Questions....................................................................................................................

1
HKALE 1990 Biology Paper I.......................................................................................1
HKALE 1994 Biology Paper I.......................................................................................1
HKALE 1995 Biology Paper I.......................................................................................1
HKALE 1998 Biology Paper II......................................................................................1
HKALE 1990 Biology Paper I.......................................................................................3
HKALE 1994 Biology Paper I.......................................................................................4
Mosses....................................................................................................................4
HKALE 1995 Biology Paper I.......................................................................................4
HKALE 1998 Biology Paper II......................................................................................5
 Questions
HKALE 1990 Biology Paper I
4. Outline the life cycle of a homosporous fern and indicate clearly what is meant by
alternation of generations. (6 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1994 Biology Paper I

1. Mosses and ferns are often found in different habitats. Describe the respective habitats
of these two types of plants. What features of these plants are associated with their
existence in their habitats ?
(5 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1995 Biology Paper I

3. What are the major differences amongst the life cycles of a moss, a fern and an
angiosperm ? (6 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1998 Biology Paper II

6. The life cycle of plants consists of various haploid stages and various diploid stages. For
each stage, compare and contrast its roles and significance in the life cycle of a moss
and of a flowering plant.
(20 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1990 Biology Paper I
4. Life cycle of any homosporous fern is acceptable.
Life cycle includes 2 stages :
Sporphyte
(dominant)

Embryo sporangium

2N Meiosis

zygote
spores
1N
fertilization
gametophyte
sperm

antheridia
egg

archegonia

Gametophyte generation
formation of haploid gametes from antheridia and archegonia of
the prothallus
1
fertilization of an egg cell (oosphere) with a motile sperm
(antherozoid) to form a diploid zygote
1

Sporophvte generation
development of the diploid embryo into a sporophyte which
partially depends on the prothallus for food at its early stage of
development
1
is the dominant generation which produces haploid spores by
meiosis inside the sporangia
1
release, dispersal and germination of spores into haploid
gametophytes (prothalli)
1

The alternation of the diploid sporophyte stage and the haploic

gametophyte stage in the life cycle is described as alternation of
generations.
1
(N.B. Flow diagram incorporated the above points should be
 accepted.)
(6)
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HKALE 1994 Biology Paper I
1. Mosses
found in damp / moist habitat, shady and cool environment

Ferns
found in open areas, near to hillside / roadside / on walls, where
moisture is available for certain time of the year (for fertilization)

Features : (1 for each feature mentioned, 2 marks max. for moss and 2 marks
max. for fern) 2x2
max. (4)
Mosses Ferns
Water i. no cuticle, water () and i. have woody (hairy) cuticle ()
conservation nutrients diffuse () rapidly in can reduce water loss
/ uptake and out, restricted to grow
in moist habitat)
ii. no true roots only rhizoids (), ii. true roots () to facilitate

water uptake is less () water uptake ()

efficient () ( restricted to can stand drier areas

moist habitat)
iii. grow tightly together in the
form of a mat () for water
retention ()
Reproduction male gametes for both are mobile ()
necessity for a water medium () to complete its life cycle

max. (5)
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HKALE 1995 Biology Paper I

3. For moss, the gametophyte is dominant and has independent
existence(1), the sporophyte is partially dependent on the gametophyte,
it is reduced / transient(1). For fern, the sporophyte is dominant and
independent of the fern's life cycle(1), the gametophyte is also
independent but reduced / transient(1). For angiosperm, the sporophyte
is dominant and independent(1), the gametophyte is buried inside the
 sporophyte / highly reduced and is totally dependent (1) on it for
nutrition and protection.
6
(Tabulated answers are acceptable)
alternative
moss fern angiosperm
Gametophyte : dominant () reduced / transient highly reduced / buried
independent () () inside ()
Sporophyte : reduced / transient independent () dependent ()
() dominant () dominant ()
dependent () independent () independent () 6
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HKALE 1998 Biology Paper II

6. Max. mark for differences : 17
Max. mark for similarities :5
Moss flowering plant
sporophyte (2n) () not predominant () / predominant / persistant 1
reduced phase in life cycle ()
nutritionally / food () nutritionally independent () 2
dependent on the / able to carry out
gametophyte () photosynthesis to make
sufficient food for growth ()
Both produce haploid spores by meiosis (1). *Source of variation () 1
spores (n) () produces one type of spore produces 2 different types 1
() / homosporous of spores () / megaspore
and microspore /
heterosporous
spores are liberated (), this spores do not help in 2
process helps to disperse dispersal of gametophyte
the gametophyte () (), pollens are dispersed ()
by insects and wind () /
external agents**
Spores of both germinate into the gametophyte (1) 1
gametophyte (n) persistent / predominant the size of both male and 1
() phase () in life cycle female gametophytes is
greatly reduced () / not
predominant
possesses chlorophyll () / does not processes 2
 green / photosynthetic and chlorophyll () and is
is nutritionally independent nutritionally dependent on
() the sporophyte for food and
water ()
Produce male and female gametes (1) by mitosis () 1
gametes (n) () male gametes male gamete is non-motile 4
(antherozoids) are motile (), the transfer of male
(), needs water for gamete to the female
fertilization (), restrict gamete depends on pollen
mosses to moist tube (), this does not
environment () require water (), a
terrestrial adaptation (),
depends on pollinating
agents ()**
Fertilization : restoration of 2n (1). *Sources of variation () 1

zygote (2n) () no seed stage () seed formation () 4

zygote develops into
embryo (), seed is resistant
to environmental stress /
well protected (), contains
stored food (), which can
increase the young plant's
chances to survive (), seed
dispersal helps to disperse
the sporophyte ()
Question Total : max. 20
Overflow : 4
Only 1 cycle mentioned, no mark
* / ** = mark to be given once only
No comparison made, -, denote as C -
In note-form, -, denote as N -
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