Biology...A. point mutation. B. chromosomal inversion. C. frameshift mutation. D. polyploidy. 9 Introns are: A. regions of DNA that are expressed in a polypeptide. B. unlikely to cause

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Student Number

2019

TRIAL HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION

Biology

General Instructions

• Reading time – 5 minutes

• Working time – 3 hours

• Write using black pen

• Draw diagrams using pencil

• For questions in Section II, show all

relevant working in questions

involving calculations

• NESA-approved calculators may be

used

Write your Student Number where

required.

Total Marks – 100

Section I - 20 marks (pages 2 - 10)

• Attempt Questions 1 - 20

• Allow about 35 minutes for this section

Section II – 80 marks (pages 11 - 27)

• Attempt Questions 21 - 39

• Allow about 2 hours and 25 minutes for

this section

Directions to School or College To ensure integrity and security, examination papers must NOT be removed from the examination room. Examination papers may not

be returned to students until August 26th 2019 These examination papers are supplied Copyright Free; as such the purchaser may

photocopy and/or make changes for educational purposes within the confines of the School or College.

All care has been taken to ensure that this examination paper is error-free and that it follows the style, format and material content of

the Higher School Certificate Examination in accordance with the NESA requirements. No guarantee or warranty is made or implied

that this examination paper mirrors in every respect the actual HSC Examination paper for this course.

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Section I

20 marks

Attempt Questions 1 – 20.

Allow about 35 minutes for this section.

Use the multiple-choice answer sheet provided for Questions 1 – 20.

1 The following diagrams illustrate two cells from different preparations that are in

particular stages of nuclear division. Identify the phases labeled X and Y.

X Y

A. X - Metaphase I of mitosis; Y - Metaphase II of mitosis

B. X - Metaphase I of meiosis; Y - Metaphase II of meiosis

C. X - Metaphase I of meiosis; Y - Metaphase II of mitosis

D. X - Metaphase II of meiosis; Y - Metaphase I of meiosis

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2 Which of the following hormones is correctly matched with its function?

A. oestrogen/estradiol prevents contractions of the uterus to maintain pregnancy

B. glucagon stimulates storage of glucose in the liver

C. progesterone relaxes the pelvis and joints to allow for birth

D. oxytocin stimulates contractions of the uterus to promote birth

3 A team of researchers wanted to determine the rate of RNA synthesis in a population of

yeast cells in culture. Which of the following radioactively-labeled substances should

they add to the nutrients provided in the culture medium?

A. cytosine

B. guanine

C. uracil

D. thymine

4 The following diagram shows the inheritance of blood type in a family and indicates the

blood type phenotype of several members. The phenotype of one individual in each

generation is missing.

Which of the following gives the possible blood types of individuals I, 2 and II, 3?

Generation I, Individual 2 Generation II, Individual 3

A. A AB

B. AB O

C. O B

D. AB B

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5 The following graphs show the frequency distribution of phenotypes in a population for

three different traits.

The types of inheritance responsible for the three traits are most likely to be:

Trait 1 Trait 2 Trait 3

A. one gene - two alleles polygenic one gene - multiple alleles

B. polygenic one gene - multiple alleles polygenic

C. two linked genes one gene - multiple alleles one gene - multiple alleles

D. one gene - multiple alleles one gene - two alleles polygenic

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6 In a population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, there are two alleles, A and a, for a

particular gene. If the frequency of the a allele is 0.4, what is the frequency of genotype

AA?

A. 0.16

B. 0.36

C. 0.40

D. 0.60

7 Which of the following lists only potential mutagens?

A. tobacco, base analogues, oncogenes

B. UV radiation, retroviruses, non-ionising radiation

C. UV radiation, transposable genetic elements, microwaves

D. ionising radiation, base analogues, exons

8 Sickle cell anaemia is caused by the single substitution of an amino acid in haemoglobin.

This change is the result of a:

A. point mutation.

B. chromosomal inversion.

C. frameshift mutation.

D. polyploidy.

9 Introns are:

A. regions of DNA that are expressed in a polypeptide.

B. unlikely to cause phenotypic change if they undergo mutation.

C. non-coding sequences in DNA.

D. random repeated sequences that code for promoter proteins.

10 Which of the following has been achieved by gene cloning?

A. Production of the first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep

B. Copying of chromosomes to form polyploid plants

C. Economical production of insulin for diabetics

D. Development of hybrid vegetables such as broccolini

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11 The following diagram models the infection of a host by a parasite.

Content available under Creative Commons License: CC-BY-SA-3.0

The parasite is most likely to be a:

A. bacterium.

B. virus.

C. protozoan.

D. prion.

12 After a barbeque party one of the participants was diagnosed with hepatitis A. The other

people who attended the barbeque were advised to have an immunoglobulin injection just

in case they had also been exposed to the pathogen. This type of treatment is known as:

A. passive immunity

B. active immunity

C. vaccination

D. innate immunity

13 Certain molecules produced by T-cells act to stimulate other cells of the immune system.

These types of molecules are called:

A. antigens.

B. antibodies.

C. complement.

D. cytokines.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:CC-BY-3.0

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14 The following graph1 illustrates the mean changes in body temperature in two groups of

rhesus monkeys over a 7-day period. One group was infected on Day 0 with a respiratory

virus (RSV) using an aerosol that was inhaled by the monkeys. The other group was given

a “mock” infection on Day 0 using an aerosol inhalation with the same basic composition

as that received by the first group but without any virus. The temperature change scale is

in degrees Fahrenheit.

Which of the following conclusions is supported by the data in the graph?

A. The initial body temperatures of the RSV-infected monkeys were higher than those

of the mock-infected monkeys.

B. The RSV-infected monkeys showed an inflammatory response to the virus.

C. The changes in body temperature were so small that no conclusion can be drawn.

D. The sample sizes for each group were too small for any conclusion to be drawn.

1 McArthur-Vaughan, K. and Gershwin, L.J. (2002) A rhesus monkey model of respiratory syncytial virus infection. J

Med Primatol 31: 61–73.

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15 The following diagram illustrates three possible scenarios for transmission of a disease

through a population.

I

II

III

Content available under Creative Commons License: CC-BY-SA-4.0

Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

A. Scenario II illustrates herd immunity.

B. Herd immunity is effective for all bacterial and viral diseases.

C. Herd immunity is effective when most of the population are immunised.

D. Herd immunity ensures that your unvaccinated child will not contract an infectious

disease.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:CC-BY-3.0

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16 Hormonal and neural control of animal responses differ in which of the following ways?

A. Hormonal control involves chemical signalling molecules and neural control does

not.

B. Hormonal control can affect cells in widely-separated tissues of the body while

neural control is more localised.

C. Hormonal signals are more rapid than neural signals.

D. Hormonal control systems use negative feedback while neural control systems do

not.

17 The following micrographs show a transverse section through a Banksia leaf at different

magnifications.

Transverse section of a Banksia leaf Close-up of undersurface of the

same Banksia leaf Images reprinted by permission of Associate Professor Rosanne Quinnell, University of Sydney

Which of the following can be concluded from the information in the micrographs?

A. Banksia is a xerophyte.

B. Banksia is a C4 plant.

C. The sunken stomata on the leaf surface are an adaptation to conserve water.

D. The hairs on the leaf surface are for defence against herbivores.

18 Technology can be used to assist people with either hearing or visual disorders. A person

with short-sightedness (myopia) can be prescribed spectacles to correct their vision.

Which of the following correctly links the problem with the technological solution?

Problem causing short-sightedness Correction with spectacles

A. Eyeball is too long and images fall in front

of the retina, causing blurred vision.

Concave lenses in spectacles focus the

images onto the retina.

B. Eyeball is too long and images fall in front

of the retina, causing blurred vision.

Convex lenses in spectacles focus the


C. Eyeball is too short and images fall behind

the retina, causing blurred vision.

Concave lenses in spectacles focus the


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D. Eyeball is too short and images fall behind

the retina, causing blurred vision.

Convex lenses in spectacles focus the


19 A patient is diagnosed with a disorder in which the pituitary gland overproduces anti-

diuretic hormone (ADH). Which of the following combinations of symptoms would you

expect to be associated with this disorder?

A. Reduced urine volume and high blood osmolality

B. Increased urine volume and high blood osmolality

C. Reduced urine volume and low blood osmolality

D. Increased urine volume and low blood osmolality

20 Which of the following correctly relates a non-infectious disease to its cause?

Disease Cause

A. rickets nutritional - lack of Vitamin C

B. phenylketonuria nutritional – over-consumption of aspartame

C. scurvy genetic – lack of an enzyme

D. cirrhosis nutritional - over-consumption of alcohol

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Student Number

Section II Answer Booklet

80 marks

Attempt Questions 21 – 39.

Allow about 2 hours and 25 minutes for this section.

Instructions

• Answer the questions in the spaces provided. These spaces provide guidance for the

expected length of response.

• Show all relevant working in questions involving calculations.

• Extra writing space is provided at the back of this booklet. If you use this space, clearly

indicate which question you are answering.

Question 21. (5 marks)

(a) The function of all proteins is determined by their structure. Discuss this statement

using at least three examples of proteins found in the human body. 3

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(b) Outline the roles of mRNA and tRNA in polypeptide synthesis. 2

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Use a table to describe at least two ways in which the structure of chromosomes differs

between eukaryotes and prokaryotes. 2

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(a) Describe three ways in which sexual reproduction produces variation (new

combinations of genes) in offspring. 3

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(b) Identify two processes of asexual reproduction in named organisms and comment on

how variation can occur in these populations. 2

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(a) Using examples, clearly outline the difference between incomplete dominance and co-

dominance between alleles. 2

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(b) Draw a Punnett square to illustrate a cross between two individuals that are

heterozygous for a trait that shows co-dominance. Indicate the genotype and phenotype

ratios for the offspring in your answer. 3

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Outline examples of how population genetics can be used in conservation and management. 4

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In 1972 the biologist Susumu Ohno gave the name “junk DNA” to regions of DNA that do not

code for polypeptides and were thought at that time to have no role in cell function. However,

it has recently been discovered that certain non-coding regions of DNA have important

functions in the cell and the term “junk” is now only used to refer to highly-repetitive regions

of DNA.

Outline two functions of non-coding DNA and discuss the impact of mutations occurring in

these regions. 3

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Discuss the causes and impacts on the phenotype of at least two different types of chromosomal

mutations. 4

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Forensic science has made great advances in recent times with the development of

biotechnological techniques to match DNA from a crime scene with that of potential suspects.

Outline the techniques used in DNA profiling. 3

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Humans have been speeding up the rate of evolution of plants and animals since pre-historic

times using artificial selection and, more recently, biotechnological techniques to transfer genes

from one species to another.

Discuss this statement by comparing the rate of natural evolutionary change with the outcomes

of specific processes that have been implemented by humans to introduce new genes into

populations. Include in your answer a description of the techniques used to manipulate

genomes and an assessment of the potential impact these processes could have, in terms of both

environmental effects and the future evolution of populations. 9

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During your study of biology you investigated the responses of plants and animals to infection.

(a) Using a named example, describe the defences and/or responses of a plant to infection

by fungal, bacterial or viral pathogens. 2

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(b) Once a pathogen passes the body’s barriers and penetrates the tissues, a number of

responses, both specific and non-specific, are elicited. Discuss the mechanism of two

such non-specific responses to infection in animals. 2

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What is meant by the term “epidemic” and what are some of the factors that can give rise to an

epidemic? 3

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Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch were scientists whose work allowed for major advances in

medicine. Choose one of these scientists and discuss how their work contributed to our

understanding of infectious disease. 3

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Many components of traditional bush medicines have been recently studied by scientists and

shown to have therapeutic properties. A variety of plant-based bush medicines traditionally

used by indigenous Australians have been shown to be effective treatments for many diseases.

Using a named example, discuss a current application of such medicines and comment on any

ethical concerns that this has raised. 3

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Describe at least three adaptations of named pathogens that allow for entry into and

transmission between hosts. 3

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Our immune system functions to protect our bodies from pathogens. In certain cases, however,

serious disorders can arise from over-activity of the immune system. Discuss this statement

using specific examples. 5

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Discuss how and why renal dialysis is used to treat disorders of kidney function. 3

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Discuss the application and assess the effectiveness of the cochlear implant in assisting with the

effects of hearing loss. 3

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Cancer refers to a very large range of diseases that can affect all parts of the human body. The

causes of different cancers include genetic and environmental exposure.

(a) Define cancer. 1

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(b) Describe a type of cancer, including its specific cause, for each of the categories given

above. 2

(i) genetic

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(ii) environmental exposure

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(c) With respect to your answer to part (b) (ii) above, explain how a link was

discovered between environmental exposure and the prevalence of cancer. 2

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“Prevention is better than cure” is a statement that can be applied to both infectious and non-

infectious diseases, although the causes and hence prevention strategies for these two classes of

disease are very different.

Using specific examples, discuss the causes of infectious and non-infectious diseases and why

each requires different strategies for prevention. 8

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THIS IS THE END OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER.

Extra writing space is provided over the page.

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Section II extra writing space

If you use this space, clearly indicate which question you are answering.

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Biology...A. point mutation. B. chromosomal inversion. C. frameshift mutation. D. polyploidy. 9 Introns are: A. regions of DNA that are expressed in a polypeptide. B. unlikely to cause

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