2010

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 211

20 marks
Attempt Questions 120
Allow about 40 minutes for this section
Section II Pages 1219
55 marks
Attempt Questions 2130
Allow about 1 hour 20 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
20 marks
Attempt Questions 120
Allow about 40 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.

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
1

Ecklonia radiate (kelp), is a form of seaweed that grows along the NSW coast.
Which abiotic factor will have the greatest affect on the distribution and abundance of
this kelp along rocky shorelines?
(A) Predation by grazing molluscs
(B)

Competition for space from other seaweeds

(C)

Disease

(D) Light availability

2

The water buffalo and the tick bird have a close relationship. The tick bird is tolerated
and not harmed by the buffalo, as the tick bird eats ticks and other parasites from the
water buffalos fur.

Which word best describes this relationship between bird and buffalo?
(A) Parasitism, because ticks are parasites and the buffalo benefits by their removal.
(B)

Predation, because the bird is preying upon the buffalo by pecking at its fur.

(C)

Mutualism, because the ticks are food for the bird and the buffalo benefits by
their removal.

(D) Commensalism, because the buffalo benefits by having ticks removed and the
bird is unharmed.
3

Scientists use the capture/mark/recapture, sampling method to estimate the population

size of mobile animals.
What is one way of improving the accuracy of population estimates?
(A) Use larger tags.
(B)

Take a larger sample size.

(C)

Take more smaller samples.

(D) Use a more accurate method such as the quadrant method.

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
4

What is an adaptation?
(A) Any feature of an organism that helps it to survive and reproduce in its
environment
(B)

Any physiological feature of an organism that helps it to survive in its

environment

(C)

When organisms evolve over time to look similar

(D) The non-biological features of an environment

5

The graph below represents a predator-prey relationship.

Predator-prey relationship

5
4.5
4

predator:
---------

3.5
3

y axis

prey:

2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0

10

15

20

25

x axis
What would be appropriate labels for the axes?
(A) x axis time (days), y axis population (1)
(B)

x axis time (months), y axis population (100)

(C)

x axis population (1 000), y axis time (days)

(D) x axis population (100), y axis time (months)

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35

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

Observe the image:

The micrograph shows epidermal cells from an onion, as seen under a light
microscope.
What are the dark-stained organelles in each of the cells most likely to be?

(A)

Chloroplasts, because plants need these for photosynthesis

(B)

Mitochondria, because all cells need energy for metabolism

(C)

Vacuoles, because plants store cell fluid in these

(D)

Nuclei, because cells need these for correct functioning

A student performed an investigation to identify a chemical found in a piece of food.

She added 5 ml of Benedicts solution to a test tube, containing a mixture of ground-up
food and distilled water.
The test tube was then placed in a hot water bath.
After about 5 minutes, the solution in the test tube turned a red or brown colour.
What chemical caused the mixture to change colour?
(A) Glucose
(B)

Protein

(C)

Water

(D) Starch

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
8

The word equation for photosynthesis is:

Carbon dioxide + water

chlorophyll
X

glucose + oxygen

Which factor, represented by X, is missing from this equation?

(A) Light
(B)

Minerals

(C)

Starch

(D) Chloroplast
9

What is the process that moves water in a plant, from roots to leaves?
(A) Active transport
(B)

Evaporation

(C)

Transpiration

(D) Osmosis
10

The final stage of mitosis involves a cleavage across the centre of the cell. This allows
the cell to divide into two daughter cells.
What is this stage called?
(A) Telekinesis
(B)

Cytokinesis

(C)

Binary fission

(D) Meiosis
11

What is the reason given for the change in Earths early atmosphere from anoxic to
oxic conditions?
(A) Photosynthesis by cyanobacteria
(B)

Photosynthesis by eukaryotic organisms

(C)

Chemosynthesis by simple prokaryotes

(D) Chemical reactions by chemoorganotrophs

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
12

Which of the following is a technological development that has increased knowledge of

prokaryotic organisms?
(A) Light microscope
(B)

Electron microscope

(C)

Video microscope

(D) Magnetic resonance imaging

13

Observe the classification table:

1

Kingdom

Animal

Animal

Animal

Animal

Phylum

Chordate

Chordate

Chordate

Chordate

Class

Mammal

Mammal

Mammal

Mammal

Order

Carnivore

Carnivore

Carnivore

Primate

Family

Felidae

Felidae

Genus

Felis

Panthera

Canis

Homo

Species

domesticus

leo

lupus

sapiens

Canidae

Hominidae

Which two organisms are most closely related?

(A) 1 and 2
(B)

1 and 3

(C)

1 and 4

(D) 2 and 3
14

Ratites are an order of flightless birds. They are found in Australia (Emu); New
Zealand (Kiwi); South America (Rhea) and Africa (Ostrich).
They all share very similar DNA.
Which theory best explains the distribution and similarity of ratites?
(A) These birds were once able to migrate to different continents, before they lost
their power of flight.
(B)

These birds are all very good swimmers and were able to migrate to new
continents.

(C)

These birds originated in Gondwana and have not changed since the continent
split.
(D) These birds originated from a common ancestor, before the Gondwanan continent
split.
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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
15

Correa reflexa is a common species of Australian plant that displays wide variation in
characteristics. It may have dull green leaves, pale pink or even scarlet tipped with
green. It is able to tolerate a wide variety of soil types.
What is the evolutionary advantage of variation within the species?
(A) If environmental conditions change, then there is a high chance of species
extinction.
(B)

There is higher chance of pollination, because a larger variety of organisms is

more likely to visit the plants.

(C)

If environmental conditions change, then there is a greater chance of species

survival.

(D) None at all, as each plant has evolved to suit only its particular habitat.
16

With reference to the type of daughter cells produced, what is the main difference
between the processes of mitosis and meiosis?
(A) Meiosis produces cells identical to the original cell; mitosis produces cells that
are different to the original cell.
(B)

Meiosis produces four cells; mitosis produces two cells.

(C)

Meiosis is the division which results in normal body cells; mitosis produces sex
cells.

(D) Mitosis produces cells with half the chromosome number; meiosis maintains the
chromosome number.
17

A student designed an experiment to test her hypothesis that rubbing a cut apple with
lemon juice prevents it from turning brown in colour. Firstly, she gathered the last apple
from the fruit bowl, cut it in half with a knife and rubbed the cut surfaces with lemon
juice.
She left the cut apple on the bench and returned after two hours to make her
observations.
She observed that the apple had NOT turned brown.
What is one major problem with this experimental design?
(A) She had no control. She should have cut another apple in half and left it on the
bench, without rubbing with it lemon.
(B) She should have waited longer for the apple to turn brown, to see if air is the
factor.
(C) She should have looked at results immediately, because time of observation can
affect results.
(D) She should have used a fresh apple. An older apple is less likely to react with
lemon juice.

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
18

Observe the food web:

Polar Bear

Arctic Birds

Phytoplankton

Arctic Cod
Herbivorous Zooplankton

Ringed Seal

Carnivorous Zooplankton

Killer Whale

Harbour Seal

Harp Seal

Arctic Char

Capelin

What would be the effect on the ecosystem if all of the phytoplankton died out?
(A) There would be no effect at all, because all of the consumer organisms have more
than one food source.
(B)

The ecosystem would collapse and all organisms would die, because the
phytoplankton are the only producers.

(C)

The numbers of organisms would increase, because less herbivorous zooplankton

would be eaten by the phytoplankton.

(D) There would be no effect on numbers of organisms, because there are other kinds of
plankton.

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

19

The micrograph shows a longitudinal section of a plant root with root hairs.

Root hairs

Root

What is the main function of these root hairs?

(A) To anchor the root into the ground
(B)

To prevent worms and snails from eating the root

(C)

To increase surface area for the absorption of water and minerals

(D) To decrease surface area and reduce the loss of water from the root

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
20

Observe the following image:

eyes

Step 1
fish shape is long and thin
fish shape is not long and thin
Step 2
fish has pointed fins
fish has smooth fins
Step 3
fish has both eyes on top of the head
fish has one eye on each side of the head
Step 4
fish has long whip-like tail
fish has short, blunt tail
Step 5
fish has spots
fish does not have spots
Step 6
fish has chin "whiskers"
fish does not have chin "whiskers"
Step 7
fish has stripes
fish does not have stripes
Step 8
fish has a v-shaped tail
fish has a blunt tail

go to step 2
go to step 3
it is a trumpet fish
it is a spotted moray eel
go to step 4
go to step 5
it is a spotted eagle ray
it is a peacock flounder
go to step 6
go to step 7
it is a spotted goat fish
it is a band-tail puffer
go to step 8
it is a glassy sweeper
it is a squirrel fish
it is a glass-eye snapper

Using the key above, which of the following identifies this fish?
(A) Trumpet fish
(B)

Spotted flat fish

(C)

Peacock flounder

(D) Band-tail puffer

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

Section II
55 marks
Attempt Questions 2130
Allow about 1 hour and 20 minutes for this section
Answer the questions in the spaces provided.

Question 21 (6 marks)

Marks

Complete the timeline to outline SIX major events that occurred in the evolution of life on
Earth. An example (flowering plants) is provided.
6

4 billion
years ago

present

130 million years ago:

flowering plants

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..

Question 22 (4 marks)
(a)

Marks

Name ONE currently practicing Australian scientist.

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(b)

Identify the areas in which this scientist is currently working AND give a brief outline
of his/her research.
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Question 23 (7 marks)

Marks

Observe the following.

Hydrothermal vent
Scientists have discovered hot springs, called hydrothermal vents, on the ocean floor.
Water, containing high levels of hydrogen sulfide, rich in dissolved minerals, emerges from
these vents at temperatures up to 400C. The vent fluid contains very little, if any, oxygen
and has a pH near 4.0.
The water that comes out of these hydrothermal vents supports a large population of chemoautotrophic bacteria. These bacteria use sulfur compounds, particularly hydrogen sulfide, to
produce organic material through the process of chemosynthesis.
Justify the suggestion that this may be an alternative environment for the origin of life on Earth.
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Question 24 (8 marks)
(a)
4

Complete the following table.

Name of
Australian
animal

(b)

Reproductive adaptation

How this reproductive adaptation

increases chances of survival in
Australian conditions

Compare internal AND external fertilisation.

In your answer, provide an Australian example of each.
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Question 25 (9 marks)
During your course, a field study of a local ecosystem was completed.
(a)

Name TWO abiotic factors that were measured AND the instruments used to measure
EACH.
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Question 25 continues on the next page

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
Question 25 (continued)
(b)

Explain how the data, obtained in your measurements, affected the distribution of
organisms in the area.
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(c)

Describe trophic interactions found between organisms in the area studied, by drawing
a labelled food chain in the space below.
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End of Question 25
Question 26 (5 marks)

Marks

A student performed an investigation to establish the effect of surface area to volume ratio
on the rate of diffusion, in a number of different sized jelly cubes.
A graph of results is shown below.
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surface area: volume

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4
3
2
1
0

10

length of side of cube

(a)

What conclusion can be drawn from the trend shown in the graph?
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(b)

Changes in the surface area to volume ratio have important implications for limits on
cell, organelle and organism size.
Discuss these implications.
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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
(c)

Explain how larger organisms overcome this surface area:volume problem.

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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
Question 27 (5 marks)
(a)
4

Marks

Identify the gaseous exchange surfaces in EACH of the following:

Fish:.....................................................................................................................................
Insects:.................................................................................................................................
Amphibians:.........................................................................................................................
Mammals:............................................................................................................................

(b)

Name a characteristic of these surfaces, essential for the movement of gases across
respiratory surfaces, in each of these organisms.
1
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Question 28 (4 marks)
Deep ice tells long climate story
The latest study of ice drilled out of Antarctica confirms
that carbon dioxide levels are substantially higher now
than at any time in the last 800,000 years.
The analysis of air bubbles trapped in a 3.2km vertical
core of frozen snow shows current greenhouse gas
concentrations are relatively high.
Drills have extracted ice from
deep under the Antarctic surface

Explain the importance of study of past environments, such as the analysis of air bubbles
trapped in ancient ice, in determining the impact of human activity on present environments.
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STUDENT NUMBER/NAME: ..
Question 29 (4 marks)

Marks

Name an Australian fossil sample that you studied: ..................................................................

(a)

Identify similarities AND differences between this fossil and living Australian organisms.
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(b)

Explain how the study of these fossils can contribute to our understanding of the
evolution of different species in Australia.
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Question 30 (3 marks)
(a)

Identify a species of Australian angiosperm that you have studied.

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(b)

In the space below, draw a labelled diagram of a flower from this plant to identify
features that may be adaptations for wind, insect, bird or mammal pollination.
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End of paper

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