Penrhos College

HUMAN BIOLOGICAL
SCIENCE 3A/3B
Trial WACE 2011

Name: _______________________________________________________
Teacher: ___________________________________________________
TIME ALLOWED FOR THIS PAPER
Reading time before commencing work:
Working time for the paper:

Ten minutes
Three hours

MATERIALS REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED FOR THIS PAPER

To be provided by the supervisor:
This Question/Answer Booklet
Multiple Choice Answer Sheet
Two blank Extended Answer booklets
To be provided by the candidate:
Standard items: Pens, pencils, eraser, correction fluid/tape, ruler, highlighters.
Special items:
Non-programmable calculators satisfying the conditions set by the
Curriculum Council for this course.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES

No other items may be taken into the examination room. It is your responsibility to ensure that you
do not have any unauthorised notes or other items of a non-personal nature in the examination room.
If you have any unauthorised material with you, hand it to the supervisor before reading any further.

Structure of this paper

Number of
questions
available

Number of
questions to be
answered

Suggested
working time
(minutes)

Marks
available

Percentage of
exam

SECTION ONE:
Multiple-choice

20

20

30

20

20

SECTION TWO:
Short answer

90

100

50

SECTION THREE:
Extended answer

60

60

30

Section

100

Instructions to candidates
1. The rules for the conduct of Western Australian external examinations are detailed in the Year 12
Information Handbook 2011. Sitting this examination implies that you agree to abide by these
rules.
2. Answer the questions according to the following instructions.
Section One: Answer all the questions on the separate Multiple-choice Answer Sheet provided.
For each question shade the box to indicate your answer. Use only a blue or black pen to shade
the boxes. If you make a mistake, place a cross through that square, do not erase or use correction
fluid, and shade your new answer. Marks will not be deducted for incorrect answers. No marks
will be given if more than one answer is completed for any question.
Section Two: Write answers in this Question/Answer booklet.
Section Three: Write answers in the separate booklets provided. One booklet for each of question
29 and/or 30 and/or 31.
3. You must be careful to confine your responses to the specific questions asked and to follow any
instructions that are specific to a particular question.

Planning: if you use a section of the extended answer booklet for planning your answer,
indicate this clearly at the top of the page. If you need an additional booklet, you may ask
for one.

Section One: Multiple-choice

20% (20 Marks)

This section has 20 questions. Answer all questions on the separate Multiple-choice Answer Sheet
provided. For each question shade the box to indicate your answer. Use only a blue or black pen to
shade the boxes. If you make a mistake, place a cross through that square; do not erase or use
correction fluid, and shade your new answer. Marks will not be deducted for incorrect answers. No
marks will be given if more than one answer is completed for any question.
Suggested working time: 30 minutes.
________________________________________________________________________
1.

Which of the following statements about the axons of neurons is correct?

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

All axons are myelinated.

All axons are very similar in length.
Axons usually transmit nerve impulses away from the cell body.
Motor neuron axons are found in the dorsal root.

2.

Homeostasis is the mechanism by which the body maintains

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

a dynamic physiological state within an unlimited range.

a relatively stable internal environment, within limits.
a static physiological state with no deviation from preset points.
the lowest possible usage of energy.

3.

A young man was dared to eat a Bhut Jolokia chilli from India the worlds hottest chilli.
Immediately upon eating it, he started to sweat profusely. This water loss could be
compensated for by

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

an increased rate of water reabsorption by parts of the nephron.

a decreased rate of glomerular filtration.
an increase in sympathetic nervous stimulation.
an increased urine production rate.

4.

After an accident, a woman suffered profound blood loss from a wound which led to a fall in
blood pressure. Immediately, the body would

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

decrease heart rate.

constrict blood vessels.
reduce stroke volume.
slow ADH production.

5.

Which of the following statements about a cell membrane is correct?

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Carrier protiens embedded in the cell membrane are used in active transport.
It contains lipids embedded in a protein layer.
The number of receptors attached to the cell membrane is the same for all cells.
It is composed of hydrophobic heads and hydrophilic tails.

6.

Gluconeogenesis

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

occurs as a result of the release of insulin.

causes the production of glycogen.
is under parasympathetic control.
uses amino acids or fat to produce glucose.

7.

Hormones produced in the hypothalamus

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

are released by the anterior pituitary.

are released due to the presence of releasing factors.
are stored in the posterior pitutiary.
include ACTH.

8.

Which of the following statements about the nervous system is correct?

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

The parasympathetic division relies on acetylcholine at its synapses.

The afferent division conducts impulses away from the brain and spinal cord.
The somatic division conducts impulses to smooth muscles and glands.
The two main divisions are the central and autonomic nervous systems.

9.

Epigenetics

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

causes changes in the DNA sequence of affected individuals.

always results in different genes being activated.
can occur for only a temporary period of time.
will occur only once in a persons life.

10.

Type II diabetes

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

typically occurs in children.

is more common in people who maintain a healthy weight.
will often require insulin injections.
is managed by a more active lifestyle.

11.

Mature T cells

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

are released from the bone marrow.

can divide and form antibodies.
are stored in lymph nodes.
fight viruses only.

12.

The central nervous system is protected by a variety of structures and mechanisms that
include the

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

cranium, which protects against physical blows.

innermost layer of the meninges that provides nutrients to the brain.
CSF, found outside of the outer meningeal layer and which acts as a shock absorber.
outer meningeal layer, attached directly to the skull, which acts to reduce physical impacts.

13.

In a nerve impulse

(a)

an all or nothing response occurs which means an impulse will occur regardless of the size
of the stimulation.
the refractory period is when no other stimulation will result in an impulse being generated.
depolarisation occurs when potassium ions flood into the axon.
repolarisation occurs when the inside of the cell becomes more positive.

(b)
(c)
(d)

14.

A student made the decision to pick up a pen and started writing her Human Biology
examination. The following is a list of body structures:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
viii)

motor area of cerebrum

sensory area of cerebral cortex
cerebellum
inner ear
smooth muscles
skeletal muscles
proprioreceptors
medulla

Which parts of her body (listed above) would have been involved in this action?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

i), ii), v), vi), vii)

i), ii), iii), vi), vii)
i), iii), vi), vii), viii)
i), iii), v), vii), viii)

15.

Which of the following correctly identifies events occurring at the neuromuscular junction
in the correct sequence?

(a)

neurotransmitter arrives at the axon branch, vesicles empty their contents, nerve impulse
generated.
vesicles move towards synaptic cleft, neurotransmitters diffuse across synapse, nerve
impulse generated.
muscle fibre releases transmitter substance, synapse reacts, nerve impulse generated.
vesicles move towards synaptic cleft, neurotransmitters released into synapse, muscle fibre
contracts.

(b)
(c)
(d)

16.

Haversian systems (osteons)

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

are found in spongy bone.

run along the length of the bone.
contain concentric rings called lacunae.
are built by chondroblasts.

17.

Parkinsons disease

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

can be reversed with treatment.

results from a decrease in dopamine.
is associated with a decrease in acetylcholine.
causes progressive memory loss.

18.

Recombinant DNA techniques

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

utilise restriction enzymes that help to join segments of DNA back together.
rely on DNA ligase that cuts DNA to form sticky ends.
have been used to produce insulin, growth hormone and the flu vaccine.
often use bacteria as they only have one long strand of DNA to manipulate.

19.

Homo erectus was believed to be the first hominin group to

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

make tools.
control the use of fire.
develop spirituality.
develop art.

20.

Which of the following adaptations would be considered an adaptation for bipedalism?

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

shallower acetabulum
smaller carrying angle
short narrow pelvis
transverse arch

End of Section One

Section Two: Short answer

50% (100 Marks)

This section has eight questions. Answer all questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.

Suggested working time: 90 minutes.

________________________________________________________________________________

Question 21. (10 marks)

The drawing below shows a section of a DNA molecule.

(a)

Name the parts labelled:

A ___________________________

(2 marks)

B ___________________________
(b)

Complete the following with the correct terms:

(1 mark)

Structure C is a pair of _____________________ bases. If one part of structure C is

adenine, the other part would be _________________________.
(c)

The mRNA code for the amino acid alanine is CGU. What would be the DNA code for
alanine?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________

21.

(cont.)

(d)

Stem cells are becoming useful tools in treating some diseases. Why are some types of stem
cells more useful than others in the treatment of different conditions?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(e)

The polymerase chain reaction is a process carried out in a laboratory using small amounts
of DNA. The process is summarised in the following flowchart.

(i)

How many DNA molecules would have been produced from one molecule of DNA
after 6 complete cycles?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(ii)

Suggest two different circumstances in which this process may be useful. (2 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

21.
(f)

(cont.)
The diagram below shows the genetic fingerprints of a victim, the specimen collected from
the crime scene and that of three suspects, 1, 2 and 3.

(i)

On the basis of these genetic fingerprints, which suspect was involved in the crime?
(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(ii)

Give a reason for your answer to part (i).

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

10

THIS PAGE HAS BEEN DELIBERATELY LEFT BLANK

11

Question 22. (14 marks)

Osteoporosis has an adverse effect on the health care system as a result of bed occupancy due to
fractures and surgery required to treat patients with the condition. Calcium supplements have long
been advocated as a preventative measure.
One group of scientists investigated the effect of calcium intake on numbers of fractures in subjects
aged 50 years or older. They randomly selected 90 active women who had been diagnosed as being
osteoporotic and placed them into three different groups. Group One received 1400mg of calcium
via a tablet every day. Group Two received 1400mg of calcium via the food they ate as a normal
part of their daily diet. Group Three received 1600mg of calcium via the food they ate as a normal
part of their daily diet. Individuals in all three groups were assessed for their average bone density
prior to commencing the investigation and every two months thereafter for the 6 months of the
investigation.
(a)

What hypothesis could the scientists have been testing?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(b)

What would be the dependent variable?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(c)

Name two variables that were or should have been controlled in this investigation.
(2 marks)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
The table below shows the average results for each group of women in the study.
Time
(months)
0
2
4
6

Group One
(1400mg tablet)
67
70
75
85

Average bone density (%)

Group Two
(1400mg in diet)
65
75
84
93

12

Group Three
(1600mg in diet)
64
77
88
95

(d)

Graph the results from the table on the grid provided below. [Spare grid at the end of the
booklet]
(5 marks)

(e)

Explain the difference in results for Group One and Group Two.

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(f)

How could the method for this investigation be improved?

(2 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(g)

Which hormone is involved in the regulation of blood calcium?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(h)

Which endocrine organ is the source of this hormone?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________

13

Question 23. (10 marks)

(a)

Complete the following table to show which specific region of the central nervous system
controls each of the functions listed.
Function
Osmoregulation

(3 marks)

Region of the central nervous system

Fine motor coordination

Blood vessel diameter

(b)

The diagram below shows a synapse.

(i)

Identify the structure labelled B.

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(ii)

What is the function of structure A?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(iii)

What group of chemicals would be found in the vesicles shown in the diagram
above?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(iv)

Name structure C and give a reason why so many of these structures would be found
in the synaptic knob.

(2 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

14

23.
(c)

(cont.)
The diagram below shows a nerve cell.

(i)

What type of neuron is shown above?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(ii)

Distinguish between the functions of the structures labelled X and Y.

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

15

Question 24. (16 marks)

(a)

Differentiate between the structure and function of skeletal and smooth muscle.

(2 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

(b)

Complete the table below by giving the correct term or definition in the space provided.
(3 marks)
The hormone released at the neuromuscular junction by
the axonal terminal.
A motor neuron and all of the skeletal muscle cells it
stimulates.
The contractile unit of skeletal muscle that is made up of
actin and myosin.

(c)

The diagram below shows the sequential action of the muscles of the right leg when starting
to run a race.

Position One
(i)

Position Two

What action is taking place in muscle B to get to Position Two?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(ii)

Label muscle Bs antagonist with an X on the diagram.

16

(1 mark)

24.

(cont.)
(iii)

How do the joints at the two ends of the femur differ?

(2 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(iv)

Within the knee, there are many structures designed to protect and/or stabilize the
joint. Give three such structures.

(3 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(v)

Hominins have demonstrated a series of evolutionary trends over a range of

structures. Describe the trends seen in their vertebral column and pelvis shape.
(4 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

17

Question 25. (15 marks)

(a)

Complete the table below to show the site of production, hormone produced, target organs
and effect of the hormones associated with various endocrine glands of the human body.
(7 marks)
Production site

Hormone produced

Anterior
pituitary

Target organ/s

Effect

Ovary

Glucagon

Liver

Oxytocin

(b)

Testosterone (a steroid) and adrenaline (a water-based amine) are both hormones, yet they
function very differently. Describe how these two hormones differ in their mode of action.
(6 marks)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

18

25.

(cont.)

(c)

Is a dehydrated person likely to produce more or less ADH? Explain your answer.
(2 marks)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

19

Question 26. (15 marks)

(a)

The whooping cough vaccine was first developed more than 80 years ago and immunisation
against this bacterial disease has been on the vaccination schedule in Australia since 1942.
Even so, there were over 29,700 cases nationwide in 2009 and one in every 200 children
under the age of six years who catches the disease, will die.

(i)

What type of immunity it offered by such an immunisation programme?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(ii)

Two groups of people are more likely to catch the disease: very young babies who
have not had their full schedule of vaccinations against the disease (normally three
injections over their first 2 years of life) and secondly, adults. Explain why these
two groups are more likely to catch the disease.

(4 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(b)

Whooping cough is particularly contagious. Describe the specific defence utilised by B

cells to combat this disease.

(6 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
20

26.

(cont.)

(c)

Whooping cough can be successfully treated with antibiotics. Bacteria that cause particular
strains of tuberculosis, however, are now resistant to many of the antibiotics that were once
used to treat the disease. Explain how incorrect usage of antibiotics can contribute to
antibiotic resistance.

(4 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

21

Question 27. (12 marks)

(a)

The diagram below shows three core samples taken from different locations.

(i)

Which location (2, 3 or 4) appears to have the oldest fossils?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(ii)

What specific dating technique was used to determine the answer to (i) above?
(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(iii)

Fossil Y does not appear in a similar core sample taken from another location. Give
two reasons why this might have occurred.

(2 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(b)

Throughout the ages, various tools have been found associated with the hominins who made
them. Describe the major trends seen in the evolution of tools used by our ancestors.
(4 marks)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
22

27.
(c)

(cont.)
Carbon 14 dating is one technique that can give a relatively precise age of a fossil in years.
(i)

Define the term half life and state the commonly accepted half life of carbon 14.
(2 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(ii)

State any limitations that carbon 14 may have.

(2 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

23

Question 28. (8 marks)

(a)

Define and give an example of polygenic inheritance.

(2 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(b)

(i)

ABO blood groups demonstrate both multi-allelic and co-dominant inheritance.

What is multi-allelic inheritance?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(ii)

How many possible phenotypes could a person have if all that is known about their
genotype is that they are homozygous for the ABO alleles?

(1 mark)

__________________________________________________________________________
(iii)

A woman with an AB blood type and a man with B blood type have three children:
Will, Bill and Jill. Will has blood type A, Bill has blood type B and Jill has blood
type O. Which child is adopted? Explain your answer.

(2 marks)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
(c)

Sickle cell anaemia is a condition found in people throughout the world (not just in poor
equatorial countries). Homozygous recessive individuals often die young due to organ
failure and infection, yet in the United States there are believed to be over 2 million people
who carry the sickle cell condition. Why do so many people carry the sickle cell condition?
(2 marks)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

End of Section Two

24

Section Three: Extended answer

30% (60 Marks)

This section contains three (3) questions. You must answer two (2) questions. Write your answers
in the booklets provided. Please clearly indicate the question you are attempting on the front of your
booklet. Please also clearly indicate parts (a), (b), (c) etc within your answer.
Responses could include clearly labelled diagrams with explanatory notes; lists of points with
linking sentences; labelled tables and graphs; annotated flow diagrams with introductory notes.
Suggested working time: 60 minutes.
________________________________________________________________________________

Question 29. (30 marks)

(a)

In hot conditions, athletes must be able to control their body temperature to avoid major
disruptions to cellular function. Describe the physiological mechanisms that act to maintain
the core body temperature of an athlete at such times.
(10 marks)

(b)

Gene expression can be defined as the process of converting the information stored in DNA
into a protein.
(i)
(ii)

(c)

Name and describe two types of genes the cell uses to control gene expression, and
Outline the two stages of gene expression that result in the formation of a particular
protein.
(12 marks)

Ageing is associated with a variety of degenerative conditions that reduce normal function.
Alzheimers is one such condition.
(i)

Describe the possible causes, symptoms and treatments for this condition.
(5 marks)

(ii)

Some people may consider the effects of Alzheimers as a reason to support

voluntary euthanasia. Give three statements that argue against this idea.
(3 marks)

25

Question 30. (30 marks)

(a)

The two mechanisms of control the body has available to it are the nervous system and the
endocrine system. In several ways, these systems differ in the way they act. Contrast these
two systems and, using specific examples, explain why it would be more advantageous to
the body to use each system in certain circumstances.
(8 marks)

(b)

Some people who are overweight may blame their glands for the extra weight they carry,
or claim they may have a slow metabolism. Name the specific gland they are referring to,
describe its normal functioning using a feedback model and highlight how changes to this
model may indeed lead to weight gain.
(13 marks)

(c)

One particular mechanism of control does not actually involve the brain at all, just the spinal
cord. Describe a situation where use of such a mechanism would be advantageous to the
body, and identify the structures and processes involved in such a procedure.
(9 marks)

Question 31. (30 marks)

(a)

Genetic testing of natives of Iceland have indicated major differences in allele frequency to
Scandinavians and the Celts of Ireland and Scotland from where they are believed to have
originated. Describe the ways in which changes in allele frequency can come about in
populations such as those found in Iceland.
(10 marks)

(b)

Recently, biotechnology companies have been focussing on differences in DNA to

determine whether speciation has in fact taken place. Describe how various comparative
studies, including the study of DNA, can be used to support the theory of evolution.
(10 marks)

(c)

The primate order is a diverse group, including chimpanzees, lemurs, gibbons, baboons and
humans. All of these organisms have features in common, though to different degrees.
Describe the key features that primates share, identifying the evolutionary trends that the
group as a whole follow.
(10 marks)

End of Questions

Spare graph grid for Q 22.

27

Acknowledgements
Freeway Biology by Michael Lynch (McGraw-Hill Book Company Australia Pty Limited, 1986
IGSE Biology (2nd Ed) by D G Mackean (Hodder Education, 2009) copyright Hodder Education,
reprinted by permission of Hodder Education.
Advanced Biology by Michael Kent (OUP, 2000), copyright Oxford University Press 2000,
reprinted by permission of Oxford University Press.