H

RAFFLES INSTITUTION
2012 Year 6 Preliminary Examination
Higher 2

CANDIDATE NAME

CIVICS
GROUP

2 S0

INDEX
NUMBER

BIOLOGY

9648/02
10th SEPTEMBER 2012

Paper 2 Core paper

2 hours
Additional materials:

Answer Sheet

For Examiners Use

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write your index number, CT group & name on all the work you hand in.
Write in dark blue or black pen on both sides of the paper.
You may use a soft pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working.
Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid.

Section A
1
2

Section A
Answer all questions.

Section B

Answer either ONE question.

5
At the end of the examination, hand in your essay SEPARATELY.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question
or part question.

6
7
Section B
8
9
Total

This document consists of 21 printed pages.

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Preliminary Examination 9648/02

Raffles Institution
Internal Examination

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2
Section A
Answer all the questions in this section.
1
In an experiment to study ATP synthesis in plants, chloroplasts are isolated, and the pH levels
in the various compartments are monitored. The graph below shows the results of the
experiment.

pH

Light

Fig.1.1
(a)
Explain the changes in pH seen in Fig.1.1 upon illumination.

.. [3]
(b)
Describe a similarity and a difference in the production of ATP in chloroplasts and in
mitochondria.
Similarity

Difference
.. [2]
(c)
According to the endosymbiotic theory, mitochondria and chloroplasts were originally
prokaryotic cells that were engulfed by an ancestral eukaryotic cell.
State two structural features of the two organelles that provide evidence to support this
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theory.

.. [2]
Molecule X forms a pore in the phospholipid bilayer of mitochondria as shown in the Fig.1.2.
Molecule X

Fig.1.2

(d)
Explain how the presence of molecule X might affect the synthesis of ATP in isolated
mitochondria.

.. [3]
(e)
In plants, yeasts and bacteria, anaerobic respiration results in the production of alcohol
and carbon dioxide, a process that is exploited by both the brewing and the baking
industries.
Describe how ATP is generated under anaerobic conditions in yeast.

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.. [3]
[Total : 13]

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5
2 The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a transmembrane glycoprotein
receptor belonging to a family of growth factors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Research
has shown that HER2 gene amplification and its overexpression is frequently associated with
metastatic breast cancer.
Fig.2.1 below shows the three dimensional structure of a dimerised HER2 receptor inserted
into the cell membrane.

Fig.2.1
(a)

Describe how the structural features of HER2 enables it to be embedded in the cell
membrane of the cancer cell.

.. [2]

(b)

With reference to Fig.2.1, describe how the transmembrane region of a subunit of a

HER2 receptor differs from that of a GPCR.

.. [1]

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Fig.2.2 below shows the HER2 signaling pathway.

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ligand

Nucleus

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(c)

Describe the events occurring in stage A of the HER2 signaling pathway shown in
Fig.2.2.

.. [4]

(d)

Describe two benefits of cell signaling pathways.

.. [2]

The outcome for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer is greatly improved by the
development of the drug trastuzumab (Herceptin) which targets the extracellular domain of the
receptor. The use of this drug improves overall survival when added to the drugs used in
chemotherapy for treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
(e)

Suggest and explain how trastuzumab may act to prevent progression of cancer.

.. [2]

Research has shown that many patients treated with trastuzumab showed a decrease in the
incidence of recurrence of metastatic breast cancer. However, a more recent study has shown
an increasing proportion of patients experiencing a recurrence of cancer.
(f)

Suggest how the cancer cells in these cases overcome the effects of trastuzumab.

.. [2]

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[Total : 13]

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3 Fig.3.1 shows all the chromosomes of a cell from hawkweed plant undergoing meiosis.

Fig.3.1

(a)

Explain what is meant by homologous chromosomes.

.. [2]

(b)

(i)

Draw the chromosomes in hawkweed cell at anaphase II in the space below.

[2]

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11
(c)

Fig.3.2 shows the changes in the amount of DNA in cells obtained from a hawkweed
plant during cell division.

2x

Fig.3.2
(i)

State and account for the number of DNA molecules per cell at stage A.

.. [2]
(ii)

State and account for the number of chromosomes per cell at stages B and C.

.. [2]
(iii)

Explain why the cells at stage B are not genetically identical.

.. [2]
Fig.3.3 shows a cell from another organism, Y, undergoing meiosis.
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Fig.3.3

(d)

With reference to Fig.3.3,

(i) state the number of different types of gametes that can be formed from the cell;
.. [1]
(ii) state all the possible genotypes of the gametes that can be formed.
.. [1]
[Total: 12]

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13

4 In bacteria, the production of the amino acid tryptophan is catalyzed by five specific enzymes
(simply named as E, D, C, B and A in this question) encoded by specific genes trpE, trpD,
trpC, trpB and trpA. The trp operon is transcriptionally regulated by a repressor protein,
(named R in this question), encoded by the trpR gene. Expression of the trpE, trpD, trpC, trpB
and trpA genes is controlled by a promoter region and an operator region.
When levels of tryptophan are high, tryptophan binds to the repressor protein, R. The
tryptophan-repressor protein complex binds to the operator region and prevents expression of
the trpE, trpD, trpC, trpB and trpA genes.
(a)(i) Draw a simple diagram to show the trp operon. Include all elements mentioned above
which belong to this operon.

[1]
(ii)Explain why it is useful for a bacterial cell to decrease expression of the trp genes when
tryptophan is present.

.. [2]

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Table 4.1 below indicates the activity levels of the functional enzymes E, D, C, B and A in wild
type bacterial cells in the presence and absence of tryptophan (Trp).
Activity level of enzymes/units
Enzyme
E
D
C
B
A

Trp absent
Trp present
700
0
700
0
700
0
700
0
700
0
Table. 4.1

You have managed to obtain several bacterial mutants. Each mutant is the result of a single
base-pair substitution in a single component of the trp operon. The activity level of functional
enzymes E, D, C, B and A in the bacterial cells having these individual mutations is shown in
Table 4.2.

Enzymes
E
D
C
B
A

(b)

(i)

Mutant 1
Trp absent
Trp
present
700
700
700
700
700
700
700
700
700
700

Activity level of enzymes/units

Mutant 2
Mutant 3
Trp absent
Trp
Trp absent
Trp
present
present
700
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
700
0
0
0
700
0
0
0
700
0
0
0
Table. 4.2

Which mutant has a phenotype that is consistent with a loss-of-function mutation

in the trpR gene? Explain your choice using data from both tables.

.. [2]
(ii)

A loss-of-function mutation in which component of the trp operon could explain

the phenotype of mutant 3? Explain your choice.

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15

.. [2]

(c)

If the phenotype of mutant 3 is caused by a mutation in the trpR gene, explain how this
mutation would affect the structure and function of the repressor protein.

.. [3]
[Total :10]

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5 The enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is needed for DNA synthesis. The enzyme
catalyses the reaction in which adenosine diphosphate (ADP) is converted to deoxyadenosine
diphosphate (dADP).

RNR
+ H20

Reduced NADP

NADP

Fig.5.1
(a)

(i) State how ADP differs from dADP.

.. [1]
(ii)

Suggest how dADP is used in the synthesis of DNA.

.. [3]
(b)

A particular region of a gene has the following nucleotide sequence in the template
strand:
5 TAC TTA GAA TCT CAG CCA ATT ACT CAT 3
How many amino acids does the protein encoded by this section of the gene have?
..[1]

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17

(c)

Fig.5.2 illustrates a process that can occur in eukaryotic cells.

Fig.5.2
(i)

Name process X.

..[1]
(ii)

Explain why counting the number of unique mRNA sequences will result in an
over-estimation of the number of actual genes in an organism.

.. [2]

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19
(d)

When a particular retrovirus that does not carry oncogenes infects a particular organism,
the amount of mRNAs transcribed from a particular proto-oncogene became elevated
approximately 20-fold compared with uninfected individuals.
(i) Suggest an explanation for the above observation.

.. [2]
Mutations in tumour suppressor genes can increase the chances of a person getting
cancer.
(ii) Explain why mutations in tumour suppressor genes are considered to be
recessive.

.. [2]
(iii) Suggest why most skin cancers are considered non-hereditary?

.. [2]
[Total:14]

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6 In horses, the dominant allele E codes for a black pigment for coat colour. The genotype ee
codes for chestnut coat colour.
A gene on another chromosome is responsible for the regions on the body where the black
pigment appears. The dominant allele A causes the localization of the black pigment to the
tips (e.g. lower legs, eartips and tail), while the recessive allele a has no effect.
A cross made between a pure-bred horse with black coat and a pure-bred horse with chestnut
coat results in offspring having bay coat. A horse with bay coat has black pigment restricted to
the tips.

Fig.6.1
(a)

(i)

Construct a genetic diagram to explain the cross.

[3]

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21

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(ii)

State and explain the mode of inheritance of coat color in horses.

.. [3]

(iii)

In a natural population, apart from black, chestnut and bay, there are other coat
colors found in horses. Suggest what accounts for such an observation.

.. [1]
(b)

A horse breeder had noticed that his horses with floppy ears were affected by a
recessive genetic skin disease known as hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia
(HERDA). Affected foals will only show symptoms later and they cannot be ridden as
they will suffer from severe lesions along their backs.
In his investigation into the inheritance of HERDA, F1 horses (non-floppy ears, normal)
were test crossed and they produced offspring with the following four phenotypes:
non-floppy ears, normal

21

non-floppy ears, HERDA

floppy ears, normal

15

floppy ears, HERDA

A 2 (chi-squared) test was performed and the calculated 2 = 11.76.

Number of degrees
of freedom
1
2
3
4
(i)

distribution of 2
probability
0.1
0.05
2.71
3.84
4.60
5.99
6.25
7.82
7.78
9.49

0.01
6.64
9.21
11.34
13.28

State the expected ratio in this test cross.

.. [1]

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23

(ii)

Using the data and table of probabilities shown above, describe the conclusion
that can be drawn from this 2 test.

.. [2]
[Total :10]

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25
7

Lord Howe island (Fig.7.1) is a small subtropical island of less than 12 km 2, situated 580 km
off the eastern coast of Australia. The island was formed by volcanic activity 6.4-6.9 million
years ago.
Howea is a genus of palms with 2 sister species estimated to have diverged from each other
2 million years ago. The 2 sister species which are found only on Lord Howe island are
monoecious. This means they have both female and male flowers on each individual tree.
The graph below shows the flowering times of the female and male flowers of each palm.

Fig.7.1
(a)

Compare sympatric and allopatric speciation.

[2]

(b)

In relation to its geographic location, size or age, explain what led scientists to think
that Lord Howe was an ideal place to study sympatric speciation in Howea palms.

[2]

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(c)

With reference to the graph of flowering times in Fig.7.1, explain how sympatric
speciation may have occurred in Howea.

[4]
[Total: 8]

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27
Section B
Answer EITHER 8 OR 9.
Write your answers on the separate answer paper provided.
Your answers should be illustrated by large, clearly labeled diagrams, where appropriate.
Your answers must be in continuous prose, where appropriate.
Your answers must be set out in sections (a), (b) etc., as indicated in the question.
8

(a)
(b)
(c)

Explain how glucagon differs from glycogen.

Distinguish how genes are regulated at the transcription level in eukaryotes
and prokaryotes.
Explain the role of geographical and behavioural isolating mechanisms in the
evolution of new species.

(a)
(b)
(c)

[8]
[6]
[6]

[Total: 20]

Explain, using two named examples, how environmental forces act as forces of
natural selection.
Describe the structural features of an enzyme molecule.
Describe the development of cancer as a multi-step process.

[8]
[6]
[6]

[Total: 20]

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