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MAY/JUE 2000

CXC
BIOLOGY

Paper 03 - General Proficiency

1 hour

SECTIO A

Answer OE question from this section.

1. (a) Draw an outline of the human body and indicate, on your diagram, the approximate location of
the endocrine glands involved in growth and development. Briefly describe the role of EACH organ
named.

(6 marks)

(b) Glands produce secretions which must be discharged.

(i) With reference to named examples, State TWO ways in which glandular secretions reach
their sites of action.

(ii) Suggest why two different methods are used to transport secretions to their target organs.

(6 marks)

(c) Some scientists consider the liver to be most important organ in the body. To what extent do
you think this is true? Support your answer with reasons.

(8 marks)

Total 20 marks

2. Materials which are in excess of an organism's requirements may either be stored or excreted.

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(a) (i) Discuss using suitable examples, why some materials can be stored, and others have to
be excreted.

(ii) Explain why BOTH plants and animals store food.

(9 marks)

(b) Draw a simple diagram of a kidney tubule. (Blood supply to the tubule not required.)
Annotate the diagram to show where, in the tubule, the main processes involved in urine production
take place.

(5 marks)

(c) How might EACH of the following conditions affect the functioning of the kidneys?

(i) Hypertension

(ii) An ADH deficiency

(iii) Kidney stones (insoluble crystals in the kidney)

(6 marks)

Total 20 marls

SECTIO B

Answer OE question from this section.

3. (a) (i) Distinguish between self-pollination and cross-pollination.

(ii) Some legumes are adapted for both self-pollination and cross-pollination. Suggest why
this may be advantages to the species.

(4 marks)

(b) (i) Describe the events which take place after pollination that result in the development of a
seed.

(ii) Suggest TWO reasons why some plans have no means of dispersing seeds.

(8 marks)

(c) A newly introduced disease attacked the agricultural crops in a particular region. Many plants
died. A very high percentage of the survivors were the offspring of plants which had been cross-

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pollinated. However, most of the dead plants were from varieties which are normally self-pollinated.

Use your biological knowledge of inheritance to explain these facts as fully as possible.

(8 marks)

Total 20 marks

4. (a) Distinguish between natural and artificial immunity, and discuss the importance of
immunisation in controlling the spread of disease.

(6 marks)

(b) What similarities and differences exist between the methods of control of a named deficiency
disease and a named physiological disease?

(6 marks)

(c) Assume that there is an epidemic of a fungus that infected a wide range of plant species and
an equally serious epidemic among cattle in your territory.

(i) Give TWO reasons why it is important to control plant and animal disease.

(ii) In the case described above, which epidemic should be controlled first? Fully explain
your answer.

(8 marks)

Total 20 marks

SECTIO C

Answer OE question from this section.

5. (a) (i) Explain the importance of the components of soil in making it a suitable habitat for
plants and animals.

(ii) Suggest TWO ways in which an aquatic environment might not be as 'good' as the
soil.

(8 marks)

(b) Unlike animals such as man, a single-celled organism with the characteristics of a typical

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animal cell can only survive in an aquatic environment. Suggest THREE reasons why this is so.
Explain your answer fully.

(6 marks)

(c) A farm can b considered an artificial habitat compared to the natural environment. What are
the disadvantages of growing plants and animals under conditions such as those of a farm?

(6 marks)

Total 20 marks

6. Organisms in an environment show many different relationships for a variety of reasons.

(a) With references to named organisms, explain the importance of parasitism and mutualism to
the organisms involved in these relationships.

(6 marks)

(b) (i) Discuss THREE possible advantages and/or disadvantages to an epiphyte in its
relationship with a tree. (Three points only required.)

(ii) Many parasites reproduce asexually. Suggest why this might be an advantage for the
parasitic mode of life.

(8 marks)

(c) Construct a food web consisting of not less than FIVE organisms, including a named parasite.

(6 marks)

Total 20 marks

ED OF TEST

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