HKALE 1991 Biology Paper I.......................................................................................

1
HKALE 1991 Biology Paper I.......................................................................................9
 Question
HKALE 1991 Biology Paper I
9. The autoradiographs below show freshly detached leaves of tobacco, each of which has
been treated with a spot of a radioactive amino acid. The regions circled by white dotted
lines show the areas where the radioactive amino acid was applied. The relative ages of
the leaves are shown. The left half of leaf C and the right half of leaf D were painted with
the plant hormone called kinetin.

(a) How does the movement of the amino acid differ between the young leaf A and the
mature leaf B ? Suggest a reason for this difference. (5 marks)

(b) Comparing leaves B and C, what is the effect of the kinetin on the movement of
the amino acid ?
(1 mark)

(c) Comparing leaves B and D, how does the kinetin affect the movement of the
amino acid ? (1 mark)

(d) Comparing leaf A with leaves B, C and D, suggest a possible role for kinetin in
cellular activities. Explain your answer. (3 marks)

(e) Suggest where, in whole plants, kinetin is most likely to be produced. (3 marks)

(f) Explain why, in this experiment, it is important to use freshly detached leaves
rather than detached leaves which have been stored for some time. (3 marks)
(g) Briefly describe the effects of kinetin on the growth and development of plants. (3
marks)

(h) Suggest ONE commercial use for kinetin. (1 mark)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1992 Biology Paper II
7. Discuss the roles of hormones in the life of flowering plants. (20 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1993 Biology Paper I
9. In an experiment to study the effect of plant hormones on the growth of pea seedlings,
etiolated pea seedlings were decapitated. The apical region of each epicotyl was
marked off into a 10 mm 'segment' as shown below :

The seedlings were then separated into 3 batches each of 120. Two of the batches were
treated with plant hormone A or B as shown in the table below.

The different batches were then allowed to grow in total darkness for 5 days. At daily
intervals, 20 'segments' from each batch were cut off and their mean length (L) and
W
mean fresh weight (W) determined. for each batch was also calculated. The
L
results are shown in the following table :

Control + Hormone A + Hormone B

L W W L W W L W W
Day
L L L
(mm) (mg) (mm) (mg) (mm) (mg)
(mg/mm) (mg/mm) (mg/mm)
0 10.0 20.5 2.05 10.0 21.0 2.10 10.0 21.5 2.15
1 10.2 21.0 2.06 10.3 27.5 2.67 12.5 25.0 2.00
2 10.8 21.5 1.99 10.9 42.5 3.90 15.5 36.0 2.32
3 11.0 22.0 2.00 11.2 60.0 5.36 22.0 49.5 2.25
4 11.5 22.0 1.91 11.4 69.5 6.10 29.5 59.0 2.00
5 11.4 22.5 1.97 11.3 60.5 5.35 30.0 60.0 2.00

(a) With reference to the data on mean length (L), what conclusions can be drawn ? (2
marks)

(b) What does the mean fresh weight of the 'segments' (W) tell you about the cell
volume of the seedlings ? Explain your answer.
 (4 marks)
W
(c) Following your reasoning in part (b), what does mean ?
L
(2 marks)
W
(d) Plot a graph to show how changes with time for both the control and those
L
seedlings treated with hormone A. (4 marks)

(e) What conclusions can be drawn from the graph ? (2 marks)

(f) Name a plant hormone which may have characteristics similar to hormone B. (1
mark)

W
(g) Suggest a possible explanation for the decrease in on day 5 relative to that of
L
day 4 in the batch of seedlings treated with hormone A. (1 mark)

(h) Explain the reasons behind the following experimental procedures :

(i) decapitation of the pea seedlings

(ii) growing of seedlings in total darkness (4 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1995 Biology Paper I
10. In a pot-growth experiment conducted in two controlled-environmental chambers, roots
of pine seedlings at the same stage of growth were inoculated with a fungus. A control
experiment was also carried out using uninoculated seedlings. The two chambers were
set to provide CO2 at a concentration of 0.036% and 0.072% respectively. A number of
seedlings were harvested after six weeks of growth. The fungus was found to infect the
roots only and its extent of infection is shown in the table below. Several growth
parameters of the pine seedlings were measured and their mean values are shown in
the following table :

CO2 Uninoculated
Inoculated seedlings
Concentration / % seedlings
Whole seedling 0.036 0.33 0.13
dry weight / g 0.072 0.51 0.18
Root dry weight / g 0.036 0.15 0.05
0.072 0.30 0.06
Shoot dry weight / g 0.036 0.18 0.08
0.072 0.21 0.12
Intensity of fungal 0.036 0.65 0.10
infection in root 0.072 1.34 0.15
(arbitrary unit)

(a) (i) What is the effect of doubling the CO 2 concentration on the whole seedling
dry weight of the inoculated seedlings ? Give a reason for your answer. (2
marks)

(ii) State the effect of fungal inoculation on the whole seedling dry weight at both
CO2 concentrations. (1 mark)

(b) (i) Calculate the root: shoot (dry weight) ratios of the inoculated and
uninoculated seedlings at both CO2 concentrations. Express the ratios in
decimals and tabulate your answer. (4 marks)

(ii) How did this increase in CO2 concentration affect the root: shoot (dry weight)
ratios in the inoculated and uninoculated seedlings ? What can you deduce
from such information regarding the relative growth rate of the shoot and root
of pine seedlings ? (4 marks)
(c) Compare the effect of doubling the CO 2 concentration on the intensity of fungal
infection in the inoculated and uninoculated seedlings. (2 marks)

(d) Based on the data provided, suggest an application of such a fungal plant
interaction. Explain your answer. (2 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1995 Biology Paper II
3. (a) How do the physical properties of soil affect plant growth ? (7 marks)

(b) Explain the importance of nitrogen and phosphorus in plant growth and
development. (4 marks)

(c) Outline the functions of auxins and cytokinins in the growth and development of
plants. Give three applications of auxins and one application of cytokinins in
horticulture. (9 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1991 Biology Paper I
9. (a) Young leaf A
amino acid remains in the applied region / little movement away
from the point of application
1
Mature leaf B
amino acid moves out from the applied region to other parts of the
leaf and out of the leaf via the veins and midrib.
1
Reason :
the young leaf is developing and undergoes active cell division and
requires an import of amino acids for protein synthesis /
construction of new cellular structures, therefore there is no excess
amino acid for export to other areas
2
whereas in the mature leaf, it is no longer growing (anabolism =
catabolism) and so excess amino acid is transported to other
"sink" areas
1

(5)

(b) Kinetin promotes / stimulates the movement of amino acid towards

regions where kinetin is present in a higher concentration.
(1)

(c) Kinetin inhibits the movement of amino acids away from regions where
Kinetin is present in a higher concentration .
(1)

(d) Kinetin is likely to be responsible for the maintenance or stimulation of

cell division / normal cellular activity / protein synthesis
1
because leaf D has the same pattern of radioactivity as that of leaf A
1
whose cells are actively growing / engaged in protein synthesis
1

(3)
 (e) shoot apices 1)
root apices 1)
buds 1)
any 3
cambia 1)
young leaves 1)
(3)
(f) because translocation of amino acids via the phloem
1
is an energy consuming process
1
thus, the synthetic machinery of the cells must be in good condition
otherwise they wont take up the extra amino acids for protein synthesis
even under the influence of the Kinetin
1
or other reasonable explanations
(3)
(g) promote cell division in apical meristem and cambium 1)
inhibit primary root growth / promote lateral root growth 1)
promote fruit growth 1)
promote lateral bud growth 1)
any 3
delay leaf senescence 1)
break bud / seed dormancy 1)
(3)

(h) prolong the shelf life of fresh leaf crops e.g. cabbage, lettuce 1)
keep flowers fresh 1)
any 1
break seed dormancy 1)
(1)

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HKALE 1992 Biology Paper II
7. Roles of hormones in the life of flowering plants

(a) Seed dormancy :

low IAA and GA breaks seed dormancy
2
otherwise no growth can occur

(b) Germination :
5
synthesis of -amylase and other enzymes takes place in the outer
layers of the endosperm in response to GA secreted by the
embryo
the amylase digests and mobilizes the food reserves
cells in the embryo grow to form the plumule and radicle under the
stimulation of hormones
the plumule exhibits negative geotropism whereas the radicle
exhibits positive geotropism; such tropic responses are also
controlled by plant hormones

(c) Growth and differentiation :

12
in the meristem, IAA and GA stimulate cell division, differentiation
and elongation
stem elongation in the internodes is controlled by hormones
cambial activities where new xylem and phloem elements are
formed are also controlled by hormones; this results in radial
growth
apical dominance - suppression of lateral / axillary buds
leaf senescence and abscission and controlled by hormones
root growth, elongation and formation of laterlal roots are
controlled by hormones
role of hormones in effecting the various tropic movements in
plants

(d) Reprodcution :
2
seed / fruit formation is controlled by IAA and GA
maturation of fruit and finally fruit drop are also controlled by IAA
A statement of the degree in which the life of a green plant is
affected by its hormones.
1
max. 20

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HKALE 1993 Biology Paper I
9. (a) Hormone A did not show any appreciable effect on the elongation of pea epicotyl.
1
Hormone B had a stimulatory effect on the elongation of pea epicotyl.
1

(b) In darkness, seedlings rely only on food reserve for growth,

1
any increase in fresh weight must be due to absorption of water
1
That means, the mean fresh weight (W) is directly proportional
1
to the cell volume of the seedlings which results in an increase in cell volume
1

W volume
(c) this ratio indicates the degree of cell expansion relative
L length
to that of elongation. The greater the ratio, the cells expand more in
diameter than elongate in length.
2

(d) Refer to the graph shown below :

title of graph

properly drawn and fully labelled x and y axes
1
the 2 curves correctly plotted
2
the 2 curves labelled or keyed

 8
A graph showing the effect of hormones A on of the epicotyls with time
W
L
6

+ H o rm o n e A

W
L 4
(m g / m m )

C o n tro l

T im e ( d a y )

(e) hormone A enhances cell expansion as reflected by the increasing

W
of the pea segments
L
1
The enhancement in cell expansion appears to be proportional to
the days of treatment with hormone A until the maximal effect
achieved on day 4.
1

(f) hormone B - IAA (indoleacetic acid) / GA (Gibberellins)

1

(g) On day 5, the seedlings may start to die off because prolonged
treatment of plant hormone may become inhibitory to growth / the
hormone loses its potency after 4 days / water content decreases.
1

(h) (i) to remove endogenous plant hormones in the apical meristem so

that their effect on plant growth could not be mixed up with the
exogenously applied hormone.
2
(ii) seedlings could grow vertically to facilitate measurement of
length
to facilitate elongation
2
(20)

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HKALE 1995 Biology Paper I
10. (a) (i) Increasing / doubling the concentration of CO2 increased the
dry weight / biomass of the inoculated seedlings (1). This is
because the increased CO2: increased the
1
rate of photosynthesis thus forming more biomass (1).
1
(2)

(ii) At both concentrations of CO2 the whole seedling dry-weight

of the inoculated seedlings were about 2-3 folds higher than
that of the uninoculated ones / fungal inoculation increased
the weight.
1

(b) (i)
CO2 Root : shoot (dry weight ratio)
concentration Inoculated Uninoculated
0.036 0.83 (1) 0.63 (1)
0.072 1.43 (1) 0.50 (1) 4

Mark deduction : No table, minus 1 mark ; ratios not expressed in

decimals, minus 1 mark, column / row not labelled, minus mark.

(ii) In the inoculated seedlings, the root : shoot dry weight ratio
increased as the concentration of CO2 increased (1), which
indicated that the root development / the relative growth rate
of root was faster than that of the shoot (1). However, in the
uninoculated seedlings, the root : shoot ratio decreased
slightly in higher concentration of CO2 (1), indicating that
shoot development was better/the relative growth rate of
shoot (1).
4

(c) For both inoculated and uninoculated seedlings, the intensities of

fungal infection increased (1) as CO2 concentration doubled.
However, the increase is more in the inoculated seedlings than in
the uninoculated seedlings (1).
 2

(d) Reforestation / agriculture / re-vegetation of waste-land (1).

Explanation : Fungal inoculation accelerated the growth of the
root, thus facilitate establishment of seedlings (1).
2
OR Fungal inoculation leads to an increase in whole seedling dry
weight ..increases the productivity / yield of crops in agriculture.
(1)
OR For growing plants in infertile/poor soil (1) because fungal
inoculation improves yield (1).
(Total : 15 marks)

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HKALE 1995 Biology Paper II
3. (a) soil texture () determined by proportion of clay : silt : sand (1) which affects
support a soil can offer to plants (), porosity and capillarity (), a
loam soil is best for plant growth (). Max.2
Porosity () affects aeration () which in turn influences respiratory activities
() of the root, energy consuming absorption () processes and
growth (). It affects water holding capacity () of the soil and
affects availability of water for plant growth (). (Accept water
retentivity as alternative, accept drainage as alternative) 3
capillarity () affects the ease with which water is pulled to the roots for
absorption(1). 1
soil colour () / A dark soil keeps more heat than light soil ()
temperature temperature directly affects root growth by its effect on metabolic
rate () temperature also affects microbial activity () hence max.2
nutrient availability ().
(Note : Alternative headings are acceptable)
(max.7)

(b) Nitrogen is important as a component of proteins / amino acids, auxin,

chlorophyll, nucleotides and nucleic acids. (any three) (1) It is needed
for general plant growth () especially proper leaf growth / development
(). Phosphorus is essential for the production of (any 2) nucleic acids,
ATP and membrane phospholipid(1). It is needed for (any 1) flowering,
fruiting and root development ().
4
(4)
(c) Function of promotes cell enlargement () & enlongation () in undifferentiated cells
(c) Auxins () resulting in growth in length () (any 2 of the following, each) 2
promotes fruit growth
inhibits lateral growth
delays abscission 1
Application (Any three of the following, 1 mark each)
of auxins synthetic auxins as weed killers (1)
used to stimulate fruit development / production of seedless fruit (1)
induces root formation in artificial vegetative propagation(1)
prolong storage time of potato (1).
prevents fruit abscission (1). 3
Functions promotes cell division () in apical meristem and cambium () 1
of (any 2 of the following, each)
Cytokinins promotes lateral growth
breaks bud and seed dormancy
delay leaf senescence 1
Application (Any one of the following, 1 mark each)
of promotes parthenocarpy
cytokinins induces shoot formation
prolongs life of fresh leafy
crops / keep flowers fresh
break dormancy in seeds 1
(9)

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