Honors Biology
2nd Semester Exam
Essay Questions
Two of the following essays will appear on the final exam. They will be selected at random just prior to the exam.
Only respond to the questions selected. No extra credit will be given for response to questions other than the two
selected.
1. Mitosis and meiosis are both types of cell division.
a. (4 pts.) Describe how the one process results in genetically identical cells while the other creates a variety of
genetically unique cells.
b. (2 pts.) Describe the uses of each in a multicellular organism.
2. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that is used to deliver oxygen to tissues. An inherited mutation can
cause a change in the protein causing sickle-cell anemia.
a. (2 pts.) Describe the change in the protein.
b. (2 pts.) Describe how this change occurred.
c. (2 pts.) Describe how this change is inheritable.
3. In a small village in tropical Africa, two parents with mild sickle-cell anemia (carriers) had several children that
died of sickle-cell anemia as well as some that were perfectly normal.
a. (3 pts.) Using a Punnett square, illustrate the pattern of inheritance in this family.
b. (3 pts.) Most of the people in the village are carriers. This trend occurs throughout tropical Africa and
has been this way for many generations. Which of the three genotypes from your Punnett square has
the greatest survival advantage in this village? Explain this.
4. Humans have impacted the environment in many ways. Select one human impact and discuss the following:
a. (3 pts.) Describe the major environmental insult and how does it affect populations and communities.
b. (3 pts.) Discuss two ways in which humans are trying to lessen these impacts and describe the results.
5. Compare photosynthesis and aerobic respiration with regard to each of the following:
a. Source of energy (2 pts.)
b. Materials used by each process (2 pts.)
c. Location of each process in the cell and when each process occurs in plants and animals (2pts.)