New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition)

Question Bank – New Questions

% Chapter 1 Regulation of water content

Structured questions

[10177286] Graph interpretation High order thinking

* In an investigation, the volumes of sweat and urine produced by a person on two

days with similar weather conditions were measured. The person was at rest on
day 1 and ran a long-distance race on day 2. The graphs below show the results.

a With reference to the graphs, describe and explain the difference in the
volume of urine produced on day 1 and day 2. (5 marks)
b A manufacturer claimed that drinking isotonic sport drink instead of water
can reduce the need for urination during a long-distance race. Based on your
biological knowledge, explain why the manufacturer’s claim is correct.
(3 marks)
c Some runners would drink a protein-rich drink after running to help muscle
repair. Explain why people may excrete a large amount of urea in their urine
after drinking a protein-rich drink. (2 marks)

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New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) E1: Chapter 1
Question Bank – New Questions

-- answer --
a The volume of urine produced on day 2 was smaller than that on day 1. 1m
The person lost a large amount of water through sweating during running on day
2, the water potential of his blood became lower than normal.
1m
The hypothalamus detected this change and caused the pituitary gland to release
more antidiuretic hormone (ADH). 1m
The wall of the collecting duct became more permeable to water. 1m
A greater proportion of water was reabsorbed from the glomerular filtrate. Thus, a
smaller volume of urine was produced. 1m
b Since water potential of isotonic sport drink is similar to that of blood, drinking
isotonic sport drink would not increase the water potential of the runner’s blood.
1m
The amount of ADH released from the pituitary gland would not decrease and the
permeability of the wall of the collecting duct to water would not decrease. 1m
Therefore, a greater proportion of water would be reabsorbed from the glomerular
filtrate when compared with drinking water. Thus, less urine would be produced.
1m
c Proteins in the drink are broken down into amino acids. A large amount of amino
acids are absorbed into the body. 1m
If the amount of amino acids absorbed is larger than the amount used by the
body, the excess amino acids will be broken down in the liver to urea. As a result,
a large amount of urea will be excreted in the urine.
1m
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[10177293] Data interpretation High order thinking

* The table below shows the concentrations of urea, salt and glucose of the
glomerular filtrate in the Bowman’s capsule and the proximal convoluted tubule
of a nephron.
Concentration of solute (g dm–3)
Solute
Bowman’s capsule Proximal convoluted tubule
Urea 0.30 0.55
Salt 0.33 0.33
Glucose 0.10 0.00

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New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Second Edition) E1: Chapter 1
Question Bank – New Questions

a With reference to the amount of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) released,

describe how the proportion of water reabsorbed from the filtrate is changed
when a person drinks a large amount of water. (3 marks)
b In the proximal convoluted tubule, a large volume of water is reabsorbed
from the filtrate into the blood. Explain why the concentration of salt
remains unchanged but the concentration of urea increases in the proximal
convoluted tubule. (2 marks)
c It is known that protein molecules may move from blood into the filtrate in
damaged nephrons. Suggest how the body cells may be affected if nephrons
are damaged. Explain your answer. (3 marks)
d In humans, urine usually contains a high concentration of urea. Suggest how
excreting urine with a high concentration of urea is beneficial to the survival
of humans. Explain your answer. (2 marks)

-- answer --
a When a person drinks a large amount of water, the water potential of blood
becomes higher than normal. 1m
The hypothalamus detects this change and causes the pituitary gland to release
less ADH. 1m
The wall of the collecting duct becomes less permeable to water so that a smaller
proportion of water is reabsorbed from the filtrate. 1m
b As salt and water are reabsorbed into the blood at the same rate, the
concentration of salt in the filtrate remains unchanged. 1m
However, only some of urea is reabsorbed into the blood by diffusion. Therefore,
the concentration of urea in the filtrate becomes higher. 1m
c As plasma proteins move from blood plasma into the filtrate, the water potential of
blood becomes higher. 1m
There is a net movement of water molecules from blood into the body cells. 1m
Body cells may swell and finally burst. 1m
d Excreting urine with a high concentration of urea can help conserve water and
thus reduce the risk of dehydration. 1m
This increases the chance of survival when humans are facing water shortages.
1m
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