Review of the 2016 SPM Biology Papers

PAPER 1

QUESTION DESCRIPTION
1 A rough endoplasmic reticulum (Photograph 2.7, p25) synthesizes and transports
proteins made by ribosoms. Answer : B
2 The plasma membrane (Figure 2.6, p23) controls the exchange of molecules
between the cell and its external environment.Answer: B
3 Among the four different types of cell, only the pancreatic cell produces and
secretes hormones. Hence they require higher densities of Golgi apparatus and
rough endoplasmic reticulum, besides the mitochondrion to perform this specific
function well (Figure 2.2, p25).Answer: D
4 Collagen is a primary component of the connective tissue, which is one of the four
different types of biological tissue (Table 2.5, p34), located in the dermis (Figure
12.38, p446) . Answer:D
5 Osmosis took place with the diffusion of water from the red blood cells (low salt
concentration, high water concentration) to the 1.5% sodium chloride solution (high
solute concentration, low water concentration) through the cell membrane (Unit
3.1.6, p57).Answer:B
6 During crenation, red blood cells that are placed in a hypertonic solutionshrink and
acquire a spiky and scalloped surface (Figure 3.20, p66). Answer: A
7 Active transport is the movement of molecules/ions across a cell membrane by
carrier proteins which use energy (ATP). The direction of the movement is against
the concentration gradientof the molecules/ions and this may either result in the
accumulation or elimination of molecules/ions in or out of a cell respectively (Unit
3.1.7, p61). Answer:7C
8 At 60 oC, the tertiary structure of a protein (Figure 4.19, p90) is denatured (Figure
4.31, p98).
Answer: B
9 Saturated fats (Unit 4.4.5, p92) have no double carbon-carbon covalent bonds (C=C).
Therefore saturated fats do not reacted with additional hydrogen atoms.
Unsaturated fats have one or more double carbon-carbon covalent bonds.
Therefore the C=C bonds in unsaturated fats can react with additional hydrogen
atoms. Answer: A
10 In the ‘lock and key’ theory of enzyme action, the substrate fits into the enzyme’s
active site (Figure 4.27, p97).Answer: B
11 Papain, which is an enzyme found in papaya leaves, is used to tenderize meat (Unit
4.5.8, p102).Answer: B
12 Gametogenesis (Unit 13.1.3, p463)involves meiosis, and cell multiplication involves
mitosis (Figure 5.24, p130).Answer: C
13 Daughter cells producedby mitotic divisions are all diploid (2n) (Table 5.6,
p131).Answer: B
14 The diagram shows cytokinesis occurring in plant cells (Figure 5.5, p114).Answer: D

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15 In the duodenum, trypsin digests the proteinsand pancreatic amylase digests the
carbohydrates respectively from the two given food classes (Table 6.16, p163).
Answer: C
16 The absorption surface of the ileum is enhanced by the numerus villi, which are the
finger like projections covering the surface of the internal wall (Figure 6.32,
p173).Answer: C
17 The liver converts excess glucose to glycogen for storage and excess amino acids to
urea (process called deamination) for excretion in the urine (Unit 6.5.3, p175).
Answer: B
18 Photosynthesis takes place in the granum of chloroplasts (Figure 6.45,
p191)Answer: D
19 Symptoms of Scurvy, which is caused by vitamin C deficiency, are swollen and
bleeding gums and a loss of teeth (Table 6.8, p151).
Answer: C
20 Lactic acid is toxic and causes muscular fatigue, pain and cramps (Figure 7.3, p214).
Answer: A
21 After strenuous exercises, the heart beat and breathing rates of a person increase to
reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood (Unit 7.4.4, p237). Answer: D
22 In human muscle cells, aerobic respiration uses oxygen and glucose to release
carbon dioxide, water and energy. During anaerobic respiration, glucose is
converted to energyand lactic acid (Unit 7.1.4, p213). Answer: B
23 In a successionprofile diagram, an earlier specie (Rhizophora sp.) will alter its
current habitat to be conducive to be succeeded by another specie (Bruguiera sp.)
to come after it (Rhizophora sp. zone, p265). Answer: A
24 Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers which in turn feed on producers
(Figure 8.4, p252). Answer: A
25 Saprophytes feed on dead organisms (Saprophytism, p257).Answer: C
26 Using the Capture, Mark, Release and Recapture technique (Unit 8.3.1, p268):
(30 𝑥 20)
Estimated population size of dragon flies = = 120. Answer: C
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27 The highest BOD corresponds to the lowest amount of dissolved oxygen and vice
versa (Biological Oxygen Demand, p310). Answer: C
28 The chlorine atom acts as a catalyst in the destruction of ozone molecules.
Answer: A
29 The pulmonary vein returns oxygenated blood at low pressure to the left atrium
(Figure 10.16, p336). Answer: A
30 Lymphocytes, which have a large rounded nucleus, produce antibodies (figure 10.7,
p330). Answer: A
31 Water molecules cling to each other through cohesion, and cling to the xylem wall
through adhesion (Figure 10.55, p 365).Answer: A
32 Platelets interact with clotting factors to stop bleeding (Unit 10.3.2, p 341
). Answer: B
33 Carbon dioxide released from cellular respiration is transported away for
elimination as dissolved hydrogen carbonate ions (HCO3-) in the plasma and as

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 carbaminohaemoglobin (HbCO2) in red blood cells (Figure 7.25, p229). Answer: B
34 According to one proposed hypothesis (Figure 10.60, p366), photosynthesis
occurring in the guard cells results in the accumulation of glucose making the cells
hypertonic. Surrounding water enters the guard cells through osmosis and turns the
cells turgid. Turgidity causes the unevenly thickened inner guard cell walls to buckle,
thus opening the stoma. Answer: C
35 Since the pectoral and pelvic fins are injured (Figure 11.34, p396), the fish can
neither counter movements shown in C (yawing - side to side movement of the
head) nor in A (pitching -the up and down movement of the head). The fish has no
problem with countering movements shown in B (rolling) or D (moving forward) as
its dorsal, anal and caudal fins are functioning well. Answer: A and C are possible
36 The lumbar vertebra has a large centrum (body) to support the upper body (The
Lumbar Vertebrae, no. 1(b), p385). Answer: D
37 A ligament holds bones together at a joint (Figure 11.23, p389). Answer: C
38 In its forward motion, the circular muscles of an earthworm contract, squeezing on
the relaxed longitudinal muscles, narrowing its body segments and retracting its
chaetae (Figure 11.30, p394). Answer: B
39 Vesicles carrying neurotransmitters release the latter into the synaptic cleft (Figure
12.18, p425). Answer: B
40 An axon (D) conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body (Table 12.4, p423).
Answer: D
41 Ecdysis is the shedding of an external skeleton for growth to occur (Unit 13.7.3,
p487). Answer: A
42 Correct stages of events in early development of the human zygote (Figure 13.11,
p471): S(two-cell stage) Q (four-cell stage) P (morula)  R (blastocyst).
Answer: D
43 V(placenta) transports carbon dioxide from foetus to mother (The Functions of the
Placenta, no6(a)-(e), p474). Answer: C
44 Fraternal twins are produced from two ova fertilized by two different sperms (Table
13.5, p473). Answer: C
45 Correct sequence in spermatogenesis (Figure 13.3, p 464): spermatogonium (2n)
primary spermatocyte (2n)  secondary spermatocyte (n)  primary
spermatocyte (n). Answer: C
46 Genes are basic units of inheritance (14.1.2, p504). Answer A
47 This is Mendel’s dihybrid cross (Figure 14.7, p510) between heterozygous parents
(BbHh), so the both will produce the same kinds of parental gametes: BH, Bh, bH
and bh. Answer: D
48 In Turner’s syndrome (Figure 15.13, p536) the female has 45 chromosomes
consisting of (44 + XO).Answer:A

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49 Human blood groups (Unit 4.2.1, p511) are controlled by three alleles: A, B and O.
Answer: D

50 Height is a continuous variation (Unit 15.1.3, p529) as it has a continuous range of

values. Answer A

PAPER 2
Section A
QUESTION DESCRIPTION
1(a)(i) You are required to state the level of cell organization of Amoeba sp.
Answer: Cell (Unit 2.2.2, p33)
1(a)(ii) You are required to draw an arrow to match structure M to its correct name.
Answer: M is a contractile vacuole.
1(b)(i) You are required to explain the increase in the content of water in M when
Amoeba sp. is in fresh water.
Answer:Fresh water is hypotonic to Amoeba sp. so water enters into the
contractile vacuole by osmosis.
1(b)(ii) You are to explain the role played by M in maintaining water balance in Amoeba
sp.
Answer: Water diffuses into the contractile vacuole causing it to expand to its
maximum size. The contractile vacuole moves to the cell membrane, contracts
and expel the water. This prevents the cell from rupturing.
1(b)(iii) You are required to predict and explain what happens if Amoeba sp. is placed in
sea water.
Answer: WhenAmoeba sp. is placed sea water, the cell shrinks or crenates.
Explanation:As sea water is hypertonic to Amoeba sp., water diffuses out from
the cell by osmosis. The contractile vacuole would fail to function.
1(c) A four-stage process diagram of phagocytosis in Amoeba sp. is shown (Figure
2.21, p 30) and you are required to explain the last two stages (P and Q).
Explanation:Stage P:Hydrolytic enzyme (lysozyme) is released into the food
vacuole to digest the food. The digested food products diffuse into the cytoplasm.
Stage Q: Undigestible food is expelled from the cell.
2(a)(i) A diagram is shown on a certain stage of meiosis in an animal cell and you are
required to name this particular stage.
Answer: Prophase I (Figure 5.24, p130)
2(a)(ii) You are required to describe the behaviour of the chromosomes during Prophase
I.
Answer: Chromosomes start to thicken and shorten. Synapsis occurs with
homologous pair of chromosomes coming together to form a bivalent (or tetrad).
Crossing over occurs at chiasmata.

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2(b) You are required to explain the importance of crossing over.
Answer: Crossing over involve swapping of sections of chromatids enabling
exchanging of genes and variation to occur. Variation is important to ensure the
survival of species.
2(c)(i) You are required to name a structure labeled K.
Answer: K is a centriole
2(c)(ii) You are required to state what would happen if structure K (centriole) fails to
function normally.
Answer: Homologous chromosomes fail to separate normally resulting in
gametes having an abnormal number of chromosomes (either increased or
decreased) .
2(d) You are required to explain one example of a mutation.
Answer: Albinism (Unit 15.2.2, p538) is caused by mutation in the genes
responsible for the production of the melanin pigment in the skin. Albinos either
have a reduced amount or a total absence of melanin in their skin, eyes and hair.
3(a)(i) A diagram of the human endocrine system (Figure 12.23, p431) is shown and you
are required to name structures S and T.
Answer: S = adrenal gland; T = pancreas
3(b)(i) You are required to name one hormone secreted by T (pancreas).
Answer: Insulin or Glucagon (Table 12.11, p433)
3(b)(ii) You are required to explain the role of the hormone named in 3(b)(i) in the
regulation of blood glucose level.
Answer: When blood glucose level is higher than normal, more insulin is excreted
to lower it by stimulating the conversion of glucose to glycogen for storage in the
liver and muscles; or when blood glucose level is lower than normal, more
glucagon is secreted to stimulate the conversion of glycogen to glucose to raise
the blood glucose level.
3(c) A table shows the concentrations of amino acid in blood plasma entering the
kidney and in urine at 74 g per 1000 cm3 and 0 g per 1000 cm3 respectively. You
are required to explain the relative amino acid difference at the two places.
Answer: The high level of amino acids in blood plasma comes from the absorbed
protein digestion. All the amino acids entering the kidney are reabsorbed by
active transport into blood capillaries at the proximal tubule of nephrons, so none
reaches the excreted urine.

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3(d)(i) A statement is given that if both the human kidneys failed to function, it would
cause water imbalance and the accumulation of urea in the blood. You are
required to explain the effect of kidney failure on the regulation of water balance
in the blood.
Answer: Osmoregulation is the regulation of water balance in the blood by
controlling the volume of urine produced by the kidneys. If the blood lacks water,
the kidneys would retain water by reducing the production of urine; conversely if
there is excesswaterin the blood, the kidneys would producemore urine. Kidney
failure would lead to eitheredema or dehydration depending on whether too
much or too little water is present in the blood respectively. If the situation
persists, it would finally lead to death.
3(d)(ii) Based on a given diagram of a haemodialysis machine, you are required to
explain how urea is removed from the blood of a patient.
Answer:
Blood from the patient flows into the haemodialysis machinefrom one end of a
semipermeable dialysis tubingwhich is surrounded by a dialysis fluid that is
isotonic to blood plasma. Urea molecules, which is at a higher concentration in
the blood, passes through the dialysis tubing into the dialysis fluid which has a
lower urea concentration. Blood, with all its urea molecules expelled, thenreturns
to the patient at the other end of the semi permeable dialysis tubing.
4(a) A diagram of Plant 1 and Plant 2 of genotypes TTbb and ttBB respectively is
shown (where T = dominant allele for tall plant; t = recessive allele for short plant;
B = dominant allele for purple flower; and b = recessive allele for white flower).
You are required to state the phenotype of the parents.
Answer: Plant 1 (TTbb) is a tall plant with white flowers; Plant 2 (ttBB) is ashort
plant with purple flowers
4(b)(i) You are required to write down the genotypes of the gametes produced by Plant
1 (TTbb) and Plant 2 (ttBB).
Answer:Gametes of Plant 1 = all Tb; gametes of Plant 2 = all tB
4(b)(ii) The genotype of the F1 generation is given as TtBb. You are required to state the
phenotype of the F1 generation.
Answer: Tall plants with purple flowers
4(c)(i) A table (Punnet square) shows a cross between gametes from F1 parents (TB, Tb,
tB, tb) X (TB, Tb, tB, tb). You are required to state the probability of getting tall,
white flower pea plants.
Answer: Altogether there are 16 possible genotypes (Table 14.7, p510). The
possible genotypes contributing to the tall, white flower pea plants are from one
TTbb and two Ttbb’s. Therefore the probability of getting tall white flower plants
is 3/16.
4(c)(ii) From the same Punnet square in 4(c)(i), you are required to state the probability
of getting tall, purple flower pea plants.
Answer: Using the same reasoning in 4(c)(i), the nine possible genotypes

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 contributing to the tall, purple flower phenotype are TTBB, TTBb, TtBB, TtBb,
TtBb, TTBb, TtBB, TtBb and TtBb. Therefore, the probability of getting tall, purple
flower pea plant phenotype is 9/16.
4(d) You are required to circle the genotypes of short, purple pea plants in the F 2
generation in the given table in 4(c)(i) and then determining the probability in
getting this phenotype.
Answer: The possible genotypes are ttBB, ttBb, ttBb. The probability of getting
short, purple pea plants is 3/16.
4(e) You are required to state the phenotype ratio of the F2 given in the table for Tall,
purple flower : tall, white flower : short purple flower : short white flower.
Answer: The ratio is 9 : 3 : 3 : 1
4(f) Based on the given diagram in 4(a) and the Punnet square in 4(c)(i), you are
required to describe Mendel’s Second Law.
Answer:During gamete formation, the segregation of the alleles which control
the traits of plant height is independent of the segregation of the pair of alleles
that control the traits of flower colour.
5(a)(i) A diagram shows the movements of inspiration/inhalation and
expiration/exhalation in the human thorax (Figure 7.19 and Figure 7.20, p224.
You are required to name the two processes J and K.
Answer: Process J = inhalation/inspiration; Process K = exhalation/expiration
5(a)(ii) You are required to state three differences between process J (inspiration) and
process K (expiration) in a given table.
Answer:
Process J (inspiration) Process K (expiration)
External intercostal muscles contract External intercostal muscles relax
Internal intercostals muscles relax Internal intercostals muscles contracts
Rib cage rises Rib cage lowers
Diaphram flattens Diaphram bulges upwards
Volume of thorax increases Volume of thorax decreases
Pressure in lungs decreases Pressure in lungs increases
Atmospheric air flows into lungs Air in lungs is forced out

5(b) Given the fact that breathing is an involuntary process controlled by the
respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata, you are required to describe what
would happen to the rate of respiration of a climber at the peak of a mountain.
Answer(Figure 7.32, p236):
At the peak of a mountain, atmospheric oxygen is very thin. Therefore the level of
blood oxygen concentration drops below normal. Chemoreceptors in the carotid
and aortic bodies detect the fall in the blood oxygen concentration level and send
nerve impulses to the central chemoreceptors in the medulla oblongata.
The central chemoreceptors in turn send nerve impulses to the intercostal
muscles and diaphragm, and also to the heart which will respectively increase the
rate of breathing and the rate of heart beat. With the increased breathing

7
 rate,more oxygen would be taken in and transported to respiring cells and more
carbon dioxide would be removed from respiring cells and transported to the
lungs to be excreted.
5(c) A situation is given that an athlete experiences muscle cramp during a 100 meter
sprint. You are required to explain how the activity causes muscle cramp.
Answer(Unit 7.1.6, p213): During the sprint, the muscles contract rapidly and
repeatedly. Insufficient oxygen is supplied to the muscles for aerobic respiration,
forcing them to carry out anaerobic respiration to produce sufficient ATP
molecules required for muscular contractions. Acid lactic, which is produced as a
by-product of anaerobic respiration in cell respiration, is toxic and causes
muscular fatique, pain and cramps.
PAPER 2
Section B
QUESTION DESCRIPTION
6(a)(i) A given diagram shows a potted plant in two different conditions:
M (plant is wilted, with a plasmolysed cell inset), and N (plant is turgid, with a
turgid cell inset).
Based on the given situation, you are required to explain what has happened to
the plant in condition M.
Answer:Plant M has wilted and is flaccid. This could be caused by the inability of
the root hairs to absorb surrounding soil water which is hypotonic to the cells, or
caused byan excessiveloss of water from the plant through transpiration and this
water loss could not be replenished as the surrounding soil is dry.
6(a)(ii) You are required to explain one way to enable plant in condition M to be in
condition N.
Answer:The plant in condition M needs to be watered with sufficient water. The
water would dilute the soil moisture, making it hypotonic to root hair cells thus
enabling water molecules to diffuse into the plant cells via osmosis. As water
moves up the plant to the leaves, water would gradually fill all the cell vacuoles
and pushing outwards against the cellulose cell walls making all the cells turgid.
Turgid cells provide support to the stems and leaves andhelp toe plant to stand
upright.
6(b) A student carried out an experiment to determine the percentage of red blood
cells undergoing haemolysis by immersing them in different concentrations of
sodium chloride solution. The result is displayed in a graph.You are required to
explain the situation of the red blood cells when the graph intersects the Y-axis at
point R, and when the graph intersects the X-axis at point S.
Haemolysed red

blood cells (%)

100 R

S
0 Concentration of
8 0.85
NaCl solution (%)
 Answer(Unit 3.2.2, p65):At R, all the red blood cells (100%) are haemolysed. Red
blood cells immersed in a hypotonic solution will absorb water by osmosis. The
influx of water willinflate and finally ruptures the red blood cells in a process
called haemolysis.
At S, none of the red blood cells (0%) has undergone haemolysis. Red blood cells
are isotonicto the sodium chloride solution at 0.85%. The concentrations of
solute molecules inside and outside the red blood cells are equal. Water
molecules diffuse into and out of thered blood cells at an equal rate. The net
movement of water molecules is zero and there is no change in the size of the red
blood cell.
7(a) Based on a given diagram of an ovarian cycle, you are required to explain two
events labeled stage I (ovulation) and stage II (development of corpus luteum)
Answer(Figure 13.5, p 465):
Stage I shows ovulation, which occurs once in about 28 days. During ovulation,
the Graafian follicle and the ovarian wall rupture to release an egg or secondary
oocyte into the Fallopian tube.
Stage II happens after ovulation when the remaining follicle cells in the ovary
develop into a yellowish mass of cells called corpus luteum. The corpus luteum
secretes a large amount of progestrone and a small amount of oestrogen.
7(b)(i) A statement is given that contraceptive pills, which inhibit the secretion of follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland, are taken to prevent
pregnancy. You are required to explain the effect of contraceptive pills on stage I
(ovulation) of the ovarian cycle.
Answer: FSH stimulates the development of one of the many follicles present in
the ovary (Unit 13.2.1, p467). When the secretion of FSHis inhibited, then no
follicle would develop and turn into a Graafian follicle containing the secondary
oocyte (egg), and stage I (ovulation) would not happen.
7(b)(ii) In this part of the question, you are required to explain the causes of stage III
(corpus luteum degenerates) which follows after stage II, and its effect.
Answer:
Stage III is the degeneration of the corpus luteum, if fertilization does not occur.
Consequently, the levels of progesterone and oestrogen drop; without the
stimulation of these two hormones, the endometrium will subsequently shed,
ending in menstruation (Figure 13.9, p460).

7(c)(i) A diagram shows the cross sections of two dicotyledonous stems X (which
undergoes primary growth) and Y (which undergoes secondary growth). Based on
the given diagram, you are required to explain the structural differences between
stems X and Y.
Answer:
Stem X (primary growth) Stem Y (secondary growth)
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 Vascular cambium in vascular
bundles does not join to form a
concentric ring.
A layer of epidermis covers the stem.
There is no cork cambium under the
epidermis.
Only primary phloem is present in all
the vascular bundles.
Wood does not exist in the stem.
Vascular cambium in vascular bundles
joins to form a concentric ring.
A layer of cork or bark covers the stem.
There is a layer of cork cambium under
the epidermis.
Both primary and secondary phloem
are present in all the vascular bundles.
Wood or secondary xylem is present in
the stem.

7(c)(ii) A given diagram shows the growth curve of a perennial plant of height against
time. The growth curve is wavy and slops upwards to the right.
You are required to explain the growth pattern of the plant.
Answer:
A perennial plant lives for more than two years. The overall growth trend of the
perennial plant shows an increase in height for 5 ½ years (beginning 2008 to mid-
2013). However, there is a growth plateau beginning first half of each year
followed by a growth spurt towards the second half of the year.
Assuming other growth requirements are present, plants need water for to grow.
The slow growth in the first half of the year might be caused by a lack of water
due to the dry season. In contrast, the second half of the year is probably the
rainy season and hence there is sufficient water for the growth spurt.
8(a) Based on the given food chain of a paddy field, you are required to explain the
importance of each organism in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
3
Paddy plant 6 x 10 kJ Caterpillar 6 x 102 kJ Bird 6 x 10kJ
Eagle

Answer(Unit 8.1.3, p251-253):

The given paddy field food chain shows the sequence of organisms of what eats
what.The paddy plant is a producer thatmakes its own food by photosynthesis.
The caterpillar is a primary consumer that eats the paddy plant. The bird is a
secondary consumer thateats the caterpillar. Finally, the eagle is a tertiary
consumer thateats the bird. Trophic levels refer to the feeding position in the
given food chain. The paddy plant forms the first trophic level; the caterpillar,
which is a herbivore, forms the second trophic level; the bird, which is a
carnivore, forms the third level, and the eagle, which is a carnivore forms the
fourth trophic level.The eating relationship enables the transfer of energy from
one trophic level to the next trophic level. Only about 10% of the total energy in
one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level as 90% of the original
energy is lost as heat during cell respiration and also in defaecation. Hence this
inefficiency in energy transfer limits the number of organismsthat each trophic
level can sustain; the higher the trophic level, the lower is the number of
organisms.Also, if the number of caterpillars is decimated due to a disease, fewer
birds could be sustain, which in turn would sustain fewer eagles. Hence each

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 organism in the food chain is important in maintaining a balanced ecosystem,
which is a stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem.

8(b) You are required to explain the impact of the following two human activities on
the ecosystem: the excessive use of fertilizers in a vegetable farm; and the
excessive cutting down of trees.
Answer (Eutrophication, p309):
The excessive use of fertilizers causes eutrophication.
Excessive use of fertilizer increases soil nutrients whichsubsequently leak into
ponds, lakes and rivers and cause rapid growth of algae in the water. Algal boom
forms a thick scum on the surface of water thus preventing sunlight from
reaching the depths of the water. Without sunlight, alga and other aquatic plants
at the bottom of the water cannot photosynthesise and die off. The
decomposition of dead organic matter by bacteria will raise the BOD of the water
and reduce the content of dissolved oxygen causing the death of aquatic
organisms.
Answer (Deforestation, p302):
The excessive cutting down of trees causes soil erosion, landslides and flash
floods causing destruction to habitats.
Deforestation, which is the excessive cutting down of forests in large tracts of
land destroy flora and fauna, habitats and destroy ecological balance.
Deforestation causes loss of biodiversity and extinction of species.
Trees are carbon sink which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during
photosynthesis; with fewer trees, more carbon dioxide is returned to the
atmosphere, thus contributing to global warming.
Land denuded of trees is exposed to the elements – sun, rain, wind – and

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 becomes hotter and drier thus causing climatic changes, which contribute to
global warming.

9(a) You are required to explain how the eating habits of two individuals affect their
health:
Individual U who takes food at irregular time which causes frequent empty
stomach. Individual W who takes large amounts of food within a short time
(binge-eating) and immediately induce vomiting after the meal.
Answer:
Individual U(Table 6.21, p178): Havingirregular meal times upsets the body’s
natural clock which causes an erratic secretion of gastric juice. Gastric juice
contains digestive enzymes pepsin, rennin, mucus and a strong hydrochloric acid
(pH 1.5 – pH2). When the stomach is empty, the acid acts on the stomach lining
tissues instead of acting on food. Subsequently, a hole develops in the stomach
lining tissue, forming a gastric ulcer. Gastric ulcers cause discomfort, pain,
nausea, loss of appetite and weight loss. Gastric ulcers increase the risk of
contracting stomach cancers, too.
Individual W(Table 6.21, p178):W suffers from bulimia nervosa, characterized by
binge-eating, feelings of guilt and purging of ingested food to compensate.
Frequent induced vomiting damages the stomach. Acid vomited on the way out
damages the lining of oesophagus and corrodes the teeth. Repeated purging
contributes to an imbalance of body minerals, malnutrition, and dehydration. It
contributes to irregular heartbeats, heart failure and death, too.

9(b) A given diagram shows the different types of food in a set of nasi lemak: nasi
lemak, chili gravy, cucumber, fried chicken, fried groundnuts and fried egg.
You are required to discuss the good and the bad effects of having nasi lemak
daily for a extended period of time.
Answer:
The good effects: Proteins from chicken, groundnuts and egg white for growth
andtissue repair. Carbohydrates from rice and lipids from oil used in frying, and
from coconut milk provides energy for daily activities. Cucumber is a good source
of vitamin C and dietary fibre which respectively prevents scurvy and
constipation. Cucumber is also rich in vitamin K which helps in normal blood
clotting and in building strong bones. Vitamin A from egg yolk is essential for
healthy vision and vital for bone growth.
Bad effects: Saturated fat from coconut milk and cholesterol from the egg
yolkraise blood cholesterol level; cholesterol deposited on the wall of blood
vessels causes narrowing of the lumen (arteriosclerosis) thus contributing to a
higher risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases.Excess intake of carbohydrates
from rice causes and lipidscontribute to obesity, hypertension, heart disease and
diabetes. Excess intake of lipids also increases risk of contracting cancer.
Excessive sodium in the chilli gravy causes hypertension leading to heart disease

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 and stroke.

PAPER 3

QUESTION DESCRIPTION
1 A study was carried out to study the variation in the mass of ladies’ fingers
caused by different pH values of the soil in which the ladies’ finger plants were
planted in. A ladies’ finger plant was each grown in pots A and B filled with acidic
soil, pot C filled with neutral soil, and pots D and E filled with alkaline soil.
1(a) Two samples of ladies’ fingers were taken from each pot and weighed.Based on
the scales shown, you are required to read and write down the mass of sample 1
and sample 2 from pots A – E in the given table.
Pot Soil pH Mass ladies’ fingers (g)
Sample 1 Sample 2
A 6.0 27 27
B 6.5 29 28
C 7.0 28 27
D 7.5 26 25
E 8.0 24 25

1(b)(i) Based on the table in 1(a), you are required to state two observations;
Answer:
Observation 1: The mass of Ladies’ fingers from Pot B with a soil pH value of 6.5
are 29 g and 28g.
Observation 2: The mass of Ladies’ fingers from Pot E with soil pH value of 8.0
are 24 g and 25g.
1(b)(ii) You are required to state an inference each for observation 1 and observation 2
in 1(b)(i).
Answer:
Inference 1: Ladies’ fingers plants planted in a slightly acidic soil of pH 6.5 has a
higher growth rate.
Inference 2: Ladies’ fingers plants planted in an alkaline soil of pH 8.0 has a lower
growth rate.

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1(c) Based on this experiment, you are required to complete the type of variable and
method to handle the variable in the given table.
Variable Method to handle the variable
Manipulated variable: pH of soil Fill five pots with soil of different pH
values of 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0.
Responding variable: Mass of each Weigh and record the mass of each
ladies’ fingers ladies’ finger using a triple beam
balance.
Constant variable: Same type of Use seeds from the same ladies’s
ladies’s finger plants fingerspod to germinate before
selecting 10 seedlings of the same size
to be planted two each in the five
pots.

1(d) You are required to state a hypothesis for this experiment.

Answer: Ladies’ fingersplants grow the fastestin soil with a pH value of 6.5.

1(e)(i) You are required to construct a table with the following titles to collect data from
this experiment: pH value of soil, mass of ladies’ fingers 1 and 2, average mass of
ladies’ fingers.
pH Mass of ladies’ fingers (g) Average mass of
value of 1 2 ladies’ fingers (g)
soil (1) + (2)
2
6.0 27 27 27.0
6.5 29 28 28.5
7.0 28 27 27.5
7.5 26 25 25.5
8.0 24 25 24.5

1(e)(ii) Based on the table in 1(e)(i), you are required to draw a bar chart of average
mass of ladies’ fingers against pH value on the graph paper provided.

Answer:
The average mass of ladies’s fingers against the pH value of soil
30.0
e mass of ladies’

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25.0
ingers (g)

20.0
15.0
1(f) Based on the bar chart in 1(e)(ii), you are required to state and explain the type of
variation.
Answer:
The mass of ladies’ fingers has a continuous variation. The mass of ladies’s
fingers, which has a normal distribution, is significantly affected by the pH value
of the soil (environment).

1(g) You are required to predict the average mass of ladies’ fingers in another
experiment carried out using soil of pH 6.5, but is watered only once a week
instead of daily. You are also required to explain your prediction.
Answer:
The average mass would be less than 28.5 g. Ladies’ fingers require sufficient
water in order to grow well.

1(h) Based on the result of this experiment, you are required to state the operational
definition of variation.
Answer:Variation is the difference in the mass of ladies’ fingers from ladies’
fingers plants planted indifferent pots, and this variation is affected by the pH
value of the soil in the respective pots.

1(i) You are required to classify a list of factors either as factors that cause continuous
variation or discontinuous variation in plants.
Continuous variation Discontinuous variation
Light intensity Gamma rays
Type of soil Pesticides
Temperature
Amount of fertilisers

2 A given diagram shows air polloution at three different locations: P (industrial

area), Q (busy city centre), and R (park). You are required to plan an experiment

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to compare the amount of solid air pollutants in locations P, Q and R.
Answer:
Problem statement: Which one of the three locations P, Q and R has the highest
and the least amount of solid air pollutants?
Hypothesis: Theamount of solid air pollutants in a descending order is location P,
location Q, and location R.
Variables:
 Manipulated variable: Locations P, Q and R
 Responding variable: Amount of solid air pollutants
 Constant variable:Duration of the experiment
List of apparatus and materials:
 Apparatus: Glass slides, petri dishes, light microscope, ruler, scissors
 Materials: cellophane tape
Procedure:
1. Label three glass slidesas P, Q and R.
2. Stick a piece of cellophane tape, with its sticky surface facing upwards, on
each glass slide.
3. Place the three slides in three separatepetri dishes.
4. Place the petri dishes with glass slides P, Q and R respectively at locations P, Q
and R.
5. After one week, collect all the three glass slides and observe the particles
stuck on the cellophane tape under a light microscope.
6. Draw a density distribution pattern of the particles seen on each of the
cellophane tape.
Presentation of data:
Location Observation
P
Q
R

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