BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CYPRUS

11th
CYPRUS NATIONAL
BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD

25th
INTERNATIONAL
BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD

SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2014

DURATION: 2 HOURS (11:00 13.00)
.................................................
INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTESTANTS
1. On the ANSWER SHEET:
a.

Choose, by shading, the correct circle for :

(i) your examination centre,
(ii) your sex, and
(iii) your code number (which has been given to you)

b.

Do not write anything on the answer sheet that might reveal your identity.

2. The paper consists of fifty (50) multiple choice questions.

3.

For each question there is ONLY ONE right answer which is worth one (1) mark.

4. For each wrong answer 0,25 marks (-0,25) are deducted

5. Any question with 2 or more answers marked is considered wrong and 0,25 marks (-0,25) are deducted.
6. Each unanswered question scores zero (0) marks.
7. The answers must be marked on your ANSWER SHEET:
a.

Shade with an HB pencil the circle corresponding to your

choice.

b.

In case of a mistake erase carefully and shade the circle of your new choice.

c.

The use of corrective fluid on the ANSWER SHEET is strictly prohibited.

d.

Do not crumple the ANSWER SHEET.

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

1. You are training for a long-distance race and decide to follow a carbohydrate-rich diet the previous day in order to
enhance your performance. Why, in this case, is a carbohydrate-rich diet better for enhancing performance
compared to a diet high in proteins or fats?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

It provides more total energy, as carbohydrates contain more chemical energy per gram than lipids.
It increases glycogen stored in muscles and the liver. Glycogen is easily hydrolysed to glucose.
It increases the efficiency of oxygen transportation to muscle tissue.
It increases sucrose storage in muscle tissue which is used for ATP production.
It increases the amount of ATP in the blood which can be delivered to muscle tissues.

2. A scientist created a liposome (an artificially prepared vesicle made of a phospholipid bilayer) that contains an
internal solute concentration of 0.1 M. The solute cannot diffuse through the membrane, and there are no protein
transporters present in the membrane. The liposome is placed in a solution that contains the same solute but at a
concentration of 0.2 M. Which statement correctly describes what will happen to the liposome?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

The liposome will swell and its solute concentration will increase
The liposome will swell and its solute concentration will decrease
The liposome will shrink and its solute concentration will increase
The liposome will shrink and its solute concentration will decrease
The liposome remains the same

3. Based on the graph opposite, which statement is CORRECT?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

In this reaction energy is released.

In this reaction energy must be added.
An enzyme is required to catalyze this reaction.
The reaction would proceed more quickly at a lower temperature.
This reaction is irreversible.

4. One way to separate a DNA double helix is to break the hydrogen bonds by applying heat. Which of the following
DNA pieces (assume that it is in a double helix with its complementary chain) will need the highest temperature in
order to separate?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

AAAAAAAA
ATGCATGC
CGCGCGCG
TTTTGGGG
TATATATA

5. Which reaction results in the phosphodiester linkage that holds together the 3' carbon of one ribonucleotide to
the 5' carbon of another ribonucleotide in the formation of ribonucleic acids?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Condensation reaction
Neutralization reaction
Oxidation/reduction reaction
Hydrolysis reaction
None of the above

6. A particular DNA double helix is 100 nucleotide pairs long and contains 25 adenine bases. The number of guanine
bases in this DNA double helix would be
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

25
50
75
100
74
3

7. The cells of the lining of the small intestine contain microvilli. Which statement/s about microvilli is/are
CORRECT?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

I. Digestive enzymes can be found localized there.

II. Transport proteins can be found localized there.
III. They contribute to the increased surface area of the small intestine.
IV. The produce hydrochloric acid to aid digestion
V. They are in contact with capillaries and lymphatic vessels.
I, II and III only
III and V only
II, III and V only
II, III, IV and V only
I, II, III and IV only

8. What is the most likely effect when the concentration of solutes in the soil is less than the concentration of
solutes in the root cells of a plant? N.B Soil also contains water.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Water will move from the root tissue into the soil.
There will be no movement of water.
Solutes will passively move from the soil into the root tissue.
Water will passively move from the soil into the root tissue.
The contractile vacuoles of the root cells will take up water by osmosis.

9. The diagram illustrates five possible arrangements (numbered 1 to

5) of a protein that could associate with a phospholipid bilayer. The
black regions of the protein are composed of polar and charged
amino acids, and the white region of the protein is composed of
nonpolar amino acids. Which arrangement is most likely to occur?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

1
2
3
4
5

10. What property is characteristic of a carbon-based molecule that has

side chains consisting of cysteine compared to those that have side
chains consisting of glycine (as shown below)? The molecule with
the cysteine will:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

behave like a base.

form hydrogen bonds with water.
likely donate protons.
likely form disulfide bonds.
be nonpolar.

11. What is the most likely reason that organisms that rely on fermentation grow more slowly than those that utilize
cellular respiration?
A. Phosphorylation of ADP to ATP does not occur in fermentation, resulting in less energy available for growth.
B. During fermentation fewer protons are pumped by complexes in the electron transport chain, therefore less ATP is
produced and less energy is available for growth.
C. Only glycolysis occurs in organisms that undergo fermentation, resulting in less ATP production and therefore less energy
is available for growth.
D. Fermentation consumes ATP, so less energy is available for growth.
E. More energy-rich bonds are broken in fermentation compared to cellular respiration, resulting in less energy available for
growth.
4

12. The most appropriate

association of diagrams I to IV
with the respective chemical
molecule/part of a molecule is:
I

II

III

IV

polynucleotide

polypeptide

triglyceride

phospholipid

polysacharide

RNA

phospholipid

ATP

polypeptide

chitin

RNA

triglyceride

cellulose

polypeptide

polynucleotide

polyglyceride

polysaccharide

polypeptide

DNA

triglyceride

13. Synthesis of maltose from glucose is:

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

a catabolic reaction that joins molecules together

a catabolic reaction involving the breaking of chemical bonds
an anabolic reaction that releases energy for cellular metabolism
an anabolic reaction that requires a net input of energy
a catabolic reaction that requires a net input of energy.

14. Plants growing in soil with low levels of nitrogen may be unable to produce sufficient molecules of
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

ribonucleic acids.
triglycerides.
cellulose.
sucrose.
Chitin

15. A person is suffering from a disorder where lactose cannot be digested. Which of the following tissues is
responsible for this?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Mouth mucosa
Stomach mucosa
Pancreas
Small intestinal mucosa
Gall bladder

16. Inflammation and injury of the pancreas can cause elevated levels of serum amylase. Injury or disease of which of
the following sites might you expect to produce a similar laboratory finding?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Liver.
Colon.
Endocrine Pancreas.
Parotid gland.
Gall bladder.

17. ATP is an important molecule in metabolism because:

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

is readily obtained from an organisms environment.

is extremely stable.
contains valuable nutrients.
has high-energy phosphate bonds.
has phosphate bonds that are very easily formed but not easily broken.

18. Several artificial cells are created with various dimensions. Which of the following dimensions would be most
conducive to diffusion? A cell with:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

surface area of 10 and a volume of 30.

surface area of 8 and a volume of 2.
surface area of 40 and a volume of 30.
surface area of 20 and a volume of 10.
surface area of 5 with a volume of 5.
Consider the text below for answering the next two questions, 19 and 20.
Human insulin is a macromolecule composed of two amino acid chains. The chains are connected by disulfide
bonds. Insulin found in other animals varies from human insulin. The following table compares all the
differences seen in the primary structure of human, cow, pig and sheep insulin.
:
Amino acid number position within the

Alpha chain

Beta chain

-8 - 9 - 10-

-30-

/ Human

-Thr ser - ile-

Thr

/ Cow

-ala ser - val-

Ala

/ Pig

-thr ser - ile-

Ala

/ Sheep

-ala gly - val-

Ala

19. From the data we can conclude that:

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

insulin is a dimeric protein that has quartenary structure

insulin is a monomeric protein that has quartenary structure
insulin is a dimeric protein that has at least one cysteine amino acid in each chain
insulin is a monomeric protein that has at least one cysteine amino acid in each chain
if we boil an insulin suspension at 60oC the polypeptide chains alpha and beta will completely separate

I and III
II and IV
I, III and V
I, IV and V
V only

20. Considering only the above data, if genetically engineered insulin were not available the best animal to obtain
insulin from for use in diabetic humans would be:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Cow
Pig
Sheep
Chimpanzee
All of the above

21. Chitin is a
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

glucose polymer
nitrogenous polysaccharide
lipoprotein
protein
lipid.
6

22. Half an hour after an adult human completed eating a protein-rich meal, a sample was taken of the contents of his
stomach. This sample was divided into three equal parts in separate tubes. Each tube was incubated at a different
temperature for 10 hours. After that time, each tubes contents was tested to determine its the concentration of
undigested long polypeptides. Which of the graphs below would best summarise the predicted results of this
experiment;

23. During chemiosmosis there is a large difference in pH across the thylakoid membrane between the thylakoid
compartment and the stroma. From the list given below choose those that are appropriate in explaining the
difference.
I. The transport of protons into the thylakoid compartment by the electron transport system
II. The transport of protons out of the thylakoid compartment into the stroma by the electron transfer system
III. Protons splitting from water remaining in the thylakoid compartment
IV. Protons splitting from water and pumped out of the thylakoid compartment
V. The removal of hydrogen from the stroma during the reduction of NADP+.
VI. The retention of hydrogen in the stroma during the reduction of NADP+.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

I, V and VI only
II, IV and VI only
I, IV and V only
I, III and V only
III, IV and V only

24. The diagram displays four different experimental setups which were used for the study of photosynthesis. After
two days, the leaves were tested for the presence of starch. Which two experiments (experiments 1, 2, 3, 4)
should be compared in order to demonstrate that carbon dioxide is necessary for the processes of
photosynthesis?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

1 and
2 and
2 and
3 and
1 and

2
4
3
4
3

25. Which of the following statement/s correctly describe(s) the named cellular organelles ( mitochondria,
chloroplasts);
I
II
III
V
A.
B.
C.
A.
B.

Contains phospholipids
Contains nucleic acids
Contains enzymes
Is mainly involved in anabolic function
I and II
II and III
I, III and IV
II , III and V
III only

mitochondrion
YES
NO
YES
NO

chloroplast
YES
NO
YES
YES

26. Halobacterium halobium is a single cell microorganism which photosynthesises using Bacteriorhodopsin as a
light capturing pigment. When a photon of light is absorbed by the Bacteriorhodopsin-P570 , this is transformed
into P412 and this transformation is accompanied by release of H+. It is also known that ATP synthase generates
ATP through the movement of H+ through its channel. What should be the appropriate diagram for a
photosynthetic Halobacterium halobium?

27. Halobacterium halobium can survive under extreme salt conditions. What are rational possible mechanisms that
could lead to the survival of this organism at these extreme conditions?
A. In an effort to maintain osmotic balance, the microorganism actively pumps solutes from the environment into its
cytoplasm.
B. In an effort to maintain osmotic balance, the microorganism actively pumps solutes out of its cytoplasm and into the
environment.
C. Maintaining its intracellular salt concentrations hypotonic to the environment by actively pumping solutes into its
cytoplasm.
D. Maintaining its intracellular salt concentrations hypertonic to the environment by actively pumping solutes out of its
cytoplasm.
E. None of the above.
28. Red blood cells in the blood are normally in osmotic balance with the
plasma. Red blood cells were isolated from blood and placed in three
(3) solutions (I, II, III). After a period of time these cells were visualized
with under a microscope and their morphology is depicted in the
figure. According to these findings what is the relative tonicity
(osmotic nature: isotonic, hypotonic, hypertonic) of each of the
solutions I, II, III;

I.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Isotonic to II
Hypertonic to III
Hypertonic to III
Hypertonic to the plasma
Hypotonic to the plasma

II.

III.

Hypertonic to III
Hypotonic to I
Hypertonic to I
Hypotonic to the plasma
Hypertonic to the plasma

Hypertonic to II
Hypertonic to II
Hypotonic to the plasma
Isotonic to the plasma
Isotonic to the plasma

29. Photosynthesis takes place more effectively in

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

ellow light.
White light.
Red light.
Blue light.
Darkness.

30. The table below describes the human dental formula. Which of
the following statements is a wrong deduction about the
dental formula shown above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

There are 32 teeth altogether.

There are four incisors in the upper jaw.
There are four premolars in the lower jaw.
There are three molars in the lower jaw.
There are 4 canines altogether.

incisors canine premolars molars

2
1
2
3
2

half
top jaw
half
lower
jaw

31. Which one of the following statement is correct about intestinal villi?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

A multitudinous finger-like projections having many microvilli.

Increase the internal surface area of the intestinal wall.
Supplied with capillaries and the lacteal vessels.
Participate only in digestion of fats.
A fold in the small intestine contains many villi.
9

32. The given graph shows the effect of substrate concentration on the rate of reaction of the enzyme green gramphosphatase. What does the graph indicate?
A. Presence of an enzyme activator in the reaction mixture.
B. The rate of enzyme reaction is directly proportional to the substrate
concentration.
C. Presence of an enzyme inhibitor in the reaction mixture.
D. Formation of an enzyme-substrate complex.
E. At higher substrate concentration the rate of reaction increases.
33. The figure given below shows three velocity-substrate concentration curves for an enzyme reaction. What do the
curves a, b and c depict respectively?
a
Reaction with an
activator

b
Reaction with noncompetitive inhibitor

c
Reaction with
competitive inhibitor

Reaction without
inhibitor

Reaction with an
activator

Reaction with an
inhibitor

Reaction with
competitive inhibitor

Reaction without
inhibitor

Reaction with noncompetitive inhibitor

Reaction without
inhibitor

Reaction with noncompetitive inhibitor

Reaction with
competitive inhibitor

Reaction without
inhibitor

Reaction with
competitive inhibitor

Reaction with noncompetitive inhibitor

34. Molecule II is necessary for the enzyme to

function. This molecule is not permanently
bound to the enzyme.
According to this information and the
following diagram
A. molecule I is a coenzyme and molecule III a
holoenzyme.
B. molecule II is a coenzyme and molecule III an
apoenzyme.
C. molecule II is a prosthetic group and molecule III
an holoenzyme.
D. molecule II is a prosthetic group and molecule III an poenzyme.
E. molecule I is an apoenzyme and molecule III a holoenzyme.

10

35. The following experimental setup was prepared to

investigate how various solutions of different salinity might
influence the mass of a potato cylinder. Five (I- V) different
test tubes were prepared as the one shown in the figure,
each containing the same salt solution at different salt
concentrations. Potato cylinders of similar size were
prepared, weighed, incubated for one hour in the various
solutions, and weighted again after incubation.
Subsequently the percentage change in mass was
calculated and is recorded in the table below. Which of the
choices below (a)-(e), relating to the above investigation, is
correct?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Solution

Change in
Mass (%)

I.

+15

II.

+10

III.

- 5

IV.

- 15

V.

- 20

Following an hour in solution I, water moved out of the potato cells, and these were plasmolysed
Solution II is hypertonic to solution III
Solution II is hypotonic to solution
Solution V is hypertonic to the cytoplasm of potato cells
Solution IV is hypotonic to the cytoplasm of potato cells.

36. The following list describes four major digestive enzymes, site of synthesis and their site of secretion. Which one
of the following is INCORRECT?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

sucrase small intestine small intestine

Pepsin gastric glands stomach
Nuclease duodenum pancreas
Lipase pancreas small intestine
Enteropeptidase small intestine small intestine

37. What will happen if the secretion of parietal cells of gastric glands is blocked with an inhibitor?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Enterokinase will not be released from the duodenal mucosa and so trypsinogen is not converted to trypsin.
Gastric juice will be deficient in chymosin.
Gastric juice will be deficient in pepsinogen.
Gastric juice will be deficient of pepsin.
The absorption of Vitamin B12 will be impaired.

and IV
III and V
II and III
III and V
IV and V

38. If you were told that bile salts function also as activators of an enzyme, which one of the following enzymes
would they most probably activate?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Pepsinogen
Trypsinogen
Pancreatic Lipase
Pancreatic amylase
Aminopeptidase

11

Questions 39 and 40 are in sequence

39. A neuron maintains its electrolyte concentrations by using both Na+ and K+ channels as well as a Na+/K+ Pump.
The neuron is kept in a solution similar to the extracellular fluid of brain tissue under a constant oxygen supply.
Which of the following options describes correctly what is happening with the transport of Na+ and K+?
Through Channels

Through the Na+/K+ Pump

Na+ will diffuse OUT

K+ will diffuse IN

Na+ will be pumped IN

K+ will be pumped OUT

Na+ will diffuse IN

K+ will diffuse OUT

Na+ will be pumped IN

K+ will be pumped UT

Na+ will diffuse OUT

K+ will diffuse IN

Na+ will be pumped OUT

K+ will be pumped IN

Na+ will diffuse IN

K+ will diffuse OUT

Na+ will be pumped OUT

K+ will be pumped IN

No movement of ions will be observed as the neuron possesses both pumps and channels

40. After a few minutes, cyanide, is added to the solution. What do you predict will happen to the ion concentrations
and the pH in the neuron and its organelles?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

I. The concentration of K+ ions in the cell increases.

II. The concentration of K+ ions in the cell decreases.
III.The pH in the intermembrane space of the mitochondria decreases.
IV The concentration of bicarbonate (CO2 in water) in the solution increases.
V. The concentration of bicarbonate (CO2 in water) in the solution decreases.
I and II
I, II and V
II and III
III and IV
II, and V

41. Compared to an uncatalysed reaction, all of the following are characteristics of an enzyme-catalysed reaction
EXCEPT:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

it has a smaller activation energy

there is no change in equilibrium value
the rate of the reaction is accelerated
a maximal velocity can be achieved
the free energy for the reaction is reduced

42. Sampling blood from the splanchnic vein (from abdominal viscera) can help determine the dietary levels of all of
the following constituents except:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

proteins
sucrose (glucose-fructose disaccharide)
alcohol
fat
Can determine all of the above constituents

12

43. Amino acids may sometimes be used as respiratory substrates . For example, glutamic acid is deaminated and
converted to -ketoglutarate which can enter the reactions of the citric acid cycle. Calculate the number of ATP
molecules that can theoretically be produced for each molecule od -ketoglutarate acid that enters the circle.
Consider that in this case the cycle is completed with the production of oxaloacetate.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

24
18
12
9
8

44. A living amoeba was incubated in a solution for quite some time. The table below records the concentration of
different ions in the amoeba and the extra-cellular environment ECE, following this incubation. The concentration
of ions is expressed as ion-units per millilitre.
Simple diffusion alone could account for the movement of which ion/ions? [Assume the membrane is permeable
in some degree to all of the above ions.]

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Na+

K+

Cl-

HCO3-

Amoeba

42

119

ECE

21

16

41

119

Na+
HCO3Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO3Na+, Cl- and HCO3K+

45. Referring to the oxidation of glucose, which of the following lines describes the enzyme correctly associated with
the process
Process

Enzyme

Krebs Cycle

Rubisco

II

Alcoholic fermentation

Pyruvate decarboxylase.

III

Electron transport chain (respiratory chain)

Cytochrome oxidase.

IV

Chemiosmosis

ATP synthase

Glycolysis

Hexokinase.

VI

Energy production employing a proton electrochemical

gradient
Lactic acid fermentation

ATP synthase

VII
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Pyruvate decarboxylase

All are matched correctly

IV and V
III, IV
II, III, IV, V and VI
, , V, V, VII

13

The following experimental set up refers to questions 46 and 47

Aquatic green plants and fish were placed in a closed glass container and irradiated with light of different
wavelength at different times for the same period of time. The fish were fed with food flakes in all experiments
and all other conditions were kept the same for all experiments.
Experiment

Light colour

Blue

Red

Green

Yellow

46. Assuming no other factors affect the welfare of fish, which of the above experimental provisions could maintain a
larger number of fish?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

1.
2.
3.
4.
In all four experimental set ups (1-4) the fish survive equally well.

47. When the same experiment was repeated in the absence of fish, the maximum levels of photosynthesis
decreased at all tested wavelengths of light (Experiments 1-4). Based on this observation we can conclude that:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

the concentration of CO2 is critical (a limiting factor) for photosynthesis at these conditions
the concentration of O2 is critical (a limiting factor) for photosynthesis at these conditions
the intensity of light is critical (limiting factor) for photosynthesis at these conditions
plant biomass is critical (limiting factor) for photosynthesis at these conditions
light wavelength is critical (limiting factor) for photosynthesis at
these conditions

48. A bacterial strain used on an industrial scale produces

substances A and B.

This reversible reaction is catalyzed by enzymes Y and Z

as shown on the reaction above. The enzymatic activity of
Enzymes Y and Z is shown in the diagram. At what
temperature should the industry carry out the incubation
so as to maximize the production / yield of substance B?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

10 C
15 C
20 C
25 C
35 C.

14

49. The first stage in the Calvin Cycle is a series of reactions that lead to the conversion of a five (5) carbon
molecule to two three-carbon (3C) molecules. All these reactions are catalysed sequentially by the same enzyme.
Based on your knowledge, which of the following substances bind to the active site of this enzyme?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

ribulose monophosphate
ribulose biphosphate
oxaloacetate
carbon dioxide
phosphoglyceraldehyde
Water
Oxygen

1, 2, 3, 5
1, 3, 4
1, 2, 6
2, 4, 6
2, 4, 6, 7.

50. Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The bacterium brings on
intense diarrhoea to the infected person because, among others, it causes increased secretion of Na + and Clions into the lumen of the small intestine. Select which of the following statements are valid.
1. More water will be secreted into the lumen of the intestine due to osmosis.
2. The increased concentration of Na+ in the lumen causes reabsorption of water from the lumen into the
vessels of the intestinal villi and eventually into the blood stream.
3. The diarrhoea will eventually cause dehydration and possible death
4. The increased Cl- ions will cause ulcer formation in the intestinal mucous membranes causing
immediate death to infected organisms.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

1, 2, 4
1, 3
2,3,
2, 4,
1, 2, 3, 4 .

15

BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CYPRUS

11th
CYPRUS NATIONAL
BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD

25th
INTERNATIONAL
BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD

SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2014

16