EXAMINATION NO/ NAME: __________________________________

2017 MULANJE CLUSTER MSCE MOCK EXAMINATIONS

BIOLOGY Subject Number : M022/II

PAPER 11 Time Allowed : 2 hours

( 40 marks )

Practical
Instructions

1. This paper contains 7 printed

pages . Please Check. Question Tick if Do not write
number answered in these columns
2. Before beginning , fill in your
Examination Number or name at 1
the top of each page of the
question paper.
2
3. Answer all the four questions in the
spaces provided on the question 3
paper .The maximum number of
marks for each answer is indicated
against each question. A pencil 4
should be used for all drawings.

4. In the table provided on this page

, tick against the question number
you have answered.
5. You should hand in your question
paper to the invigilator when time
is called to stop writing

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1. You are provided with the following; a fresh Irish potato, knife or scalpel, distilled
water in a petri dish, 25% salt solution in another petri dish and a ruler.
i. Use the knife provided to peel off the Irish potato.
ii. Cut six slices of the potato of 2cm long by 0.5cm wide by 0.5cm thick .
iii. Place three slices in one petri dish with 25% salt solution and label it A.
iv. Place the other three slices in a second petri dish filled with distilled water and
label it B.
v. Let the two dishes to stand still for at least 20 minutes.

a) Measure the length of the slices in each dish and find average lengths.
Record the findings as in the table below. (4 marks)
Table 1
Petri Dish Initial average length (cm) Final average length (cm)
A
B

b) . i. Give the aim of this experiment.

__________________________________________________(1 mark)

ii. State two control variables used in this experiment.

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________(2 marks)

c. Explain for the results in each of the following;

i. Petri dish A _______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________(2 marks)
ii. Petri dish B _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________(2 marks)

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2. Figure 1 is a diagram of an apparatus in an experiment on photosynthesis. The plant
was destarched before setting the expeiment in the sun.

2. (Continued)

Figure 1
a) What is the aim of this experiment?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________ (1 mark)
b) What is the use of the;
i. Soda-lime or sodium hydroxide solution.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Transparent plastic bag .
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________ (1 mark)

c) State how the plant was destarched.

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ (1 mark)
d) Suggest one reason why a potted plant is suitable for this experiment.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________ (1 mark)
e) How would you set up the control for this experiment.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________ (1 mark)

3
3. You are provided with specimen marked M, scapel or knife and a ruler.
Make a longitudinal section of specimen M and use it to answer questions that
follow.

a) Draw the longitudinal section of specimen M exposing the cut area and label
stem and leaf on your diagram. (3 marks)
3. (Continued)

b) Calculate the magnification of your diagram. Show your working. (3marks)

c) What is the food storage organ for this specimen?

_________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
d) Specimen M is a monocot. Describe the features or types of the following parts of
a monocot.
i. Root system _______________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Leaf venation ______________________________________(1 mark)

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4. a. Sample of Amoeba were mounted on six slides with different concentration of
sodium chloride solution. The average number of times that contractile vacuoles
formation and emptied in 10 minutes was recorded as in the table below.

% Sodium chloride 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0

Number of Vacuoles 11 9 7 5 4 3 2
i. Plot a Graph of these results, with % Sodium chloride solution on the
horizontal axis and number of vacuoles on the vertical axis. (5 marks)
ii. Explain the results between 0.5 and 2.5% sodium chloride solution.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________(1 marks)

b) Students at a certain secondary school estimated the population of tridax in their

garden using a quadrat method. Table 2 shows the data that was collected during
the investigation. Use it to answer the questions that follow.

Table 2
Quadrat Throw Number of Tridax
1 3
2 2
3 4
4 3
5 2
6 2
7 5

i. Calculate the average number of tridax per quadrat. Show your working.

(2 marks)

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 ii. If the area of the School garden was 100 m2 and the quadrat measured 50 cm by
50 cm. Calculate the total population of tridax in the garden. (2 marks)

iii. Explain why several quadrats were thrown in the investigation.

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________(1 mark)

4. c. Figure 2 shows diagrams of four animals. Using these animals construct a

dichotomous key that can be used to identify the animals.

Figure 2
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_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________( 3 marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

NB: This paper contains 7 pages.
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