Module INU0518

Foundation Biology 1

End of Semester 1 Exam

2011

Time allowed – 2 hours

Instructions:
 Attempt ALL questions.
 Answer each question in the space provided after each question.
 Ensure all calculations are shown. Answers with no calculations may gain no
credit.
 The marks for individual questions or parts of questions are shown in
brackets.
 The total mark for this paper is 80 marks.

Questio Credit
n
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Total
1. The diagram below shows the general structure of two molecules of amino
acid.

a. Using the diagram above show how the two amino acids join to make a
dipeptide. [3]

b. What does “R” represent? [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

c. Give an example of an R group. [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

d. What is the name of the bond that joins together two amino acids? [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

[6 marks]
(Turn over)

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2. The table below refers to various carbohydrates and to their molecular
structure. The first carbohydrate has been completed for you.

Carbohydrate Monosaccharide Disaccharide Polysaccharide

Glucose √
Ribose

Maltose

Starch

Lactose

Glycogen

Cellulose

a. Complete the table for the other carbohydrates. [6]

b. State two structural differences between starch and cellulose. [2]

1.……………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………

2……………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………

[8 marks]
(Turn over)

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3. The nucleic acids in a cell are DNA and RNA.
a. Describe three structural differences between a DNA molecule and an
RNA molecule. [3]

1.……………………………………………………………………………………

2……………………………………………………………………………………

3……………………………………………………………………………………

b. The diagram below shows a molecule of transfer RNA (tRNA).

i. Describe the function of part X; [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

ii. Describe the function of part Y. [2]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

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(Turn over)

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 c. Explain why the genetic code is described as
i. Non-overlapping; [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

ii. Degenerate. [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

[8 marks]

4. The diagram below shows the sequence of amino acids in part of a protein.

a. Write in the complimentary base sequence of the mRNA strand on the

diagram. [2]

(Turn over)

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b. If this was the end of the amino acid sequence what type of codon
would be at the very end? [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

c. Mutations can occur.

i. What is a mutation? [2]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

ii. If the base marked * was substituted with A, how would the
protein be different? [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

iii. A frameshift mutation is where a base is either inserted into or

deleted from the DNA sequence. What effect does this have on
the codons? [2]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

[8 marks]
(Turn over)

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5. The diagram below shows part of a cell membrane.

a. Label X, Y and Z.

i. X; [1] ………………………………………………………

ii. Y; [1] ………………………………………………………

iii. Z. [1] ………………………………………………………

b. State one function of:

i. Y; [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

ii. Z. [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

(Turn over)

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 c. The following table refers to the functions of some of the molecules
involved in the cell surface membrane. If a function is correct place a
tick (√) in the appropriate box, if it is incorrect place a cross (X) in the
appropriate box. [3]

Phospholipid Protein Carbohydrate

Act as enzymes

Allows passage of water

soluble substances

Involved in cell
recognition

[8 marks]
(Turn over)

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6. The diagram below shows some of the cell structures involved in the secretion
of an extracellular protein.

a. Identify structures A, B, C and D.

i. A; [1] ………………………………………………………

ii. B; [1] ………………………………………………………

iii. C; [1] ………………………………………………………

iv. D. [1] ………………………………………………………

b. Outline the role of each of the following in the secretion of an

extracellular protein.
i. A; [2]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

(Turn over)

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 ii. B; [2]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

iii. C; [2]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

iv. D. [2]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

[12 marks]
(Turn over)

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7. The drawing below has been made from a photograph. It shows an organelle.

a. Light microscopes, transmission electron microscopes and scanning

electron microscopes may be used to investigate the structure of cells.
i. What type of microscope was used in taking the photograph
from which this drawing was made? [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

ii. Give one piece of evidence for your answer. [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

b. Explain why a cell involved in active transport would contain a large

number of these organelles. [2]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

(Turn over)

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 c. The scale bar on this drawing represents a length of 1 µm. Calculate
the magnification of the drawing. Show your working. [2]

Magnification …………………

[6 marks]

8. The table below compares the process of diffusion, facilitated diffusion and
active transport.
a. Complete the table by filling in the blanks, using the words ‘yes’ and
‘no’. [6]

Process
Facilitated Active
Simple diffusion
diffusion transport
IS ATP required? No
Are protein
carrier molecules No
involved?
Direction of
transport is
always down Yes
concentration
gradient

[6 marks]
(Turn over)

Page 12 of 15
 9. A student was told by a teacher that the surface area to volume ratio (SA : V
ratio) of an organism varies according to its size. The student decided to
investigate these using two spheres, A and B, as models of organisms of
different sizes. These are shown in the table below. The surface area and
volume of each sphere were calculated.

Sphere A Sphere B

Diameter / cm 1 3

surface area / cm2 3.14 28.27

volume / cm3 0.52 14.14

a. The student calculated the SA : V ratio of sphere B as 2 : 1. Calculate

the SA : V ratio of sphere A. Show your working. [2]

Answer ………………….
b. Describe how the SA : V ratio changes as the size of the sphere
increases. [2]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

(Turn over)

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The teacher also told the student that the differences in SA : V ratio, such as
those between sphere A and sphere B, have influenced the need for transport
systems.
c. Explain how such differences have influenced the need for transport
systems in mammals. [3]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

d. There are several parts of the mammalian body where the surface area
is relatively large to allow effective functioning.
State one example of such a part of the mammalian body. [1]

……………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

[8 marks]
(Turn over)

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10. Outline the process of DNA replication. [10]

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[10 marks]
End of exam

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