

Higher Brain
Centre

Hypothalamu
s

Anterior
pituitary
I II

Ovary
Corpus
Follicles
luteum
III
IV

Uterus and
secondary
sex
characteristic
s

Which of the following are represented by I, II, III and IV?

I II III IV
A FSH LH Progesterone Oestrogen
B LH FSH Oestrogen Progesterone
C FSH LH Oestrogen Progesterone
D LH FSH Progesterone Oestrogen
Answer: C

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6 The diagram below shows four different light treatments given to a short-day
plant which has a critical night length of 11 hours.

Which of the following treatments can induce flowering in the plant?

A P and R
B P and S
C Q and R
D Q and S
Answer: D
7 The diagram below shows the structure of a nerve synapse.

(a)(i) What causes the synaptic vesicle to fuse with the presynaptic membrane
at A? [1 mark]

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.................................

(ii) Where does the substance in (a) originate from?

[1 mark]

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................................

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(b) What happens when the neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites on the
postsynaptic
membrane at B?
[1 mark]

..........................................................................................................................
................................

(c) What must occur before an action potential can be generated and
transmitted along the
postynaptic neurone?
[1 mark]

..........................................................................................................................
................................

(d)(i) What happens to the neurotransmitters after an action potential is

generated in the
postsynaptic membrane?
[1 mark]

...................................................................................................................
...................................

(ii) What is the significance of such an action in (c)(i) in terms of impulse

transmission? [1 mark]

.......................................................................................................................
................................

(e) Why do nerve impulses travel only in one direction?

[1 mark]

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..................................

(f) Explain how curare can cause paralysis in animals.

[3 marks]

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................................

..........................................................................................................................
................................

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................................

(a) Influx of calcium ions

1m
(i)
(a) Synaptic cleft
1m
(ii)
(b) Triggers the opening of sodium ligand-gated channels 1m
(c) The new potential (EPSP) must exceed the threshold level 1m
(d) Hydrolyse by acetylcholinerase into choline and acetate 1m

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(i)
(d) Prevents action potentials from being continually produced
1m
(ii)
(e) The release of neurotransmitter is unidirectional i.e. only from
1m
the synaptic knob of the presynaptic neurone
(f) Curare has a similar shape to acetycholine/
It prevents acetylcholine from binding to the receptor sites by
binding to these sites instead/ Any 3:
No action potential is generated as receptors on postsynaptic 1m each
neurone are not activated/
Muscles cannot contract since there is no nervous stimulation

8 Human hormones can be classified into two main types based on their
mechanisms of actions.
(a) What is meant by endocrine glands? [1
mark]
(b) Name the two main types of human hormones and give an example for
each type.
[4
marks]
(c) Describe the differences in mechanism of action between both types of
human hormones. [10
marks]
(a Ductless glands
) Any
Secrete chemicals/hormones 2:
Directly into blood capillaries 1m
To reach targeted cells
(b Steroid hormones
1m
)
Example: Any
Oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone 1: – 1
m
Non-steroid / peptide hormones 1m
Examples: Any
Adrenaline, glucagon, insulin, 1: – 1
m
(c Steroid Non-steroid Any 5
) It can easily pass through the It cannot pass through the pairs:
lipoprotein membrane of target lipoprotein membrane of target 5×
cells. cells. 2m =
It binds to the receptor on the 10m
It binds to the receptor in the
surface of the plasma
cytoplasm or nucleoplasm.
membrane.
The complex formed does not The complex formed activates
activate adenyl cyclase. adenyl cyclase.
No cAMP is produced. cAMP is produced.
No cascading effect occurs. Cascading effects occurs and
effects take place immediately
The complex enters the The complex does not enter the
nucleus. nucleus.
Certain genes are activated by Genes are not activated by the
the complex complex

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Transcription takes place Transcription does not take

followed by the production of
proteins.
Effects take place through the
proteins formed.
Effects are usually long term
such as muscular body by
testosterone.
place and no protein is
produced.
Effects take place through the
activated enzymes and their
products.
Effects are short term such as
increase in blood glucose by
adrenalin.

9 The diagram below shows the life cycle of Dryopteris.

What do P, Q, R and S represent?

P Q R S
A Sporophyte Gametophyte Meiosis Mitosis
generation generation
B Sporophyte Gametophyte Mitosis Meiosis
generation generation
C Gametophyte Sporophyte Mitosis Meiosis
generation generation
D Gametophyte Sporophyte Meiosis Mitosis
generation generation
Answer: A

10 Which of the following shows the structures of a plant and their number of
chromosomes?
Pollen Pollen Pollen Cell in the Cell in the
nucleus grain nucleus testa pericarp
A Diploid Diploid Diploid Diploid Diploid
B Diploid Haploid Haploid Haploid Haploid
C Haploid Diploid Haploid Haploid Diploid
D Haploid Haploid Haploid Diploid Diploid
Answer: D

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11 Which organism corresponds to its mode of asexual reproduction?

A Polyembriony - Amphioxus
B Parthenogenesis - Aphis
C Pedogenesis - Fasciola
D Sporulation – Hydra
Answer: B

12 The following are the stages of early development of vertebrate embryos.

I Cleavage
II Organogenesis
III Blastula formation
IV Gastrula formation
Which of the following is the correct sequence of the early development of
vertebrate embryos?
A I, III, IV, II
B II, I, IV, III
C III, IV, II, I
D IV, I, II, III
Answer: A
13 The following are events that occur during seed germination.
I Synthesis and secretion of enzymes
II Activation of the aleurone layer
III Flow of sugars to the embryo
IV Release of gibberellin
V Hydrolysis of starch
Which of the following is the correct sequence of events during seed
germination?
A II, IV, V, III, I
B IV, I, V, II, III
C IV, II, I, V, III
D V, III, IV, II, I
Answer: C

14 Oestrogen and progesterone are used in contraceptive pills. What is the

effect of these hormones on the menstrual cycle?
A To maintain the endometrium in the uterus
B To stimulate the release of luteinising hormone
C To stimulate the release of follicle stimulating hormone
D To inhibit the production of gonadotropin releasing hormone
Answer: D

15 Four types of growth patterns are shown in the table below.

Growth Pattern Example
I Isometric growth (a) Human organs
II Allometric growth (b) Beans
III Limited growth (c) Fish
IV Intermittent (d) Woody plants
growth
Which growth pattern corresponds to its example?
I II III IV

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A (a) (c) (d) (b)

B (b) (c) (d) (a)
C (c) (a) (b) (d)
D (d) (a) (d) (b)
Answer: C

16 The scheme below shows the control of hormones Q and R in the growth of
insects at larval and adult stages.

Which of these statements is correct about the control of hormones Q and R in

the growth of insects?
A Hormone R stimulates the development of larval characteristics in the
presence of hormone Q.
B Hormone R stimulates the development of adult characteristics in the
presence of hormone Q.
C Hormone Q stimulates the development of adult characteristics in the
absence of hormone R.
D Hormone R stimulates the moulting process at the larval stage in the
presence of hormone Q.
Answer: D

17 The diagram below summarises the hormonal control of ecdysis and

metamorphosis in insects.

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 SMK GOMBAK SETIA

Neurosecretory
cells in the brain

Corpus
allatum
Prothoracic
glands Pupa
First
instar

Final
instar

(a) Name the hormones R, S and T.

[3 marks]

R
- ....................................................................................................................
............................

S
- ....................................................................................................................
............................

T
- ....................................................................................................................
............................

(b) Explain how hormone S is produced.

[2 marks]

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...............................

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...............................

(c) What is the role of hormone S in the insect?

[1 mark]

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.................................

(d) What is the effect of the presence of the hormone T on the activity of
hormone S? [1 mark]

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...............................

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(e) What are the changes in the levels of the hormones S and T in the:
(i) final instar?
[1 mark]

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..............................
(ii) pupa?
[1 mark]

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..............................

(f) Some plants are able to synthesise compounds that are similar to that of S
and T. What is the significance of this ability in such plants?
[1 mark]

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...............................

(a) R – Prothoracicotrophic hormone

S – Ecdysone/moulting hormone 1m each
T – Juvenile hormone/neotonin
(b) Neurosecretory cells in the brain secrete prothoracictrophic
hormone/
Any 2:
which is transported to the prothoracic glands/
1m each
the prothoracic glands are stimulated to produce
edysone/moulting hormone
(c) Promotes growth and controls moulting/
Controls the synthesis of enzymes involved in growth and 1m
changes in epidermal cells.
(d) Retention of larval/nymphal characteristics 1m
(e) Juvenile hormone/Hormone T decreases, ecdysone/hormone S 1m
(i) increases
(e) No production of juvenile hormone/hormone T, high levels of
1m
(ii) ecdysone/hormone S
(f) Plant is protected from the insects as these compounds
1m
interfere with the development of the insects.

18 (a) State three parameters that can be used to measure growth. For each of
the parameters stated, give its advantage and disadvantages.
[9 marks]
(b) Explain the importance of seed dormancy. Explain the factors affecting
seed dormancy.
[6 marks]

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 SMK GOMBAK SETIA

(a Parameters that can be used to measure growth are:

Max: 3m
) Dry mass/wet mass/volume or size/length or height
Dry mass
- Accurate measurement of growth as it measures the
growth of organic material in the organism 1m
- Organism has to be killed to obtain its dry weight.
- Repeat measurement on the same specimen cannot be
done as it is killed in the first measurement.
- A large population is needed and the selection of Any 1:
specimens from population must be random. All 1m
individuals in the population must be of the same age and
grow in the same conditions.
- Problem in measuring big sized organisms such as big
trees and elephants.

Wet mass
- Can be easily and quickly measured.
- Organism is not killed. Any 1:
- Repeat measurement on the same organism can be done. 1m
- Small population or only one organism is needed for
measurement.
- Measurement that includes water contents of an organism Any 1:
is inaccurate as water content in organisms varies. 1m
- Measurement does not show the different rates of growth
of organs in the organism such as the allometric growth of
organs in humans.
Volume or size
- Suitable for constant sized or spherical shape organisms. 1m
- Involves complex mathematical calculations. Any 1:
- Shape of organism can change during growth. 1m
Length or height
- Suitable for the measurement of the height of animals or
plants, or the length of animals and leaves of the plants. Any 1:
- Easy and quick measurement. 1m
- Growth in other dimensions such as the weight of animals
is not taken into account. For example, when human 1m
increase in dry weight but they do not increase in height.
Importance of seed dormancy
- Delay the germination of the seed until favourable
conditions are met to increase the plant’s chance of
survival.
- Delay germination which allows time for dispersal and
Any 2:
prevents germination of all the seeds at same time.
2m
- Safeguards some seeds and seedlings from suffering
damage or death from short periods of bad weather or
from transient herbivores.
- Allows some seeds to germinate when competition from
other plants for light and water might be less intense.
Factors affecting seed dormancy Any 4:
- The embryo has not mature and requires a period for the 4m
dispersed seed to mature before it can germinate.

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- The embryo is physiologically immature because it

cannot synthesise gibberellic acid which is needed to
stimulate the production of hydrolytic enzymes to mobilise
food reserves.
- High level of abscisic acid inhibits seed germination.
- Seed coat (testa) is impermeable to water and oxygen or
is too hard for the growing embryo to break
through/scarification of testa must occur to allow
imbibition of water and diffusion of oxygen into the seed.
- Some seed require a cold period to germinate
(stratification). This is to ensure that the seed remain
dormant in winter and germinate in spring.
- The seed requires a period of red light to promote the
production of phytochrome PFR which stimulates the
synthesis of gibberellin and seed germination.

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