Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 1 (DNA and Genomics)

(a) The flow of information in the cell, sometimes called the Central Dogma of Molecular
Biology, primarily involves two classes of macromolecules.
(i) State the two classes of macromolecules and their cellular location in eukaryotes. [2]
(ii) Use a simple flow chart to represent the Central Dogma in the space provided below.
Include in the flow chart the processes by which information flows. [3]

(b) Table 1.1 below shows the relative proportions of the bases adenine, thymine, guanine and
cytosine in DNA from different organisms.

Table 1.1
Explain the importance of the ratios of A to T and G to C to the structure of DNA. [2]

(c) During protein synthesis, tRNA and ribosomes are involved in the formation of a polypeptide
chain.
(i) State the exact location in the cell where ribosomal subunits are made. [1]
(ii) Describe how the correct amino acid is attached to each tRNA molecule. [3]
[Total: 11 marks]

Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 2 (DNA and Genomics)

a) (i)
(ii)

Describe the structural features of DNA. [2]

Outline the main features of DNA replication. [5]

b)

Table 2.2 The genetic code

Use the genetic code in Table 2.2 as shown above to complete the table below. The columns
represent transcriptional and translational alignments. Write down the directions in terms of 5
and 3 for the nucleic acids.
5

C
G

DNA double
helix

mRNA
transcribed

Appropriate
tRNA
anticodon

Amino acids
incorporated into
polypeptide
[4]

Trp

[Total: 11 marks]

Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 3 (DNA and Genomics)

a) The main function of a chromosome is to act as a template for the synthesis of RNA
molecules, since only in this way does the genetic information stored in chromosomes
become directly useful to the cell. RNA synthesis is a highly selective process.
Explain what is meant by the term template. [3]
b) Figures 3.1 shows transcription.

Figure 3.1 Transcription

(i)

Identify structures A to C and describe their function. [1]

(ii)

Describe the function of RNA polymerase. [3]

(iii) State three differences between transcription and DNA replication. [3]
[Total: 10 marks]

Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 4 (Bacteria)
a) An experiment was conducted to determine the identity of Substance X and Substance Y.
Both substances are known to have an effect on the expression of -galactosidase in
Escherichia coli. Substance X was added after 10 minutes, Substance Y was added after 20
minutes and both substances X and Y were added after 30 minutes. The results are shown in
Fig. 5.1.
10.0

Amount of -galactosidase (mg)

9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0
Time (min)

Substance X Substance Y Substance X

and
added
added
Substance Y
added

a) (i)

Fig. 5.1
Suggest an identity for Substance X and Substance Y
Substance X:
Substance Y:

(ii)

With reference to Fig. 5.1, explain how the expression levels of -galactosidase are
affected by Substance X and Substance Y between 10 minutes to 40 minutes. [5]

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b) (i)
(ii)

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Draw a simple diagram to show all the elements of the trp operon. [1]
Explain why it is useful for a bacterial cell to decrease expression of the trp genes when
tryptophan is present. [2]

Table 5.1 below indicates the activity levels of the functional enzymes E, D, C, B and A in wild
type bacterial cells in the presence and absence of tryptophan (Trp).
Activity level of enzymes/units
Enzyme
E
D
C
B
A

Trp absent
Trp present
700
0
700
0
700
0
700
0
700
0
Table. 5.1

You have managed to obtain several bacterial mutants. Each mutant is the result of a single
base-pair substitution in a single component of the trp operon. The activity level of functional
enzymes E, D, C, B and A in the bacterial cells having these individual mutations is shown in
Table 5.2.
Activity level of enzymes/units
Mutant 2
Mutant 3
Trp
Trp
Trp
Trp
Trp
present
absent
present
absent
present
700
700
0
0
0
700
0
0
0
0
700
700
0
0
0
700
700
0
0
0
700
700
0
0
0
Table. 5.2

Mutant 1
Enzymes
E
D
C
B
A

Trp
absent
700
700
700
700
700

c) (i)

Explain why it is useful for a bacterial cell to decrease expression of the trp genes when
tryptophan is present. [2]

(ii)

A loss-of-function mutation in which component of the trp operon could explain the
phenotype of mutant 3? Explain your choice. [2]

c) If the phenotype of mutant 3 is caused by a mutation in the trpR gene, explain how this
mutation would affect the structure and function of the repressor protein. [3]
[Total: 15 marks]

Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 5 (Bacteria)
a) Figure 7.1 shows an electron micrograph of an E.coli (strain O104:H7) that can enter humans
through ingestion of contaminated food and cause food poisoning in humans.
A serious outbreak of foodborne illness in Germany in May 2011 was caused by this novel
strain of E.coli that had acquired the genes to produce Shiga toxins.

Figure 7.1
(i)

State two structural differences between the chromosome of this type of microorganism
and a human cell. [2]

(ii)

Explain how this bacteria strain of E.coli O104:H7 could have transferred the genes
coding for Shiga toxins to normal E.coli bacteria in human gut. [4]

b)

Figure 7.2 shows a diauxic growth curve of E. coli cultured in a medium with both
glucose and lactose.
Growth (!) of bacteria is measured in terms of optical density (OD) at wavelength of
650nm, concentration of lactose (!) and glucose (") are measured in millimolar (mM).

Figure 7.2
With reference to Figure 7.2, explain the bacteria growth rate
(i)

for the first 6 hours; [3]

(ii)

from 6 to 8 hours; [2]

(iii) from 8 hours onwards. [5]

[Total: 16 marks]

Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 6 (Viruses)
a) Explain why viruses are necessarily obligate parasites. [3]
b) In 1911, Peyton Rous isolated a virus from chickens that rapidly produced tumours when
injected into healthy birds. The virus was then named the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). The
life cycle of the virus is shown below in Figure 8.1.

(i)

With reference Figure 8.1, describe the common features shared by RSV and
retroviruses e.g. HIV. [3]

(ii)

Describe two differences in the mode of entry of influenza virus and HIV. [4]
[Total: 10 marks]

Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 7 (Pro and Euk)

a)

Describe 2 roles of telomeres. [4]

b)

Telomeres can be extended by an enzyme, telomerase. Telomerase comprises an RNA

component which can be used as a template in the synthesis of telomeric DNA.
Figure 4.1 illustrates the action of telomerase.

Figure 4.1
(i)

Suggest how a synthetic single-stranded RNA molecule (not shown in Fig. 4.1) can be
used to inhibit telomerase activity. [2]

(ii)

Suggest how a mutation in DNA can result in increased telomerase activity in a cell. [2]

c)

Figure 4.2 below shows the effect of histone acetylation/deacetylation on a piece of

chromosome.

Figure 4.2
(i)

With reference to Figure 4.2, explain the effect of histone deacetylation on gene
expression. [3]

(ii)

State and explain another process which can increase the effect of histone
deacetylation on gene expression. [2]
[Total: 9 marks]
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Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 8 (Pro and Euk)

Using the table below, compare how gene regulation at translational level differs between a
bacterium and a eukaryotic cell.
Points of comparison for
Prokaryote
Eukaryote
translational control
Protecting the RNA and
thus the stability of the
mRNA
Recognition site for
ribosomes
Location of binding for
repressor
[Total: 8 marks]
Question 9 (Cell Division)
(a)

A root was cut into ten transverse sections at different distances from the tip. The
sections were stained and viewed under the microscope. The number of cells in mitosis
were counted in each section and the results were used to determine the mitotic index.
This is calculated as follows:

Fig. 9.1 shows the mitotic index for the ten sections.

Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

(i)

Using the information in Fig. 9.1, describe how the mitotic index changes along the
length of the root.

[2]

(ii)

Explain how the events in the mitotic cell cycle ensure that all the cells in the root are
genetically identical.

[3]

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Raffles Institution

(b)

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

The diagram shows the main stages in the formation of sperms in a human testis.

(i)

Describe two ways, other than size, in which cells at anaphase of division A would
differ from cells at anaphase in division B.

[2]

(ii)

Explain why meiosis is important for sexual reproduction

[3]

(iii)

This man has haemophilia. Haemophilia is a sex-linked condition. Explain how a child
that results from the zygote formed when sperm P fertilises an ovum may not inherit the
haemophilia allele from its father.

[2]

[Total: 9 marks]

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Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 10 (Cell division)

Fig. 10.1 shows drawings of a cell at various stages in the mitotic cell cycle.

(a) List the letters shown in Fig. 10.1 in the order in which these stages occur during a mitotic cell
cycle. The first stage has been entered for you. [1]
(b) Explain what is happening in stage D in Fig.10.1. [2]
(c) Describe and outline what happens to the DNA in the nucleus during stage A in Fig. 10.1. [3]
(d) State the importance of mitosis in the growth of a multicellular organism, such as a flowering
plant or a mammal. [1]
[Total: 7 marks]

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Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 11 (Mendelian Genetics)

The figure below shows the pedigrees (family trees) of two families, A and B, representing the
occurrence of colour blindness in parents and their children.

(a)

In individuals A4 and B3 were to produce children, what proportions of different off

spring would you expect to find?

[1]

Male colour blind

Male, full colour vision
Female colour blind
Female full colour vision

(b)

Redraw pedigree A only showing all possible genotypes of the individuals in each
generation.
( mark each individual)

[4]

Another human characteristic showing this pattern of inheritance is haemophilia.

(c)

Suggest two reasons why haemophilia is less common than colour blindness.
The table shows the results of a cross between homozygous recessive black bodied,
bent winged fruit flies (bb, nn) and the double heterozygote (Bb, Nn).
Phenotype

Number

Genotype

Combination of traits

Normal body, normal wing

83

BbNn

Parental

Black body, normal wing

71

bbNn

Non-parental

Normal body, bent wing

69

Bbnn

Non-parental

Black body, bent wing

85

bbnn

Parental

13

[2]

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(d)

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

What is the expected phenotype ratio of the offspring?

[1]

Use the chi-squared test to check whether this assumption is justified.

(O E )2
E

(e)

What is the Null hypothesis for this data?

[1]

There is no significant difference* between the observed numbers and the expected
numbers, any difference is due to chance*.
(f)

What is the expected number in each class?

[1]

(g)

With all working shown clearly, show your calculations for chi-square below.

[2]

Distribution of
Degrees of
freedom
1
2
3
4

(h)

0.10
2.71
4.61
6.25
7.78

0.05
3.84
5.99
7.82
9.49

Probability, p
0.02
0.01
5.41
6.64
7.82
9.21
9.84
11.35
11.67
13.28

0.001
10.83
13.82
16.27
18.47

Explain the conclusion that can be draw from your your calculated 2 value and the
[2]
table above.
[Total: 15 marks]

Question 12 (9700 Nov08/P4/Q8) (Mendelian Genetics)

In mice there are several alleles of the gene that controls the intensity of pigmentation of the fur.
The alleles are listed below in order of dominance with C as the most dominant.
C
Cch
Ch
Cp
Ca

= full colour
= chinchilla
= himalayan
= platinum
= albino

The gene for eye colour has two alleles. The allele for black eyes, B, is dominant, while the allele
for red eyes, b, is recessive.
A mouse with full colour and black eyes was crossed with a himalayan mouse with black eyes. One
of the offspring was albino with red eyes.
Using the symbols above, draw a genetic diagram to show the genotypes and phenotypes of the
offspring of this cross. [6]
[Total: 6 marks]

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Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 13 (Mendelian Genetics)

The parental generation consisting of crosses between white-eyed and normal-eyed forms of
fruit fly (Drosophila sp.) and the next two subsequent generations are shown below. A begins
with a cross between a normal-eyed female and a white-eyed male while B begins with a
reciprocal cross.

Parental generation

Cross between
first generation
offspring
respectively

Generation 2

(The genotypic ratios obtained in A and B are as follows: first generation offspring 1:1, second
generation offspring 1:1:1:1)
(a) What is meant by reciprocal cross?

[1]

(b) Explain the difference in the first generation male obtained in A and B.

[3]

(c) Using appropriate symbols and genetic diagrams, explain the the cross between the first
generation offspring seen in A and B. [5]
(d) Explain how would you find out which female in the second generation of A is heterozygous
for the eye colour.
[2]
[Total: 9 marks]

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Raffles Institution

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Question 14 (Proteins and Enzymes)

Consider the following hypothetical protein (Fig. 14.1) that spans the membrane of a cell:

Fig. 14.1
(a) (i)
(ii)

What class of macromolecules does the molecules (except for the protein) that constitute
the above membrane belong to? [1]
Explain the important features of these molecules that allow them to form membranes. [2]

(b) Consider the interaction between the side chains of valine 141 and cysteine 136.
(i)

Suggest one possible type of interaction between these two groups.

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[1]

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(ii)

Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

Yr 5 2014

Could changing valine 141 to a different amino acid strengthen the interaction between the
amino acids at position 141 and 136 of this protein?
[2]
If no, briefly explain why not.
If yes, explain how the interaction will be weakened.

(c) Amino acids 100 through 129 of this protein are all alanines, leucines or valines. What interactions
occur between the side chains of these amino acids and the molecules that constitute the inside of
the membrane?
[1]
(d) If amino acids 100 through 129 are replaced with serine, glutamine and asparagines (all three
being amino acids that are hydrophilic), the resulting protein has the same general structure.
Would you then expect that this new protein be still found embedded in the membrane? Explain
your answer.
[2]
[Total: 9 marks]
Question 15 (Proteins and Enzymes)
(a) Write down the structural formula of the tripeptide formed by alanine (R = CH3), glycine (R
= H) and serine (R = -CH2OH) joined together in that order. Indicate and name the bond
formed between these three amino acids.

[2]

(b) Lipase is an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of triglycerides. It is a soluble globular
protein. The function of an enzyme depends upon the precise structure of its tertiary
structure. Fig. 15.1 represents the structure of an enzyme. The black strips represent the
disulfide bonds which help to stabilize its tertiary structure.

Fig. 15.1
(i)

Describe the nature of the disulfide bonds that help stabilize the tertiary structure of a
protein such as lipase.

[3]

(ii)

Name two other types of bonds that help stabilize the tertiary structure.

[1]
[Total: 7 marks]

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Post-Promos Holiday Homework (H2 Biology)

18

Yr 5 2014