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answers
SINGAPORE CHINESE GIRLS’ SCHOOL
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
SECONDARY FOUR

CANDIDATE
NAME

CLASS 4 REGISTER NO

CENTRE NO INDEX NO

BIOLOGY 6093/02
Paper 2 Thursday 13 August 2020
1 hour 45 minutes
No Additional Materials are required.

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write your class, index number and name on all the work you hand in.
Write in dark blue or black pen.
You may use a soft pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid/tape.

Section A
Answer all questions.

Section B
Answer all questions.
The last question has a choice of parts to answer.

The use of an approved scientific calculator is expected, where appropriate.

At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

Marker Questions (Total marks) For Examiner’s Use

Viv 1, 2, 3, 4 (24)
Arlene 5, 6, 7 (18) Section A
Jo 8, 10 (18)
Qn 9
Sarah 9, 11Or (20)
Qn1 6 Qn 7 6 Qn 10
Qn 2 6 Qn 8 8
Qn 3 6 Qn 9 10 Qn 11
Qn 4 6 Qn 10 10
Qn 5 7 Qn 11O 10
Qn 6 5
Total

This question paper consists of 22 printed pages.

 2

Section A

Answer all questions.

Write your answer in the spaces provided.

1 Fig. 1.1 shows some organelles involved in the formation of extracellular enzymes.

A …………………………

A: RER
B: Golgi apparatus
C: (secretory) vesicle

B ……………………………

C …………………….…..…

Fig. 1.1

(a) Name the parts labelled A, B and C. [3]

(b) Describe how B and C are involved in the formation and transport of extracellular
enzymes. [2]
B (golgi apparatus) (chemically) modifies and repackages proteins;
……………………………………………………………………………………….………….

C fuses with the cell membrane to release enzymes out of the cell
…………………………………………………………………………………….…………….

………………………………………………………………………………….……………….

(c) Explain how specialized cells are able to synthesise extracellular enzymes. [1]

…………………………………………………………………………………….…………….
 contain the same gene / nucleotide sequence OWTTE
……………………………………………………………………………….………………….
[Total: 6m]
 3

2 Some young grass plants were grown with their roots in a mineral solution containing nitrate
ions. The plants were divided into two batches, D and E.

Cyanide, which inhibits aerobic respiration, was added to the solution given to the plants in
batch E.

The quantity of nitrate ions in the plants was determined at regular intervals for 70 hours.

The results are shown in Fig. 2.1.

mean quantity
of nitrate ions
in each
plant / mg

time / hours
Fig. 2.1

Using information in Fig 2.1,

(a) Calculate the rate of absorption of nitrate ions in batch D between 40 and 60 hours.
Show your working. [2]

(55mg - 40mg) / 20 hours = 0.75

mg/hr

…………………………. mg per hour

 4

(b) Explain why the absorption of nitrate ions by the plants in batch D differs from that in
batch E between 0 and 60 hour. [3]

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
 ions in batch D are absorbed by diffusion and active transport [1m]
 nitrates in batch E are absorbed by diffusion only [1m]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
 cyanide inhibits respiration so no energy released [1m]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
R: ions diffuse OUT of the RHC into the soil
R: ions has sufficient respiration so do not need any more nitrates
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(c) Explain why the mean quantity of nitrate ions in both batches of plants decreased after
60 hours. [1]

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
ions used in amino acid formation / protein synthesis
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
[Total: 6m]
 5

3 Table 3.1 shows the relative composition of blood plasma and urine in an individual.

Table 3.1

amount in plasma / amount in urine / concentration

substance
g per 100 cm3 g per 100 cm3 factor in urine
protein 8.500 0.000 -
urea 0.030 2.400
glucose 0.100 0.000 -
potassium 0.020 0.150 x 7.5

(a) Account for the difference in composition between plasma and urine. [3]

[protein] large molecules that remain in glomerulus (not filtered)

……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
[glucose] all small molecules reabsorbed back into blood (accept if mentioned
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
proteins are large molecules)
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
[urea] small molecules filtered out & not reabsorbed back into the blood stream
(during ultrafiltration in glomerulus) + stored temporarily in urinary bladder
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
R: urea is a waste substance

……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
[K] excess; not reabsorbed

(b) Complete Table 3.1 for the concentration factor of urea in urine. X 80.0 (precision [1]
1 dp)

(c) The average concentration factor of urea in urine of a healthy individual is x 60.0.

Suggest an explanation for the difference in his concentration factor of urea in urine
from that of a healthy individual. [2]

……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
High protein diet;
Higher excess amino acids / higher rate of deamination
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
R: more water reabsorbed therefore urine more concentrated
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
[Total: 6m]
 6

4 Fig. 4.1 shows part of an organ in a human male.

cells dividing to
form sperms

mature sperms

mature sperm

connective tissue artery in spermatic cord

Fig. 4.1

(a) Identify the organ. [1]

testes
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………

(b) State the process that allows cells to divide to form sperms. [1]

meiosis
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………

(c) Describe changes that occur to mature sperms as they are being released out of the
body. [2]
Mixes with fluid (from prostate gland, seminal vesicles and Cowper’s gland) to form semen;
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
Fluid stimulates sperms to swim actively
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
R: sperms activated by semen / semen contains enzymes / sperms develop a tail / sperms
become active with no ref to fluids from glands

(d) Explain how sperms are able to develop optimally in the organ. [1]

……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
Testes are located in (scrotum) which is located outside main body and at lower temp
than body temperature.
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………

(e) State a function of the artery in Fig. 4.1. [1]

To transport glucose/nutrients and oxygen to cells
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
[Total: 6m]
 7

5 Coeliac disease is an immune disease in which an individual, after consuming gluten (a

protein found in wheat, rye or barley) can experience a response which leads to damage in
the small intestine.

Fig. 5.1 and Fig. 5.2, show sections through the ileum of a healthy individual and a individual
suffering from coeliac disease, respectively

individual without coeliac disease individual with coeliac disease

Fig. 5.1 Fig. 5.2

Symptoms of coeliac disease include weight loss and fatigue in adults and poor growth rates
in children. These symptoms are related to the effects of coeliac disease on the lining of the
ileum.

(a) Pepsin and trypsin digest gluten in the human body.

(i) Compare the digestion of protein by pepsin and trypsin. [2]

Both digest proteins to polypeptide [1m]

…………………………………………………………………………………………… Reject: breakdown

Pepsin in stomach, trypsin in small intestine OR Pepsin at pH2, trypsin at pH9

……………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………
*must have one similarity and one difference

(ii) Explain why pepsin is secreted in the inactive form. [1]

……………………………………………………………………………………………
so that active protease does not digest the muscle walls in the organ

……………………………………………………………………………………………
Reject: breakdown

(iii) Using a named example, state how pepsin is activated. [1]

……………………………………………………………………………………………
(pepsinogen) activated by HCl to form pepsin
……………………………………………………………………………………………
 8

(b) With reference to Fig. 5.1 and Fig. 5.2, explain how coeliac disease can cause fatigue
in adults and poor growth rates in children suffering from this disease. [3]

……………………………………………………………………………………………….....
villi in person with coeliac disease is shorter; Reject: smaller
also accepted: smaller surface area to volume ratio
……………………………………………………………………………………………….....
less glucose absorbed = less energy for respiration, hence fatigue
……………………………………………………………………………………………….....
less amino acids, fatty acids and glycerol absorbed = less materials to make new cells
……………………………………………………………………………………………….....
/ protoplasm (cannot just say it will affect growth or slow down growth)
……………………………………………………………………………………………….....
[Total: 7m]
 9

6 A person is chopping onions. He immediately senses some irritation to his eyes.

(a) Describe in detail how the nervous system enables the person to experience the
irritation. [3]

……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
(chemical) receptors detect stimulus  Impulse generated;

……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
transmitted along sensory neurone  Across a synapse  To relay neurone;
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
To brain, which interprets / processes impulse
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………

……………………………………………………..……………………………………………

(b) Onions produce a chemical irritant to the eyes.

Suggest two ways how the person would respond to this irritant. [2]

Tear glands secrete tears;

……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
Blinking
(both to wash away irritants)
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
Reject: Close eyes, rub eyes, move away from the onions
[Total: 5m]
 10

7 Pied oystercatchers, Haematopus longirostris, are birds that inhabit coasts worldwide.

Three different oystercatchers, F, G and H prey on earthworms buried underneath the

mangrove mudflats.

Fig. 7.1 shows the type of beak for each bird and the depth each bird can reach.

bird F bird G bird H

curved beak straight beak long beak

surface of mud

depth (cm)

Fig. 7.1

(a) The shape of the beak is controlled by a single pair of alleles.

When bird F is crossed with bird G, approximately half of the offsprings have curved
beaks and the other half have straight beaks.

When bird F is crossed with another bird F, all the offsprings have curved beaks.

Using this information, draw a genetic diagram to show the genotypes of birds F and
G. [3]

Statement is written to explain what letters represent + Use suitable same-letter to

represent alleles; [1m]

Genetic diagram shows clear flow + no major error; [1m]

Genotype of bird F: homozygous recessive, Genotype of bird G: heterozygous; [1m]

 11

(b) DNA testing and tracing performed on bird H show that it is likely to share a common
ancestor with bird G.

Using information from Fig. 7.1, explain how natural selection may have played a part
in the evolution of the type of beak found in bird H. [3]

……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
Birds with straight beaks can catch more earthworms/food up to 20 cm deep / deeper
than curved beaks;
 mark for this is only given when it is implied that the common ancestor had
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
individuals with straight and longer beaks
 no mark awarded if answer is along the lines of saying that H has longer beaks
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
and no reference is made to an ancestor. Question is asking how H could have
come about, not why the population of H will increase.
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
Survived and reproduced offsprings; (must be in relation to being able to obtaining
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
food, and not part of a general statement of being better adapted to survive)
[Total: 6m]
Alleles for straight beaks passed down over many generations
 12

8 People who smoke tobacco are at an increased risk of developing non-infectious diseases
of the gas exchange system and the cardiovascular system.

In 2004, a study was carried out on the most popular brand of filter cigarettes from each of
the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions.

In this study, the smoke passing through the filter was analysed for the tar, nicotine and
carbon monoxide (CO) content for each brand. For each WHO region, the mean content of
tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide of the different brands of cigarette was calculated.

The results are shown in Fig. 8.1.

Key to WHO regions

AFRO = African Region
AMRO = Region of the Americas
EMRO = Eastern Mediterranean Region
EURO = European Region
SEARO = South East Asia Region
WRPO = Western Pacific Region

mg per
cigarette

WHO Region

Fig. 8.1
 13

(a) With reference to Fig. 8.1, list the two WHO regions where smokers are at the highest
risk of developing lung cancer. [1]

…..………………………………………………………………………………………………
EMRO and SEARO / Eastern Mediterranean and South East Asia regions
…..………………………………………………………………………………………………

(b) With reference to Fig. 8.1, explain why smoking a popular brand of cigarette from the
AFRO region is more likely to increase the risk of coronary heart disease than smoking
a popular brand of cigarette from the EURO region. [2]

…..………………………………………………………………………………………………
 AFRO has more nicotine (92mg) than EURO (78mg)
 Nicotine increases the risk of blood clots, which increases the risk of CHD.
…..………………………………………………………………………………………………
[No data – 1m]
…..………………………………………………………………………………………………

…..………………………………………………………………………………………………

(c) One short-term effect of cigarette smoking is a decrease in the supply of oxygen to
body tissues.

Describe and explain why cigarette smoking leads to a decrease in the supply of
oxygen to body tissues. [3]

…..………………………………………………………………………………………………
 tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide [3m]
 CO binds more readily/ has higher affinity to Hb
…..………………………………………………………………………………………………
 to form carboxyhaemoglobin
 less oxygen transported to body tissues / cells
…..………………………………………………………………………………………………

…..………………………………………………………………………………………………

…..………………………………………………………………………………………………

…..………………………………………………………………………………………………
 14

(d) Prolonged and excessive smoking can lead to the disease emphysema as shown in
Fig. 8.2.

normal air
spaces enlarged air
spaces
in emphysema

Fig. 8.2

(i) With reference to Fig. 8.2, briefly describe how emphysema affects breathing.
[1]

Partition walls break down, resulting in decreased SA for gaseous

………………………………………………………………………………………….
exchange.
………………………………………………………………………………………….

(ii) Explain why individuals with emphysema are treated with air containing a
higher concentration of oxygen than atmospheric air. [1]

Increased oxygen concentration creates a steeper concentration

………………………………………………………………………………………….
gradient for diffusion
………………………………………………………………………………………….
[Total: 8m]

End of Section A
 15

Section B

Answer three questions.

Question 11 is in the form of an Either / Or question. Only one part should be answered.

9 In an experimental set-up, a plant is watered with water radioactively labelled with isotope
18
O. The plant is then placed in a sealed chamber and the radioactivity of 18O in the chamber
is measured over time.

Table 9.1 shows the data that was obtained from the experiment.

Table 9.1

time / h 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
radioactivity of
18O / Bq 0.0 10.0 20.0 35.0 45.0 55.0 70.0 90.0

(a) Use the information in Table 9.1 to draw a graph on the grid below. [4]

Scale
Axes
Points
Line of best fit
 16

(b) Explain the change in radioactivity as shown in Table 9.1. [4]

Radioactive water enters RHC by osmosis + transported upwards in xylem;
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
Moves out of xylem to mesophyll cells;
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
[Photosynthesis] Radioactive water used for photosynthesis;
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
Radioactive oxygen gas produced and diffuses out of leaves; OR
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
[Transpiration] Thin film of moisture around spongy mesophyll evaporates;
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………
Radioactive water vapour diffuses out of leaves;
……………………………………………………..……………………………………………

(c) Suggest and explain how radioactivity of the air will change if carbon dioxide with
radioactive 14C is used in the same sealed chamber. [2]

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Decreased;
14
C used in photosynthesis converted to glucose / stored as starch/
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
carbohydrates/ sugars;
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
[Total: 10m]
 17

10 An investigation into the properties of the wall tissue of a vein and an artery was carried out,
using the apparatus shown in Fig. 10.1.

clamp

wall tissue of blood vessel

weight holder

Fig. 10.1

The percentage change in length of the wall tissue when stretched by the weight holder is
used to measure S, which is calculated by the following :

length of wall tissue when stretched by weights

x 100%
original length of wall tissue

Heavier weights were increasingly added onto the holder until the wall tissue snapped.
Results from the investigation are shown in Table 10.1.

Table 10.1

wall tissue maximum weights / a.u. S/%

artery 103 122

vein 55 115

(a) Explain these results using your knowledge of the function of veins and arteries. [6]

…………………………………………………………………………..………………..…….
Function of artery: transport blood away from the heart;
Function of vein: transport blood towards the heart.
…………………………………………………………………………..…………………..….
Artery has thicker wall with more muscle tissue;
…………………………………………………………………………..………………..…….
to withstand high blood pressure blood from the heart;
Thus able to hold more weight (103au) than vein (53au);
…………………………………………………………………………..………………..…….
Veins experience low blood pressure.
…………………………………………………………………………..………………..…….
Artery has more elastic tissue;
to allow artery to stretch and recoil;
…………………………………………………………………………..……………..……….
This able to stretch only till 115 au compared to artery 122 au
…………………………………………………………………………..………………..…….

…………………………………………………………………………..……………..……….
 18

(b) The average speed of blood in a human artery is 50 cm/s, but the average speed of
blood in a human capillary is only 0.05 cm/s.

Explain the cause of this difference and describe how this difference is important for
their functioning. [4]

…………………………………………………………………………..…………..………….
Speed of blood in artery is higher due to
 pumping action of heart
…………………………………………………………………………..………………..…….
 small lumen leading to increase blood pressure
so that blood can be brought to all parts of body quickly.
…………………………………………………………………………..……………..……….

Speed of blood in capillaries is slow

…………………………………………………………………………..……………..……….
 because the pressure is much lower
 cross sectional area increases
…………………………………………………………………………..……………..……….
 to allow for exchange of materials (eg oxygen and nutrients or
…………………………………………………………………………..……………..……….
CO2 + waste) between blood and body cells
[Total: 10m]
 19

11 Either

Fig. 11.1 shows a food web in the Arctic region.

Fig. 11.1

The owner of a fishing company in Yukon, Canada is licensed to catch Arctic cod in the Arctic
Ocean. The model of his fishing operations is shown in Fig. 11.2

Fishing practices Targeted Catch Management of Catch

Drift nets Mature cods are captured

and commercially sold
Cyanide fishing Arctic cod
Young cods are released
into water
Dredging
Non-targeted catch used
as baits

Fig. 11.2
 20

(a) Using information from Fig. 11.1 discuss the impact on the food web when
indiscriminate over-fishing of Arctic cod is carried out by the fishing company. [3]

…………………………………………………………………………………….…………...

……………………………………………………………………………….………………...

………………………………………………………………………….……………………...

……………………………………………………….………………………………………...

………………………………………………………………………………………….……...

…………………………………………………………………………………………….…...

……………………………………………………………………………….………………...

…………………………………………………………………….…………………………...

(b) Using information from Fig. 11.2, comment on the consequences of

(i) the fishing practices, and [3]

………………………………………………………………………….........................

………………………………………………………………………………….………..

……………………………………………………………………………….…………..

……………………………………………………………………………….…………..

…………………………………………………………………………….……………..

.…………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………….…………………..

(ii) the management of catch of the fishing company. [2]

………………………………………………………………………….........................

………………………………………………………………………………….………..

……………………………………………………………………………….…………..

……………………………………………………………………………….…………..
 21

An example of phytoplankton is microscopic algae called dinoflagellates. It is now known

that about twenty species of dinoflagellates produce toxins. One type of toxin is the ciguatera
toxin, which causes poisoning to predators when they eat ringed and harbor seals. However,
the risk of poisoning is much lower when predators feed on arctic cods.

(c) Using information from Fig. 11.1 explain why the risk of poisoning is much higher when
predators consume ringed and harbor seals compared to feeding on arctic cods.
[2]

…………………………………………………………………………………….…………...

……………………………………………………………………………….………………...

………………………………………………………………………….……………………...

……………………………………………………….………………………………………...
[Total : 10]
 22

11 Or

(a) Describe the role of the placenta and umbilical cord in the development of the foetus
during human pregnancy. [6]

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
[placenta] – 4m
Allows oxygen and food substances such as glucose and amino acids to diffuse from
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
maternal circulation into foetal blood;

Allows metabolic waste products such as urea and carbon dioxide to diffuse from foetal
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
blood into maternal circulation;
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Allows antibodies to diffuse from maternal circulation into foetal blood;
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Produces progesterone which maintains uterine lining;
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Prevents maternal and foetal blood from mixing causing agglutination

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
High maternal blood pressure dangerous to foetus.

[umbilical cord] – 2m
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Umbilical Arteries: transport metabolic waste products from foetus to placenta;
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Umbilical Vein transport oxygen and food substances from placenta to foetus
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(b) Describe how the foetus is protected against danger. [4]

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
[Amniotic fluid]
- is a shock absorber to protect foetus against mechanical injury
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
- supports and cushions foetus, allowing movement

[Placenta]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
antibodies from maternal blood protect foetus against certain diseases.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
placenta produces progesterone which maintains uterine lining;
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
placenta prevents mother and foetus blood from mixing causing agglutination;
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
placenta prevents high pressure of maternal circulation from killing foetus;
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
[Total: 10m]

End of Paper