HSC 2001 - Biology
Question 1
1
The Australian hopping mouse, Notomys alexis, is a desert animal. It produces urine that
is very concentrated.
Why is this an advantage for the animal?
(A) It needs to conserve water.
(B)
It is nocturnal and only drinks at dusk.
(C)
It has a high intake of salt in its specialised diet.
(D) It needs to excrete large amounts of water to survive.
2
What is the role of ADH (vasopressin)?
(A) It increases the amount of water reabsorbed in the kidney.
(B)
Choice
(C)
A
B
(D)
C
D
N
3
It increases the amount of sugar reabsorbed in the kidney.
Band 1/2
Band 2/3
Band 3/4
Band 4/5
99.2
0.1
0.7
0
0
It decreases the amount
of water reabsorbed
in the kidney.
42.7
81.6
95
7.3
1.6
0.9
It decreases the amount
of sugar reabsorbed
in the kidney.
35.5
14.5
0
13.2
3.6
0
3.2
0.8
0
Band 5/6
99.5
0
0.5
0
0
The flowchart represents one example of homeostasis in an endotherm.
Body temperature
increases
Response X
Receptors detect
temperature change
Brain monitors
sensory input
Brain monitors
sensory input
Receptors detect
temperature change
Body temperature
decreases
Response Y
Which of the following does Response X represent in this cycle?
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
Increased
rate of sweat production
identify: (A)
No valid
response.
(B)
Increased rate of urine production
(C)
Decreased rate of sweat production
(D) Decreased rate of urine production
–3–
1
The Australian hopping mouse, Notomys alexis, is a desert animal. It produces urine that
is very concentrated.
HSC 2001 - Biology
Why is this an advantage for the animal?
(A) It needs to conserve water.
(B)
It is nocturnal and only drinks at dusk.
(C)
It has a high intake of salt in its specialised diet.
(D) It needs
Question
2 to excrete large amounts of water to survive.
2
What is the role of ADH (vasopressin)?
(A) It increases the amount of water reabsorbed in the kidney.
(B)
It increases the amount of sugar reabsorbed in the kidney.
(C)
It decreases the amount of water reabsorbed in the kidney.
(D) It decreases the amount of sugar reabsorbed in the kidney.
3
Choice
A
B
C
D
N
The flowchart represents one example of homeostasis in an endotherm.
Band 1/2
Body temperature
increases
Band 2/3
Response X32.7
Brain monitors
sensory input
46.4
18.1
22.5
12.9
0
30
19.1
18.2
0
Band 3/4
Band 4/5
64.8
91.9
Receptors
detect
9.1
1
temperature
change 6.1
19.9
6
1.1
0.1
0
Band 5/6
98.4
0.5
1.1
0
0
Brain monitors
sensory input
Receptors detect
temperature change
Body temperature
decreases
Response Y
Which of the following does Response X represent in this cycle?
(A) Increased rate of sweat production
(B)
Increased rate of urine production
(C)
Decreased rate of sweat production
(D) Decreased rate of urine production
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
–3–
(C)
It has a high intake of salt in its specialised diet.
(D) It needs to excrete large amounts of water to survive.
HSC 2001 - Biology
2
What is the role of ADH (vasopressin)?
(A) It increases the amount of water reabsorbed in the kidney.
(B)
It increases the amount of sugar reabsorbed in the kidney.
(C)
It decreases the amount of water reabsorbed in the kidney.
Question
3
(D) It decreases
the amount of sugar reabsorbed in the kidney.
3
The flowchart represents one example of homeostasis in an endotherm.
Body temperature
increases
Response X
Receptors detect
temperature change
Brain monitors
sensory input
Brain monitors
sensory input
Receptors detect
temperature change
Body temperature
decreases
Response Y
Which of the following does Response X represent in this cycle?
(A) Increased rate of sweat production
(B)
Increased rate of urine production
(C)
Decreased rate of sweat production
(D) Decreased rate of urine production
Choice
A
B
C
D
N
Band 1/2
38.2
10
43.6
8.2
0
Band 2/3
20.6
5.5
68.7
–3–
5.2
0
Band 3/4
8.7
2.8
85.3
3.1
0
Band 4/5
2.1
1.8
95.2
1
0
Band 5/6
1.6
0.5
97.3
0.5
0
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
HSC 2001 - Biology
Question 4
4
Four students were asked to design a first-hand investigation to determine the effect of
pH on the activity of an enzyme.
Their designs of the investigation are shown in the tables.
Design A
Design B
Tube
number
Contents
pH
Temp.
(°C)
Tube
number
Contents
1
E
3
20
1
E+S
3
20
2
E
7
20
2
E+S
7
20
3
E
12
20
3
E+S
12
20
4
S
3
20
4
S
3
20
5
S
7
20
5
S
7
20
6
S
12
20
6
S
12
20
Design C
Tube
number
Contents
1
E+S
2
pH
Temp.
(°C)
Design D
Temp.
(°C)
Tube
number
Contents
pH
Temp.
(°C)
3
10
1
E+S
7
10
E+S
7
20
2
E+S
7
20
3
E+S
12
30
3
E+S
7
30
4
S
3
10
4
S
7
10
5
S
7
20
5
S
7
20
6
S
12
30
6
S
7
30
Key: E = enzyme
pH
S = substrate
Which investigation is the most appropriate?
(A) Design A
(B)
Design B
(C)
Design C
(D) Design D
Choice
A
B
C
D
N
Band 1/2
22.7
20.9
40
16.4
0
Band 2/3
25
26.1
36
12.9
0
–4–
Band 3/4
23.8
46.6
21.9
7.4
0.3
Band 4/5
11
82.8
4.5
1.7
0
Band 5/6
4.9
93.5
0.5
1.1
0
HSC 2001 - Biology
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
HSC 2001 - Biology
Question 5
5
The sweet taste of freshly-picked corn is due to the high sugar content in the kernels.
Enzyme action converts about 50% of the sugar to starch within one day of picking. To
preserve its sweetness, the freshly-picked corn is immersed in boiling water for a few
minutes, then cooled.
Which of the following explains why the boiled corn kernels remain sweet?
(A) Boiling destroys the sugar molecules so that they cannot be converted into starch.
(B)
Boiling inactivates the enzyme responsible for converting sugar into starch.
(C)
Boiling kills a fungus on the corn that is needed to convert sugar into starch.
(D) Boiling activates the enzyme that converts starch into sugar.
6
Fossil evidence indicates that the Australian environment in the past supported a large
and diverse range of megafauna. The megafauna has now been displaced by a variety of
smaller marsupials.
ChoiceWhat is the best explanation
Band 1/2for this? Band 2/3
Band 3/4
Band 4/5
A
10.9
3.6
1.3
0.3
B
54.5
75
90.2
98.1
(A) Smaller marsupials coped with climatic changes, and survived.
C
7.3
2.5
1.1
0.3
D
27.3
7.4
1.4
(B) Larger marsupials reduced
in size so as to19cope better with climatic
changes.
N
0
0
0
0
(C)
Band 5/6
0
99.5
0.5
0
0
A meteorite collision caused a mass extinction of the megafauna.
(D) Introduced plant species were not a suitable food for the megafauna.
7
Which of the following is true of a mutation that produces an allele that is dominant?
(A) It would be expected to cause death.
(B)
It would be expected to spread more quickly through a population than a recessive
mutation.
(C)
It could give an observable phenotype in a heterozygous genotype.
(D) It could give an observable phenotype only in a homozygous genotype.
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
–5–
5
The sweet taste of freshly-picked corn is due to the high sugar content in the kernels.
Enzyme action converts about 50% of the sugar to starch within one day of picking. To
preserve its sweetness, the freshly-picked corn is immersed in boiling water for a few
minutes, then cooled.
HSC 2001 - Biology
Which of the following explains why the boiled corn kernels remain sweet?
(A) Boiling destroys the sugar molecules so that they cannot be converted into starch.
(B)
Boiling inactivates the enzyme responsible for converting sugar into starch.
(C)
Boiling kills a fungus on the corn that is needed to convert sugar into starch.
Question
6 activates the enzyme that converts starch into sugar.
(D) Boiling
6
Fossil evidence indicates that the Australian environment in the past supported a large
and diverse range of megafauna. The megafauna has now been displaced by a variety of
smaller marsupials.
What is the best explanation for this?
(A) Smaller marsupials coped with climatic changes, and survived.
(B)
Larger marsupials reduced in size so as to cope better with climatic changes.
(C)
A meteorite collision caused a mass extinction of the megafauna.
(D) Introduced plant species were not a suitable food for the megafauna.
7
Which of the following is true of a mutation that produces an allele that is dominant?
(A) It would be expected to cause death.
(B)
Choice
A
(C)
B
(D)
C
D
N
It would be expected to spread more quickly through a population than a recessive
mutation.
Band 1/2
Band 2/3
Band 3/4
Band 4/5
46.4
70.3
It could give an observable
phenotype in59.6
a heterozygous genotype.
24.5
27.5
22.6
It could give an observable
phenotype only
genotype.
10.9
3.3in a homozygous 2.2
18.2
0
9.3
0.3
5
0
84.8
13.8
1
0.3
0.1
Band 5/6
94.6
5.4
0
0
0
–5–
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
6
Fossil evidence indicates that the Australian environment in the past supported a large
and diverse range of megafauna. The megafauna has now been displaced by a variety of
smaller marsupials.
HSC 2001 - Biology
What is the best explanation for this?
(A) Smaller marsupials coped with climatic changes, and survived.
(B)
Larger marsupials reduced in size so as to cope better with climatic changes.
(C)
A meteorite collision caused a mass extinction of the megafauna.
Question
7 plant species were not a suitable food for the megafauna.
(D) Introduced
7
Which of the following is true of a mutation that produces an allele that is dominant?
(A) It would be expected to cause death.
(B)
It would be expected to spread more quickly through a population than a recessive
mutation.
(C)
It could give an observable phenotype in a heterozygous genotype.
(D) It could give an observable phenotype only in a homozygous genotype.
Choice
A
B
C
D
N
Band 1/2
3.6
48.2
26.4
21.8
0
Band 2/3
1.6
43.1
33
22.3
0
Band 3/4
2.8
41.3
41.3
14.7
0
Band 4/5
1.5
35.8
60.3
2.3
0
Band 5/6
1.1
18.4
80.5
0
0
–5–
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
HSC 2001 - Biology
Question 8
8
In 1940, Beadle and Tatum developed the one gene–one protein hypothesis. This has now
been modified to the one gene–one polypeptide hypothesis.
Why was this modification needed?
(A) All proteins are comprised of more than one type of polypeptide.
(B)
Most proteins are comprised of more than one copy of the same polypeptide.
(C)
Many proteins are comprised of more than one polypeptide that may be the same
or different.
(D) The number of polypeptides in proteins is always the same as the number of genes
specifying those polypeptides.
9
Haemophilia is a human disease in which the blood of an affected individual does not
clot. The disease is known to be caused by a sex-linked recessive allele.
shows
inheritance
of thisBand
disease
Choice The family pedigreeBand
1/2the pattern of
Band
2/3
3/4 in a family.
Band 4/5
A
18.2
14.8
16
11.4
B
13.6
10.2
9
4.4
Key
I
C
33.6
33.2
26.6
54.4
= normal
female
D
34.5
41.5
48
29.6
N
0
0.3
0.4
0.1
= normal male
II
3
4
5
6
7
Band 5/6
4.9
0.5
75.7
18.9
0
= haemophiliac female
= haemophiliac male
III
8
If Xh is the allele for haemophilia and Xn is the allele for normal clotting, what is the
genotype of individual 5?
(A) XhXh
(B)
XhXn
(C)
XnXn
(D) XnY
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
–6–
8
In 1940, Beadle and Tatum developed the one gene–one protein hypothesis. This has now
been modified to the one gene–one polypeptide hypothesis.
HSC 2001 - Biology
Why was this modification needed?
(A) All proteins are comprised of more than one type of polypeptide.
(B)
Most proteins are comprised of more than one copy of the same polypeptide.
(C)
Many proteins are comprised of more than one polypeptide that may be the same
or different.
(D) The number of polypeptides in proteins is always the same as the number of genes
Question
9 those polypeptides.
specifying
9
Haemophilia is a human disease in which the blood of an affected individual does not
clot. The disease is known to be caused by a sex-linked recessive allele.
The family pedigree shows the pattern of inheritance of this disease in a family.
Key
I
= normal female
= normal male
II
3
4
5
6
7
= haemophiliac female
= haemophiliac male
III
8
If Xh is the allele for haemophilia and Xn is the allele for normal clotting, what is the
genotype of individual 5?
(A) XhXh
(B)
XhXn
(C)
XnXn
(D) XnY
Choice
A
B
C
D
N
Band 1/2
4.5
39.1
35.5
20.9
0
Band 2/3
2.5
51.1
36.5
9.9
0
–6–
Band 3/4
1.3
64.7
27.6
6.2
0.3
Band 4/5
1.2
92.1
5.2
1.4
0
Band 5/6
0
97.8
1.1
1.1
0
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
HSC 2001 - Biology
Question 10
10
The diagram represents one pair of homologous chromosomes during meiosis.
Crossing-over occurs and random segregation takes place.
A
B
G
A
B
G
a
b
g
a
b
g
Key
crossing-over point
What genotypes are produced?
(A) ABG, abG, ABg, abg
(B)
ABG, aBG, Abg, abg
(C)
ABG, ABG, abg, abg
(D) ABG, aBg, Abg, abg
11
If campers have to drink water from a creek, which is the best way of making the water
safe to drink?
Choice
(A)
A
B
(B)
C
(C)
D
N
Band 1/2
Band 2/3
Band 3/4
59.1
76.7
11.8 a clean shirt. 11.8
8.2
Filter the water through
26.4
18.1
7.9
Collect the water and
let it stand in a clean
13.6
10.7container.
7.1
0.9
0.3
0
Boil the water for five
47.3minutes.
(D) Expose the water to the sun’s ultraviolet rays for two hours.
12
Band 4/5
92
1.8
3
3.2
0
Band 5/6
96.2
1.6
1.1
1.1
0
Overseas equestrian competitors brought their horses to Australia for the Sydney 2000
Olympic Games.
Why were the horses quarantined for a period of time before the Olympic Games began?
(A) To acclimatise them to Australian conditions
(B)
To make sure that no horse diseases spread to the spectators
(C)
To make sure that the horses did not contract Australian diseases
(D) To make sure that the horses did not have an infectious disease
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
–7–
identify: No valid response.
HSC 2001 - Biology
What genotypes are produced?
(A) ABG, abG, ABg, abg
(B)
ABG, aBG, Abg, abg
(C)
ABG, ABG, abg, abg
Question
11aBg,
(D) ABG,
11
Abg, abg
If campers have to drink water from a creek, which is the best way of making the water
safe to drink?
(A) Boil the water for five minutes.
(B)
Filter the water through a clean shirt.
(C)
Collect the water and let it stand in a clean container.
(D) Expose the water to the sun’s ultraviolet rays for two hours.
12
Overseas equestrian competitors brought their horses to Australia for the Sydney 2000
Olympic Games.
quarantined
for a Band
period2/3
of time before
the Olympic
Games
began?
Choice Why were the horses
Band
1/2
Band
3/4
Band
4/5
A
87.3
97.3
97.7
98.3
B
1.6
1.2
0.4
(A) To acclimatise them5.5
to Australian conditions
C
1.8
0.8
0.4
0.4
(B) To make sure that no
D
4.5horse diseases spread
0.3 to the spectators
0.7
0.8
N
0.9
0
0
0
(C)
To make sure that the horses did not contract Australian diseases
Band 5/6
99.5
0
0
0.5
0
(D) To make sure that the horses did not have an infectious disease
–7–
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
(C)
ABG, ABG, abg, abg
(D) ABG, aBg, Abg, abg
HSC 2001 - Biology
11
If campers have to drink water from a creek, which is the best way of making the water
safe to drink?
(A) Boil the water for five minutes.
(B)
Filter the water through a clean shirt.
(C)
Collect the water and let it stand in a clean container.
Question
12
(D) Expose the water to the sun’s ultraviolet rays for two hours.
12
Overseas equestrian competitors brought their horses to Australia for the Sydney 2000
Olympic Games.
Why were the horses quarantined for a period of time before the Olympic Games began?
(A) To acclimatise them to Australian conditions
(B)
To make sure that no horse diseases spread to the spectators
(C)
To make sure that the horses did not contract Australian diseases
(D) To make sure that the horses did not have an infectious disease
Choice
A
B
C
D
N
Band 1/2
12.7
5.5
9.1
72.7
0
–Band
7 – 2/3
2.7
1.4
3.3
92.6
0
Band 3/4
0.7
0.7
1.1
97.6
0
Band 4/5
0.3
0.6
0.1
99
0
Band 5/6
0
0
0
100
0
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
HSC 2001 - Biology
Question 13
13
What is a possible immune response to a pathogen?
(A) T lymphocytes produce antibodies.
(B)
T helper lymphocytes are activated.
(C)
B lymphocytes produce antigens.
(D) B lymphocytes phagocytose the pathogen.
14
How does immunisation against diseases such as diphtheria and polio limit the spread of
these infectious diseases?
(A) Immunisation kills the relevant pathogens.
Choice (B)
A
B
(C)
C
D
N
(D)
15
ImmunisationBand
suppresses
or reduces
the immune Band
response
1/2
Band 2/3
3/4 and associated
Band 4/5
inflammation.
40.9
39.8
31
15.7
11.8 first-line defence
15.7 barriers and prevents
22.7 the entry of the
61.3
Immunisation strengthens
29.4
22.8
10.1
relevant pathogens 30.9
into the body.
16.4
14.8
23.3
12.8
0.1
Immunisation reduces 0the multiplication0.3
of the relevant pathogens
in immunised0.1
hosts and this reduces the chance of other people becoming infected.
Band 5/6
2.2
91.4
4.3
2.2
0
Eight sick animals were found to be suffering from the same symptoms. Blood tests
showed that they were infected with the same type of bacterium.
Which of the following strategies would be the best to determine if this particular type of
bacterium is the cause of the disease?
(A) Find other animals with the same symptoms. Attempt to isolate the same type of
bacterium from their blood.
(B)
Inject blood from animals with the symptoms into suitable host individuals. If they
develop the same symptoms, this proves that this type of bacterium caused the
disease.
(C)
Use bacteria cultured from the blood of the animals with these symptoms to infect
suitable host individuals. If they develop the disease, attempt to isolate the same
type of bacterium from their blood.
(D) Treat all eight animals with an antibiotic known to kill this type of bacterium. They
The table andwill
graph
show,iffor
groups
of students
whose
marks
the examination corresponded to the
recover
thisthe
type
of bacterium
is the
cause
of theindisease.
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
–8–
© Board of Studies NSW 2001
HSC 2001 - Biology
13
What is a possible immune response to a pathogen?
(A) T lymphocytes produce antibodies.
(B)
T helper lymphocytes are activated.
(C)
B lymphocytes produce antigens.
Question
14
(D) B lymphocytes phagocytose the pathogen.
14
How does immunisation against diseases such as diphtheria and polio limit the spread of
these infectious diseases?
(A) Immunisation kills the relevant pathogens.
(B)
Immunisation suppresses or reduces the immune response and associated
inflammation.
(C)
Immunisation strengthens first-line defence barriers and prevents the entry of the
relevant pathogens into the body.
(D) Immunisation reduces the multiplication of the relevant pathogens in immunised
hosts and this reduces the chance of other people becoming infected.
15
Eight sick animals were found to be suffering from the same symptoms. Blood tests
showed that they were infected with the same type of bacterium.
Which of the following strategies would be the best to determine if this particular type of
bacterium is the cause of the disease?
Choice(A)
A
B
(B)
C
D
N
(C)
Band
1/2the same symptoms.
Band 2/3Attempt to isolate
Band 3/4
4/5
Find other animals
with
the same type Band
of
7.3
6.6
7.7
7
bacterium from their blood.
16.4
7.4
5
1
Inject blood from animals
with
the
symptoms
into
suitable
host
individuals.
If
they
53.6
42.9
20.4
4
develop the same symptoms,
this proves 43.1
that this type of bacterium
22.7
66.9 caused the
88
disease.
0
0
0
0
Use bacteria cultured from the blood of the animals with these symptoms to infect
suitable host individuals. If they develop the disease, attempt to isolate the same
type of bacterium from their blood.
Band 5/6
4.9
1.6
0
93.5
0
(D) Treat all eight animals with an antibiotic known to kill this type of bacterium. They
will recover if this type of bacterium is the cause of the disease.
–8–
© Board of Studies NSW 2001
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.
14
How does immunisation against diseases such as diphtheria and polio limit the spread of
these infectious diseases?
HSC 2001 - Biology
(A) Immunisation kills the relevant pathogens.
(B)
Immunisation suppresses or reduces the immune response and associated
inflammation.
(C)
Immunisation strengthens first-line defence barriers and prevents the entry of the
relevant pathogens into the body.
(D) Immunisation reduces the multiplication of the relevant pathogens in immunised
Question
15
hosts and this reduces the chance of other people becoming infected.
15
Eight sick animals were found to be suffering from the same symptoms. Blood tests
showed that they were infected with the same type of bacterium.
Which of the following strategies would be the best to determine if this particular type of
bacterium is the cause of the disease?
(A) Find other animals with the same symptoms. Attempt to isolate the same type of
bacterium from their blood.
(B)
Inject blood from animals with the symptoms into suitable host individuals. If they
develop the same symptoms, this proves that this type of bacterium caused the
disease.
(C)
Use bacteria cultured from the blood of the animals with these symptoms to infect
suitable host individuals. If they develop the disease, attempt to isolate the same
type of bacterium from their blood.
(D) Treat all eight animals with an antibiotic known to kill this type of bacterium. They
will recover if this type of bacterium is the cause of the disease.
–8–
© Board of Studies NSW 2001
Choice
A
B
C
D
N
Band 1/2
9.1
20.9
36.4
33.6
0
Band 2/3
5.5
24.5
51.4
18.4
0.3
Band 3/4
3.1
11.8
76.3
8.7
0
Band 4/5
1.1
2.6
95.2
1.1
0
Band 5/6
0.5
1.1
98.4
0
0
The table and graph show, for the groups of students whose marks in the examination corresponded to the
borderline between two bands, what percentages of each group selected the responses A, B, C and D. N is used to
identify: No valid response.