SMK DPHA GAPOR

BIOLOGY STPM

Trial Exam P3 2017

Section A

1 A 2 D 3 C 4 A 5 B
6 B 7 B 8 D 9 C 10 A
11 D 12 D 13 D 14 D 15 C

Section B

Number Suggested Answer Mark

16. (a) P: Erosion / Weathering / Mining 1
R: Leaching 1

(b) Phospholipids / Proteins / Nucleic Acids (DNA/RNA) / 1

ATP / NADP (any 3)

(c) Decomposer e.g. phosphating bacteria decompose 1

Waste / excretion 1
And death organism (teeth and bones for animals) that will 1
release inorganic phosphate into the soil

(d) Phosphate in the aquatic ecosystem returns to the land via 1

fish and invertebrates that are eaten by birds.
The faeces (guano) of these birds contain phosphate, thus 1
phosphate can be carried to the land via this process.

17. (a) 61 1

(b) Homologous chromosomes pairs are not present in hybrid 1

A, meiosis cannot occur, thus gametes cannot be
produced.
It can reproduce asexually / vegetatively through the 1
formation of rhizomes.

(c) Doubling of chromosome numbers occur in hybrid A. 1

By non-disjunction, normal pairing of homologous 1
chromosomes can occur during meiosis, thus produce
Spartina anglica.

(d) Each chromosome can pair with its homologous 1

chromosome. Thus, meiosis can occur to produce fertile
gametes.
 Sexual reproduction can occur through the formation of 1
gametes then dispersed by seeds.

Section C

Number Suggested Answer Mark

18. (a) Classification of organisms:

Can help to understand evolutionary patterns that can provide 1

information to the origin and spread of beneficial and harmful
varieties

Useful in predicting characteristics of newly discovered species 1

To record biodiversity 1

Can be communicated efficiently among scientists 1

Enables strategies for protection and conservation of endangered 1

and threatened species to be developed

Facilitates the study of anatomy, physiology and morphology of 1

similar organisms

(Any 5)

(b) Example: Chlamydomonas 1

Morphological characteristics:

A single cell is pear-shaped 1

The cell wall consists mainly of cellulose and may be covered by 1
mucilage.
Possesses contractile vacuoles and organelles 1
Large cup-shaped chloroplast 1
Pyrenoid is found in the chloroplast as it is the major site of 1
starch formation and storage
Nucleus is surrounded by the chloroplast and is located in the 1
centre of the cell
The red stigma or eyespot detects changes in light intensity 1
A pair of flagella extend through the cell wall at the anterior end
for locomotion. 1
(Any 7)
 (Drawing –
1m, label
>4
– 1m)
Suggested
labels:
Flagellum,
Chloroplast
,
Contractile
vacuole,
Red
eyespot,
Nucleus.

19. (a) Biological-species concept:

Species refer to populations of organisms that are capable of 1

interbreeding among themselves under natural conditions
And do not interbreed with members of other species 1
Producing viable fertile offspring 1

(b) (i) Stabilising selection:

This selection favours intermediate variants by acting against 1
extreme phenotypes

Example:
Human birth weight 1
– babies with average birth weight in around 3kg have a greater 1
chance of survival compared to babies with low birth weight and
large birth weight.
 1
(Graph with
correct
labels for
axes, curves
before and
after
selection)

(ii) Disruptive selection

This selection favours individuals at both extremes of a 1
characteristic range and eliminated the intermediates.

Example:
Beak size of finches in the Galapagos Islands 1
– finches with medium beaks has difficulty retrieving small seeds 1
and were not tough enough for bigger seeds, and were hence
maladapted.

1
(Graph with
correct
labels for
axes, curves
before and
after
selection)
 (iii) Directional selection
This selection favours a single particular allele and therefore 1
allele frequency shifts to one direction / favours individuals at
one end of phenotype but acts against the individuals at another
end of phenotypic range.

Example:
Peppered moth 1
– the pale form of peppered moth is predominant in unpolluted 1
areas while the melanic form is selected against.

1
(Graph with
correct
labels for
axes, curves
before and
after
selection)

20. DNA fingerprinting

A sample of cells is obtained from blood, semen, saliva, hair root 1

or body tissues.
Extraction of DNA is carried out by mixing the tissue sample 1
with a solvent
DNA is cut into fragments using restriction endonucleases. 1
These DNA fragments are called RFLPs 1
The RFLPs are separated by gel electrophoresis into bands. 1
The fragment mixture is placed in a trough cut into the gel. 1
The negative RFLPs move towards the positive electrode /
The smaller fragments move faster than the larger ones.
The gel is treated with alkali to split the double-stranded DNA 1
into single strands.
By using Southern blotting, the DNA fragments are transferred 1
from the gel onto a nylon membrane.
A thin nylon membrane is laid on the gel. Several sheets of 1
blotting paper are laid on top.
The buffer containing the DNA is drawn up through the filter 1
paper by capillarity.
The DNA is fixed on the membrane by exposing it to short- 1
wavelength ultraviolet light.
The separated single-stranded DNA is mixed with DNA probes 1
that bind to specific nucleotides.
This process is called hybridization
Complementary base pairing during hybridization occurs 1
between the probes and the DNA from the sample
Nylon membrane is incubated at the correct temperature, pH and 1
ionic strength. The excess probes are washed away.
The membrane is covered with a phosphate-containing substrate 1
and overlaid with X-ray film.
The alkaline phosphatase removes the phosphate, this causes the 1
substrate to fluoresce, fogging the X-ray film.
The film shows dark bands where the probes were bound to the 1
DNA and thus, DNA fingerprint is produced.
(Max 15m)