HKALE 1989 Biology Paper II......................................................................................

2
HKALE 1999 Biology Paper II......................................................................................2
 Questions
HKALE 1989 Paper II
8. (a) The following are codons for some of the amino acids and the start signal for
translation found in messenger RNA:

Condon Amino acid Diagrammatic representation of the corresponding amino acid

CUU Leucine Leu

AAC Asparagine Asn

AUG* Methionine Met

GCA Alanine Ala

UGC Cysteine Cys

CAU Histidine His

* The codon AUG serves as a start signal and initiates synthesis of a polypeptide.

Answer the following questions with reference to the synthesis of the peptide
shown below:

COOH Cys Leu His Met NH2

(i) Using ONE labelled diagram ONLY, explain the roles of the various
components involved in protein synthesis. In your diagram, you should
indicate:

(1) the base sequence of the messenger RNA,

(2) the site of protein synthesis,

(3) the direction of translation,

(4) the base sequences of the anticodons of the transfer RNAs, and
 (5) the stage at which the amino acids, methionine and histidine, are linked
together while leucine is forming a bond to the growing peptide and
cysteine is still in the pool of free amino acids. (10 marks)

(ii) What is the base sequence of the corresponding segment on the DNA
molecule ? (2 marks)

(b) Explain the significance of polysomes in protein synthesis. (2 marks)

(c) Explain the meaning of the following terms with reference to codons:

(i) universal
(ii) degenerate
(iii) nonsense triplets (6 marks)
Suggested Solution

HKALE 1989 Biology Paper II

10. Discuss the contributions of the biological sciences to the production of high protein
foods. (20 marks)
Suggested Solution

HKALE 1994 Biology Paper I

4. Describe and explain which stage of mitosis is most suitable for determining
chromosome number.
(2 marks)]
Suggested Solution

HKALE 1999 Biology Paper II

5. Compare and contrast the molecular structures of proteins and nucleic acids.
Discuss the roles played by each of these molecules in living organisms. (20 marks)
HKALE 1989 Biology Paper II
8. (a) (i) correct base sequence of m-RNA
1
indicate site of protein synthesis ribosome
1
indicate correct direction of translation
1
correct base sequence of antlcodons
2
showing Met and His linking together
1
showing Leu joining to the growing peptide
1
showing Cys in the pool of free amino acids
1
clarify and presentation of diagram
2
(10)
For example
rib o s o m e ( s it e
NH M et H is Le u o f p r o t e in s y n t h e s is )
2

t-R N A

G U A G A A
A U G C A U C U U U G C m -R N A

d ire c t io n o f t ra n s la t io n

[Diagram should show that : t-RNAs are amino acid specific such that
one end of the t-RNA links up with a specific amino acid and draws it to
the m-RNA on the ribosome The three unpaired bases (the anticodon)at
the other end link up with the appropriate codon in the m-RNA molecule
In this way the amino acids are lined up in an order corresponding to the
sequence of codons in the m-RNA]

(ii) TAC GTA GAA ACG

 (2)

(b) Polysomes are the association of a group (5 to 50) of ribosomes to a

single m-RNA molecule This enables a large number of polypeptides to
be assembled on a single m-RNA strand in a comparatively short
period. (2)

(c) (i) Universal means the same code codes for the same amino acid in
all kinds of organisms
(2)
(ii) Degenerate means that a single amino acid may be coded by
more than one triplet of bases.
(2)
(iii) Nonsense triplets refers to those triplets which do not code for any
known amino acid, They sometimes serve as the stopping code.
(2)
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HKALE 1989 Biology Paper II
10. Plant protein :
(a) Increase nitrogen (& carbon) input to improve the production of plant
proteins which are the origins of food proteins
- use of fertilizers, green manure
- crop rotation
- inoculation of nitrogen fixers

(b) By breeding and selection to produce crops (e.g. cereals, "soybean) that
- are more productive,
- are more responsive to nitrogen fertilizers
- have higher protein content
- are more resistant to disease and pest infestation

(c) Means of increasing productivity and yield in general

- use of plant growth regulators
- vegetative propagation
- use of insecticides, weedicides, fungicides for disease and pest
control

Animal (livestock) protein :

(a) By breeding and selection to increase the productivity and yield (e.g.
growth rate, reproductive potential, production of lean meat).

(b) Means of increasing productivity in general

- use of hormones and assisted reproductive technology
(e.g. induced ovulation, artificial insemination)
- use of antibiotics, drugs and immunization procedure to control
disease, parasites and pests

(c) To study the nutritional aspects of using alternative food sources for
livestocks to reduce their competition with man for food protein
- leaf protein
- single-cell protein
- re-cycled animal waste
 Aquatic protein :

(a) Develop the technology to culture fishes (marine and freshwater fishes,
eels), crustaceans (prawns, shrimps, lobsters), molluscan shellfish
(oysters, mussels), etc.
- to study the biology of the various species
- to identify ecological requirements
- to control diseases, parasites, predators, competitors
- to breed the fry or larvae

Single-cell protein and fungal protein :

(a) Develop the technology to culture microorganisms (e.g. algae, bacteria)

or fungi (e.g. yeast, mushroom) on low-value or waste materials and use
their cellular protein for food.
- to identify the right substrate for the organism
- to determine the appropriate conditions for growth or fermentation
(20)
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HKALE 1994 Biology Paper II
4. requirement of 2 sexes :
1
mammals - dioecious flowering plant-hermaphrodite, some dioecious

gamete production :
meiosis to half chromosome number
1

Both plants and animals require synchrony of reproductive conditions so

that mating can occur when gametes are ready to be fertilized.
2

transfer of gamete :
3
in mammals ability to find mate
genitalia, copulation
mobility of sperms
in flowering plants pollinating agents (air, insects)
2
growth of pollen tube

development of zygote and nourishment by parent :

3
in mammals possession of uterus
development of placenta to nourish the foetus
synchrony of development by hormones
in flowering plants hormone (auxin) promotes seed and fruit development
1

birth for mammal hormone controlled contraction of uterine wall

1

seed protect embryo

provides nourishment

max. (15)
Significance :
 produce variation :
new combination of genes
1
(crossing over, random assortment, random union of gametes)
1
hybrid vigour
1
new phenotypes may be better adapted to changing environmental conditions
1
provide raw material for natural selection / speciation / evolution
1
max. (5)
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