NSW INDEPENDENT TRIAL EXAMS 2009

BIOLOGY Yr 11 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

MARKING GUIDELINES
Section I
1
2
A
B

3
C

4
A

5
B

6
D

7
B

8
D

9
C

10
A

11
C

12
B

Section II
Question 16(a)
Criteria
Student correctly identifies ONE abiotic factor.
Question 16(b)(i)
Criteria
Student correctly describes a method for measuring this factor and an appropriate
instrument.
Refer to accuracy and reliability via replication, duplication, reproducible results.
Question 16(b)(ii)
Criteria
Student correctly relates data gathered for the above factor to the distribution of species in
some way.
Question 16(b)(iii)
Criteria
Student correctly describes ONE impact of humans on the ecosystem.

13
B

14
D

15
A

Marks
1
Marks
2

Marks
2

Marks
1

Question 17(a)
Criteria
Marks
Student correctly defines the term adaptation.
1
Answers may include: Any feature of an organism that provides a survival advantage in its habitat.
Question 17(b)
Criteria
Student correctly identifies ONE adaptation and its relevant factor from the environment.

Marks
2

Question 17(c)
Criteria
Marks
1
Student discusses a problem associated with inferring characteristics of organisms
as adaptations for living in a particular environment.
Answers may include: Our inferences about adaptations may not always be correct. Our observations come
from a human perspective only i.e. the idea that evolution is really via selection against unfavourable
traits in an environment.
Question 18(a)
Criteria
Marks
Student outlines the contribution of Robert Hooke to the development of cell theory.
1
Answers may include: Robert Hooke was the first to observe cells in 1665, naming the shapes he saw in cork
cellulae.
Question 18(b)
Criteria
Marks
Student assesses the impact of technology such as the microscope on the development of
3
cell theory.
Answers may include: Technology such as the development of the microscope allows us to observe more
closely cells, their organelles and gain a better understanding of structure and function of cells, their
chemicals and interactions students may refer to light microscope, stereomicroscope, phase contrast &
scanning electron microscopes etc.
NSW Independent Trial Exams 2009 Biology Yr 11 Preliminary Examination: Marking Criteria - Page 1

Question 19
Criteria
Student outlines the method AND states conclusions for chosen diffusion/osmosis
experiment.
Answers depend on experiment chosen (eg starch, iodine, water, cellulose tubing etc)
Question 20(a)
Criteria
Student correctly identifies the term used for the diffusion of water from stomata in
leaves.
Answer: Transpiration.
Question 20(b)
Criteria
Student provides correct explanation of transpiration pull, cohesive and/or adhesive
forces.

Marks
3

Marks
1

Marks
2

Question 20(c)
Criteria
Marks
Student correctly explains why phloem vessels are not included in the labels of the
2
diagram.
Answers may include: Phloem vessels transport the products of photosynthesis. This is translocation a
different process to the transport of water through xylem.
Question 20(d)
Criteria
Marks
Student discusses, using an example, the role of radioisotopes in tracing the path of
2
molecules through living plants.
Answers may include: By using radioisotopes, we are able to add markers to molecules and thus trace their
movement through the plant or determine what molecules are being used in various reactions
Question 21(a)
Criteria
Marks
Student describes TWO scientific theories relating to the evolution of chemicals of life.
2
Answers may include: One theory relates to the seeding of earth by meteorites carrying primitive amino
acids. Another theory describes how the ultraviolet radiation from the Sun provided the energy for the
transformation of water vapour, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane into organic
molecules.
Question 21(b)
Criteria
Marks
Student explains how the experiments of Urey and Miller contribute to our understanding
2
of the composition of the early atmosphere.
Answers may include: They provided a model to explain a possible mechanism for the establishment of
primitive organic molecules from a soup of chemicals.

NSW Independent Trial Exams 2009 Biology Yr 11 Preliminary Examination: Marking Criteria - Page 2

Question 21(c)
Criteria
Marks
Student explains why these experiments were important in developing our understanding
2
of the origins of life.
Answers may include: These experiments were important because they provide evidence that could be
repeated in a laboratory on the possible origin of organic molecules on Earth.
Question 22(a)
Criteria
Marks
Student describes the main features of the binomial system of naming organisms.
2
Answers may include: The binomial system of classification is a "two-named" system. The first name is the
genus and the second the species/description name of an animal or plant. Species name suggests ability to
reproduce with others of that species.
Question 22(b)
Criteria
Marks
Student identifies and discusses some of the difficulties in classifying extinct organisms.
2
Answers may include: For example, fossils are often incomplete. This causes difficulties because
assumptions are made about the structure of the missing parts, etc. NOT possible to give species/description
name because not able to see if similar fossils were able to reproduce.
Question 22(c)
Criteria
Marks
Student explains how classification of organisms can improve our understanding of
2
present and past life on Earth.
Answers may include: Classifying fossils can fill in the gaps in the evolution of species via taxonomy and
show relationships within and between genera/species/organisms.
Question 23(a)
Criteria
Student:
Identifies the Australian fossil investigated;
Outlines what was done in the investigation;
Describes features of the fossil;
Refers to the location of the fossil within Australia.
e,g, Diprotodon marsupial etc
Question 23(b)
Criteria
Student explains evolutionary significance of these features.
Question 24(a)
Criteria
Student identifies the most likely types of pollination for each species of flowering plant.
Answers may include: Banksia-bird, insect or mammal. Plantago-wind, gravity, water

Marks
3

Marks
2
Marks
2

Question 24(b)
Criteria
Marks
For each flower, student describes ONE feature that may be an adaptation for the kind of
2
pollination identified in part (a)
Answers may include: Banksia- sugary nectar attracts bees and nectar-eating birds. Plantago very light,
wind-resilient flowers, high pollen production.
Question 24(c)
Criteria
Marks
Student explains how the evolution of reproductive adaptations for each of these flowers
2
increases the chance of species survival in the Australian environment.
Answers may include: Both successfully distribute pollen, thus increasing genetic diversity and in turn
chances of species survival. These traits are then naturally selected for (or NOT selected against) etc.
NSW Independent Trial Exams 2009 Biology Yr 11 Preliminary Examination: Marking Criteria - Page 3

NSW Independent Trial Exams 2009 Biology Yr 11 Preliminary Examination: Marking Criteria - Page 4

Question 25(a)
Criteria
Marks
Student accurately defines biodiversity.
1
Answers may include: The living organisms and their complex interactions, including interactions with the
abiotic (non-living) aspects of their environment.
Question 25(b)
Criteria
Marks
Student explains the importance of the study of past environments in predicting the impact
2
of human activity on our present day ecosystems.
Answers may include: The study of past environments can provide evidence on the fragility of trophic
interactions as well as the effects of changes in temperature, salinity, turbidity on ecosystems.
Question 26
Criteria
Marks
Student describes TWO technological advances that have increased our understanding of
2
procaryotic organisms.
Answers may include: Improvements in lenses and microscopes - better more detailed images of structures in
cells; technology in exploration of deep ocean trenches; use of the electron microscope (SEM and TEM).
Question 27(a)
Criteria
Marks
Student draws a food chain using the provided diagram.
1
Answers may include: Any food chain from the web. Must have arrows in correct trophic direction.
Question 27(b)
Criteria
Marks
Student explains what the immediate effect on the feeding relationships in this system would
2
be.
Answers may include: the frogs and sparrows would die out, mice would eat more grass, sparrows are in
double jeopardy because hawk diet now restricted to sparrows, etc.
Question 27(c)
Criteria
Student identifies which group of organisms is not represented in this diagram.
Answer: Decomposers.

Marks
1

Question 28(a)
Criteria
Marks
Student explains how the chemical composition of the diet of each animal differs.
2
Answers may include: Herbivores; such as the zebra rely on a diet of plants made mostly of fibrous material
and cellulose -a substance difficult to break down. Carnivores; such as the dog are mainly meat eaters; a diet
high in protein.
Question 28(b)
Criteria
Marks
Student explains the relationship between the length and overall complexity of the digestive
2
systems of the zebra and dog and the chemical compositions of their diet.
Answers may include: Carnivores have shorter digestive tracts because they can obtain nutrients from the
meat they consume more quickly. They have a relatively small caecum as their diet only consists of small
amounts of plant material.
Herbivores have long digestive tracts because it takes a long time to absorb nutrients from the plant material
they eat. They also have a large caecum which helps, along with enzymes, breakdown the tough fibrous plant
material and cellulose.

NSW Independent Trial Exams 2009 Biology Yr 11 Preliminary Examination: Marking Criteria - Page 5

NSW INDEPENDENT TRIAL EXAMS 2009

BIOLOGY Yr 11 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
MAPPING GRID
Question

Mark

Outcomes

Syllabus reference

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
4
4
3
7
6
6
5
6
3
2
4
4

6
8
8
6
6
6
9
6
13
10
14
10
9
9
8
8,7
7, 12
1, 3
6
3, 6
1, 2, 12
1, 10
10, 12
7, 9, 10
3, 6
3
1, 7, 8
6

8.2.1
8.2.2
8.2.2
8.3.1
8.3.2
8.3.3
8.3.4
8.3.5
8.4.2
8.4.2
8.4.4
8.5.1
8.5.3
8.5.3
8.2.2
8.2.2
8.2.2
9.3.1
8.3.2
8.3.4
8.4.1
8.4.4
8.5.2
8.5.3
8.5.4
8.4.3
8.2.2
8.3.3

Target
performance
bands
3
3-4
3
2-3
3
2-3
3
4
4
3
5
3
4
3-4
4
4-5
3-4
4-5
4
5-6
4-5
4-5
3-4
3-4
3-4
3-4
3
4

NSW Independent Trial Exams 2009 Biology Yr 11 Preliminary Examination: Marking Criteria - Page 6