CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL

ADVANCEDPROFICIENCYEXAMINA TION

SPECIMEN PAPER
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
FOR

BIOLOGY
UNITl

READ THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY

Each item in this test has four suggested answers lettered (A), (B), (C), (D). Read each item you are
about to answer and decide which choice is best.

Sample Item

Which of the following metal atoms is present

in a haemoglobin molecule?
Sample Answer
(A) Calcium
(B)
(C)
Magnesium
Copper

(D) Iron

The best answer to this item is "Iron", so answer space (D) has been blackened.

Copyright 2006 Caribbean Examinations Council.

All rights reserved.

02107010/SPEC2007
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1. Water provides a constant external environment for mahy aquatic organisms. The specific
property of water which allows for this is its

(A) high heat capacity

(B) high heat of vaporisation
(C) high surface tension
(D) high heat of fusion

~ refers to the diagram below.

2. The 3-unit molecular structure shown above is found in which of the following polymers?

(A) Glycogen
( B) Cellulose
(C) Starch
( D) Collagen

3. Which of the following numbers represent Item 4 refers to the amino acid alanine which
the correct number of fatty acid residues has the following moelcular formula.
normally present in a phospholipid molecule?
Q) CH,
(A) 1 I
(B) 2 <?> NH2 - C - COOH
(C) 3 I
(DJ 4 CD H

4. Which of the following functional groups

must combine to fonn a peptide bond?

(A) I and 2
(B) 3and4
(C) 2 and 4
(D) 2 and 3

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5. Which of the following types of bonds is Item 8 refers to the following structures
responsible for stabilizing the secondary found in cells.
structure of a protein?
I. Cell wall
(A) Disulphide II. Cell Membrane
(B) Hydrophobic Ill. Centrioles
(CJ Ionic IV. Golgi Apparatus
(D) Hydrogen
8. Which of the following combinations are
features common to BOTH plant and animal
6. Which of the following molecules shows cells?
the characteristics listed below?
(A) I and ll
I. the triple helices are linked by (B) ll and IV
covalent cross links. (C) II, Ill and IV
II. They are polypeptides in the form of (D) ll and llJ
three helices.
Ill. Every third amino acid in each helix
is glycine. 9. All of the following characteristics are typical
of prokaryotes EXCEPT
(A) Collagen
(B) Glycogen (A) they contain both ribosomes and a
(C) Haemoglobin nucleus
(D) Glycoprotein (B) their average diameter ranges
between 0. 5 - JO m
(CJ they have circular DNA
Item 7 refers to the diagram below which (D) they are mainly unicellular
shows the ultrastructure of a eukaryotic cell.

10. Xylem can MOST accurately be described

fts a tissue because it

(A) consists of more than one type of cell

(B) consists of vessels conducting mainly
water and mineral salts
(C) is impregnated with lignin
(D) provides mechancial support for
plants

7. Which of the following cell structures,

labelled I, 2, 3 and 4, is involved in the
synthesis of lipids and steriods?

(A).
(B) 4
(C) 2
(D) 3

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021070JOISPEC2007
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Item 11 refers to the figure below which 12. 'Na+ and K+ cannot pass freely into a cell
shows part of the cell-surface membrane of across the phospholipid bilayer. because
a red blood cell.
(A) they are repelled by the charged
cytoplasm
(B) they are too large to pass
(C) of the hydrophobic nature ofthelayer
(D) they are moving against a
concentration gradient

13. Amylase found in germinating seeds is

incubated with starch at 25"C and pH 2.
When a sample is removed after five minutes
and mixed with a solution of iodine in
potassium iodide solution, the mixture turns
to a blue-black colour. The MOST likely
explanation for this observation is
11. Molecule Z acts as a carrier to transport
selected substances across the membrane.
(A) all the starch has been hydrolysed to
Whii:h of the following substances is MOST
maltose
readily transported by this carrier molecule?
(B) a specific inhibitor of the amylase is
present
(A) Fructose
(C) amylase does not catalyse the
(B) Water
hydrolysis of starch at 25"C
(C) Glucose
(D) the pH is too low for the reaction to
(D) Carbon-dioxide
proceed quickly

Item 14 refers to the graph below which shows the rate of an enzyme catalysed reaction with and
without inhibitors.

14. Which of the following sequences describes the types of reaction shown by Graphs I, II and III?

Graph I Graph II Graph Ill

(A) Competitive inhibitor Non-competitive inhibitor No inhibitor
(B) Competitive inhibitor No inhibitor Non-competitive inhibitor
(C) No inhibitor Competitive inhibitor Non-competitive inhibitor
(D) No inhibitor Non-competitive inhibitor Competitive inhibitor

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15. Which of the following graphs BEST illustrates the effect of temperature on an enzyme controlled
reaction?

A B

-
c D

.......

Item 16 refers to the following diagram. 17. Which of the following molecules are
required to activate amino acids for
attachment during translation in protein
synthesis?

(A) tRNA and ATP

(B) mRNA and ATP
(C) mRNA, rRNA and ATP
(D) tRNA, mRNA, rRNA and ATP

OH H
16. Which of the following molecules contains
the monosaccharide shown above?

(A) Glycogen
(B) RNA
(C) .. Cellulose
(D) DNA

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18. The MAXIMUM number of amino acid 19. Which of the following statements is true
molecules which can be coded for by the of homologous chromosomes?.
triplet code is
(A) They consist of two identical
(A) 3 chromatids.
(B) 20 (B) They move to the same pole during
(CJ ti) nuclear division.
(D) M (C) They have the same sequence of
genes.
(D) They have the same sequence of
bases.

Item 20 refers to diagrams which show the stages in the first division of meiosis.

c \
~
>/~
In ,) )
I

'~/
I I

~/
~-....:

l~~)
I 1 J

,< /~
/I
/'1\~
I T1\ ~ , :~\
\'~VJ/) \ (fti )
'~/ ~/'
4 5

20. Which of the following sequences represents the correct sequence of events?

(A) 3 2 4 5
(B) 5 2 4 3
(C) 3 2 4 5
(D) 2 3 4 I 5

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Item 21 refers to the following animal cell 23. In flowering pJants, meiosis occurs in the
during meiosis II.
(A) embryo sacs
(B) ovules
(C) pollen mother cells
(D) ovary walls

Item 24 refers to the diagram below showing

a fertilised ovule and carpel.

l'llll!!l.--M-1-Hi-7
\,.i;t::t,tt=,t=t=:

21. Which of the following stages of meiosis II is

shown in the diagram above?

(A) Prophase
(B) Metaphase
(C) Anaphase
(D) Teiophase 24. Which of the following represents the
structures which will become the

22. Which of the following features correctly I. embryo

describe advantages of asexual reproduc- IL testa
tion to a species? III. micropyle of the seed

I. Only one parent is required I II III

II_ Seif pollination is not dependent on
wind or insects (A) 6 2 3
III. Rapid multiplication of the species (B) 7 8 I
IV The offspring are genetically (C) 6 l 7
identical (D) 5 2 4

(A) I and JV
(B) 1, III and IV
(C) I, IJ and IV
(D) 1, II, III and JV

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02107010/SPEC 2007
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Item 25 refers to the diagram below which Item 28 refers to the diagram below which
shows a germinating pollen grain and a shows the levels of various hormones
mature ovule. involved in the menstrual cycle in human
females.

y
x

25. The nucleus which fuses with the male 28. Which ONE of the following is the most
nu'cleus to form the zygote is accurate deduction that can be made from
the diagram?
(A) A
(B) B (A) Q at high concentrations
(C) c stimulates Y.
(B) p at high concentrations
(D) D
stimulates Y.
(C) p at low concentrations
Item 26 refers to the following stages in the stimulates X.
development of human sperm. (D) Q at low concentrations
inhibitsX.
I. Spermatid
II. Spermatogonium
III. Primary Spermatocyte 29. The MAIN function of the placenta in
humans is that it

26. Which of the following combinations is the (A) protects the embryo
correct order of sperm formation? (B) separates foetal and maternal blood
(C) allows exchange of materials
(A) I, II, III between foetus and mother
(B) II, III, I (D) supports the embryo
(C) II, I, llJ
(D) I, III, II
30. All of the following are able to cross the
placenta EXCEPT
27. The function of interstitial cells (cells of
Leydig) is the production of (A) E. coli bacterium
(B) Human Jmmuno-Deficiency Virus
(A). oestrogen (C) carbon monoxide
(B) progesterone (D) alcohol
(C) follicle stimulating hormone
(D) testosterone

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02107010/SPEC2007

Item 31 refers to the following information.

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In tomatoes: R - red fruit (dominant)
r - yellow fruit 34. . The genotype of human zygotes will differ
T - tall plant (dominant) from that of both parents and grandparents.
t - short plant
Which of the following occurrences does
Both genes are on different chromosomes. NOT contribute to this variation?

31. A tomato plant homozygous for allele R (A) Chiasmata occurring during meiosis
reproduces. The number of copies of this (B) Mutation of genes
allele which will be found in the male gamete (C) Presence of recessive genes
of this plant is (D) Random combination of gametes

(A) 35. The coding DNA triplet for glutamic acid is

(B) 2 CTI. This mutates to CAT in sickle cell
(C) 4 haemoglobin. The complementary mRNA
(D) 8 codon for sickle cell anemia is

(A) GAA
32. The characteristic of inflated pea pods is (B) GTC
controlled by one allele of a particular gene. (C) GIT
The other allele results in constricted pods. (D) GUA

Half the pollen grains of a heterozygous pea 36. Which of the following chromosomal
plant show the characteristic of inflated pods mutations, labelled I - IV, is correctly
because alleles separate at meiosis during identified?

(A) anaphase I and anaphase II

ABC D E F - - - -... ABCFG I
(B) metaphase II and anaphase II
(C) prophase I and prophase II ABCDCDEFG II
(D) metaphase I and anaphase I
ABEDCFG III

33. A woman who is heterozygous for sickle cell ABCMNOP IV

anaemia, marries a man who is also
heterozygous for sickle cell. The probability (A) I - duplication
that their third child will carry a sickle cell (B) II - translocation
allele is
(C) III - inversion
(D) IV - deletion
(A) 25%
(B) 50%
(C) 75% 37. In which of the following events is variation
(D) 100% NOT involved?

(A) Segregation of chromosomes at

anaphase
(B) Chiasma formation in
chromosomes
(C) Structural. changes in
chromosomes
(D) Pairing of x and y
chromosomes

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02107010/SPEC2007
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38. In a population which displays wide variation in body mass,. which of the following graphs BEST displays
natural selection for this characteristic?

18)

t
.s I

~1
! \
- ' --------+-- ----+--------"->
lkMlyMa<0.<

10 mi

I
I
I
I
I
I

L______ ~----+ ---'O>

I :
------+----------- -
llodJ Malo; llCld) M- ~

39. Which of the following BEST explains the 40. Which of the following features can be
type of natural selection exhibited by the BEST used to determine whether sexually
peppered moths living in a polluted area? reproducing flowering plants, from separate
populations, are members of the same
(A) Stabilizing selection species?
(B) Selection pressure
(C) Directional selection (A) They have the ability to cross-
(D) Disruptive selection fertilize.
(B) They have the ability to cross-
pollinate.
(C) They have the ability to produce
viable seeds.
(D) The viable seeds can produce fertile
gametes.

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02107010/SPEC2007
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41. Which of the following sequences
illustrates the correct hierarchical order for
the classification of living things?
(A) Class, order, family, genus
(B) Genus, order, class, family
(C) Family, class, order, genus
(D) Order, family, genus, class
43. When purebreeding white-seeded \vheat
plants \Vere crossed with pun~.breeding red-
skinned wheat plants, all of the F, generation
had pink seeds.
The F 1 plants were self-pollinated producing
plants with a phenotype ratio of
1 red seeded : 2 pink : I white seeded.

Item 42 refers to the following classification The number of genes controlling seed colour
scheme illustrating taxonomic levels. in this cross is

Animalia (A) 2
(B) 4
Chordata
(C) I
Mammalia (D) 3
Rodentia
Muroidea
44. In which of the following taxonomic groups
Rattus
will all the organisms be MOST similar to
rattus each other?

42. Which of the following is the correct name (A) Family

for the family to which this organism belongs? (B) Kingdom
(C) Genus
(A) Chordata (D) Order
(B) Mammalia
(C) Rattus
(D) Muroidea 45. Ex ill!! conservation methods for plants could
be practised by all of the following methods
EXCEPT

(A) establishing botanic gardens

(B) keeping them in arboreta
(C) cultivating them in protected areas
of their habitat
(D) establishing seed banks

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021070 IO/SPEC 2007

 Page: I of2
Listing of Form Section Data
Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)

Test: CAPE BIOLOGY (Ul) (MC ITEMS) Form: 02107010-SPEC2007 Version No: I

Item No. Key Syllabus Reference Profile Module

A I. I Pl Ml
2 B 1.4 Pl Ml
3 B 1.6 Pl Ml
4 c 1.7 P2 Ml
5 D 1.8 Pl Ml
6 A 1.9 P2 Ml
7 c 2.2 Pl Ml
8 B 2.4 P2 Ml
9 A 2.5 Pl Ml
IO A 2.6 Pl MI
11 c 3.1 P2 Ml
12 c 3.2 P2 Ml
13 D 4.3 P2 Ml
14 c 4.4 Pl Ml
15 c 4.3 P2 Ml
16 D I.I Pl M2
17 A 1.3 P2 M2
18 D 2.1 Pl M2
19 c 1.4 P2 M2
20 A 2.5 P2 M2
21 B 2.6 Pl M2
22 B 3.1 P2 M2
23 c 3.2 Pl M2
24 D 3.5 Pl M2
25 A 3.6 Pl M2
26 B 4.3 P2 M2
27 D 4.5 Pl M2
28 B 4.7 P2 M2
29 c 4.10 Pl M2
30 A 4.12 P2 M2
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Listing ofFonn Section [Jata
Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC:)

Test: CAPE BIOLOGY (UI) (MC ITEMS) Form: 02107010-SPEC2007 Version No: I

'ttemNe. ~f~~~Rt{fteilf;e:: ~- :.~'J

31 A Ll P2 M3
32 A 1.2 P2 M3
33 c L2 PI M3
34 c 2.1 P2 M3
35 D 2.2 Pl M3
36 c 2.2 P2 M3
37 D 2.4 P2 M3
38 A 2.5 P2 M3
39 c 2.7 P2 M3
40 D 2.8 Pl M3
41 A 3.2 P2 M3
42 D 3.3 Pl M3
43 c l.2 Pl M3
44 c 3.3 Pl M3
45 c 4.3 Pl M3