BRITISH BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD 2012

ROUND TWO QUESTION PAPER

Time allowed 1
1
/
2
hours

Instrut!ons"
Answer #$$ questions on the answer sheet.
Write your names, school and centre number on the top of the answer sheet.
Answers written in margins or on the question paper will not be marked.
Do all rough work on the question paper.
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
ou may use a calculator.
When you ha!e completed the test and checked your answers, r%turn #$$ t%st
&#t%r!#$s to the in!igilator.
In'or&#t!on"
The paper consists of "# questions scoring $% marks.
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
Answers consist of one or more letters or numerals, plus and minus signs or the results
of numerical calculations.
&ood luck.
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q1 (1 &#r)*
Two molecules of D'A () and ))* are the same si+e (,---bp* but differ in base composition.
The first one contains %./ and the second one 00/ A 1 T
A. 2ow many & residues are there in D'A )3
4. Which molecule has the higher dissociation point3
Q2 (2 &#r)s*
5omplete the answer table to indicate which of the following statements are
true (1 * and which are false (+*.
A. 6ipids are a group of compounds that include triglycerides and steroid hormones such
as oestrogen and testosterone.
4. 7ore AT8 is produced from complete biological o9idation of one molecule of
triglyceride than from one molecule of glucose.
5. The number of AT8 molecules produced per o9ygen molecule utilised is greater for
complete o9idation of glucose than for fat.
D. :aturated fats contain fatty acids possessing one or more double bonds between
ad;acent carbon atoms.
Q, (2 &#r)s*
4ased on the information pro!ided in the following table, complete the synthesis process of
digesti!e en+ymes during phagocytosis<
, =eplication " >ndoplasmic reticulum
. Translation 0 ?esicle
@ Transcription # 6ysosome
% 7itochondrion A &olgi apparatus
(,* m='A-ribosome comple9 is transferred to A to continue 4 .
(.* :ynthesi+ed en+ymes enter 5 and D for modification.
(@* The modified en+ymes are stored in > .
Bill in the correct numbers in the table on the answer sheet.
Q- (1 &#r)*
)f a fish species from freshwater e!ol!ed into a marine fish species, which problem(s* of
osmoregulation would ha!e to be sol!ed3
A. >9cess salt would ha!e to be e9creted
4. Water would ha!e to be reabsorbed from the initial ultrafiltrate of the kidneys
5. The salt concentration of the blood would ha!e to be ad;usted to that of seawater
D. Drinking sea water would ha!e to be a!oided
>. 8ermeability of the skin would ha!e to be reduced.
Write on the answer sheet the $%tt%r(s* that apply.
2 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q. (- &#r)s*
Write the nu&/%r in the appropriate bo9 in the answer table to indicate the locations where
the !arious processes listed take place in the mammalian nephron.
6ocations<
,. =enal corpuscle
.. 8ro9imal con!oluted tubule
@. 6oop of 2enlC
%. Distal con!oluted tubule
". 6ate distal tubule and collecting duct
8rocesses<
A. Biltration of fluid that is isotonic to blood
B. =eabsorption of water, 'a
1
, D
1
, 5l
-
, 25E
@
-
, nutrients
C. =eabsorption of water, 'a
1
, 25E
@
F

D. :ecretion of 2
1
, '2
%
1
Q0 (2 &#r)s*
)f a man of #-kg mass ingests %-g alcohol, the alcohol le!el in his blood will rise to one part
per thousand. About ,g alcohol is eliminated per hour per ,-kg body mass. The man was
in!ol!ed in a traffic accident and ran away. A blood sample was taken from him after . hours.
)t contained -." parts per thousand of alcohol. Assuming he did not ingest any alcohol after
the accident, how much alcohol did his blood contain at the time of the accident3
A. ,.,- (parts per thousand*
4. -.$"
5. -.A
D. -.0"
>. -.""
Q1 (1 &#r)*
A shark is more likely to sur!i!e for an e9tended period of food depri!ation than is a dolphin
with equi!alent si+e because<
A. The shark maintains a higher basal metabolic rate.
4. The shark e9pends more energyGkg body mass than the dolphin.
5. The shark in!ests much less energy in temperature regulation.
D. The shark metaboli+es its stored energy more readily than the dolphin does.
>. The shark has a better insulation on its body surface.
Q2 (1 &#r)*
)ncreased arteriolar resistance contributes to hypertension. Which one of the following factors
contributes to the increased !ascular resistance most significantly3
A. ?essel length
4. 4lood !iscosity
5. ?ascular diameter
D. Total leucocyte counts
>. 2eart rate
3 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q3 (1 &#r)*
A method to estimate a mammalHs blood !olume uses a specific radioacti!e isotope of iodine
(
,.@
)*. This isotope, usually produced synthetically, has a half-life time of ,@ hours. )t decays
to
,.@
Te, which is almost perfectly stable. To estimate the blood !olume, ,- ml of iodine
solution are in;ected into the animalHs !ein. The acti!ity of the solution at the in;ection is
.m:!. A sample of ,- ml of the animalHs blood, taken ,@ hours after the in;ection, is
-.--."m:!. What is the estimated !olume of the animalHs blood3 (m:! is a unit of radiation*
A. ,-.- 6
4. A.- 6
5. %.- 6
D. .." 6
>. ,.." 6
Q10 (1 &#r)*
A number of the following events will result in an excitatory postsynaptic potential in an
experimentally stimulated neuron?
). )ncreasing sodium influ9.
)). 4locking potassium out-flu9.
))). )ncreasing calcium influ9.
)?. 5losing a chloride channel.
&i!e the letter which indicates the best combination of statements.
A. Enly ) I ))
4. Enly )) I )))
5. Enly ), ))) I )?
D. Enly )), ))) I )?
>. All of them
4 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q11 (1 &#r)*
The following figure illustrates the membrane potential changes measured at three different
sites (A, 4, 5* along a sensory neuron and the release of neurotransmitters from the a9on
termini when depolari+ing electrical stimuli with !aried intensities were applied to the
dendrite. 4ased on the information pro!ided in the figure below, choose the best combination
of statements in the following list.
1. The membrane potential changes e!oked at the A site would be proportional to the
intensity of the electrical stimuli applied to the dendrite.
2. An action potential would be recorded at the B site only when the intensity of the
applied current stimulus causes the membrane potential to be higher than the threshold
potential in the a9on hillock.
3. The frequency of the action potentials at 4 site is dependent on the duration of the
applied current stimulus at A.
4. The quantity of the neurotransmitters released from the a9on termini is unlikely to
depend on the frequency of the action potential at 5 site.
A. Enly , and .
B. Enly , and @
C. Enly . and @
D. Enly @ and %
E. Enly ,, ., and @
5 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q12 +1, (- &#r)s*
)n the following figure, the structure of fish gills and the direction of water flow in the
!entilation are illustrated. A I 4 are blood !essels.
Q12 (2 &#r)s*
During e!olution the gas e9change in gills has become more effecti!e. &i!e the letter(s* of the
statement(s* that isGare correct.

A. A decrease in the thickness of the structure 5
4. A decrease in the number of cell layers in structure 5
5. An increase in the metabolic rate of the structure 5
D. An increase in the cell !olume of the structure 5
>. An increase in the surface area of the structure 5
Q1, (2 &#r)s*
:cientists found a kind of epithelial cell (J cell* in the structure of D with which fish can
maintain body fluid osmolarity. &i!e the letter(s* of the statement(s* that isGare correct.
A. Absorb salt acti!ely in freshwater fish
4. >9crete salt acti!ely in marine fish
5. >9crete water acti!ely in freshwater fish
D. Absorb water acti!ely in marine fish
>. To generate AT8
6 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q1- (2 &#r)s*
Which of the following statements about thermo-adaptation in animals are correct and which
are incorrect3 Write 1 or F against the letters on the answer sheet.
A. 4lue-fin tuna are able to raise their core temperature. Therefore, it is an endothermic
animal.
B. )cefish spend all their life in free+ing, ice-laden, water and maintain a !ery stable body
temperature. Therefore, icefish are homeothermic animals.
5. :hi!ering can help mammals to generate heat, and it is regulated by the hypothalamus.
D. 4rown adipose tissues help mammals to generate heat by supplying energy to skeletal
muscles.
>. 4rown adipose cells are rich in mitochondria for heat generation.
Q1. (, &#r)s*
7aintenance of blood glucose le!el is important for normal physiological function. )t is
regulated by both the neural and endocrine system. The diagram below shows two different
situations resulting from physiological stress or low blood glucose le!el. A list of
organsGhormones in!ol!ed is also shown.
5omplete the table on the answer sheet by using the appropriate letters shown below.
7 of 24
Strutur%/hor&on%
cells of the pancreatic islets
)nsulin
6i!er
Adrenal medulla
5ortisol
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q10 (1 &#r)*
The diagram below shows the cross-section of part of a plant. With reference to the list of
terms select the letter which lists a combination of possibilities.
). :tem
)). =oot
))). 6eaf stalk
)?. Dicotyledon
?. 7onocotyledon
?). 2ydrophyte
?)). Terrestrial plant
A. ), )?,?)
4. )), ?, ?))
5. )), ?, ?)
D. )), )?, ?))
>. ))), )?,?))
Q11 (1 &#r)*
The concentration of ions in the sap of !essels of a tomato plant is in!estigated at three places
as shown in the diagram.
Which one of the statements below is most likely to account for the differences of ions
between stem and !ein3
A. >!aporation of water from the stomata.
4. 5apillary force of the 9ylem !essels.
5. )ntake of ions by leaf cells.
D. )ntake of water by leaf cells.
Q12 (1 &#r)*
2ow ha!e bryophytes (mosses I li!erworts* managed to sur!i!e on land3
A. They were the first plants to ha!e de!eloped stomata.
4. They do not require moist en!ironments for their reproducti!e cycles.
5. They grow close to the ground in relati!ely moist regions.
D. The sporophyte became independent of the gametophyte.
8 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q13 (1 &#r)*
The diagram below shows a section of a green non-woody stem with a !ascular bundle.
Which one of the following statements is correct3
A. :tarch would be found in the cells of area )))
4. Area )) differentiated from protoderm
5. Area )? contains lignin
D. Area ? is interfasicular cambium
Q20 (1 &#r)*
2ypersensiti!e response is one of the plant defence responses to pathogens. >ach of four
pathogen strains, # to 45 produce a distinct range of effectors. Ene of the effectors, Avr,
recogni+ed by a specific receptor protein encoded by the resistance (=* gene in the host plant,
is present in strains / and . 2ost plants I and I6 produce the = protein. Which plant(s* are
likely to de!elop a hypersensiti!e response after the host plants I to I6 are infected by
pathogens # to 4 (#I, /II, III, 4I6*, respecti!ely3
A. ) only
4. )) only
5. ))) only
D. )? only
>. )) and )))
B. )) and )?
Q21 (1 &#r)*
>thylene is a hormone that influences plantHs growth and de!elopment. )t is known that
treatment with ,- ppm of ,-methylcyclopropene (758* can block the signal transduction of
ethylene. )f certain plant tissues were treated with ,- ppm 758, which one of the following
phenotypes could be obser!ed in 758-treated tissues3
A. :horter hypocotyl in etiolated mung bean seedling
4. )ncreased degradation of chlorophyll in detached lea!es
5. )ncreased synthesis of ethylene in banana fruits
D. )nhibition of the ripening of tomato fruits
>. )nduction of the senescence of cut flowers
9 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q22 (1 &#r)*
'eil dissected a plant leaf and found bundle sheath cells full of starch granules. Which of the
following combination of characteristics can be obser!ed in this plant3
). :tomata open at night
)). 8resence of 8>8 carbo9ylase in mesophyll
))). 8resence of =ubisco in bundle sheath cells
)?. 2igh photorespiration rate on hot summer days
?. 5arbon fi9ation can occur in both mesophyll and bundle sheath cells
?). 5arbon assimilation rate is saturated in the early morning on summer days
A. Enly ), )?
4. Enly )), )?, ?
5. Enly )), )?, ?)
D. Enly )), ))), ?
>. Enly )), ))), ?, ?)
B. Enly )), )?, ?, ?)
Q2, (2 &#r)s*
The diagram shows the life cycle of a fungus.
). Which group does the fungus belong to3
A. Ascomycota
4. 4asidomycota
5. Kygomycota
)). Which kind of spores are spread at J3
A. 2aploid meiotic spores
4. 2aploid mitotic spores
5. Diploid spores
))). Which lifestyle is typical for this fungus3
A The fungus is a saprophytic
4 The fungus is parasitic
5 The fungus li!es symbiotically
)?. Where does meiosis take place3
A 7eiosis takes place at J
4 7eiosis takes place at
5 7eiosis doesnHt take place in this fungus
10 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q2- (- &#r)s*
The spectrum of light reaching the ground under a canopy in a forest differs from the light
reaching the ground in an open field. Bor each of questions ) to )? write the one correct letter
on the answer sheet.
) This difference is mostly due to which one of the following plant molecules3
A =ubisco. 4. 5hlorophyll, 5. 8hytochrome, D. 5ellulose
)). )n what respects does the light under a canopy differ from the light in an open field3
A. The ratio of blue to green light is higher
4. The ratio of red light to far red light is higher
5. The ratio of red to green light is higher
D. The ratio of far red to red light is higher
))). 8lants respond to the composition of light through the action of which of the following
compounds3
A. &ibberellin, 4. 5ytokinin, 5. 8hytochrome, D. 5ytochrome.
)?. )n which of the following respects do the plants under a canopy differ from plants of the
same species in an open field3
A. They ha!e longer internodes.
4. They ha!e shorter internodes.
5. They ha!e thicker stems.
D. Their anthocyanin content is higher.
Q2. (2 &#r)s*
At the time of pollination, the li!ing pollen grain typically consists of only the tube cell and
the generati!e cell. During the germination of pollen grain, a pollen tube is produced and the
nucleus of generati!e cell di!ides and forms two male gametes. Directed by a chemical
attractant (such as &A4A* produced by the synergids, the tip of the pollen tube enters the
o!ule through the micropyle. Then, in the embryo sac, a double fertili+ation occurs by the two
male gametes. &i!e the letters of whiche!er of the following descriptions are correct<
A. The tube cell, male gamete, and synergid are haploid, while the generati!e cell and the
+ygote are diploid.
4. During the pollination, a gradient in &A4A content is formed from the stigma (low* to
the o!ary (high*.
5. The two male gametes fertili+e two eggs, but only one forming the +ygote.
D. After fertili+ation, one +ygote and one endosperm initially are formed.
>. The germinated pollen grain is the male gametophyte, while the embryo sac is the
female gametophyte.
11 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q20 (2 &#r)s*
7ary di!ided @- pots of plant J of similar condition into ,- plants per group, with each
group being treated with different types of light regime. After a month, the flowering
phenotypes of each group are shown in the table below<
Treatment 6ight regime Blowering result
()* ,.hr ,.hr All ,- plants flowered
())* ,% hr ,- hr $ plants flowered, and , failed to flower
()))* ,0 hr A hr All ,- plants fail to flower
&i!e the letters of whiche!er of the following descriptions of 8lant J are correct<

A. 8lant J is a short day plant.
4. The critical dark-length required by plant J for flowering is less than ,- hours.
5. )f group ))) is gi!en a Lone-minute dark treatmentM in the middle of the light period,
after one month, most plants in this group will flower.
D. )f group )) is gi!en a Lone-minute red light treatmentM in the middle of the dark period,
most plants in this group will not flower after one month.
>. )f the apical buds of group ) plants are remo!ed before gi!ing the light regime
treatment, then most plants will not produce florigen required for flowering after
gi!ing light regime treatment.
Q21 (1 &#r)*
>li+abeth conducts D'A amplification and transcription reactions in two separate test tubes.
Which one of the following substances needs to be added to both reactions3
A. AT8
4. D'A template
5. ='A primer
D. D'A polymerase
>. D'A ligase
Q22 (1 &#r)*
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2009 was awarded jointly to Blackburn, Greider
and Szostak for the discovery that chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme
telomerase is highly correlated with ageing and cancer in animals. Which of the following
statements regarding telomere and telomerase is correct?
A. Telomerase is a D'A e9onuclease.
4. Telomerase is an ='A polymerase.
5. >mbryonic cells possess long telomeres and high telomerase acti!ity.
D. Telomeres are longer and telomerase is inacti!e in cancer cells.
>. Telomeres are longer and telomerase is highly acti!e in somatic cells.
12 of 24
Light Darkness
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q23 (1 &#r)*
An J-linked gene with alleles for black and orange determines coat colour in cats. 2alf the
offspring from crosses between pure breeding orange and black cats ha!e orangeGblack
mosaic coats. Which one of the following statements regarding the inheritance pattern of the
mosaic phenotype is correct3
A. 2alf of all male cats are mosaic.
4. The mosaic phenotype is a consequence of gene interaction.
5. The mosaic phenotype is correlated with genetic recombination.
D. The mosaic phenotype results from random J-chromosomal inacti!ation.
>. The offspring from matings of orange males and black females are mosaic.
Q,0 (1 &#r)*
&regor 7endel disco!ered that segregation of genes on non-homologous chromosomes is
independent of each other in his garden pea hybridisation e9periments. Bour genes A, 4, 5
and D are located on four different non-homologous chromosomes. Which of the following
genotypes will ha!e the highest chance to produce the dominant trait in all four loci when it
mates with an organism with the genotype Aa4b5cDd3
A. aabbccdd
4. Aa4b5cDd
5. Aa44ccDd
D. Aa4455dd
>. aa4455dd
Q,1 (1&#r)*
Ene locus has " alleles A,, A., A@, A%, A".
2ow many different genotypes can e9ist in a population of a diploid organism if the
dominance hierarchy of these alleles is A,N A. N A@ N A% N A"3
Q,2 (2 &#r)s*
The diagram shows genotype frequencies during subsequent generations in a population.
a* What was the frequency of allele A at generation -, assuming a 2ardy-Weinburg
equilibrium at that point3
b* What would be the frequency of aa after a !ery large number of generations3
13 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q,, (2&#r)s*
Bur of guinea pigs can ha!e different colours (black or white*. 2airs can be with different
te9tures (rough or smooth*. Alleles Q and q are coding for colour, alleles R and r for type of
hair. There is no linkage between the two genes. A number of guinea pigs with e9actly the
same genotype (the parental group* are allowed to mate and the result is a large number of B,
offspring. 7ost of these ha!e black, rough fur. A small number ha!e white smooth fur. About
the same number of offspring are white and rough, or black and smooth.
a* Using the gi!en letters, indicate the genotype of the guinea pigs in the parental group.
b* )f ,-.% B, offspring were born, what is the e9pected number of the black and smooth3
Q,- (- &#r)s*
a) &uinea pigs often ha!e a spotted pattern. According to a simplified model spotted
pattern is determined by one gene with two alleles< & and g. )f & is present the guinea
pig is spotted. :tudents in!estigated the population of guinea pigs in a territory and
found out that A% / were spotted. 8resuming this population is in (2ardy-Weinberg*
equilibrium, calculate the frequency of &. Give your answer to one decimal place.
b* )n one day all unspotted guinea pigs were remo!ed. What will be the frequency of
unspotted guinea pigs appearing in the ne9t generation3 &i!e your answer as a
percentage without decimals.
Q,. (, &#r)s*
)n a specific type of legume, where seed colour is controlled by an autosomal gene, grey seed
colour is dominant to white seed colour. )n the following e9periments, parents with known
phenotypes but unknown genotypes produced offspring as follows<
8A=>'T: &=> W2)T>
, &rey 9 White A. A,
. &rey 9 &rey ,,A @$
@ White 9 White - "-
% &rey 9 White #% -
" &rey 9 &rey $- -
)f the symbol (&* is used for grey and (g* for white, indicate using 1 or F on the answer sheet,
which of the following statements is true or false<
A. In cross 1 the white parent is gg
B. In cross 1 both parents are homozygous
C. In cross 2 one parent is Gg and the other is GG
D. In cross 3 both parents are gg
E. In cross 4 the grey parent is Gg
F. In cross 5 the parents cant be unambiguously determined
14 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q,0 (2 &#r)s*
In Drosophila an autosomal transformer allele can be observed. If present, the transformer
allele brings about a male appearance if an animal has two X-chromosomes, but such animals
are sterile as their testes are underdeveloped. In Drosophila the red and white eye color is
determined by a gene on an X-chromosome.
A cross is performed between a red eyed Drosophila female heterozygous for both loci and a
white eyed Drosophila male heterozygous for transformer. They produce a large number of
offspring. What fraction of their offspring looks like white eyed males?
Q,1 (, &#r)s*
Eyster catchers are birds that look for prey such as bi!al!e molluscs in the shallow water of
sea coasts. The shells in a habitat are of different si+es and these si+es correlate with the
amount of energy in the shell meat<
:mall shells can be opened quickly and easily (benefit* but pro!ide less food energy
(cost*.
4ig shells pro!ide more energy (benefit*, but they are more difficult and time-
consuming to open (cost*.
The following table pro!ides information about shells li!ing in a feeding territory.
,. the total amount of energy in shells of different si+e
.. the frequency of distribution of all shell si+es present
@. the frequency of distribution of the shells selected
%. number of shells of each si+e selected by birds
". >nergy content (relati!e units* of shells selected by birds
Total amount of
energy per shell (>*
:hells present (n* >nergy present (>* :hells selected (n* >nergy consumed
(>*
, , , - -
. ,# @% - -
@ ,, @@ , @
% $ @0 @ ,.
" 0 @- 0 @-
0 # %. # %.
# .- ,%- ,, ##
A .. ,#0 ,- A-
$ ,$ ,#, ,% ,.0
,- ,@ ,@- ,@ ,@-
,, 0 00 0 00
,. . .% . .%
,@ , ,@ , ,@
Tot#$s 1,- 230 1- 00,
Using the information in the table determine the following<
,* What total amount of energy could be e9pected from #% shells that were randomly
selected from ,@% shells3
.* What is a* the absolute total amount of energy units and b* the total amount of energy
as a percentage, that can additionally be consumed from #% shells that were selected
by birds3
15 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q,2 (2&#r)s*
The following graphs show the changes in !alues of !arious biological factorsGparameters in
relation to increasing density of fish.
Write the appropriate cur!e number against the description letter on the answer sheet.
A. Total fish production
4. )ndi!idual growth
5. Bood potential not used
D. >9penditure of energy of each fish in the search of food
Q,3 (2 &#r)s*
)ndicate which of the following statements are correct (1* and which are incorrect (-* in
relation to the carrying capacity of an area for a particular species.
A. The carrying capacity of an area is determined by the a!ailability of resources.
4. When a population that inhabits an area is larger than its carrying capacity, the
population is likely to decrease.
5. The carrying capacity of an area can !ary as a result of the en!ironmental conditions.
D. The carrying capacity of an area can be +ero.

Q-0 (1 &#r)*
A group of students would like to know how the discharge of waste water from a factory
might influence water quality of a ri!er. The diagram shows # potential sampling locations in
relation to the locations of the factory and the ri!er. Which locations are essential to be
included in the sampling in order to draw !alid conclusions about the pollution of the ri!er by
the factory3
A. 6ocations ,, ., %, #
4. 6ocations ,, @, %, #
C. Locations 1, 2, 5, 7
D. 6ocations ., @, %, 0
>. 6ocations ., ", 0, #
16 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q-1 (2&#r)s*
When comparing closely-related bird species, mortality of breeding indi!iduals appears to be
higher for species in temperate regions than in tropical regions. Therefore, predation risks to
parents themsel!es, their young and eggs are gi!en different priorities by species in different
regions. 8redator ) is a predator of the young and eggs, predator )) is a nocturnal predator, and
predator ))) is a diurnal predator of adult birds. An e9periment where specimens of the three
different predators were placed at close distances to the nests during the day in the breeding
period was carried out. &i!e the letters of the following responses which can be e9pected3
A. The predator )) specimen is more strongly a!oided by the parents than the predator )))
specimen.
4. With the predator ) specimen, the parents of tropical species reduce the frequency of
returning to the nests and feeding the young to a lesser degree than parents of
temperate species.
5. With the predator ))) specimen, the parents of tropical species reduce the frequency of
returning to the nests and feeding the young to a lesser degree than parents of
temperate species.
D. With the predator ))) specimen, the parents of tropical species reduce the frequency of
returning to the nests and feeding the young to a greater degree than parents of
temperate species.
>. The degree to which the parents reduce their frequency of returning to the nests and
feeding the young when predator specimen is present is not affected by the type of
predators or the latitudes in which the species occurs.

Q-2 (, &#r)s*
Brom the list of beha!ioural terms (, to ,.* gi!en below, select the number of the one correct
term to describe each of the following three descriptions of beha!iour<
A. &ull chicks peck at the tip of the parentHs bill where there is a red spot. At this
moment the parent regurgitates food and presents it to the chick.
4. 7ice, placed into a ma+e, soon learn the most direct route to the cheese.
C. During web-building an )ndian spider (Araneus nauticus* lays a triangular frame of
plain thread, runs radii across the web and then spins a sticky thread, crossing each
radius three or four times. )f parts of the plain thread are remo!ed, lea!ing the animal
without any support between some radii, it does not repair the damage but struggles on
with laying the !iscid thread.
,. 5ircadian rhythm .. 5lassical refle9 conditioning
@. Displacement acti!ity %. 2abituation
". )mprinting 0. )nstinct
#. )nsight learning or reasoning. A. )nstrumental conditioning
$. Dinesis. ,-. Erientation by stellar compass
,,. =efle9. ,.. :ign stimuli.
17 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q-, (1 &#r)*
As shown below, as soon as a domestic hen chick hatches it starts pecking at grains that look
like food, and as it grows older its aim at food grains impro!es. 'ote that if a chick is
pre!ented from pecking at food during its second day, it will still be better at pecking in its
third than on its first dayO howe!er, it will not be as accurate as it would ha!e been if it had
been allowed to practise. &i!e the letter of whiche!er option is most important in the
de!elopment of accurate pecking in chicks.
A. Accurate pecking de!elops following maturation of the ner!ous system,
4. Accurate pecking de!elops by learning, allowing chicks to distinguish between
alimentary items,
5. 4oth processes of maturation and learning are in!ol!ed in accurate pecking,
D. There is a critical period (ranging from day , to day #* during which the chicks learn
how to peck food on the ground,
18 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q-- (1 &#r)*
&reat tit birds (Parus major* inhabiting forests (dense !egetation* and woodlands (patchy
!egetation* ha!e different song patterns. )t is documented that high frequency sounds become
less degraded in open habitat than in places with dense !egetation. 5onsider the following
graphs showing song characteristics of great tits from 0 locations. Which one of the following
statements is correct3
A. There is less !ariability in song frequency in low-latitude regions.
4. Borest inhabitants are more !aried in song frequency than woodland inhabitants.
5. :ongs of forest inhabitants ha!e more notes per phrase than those of woodland
inhabitants.
D. The !ariation of song type has nothing to do with habitat type.
>. )f an indi!idual mo!es from forests to open grassland, the !ariation of the song among
its descendants is likely to increase.
19 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q-. (2 &#r)s*
:ystematic positions of some butterflies such as satyrids (ringlets, etc.*, nymphalids (brush
foots, etc*, and danaids (milkweed butterflies, etc.* were contro!ersial. :ome researchers
regarded them as distinct families, while others disagreed. =ecent studies support the !iew to
pool them into a single family 'ymphalidae. 4elow is a phylogeny of these butterflies
reconstructed by Breitas I 4rown (.--%*, who support this !iew. Answer the following
questions based on this phylogeny.
)ndicate whether the statements are true or false by using 1 or F in the table on the
answer sheet<
A. Danaoid butterflies may still be a distinct family according to Breitas I 4rownHs
phylogeny if 'ymphalidae is still allowed to di!ide into se!eral families.
4. 5alinaginae butterflies resemble Danaoid butterflies in appearance, so they should be
classified as Danaoid butterflies.
5. )f we want to define the family 'ymphalidae to include Apaturinae, :atyrinae and
4rassolinae ha!e to be included as well.
D. Danaoid butterflies may be considered as the ancestors of 'ymphaloid and :atyroid.
20 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q-0 (, &#r)s*
The following table shows the main characteristics of A different animals (ta9a , to A*. A 1
sign indicates that the animal possesses a characteristic, and a LblankM indicates that the
animal does not possess a characteristic<
5haracteristic
T#7on
1 2 , - . 0 1 2
Amnion 8 8 8
7ammary glands 8
6ateral line system 8 8 8
5ycloid scales 8
:ternum 8 8 8
:emicircular canals 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
?entral ner!e cord 8
Answer the following questions using the information in the table abo!e<
#* Which one of the following ta9a most likely belongs to the same 5lass as Ta9on %3
A. Ta9on ,
4. Ta9on .
5. Ta9on @
D. Ta9on "
>. Ta9on 0
(b* Ta9on A is least likely to be which of the following organisms3
A. >arthworm
4. &rasshopper
5. 6obster
D. :tarfish
>. :pider
(* Ta9on , is most likely to be which of the following organisms3
A. :hark
4. >el
5. :ea lion
D. Turtle
>. Brog
21 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q-1 (1 &#r)*
2ow do polypeptides find their way from the place of synthesis at cytoplasmic ribosomes to
their destination in mitochondria3
A. 4y specific transport along the cytoskeleton
4. 4y specific amino-terminal targeting signals
5. 4y specific carbo9y-terminal targeting signals
D. )t is not necessary because the synthesis takes place on the surface of the
organelles
>. 7itochondria synthesise all proteins inside the organelle
Q-2 (1 &#r)*
The differential permeability of which of the following structures would be sufficient for the
process of plasmolysis3
) plasmalemma
)) tonoplast
))) each biomembrane enclosing a compartment
)? the middle lamella
A. ) only
4. )) only
5. , and )))
D. ))) only
>. ))) and )?
Q-3 (1 &#r)*
)n some cells, synthesis of isoleucine from threonine is catalysed by the sequential action of
fi!e en+ymes #5 /5 5 4 and %, which produce % intermediates A, 4, 5 and D, and the end
product isoleucine, respecti!ely. What is most likely to happen when isoleucine is
o!erproduced and there is an ample supply of threonine in cells3
A. )soleucine associates with threonine to inhibit the acti!ity of en+yme #9
B. )soleucine associates with intermediate D to inhibit the acti!ity of en+yme %.
C. )soleucine binds to en+yme # and inhibits its acti!ity.
D. )soleucine binds to en+yme % and inhibits its acti!ity.
>. Threonine is con!erted into isoleucine continuously through the " en+ymes.
Q.0 (1 &#r)*
Which structural or physiological feature of bacteria is commonly used as a drug target to kill
bacteria effecti!ely but with !ery little harm to human cells3
A. &lycolysis
4. 5omponents of plasma membrane
5. 5omponents of ribosome
D. 5omponents of the electron transport chain in aerobic respiration
>. =equirement of o9ygen
22 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q.1 (1 &#r)*
D'A is a double heli9 molecule containing four different types of nitrogenous bases. Which
of the following statements regarding both the replication and chemical composition of D'A
is correct3
A. 4ase sequences of both strands are the same.
4. The amount of purine is equal to that of pyrimidine in a double-stranded D'A.
5. 4oth strands are synthesised continuously in "H - @H direction.
D. The first base of the newly synthesi+ed nucleic acid is catalysed by D'A polymerase.
>. The proof-reading acti!ity of D'A polymerase proceeds in the "H- @H direction.
Q.2 (1 &#r)*
Eco=) restriction en+yme is a D'A endonuclease that can recogni+e the sequence &AATT5.
)t was first disco!ered in Escherichia coli; therefore it was named Eco=). To produce a large
quantity of the endonuclease, the D'A fragment encoding the gene was subcloned into an
e9pression plasmid and the resultant recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli cells
to produce recombinant en+yme for a study. Why is the host D'A not clea!ed by the
recombinant Eco=)3
A. The host D'A does not contain Eco=) clea!age sites.
B. Eco=) is secreted out of the host cells.
C. >n!ironmental factors such as temperature and p2 !alue inhibit Eco=) acti!ity.
D. The E. coli host produces inhibitors to block Eco=) acti!ity.
E. The Eco=) clea!age sites within the host D'A are modified.
Q., (1 &#r)*
The drug AKT, is gi!en to A)D: patients to slow down the progress of the disease. The
structure of the drug is gi!en here. The drug is effecti!e because it<
A. Targets the HIV envelope proteins which prevents CD4 binding
4. )nhibits D'A replication of 2)?
5. 4inds to metabolic en+ymes of the !irus
D. )nterferes with the protease acti!ity of 2)?
23 of 24
BBO Round 2 - 2012
Q.- (1 &#r)*
A !ery to9ic compound isolated from the mushroom Amanita phalloides, has a !ery high
affinity for actin polymers. 8halloidin can be marked by co!alently linking it to a fluorescent
molecule, like fluorescein, without affecting its affinity properties.
)f a microscope slide with methanol-fi9ed sperm is stained with a reagent containing
fluorescein-marked phalloidin (e9cess reagent being washed away*, which part of the
spermato+oids will be glowing under a fluorescence microscope3
A. Acrosome
4. Blagellum
5. 2ead
D. 7itochondria
>. Whole spermato+oid.
Q.. (1 &#r)*
What are the fibre types forming the cytoskeleton called3
A. Tubulin, lignin, kinesin
4. 7icrotubules, myosin, microfilaments
5. Deratin, myosin, kinesin
D. 7icrotubules, intermediate filaments, microfilaments
>. Actin, myosin, intermediate filaments
Q.0 (1 &#r)*
&i!e the number(s* of the following statements which support(s* the chemiosmotic theory
about o9idati!e phosphorylation3
). During electron transport, a proton gradient de!elops across the inner membrane of
mitochondria.
)). A closed membrane or !esicular structure is required for o9idati!e phosphorylation.
III ATP synthesis starts when a proton gradient develops in mitochondria.
Q.1 (, &#r)s*
The diagram represents the structure of the human immunodeficiency !irus (2)?*.
,. lipids
.. glycoprotein
@. capsid (protein*
%. capsule
". !iral D'A
0. !iral ='A
#. re!erse transcriptase
A. restriction endonuclease
:elect the number of the correct response from the abo!e list to complete the table on the
answer sheet.
24 of 24