NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5

Answers Supplementary Materials for

Chapter 1

Page 007
1 D 2 A

Page 011
1 D 2 D 3 D 4 B 5 A

Page 013
1 (a) To investigate the effect of body posture on the pulse rate
(b) i A manipulated variable is the only factor that is changed when the experiment
is carried out.
ii. Body posture – sitting, standing and lying down
(c) i. A responding variable is the factor that is measured in order to find an answer
to the research question.
ii. Pulse rate (number of beats per minute)
(d) i. A constant variable is the factor which is kept constant to make the experiment
a fair test.
ii. Any two from these: The same person is used in all the tests; The room
temperature; The method used to measure the pulse rate; The duration of each
body posture before the pulse rate is taken; The clothes worn during all the
tests

Chapter 2

Page 022
1 (a) i. Animal cell
ii. 1. Absence of the cell wall
2. Absence of chloroplasts
(b) P: Rough endoplasmic reticulum – transports proteins made by the ribosomes
Q: Mitochondrion – produces energy (ATP)
R: Smooth endoplasmic reticulum – synthesises and transports lipids
S: Golgi apparatus – modifies the proteins synthesised in the endoplasmic
reticulum, packages and transports them in vesicles
(c) S (Golgi apparatus) receives proteins synthesised in P (rough endoplasmic reticulum)
via transport vesicles that bud from P. S then finishes processing the proteins and
sends transport vesicles that secrete proteins to the outside of the cell.
2 (a) i. V: Cell wall
X: Chloroplast
Y: Nuclear pore
Z: Vacuole
ii. X (chloroplast): Contains chlorophyll to trap sunlight for photosynthesis
Y (nuclear pore): Allows the passage of materials between the nucleus and
the cytoplasm

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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(b) Z (vacuole) contains cell sap which is hypertonic to the water outside the cell. Z
absorbs water by osmosis which causes it to expand and push against the rigid
cellulose wall causing turgidity to the plant cell.
(c) i. 1. Both W and X use their membranes to organise their enzymes.
2. Both W and X provide energy to the cell.
ii. 1. W (mitochondrion) releases energy from glucose using oxygen during
cellular respiration, whereas X (chloroplast) uses the chlorophyll pigment
to capture energy from sunlight during photosynthesis.
2. X (chloroplast) is only found in photosynthetic plants and some protists*,
whereas W (mitochondrion) is found in almost all eukaryotic* cells.
*(see Table 8.3, page 271, Nexus SPM Biology)

Page 047
1 D 2 A 3 B 4 B 5 A

Page 049
1 (a) i. Muscular system
ii. For movement
iii. A system consists of several organs working together for a common function.
(b) i. 1. Skeletal muscle
2. Smooth muscle
ii. An organ consists of two or more types of tissues working together to perform
a particular function.
(c) i. An organism consists of all the systems that work together to perpetuate life.
ii. 1. Nervous system
2. Endocrine system
2 (a) i. P: Shoot system
Q: Root system
ii. Organs in P: Stem, leaves, flowers, fruit
Organs in Q: Roots, tubers, rhizomes
(b) Q anchors the plant to the ground, absorbs water and nutrients, and helps to store food.
(c) i. 1. Ground tissue
2. Epidermal tissue
3. Vascular tissue
ii. 1. Ground tissue – photosynthesis, support and storage
2. Epidermal tissue – covers and protects the young plant parts
3. Vascular tissue – transports materials throughout the plant

Chapter 3

Page 057
1 D 2 C

Page 066
1 C 2 D 3 C 4 A 5 A

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Page 068
1 D 2 D

Page 073
1 Wilting is the drooping, shrivelling of a plant due to heat or a lack of water.
2 Excess chemicals increase the solute concentration in the soil water, causing it to be
hypertonic to the cell sap in the vacuole. As a result, water diffuses from the cell sap into
the soil water by osmosis.
3 Salt and sugar absorb all the water from the food and the internal fluid of microorganisms,
causing them to shrivel up and eventually die.

Page 075
1 C 2 D 3 B 4 C 5 C 6 D

Page 078
1 (a) i. L: Carrier protein
ii. To allow facilitated diffusion of molecules into the cell
(b) i.

ii. Glucose molecules diffuse from an area of higher concentration to an area of

lower concentration.
iii. P attaches itself to the binding site of the carrier protein. The carrier protein
changes shape and delivers P across the plasma membrane.
(c) i. X: X is the polar head that gives it the hydrophilic property.
Y: Y is the pair of non-polar tails that give it the hydrophobic property.
ii. The glucose molecule is a large and polar molecule.
(d) Oxygen is a small uncharged and non-polar (hydrophobic) molecule that diffuses
easily across the phospholipid bilayer.

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
Answers Supplementary Materials for

Chapter 4

Page 086
1 A 2 B 3 B 4 A 5 D 6 D

Page 097
1 C 2 C 3 A

Page 105
1 A 2 C 3 B 4 C 5 B 6 C

Page 108
1 (a) P: Water
R: Amino acids
S: Polypeptide
(b) i. Condensation reaction
ii. Molecules of R (amino acids) link to each other to form S (polypeptide) and
molecules of P (water) are released.
iii. Pepsin
(c) i. Hydrolysis (hydrolytic reaction)
ii. A molecule of S (polypeptide) is hydrolysed with the addition of water
molecules to form individual molecules of R (amino acid).
(d) The primary structure of a protein is the order in which the amino acids are linked
together to form the polypeptide chain.
2 (a) i. Lipase /Hydrolase
ii. Lipase removes oil by catalysing its break down.
(b) i. P: 15oC
Q: 65oC
R: 35oC
ii. P: The oil stain was not properly cleaned because lipase was barely active at
15oC.
Q: The oil stain remained because lipase was denatured at 65oC.
R: Was the cleanest because lipase was able to work at the optimum
temperature of 35oC.
(c) 1. An emulsifier (e.g. alcohol) was added to break up the oil, giving more surface
area for the lipase to act on it.
2. An alkaline medium was provided for optimum pH, e.g. by adding sodium
carbonate to the detergent.
(d) Protease to digest proteins in the blood

Chapter 5

Page 113
1 C 2 A 3 C 4 D 5 B 6 D
7 B 8 A

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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Page 129
1 B 2 B 3 A 4 A 5 A

Page 130
1 D 2 A 3 C 4 A 5 B

Page 134
1 B 2 D 3 B 4 C 5 B

Page 137
1 (a) i. Cells that undergo mitosis: Epithelial cells (or any other somatic cells)
Cells that undergo meiosis: Primary oocytes /Primary spermatocytes
ii. Function of mitosis: To produce new somatic cells for growth and repair
Function of meiosis: To produce female gametes /male gametes
(b) i. Replication of chromosomes
ii. Interphase of the cell cycle
(c) i. P: Prophase
Q: Prophase I
ii. Pairs of sister chromatids are produced in prophase of mitosis, but pairs of
homologous chromosomes are produced in meiosis.
iii. E is a chiasma which produces genetic variation through crossing-over of sister
chromatids.
(d)

2 (a) i P: Spindle fibre

Q: Sister chromatids
R: Homologous chromosomes
ii. P contracts and pulls the homologous pair apart to opposite poles.
(b) i. Stage X: Anaphase I
Stage Y: Anaphase II
ii.
Stage
X Y
Difference
Homologous chromosomes Sister chromatids are
are pulled apart to opposite pulled apart to opposite
1
poles. poles.

Centromeres are not Centromeres are divided.

2 separated.

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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(c) Before crossing-over, the two sister chromatids are genetically identical as they are
copied from the same original DNA (during the replication of DNA). During
crossing-over, alleles are swapped between the homologous chromosomes at the
chiasmata, leading to variation.

Chapter 6

Page 141
1 B 2 C 3 B 4 A 5 B

Page 152
1 A 2 C 3 C 4 A 5 D

Page 163
1 B 2 D 3 D 4 B 5 A

Page 168
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 A

Page 184
1 A 2 D 3 C 4 D 5 C

Page 192
1 D 2 D 3 C 4 C 5 C

Page 206
1 B 2 C 3 C 4 B 5 A

Page 208
1 (a) i. Vitamin C deficiency
ii. Vitamin C is necessary for the formation and maintenance of collagen that
supports the gums and teeth.
iii. 1. Eating fruits that are rich in vitamin C
2. Taking vitamin C supplements
(b) i. Rickets
ii. Vitamin D helps the human body to absorb calcium which is necessary for the
formation of strong bones.
(c) i. The bone density of P is higher than the bone density of Q.
ii. Osteoporosis
iii. Milk contains calcium which is important for building strong bones.
2 (a) i. P: Stomach Q: Caecum
R: Appendix S: Small intestine
ii. It has a simple one-chamber stomach (monogastric).
iii. Rabbit /Rodent /Human

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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(b) i. Plant material

ii. It has a large caecum containing cellulose-digesting bacteria which digest
cellulose.
(c) i. Q (stomach)
ii. Hydrochloric acid
iii. 1. Kills microbes/bacteria
2. Provides an acidic medium for the digestion of proteins

Chapter 7

Page 213
1 A 2 B 3 A 4 A 5 A

Page 216
1 A 2 A 3 D 4 D 5 D

Page 228
1 A 2 B

Page 241
1 A 2 B 3 D 4 D

Page 244
1 B 2 B 3 D

Page 247
1 (a) P: Film of water Q: Air sac/alveolus
R: Red blood cell S: Blood/blood capillary
(b) i. Oxygen
ii. The partial pressure of oxygen is higher in the alveolar air than in the blood, so
oxygen diffuses from the alveolar air to the blood.
(c) i. Oxyhaemoglobin
ii. The low partial pressure of oxygen in the tissues causes the oxyhaemoglobin to
dissociate and oxygen to diffuse into the body cells.
iii. P dissolves gaseous oxygen and enhances its diffusion across the wall of the
alveolus.
2 (a) i. Glass wool/cotton wool
ii Lungs
iii. The open end (without the cigarette) is connected to a suction pump. Cigarette
smoke is sucked through the glass wool by the suction pump.
(b) i. Tar
ii. 1. Tar destroys the ciliated epithelium on the surface of the trachea, so there
will be fewer cilia to push dust and mucus down the respiratory tract.
2. Tar coats the surface of the alveoli and lowers the rate of gaseous
diffusion through the respiratory surface of the alveoli /Tar destroys the
alveolar cells and reduces the surface area for gaseous exchange.

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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(c) i. Carbon monoxide

ii. Carbon monoxide forms strong bonds with haemoglobin in the red blood cells.
As a result, there is less haemoglobin available for carrying oxygen and the
tissue cells will have less oxygen supplied from the blood.

Chapter 8

Page 252
1 C 2 B 3 C 4 B 5 C

Page 265
1 C 2 A 3 A 4 A 5 D

Page 271
1 D 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 C

Page 278
1 B 2 B 3 A 4 C 5 A

Page 295
1 D 2 A 3 D 4 C 5 B

Page 297

Section A
1 (a) i. Producer: paddy plant
Primary consumer: grasshopper, caterpillar and rat
Secondary consumer: frog and snake
Tertiary consumer: owl
ii. 1. Paddy plant → grasshopper → frog → snake → owl
2. Paddy plant → caterpillar → frog → snake → owl
(b) i. Paddy plant, grasshopper or caterpillar
ii. Owl, snake
(c) i. Decomposers (bacteria or fungi)
ii. They decompose the excretory wastes and dead remains into inorganic
substances that provide continuous supply of nutrients to the paddy plants.
2 (a) P: Putrefaction/decomposition
Q: Nitrification
R: Nitrogen fixation by lightning
S: Denitrification
(b) i. Bacteria, fungi
ii. Without T, the excretory wastes and dead organisms cannot be decomposed to
form nitrates.
(c) i. W: nitrogen-fixing bacteria
X : leguminous plants

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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ii. Symbiosis/mutualism – the bacteria provide nitrates for the plants and the plants
provide shelter and carbohydrates for the bacteria.

Section B
1 (a)
• The information given shows the Linnaeus hierarchical classification system.
• Organisms of each kingdom are classified into seven major hierarchical levels,
from the largest group to the most specific groups: Kingdom, Phylum, Class,
Order, Family, Genus and Species.
• If the groups of organisms are lower in the hierarchy, the organisms within
each group are more closely related.
• Organisms placed in the groups at the higher hierarchical levels share some
common characteristics but are not necessarily similar.
(b) The scientific name of humans is Homo sapiens.
Based on the current accepted system of nomenclature, explain how humans are
named.
• The Linnaeus binomial system is the current internationally accepted system of
nomenclature.
• 'Binomial' means that the scientific name of humans is actually the combination
of two names: the genus name and the species name.
• Homo is the genus name, and sapiens is the species name.
• The genus name is capitalized, while the species name is not.
• Both the genus and the species names are type set in italics: Homo sapiens
• Alternatively, both the genus and the species names can be underlined: Homo
sapiens
(c)
• An organism is classified into one of these five major kingdoms: Monera,
Protista, Fungi, Animalia, and Plantae based on the following four main criteria.
i. Is it autotrophic or heterotrophic?
An organism is either autotrophic or heterotrophic.
ii. Is it unicellular or multicellular?
iii. Does the organism have a distinct nucleus?
Is the cell of the organism eukaryotic or prokaryotic?
iv. Is the organism motile (capable of movement) or non-motile (not capable
of movement)?
• Kingdom Monera includes organisms that are autotrophic or heterotrophic,
unicellular, prokaryotic, motile and non-motile.
• Kingdom Protista includes organisms that are autotrophic or heterotrophic,
unicellular and multicellular, prokaryotic, motile and non-motile.
• Kingdom Fungi includes organisms that are heterotrophic, multicellular
eukaryotic and non-motile.
• Kingdom Animalia includes organisms that are heterotrophic, multicellular
eukaryotic, motile and non-motile.
• Kingdom Plantae includes organisms that are autotrophic (photosynthetic),
multicellular eukaryotic, and non-motile.

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
Answers Supplementary Materials for

Chapter 9

Page 304
1 C 2 B 3 D

Page 315
1 B 2 D 3 C 4 D

Page 321
1 D 2 A 3 C 4 C 5 B

Page 324

Section A
1 (a) i. Thunderstorm/lightning
ii. Combustion of fossil fuels in factories/power stations/incinerators/motor cars
(b) i. Acidic gases dissolve in atmospheric water vapour and come down as acid rain
in the form of sulphurous acid, sulphuric acid, nitrous acid and nitric acid
ii. Acid rain oxidises cellular components and enzymes of plants, causing
chlorosis and weakening plants, rendering them helpless against common plant
diseases and other natural enemies. Acid rain corrodes metallic structures,
erodes stone buildings, and weakens their structures.
(c) i. Carbon particles in smoke
ii. Formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
iii. Carbon particles get deposited in the alveoli, reducing the respiratory surface
area and the efficiency of gaseous exchange.
2 (a) i. Biological oxygen demand
ii. It measures the total amount of oxygen used by microorganisms which
decompose organic matter in a sample of water.
(b) i. Sewage; run-off fertilizers
ii. The arrow is at P
iii. P is the point where the BOD starts to increase and the dissolved oxygen
content starts to decrease, indicating the beginning of microbial activity on the
organic pollutant.
(c) The organic pollutant in the river increases from P onwards, thereby increase the
populations of microbial decomposers which feed on it causing more oxygen to be
used. Nearing Q, the organic pollutant is gradually used up, and hence the populations
of microbial decomposers decrease and the oxygen level returns to its initial level
(before P).
(d) Aquatic organisms emigrate to less polluted water; those that cannot emigrate die.
Only anaerobic bacteria can survive in water with low levels of dissolved oxygen.

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Section C
1 (a)

Source of pollution Impact on surroundings

Air pollution is caused by the emission of
smoke and fumes from the exhaust
chimneys of factories. (see page 303-306,
Nexus SPM Biology).
Water pollution is caused by the discharge
of agrochemicals: fertilizers, herbicides,
fungicides, etc. (see page 309-310, Nexus
SPM Biology).
Thermal pollution is caused by the
discharge of heated coolant from the
power plant into the river (see page 312-
313, Nexus SPM Biology).
Noise pollution is caused by heavy land
and air traffic.
(see page 313, Nexus SPM Biology).
Land/soil pollution is caused by the
dumping of refuse in open landfills.
(see page 309, Nexus SPM Biology).
Acidic gases (SO2 and N02) released into the
atmosphere come down as acid rain,
damaging plants, corroding metal structures
and eroding limestone in buildings.
Fertilizers cause eutrophication in river water,
killing off aerobic aquatic organisms.
Agrochemicals are passed on in food chains
to higher consumers and humans, and they
gradually accumulate to toxic levels.
Higher water temperatures disrupt the aquatic
ecosystem, increasing the BOD and killing
off organisms.
Noise pollution has adverse physiological
effects (e.g. loss of hearing) and
psychological effects (e.g. disturbs a person’s
mental stability) on humans.
Decomposing organic refuse which emits a
foul stench and attracts disease vectors (dogs,
cats, birds, cockroaches, and flies) is a health
hazard to residents living nearby.

(b)
• The rainforest contains the natural habitats of many species of fauna and flora;
destruction will cause the extinction of many endemic species of organisms.
• The rainforest provides much of the current basic needs of humans – e.g. wood,
clothing, food, medicine and recreation.
• It is a genetic storehouse of man’s future medicines and food sources as much of the
flora and fauna is yet unknown and undocumented.
• The rainforest helps to maintain and sustain biodiversity; living organisms are
dependent on one another, and interwoven together in an intricate food web which
mutually balances and sustains the survival of each other.
• The rainforest is a huge carbon sink – photosynthesis helps to remove excess
atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is a known greenhouse gas.
• Green plants of the rainforest form the primary producers as they are able to trap
sunlight to produce food by photosynthesis and sustain life through the food pyramid.
• Green plants of the rainforest replenish the oxygen supply of the atmosphere, which is
needed in aerobic respiration of living organisms.
• The vegetation protects and maintains the fertile surface soil and prevents it from
being eroded by water and wind.

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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• The rainforest is an important rain catchment area; its vegetation acts like a huge
sponge that soaks up rain water, only to gradually release it back into streams and
rivers thus preventing flash floods.
• On slopes, roots of forest vegetation hold the earth together, thus preventing earth
movements and landslides.

Chapter 10

Page 336
1 C 2 A 3 C 4 B 5 D

Page 350
1 C 2 C 3 B

Page 360
1 D 2 A 3 D 4 A 5 D

Page 373
1 A 2 D 3 B 4 A 5 D

Page 376
Section A
1 (a) i. P:
scab (hardened blood clot)
Q:
fibrin fibre
R:
red blood cell
S:
platelet
ii. 1.Traps dead microorganisms and dead blood cells
2.Forms a clot that plugs the wound to prevent loss of blood and entry of
microorganisms
(b) i. X: phagocyte/white blood cell/leucocyte
Y: bacterium
ii. Phagocytosis
iii. Defending the body from pathogens
(c) A haemophiliac’s blood is unable to clot due to a deficiency of certain blood proteins.
Should haemophiliacs suffer from cuts or internal injuries, they may bleed to death.
2 (a) i. P: thoracic duct
Q: right lymphatic duct
ii. Both return lymph to the blood circulatory system (heart)
iii. 1. Transports absorbed fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the small intestine
into the blood circulation via the liver
2. Transports interstitial fluid back to the bloodstream
(b) i. It swells up
ii. It produces more white blood cells which produce antibodies to destroy the
invading pathogens.

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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(c) Contractions of surrounding skeletal muscles squeeze lymph along the lymph vessels.
(d) i. The right leg enlarges greatly.
ii. The parasitic worms block the lymphatic vessels, causing tissue fluid to
accumulate in the tissues of the leg.

Section B
1 (a) i.
• The swellings were formed by blood accumulating at the valves of the
veins.
• The veins in the leg worked against gravity to return blood to the heart.
• When the man sat still, the skeletal muscles in his legs did not contract.
• There was no compression of neighbouring leg muscles against the veins.
• As a result, the blood in the veins was not pushed forward.
• The blood in the veins flowed downwards due to gravity, but was stopped
by the internal semi-lunar valves.
• The accumulated blood caused the swellings at the valves
ii.

• When the man walked, the muscles of his legs contracted and expanded
laterally
• The pushing of the muscles against the veins forced the blood within the
veins to move forward towards the heart.
• This cleared the blood accumulated at the valves and the swellings
disappeared.
(b) i. Return of the tissue fluid to the bloodstream:
• The interstitial fluid drains into the lymphatic capillaries to form lymph.
• The lymph returns it to the circulatory system via two large lymphatic
vessels (the right thoracic lymphatic ducts).
Transport:
• Transports materials (nutrients, hormones and oxygen) to body cells and
carry away waste products to the bloodstream
• Transports absorbed fat and fat-soluble vitamins from the small intestine
into the bloodstream
Defence:
• Lymph nodes filter out microorganisms and other foreign particles
• Phagocytes present in the nodes engulf and digest foreign particles
• Lymphocytes in the lymphatic tissues produce antibodies to destroy
pathogens and to neutralize their toxins
ii.
• Blood enters the capillary network under high pressure.
• The thin capillary wall acts as a filter, retaining large cellular components
but allowing water and other dissolved substances of the plasma to
diffuse into tissue spaces to form tissue fluid.

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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• Some of the tissue (interstitial) fluid passes back into the venous end of
the capillaries.
• Some of the interstitial fluid drains into the blind-ended lymphatic
capillaries (which forms a network between the cells) of the tissues to
form lymph.

Page 378
(a)
Material Apparatus
• fresh leafy shoot (plant • beaker
cutting) • potometer (glass tubing
• water funnel with a tap, and
capillary tubing)
• rubber tubing
• ruler
• stopwatch

(b) & (c)

Position of air bubble

Final position Rate of
Experiment Initial position
after 30 minutes transpiration
(cm)
(cm)

1 1.4 cm 4.2 cm (4.2-1.4)/30 =

0.09 cm/min

2 6.2 cm (6.2-2.1)/30 =
2.1 cm
0.14 cm/min

3 0.9 cm 1.4 cm (1.4 -0.9)/30 =

0.02 cm/min

(d) i. Observation 1: The rate of transpiration was the fastest when the leafy shoot
was exposed to the high light intensity of the lamp.
Observation 2: The rate of transpiration was the slowest when the leafy shoot
was covered with a wet plastic bag.
ii. Inference from observation 1: The stomata opened wider in the presence of
higher light intensity, which raised the rate of transpiration

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
Answers
Inference from observation 2: Higher humidity and still air within the plastic
bag reduce the rate of evaporation and diffusion of water from the leaves, thus
slowing down the rate of transpiration from the leafy shoot.
(e) i.
Variable
Manipulated variable:
Increased light intensity
Responding variable:
Rate of transpiration
Constant variable:
Leaf surface area
Wind movement
Temperature
Light intensity and humidity
ii.
Variable
Manipulated variable:
Increased ambient humidity
Responding variable:
Rate of transpiration
Constant variable:
Leaf surface area
Wind movement
Temperature and light
intensity
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Supplementary Materials for
Way to handle the variable
Place an electric lamp near the leafy shoot.
Divide the distance travelled by the air
bubble by 30 minutes.
Use the same leafy shoot for the three
experiments
Conduct the experiment in an enclosed
room
Any temperature rise for the shoot exposed
to electric bulb light can be prevented by
placing the latter behind a tank of water to
absorb excess heat.
Conduct experiment no. 2 at the same
location as the control
Way to handle the variable
Cover the shoot with a large transparent
polythene bag, into which water has been
sprinkled
Divide the distance travelled by the air
bubble by 30 minutes.
Use the same leafy shoot for the three
experiments.
Conduct the experiment in an enclosed
room
Conduct experiment no. 3 at the same
location as the control
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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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(f) i. The rate of transpiration of a plant increases in high light intensity.

ii. The rate of transpiration of a plant decreases in high humidity.

(g) Experiment no. 2: Accept the hypothesis

Experiment no. 3: Accept the hypothesis
(h) The rate of transpiration becomes much faster/twice as fast.

Chapter 11

Page 382
1 C 2 C 3 B 4 A 5 D

Page 394
1 A 2 C 3 D

Page 408
1 D 2 C 3 D 4 C 5 D

Page 411

Section A
1 (a) X: thoracic ; Y: cervical; Z: lumbar
(b) X (thoracic) → either one of 8 - 19
Y (cervical)→ either one of 3 - 7
Z (lumbar) → either one of 20 - 24
(c) They articulate (join) with the ribs, supporting the ribs during breathing movements.
(d) Turning and bending of the trunk
(e) i. Loss of bone density causing it to break easily
ii. Milk is rich in calcium which is important in the construction of bone tissue to
make it dense and strong
2 (a) i. P: phloem; Q: xylem; R: cortex/ground tissue
ii. A central column of supporting vascular tissue is stronger and can resist the
swaying of the shoot system as it is blown by the wind.
(b) i. They provide support for the plant.
ii. This area is packed with turgid parenchyma cells which provide hydrostatic
(turgor pressure) support for the plant.
(c) i. S: vascular bundle; T: collenchyma cells
ii. Supports and strengthens the stem.
iii. Distribution of lignified cells in a concentric ring in the vascular bundles gives
mechanical strength and support to the plant.

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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Section B
1 (a) i.
• Muscles can only contract and pull and cannot push.
• Two bones which articulate at a joint (e.g. elbow joint) are connected to a
pair of antagonistic muscles.
• One muscle (e.g. the biceps) contracts and pulls a bone (e.g. the radius) in
one direction (from the forearm to the shoulder).
• Another muscle (e.g. the triceps) will pull another bone (ulna) in the
opposite direction (lowers the forearm).
ii.
Criteria Advantage Disadvantage
Exoskeleton • Is strong and light • Limited ability to grow in
consisting of chitin • Joints between body parts size; moulting required for
are flexible and provide firm growth
muscle attachment across the
joints
Many antagonistic • Permits fast movements, No clear disadvantages
pairs of tiny muscles: e.g. in a grasshopper when the
flexor muscle contracts, the
limb is drawn in; when the
extensor muscle contracts, the
limb extends and the insect
jumps
Respiration through • Permits fast gaseous exchange • Size limitation
the tracheal system as respiratory gases reach the • No temperature control
internal organs directly

(b)
• Wings – the aerofoil shape and large surface area help to lift the wings
• Feathers – streamlined shape, give a strong and flexible surface
• Bones – are hollow, light but strong for an easier lift
• Powerful chest muscles (pectoralis major and pectoralis minor) attached to the
keel – enable the wings to flap
• High metabolic rate, efficient lungs and heart – provide a large energy supply
for flying

Chapter 12

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1 B 2 B 3 B 4 A 5 D

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1 B 2 A 3 A 4 D 5 B

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Page 428
1 B 2 D 3 B 4 C 5 C

Page 451
1 D 2 B 3 D 4 C 5 D

Page 457
1 A 2 D 3 C 4 A 5 D

Page 460

Section A
1 (a) P: cortex
Q: medulla
R: pelvis
S: ureter
(b) i. P
ii. Q
(c) i. Urine
ii. A smaller volume of urine with a high salt concentration will be collected.
iii. Blood osmotic pressure goes up; more ADH hormone released by the anterior
pituitary gland which stimulates absorption of more water in the distal
convoluted tubules and collecting duct.
(d) i. Urinary bladder
ii. Stores urine temporarily which is then discharged when full.
2 (a) i. P: hair erector muscle
Q: vasodilation and shunt blood vessels
R: sweat gland
S: hair (or hair follicle)
(b) i. The erector muscle contracts and pulls up the hair up vertically.
ii. Vertical hairs trap a layer of air which insulates against heat loss.
(c) i. Blood vessels dilate to increase blood flow near the skin.
ii. More blood flows near the surface of the skin resulting in more heat loss by
conduction/convection/radiation to cool the body down.
(d) i. Sweat gland increases the secretion of sweat.
ii. Evaporation of sweat absorbs body heat and cools the body down.

Section B
1 (a) A major role of the pituitary is to control many of the other endocrine glands
through the secretion of a host of hormones.
(b)
• Hypothalamus releases TRH to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to release
TSH
• In turn TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroxin into the
bloodstream

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• Thyroxine stimulates and maintains tissue metabolism.

• When thyroxine level in the bloodstream gets too high, it suppresses the
secretion of TRH and TSH
• In turn less TSH means less secretion of thyroxine and a lower tissue metabolic
rate.
• Thus the thyroid is prevented from being over-stimulated by negative feedback.
• Conversely, a drop in the thyroxine level promotes the secretion of TRH and
TSH.
• Again the TSH will stimulate the thyroid gland to increase thyroxine secretion
and raises the metabolic rate of tissues.
(c)

Endocrine system Nervous system

Communication by chemical
messengers (hormones) transmitted in
the bloodstream
Hormones are ‘broadcast’ to target cells
to all parts of the body
Causes changes in metabolic activity
A hormone brings about a slow action
by target cells - over minutes, hours or
years.
The effects brought about by hormones
are usually quite long-lasting
Communication by means of
electrochemical impulses transmitted via
nerve fibres
Impulses are only targeted on specific
cells connected by nerve fibres
Causes muscles to contract or glands to
secrete
Nervous impulse brings about
instantaneous action by target cells
The effects brought about by nervous
stimulation are short-lived and reversible

Chapter 13

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1 D 2 B 3 C 4 A

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1 D 2 B 3 D 4 A

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1 B 2 B 3 A

Page 492
1 B 2 B 3 C

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1 B 2 C 3 A 4 B 5 A

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Page 500

Section A
1 (a) i. Ovulation
ii. The Graafian follicle at the surface of the ovary bursts and releases a secondary
oocyte into the Fallopian tube.
(b) i. Fertilisation
ii. The nucleus of the sperm that penetrates the ovum in the Fallopian tube fuses
with the nucleus of the ovum
(c) i. Cleavage/ Cell division by mitosis
ii. The newly formed zygote undergoes mitosis repeatedly - as it travels down the
Fallopian tube – to form a solid ball of cells called a morula
(d) i. S: Blastocyst/ Embryo
T: Endometrium/ Uterus lining
ii. The blastocyst sinks into the endometrium and becomes buried by it.
2 (a) A: ovum/egg cell
B: sperm
(b) i. Process C: fertilization
Process E : mitosis
ii. Zygote (D) divides into two genetically identical zygotes (F)
(c) i. Umbilical cord
ii. Type 1: umbilical vein
Type 2: umbilical artery
iii. The umbilical vein carries oxygen and nutrients from the maternal blood to the
foetus.
The umbilical artery carries carbon dioxide and metabolic wastes from the
foetus to the maternal blood
(d) Identical twins – they are developed from the same zygote and are genetically
identical to each other.

Section B
1 (a)
• Growth involves a permanent and irreversible increase in the size, number of
cells and mass of a organism
• Development involves a change in form or increase in complexity caused by
the differentiation of cells
(b) Primary growth:
• It occurs in herbaceous and woody plants
• It only occurs in the apical meristems found at the tips of roots and shoots
• It is responsible for the increase in the length of roots and shoots of plants
• As the shoot increases in length, the length of the stem, vascular bundles and
leaves also increase.

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Secondary growth:
• It only occurs in woody perennials such as trees and shrubs.
• It results from mitosis in the lateral meristems of both the stems and the roots
• It involves the vascular cambium and the cork cambium.
• Secondary growth increases the girth of the plant roots and stems.

(c)
Growth Curve P
Characteristic growth pattern of
humans and animals with
endoskeletons
Shows continuous growth – curve has
a sigmoid shape
Growth is always positive till it
reaches adulthood before the curve
levels off, indicating zero growth.
No exoskeleton to limit continuous
growth
No ecdysis
Growth Curve Q
Characteristic of animals with
exoskeletons, e.g. insects, crabs and
scorpions
Shows intermittent growth – curve in a
form of steps
Horizontal lines indicate periods of zero
growth
The exoskeleton, which is hard and rigid,
limits continuous growth
During ecdysis, the old cuticle is
discarded and replaced by a new
exoskeleton and the animal grows in size

Chapter 14

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1 A 2 B 3 C

Page 510
1 C 2 D 3 C 4 C 5 C

Page 514
1 C 2 B

Page 521
1 B 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 A
6 D 7 A

Page 524

Section A
1 (a) i. rr
ii. She has the recessive phenotype which requires two recessive alleles to be
present.

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NEXUS SPM BIOLOGY FORMS 4 & 5
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(b) i. Rr or RR
ii. One dominant allele R in the male gamete that fertilises the egg could come
from either pair of Rr or RR of the father.
(c) i. 100%
ii. 50%
(d) i. Rr
ii. The father must have received a recessive allele from the non-roller parent.
Since the father is a roller, he must have received a dominant allele for this
character.
2 (a) i. J : B and b
K: B
L: b
M: B and b/ B and B
ii. Colour-blindness is caused by the recessive allele b which is located on the X
chromosome.
(b) i. X-linked
ii. The disorder is X-linked as most of the males in the pedigree are affected
(c) i. Recessive
ii. The disorder is recessive as neither parent has the disorder because they can be
heterozygous

Section B
1 (a)
Selective breeding
• Animals (or plants) with desirable
characteristics/traits are specifically
selected and bred together.
• Breeding only occurs between
organisms of the same species
• Also known as artificial selection
• Slow, and it usually takes many
generations before a change can be
observed
• For example, it took several hundreds
of years to produce the maize/corn
that we know today
• For example, selective breeding
between two varieties of oil palm
(pisifera and dura) produces the
tenera variety which has the desired
characteristics of both
Genetic engineering
• The characteristics of an organism
are altered by introducing target
genes into its DNA.
• Genes can be swapped across
different species - transgenic
• Also known as recombinant DNA
• Fast and accurate - the desired
characteristics can be seen within a
single generation
• For example, the gene which is
responsible for making human
insulin is inserted into bacterial
DNA to mass manufacture insulin

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(b) The Human Genome Project

• Determines the complete sequence of the 3 billion DNA subunits (bases)
• Identifies all human genes, and make them accessible for further biological
study
Benefits:
• Complete understanding of the genetic basis of humans
• Ability to identify the loci of specific inheritable diseases, facilitating the
tracking of genetic diseases over generations
• Allows a range of therapeutic drugs to be developed
• Investigates the similarities between humans and other species more closely
and sheds light on human development
• Provides comparisons of the effects of diseases on common genes between
species, which may speed up the treatment of certain diseases
Limitations:
• High costs.
• The whole sequence might not be properly mapped, leading to gaps in the map,
and misrepresentation of data.
• Limitations from ethical considerations associated to misuse and abuse of data
obtained for personal interests

Chapter 15

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1 C 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 A

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1 B 2 C 3 C 4 C

Page 543
1 A 2 C 3 B 4 D 5 B

Page 546

Section A
1 (a) i. P: Replication of chromosomes
Q: Meiosis I
R: Meiosis II
ii. Haploid
(b) i. P
ii. Crossing over occurs here because the pair of homologous chromosomes are
close and parts may break from one chromosome and cross over to the other
chromosome.
(c) Crossing-over results in chromosomes having different combinations of genes. The
gene combinations in the gametes are altered.

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(d) Some mutations produce new alleles which bring about genetic variation in a species.

Section B
1 (a) i.
• Genetic factors – crossing over, random assortment and random
fertilisation
• Mutations – change in the structure of genes/chromosomes/DNA
ii.
• Asexual methods are suggested, e.g. by cloning or cuttings.
• The cells of the new plants contain the same genes for immunity (same
genotype).
• The new plants grow up showing the same phenotype as the parent
tomato plant, i.e. immune to the said disease.
• There is no guarantee that new plants grown from seeds have this
immunity.
• It is because the seeds might be produced by cross-pollination with other
tomato plants that are susceptible to the disease.
(b)
Human blood group Skin colour
Blood group is a discontinuous Skin colour is a continuous variation
variation
Determined by one or a few genes, i.e. Determined by the combined effects of
the I gene with three alleles: IA, IB, and many genes
IO.
Differences between different blood Differences are difficult to distinguish –
groups are easily distinguished; they are cannot be classified into very fair or
classified as A, B, AB and O very dark
The graph of number of individuals The graph of number of individuals
versus blood groups shows a discrete versus skin colour shows a normal
distribution distribution
Environmental factors have no effect on Sunlight (an environmental factor)
the type of blood group (genes) affects the way the genes express
themselves

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