Section A : Multiple-Choice Questions (30 marks)

Choose the most suitable answer and write the corresponding letter (A, B, C or D) in the
OTAS answer sheet provided.

1. D
2. A
3. C
4. D
5. B
6. A
7. B
8. C
9. C
10. B
11. D
12. B
13. C
14. C
15. D
16. C
17. A
18. D
19. B
20. A
21. C
22. B
23. D
24. A
25. C
26. D
27. D
28. B
29. A
30. A

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Section B : Short-Structured Questions (60 marks)

Answer the following questions in the spaces provided.

31. Fig 1.1 shows an aphid on a longitudinal section of a plant shoot.

Fig 1.1
(c)(i) [1]
(b) lignin
pattern on
xylem wall
[1]

(a) Name the parts A, B and C of the stem and state their functions. [3]

A: Phloem: - transports manufactured food from the leaf to other parts of

the plant [1];
B: Cambium: - cell division to eventually differentiate into new phloem and
xylem [1];
C: Xylem: - Transports water and mineral salts from the roots to other parts
of the plant [1].
3 Correct Labels + wrong function(s) Award [1] only; no mks for wrong label
(b) Draw on Fig 1.1 a structural adaptation that helps provide mechanical support to
the plant. [1]

(c) The aphid is an insect that is often found on young shoots during the day.

(i) Complete the drawing of the aphid in Fig 1.1 by inserting its mouthpart.
Mark clearly the tissue from which the aphid obtains its food. [1]

(ii) Suggest why aphids are usually found on young shoot. [1]

Less woody, hence easier for the mouthpart to penetrate / Young

shoots are smaller; hence the vascular bundles are nearer to the
surface [1].

(iii) Explain why aphids are usually found only during the day. [1]

Photosynthesis takes place during the day, resulting in production of

sugars (glucose), which are carried by the phloem / Manufactured food is
being constantly removed from the leaves during the day [1].

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 (d) Briefly explain why an infestation of aphids will kill a plant. [1]

Food is being removed in such large quantities by the aphid that the plant
does not have enough for its own growth [1].

(e) How does leaving the stylet attached to the shoot help scientists? [1]

Helps in identification of contents of the phloem and gives an indication of

the flow in the phloem [1].
[Total: 9]

32. Fig. 2.1 shows the concentration of glucose in blood extracted from the hepatic vein over
a period of time.

Fig 2.1

(b) Hepatic
portal vein
[1] C

(a) Explain what is happening at the following points. [3]

A: Liver is converting excess glucose into glycogen for storage [1];

B: Glucose is being exported to hepatic vein [1];
C: Level of glucose is returning to normal [1].

(b) Draw and indicate, on Fig 2.1, the glucose concentration in the hepatic portal
vein. [1]

(c) Describe how the hepatic portal vein is different from the hepatic vein. [2]

Hepatic portal vein leads from the capillaries in the small intestine to the
liver [1]; Hepatic vein leads from the liver to the main blood circulation [1].

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 (d) Describe another difference between the blood in the hepatic portal vein and the
hepatic vein. Explain what causes this difference. [2]

Hepatic portal vein contains more amino acids resulting from absorption
through the capillaries of the villus in the ileum whereas hepatic vein may
contain more urea [1]; Excess amino acids are deaminated by the liver,
resulting in formation of urea, which will be carried by the hepatic vein and
excreted by the kidneys [1].
[Total: 8]

33. Fig 3.1 shows an experimental setup. A water plant was submerged in water enriched
with carbon dioxide and exposed to light placed at a fixed distance. The gas produced in
five minutes was collected. The results of the experiment were plotted on the graph
shown in Fig 3.2.

Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.2

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(a) Explain why a gas was produced. [1]

Photosynthesis is taking place [1].

(b) What gas was being collected? [1]

Oxygen [1].
(c) What was the aim of the experiment? [1]

To investigate how the process of photosynthesis is affected by light

intensity [1].

(d) Describe the effect of life intensity at the following parts of the graph. [4]

Part 1: Light is less than 10 cm from the plant, thus water is heated up by
the bulb [1]; Plant cannot photosynthesize well as enzymes involved in
photosynthesis are being denatured [1];
Part 2: At this temperature, photosynthesis is at its most efficient [1];
Part 3: As light intensity decreases, photosynthesis also decreases [1].

(e) Explain why light have the effect described in (d)? [3]

Light energy is needed in photosynthesis mechanism when sugars are

produced [1]; During the first phase of photosynthesis, oxygen is produced
[1]; When less light is present, the light dependent phase of photosynthesis
will be less efficient so less oxygen is produced [1]

(f) When the experiment was repeated without changing any materials, the set of
results shown by the dotted line in Fig 3.2 was obtained. What was the most likely
cause of the difference in results? [1]

The amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in water could have been depleted
by the photosynthesizing plant of the earlier experiment [1].
[Total: 11]

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34. Fig. 4.1 shows a cross-section of a leaf.
Light [1]

Chloroplast
containing
chlorophyll [1]

Water [1]

Fig. 4.1

Carbon dioxide
[1]

(a) Complete the table below by naming the labeled parts and stating the adaptations
that allows each part to fulfill its functions. [8]

Part Name Adaptations

A Cuticle + Waxy to prevent excess loss of water [1]
B Upper No chloroplasts present to allow maximum
Epidermal cell penetration of light [1]
+
C Palisade Many chloroplasts to trap light; max surface area
mesophyll cell available for photosynthesis [1]
+
D Spongy Irregular cells covered with film of water to provide a
mesophyll cell large SA over which gases can dissolve [1]
+
E Intercellular air Large air spaces to allow gases to diffuse into and
spaces + out of the leaf [1]
F Stoma + Allow movement of gases into and out of leaf [1]
G Guard cell + Uneven thickening of cell wall to control size of
stomata / Presence of chloroplasts [1]
H Veins + Bring water and mineral salts near every cell of the
leaf, and manufactured food to other parts of plant
[1]

Every 2 correct labels, award [1]. No mks awarded for wrong label though
function is correct.

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 (b) On Fig 4.1, indicate with the help of arrows, where the shaded cell obtains the
substances for photosynthesis. [4]

[Total: 12]

35. In an experiment, a mixture of amylase and a 1% starch solution were placed in

selectively permeable tubing. The tubing was sealed at both ends before being placed in
a water bath of known temperature. The water surrounding the tubing was tested at
various time intervals for the presence of reducing sugars. The experimental setup was
performed at different temperatures and the results were recorded in Fig 5.1.

Water bath temperature (°C) 0 10 20 30 40 50 55 60

Time at which reducing sugar
was first detected in the water 20 10 5 4 4 9 15 >40
(min)
Fig. 5.1

(a) Using the readings in Fig 5.1, draw a graph to show the relationship between the
temperature of the water bath and the time taken for the reducing sugar to be first
detected. [3]

Time / Correct axes labeled with units [1];

min
Points plotted accurately [1];

Appropriate smooth curve / best

straight line drawn [1].

Temperature / °C

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 (b) Explain how reducing sugars can appear in the water bath when starch was
originally placed in the tubing. [3]

Amylase is an enzyme which breaks down starch into maltose [1]; Maltose
have reducing properties [1]; It diffuse out of the tubing into the
surrounding water where it can be detected using Benedict’s reagent [1].

(c) At which temperature was the rate of reaction fastest? [1]

35° C [1]

(d) Compare the rates of reaction at 0°C and 10°C. Explain your observations. [1]

Rate of reaction at 10°C is double that at 0°C. This means that the enzyme
is less active at lower temperatures [1].

(e) Compare the rates of reaction at 50°C and 60°C. Explain your observations. [2]

Rate of reaction at 60°C cannot be measured [1]; The enzyme has probably
been denatured by heat, so it cannot function [1].
[Total: 10]

36. (a) In what way is the transport of water assisted by the fact that the xylem vessels
are dead. [2]

Vessels are dead / continuous, cell contents such as cytoplasm or

organelles are absent [1]; This allows the unrestricted flow of water through
the vessel [1].

(b) If xylem vessels are non-living, how could you explain the observation that the
stems of woody plants increase in diameter? [2]

New xylem tissue, which is made up of living cells, is being added all the
time [1]; Old tissue that is made of non-living cells is not lost from the plant.
As a result, the diameter of the stem increases [1].
[Total: 4]

37. (a) Explain why it is important for root hairs of the plant to be long. [1]

To provide a large surface area for absorption of water and mineral salts
from the soil [1].

(b) Root hairs are very delicate structures that can be easily damaged. How does this
explain why, when re-potting the plant, the roots must be disturbed as little as
possible in order for the plant to survive? [2]

If too many roots are damaged, the ability of the plant to absorb water is
reduced [1]; Water is necessary for growth so a shortage of water would
result in death of the plant [1].
[Total: 3]

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38. Normal human red blood cells are biconcave in shape. They are completely filled with
haemoglobin, a red pigment that combines with oxygen. As oxygenated red blood cells
squeeze along the narrow capillaries, oxygen moves out of them due to a higher level of
oxygen in the red blood cell than in the plasma, through the capillary walls and into the
surrounding tissues.

(a) Why is the biconcave shape better than a spherical one in allowing the cell to
absorb oxygen? [2]

Ensures minimum diffusion distance / also gives cell more flexibility as it

can be bent over as it passes through the narrowest capillaries [1]; there is
a higher surface area: volume ratio [1].

(b) What impact would the presence of a nucleus have on the oxygen-carrying
capacity of the cell? [2]

Less haemoglobin molecules for oxygen transport [1]; Nucleus occupies

space in the cell [1].
[Total: 4]

Section C : Essay Questions (10 marks)

Answer the following question in the writing papers provided.

39. (a) Describe the advantage to a herbivore, such as a cow, of chewing its food. [2]

Chewing increases the surface area for enzyme action on the masticated
food [1];

Softens the cellulose / food and enables the enzymes to work on the
vegetation easily [1].

(b) Describe

(i) how a molecule of digested food from the gut enters the bloodstream, [4]

A molecule of digested food eg. Glucose is broken down from

carbohydrates in the mouth and stomach pass along the gut by peristalsis
until they reach the small intestine [1];

The walls of the intestine are made up of numerous finger-like villi, which
project into the intestinal cavity [1];

The villi are richly supplied with blood and lymphatic vessels to carry away
the digested food substances [1];

The glucose molecules is absorbed by the villi and the glucose passes
through the walls of the blood vessels and into the bloodstream [1]

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(ii) the pathway by which it eventually reaches cells in the hand. [4]

Blood leaving the small intestine with this molecule of glucose enters the
hepatic portal vein [1];

This passes through the liver and via the hepatic vein and then towards the
heart through the vena cava [1];

The heart pumps this blood to the lungs which then, after that, flows back
to the heart through the pulmonary vein [1];

The glucose in the blood will flow through the aorta, which branches off
into arteries and then reaches the tissues in the hand [1].
[Total: 10]
~~~END OF PAPER~~~

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