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MARANDA HIGH SCHOOL

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
MOCK EXAMINATIONS 2020

CODE: 231/1 SUBJECT: BIOLOGY Paper 1

December 2020 – TIME: 2 Hours

Name: ………………………………………………….....…… Adm No: ……….……

Class: ………………Candidate’s Signature: …….………... Date: …..…/12/2020 .

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
o Answer all the questions.
o Answers must be written in the spaces provided in the question paper.
o Additional pages must not be inserted.
o Candidates may be penalized for recording irrelevant information and for incorrect spellings.

FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY

Questions Maximum Score Candidate’s Score
1-30 80

© 2020 MOCK - 231/1

Biology Paper 1
(THEORY)

1.The diagram below shows an apparatus used during collection of specimen.

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 (a) Identify the apparatus (1mrk).

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(ii) What is its specific use? (1mrk)

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2.Which branch of biology would be used to solve a dispute involving parenthood? (1mrk)

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3.A student observed a bird laying eggs that hatched into chicks. State any two characteristics of
living things displayed? (2mrks)

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4.Distinguish between Rhizopus and Rhizoids (2mrks)

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5.State two limitations of using a quadrat to estimate population of organisms (2mrks)

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6.Name a vector and parasite associated with malaria (2mrks)

Vector………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Parasite……………………………………………………………………………………………….

7.Define the term Binomial nomenclature (2mrks)

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8.Two students used two identical microscopes separately. Students A observed 10 bacteria while B
saw 50 bacteria from same slide. Suggest a reason for the difference in numbers (1mrk)

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9.(a) Name the cell organelle found in abundance in the white blood cell. (1mrk)

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(b) Give a reason for your answer in (a) above (1mrk)

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10.Below is a graphical representation of students’ height in a classroom.

(a)Name the curve illustrated. (1mrk)

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(b) State the type of variation represented by the curve. (1mrk)

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(c) State any two meiotic processes that lead to variation among organisms. (2mrks)

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11.(a) Why are there no carrier male in haemophiliac condition? (1mrk)

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(b) What is polyploidy? (1mrk)

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12.The diagram below shows the structure of a neurone.

(a) Identify the neurone. (1mrk)

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(b) Identify structure A and state its function. (2mrks)

Identity: …………………………………………………………………………………………..…

Function: ……………………………………………………………………………………..……….

13.Apart from hearing, state the other function of the ear. (1mrk)

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14.(a) Identify the major photosynthetic cells in the leaves of terrestrial plants. (1mrk)

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(b) Identify the location of the cells. (1mrk)

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15.(a) Name the fluid found in the cavities of the brain (1mrk)

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(b) State two functions of the fluid named in (a) above (2mrks)

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(c) In which layer of the meninges do we find the fluid named in (a) above. (1mrks)

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16.State three methods of translocation in plants. (3mrks)

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17.Explain the role of Antidiuretic hormone when there is less water in the human kidney. (3mrks)

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18.(a) State the composition of an ecosystem (2mks)

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(b). Explain why an ecosystem is said to be self-sustaining (2mks)

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19.How does the following factors affect the rate of diffusion (3mks)

Factor Effect
Surface area to volume ratio

Diffusion gradient

Temperature

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20.(a) Write down the base sequence of messenger RNA strand shown below. (along the strand)
(1mk)
C A T G A G T A C A A T

(b)Where within the cell is mRNA formed from DNA template strand (1mk)

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(c) Name one type of gene mutation. (1mk)

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21.Below is a dental formula of a mammal.

i0/3 c 0/1 pm3/2 m 3/3

(a). Calculate the total number of the teeth in the jaws of an animal whose dental formula is given

above. (1mk)

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(b) (i) Identify the mode of feeding of the animal whose formula is given above (1mk)

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(ii) Give a reason for answer in b(i) above. (1mk)

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22. (a) What are vestigial structures? (2mks)

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(b) Give two examples of vestigial structures in human. (2mks)

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23. The diagram below illustrates an eye defect.

(a). Name the defect. (1mrk)

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(b). State the cause of the defect named in (a) above. (1mk)

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(c). What is the role of the lens used in the correction of the defect? (2mks)

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24.Name two non-nutrient components of a balanced diet. State the importance of each. (4mks)

Name:………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Importance………………………………………………………………………………………………

Name:………………………………………………………………………………………...

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Impoprtance:…………………………………………………………………………………………….

25.The diagram below shows the life cycle of a cockroach. Study it and answer the questions that

follows.

(a) Name the hormone that would be at high concentration during:

(i) week 1………………………………………………………………………………. (1mrk)

(ii) week 2……………………………………………………………………………… .(1mrk)

(a) State source of the hormone named in (a)(ii) above (1mrk)

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26.Explain why a camel has a longer nephron than a whale (3mrks)

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27.Nocturnal animals such as the owl are capable of seeing fairly well at night. What two retinal

adaptations have made this possible? (2mrks)

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28.The graph below shows the effects of rebreathing expired air on ventilation rate in a mammal.

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(a) How does rebreathing expired air affect ventilation rate? (1mrk)

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(b) Name the gas which is highly concentrated in rebreathed expired air (1mrk)

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(c) Account for rate of ventilation in graph A (1mrk)

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29.The photographs below are specimens from the same animal of two different bones, each shown

in two views. Examine them and:

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 (a) Identify

V………………………………………………………………………………………….(1mrk)

W…………………………………………………………………………………………(1mrk)

(a) Name the structure that articulate with the part labeled A (1mrk)

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30.Describe a test to confirm a certain food solution(A)contains glucose (3mrks)

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