S4 ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

1. The scientific name of a leopard is Panthera padus while that of lion is Panthera leo.
(a) What do the scientific names of these two different animals suggest about their
origin?
(b) The above two animals are close relatives and yet they cannot interbreed. Give an
explanation or reason for this.
(c) Explain why using common names for living organisms can cause confusions
2. During an ecological investigation, a group of form four students captured 350 crabs
along the sea shore which they marked with a paint and released back to the area of
study. After two days, they revisited the area of study and captured 750 crabs out of
which 250 had marks on their bodies.
a. Work out the total population of crabs in the area of study.
b. What is the name of the above sampling technique?
c. What precautions did the students take during the study?
d. What three assumptions did the students take during the study?
3. Observe the organisms below.

A B C D

E F G H
a. Make a seven - point key to identify the organisms shown.

b. Show steps followed in the key to arrive at the correct identity for each of the animal.

4. a) Copy and complete the table to show the classification of the Ocelot.

1
 Kingdom Animalia
……….. Chordate
Class Mammalian
……… ……………
Family Felidae
………. Leopardus
Species Pardalis

b) The table below shows how organisms may be separated into five Kingdoms.
All organisms

Include single-celled Doesnot include single - celled organisms

Organisms
DNAin linear strand DNA in circular Possess Donot
Associated with protein strand not associated chlorophyll possess
With protein. Kingdom B chlorophyll
c Kingdom C
Kingdom A

All lack some may have

Chlorophyll Chlorophyll
Kingdom D Kingdom E
i) Name the Kingdoms represented by letters A, B, C, D, E.
ii) Microactinium is a single celled eukaryotic organism. It is an autotroph. Which of kingdoms
A, B, C, D or E includes Microactinium?
5.A sample was made of the animals living on two rocky shore . 10 quadrats were placed on each
shore and the number of animals of each species in each quadrat was counted. The results are
shown in the table.
Species Number of individuals, n
Shore A Shore B
Painted topshells 24 51

2
 Limpets 367 125
Dogwhelks 192 63
Snake locks anemones 14 0
Beadlet anemones 83 22
Barnacles 112 391
Mussels 207 116
Periwinkles 108 93
Total number of individuals, N 1107 861
a) Determine the Simpson’s index of diversity for forest A and forest B.
b) Which forest has a high biodiversity? Why?
c) What is biodiversity hotspot?
6. State the biological importance of each of the following activities conducted during the
preparation of temporary slides for viewing under a light microscope:
a. Making thin cuts or sections
b. Cutting the sections using sharp scalpels or blades
c. Staining the sections using iodine solution
d. Covering the section or specimen with a cover slip
e. Adding some water to the section or specimen
7. One of the magnifying instruments is compound microscope.
a. Why is referred to as a compound microscope?
b. 30 plant cells were viewed under a microscope, the objective power was adjusted and only 12
plant cells were viewed. Which number of plant cells were viewed under low power objective?
Explain.
c. Students are advised not to use coarse adjustment knob with high power objective lens. Why?
d. A cell organelle called ribosome is typically 25nm in diameter. If viewed under an electron
microscope that magnified it 400 000 times, what would the diameter of the ribosome appear to
be in millimeters?
8. a. Distinguish between tissue and organ, giving an example of each in an animal.
The diagram below shows the ultrastructure of an animal cell (×9000).

3
b. Name the structures A to D.
c. Describe the function relationship between structures A, D and E.
9. The disaccharide sucrose is a non-reducing sugar. If this carbohydrate is hydrolyzed, it forms
a molecule of glucose and a molecule of fructose when the glyosidic link is broken.
a. State what is meant by
i. a non –reducing sugar
ii. a glycosidic link
b. Copy and complete the table that follows to show the difference between
i. the structure, and
ii. the function of starch (amylose) and cellulose
Amylose Cellulose
i. Structure

ii. Function

10. a. Ribosomes are important in which process?

b. In each of the following, name the organelle being referred to.
i. Possesses structures called villi
ii. contains chromatin
iii. Synthesizes glycoproteins;
iv. Digest worn-out organelles

4
 c. Identify the organelle marked A and give its function.

d. Why would abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum be found in the pancreas?

11. Below is a diagram of the molecular structure of part of a glycoprotein found at the cell
surface membrane.

a. State how the following are linked in a glycoprotein:

i. Adjacent amino acids;
ii. Adjacent molecules of the sugars in the carbohydrate side chain.
b. State two functions of glycoproteins in cell membranes
c. Explain why cell surface membrane are described as having a fluid mosaic structure.
d. Explain how the phospholipid molecules form a double layer in a cell membrane.
12. Four test tubes were set up with contents as shown by table below:
Tube Contents
A Starch solution+ dilute HCl + saliva
B Starch solution +distilled water + dilute HCl
C Starch solution + dilute NaHCO3 + Saliva
D Starch solution + dilute NaHCO3 + distilled water
The four test tubes were kept on a water bath at about 38˚C.
a. In which tube would the content change orange or red after boiling with benedict’s
solution? Give a reason for your answer.
b. Why were the four test tubes placed on a water bath at about 38˚C.
5
 c. What results is expected when the content of test tube A is heated with benedict’s
solution? Give a reason for your answer
13. A solution of sugar cane was boiled with hydrochloric acid. Some sodium hydrogen
carbonate was added to the solution which was then boiled with benedict’s solution. An orange
precipitate was formed.
a. Why was the solution boiled with hydrochloric acid?
b. To which class of carbohydrates does cane sugar belong?
c. Why was sodium hydrogen carbonate used in the above investigation?
d. Name the process by which:
i. complex sugars combine with water to form monosaccharides.
ii. simple or reducing sugars combine to form disaccharides and water.
14. a. Distinguish between the following:
(i) Essential and non-essential amino acids.
(ii) Primary and secondary structure of proteins
(iii) Glyosidic and peptide bonds
b. State the biological importance of (i) proteins (ii) lipids
15. a. What property is conferred on a lipid when it is combined with a phosphate group?
b. Explain how fats can provide an organism with both energy and water.
c. Describe the advantages for organisms in storing polysaccharides such as glycogen, rather
than storing glucose.
16. Figure below is a graph showing the effect of varying temperature on the rate of enzyme
catalyzed reaction.

6
 a. Explain the rate of enzyme action:
i. At point Q
ii. Between point R and S.
iii. At point T
iv. Between point T and U.
b. Apart from temperature, name other factors which influence the rate of enzyme action.
17. a) Why water is described as polar molecule?
b) Where are fat soluble vitamins stored in the body and why?
c) Miss Umutoni visited a Doctor, as her gums were bleeding and she complained that she was
always tired. The Doctor told her to eat two oranges (or drink one bottle of orange juice), spinach
and red meat every day for one mouth. After two weeks, Miss Umutoni felt better and went to
thank the Doctor. Discuss the cause of Miss Umutoni symptoms and explain why her treatment
was successful.
18. a. Explain the role of elastic tissue in the alveoli.
b. Name the two types of cells found in the epithelium of the airs ways.
c. Describe the action of cilia in the bronchi.
19. a. State the tissue and the direction in which you would expect each of the following to be
moving in a flowering plant: sucrose, amino acids, water and salts.
b. Differentiate between collenchyma and sclerenchyma tissues.
c. Explain why the flow of water is not impeded in xylem vessels.
20. Explain why
a. Enzymes break down starch and cellulose are called hydrolases.
b. Amylase will break down starch but it will not break down cellulose
21. Study the figures below and answer to questions related to it.

a. Name the parts labelled 1 to 8 in figure 12.5(a) and 12.5(b).

7
 b. State a function of the parts 6 and 7.
c. How does the germination in fig. 12.5(a) differ from that in fig.12.5(b)?
d. What conditions, do you think possibly helped the seeds to the state you are seeing?
22. a. Define dormancy.
b. What are the causes of dormancy in seeds?
c. How can dormancy in seeds be broken?
23. a. Define growth.
b. In what ways does light affect growth in plants?
c. Which factors other than light affect light in plants?
d. How would you demonstrate the region of growth in a root?
24. a. What is metamorphosis?
b. How does growth in animals differ from growth in plants?
c. Describe the role of growth hormones in insects.
d. What kind of growth is shown by the grasshopper?
25. Fig.6.21 below shows a portion of sieve tube of phloem tissue. Study it and use it to answer
the questions which follow.

a. Name he structures labelled A-D

b. State the biological importance of structure labelled A.
c. What effect would the removal of structure B have on the functioning of sieve tube? Give a
reason for your answer.
d. Name some of the materials which are transported by sieve tube.
26. The figure below is that of gill of tilapia. Study it and use it to answer the questions that
follow:

8
 a. Name parts labelled A, B and C and state the functions of each.
b. By using arrows, show the direction of flow of water over the gills from the above
diagram.
c. In fish, water and blood passing over the surfaces of gills flow in the opposite directions.
Name this type of flow and state its importance.
27. a. Name three environmental factors which influence the opening and closing of stomata.
b. Explain how guard cells are adapted for stomatal opening and closure.
c. Describe two theories which explain the process of stomatal opening and closure.
28. a. Describe the mechanism of breathing in (Inhalation) and exhalation (breathing out) in
mammals.
b. How are the lungs adapted for gaseous exchange.
c. What are the likely risks of tobacco smoking?
29. State the growth effect of each of the following hormones in plants:
a. Auxins
b. Abscissic acid
c. Gibberellins
d. Florigen
30. a. State the role of each of the following hormones in or during metamorphosis in insects.
i. Brain hormone
ii. Moulting hormone
iii.Juvenile hormone
b.Name the structure or organ which secretes each hormone in (a) above.
31. The graph shows the results of an investigation into the effect of a competitive inhibitor or an
enzyme controlled reaction over a range of substrate concentration.

9
 a. Give one factor which would need to be kept constant in this investigation.
b. i. Explain the difference in the rates of reaction at the substrate concentration of 10µmol
cm-3.
ii.Explain why the rates of reaction are similar at the substrate concentration of 30 µmol
cm-3.
c. The diagram represents a metabolic pathway controlled by enzymes.

i. Name the type of control mechanism which regulates production of compound Z.

ii. Explain precisely how an excess of compound Z will inhibit its further production.
32. The flow diagram shows two ways in which enzymes may be produced for industrial
processes.
a. Explain the advantages of using immobilized enzymes.

10
 b.i. Describe three ways by which enzymes or cells may be immobilized.
ii. A bacterial enzyme used widely in the production of sweeteners for soft drinks is glucose
isomerase which converts glucose to the much sweeter fructose. Outline how you would test
whether different ways of immobilized this enzyme affects the rate at which it converts glucose
to fructose.
c.Suggest why enzymes used for industrial processes may be obtained from microorganisms that
are thermophilic (able to grow at high temperatures).
33. Figure below shows part of the blood tissue. Study it and use it to answer the questions that
follow.

a. Identify part A and state four of its functions.

b. By giving a reason for each, identify each type of cell labelled B, C and D.
c. Describe how the blood cell labelled D is adapted to carrying out its functions.
d. State the main biological importance of each of the following blood cells.

11
 i. B.
ii. C.
34. a. In which environments would you find the following plants and explain why.
i. Mesophytes
ii. Hydrophytes
iii.Xerophytes
iv. Halophytes
c. State two ways in which the root system of xerophytes assist them to survive in dry areas.
35. The diagram shows the main components of a glucose biosensor.

a. i. Name the receptor molecules in the biological layer.

ii.What is the function of these receptor molecules?
b. A glucose biosensor can be used to measure blood glucose levels in diabetics. Suggest
two advantages of using a biosensor rather than the Benedict’s test in measuring blood
glucose levels.
36. Figure below shows the growth curve of an anaerobic bacteria colony in a puntured tin of
jam over a period of 20 days.

12
 a. i. Name the phases A-B, B- C and C- D.
ii.Account for each phase in a (i).
b. Extrapolate the graph at point E and estimate the population size on day 32.
37. The diagrams below represent parts of tree different types of muscles found in vertebrates’
bodies.

a. Identify each type of muscle labelled A, B and C.

b. State the possible locations of muscles A in the body of a female human being.
c. State two differences between muscle B and C.
d. Name the form in which food is stored in most muscles.
38. The diagram bellows below show an experimental set up using a seedling enclosed in a dark
box with a hole on one side at the beginning of experiment and after five days of growth.

13
 a. What type of response is shown by the above root?
b. State two observable changes which took place in the seedling after five days of growth.
c. Account for the observable changes in (b) above
d. What observation would be made after five days of growth if the shoot was placed in a
box without a hole on one side?
39. The diagram shows the tertiary structure of a molecule of the enzyme RNAase.

a. What is the name of the chemical group found in position A?

b. i. Explain what is meant by the tertiary structure of a protein.
ii. The chemical mercaptoethanol breaks disulfide bonds (bridges). Describe and
explain what would happen to the enzyme activity of RNAase if it were treated with
mercaptoethanol.
40. a. Distinguish between complete and incomplete metamorphosis.
b. State two differences between a nymph and caterpillar.
c. Of what benefit is metamorphosis to insects?
41. Figure below A-D represent experiments which were conducted by a group of form three
students to investigate conditions necessary for seed germination.

14
a. State the condition which was being investigated by each of the following set up A, C and D.
b. In which set up did germination occur? Explain.
c. Germination failed in set up D. Account for this.
42. The diagram below represents a mature bread mould (rhizopus) belongs

a. Name the kingdom to which bread mould belongs.

b. Name the structures A and B.
c. State the role of the parts labelled C.
43. a. Distinguish between the following terms:
(i) Dioecious and monoecious plants.
(ii) Staminate and pistillate flowers.
(iii) Unisexual and bisexual flower.
(iv) Essential and non-essential parts of the flower.
(v) Regular and irregular flowers.

15
b. State the differences between insect and wind pollinated
44. How are flowers adapted to: a) insect pollination b) wind pollination.
45. Figure below represents a mature pollen grain. Answer the questions that follow.

a. Name the parts labelled A, B and C.

b. State the function of part labelled C.
c. With a reason, suggest the possible agents of dispersion of the above pollen grain.
46. Explain how a bony like tilapia is adapted to locomotion in water.
47. a. A certain member of protozoans has active contractile vacuoles. With a reason, suggest the
possible or likely habitat of the protozoan.
b. Account for the life cycle of plasmodium falciparum in human body.
48. a. Differentiate between universal media from selective media.
b. Describe the principles involved in sterilizing cultures.
49. a. With aid of a graph, discuss the four stages involved in growth of bacterial population.
b. Discuss the benefits of microbiology.
50. a. How do microorganisms cause food to spoil?
b. Review the range of methods used to keep the food fresh.

16