2009

Higher School Certificate

Preliminary Examination

Biology
General Instructions
Total marks 75

Reading time 5 minutes

Working time 2 hours

Write using black or blue pen

Draw diagrams using pencil

Board-approved calculators
may be used

Write your student number

and/or name at the top of every
page

Section I Pages 2 8
Total marks (15)
Attempt Questions 1 15
Allow about 30 minutes for this section
Section II Pages 9 20
Total marks (60)
Attempt Questions 16 28
Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes for this section

STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

This paper MUST NOT be removed from the examination room

STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

Section I
Total marks (15)
Attempt Questions 115
Allow about 30 minutes for this section
Select the alternative A, B, C or D that best answers the question and indicate your choice
with a cross (X) in the appropriate space on the grid below.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

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1.

Which of the general equations below represents aerobic cellular respiration?

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

2.

glucose + oxygen water + carbon dioxide + energy

solar energy + carbon dioxide + water glucose + oxygen
glucose carbohydrate + carbon dioxide + energy
water + carbon dioxide + inorganic energy glucose + oxygen

Observe the following biomass pyramid of a forest ecosystem.

Which group of organisms is represented by level D?

(A) Decomposers, because organisms eventually die and are broken down
(B) Producers, because green plants will have the greatest biomass in a forest
ecosystem
(C) Carnivores, because they will prey upon all organisms at levels C, B and A
(D) Herbivores, because the total mass of plant eaters is always much greater than
carnivores

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
3.

Observe the image below of a mistletoe plant growing on a eucalypt branch.

Mistletoe penetrates the bark and takes some nutrients from the host plant.

Which of the following describes this biological relationship?

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
4.

Commensalism
Predation
Parasitism
Mutualism

Observe the following electron micrograph of a plant cell.

What is the structure indicated by X?

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

A vacuole
A chloroplast
A mitochondrion
An endoplasmic reticulum
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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

5.

How does the surface area to volume ratio (SA:V) affect the rate of diffusion of
molecules in and out of a cell?
(A) The lower the SA:V ratio, the faster the diffusion of molecules.
(B) The higher the SA:V ratio, the faster the diffusion of molecules.
(C) The surface area to volume ratio has no effect on the rate of diffusion of
molecules.
(D) The surface area to volume ratio only affects the process of osmosis, not
diffusion, across a cell membrane.

6.

An organism is able to make organic compounds from water, sunlight and inorganic
sources.
Which type of organism is described above?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

7.

Why is external fertilisation relatively uncommon in terrestrial animals?

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

8.

A heterotrophic organism
A eucaryotic organism
A procaryotic organism
An autotrophic organism

The sex cells would be more likely to be eaten by predators.

The sex cells would be more likely to dehydrate and die.
Terrestrial animals roam over large areas to find a mate.
Terrestrial animals only produce small numbers of sex cells, so that likelihood of
fertilisation occurring would be relatively low.

Which stage of mitosis is shown in the diagram below?

(A) The chromosomes are about to double and divide.

(B) Crossing over is occurring between haploid chromosomes.
(C) The nuclear membrane is disappearing and the chromosomes are about to line up
along the cell equator.
(D) The cell is about to divide into two identical daughter cells.
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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
9.

What is meant by the term oxic?

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

10.

Without oxygen
Toxic or poisonous
In the presence of oxygen
In the presence of dioxides

The flow chart below represents major stages of the theory of evolution of living things.
Organic molecules
Membrane formation
Heterotrophic procaryotes
Autotrophic procaryotes
X
Colonial organisms
Multicellular organisms
Which of the following describes the stage, represented by X, in the box above?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

Eucaryotic cells
Photosynthetic bacteria
Chemotrophic cells
Cyanobacteria

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

11.

Observe the dichotomous key below.

1.
2.
3.

a.
b.
a.
b.
a.
b.

Dichotomous Key to Representative Birds

The beak is relatively long and slender
The beak is relatively stout and heavy ...................
The bottom surface of the lower beak is flat and straight ..
The bottom surface of the lower beak is curved .
The lower edge of the upper beak has a distinct bend ..
The lower edge of the upper beak is mostly flat..

Certhidea
go to 2
Geospiza
go to 3
Camarhynchus
Platyspiza

Use the key to identify Bird Z.

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
12.

Certhidea
Geospiza
Camarhynchus
Platyspiza

Observe the image below of a Red Kangaroo.

The Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) is able to delay the implantation and development
of an embryo inside the uterus, until favourable environmental conditions occur.
How does this reproductive strategy aid the survival of the species?
(A) Large numbers of red kangaroo are continually being produced throughout the
year, so that some will eventually survive.
(B) Reproduction takes place rapidly during favourable times, so there is a more
likely chance of survival of the offspring.
(C) Reproduction is controlled by the female, so that only the most genetically fit
offspring are produced.
(D) There is only enough space for one kangaroo joey inside the pouch, so the
female can delay development of the next joey.
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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
13.

Which evidence supports the theory that Australia was once part of Gondwana?
(A) Lack of similarity between any organisms on present day Gondwanan continents
(B) Fossils, such as Gangamopteris ferns, are found in common on Gondwanan
continents.
(C) Unique animals, such as the possums and kangaroos, are found only in Australia
and nowhere else in the world.
(D) Identical rock types, but different ages, are found on Gondwanan continents.

14.

Under what conditions is asexual reproduction advantageous?

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

15.

In a continually changing environment, such as a coral reef

When two parents are present, so that variation is possible in the offspring
When variation is needed in the offspring
When large numbers of similar offspring need to be produced rapidly

The graph below shows the short-term consequence of two species competing for
similar resources in a small part of an ecosystem.
200
P
O
P
U
L
A
T
I
O
N
D
E
N
S
I
T
Y

150

100

50

10

12

14

16

18

20

NUMBER OF DAYS

What would be the most likely long-term consequence of this competition for the two
species?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

One species will increase in numbers, whilst the other species will die out.
Both species will eventually die out, as all of the resources will be used up.
Both species will eventually reach population numbers where they can coexist.
One species will increase in numbers; whilst the other species will use alternative
resources, recover and start to increase.

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

Section II
Total marks (60)
Attempt Questions 1628
Allow about 30 minutes for this section
Answer the questions in the spaces provided.
Question 16 (6 marks)

Marks

During the course, you conducted a field study of a local terrestrial OR aquatic ecosystem.
Name the ecosystem that you studied. .........................................................................................
(a)

Identify ONE abiotic factor investigated.

1
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(b)

For the abiotic factor identified in part (a):

(i)
2

Explain how you measured it AND the instrument/s you used.

In your answer, refer to the accuracy AND reliability of results.
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(ii)
2

Relate the abiotic data gathered to the distribution of organisms in the ecosystem.
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(iii) Identify ONE impact of human activity on the ecosystem studied.
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Question 17 (4 marks)
(a)

Marks

Define the term adaptation.

1
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(b)

Identify ONE adaptation of a NAMED plant OR animal, to its environment.

2
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(c)

Discuss a problem associated with inferring that all characteristics of a species are
adaptations for living in a particular environment.
1
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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

Question 18 (4 marks)
(a)

Marks

Outline the contribution of Robert Hooke to the development of cell theory.

1
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(b)

Observe the following image of an electron microscope.

Assess the impact of the development of the microscope on cell theory.

3
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Question 19 (3 marks)

Marks

During the course, you performed a first-hand investigation to demonstrate the difference
between osmosis and diffusion. Outline the method AND state your conclusions.
3
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Question 20 (7 marks)
The diagram below follows the pathway of a water molecule from the soil to the leaves of a
plant.

Upward movement
through stem

leaves

Diffusion
through
stomata

Xylem

4
Root cortex

(a)

Root hair

Water in the soil

Identify the term for the diffusion of water from stomata in leaves?
1
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Question 20 continues on the next page

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

Question 20 (continued)
(b)

Marks

Outline the process that draws water up through the xylem to the leaves?
2
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(c)

Explain why phloem tissue is NOT included in the process represented by the diagram.
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(d)

Using an example, discuss the role of radioisotopes in tracing the path of molecules
through plants.
2
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End of Question 20

Question 21 (6 marks)
(a)

Marks

Describe TWO scientific theories relating to evolution of the chemicals of life.

2
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(b)

Discuss how the Urey and Miller experiments changed our understanding of the
primitive atmosphere?
2
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(c)

Explain how these experiments changed scientific theories about the origins of life.
2
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Question 22 (6 marks)
(a)

Marks

Observe the following images.

Rattus rattus (Black Rat)

Canis lupus (Grey Wolf)

Describe the main features of the naming system used above.

2
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(b)

Discuss why classifying extinct organisms can be difficult.

2
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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
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(c)

Explain the importance of classifying organisms in furthering our understanding of the

history of life on earth.
2
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Question 23 (5 marks)
Marks
(a)

Outline a practical experience you have undertaken to gather information about an

Australian fossil.
3
In your answer, refer to the location of the fossil.
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(b)

Explain how the information you collected about the fossil has contributed to the
understanding of the evolution of species in Australia.
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Question 24 (6 marks)

Marks

This question refers to the images below of Australian flowering plants.

The flowers of Banksia ericifolia are often

seen dripping sugary nectar.
(a)

The flowers of Plantago gaudichaudii produce

clouds of floating pollen when disturbed.

Identify the most likely mechanisms of pollination for EACH species of flowering
plant above.
2
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(b)

For each flower, describe ONE feature that may be an adaptation for the kind of
pollination identified in part (a).
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(c)

Explain how the evolution of reproductive adaptations for each of these flowers may
increase the chance of species survival in the Australian environment.
2
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Question 25 (3 marks)
(a)

Marks

Define the term biodiversity.

1
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(b)

Outline how studying past environments may indicate the long-term consequences of
human activity.
2
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Question 26 (2 marks)
Describe how technology has increased our understanding of procaryotic organisms.
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Question 27 (4 marks)

Marks

The food web below represents the predator-prey relationships in an ecosystem.

Foxes
Rabbits
Mice
Grass

Snakes
Sparrows
Grasshoppers

Hawks
Frogs

(a)

Draw ONE food chain from the diagram above. (include directional trophic arrows)
1

(b)

Assume that an insecticide was sprayed across the ecosystem, killing all the
grasshoppers.
What would be the immediate effect on the feeding relationships in this system?
2
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(c)

Which group of organisms, normally present in an ecosystem, is NOT represented in

this diagram?
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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

1
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Question 28 (4 marks)

Marks

The diagrams represent the digestive tracts of a zebra and a dog, respectively.

Zebra
(a)

Dog

From the diagrams, compare the apparent chemical composition of each vertebrates
diet.
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(b)

Referring to your answer in part (a), compare the length AND overall complexity of the
digestive systems of both vertebrates.
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