Section B – Short Answer
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper
1. A biologist discovered 2 populations of frogs living on separate islands. He was unable to find
any obvious differences in appearance between the frogs of the 2 populations. He discovered
that the mating calls of the males of the 2 populations were different and that the females were
only attracted by the calls of the males of their own island. How would a biologist classify
these frogs?
a. As the same species
b. As the same genus but different species
c. As different genera
d. As the same species but different genera
Write the answer that you think best fits the information and briefly explain why you have selected it.
(3 marks)
2. To the practised observer it is a simple matter to distinguish between the following arboreal
marsupials to be found on Ben Gairn in the Dandenongs:
Silver-grey possum
Mountain possum
Greater glider
Ringtail possum
Using whichever of the following characteristics you please, construct a dichotomous key for the use
of High school students to identify the marsupials.
Description
Colour
Silver-grey possum
Silver-grey to black
brown
Large, pricked and
fox like
Does not possess
these
Mountain possum
Brown to very dark
brown
Moderate size and
rounded
Does not possess
these
Size
Approximately that
of a household cat
Tail
Same length as body;
brushy; prehensile
naked tip
Approximately 1 ¼
- 1 ½ times that of the
household cat
Same length as body;
brushy; prehensile
naked tip
Ears
Gliding membranes
Greater glider
Dorsal brown, ventral
creamy white
Moderately large,
rounded at the tips
Large and obvious
between back and
front legs
Approximately that
of a household cat
Ringtail possum
Dorsal grey or brown,
ventral lighter
Small and rounded
Approximately twice
body length; very
bushy
About 1 ½ times
body length; short
haired; prehensile
naked tip.
Does not possess
these
Approximately ½ - ¾
that of household cat
(8 marks)
3. Dolphins look somewhat like certain fish; they have flippers and spend all their life in the sea.
Why are they classified as mammals rather than fish?
(3 marks)
4. The flowers, buds, fruits and leaf illustrated in the diagram were collected from a tall, smooth
barked Eucalyptus tree. Use the following key to identify the species of eucalypt.
(6 marks)
a. starting from 1a, list the number
of choices you made in working
through the key.
b. Write the name of the species of
Eucalyptus you have identified
using the key.
c. List three plant characteristics of
the species E. Odorata that have
been used in the construction of
the key.
1a)
1b)
stamens all fertile
outer stamens without anthers
2a)
anthers small, squarish (approx. same width
as length)
anthers large, oblong (1 ½ - 2 times longer
than wide)
2b)
2
3
4
5
3a)
3b)
large trees
mallee or small tree, fruit smooth
E. leucoxylon
E. gracilis
4a)
4b)
cap of bud hemispherical
cap of bud conical
6
E. microcarpa
5a)
5b)
bark smooth
bark rough
7
E. morrisii
6a)
6b)
fruit 5 – 6 mm long
fruit about 9 mm long
E. odorata
E. lansdowniana
7a)
7b)
tree
shows mallee habit
8
9
8a)
8b)
fruit 5 – 15 mm long
fruit 20 – 30 mm long
10
E. terminalis
9a)
9b)
fruit hemispherical, 6 – 15 mm long
fruit pear shaped, 15 – 20 mm long
10a)
10b)
fruit valves protruding
fruit valves not protruding
11
12
11a)
11b)
cap beaked, flowers in groups of 4-12
cap conical, flowers in groups of 3
E. camaldulensis
E. viminalis
12a)
12b)
fruit 7 – 10 mm broad, 3 celled
fruit 12 – 20 mm broad, 4-5 celled
E. cladocalyx
E. cosmophylla
SECTION C – Extended Answer (10 marks)
Please answer the following question on the lined paper provided
The answer may be presented in different ways provided that it communicates your ideas
effectively. You may choose to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
present a clearly labeled diagram
write notes beside a clear diagram
write lists of points, with sentences which link them
present information as a table
write concisely worded sentences
use some other appropriate way to present ideas
Marks may be deducted for answers that are poorly presented or difficult to read. Use black or
blue pen or ballpoint for written answers and pencil for diagrams.
Define the concept of a species and describe some of the problems associated with this concept.