south pacific form seven certificate · south pacific form seven certificate biology 2014...

South Pacific Form Seven Certificate

BIOLOGY 2014

INSTRUCTIONS Write your Student Personal Identification Number (SPIN) in the space provided on the top right hand corner of this page. Answer ALL QUESTIONS. Write your answers in the spaces provided in this booklet. If you need more space for answers, ask the Supervisor for extra paper. Write your SPIN on all extra sheets used and clearly number the questions. Attach the extra sheets at the appropriate places in this booklet.

Section

Major Learning Outcomes (Achievement Standards)

Skill Level Weight/

Time Band 1 Basic

Band 2 Proficient

Band 3 Advanced

A

BioA: Describe, explain and discuss biological concepts and processes relating animal behaviour to biotic and abiotic environmental factors AND explain and discuss how the behaviour contributes to the organism’s survival.

11 questions

2 questions

1 questions

18% 39 min

B

BioC: Describe, explain and discuss biological concepts and processes relating to gene expression

12

questions

3

questions

2

questions

24% 51 min

C

BioD: Describe, explain and discuss biotechnology application and the human needs and demands for the applications

2

questions

1

questions

1

questions

7% 15 min

D BioF: Describe, explain and discuss processes and patterns of evolution

9 questions

3 questions

2 question

21% 45 min

TOTAL 34

questions 9

questions 6

questions 70%

150 min

Check that this booklet contains pages 2-28 in the correct order and that none of these pages is blank.

YOU MUST HAND THIS BOOKLET TO THE SUPERVISOR AT THE END OF THE EXAMINATION

QUESTION and ANSWER BOOKLET Time allowed: Two and a half hours

102/1

2

Section A: Animal Behaviour

A1

A1.1

A piece of meat in water causes a chemical gradient around itself. Flatworms move along a straight path until they detect an increase in chemical concentration. The increasing chemical gradient means the flatworms increase their rate of turning in the area until they touch it and start feeding.

A2

A2.1

The diagram shows a snail climbing a brick wall. The snail is moving upwards, against the effect of gravity.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Describe why the flatworm is showing a kinesis and not a taxis behaviour.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Snails are lung breathing animals, belonging to the group known as molluscs. Fully describe the behaviour shown by the snail as it moves up the wall and suggest a sensible reason for this behaviour.

Assessor’s use only

3

A3

A3.1

Puffer fish live within the coral reef community, found around the South Pacific islands.

Puffer fish are able to draw water into their abdomen to inflate themselves to more than twice their normal size. They have large protruding eyes that can see in all directions. They produce a powerful poison called tetrodotoxin.

Describe how each of the three behaviours above help to prevent Puffer fish from excessive predation within the reef.

A4

A4.1

Clown Triggerfish, shown to the right, are marked with large white dots, which help break up their outline against the reef. They are poisonous. The Clown Triggerfish attacks small reef animals that hide in the sand, such as sea urchins, by blowing streams of water out of its mouth to uncover and overturn its prey.

Describe the advantages each of these three features provide the Clown Triggerfish with.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Puffer Fish before and after inflation. http://bestclipartblog.com/clipart-pics/puffer-fish-clipart-9.gif

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


4

A5

A5.1

In the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), activity normally begins with the onset of darkness and ends at dawn, which suggests that light is an important external cue for the squirrel. Researchers tested this by monitoring the activity of captive squirrels for 23 days under two sets of conditions: (a) a regular cycle of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness and (b) constant darkness. The squirrels were given free access to an exercise wheel and a rest cage. A recorder automatically noted when the wheel was rotating and when it was still. The results collected over 23 days are shown for both sets of conditions below.

The actograms show that the rhythm can be described as endogenous. Explain why.

Use the actograms to calculate the natural or free running period of the northern flying squirrel. Show your working.

Proficient Level

Excellent

Moderate

Weak

NR


(a) 12 hr light - 12 hr dark cycle (b) Constant darkness

Time of day (hr) Time of day (hr)

Day

s o

f ex

per

imen

t

5

A5.2

Describe what has happened to the rhythm in actogram (b), in constant darkness, between day 14 and day 23, when the experiment ends.

The rhythm is re-set by a zeitgeber. Define this term and describe what the zeitgeber would be in this case.

A5.3

The northern flying squirrel generally nests in holes in trees or underground. It is nocturnal. Explain the advantages it gains by displaying the type of rhythmic activity shown in the actograms above.

_________________________

Northern Flying Squirrel http://37.media.tumblr.com/8f2fcaf116a4a1255594e194a4c4f5c7/tumblr_mwjcfswWwW1rrr05fo3_1280.jpg

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


Proficient Level

Excellent

Moderate

Weak

NR

6

A.6 A6.1

The New Zealand shining cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus) is known as a brood parasite. It migrates to New Zealand in spring to breed before returning north to overwinter in the Pacific Islands. It lays its eggs in the nest of a host bird, the grey warbler.

A6.2

In order to successfully navigate over such vast distances, migrating birds are believed to rely on “inbuilt compasses”. A “sun compass” can be used during bright, sunny conditions, but the birds also need to navigate during cloudy conditions or at night. Name two other “inbuilt compasses” that enable birds to navigate without being able to see the sun and describe how each “inbuilt compass” works.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Shining Cuckoo with map of its migration destinations. http://www.teara.govt.nz/files/p-7225-doc.jpg

Describe the advantages the shining cuckoo gains by migrating after breeding.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


7

A6.3

Observations suggest that the shining cuckoo times its spring arrival in New Zealand to parasitise the second and subsequent broods of warblers. It lays only one egg in each of several grey warbler nests. Compare the level and types of parental care provided by the shining cuckoo to that of the grey warbler and discuss reasons for the cuckoo only parasitising the second and subsequent broods of the grey warbler.

Advanced Level

Excellent

Moderate

Low

Weak

NR

Exceed


8

A7.1

The term pecking order originates from studies of relationships among hens. The following set of data shows the interactions of six free-range hens.

Write the letters of the hens in order from most to least dominant, in the grid provided below.

Most Least

Write down the letter of the hen that appears to be challenging for a higher position in the hierarchy.

Challenger: _______________________________

A B C D E F

A 0 11 12 10 21

B 8 10 7 5 7

C 0 0 0 0 0

D 0 0 18 11 13

E 0 0 8 6 29

F 0 0 22 0 0

A7.2

Hens are female. Name two factors besides being male or female that could influence an individual‟s position in a hierarchy. Factor One: ________________________ Factor Two:

_____________________

Many other bird species and most primates exhibit hierarchical behaviour. Give three advantages of this type of social organisation to either the group or the individual.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Hens doing the pecking

Hens being pecked

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

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9

A8

A8.1

The common myna bird (Acridotheres tristis), a species of bird native to Asia, has been introduced in many parts of the world, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, Hawaii and South Africa. It is an omnivorous, open woodland bird, strongly territorial and very aggressive. Pairs of myna birds breed throughout the year, nesting in holes in trees and walls, using the nests of other birds, which they take over, chasing out the original occupants. Define the term “strongly territorial”, as it is used in this context.

Describe the type of competition that has made myna birds very successful as an introduced species and list the features given above that enable them to adapt quickly to new environments.

Features:

A8.2

Scientists and conservationists consider myna birds to be a threat to native species. Describe the impacts myna birds have on the survival rates of native birds.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

A common myna from Sydney, Australia.

Source: Wikipedia Commons.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


10

Section B: Gene Expression

B1 B1.1

The diagram shows DNA replication.

Clearly label the following on the diagram:

A. Helicase B. DNA Polymerase C. Leading replication strand D. Okazaki fragment E. Lagging strand F. Ligase

B2

B2.1

Human haemoglobin is formed from two polypeptides, the α-globin and β-globin chains. Glutamic acid is normally the sixth amino acid in the β-globin chain.

The first part of the DNA template sequence for amino acids one to eight, of the normal β-globin chain is:

CAC GTG GAC TGA GGA CTC CTC TTC

Give the sequence of the corresponding mRNA strand that will code for these amino acids.

B3

B3.1

People with sickle-cell disease have a different base sequence that codes for valine instead of glutamic acid, as the sixth amino acid, due to a single point mutation.

The mRNA codons for glutamic acid are GAA and GAG, and the mRNA codons for valine are GUU, GUC, GUA, GUG. Describe the changes to both the mRNA codon and the DNA base sequence as a result of this mutation.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


11

B4 B4.1

Sickle cells have a characteristic sickle shape, which makes them less effective at picking up oxygen. Explain, in terms of protein structure, how this change in protein function can happen. You may refer to primary, secondary or tertiary structure in your answer.

B5 B5.1

The sickle cell condition leads to a range of effects collectively known as pleiotropic. Explain the meaning of pleiotropy.

Proficient Level

Excellent

Moderate

Weak

NR

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


12

Proficient Level

Excellent

Moderate

Weak

NR

B6 B6.1

The mutation that codes for valine instead of glutamic acid results in a faulty allele. A person with two of these faulty alleles has a disease called sickle cell anaemia. A person with one copy of the faulty allele and one normal allele has a mild form of the disease called sickle cell trait. These sickle cell alleles show co-dominance. Define the term co-dominance.

B7

B7.1

Malaria is a disease that destroys red blood cells. Scientists investigated whether certain red blood cell phenotypes were associated with developing severe or mild malaria. They compared the red blood cell phenotypes of hospital patients suffering from severe malaria with the red blood cell phenotypes of patients suffering from mild malaria.

Their results are summarised below:

Red Blood Cell Phenotype and Genotypes

Ratio of patients with severe malaria: patients with mild malaria.

Sickle cell trait Hb HbS 0.48 : 1

Blood group A iO IA , IA IA 2.45 : 1

Blood Group O iO iO 0.96 : 1

Explain what these data show about the effect of red blood cell phenotypes on the chance of developing severe malaria rather than mild malaria.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


13

Advanced Level

Excellent

Moderate

Low

Weak

NR

Exceed

B8 B8.1

Myostatin is a protein made up of 376 amino acids that regulates muscle development by blocking the formation of new muscle fibres.

Double muscling is a characteristic found in a breed of cattle called Belgian Blue. The double muscling characteristic has been traced to a single, autosomal, gene mutation, causing an eleven base pair deletion in the myostatin gene. This results in a non-functioning protein being made. Discuss how an eleven base pair deletion in the myostatin gene can result in a non-functioning protein and the double muscling phenotype. You should consider the impact of the mutation on the stages of protein synthesis, gene expression and phenotype.

Belgian Blue Bull http://www.skewsme.com/img/myostatin_bull1.jpg


14

B9 B9.1

In a metabolic pathway a series of reactions takes place. A different enzyme catalyses each reaction. Look at the following pathway. Enzyme A Enzyme B Enzyme C Substance W Substance X Substance Y Substance Z The gene that codes for Enzyme B mutates. State what might happen to substance Z and substance X after enzyme B mutates.

Describe what would happen if substance Y were then supplied, for example by injection.

B10 B10.1

A sex-linked gene controls fur colour in cats. Ginger-coloured fur is controlled by the allele G and black fur is controlled by the allele g. Some female cats have ginger and black patches of fur. They are described as tortoiseshell. Male cats cannot be tortoiseshell. Describe what the term “sex-linked gene” means.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


15

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

B11

B11.1

A male cat with the genotype XgY mates with a tortoiseshell female cat. Describe the phenotype of the male cat and the genotype of the tortoiseshell female cat Phenotype:

Genotype:

B11.2 Use the above scenario to demonstrate that, as a general rule, male cats cannot be tortoiseshell. You may use a punnet square in your answer.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


16

B12

B12.1

In mice fur colour is controlled by a number of genes on different pairs of chromosomes. Pigmented fur (T) is dominant to albino fur (t) and in the presence of T, black fur (B) is dominant to brown fur (b). A brown mouse was mated with an albino mouse, homozygous for these two loci. The F1 offspring were all black. The F1 mice were inbred to produce an F2 generation, which consisted of the following phenotypes: 26 black, 8 brown, 13 albino Describe the genotypes of the brown and albino parents: Brown parent:

Albino parent: Show why the F1 offspring were all expected to be black phenotypes.

B12.2

Describe the expected ratio to which the observed F2 phenotypes approximately correspond and why it is approximate only. Expected ratio:

Describe the evidence from the F2 cross that suggests there are two independently inherited genes involved in the determination of mice coat colours. You may use a punnet square in your explanation.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


17

B12.3

Using the idea that a gene controls the production of an enzyme, fully explain these results. You should refer to gene interaction and metabolic pathways in your explanation.

B13 B13.1

Yarrow is a herbaceous plant, which grows in California at altitudes from 1500m to 3000m. The mean height of the stems of plants growing at 3000m is smaller than that of plants growing at 1500m. The higher the altitude, the lower the mean temperature. Explain how the lower temperature at high altitude reduces the growth of plants.

Proficient Level

Excellent

Moderate

Weak

NR

White Yarrow http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/common-yarrow-flower-isolated-white-background-35564605.jpg

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


18

B13.2

The relative contribution of environmental and genetic factors on the growth of plants was investigated. Samples of young plants were taken and grown outdoors in prepared plots at altitudes of 1500m and 3000m. The results are summarised below: Altitude at which young plants were collected/m

Mean maximum height of stems of plants /cm.

Grown at 1500m Grown at 3000m

1500 80.4 35.3

3000 31.5 24.7

Discuss the evidence from the table that supports the hypothesis that variation in height is:

partly genetically determined

partly environmentally determined. and comment on how well the evidence supports the hypothesis.

Advanced Level

Excellent

Moderate

Low

Weak

NR

Exceed


19

Section C: Biotechnology Applications

C1 C1.1

Transgenesis is the process of artificially introducing genes from one species into another. Agrobacterium tumefaciens is often used as a suitable clonal vector. When using Agrobacterium tumefaciens, the following operations are performed, although not in the same order: A Add transformed Agrobacterium to explant recipient species B Grow explants in tissue culture C Extract tissues of donor plant D Insert donor DNA into Agrobacterium plasmid E Treat donor DNA and Agrobacterium plasmid with restriction enzyme Write the letters of the operations in the order that they should be performed, starting with the first.

1. ________ 2. ________ 3. ________ 4. _________ 5. _________

C2 C2.1

Large amounts of DNA can be produced using cloning vectors. A bacterial plasmid contains the DNA of interest, spliced into its own DNA. Explain the use of restriction enzymes and ligation in the formation of recombinant DNA.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Proficient Level

Excellent

Moderate

Weak

NR


20

C3

C3.1

Scientists wanted to produce clonal vectors using plasmids from E. coli bacteria. DNA containing human genes of interest was isolated as well as the DNA of plasmids from E. coli bacteria. The plasmids contained two genes:

ampR which gives resistance to the antibiotic ampicillin

lacZ that codes for the enzyme B-galactosidase, which breaks down the sugar lactose.

The scientists spliced the human genes into the plasmids at the site of the lacZ gene, as shown in the diagram, destroying it. They used both the ampR and the lacZ genes to identify the E. coli bacteria that had taken up the plasmids containing the gene of interest (had been transformed). Explain why the presence of the ampR gene was used in the plasmid.

The scientists cultured the transformed bacteria on a special medium containing a modified sugar called x-gal, which when cleaved or broken down by B-galactosidase, turns blue. Discuss the reasons for using this final stage of the process before culturing the transformed bacteria as clonal vectors.

Advanced Level

Excellent

Moderate

Low

Weak

NR

Exceed


21

C4 C4.1

DNA profiling allows scientists to compare fragments of DNA using size or molecular mass. The diagram shows the result of an electrophoresis separation used in DNA profiling. Use the diagram to answer the following questions. i. Draw an arrowhead on the

vertical line on the right of the diagram to indicate the direction of movement of the DNA fragments.

ii. Draw a “+” sign at the

appropriate end of the gel to indicate the location of the anode.

iii. On the diagram, draw a line to

indicate the position of a 0.75 Kb fragment.

What is the purpose of the lane labelled R?

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

R M 4.5 kb

2.0 kb

1.5 kb 1.0 kb 0.5 kb

_____

____________ ____________

________ ________

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ______

_____ ______


22

Section D: Processes and Patterns of Evolution

D1

D1.1

Two closely related species of seed eating finches (Geospiza fortis and Geospiza fuliginosa) are found on the isolated Galapagos Islands. The frequency distributions of beak depths of these finches on Santa Cruz, Daphne and Los Hermanos are shown in the histograms below. A further, closely related species, G. magnirostris, is also found on Santa Cruz.

Beak depth is an indication of the size of seed eaten.

On Santa Cruz, the three species are sympatric. Define the term sympatric.

D1.2

What evidence is there from the histograms that competition has played a part in the difference in beak depth?

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Displacement of beak sizes in Darwin‟s finches from the Galápagos Islands http://www.eplantscience.com/index/general_zoology/images/images39/fig008.jpg

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


http://www.eplantscience.com/index/

http://www.eplantscience.com/index/

23

D1.3 Explain how these differences in beak depth have probably come about.

D2 D2.1

Coral Trout (Plectropomus leopardus) reproduce within special spawning areas, where the males aggregate and establish temporary territories. They then try to entice females into their territories to spawn by means of elaborate courtship displays. Repeated courtship displays by the male may result in the female agreeing to a „spawning rush‟ near the water‟s surface, where a cloud of sperm and eggs results in fertilisation. This can be described as a special case of natural selection, which provides selective advantages. Name the type of selection and explain the advantages it provides.

Proficient Level

Excellent

Moderate

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Proficient Level

Excellent

Moderate

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NR


24

D3.1

In terms of natural selection, describe the meaning of the term “fitness.”

D4

D4.1

Lake Malawi in East Africa contains around 400 different species of cichlids, which are small, brightly coloured fish. All these species have evolved from a common ancestor. Describe one way in which scientists could find out whether cichlids from two different populations belong to the same species.

D4.2

During the last 700,000 years there have been long periods when the water level was much lower and Lake Malawi split up into many smaller lakes.

Explain how speciation of cichlids may have occurred following the formation of separate, smaller lakes.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Proficient Level

Excellent

Moderate

Weak

NR


25

D4.3

Many species of cichlids are similar in size and appearance. They display different colour patterns. Suggest how the variety of colour patterns displayed by these cichlids may help to maintain the fish as separate species.

D5 D5.1

An invasive bacterium known as Wolbachia has been responsible for infecting and killing male embryos of the Blue Moon butterfly, Hypolimnas bolina. It is passed down from the female and selectively kills males before they hatch. On the South Pacific islands of Savaii and Upola, the number of male butterflies dropped to 1% of the total population. However within ten generations the proportion of males has increased to approximately 39%. The unexpected rise in numbers of males of the Blue Moon butterfly is believed to be due to the rise of a suppressor allele that prevents replication of Wolbachia bacteria. Account for this change in terms of natural selection.

D5.2

Discuss the effect of the selection pressures operating on the Blue Moon butterfly population and why scientists studying this case found it surprising and unexpected.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

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26

Advanced Level

Excellent

Proficient

Low

Weak

NR

Exceed

D5.2 (cont)

D5.3

Describe the impact of natural selection on the Blue Moon butterfly gene pool.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR


27

D6

D6.1

Anolis lizards are found on the Caribbean islands and Florida in the USA. There are many different species. Although their bodies are green and brown, the males have large, colourful, inflatable dewlaps, which they use in display. Males use them to defend territories and in courtship.

Suggest how the lizards on the different islands evolved different features.

D7 D7.1

Researchers investigated the existence of Anolis lizard hybrids on different islands.

Describe the type of reproductive isolating mechanism that would have been operating in these cases.

Basic Level

Excellent

Weak

NR

Scientists are researching the origin of Anolis species. It has been suggested they originated from Cuba and have spread to other islands, where they now display different features. Left: Anolis carolinensis found in Cuba and southern USA. http://www.redorbit.com/media/uploads/2004/10/36_4bd26a59f86fae24a70be86a2bade3e6-617x294.jpg

Basic Level

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28

D8 D8.1

Researchers have reported cases of both divergence and convergence in the evolution of Anolis lizards. Discuss further investigations that could be carried out to determine whether Anolis lizards have undergone divergence or convergence or both. In your answer you should:

explain the terms divergent and convergent evolution

consider molecular, physiological, reproductive and structural investigations scientists could carry out

discuss how evidence from these investigations could be used to identify patterns in the evolutionary history of Anolis lizards.

THE END

Advanced Level

Excellent

Proficient

Low

Weak

NR

Exceed


south pacific form seven certificate · south pacific form seven certificate biology 2014...

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