Questions....................................................................................................................

1
HKALE 1989 Biology Paper II......................................................................................1
HKALE 1991 Biology Paper II......................................................................................3
HKALE 1997 Biology Paper II....................................................................................10
HKALE 1989 Biology Paper II....................................................................................16
HKALE 1991 Biology Paper II....................................................................................18
 Questions
HKALE 1989 Biology Paper II
3. (a) What are mutagens ? State FOUR ways in which they can affect DNA molecules.
(5 marks)

(b) What is meant by polygenic inheritance ? Explain why it is difficult to study.

Illustrate your answer with an example in man. (3 marks)

(c) In what ways does the concept of evolution proposed by Lamarck differ from that
proposed by Darwin ? (4 marks)

(d) The table below shows the genotypic frequency of the offspring of two dihybrid
crosses I and II. (A, B, C, D and a, b, c, d represent the respective alleles
involved.)

Offspring
Cross Parental genotypes
Genotype Frequency
I AaBb aabb AaBb 25%
aaBb 25%
Aabb 25%
aabb 25%
II CcDd ccdd CcDd 46%
ccDd 3%
Ccdd 4%
ccdd 47%

(i) Briefly discuss the genetic principle demonstrated in Cross I, and suggest
how such genotypic frequencies in the offspring are obtained. (3 marks)

(ii) With reference to the location of the respective genes on the chromosomes,
explain the differences in the genotypic frequency of the offspring in Crosses
I and II (5 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1991 Biology Paper II
1. (a) Explain the meaning of the following terms

(i) allele
(ii) polyploidy
(iii) hybrid vigour (6 marks)

(b) In a certain species of bird, one gene locus controls general feather colour, with
green being dominant to blue. A second locus controls colour intensity and the
alleles at this locus show incomplete dominance. The table below shows the six
possible phenotypes :

Feather colour Colour intensity

Pale Mid Dark
Green pale green deep green brownish green
Blue pale blue deep blue purple

(i) Draw genetic diagrams to illustrate the following crosses :

(1) Homozygous deep green x heterozygous brownish green

(2) Homozygous pale green x deep blue

Include in your diagrams, the genotypes of the parents, zygotes and

offspring,
the phenotypes of the offspring, and the phenotype ratio. Define all the
symbols you use.
(10 marks)

(ii) Describe the easiest way to determine whether a deep green individual is
homozygous or heterozygous. Explain your answer. (4 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1992 Biology Paper II
4. (a) Explain by means of a genetic diagram how a female child could inherit
haemophilia. (8 marks)

(b) Explain why it is rare for a haemophiliac female to survive beyond the age of
puberty. (3 marks)

(c) What advice would you give to the mother of the child in part (a) if she were
pregnant with a second female foetus ? Give reasons for your advice. (3 marks)

(d) Give two ways by which mutations may occur in

(i) genes.
(ii) chromosomes. (4 marks)

(e) Suggest how induced mutations in man could be guarded against. (2 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1993 Biology Paper II
1. (a) Distinguish between

(i) codon and anticodon

(ii) continuous and discontinuous variation (4 marks)

(b) The occurrence of colour blindness and haemophilia in a family is shown by the
pedigree below. The genes for the two traits are found on the X chromosome

A B

C D

E F

Key : normal individual

colourblind individual

haemophiliac individual

(i) Deduce the dominance or recessiveness of the gene which leads to

(1) colour blindness.

(2) haemophilia.

Explain your answer.

(Note: Genetic diagrarns will NOT be accepted.) (6 marks)

(ii) Use appropriate symbols to represent the genotypes of individuals A, B, C, D

and E. Define all the symbols used in your answer. (7 rnarks)
(iii) If individual F marries a normal man, what is the probability that her son
might be a haemophiliac ? With the aid of a genetic diagram, explain your
answer. (3 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1994 Biology Paper I
13. Response to herbicide treatment is an inheritable trait in certain plant species A pure line
plant species "Topas" (T) is sensitive to herbicide. After mutation was induced in T, two
homozygous mutant lines (A and B) were produced with different responses to herbicide
treatment.

The following table shows the phenotypes of T, A, B and their F 1 plants :

Phenotypes
Sensitive Low tolerance Moderate High
[S] [LT] tolerance [MT] tolerance [HT]
T
A
B
F1 (A T)
F2 (B T)

Key : expression of phenotype

no expression of phenotype

(a) Deduce the genetic basis of inheritance of the herbicide responses with respect to
the concept of dominance. Use this to explain the responses of the F 1, plants to
the herbicide. (6 marks)

(b) Mutant A and mutant B were crossed to obtain F 1, plants. These F1, plants were
selfed to produce F2 plants and their phenotypes are shown in the following
table :
Phenotypes of F2(A B)
Sensitive Low tolerance Moderate High
[S] [LT] tolerance [MT] tolerance [HT]
Number of plants 9 18 27 90
(i) What is the F2 (A B) phenotypic ratio ? Based on this ratio, determine the
number of genes involved in the inheritance of the herbicide response trait.

(ii) Using appropriate symbols, state the genotypes of "Topas", mutant A and
mutant B.
(6 marks)
(c) Based on the information you have so far, state the genotypes for the F1, plants of
the following crosses :

(i) mutant A and "Topas"

(ii) mutant B and "Topas" (2 marks)

(d) Suggest a method for inducing mutation. (1 mark)

(Total: 15 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1995 Biology Paper I
11. A horticulturist collected a wild plant with giant flowers and long internodes. He crossed
it with a homozygous cultivar (a cultivated variety of the same species) which had small
flowers and short internodes. In the F 1 progeny of this cross, two phenotypic classes
were obtained. They were plants with giant flowers and long internodes and plants with
small flowers and long internodes. The phenotypic ratio was 1: 1.

(a) State the recessiveness or dominance of the characters: giant flowers, short
internodes. (2 marks)

(b) If the genes for "flower size" and "internode length" were linked, would the same F 1
phenotypic ratio (1 :1) as mentioned above be obtained ? Explain your answer with
the help of a genetic diagram. (4 marks)

(c) Giant flowers appeal to consumers. Short internodes enable the packing of more
plants within a container for transport. Therefore, both properties can increase the
profit from the sale of such plants.

(i) Given that the genes controlling the two characters are not linked,

(1) state the possible genotype(s) of the plants with the desirable properties
mentioned above, (1 mark)

(2) design a breeding programme to obtain a plant with giant flowers and
short internodes by selecting parental plants from amongst the cultivar
and the two classes of F1 plants. Explain the genetic basis of your
programme.
(Do not include genetic diagrams in your answer.)
Note: This plant species can undergo both self and cross pollination. (4
marks)

(ii) What practical steps would you take to ensure the type of pollination in the
cross suggested in your programme in (i)(2) ? (2 marks)

(iii) Both vegetative propagules and seeds can be produced from a plant with
giant flowers and short internodes. Which of these products would you sell to
guarantee that these desirable properties will appear in the next generation ?
Explain your choice. (1 marks)
 (Total : 15 marks)
Suggested Solution
HKALE 1997 Biology Paper II
3. (a) What are the processes that generate genetic variations in flowering plants ?
Explain the mechanisms involved. (6 marks)

(b) A diploid plant bears a dominant mutation in one allele of a gene which controls
sepal form. This mutation has the effect of changing scale-like sepals to petal-like
sepals.

(i) As the flowers with petal-like sepals have a better appeal to customers. a
plant breeder kept this mutant plant in a greenhouse allowing it to self-fertilize
for several generations. During this period. the plant breeder made frequent
visits to the greenhouse and removed any plant bearing flower buds with
scale-like sepals. Deduce and explain the genotypes of the remaining plants
in the F1 and F2 populations and their relative proportions. What will be the
long term effect of this breeding practice ? (7 marks)

(ii) The original mutant plant was crossed with another plant which produced
flowers with red petals and scale-like sepals. All the F 1 plants showed red petals.
Yet only half of them produced petal-like sepals. When these F 1 plants were
intercrossed, the F2 progeny showed a petal colour ratio of 3:1 (three red-petal-
bearing plants to one white-petal-bearing plants). Without using genetic diagrams.
deduce and explain the dominant petal colour and the genotypes of the two
parents. (7 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1998 Biology Paper I B2
12. The number of days taken for tomato plants to yield ripened fruits from the day of
planting is a hereditary character. Four varieties of tomato plants were planted in the
same field in the same season. The four varieties planted were the two pure-bred
parental varieties, P1 and P2, their F1 hybrids and F2 offspring. The number of days taken
to yield ripened fruits for 100 plants of each variety was recorded in the following
histograms :
13.

(a) What is the term used to describe the range of phenotypes observed ? What type
of inheritance is responsible for this ? (2 marks)

............................................................................................................................................................................
(b) Compare and contrast the variations in the phenotypes of
(i) the F1 hybrids and the parents, P1 and P2. What is the genetic basis for the
difference(s) ? (4 marks)

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(ii) the F1 hybrids and F2 offspring. Account for your observations. (4 marks)

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(c) To obtain valid results in this genetic study, two factors were kept under control in the
experimental design. State these two factors. Why was it necessary to control
them ? (2 marks)

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Total : 12 marks

Marking Scheme
HKALE 1999 Biology Paper II
3. (a) Distinguish infectious diseases from inheritable diseases with respect to their causes and
modes of transmission. (6 marks)
(b) State and explain three features of the human body which are in the first line of defence in
preventing the entry of infectious agents. (6 marks)
(c) The following pedigree shows the occurrence of a hereditary disease D among the
members of a family :

P
1 2

F1

3 4 5 6 7 8

F2

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Key :

unaffected female unaffected male

affected female affected male

Assuming that disease D is controlled by a single gene, deduce with reasons, why this
disease is NOT sex-linked. (Do not include genetic diagrams in your answer.) (8 marks)

Marking Scheme
HKALE 1989 Biology Paper II
3. (a) Mutagens are physical or chemical agents which cause mutation or
changes in DNA molecules.
[Examples X ray, UV light, ionizing radiation, radioactive compounds,
formaldehyde, nitrous acids, mustard gas, ethyl methane sulfonate]
Mutagen can cause (any 4 of the following)
deletion of nucleotides from DNA sequence
insertion of nucleotides into DNA sequence
change of one nucleotide into another
inversion of nucleotide sequence
breakage and loss of entire or part of the chromosome
attachment of one chromosome to another
extra copies of one or more chromosomes
(5)

(b) Polygenic inheritance refers to the inheritance of those characteristics

which are governed by interaction between various alleles occupying
different loci on the same or different chromosomes e g Human traits
such as hair and skin color, height, intelligence and body build They are
difficult to study because of the large number of alleles involved and
also the external factors such as nutrition, sun light and education may
effect the final expression of the genes
(3)

(c) Lamarck believed that organisms acquire traits to better adapt to their
environment, and these traits are inheritable e.g. giraffes long neck
Darwin believed that organisms evolved from simple, primitive forms to
the more complex forms and through a process of natural selection, only
the best adapted organisms survive and perpetuate.
(4)

(d) (i) AB Ab aB Ab (3)

Ab AaBb Aabb aabb aabb

Or 25% 25% 25% 25%

This demonstrates Mendels Second Principle independent

assortment of unlinked genes Both A and B (or the alleles) are
located at 2 chromosomes to be assorted independently
 (ii) Recombinants Ccdd and ccDd occur at a lower frequency than the
parent types, CcDd and ccdd indicating that genes C and D (or
their alleles) are located close to each other in the same
chromosome segment [This demonstrate Morgans Principle of
non independent assortment of genes at linked loci. ] The two
genes are located 7 map units apart (3 + 4) on the same
chromosome and thus cannot be assorted independently as in
cross I.
(5)
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HKALE 1991 Biology Paper II
1. (a) (i) alleles
one of a pair, or series of alternative alleles that occur at a
given locus in a chromosome; one contrasting form of a gene
2
(ii) polyploidy
a condition where an organism with more than two sets of
chromosomes or genomes
2
common in plant species and they often have some
advantage e.g. forming larger fruits etc.
2
(iii) hybrid vigour
unusual growth, strength, and health of hybrids form two less
vigorous parents. This depends on such alleles for vigour are
dominant, and are distributed between the 2 parents.

(6)
(b) (i) let G be the dominant allele for general feather colour being green
g be the recessive allele for general feather colour being blue
i1 be the allele for the pale colour intensity of the feather colour
i2 be the allele for the dark colour intensity of the feather color.
(2)
(N.B. Accept other suitably defined symbols.)
(4)
(1) P: GGi1i2 Ggi2i2 2

G: Gi1 Gi2 Gi2 gi2 4

F1 : GGi1i2 GGi2i2 Ggi1i2 Ggi2i2 4

Deep Brownish Deep Brownish
green green green green
i.e. Deep green : Brownish green
1 : 1 1
(2) P: GGi1i1 ggi1i2 2

G: Gi1 gi1 gi2 3

F1 : Ggi1i1 Ggi1i2 2
Pale green Deep green

Pale green : Deep green

i.e.
1 : 1
1

(4)
(ii) To cross the deep green individual (GGi1i2 / Gg i1i2) with a purple individual (ggi2i2) :
1
If it is homozygous :
then P : GGi1i2 ggi2i2

G: Gi1 Gi2 gi2

F1 : Ggi1i2 Ggi2i2 1
Deep green Brownish green

i.e. Deep green : Brownish green

1 : 1
(2 phenotypes only)

If is heterozygous :

OR To cross the deep green individual (GGi1i2 / Ggi1i2)

with a pale blue individual (ggi1i2) :
1

If it is homozygous :
then P : Ggi1i2 ggi2i2

G: Gi1 Gi2 gi1 gi2 gi2

F1 : Ggi1i2 Ggi2i2 ggi1i2 ggi2i2 1

Deep Brownish Deep Purple
green green blue
1 : 1 : 1 : 1

(4 phenotypes only)
 If it is heterozygous :
then P : GGi1i2 ggi1i1

G: Gi1 Gi2 gi1

F1 : Ggi1i1 Ggi1i2 1
Pale green Deep green

i.e. Pale green : Deep green

1 : 1
(2 phenotypes only)
then P : Ggi1i2 ggi1i1

G: Gi1 Gi2 gi1 gi2 gi1

F1 : Ggi1i1 Ggi1i2 ggi1i1 ggi1i2 1

Pale Deep Pale Deep
green green blue blue
1 : 1 : 1 : 1

(4 phenotypes only) (4)

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HKALE 1992 Biology Paper II
4. (a) X and Y defined
1
h
= recessive haemophilia gene (define)
1+1

parent : XhYXhX 1+1

haemophiliac malecarrier female +
Possible XX
h h
XX
h
XYh
XY 1
offspring haemo philiac carrier female Haemo philiac normal male 1
female male

since haemophilia gene is recessive therefore there is a 1 : 3 chance of

a haemophiliac female being conceived

(b) At puberty menstruation starts. Blood loss from uterus which normally
clots, leads to uncontrollable haemorrhage for haemophiliac female
3

(c) Counsel about chances of survival advice

3
Either abortion if in early pregnancy
Attempt birth - warn of frequent transfusion, administration of clotting
factors, lower quality of life, puberty problems
any reasonable suggestion : 1 marks each, up to 3 marks

(d) (i) Gene mutation

2
change in base sequence due to addition / deletion / substitution
etc.

(ii) chromosome mutation

2
change in chromosome number
change in gross structure of chromosome

(e) Avoid ingestion / contact / exposure to mutagenic chemicals

2
e.g. suntan oils
 Avoid exposure to ionising radiations e.g. X-rays, nuclear events
(20)
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HKALE 1993 Biology Paper II
1. (a) (i) Anticodon is a three-base sequence on a tRNA molecule while
codon is a three-base sequence on a mRNA molecule. Anticodon
is complementary to codon.
2

(ii) Continuous variations are variations in a phenotypic character that

are smooth and continuous e.g. height of adult men. Discontinuous
variations are distinct or abrupt. e.g. eye colour of man
2
(4)
(b) (i) (1) The gene for colour blindness is recessive.
1+
It is because daughters of individual A are not colourblind
while each of them must have inherited an X chromosome
with a colourblind gene from their father .
That is, the colourblind gene must be recessive.
2

(2) The gene for haemophilia is recessive

1+
It is because a son of individual D is a haemophiliac while
individual D herself is normal. That is, the son must have
inherited an X chromosome with a recessive haemophilia
gene from his mother.
2

(ii) Define symbols :

X c as X chromosome with colourblind gene
X h as X chromosome with haemophilia gene
X hc as X chromosome with the colourblind and haemophilia gene
X and Y as sex chromosomes with the respective normal genes.
2
(N.B. Accept other well-defined symbols, mark each)

Genotype for A is X c Y )
B is X h X )
C is X h Y ) (1 mark each)
5
 D is X c X h )
E is X h X h )

(iii) individual F normal man

c
P: XhX XY

F1 : XhX XhY XcX XcY 2

normal haemophiliac normal female colourblind
female male male
the probability of her son being a haemophiliac is 50%
1
(16)
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HKALE 1994 Biology Paper I
13. (a) Inheritance of herbicide response is due to partial / incomplete
dominance (1) of the
1
alleles (gene) controlling this trait. T has alleles (gene) sensitive to
herbicide, and mutant A has alleles (gene) for high tolerance. Since both
T () and A () are
1
homozygous with respect to their response, their F1s are
heterozygous () for the

herbicide response. These F1s show moderate tolerance () due to the
incomplete /
+
partial dominance of allele (gene) from mutant A (1). Similarly mutant B
has allele 1
(gene) homozygous for moderate tolerance (), the F1 of T B are
heterozygous () for the herbicide response, Yet these F1s show low
tolerance () due to the incomplete /
+
partial dominance of allele (gene) from mutant B.(1)
1
max. 6
(b) (i) The phenotypic ratio for the F2 (A x B) would be :

10 : 3 : 2 : 1 1
High Tolerance : Medium Tolerance : Low Tolerance : Sensitive 1

This ratio indicates that 2 pairs of genes / 2 genes segregated

independently at gamete formation are involved in the inheritance
of herbicide sensitive character.
1
(3)
Mark deduction : no mark for ratio if phenotypes do not match.

(ii) T = aabb
A = AAbb
B = aaBB
3
 Mark deduction : inappropriate use of symbols for Topas as reference, if symbol for
Topas are wrong, then all wrong for b(ii) & (c)..

(c) A T = Aabb
B T =aaBb
2

(d) ionizing radiation / mutagenic chemicals

1

Accept : mutagen
Mustard gas
X-ray
UV light
(Total : 15 marks)
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HKALE 1995 Biology Paper I
11. (a) Giant flower : dominant
1
short internode : recessive
1

(b) Yes

Definition of gene symbol

1
e.g. Let G be the dominant allele representing giant flower / for flower size.
Let g be the recessive allele representing small flower / for flower size.
Let L be the dominant allele representing long internode / for internode
length.
Let l be the recessive allele representing short internode / for internode
length.
wild plant cultivar
1
genotypes of G g g g
parents for
() ()
linked gene L L l L 1

gamete types G g g
() () 1
L L l

F1 genotypes G g g g () or 0

L l L l

F1 phenotypes Giant flower Small flower (max. 4)

& &
long internode long internode
phenotypic ratio 1 : 1
(N.B. Linkage of genes must be clearly shown, otherwise, the genetic
diagram scores no mark.)

(c) (i) (1) The desirable plant (with giant flowers and short
internodes) should have genotype GGll or Ggll (Symbols used
should be consistent with those defined in part (b))(If students do
not attempt part (b) : 1
but attempt part (c) with symbols defined, award 1
 additional mark in part (c)).

(2) For markers' reference only ; genotype

Cultivar plant (giant flower, ggll short internode)
produces gamete : gl
F1 - 1 (giant flower, long internode) GgLl produces
gametes : GL, Gl, gL, gl
F1 - 2 (small flower & long internode) ggLl produces
gametes : gL, gl

General marking criteria :

Cross between parent with phenotype and another parent with phenotype
(1).
some offsprings show the desirable character ().
The genotype of the offsprings (1), screening exercise
(). Gamete types (1).
Any one of the following crosses :
backcross / cross between those F 1 plants with
giant flower and long internode and the cultivar (1)
produces progeny with genotype Ggll (1) at a
chance of (). Screen this phenotype out from the
rest . The gamete types producing the desirable
trait are gl from the cultivar and Gl from the F1
plants (1).
intercross / selfing between the F1 plants with giant
flowers and long internodes (1) yield GGll and
Ggll plants amongst the progenies (1) at a chance
of 3/16 (). Screen these plants out from the rest
(). The gamete types producing the desirable trait
are Gl and Gl giving GGll or Gl and gl giving Ggll
(1).
intercross between the two classes of F1 plants (1)
yields Ggll amongst the progeny at a chance of
(). Screen these plants out from the rest (). The
gamete type from the F1 plant with giant flowers
and long internode is Gl while the gamete type
from the other F1 plant with small flowers and long
internode is gl (1).

(max. 4)
 (Note : the gamete type from each parent must be accurately
stated)
(Bonus : l mark if mentions further breeding / screening to
get a double homozygote.)

(ii) Only accept the type of pollination that goes with the
breeding programme suggested in (c)(i)(2).
cross-pollinated sever the stamens of one parent and
the-stigma of the other (to prevent
self-pollination)
1
manually use a brush to transfer
pollen from one parent to the next.
1
OR
self-pollinated manually use a brush to transfer
pollen from stamen to stigma of
same plant / flower, between similar
parental plants.
1
then wrap flowers with plastic sheet
to prevent cross pollination.
1
(2)
(iii) vegetative propagules
+
vegetative propagules will develop into mature plants
mitotically ()/ reproduce asexually thus the phenotype and
genotype of the parent is maintained ()/ no variation.
1
(1)
(Total : 15 marks)

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HKALE 1997 Biology Paper II
3. (a) Meiosis () in the formation of spores () / pollen and embryo sac / male
and female gametophytes. Crossing over () at meiosis between
homologous chromosomes results in reciprocal exchange of genetic
material (), random assortment of chromosomes into daughter nuclei
(). 2
Pollination and Fertilization are a random processes (1) resulting in
random combination of genetic make-up from the gametes ().
1
Cross pollination / fertilization involves genes from 2 parents resulting in
new combination of genetic make-up (1).
1
Mutation () - changes in DNA () , chromosome structure () in all
phases in the life cycle.
1

(b) (i) Let S be the dominant allele for petal-lie sepals.

Let s be the recessive allele for scale-lie sepals

For the F1 :
mutant / parental genotypes SsxSs()

F1 genotypes of the remaining plants SS Ss Ss () ss (removed)
F1 genotypic ratio 1 2 1
1 : 2 or : ()
4 4
For the F2 :
There are two parental types for F2 i.e. SS and Ss, selfing of each will give rise to :
SSSS() SsSs() SsSs 1

F2 genotypes of SS() SS, Ss, Ss (), ss SS, Ss, Ss, ss 1
the remaining (removed) (removed)
plants
F2 genotypic ratio 1 1 1 1 1
() SS : Ss = (
) : SS : Ss = ( )
3 3 4 3
:
2 1 2
(1 mark) :
4 4 4
1 2 1 1
Proportion of SS : 1 (mark) =
3 3 4 2
 2 2 1
Proportion of Ss : (mark) =
3 4 3
1

Proportion of SS : Ss = 3 : 2 ()

(Deduct mark if answer does not convey idea of removing scale-
like sepal plants)

Continual inbreeding and picking of the double recessive genotype will

result in the
1
homozygotes with dominant alleles being more in proportion than the
heterozygotes (1)
(max. 7)
(ii) Red ()

The 3 : 1 red to white petal colour ratio / the co-existence of red

and white petal colour in F2 indicates than F1 is heterozygous for
petal colour (1). As all F1 is red () / white colour cannot express in
the presence of red, red petal is the dominant character.
2

The 3 : 1 phenotypic petal colour ratio indicates that a single gene

is controlling petal colour ().

Let R be the dominant allele for red petals.
Let r be the recessive allele for white petals.

To give rise to heterozygous F1, the 2 parents must be

homozygous in their own petal colour (1) which are different () .
Thus the mutant parent must have white petals () since it is given
that the other parent has red petals.
2

For sepal form, the F1 plants show 1 : 1 ratio () indicating that one
parent is homozygous recessive while the other must be
heterozygous () .
1
 or
For sepal form, the mutant parent is heterozygous (given) while
the parent with scale-like sepal must be a double recessive since
scale-like sepal is a recessive character (1).

Genotype of mutant having petaloid sepal is : rrSs (1).

Genotype of parent with red petal and scale-like sepals : RRss (1).
2

(Deduct mark for not specifying the genotypes belong to which

parents).

(max. 7)
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