Mock Paper 03

PAPER 2
SECTION A Human Physiology: Regulation and Control
Answer ALL parts of the question.
1(a) The diagram below shows some of the events that occur in the ovary during a menstrual
cycle:

(i) Describe how hormone X interacts with another hormone to cause ovulation. (2 marks)
(ii) Following successful fertilization and implantation, the hormone human chorionic
gonadotrophin (HCG) is present in the blood of pregnant women. HCG prevents the
degeneration of the yellow body. The graph below shows the changes in the blood HCG
levels of a pregnant woman throughout pregnancy:

(1) Account for the change in blood HCG level in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. (2 marks)
(2) What is the significance of maintaining a high HCG level during the first 10 weeks of
pregnancy? (2 marks)
(3) Why does the HCG level start to drop after the first 10 weeks of pregnancy? (1 mark)
(4) The presence of HCG in urine can serve as an indicator of pregnancy. Explain why HCG is
present in the urine of pregnant women. (3 marks)

1(b) In a cardiac cycle, two heart sounds `lub dub' is produced. The 'lub' is the first heart sound,
commonly termed S1. The second sound is 'dub', termed S2. The graph below shows the
heart sounds recorded from a resting man:
(i) The contraction of cardiac muscle is described as myogenic. What is the stimulus for the
contraction of the heart? (1 mark)
(ii) Describe the events occurring in the heart that lead to the production of the two heart
sounds. (4 marks)
(iii) (1) Given that the stroke volume of the man is 70 mL per beat, calculate his cardiac output.
Show your working. (2 marks)
(2) When this man exercises, his stroke volume increases significantly. Describe how the
nervous system and endocrine system bring about this increase. (3 marks)
SECTION B Applied Ecology
Answer ALL parts of the question.
2(a) Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it.

Finding the way to control Mikania micrantha

Mikania micrantha originates from Central and South America. Human activities have brought it
to other parts of the world including Southeast Asia, Australia and Africa. Due to its climbing
behaviour and high growth rate, Mikania micrantha often becomes an ecological problem that
threatens biodiversity. It twines around other plants and grows quickly to reach the canopy for
sunlight. Plants that are climbed by and covered with this weed die after a short time.

Mikania grows with other plants

(Source: L. L. Cheng)
In Hong Kong, there is no natural enemy of Mikania micrantha, and the local climate is suitable
for its growth. This weed is usually found to have invaded areas including abandoned farmlands,
roadsides, woodland margins near villages and river banks.
Mikania micrantha can be cleared by cutting off their stems near the soil but the roots can
re-grow, or by ripping out the whole plant by the roots but this is time-consuming and takes a lot
of manpower. Herbicides can also be used to kill Mikania micrantha. The Agriculture, Fisheries
and Conservation Department (AFCD) is trying to use a parasitic plant dodder, Cuscuta
campestris, as a biological control agent to infest Mikania micrantha. C. campestris was found to
have effectively inhibited the growth of Mikania micrantha in the trial plots.

(i) Explain how the growth of Mikania micrantha kills the plants it climbed on.(2 marks)
(ii) The widespread growth of Mikania micrantha may threaten biodiversity. Suggest how the
growth of Mikania micrantha affects not only the plants it climbed on, but also other
organisms. (2 marks)
(iii) Give two adverse effects of using herbicides to kill Mikania micrantha. (2 marks)
(iv) (1) Suggest how the dodder plant inhibits the growth of Mikania micrantha. (1 mark)
(2) The use of dodder plant as a biological control method of Mikania micrantha should be
further studied before field application. Suggest two reasons for this. (2 marks)

2(b) In order to increase crop yield, a farmer uses inorganic phosphorus-containing fertilizers in
his field.
(i) Suggest a reason why phosphorus-containing fertilizers can promote the growth of plants.
(2 marks)
(ii) Explain how the application of inorganic phosphorus-containing fertilizers might affect the
aquatic ecosystem nearby. (4 marks)
(iii) Before sowing the seeds, farmers plough the field so as to improve soil fertility.
(1) Explain how ploughing increases the phosphorus content of the soil. (3 marks)
(2) Other than improving soil fertility, suggest why ploughing the soil can promote the growth
of seedlings. (2 marks)
SECTION C Microbiology
Answer ALL parts of the question.
3(a) Jane made wine from grapes using the following method:
1. Put crushed grapes, distilled water, sugars and yeast nutrients in a sterilized container and
mix well.
2. Add a sulphur-containing tablet into the mixture and then leave it for 24 hours.
3. Add a yeast culture to the mixture. Allow the yeasts to grow for a week during which
filtered air is continuously bubbled into the mixture.
4. Seal the container with a one-way valve so that air cannot enter the container. Allow the
mixture to ferment for a month.
(i) The added sugars and yeast nutrients serve as carbon and nitrogen sources for yeasts to
grow. How do yeasts utilize these carbon and nitrogen sources? (2 marks)
(ii) If the yeast culture was added immediately after the addition of the sulphur-containing
tablet, the yeasts would be killed. What is the importance of adding the sulphur-containing
tablet into the mixture? (2 marks)
(iii) Explain why the continuous bubbling of filtered air into the mixture can boost the growth of
yeasts. (2 marks)
(iv) Suggest why the container should be sealed with a one-way valve instead of tightly sealed
during the fermentation process. (Hint: The one-way valve allows gases to escape the
container.) (4 marks)
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3(b) A fungus X can be cultured in industrial fermenters for mass production of the antibiotic Y.
The following graph shows the change in the biomass of the fungus X, and the
concentrations of nutrients and the antibiotic Y in a fermenter during incubation:

(i) Describe and explain for the changes in the biomass of the fungus X during the period a–b
and the period d–e. (4 marks)
(ii) Based on the graph above and your biological knowledge on the function of antibiotics in the
natural world, suggest an explanation for the change in the concentration of antibiotic Y in
the culture during the period c – d. (3 marks)
(iii) Suggest why the growth of filamentous fungus should be measured in biomass rather than
the number of cells. (1 mark)
(iv) Suggest how two factors should be controlled to ensure a steady production of antibiotic Y.
(2 marks)
SECTION D Biotechnology
Answer ALL parts of the question.
4(a) The woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) is a species of mammoth that was well
adapted to the cold environment during the last ice age. It first appeared on Earth around
400 000 years ago but is extinct nowadays.
In 2013, the dead body of an adult female woolly mammoth was found frozen in ice in
Siberia. As the body was well preserved, scientists may make use of its genetic materials to
clone a woolly mammoth. The diagram below outlines how a baby woolly mammoth might
be produced by using a method similar to that used to clone Dolly the sheep:

(i) Under what conditions could the dead body of a woolly mammoth be well preserved?
Explain your answer. (2 marks)
(ii) Dolly the sheep was the world's first mammal cloned from an adult body cell.
(1) How is the method described above different from the method used to clone Dolly?
(2 marks)
(2) Compare the genetic make-up of the woolly mammoth clone with that of the frozen
woolly mammoth. Give a reason for your answer. (2 marks)
 (3)Explain one potential problem that might be faced by the woolly mammoth clone.
(2 marks)
(iii) In another research, scientists inserted woolly mammoth genes that control ear size, hair
colour and hair length into Asian elephant skin cells, aiming to create a mammoth-elephant
hybrid that can live in colder climates, where it will face fewer threats from humans. Do
you think the research to produce the mammoth-elephant hybrid should be continued or
banned? Give two reasons for your answer. (2 marks)

4(b) Tissue culture makes it possible to produce transgenic plants from a few cells, which have
been genetically modified by recombinant DNA technology. The flowchart below outlines
the steps in producing transgenic crops that are resistant to a particular herbicide:
Step 1 A gene for herbicide resistance is inserted into bacterial plasmids.
Step 2 The recombinant plasmids are introduced into bacteria.
Step 3 The bacteria are mixed with plant cells taken from the crop.
Step 4 The plant cells are cultured on a culture medium containing the herbicide.
Step 5 Some of the cells grow into plantlets, which are herbicide-resistant.

(i) Describe how genes, such as the gene for herbicide resistance, can be inserted into a
plasmid. (2 marks)
(ii)(1) In genetic engineering, plasmids containing genes for antibiotic resistance are often used.
Explain the role of these genes in recombinant DNA technology. (2 marks)
(2) Using the information on the flowchart, suggest why the use of these genes is not needed in
the example described above. (1 mark)
(iii) Suggest one benefit to the farmers of using herbicides together with herbicide-resistant crop
plants. Explain your answer. (2 marks)
(iv) Some people oppose the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops, such as the
herbicide-resistant crops described above. Explain the reason behind. (1 mark)
(v) Suggest two advantages of propagating plants using tissue culture. (2 marks)
END OF PAPER

Marking Schemes
Paper 2 Section A
** 1. (a) (i) High level of hormone X stimulates the secretion of luteinising hormone / LH by the
pituitary gland. (1) ,
A surge of LH causes ovulation. (1)
The implanted embryo secretes HCG. (1)
The level of HCG increases as the embryo develops. (1)
HCG prevents the degeneration of structure Q (yellow body)
so that structure Q can continue to secrete oestrogen and progesterone (1)
in order to maintain the thickness of the uterine lining for the development of the embryo. (1)
Structure Q degenerates as the placenta has taken over its function to secrete oestrogen and
progesterone. (1)
The molecules of HCG are small enough to pass through the wall of the glomerulus and enter
the Bowman's capsule by ultrafiltration. (1)
When the concentration of HCG in the glomerular filtrate exceeds the u er limit for com e lete
reabsorption of HCG in the kidney tubules, (1) the excess HCG remains in the filtrate and
will be present in urine. (1)
(3)
(4)
Mark

(2) Some students may

(2) mistake hormone X
for LH. Hormone X
is secreted by the
developing follicles
in the ovary, so it is
oestrogen. LH is
secreted by the
pituitary gland, not
by the ovary.

*1.
(b) (i) Electrical impulses generated by the sinoatrial node / SA node /pacemaker. (1)
(ii) During ventricular systole, the ventricles contract and the pressure inside increases to become
higher than that in the atria. (1)
This pressure difference causes the bicuspid and tricuspid valves to close. (1)
The closure of the bicuspid and tricuspid valves produces the first heart sound.
During diastole, the ventricles relaxes and the pressure inside decreases to become lower than
those in the aorta and pulmonary arteries. (1)
This pressure difference causes the semilunar valves to close. (1)
The closure of the semilunar valves produces the second heart sound.
(iii) (1) One heart beat takes 0.8 s.
Heart rate = 60/ 0.8 = 75 beats / min
Cardiac output = heart rate x stroke volume = 75 x 70 = 5 250 mL / min
Calculation (1) Answer with unit (1)

The SA node generates electrical impulses, but not nerve impulses. The electrical impulses
spread to both atria, causing both atria to contract at the same time. Refer to: DSE 2013 II
Q1(a)(ii)
The closure of heart valves should be explained in terms of pressure difference.

(2) The cardiovascular centre in the medulla oblongata sends more nerve impulses via the
sympathetic nerve to the SA node / pacemaker. (1)
The adrenal glands secrete more adrenaline. (1)
Both actions stimulate the cardiac muscle to contract more strongly, causing an increase in
stroke volume. (1)
The stroke volume refers to the volume of blood pumped by each ventricle in one heartbeat.
It is affected by the strength of the ventricular contraction. As the question specifically ask
for how an increase in stroke volume is brought about, you don't need to mention the
increase in heart rate caused by adrenaline and the sympathetic nerve.
 (2)
* 2. (a) (i) Mikania micrantha grows quickly and forms a dense cover over the plants it climbed
on. (1)
The covered plants cannot obtain enough sunlight for photosynthesis. (1)
(ii) Mikania micrantha causes the plants it climbed on to wither so that
• less food is available to the organisms that feed on the affected plants. (1)
• other organisms may lose their shelters or breeding grounds. (1)
(iii) Any two of the following: Using herbicides may kill other non-target plants. (1)
Herbicide may be non-biodegradable / not easily broken down and may accumulate in the body
tissue of organisms along the food chain to cause toxic effects in the top consumers. (1)
Herbicides may be washed to nearby water sources or farmlands, causing water pollution. (1)
Mikania micrantha and other affected plants may develop resistance to the herbicides used after
prolonged exposure. (1)
(iv) (1) It absorbs nutrients from Mikania micrantha, so fewer nutrients are available for the
growth of Mikania. (1)
(2) Any two of the following:
To ensure that dodder plants will not infest other non-target plant species / it is specific against
Mikania micrantha. (1)
To make sure that the growth of dodder plant in the field is under control / will not become
another invasive species. (1)
• To check whether its effect is long-lasting. (1)
• To assess if the use of the dodder plant is cost effective. (1)
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Marking Schemes
Marks
Any one of the following:
• Phosphate is used to synthesize nucleic acid / phospholipid molecules (1)
for forming cell membrane / new cells. (1)
• Phosphate is used to synthesize ATP in respiration. (1) ATP can release energy for cell
growth / metabolism. (1)
• Phosphate is used to synthesize NADP (1) which is required in photosynthesis (1) for food
production.
(ii) Phosphate ions may leach from the soil into rivers or lakes and promote the growth of algae /
algal blooms. (1)
Algae grown densely on the water surface block sunlight. The aquatic plants below cannot
obtain enough sunlight for photosynthesis and die. (1)
Algae consume a large amount of oxygen in the water for respiration at night, causing suffocation
of aquatic organisms. (1)
When algae die, they are decomposed by bacteria which further consume oxygen in the water,
causing suffocation of aquatic organisms. (1)
Some algae / decomposers produce toxins which are harmful to aquatic organisms. (1)
(iii) (1) Ploughing allows more air / oxygen to enter the soil (1) so that the decomposers /
saprophytic fungi / saprophytic bacteria can carry out aerobic respiration to release more
energy (1)
for faster decomposition of the organic matter into inorganic phosphate ions. (1) 0-
(2) Any one of the following:
• There is more oxygen for aerobic respiration of roots. (1)
More energy / ATP is released for absorption of minerals by active transport. (1)
An increase in the amount of air spaces in the soil after ploughing allows room for root growth.
(1)
Roots can grow longer to absorb more water and minerals. (1)
** 2. (b) (i)
Any three
(2)
(4)
The decomposition of organic matter in the soil
(3) releases many minerals essential for plant growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and
sulphur.
(2)
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Aristo Exam Success Series: HKDSE BIOLOGY Mock Exam Papers
Paper 2 Section C
Marks
** 3. (a) (i) Yeasts break down sugars to release energy for metabolic processes. (1)
Yeasts obtain nitrogen for the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids. (1)
(ii) To kill any pre-existing microorganisms in the raw materials, (1)
which would otherwise contaminate the mixture / cause spoilage / affect the quality of the wine
made. (1)
(iii) Under aerobic condition, yeasts carry out aerobic respiration
(1)
to completely break down sugars to obtain energy for growth and reproduction. (1)
(iv) Using the one-way valve, air and microorganisms cannot enter the container. This provides
an anaerobic and sterile condition (1)
for yeasts to carry out anaerobic respiration, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide. (1)
The one-way valve allows the carbon dioxide produced by yeasts to escape the container. (1)
This is to prevent the accumulation of carbon dioxide which would lead to the build-up of
pressure inside the container and break the container. (1)
* 3. (b) (i) Period a-b:
The fungal cells were adapting to the new environment, e.g. synthesizing enzymes to metabolize
the nutrients. (1)
So the biomass increased very slowly. (1) Period d-e:
As nutrients were depleted and metabolic wastes accumulated to a toxic level, the
environmental conditions became unfavourable for fungal growth. The rate of growth
slowed down. (1)
When the death rate exceeded the growth rate, there was no net increase in biomass. (1)
(ii) During the period c - d, the amount of nutrients decreased continuously while the amount of
antibiotic Y increased rapidly. (1)
Antibiotics are secreted by certain fungi and bacteria to kill or inhibit the growth of surrounding
microorganisms. (1)
Hence, as the nutrients became limited, the fungal cells produced more antibiotic to try to reduce
the competition for nutrients. (1)
MS40
(2)
(2) Microorganisms naturally
exist on raw materials. In order to control the quality and consistency of the product made, it
(2) is necessary to kill any undesirable microorganisms before fermentation. Refer to:
DSE 2014 II Q3(b)(ii)
Yeasts can carry out both aerobic and anaerobic respiration. In aerobic respiration, glucose is
completely oxidized to carbon dioxide and water. Aerobic respiration produces more ATP
than anaerobic respiration.
(4)
(3)
(4)
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Marking Schemes
(iii) Filamentous fungus grows as thread-like structures / hyphae and no individual cells can be
counted. (1)
(iv) Any two of the following:
• Maintain a constant temperature with the use of a water jacket / cooling jacket. (1)
• Maintain a constant pH using pH buffers. (1)
• Maintain a constant supply of oxygen by pumping in sterilized air continuously. (1)
• Maintain a constant low level of nutrients in the fermenter. (1)
Paper 2 Section D
Marks
**
4. (a) (i) The body was completely buried in ice so that it was not eaten by predators. (1)
The body was frozen quickly so that little decomposition occurred. (1)
(ii) (1) The cloning of the woolly mammoth involves two different species as the egg cell comes
from the Asian elephant; while in cloning Dolly, both the adult body cell and egg cell
belong to the same species. (1)
In cloning the woolly mammoth, the surrogate mother and the embryo belongs to different
species; while in cloning Dolly, both the surrogate mother and the embryo belong to the
same species. (1)
(2) The genetic make-up of the baby woolly mammoth is identical to the frozen woolly
mammoth (1)
because the nucleus of the cells of the baby woolly mammoth is derived from the nucleus
of the cell of the frozen woolly mammoth by mitosis. (1)
(3) Any one of the following:
• The woolly mammoth clone might suffer from premature ageing and have a shorter
lifespan (1) since its genetic material comes from an adult mammoth. (1)
• There is no suitable environment for the woolly mammoth clone to live, (1) as the natural
habitat of the woolly mammoth has disappeared / changed drastically today. (1)

(iii) Reasons for continuing the research:

• Scientists can study how woolly mammoth genes function to allow mammoths to survive
in cold climates. (1)
• The survival of Asian elephants is threatened by habitat loss and hunting. The
mammoth-elephant hybrid can survive and reproduce in colder regions where human
disturbances are less severe. This may help prevent the extinction of elephants. (1)
(Accept other reasonable answers)
 OR
Reasons for banning the research: (2)
• If the mammoth-elephant hybrids are released into the wild, they may out-compete other
animals and replace them. This may result in a reduction in biodiversity and may upset the
ecological balance. (1)
• Since the suitable habitat for the mammoth-elephant hybrid is also shrinking due to global
warming, it is doubtful whether the hybrid can help preserve elephants. Efforts and
resources could be better spent in conserving and restoring the habitats of Asian elephants.
(1)
(Accept other reasonable answers)

* 4. (b) (i) Cut the plasmid and the DNA containing the target genes with the same restriction
enzyme to produce complementary
sticky ends. (1) (2)
Join the target genes and the plasmid together using DNA ligase. (1)
(ii) (1) These genes serve as markers for selecting the transformed bacteria / cells that have
taken up the plasmid / the new genes. (1)
Only the transformed bacteria / cells with the plasmid (2) can survive in a culture medium
containing the specific antibiotic. (1)
(2) The modified cells are selected using a culture medium containing herbicide.
The herbicide kills non-modified cells / tissues / (1) plantlets. (1)
(iii) Herbicides can kill weeds which, otherwise, would compete with the crops for light / water /
minerals. (1)
An increased availability of these resources improves the (2) yield of the crop, so the fanner
could make a better profit. (1)
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Marking Schemes Marks
(iv) Any one of the following: (1) AL 2007 1
• People are feared because of the lack of knowledge (2) 012
about the effects of GM food on health / new genes
in GM food may cause allergy. (1)
GM crops may pass the herbicide resistance gene to
weeds, resulting in superweeds' that are difficult to
control. (1)
(Accept other reasonable answers)
(v) Any two of the following:
• Offspring are produced in a relatively short time.
(1)
• A larger number of offspring can be produced but
this method takes up little space. (1)
• It allows the production and propagation of
transgenic plants using genetically modified cells.
(1)
Plantlets are grown under disease-free conditions, thus
reducing the loss caused by diseases. (1)
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Aristo Exam Success Series: HKDSE BIOLOGY Mock Exam Papers
Paper 1 Section A Mock Exam 4
1. D *11. B **21. C *31. D
**2. C 12. D **22. B * 32. B
*3. C **13. A *23. A 33. B
**4. D **14. A 24. C **34. A
5. D **15. B *25. A *35. A
6. D **16. D 26. C 36. B
*7. B *17. A 27. C
**8. B *18. D **28. C
**9. C *19. A **29. C
*10. D 20. B *30. A
Explanations to selected questions
2. At the beginning, the water potential of the sucrose solution was lower than that of the
epidermal cell, thus the cell lost water to the sucrose solution by osmosis. The water
potential of the cytoplasm decreased. The water potential of the cytoplasm eventually
became the same as the surrounding solution, and there was no net movement of water
between the two. Two hours is long enough for the cell to reach osmotic equilibrium with
the sucrose solution.
3. The cell membrane of non-viable sperms is damaged, thus allowing the dye to pass through.
The living sperms have intact cell membrane, which is impermeable to the water-soluble
dye.
4. The image produced by a light microscope is laterally inverted and upside down. So the sperm
had actually swum towards the lower right hand corner of the field of view. In order to
move the sperm back to the centre, the slide should be moved left and upward.
7. Both mosses and ferns produce spores for reproduction.
8. The amount of oxygen produced in 20 minutes = 3.5 - 0.3 = 3.2 mL
The amount of oxygen produced in one hour = 3.2 z (60 ± 20) = 9.6 mL
The potted plant carried out photosynthesis. It utilized carbon dioxide and produced oxygen. But,
the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the plant was cancelled out by that released by
sodium hydrogencarbonate solution. So, the release of oxygen by the plant causes a net
increase in the total amount of gas inside the bell jar, and the air pressure increased,
pushing the oil drop to the right.
Since the amount of carbon dioxide in the setup was kept constant throughout the experiment,
options C and D are both incorrect.
9. In option C, the potted plant would be in darkness and carry out respiration only. The plant
takes up oxygen, and releases carbon dioxide, which is absorbed by the potassium
hydroxide solution. As a result, the total amount of gas in the bell jar decreases, leading to a
drop in air pressure. Hence, the set-up would measure the oxygen uptake or respiration rate
of the plant, which could then be used to find out the actual rate of photosynthesis
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