SCHOOL OF BASIC SCIENCE AND GENERAL STUDIES

MARGARET LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY

2023/2024 ACADEMIC SESSION
FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION MARKING GUIDE
22nd March, 2024

COURSE CODE: BIO 107 COURSE TITLE: General Biology

Practical 1
NO OF UNITS: 1 TIME ALLOWED: 2 HOURS

SECTION A (10 marks)

1. B
2. E
3. E
4. D
5. B
6. D
7. E
8. E
9. B
10. D
SECTION B (50 marks)
1.
1a
Experimenting correctly by dividing the 2 tile surfaces where each of the blood samples
was to be dropped into 3 sections and labeling it as A, B, and D correctly.
2 marks

1b
when anti-sera A and B were added separately to different portions of samples A and B,
there was no agglutination but when antisera D was added, there was agglutination.
1
mark

From the observations, the sample A belongs to blood groups O+ 2 marks

Also from the observations, the sample B belongs to blood groups O+ 2 marks
1c

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During a blood transfusion, the two individuals are legible to donate their blood to
individuals with blood groups A+, B+, AB+, and O+. 1 mark

This is because the two blood samples have no antigen A or B on the red blood cell
surface, making it compatible for individuals with the above-listed group groups. Also,
the two individuals can donate blood to the individuals listed above because they also
have antigens for rhesus factor which Sample A and B have therefore making it
compatible since no antibody will be produced by the above-listed recipients.
2 marks

Also, during blood transfusion, the two individuals can only receive blood from
individuals that belong to blood groups O- and O+. 1 mark

This is because the blood groups of individuals listed above are compatible with the
individuals with the tested samples having the same antibodies but no ABO antigen on
the surface of the red blood cell which if present will be sensed as foreign agents and
cause agglutination. Also, the presence or absence of the Rhesus fa2tor antigen on the
surface of the red blood cells of the donors to the owners of this blood sample is
compatible with the recipient since no antibodies will be produced at the point of
receiving such blood.
2 marks
1d
The possible ABO genotypes of the parents of the two individuals are AO, BO, or OO
1 ½ marks (½ mark each)
1e
Yes, there is a clinical implication
½ mark
The clinical implication is related to a condition called Rh incompatibility or Rh disease.
Rh incompatibility occurs when a mother is Rh and the fetus is Rh-positive. During such
pregnancy and childbirth, there's a possibility that the baby's Rh-positive blood can enter
the mother's bloodstream through any trauma in the placenta or cut in the course of
delivery. This exposure can sensitize the mother's immune system, leading to the
production of antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells.
1 ½ marks
If the sensitized mother becomes pregnant with another Rh-positive baby in the future,
these antibodies can cross the placenta and attack the baby's red blood cells, causing
hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) or erythroblastosis fetalis. This condition can
result in severe anemia, jaundice, and even fetal or newborn death if left untreated.
1 mark
To prevent Rh disease, Rh-negative pregnant women who are at risk of sensitization
(such as those carrying an Rh-positive fetus) are typically given Rh immunoglobulin
(RhIg) injections, commonly known as Rhogam, during such pregnancy and after
delivery.
1 mark

2
 RhIg works by preventing the mother's immune system from producing antibodies
against Rh-positive blood cells, thus reducing the risk of Rh disease in future
pregnancies.
½ mark

4 ½ marks
1f
 It is important in blood transfusion medicine to avoid blood agglutination (blood
clotting) which can be fatal.
 It is important in pregnancy to avoid spontaneous abortion after the initial
abortion when the blood group of the mother is incompatible with that of the
fetus.
 It can be used in the study of susceptibility to several diseases such as
hematologic disorders, cancer, infections, and cardiovascular diseases among the
human population.
3 marks (1 mark each)
1g
 I ensured that I used separate syringes to collect my samples from the different
sample bottles.
 I ensured that I divided each of the tiles into three compartments labeled A, B,
and D and added the different antisera accordingly to the different compartments.
2 marks (1 mark each)

Total = 25 marks

2.
2a
Laboratory safety signs and symbols are visible indications (often drawings or figures)
that indicate a certain action to take or not to do in response to a particular scenario.
2 marks
2b
 Presence of corrosive substances
 Presence of oxidizing chemicals
 Safety glasses are required
 Presence of a safety shower should there be a chemical splash on the body
 Eating and drinking prohibited
 Presence of a fire extinguisher
3 marks (½ marks)

Total = 5 marks

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3.
3a
Identification
specimen 1 = Anaphase ¼ mark
specimen 2 = early prophase ¼ mark
specimen 3 = Late G2 phase ½ mark

specimen 4 = metaphase ¼ mark

specimen 5 = late prophase ¼ mark
specimen 6 = telophase ¼ mark
specimen 7 = cytokinesis ¼ mark
2 marks

Drawing and Labelling

Specimen 1

Specimen 2

Specimen 3

4
 Specimen 4

Specimen 5

Specimen 6

5
 Specimen 7

7 marks (1 mark for each correct drawing with at least one correct labeling)

3b
Specimen 1
 Presence of microtubules which pull apart the sister chromosome to the
opposite poles
 Presence of chromosomes which carry the genetic material of the
organism
Specimen 2
 Formation of spindle fiber which aids chromosome separation at the later
stage of the process.
 condensation of chromosomes within the nucleus making the
chromosomes more visible under a microscope.
 Formation of centromere which serves as a region where sister chromatids
attach during cell division.

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  Formation of kinetochore which serves as the attachment point for spindle fibers.
Specimen 3
 Presence of centrosome which initiates the growth of microtubules and
serves as their anchor point.
 Presence of nucleolus which produces the ribosome for protein synthesis
in the cell.
 Presence of DNA which holds the genetic material in a duplicated state
Specimen 4
 Presence of metaphase plate where all chromosomes aligned before
separating.
 Presence of microtubule emanating from spindle fiber which aids
chromosomes.
Specimen 5
 The nuclear envelope breaks to allow the migration of chromosomes
during cell division.
 Presence of fully condensed chromosomes which contain the genetic
material.
Specimen 6
 Reappearing of the nuclear envelope which ensures proper compartment
of the content of the two daughter cells.
 Reappearing of the nucleolus which produces the ribosome for protein
synthesis.
Specimen 7
 Presence of microfilaments thread-like protein structures that form a
contractile ring just beneath the cell membrane at the equator (middle)
of the dividing cell.
 Presence of actin myosin complex a molecular motor protein complex
that utilizes the energy from ATP to cause contraction of the
microfilament ring.
7 marks (½ mark each for every one stated correct answer for each of
the specimens)
3c
Mitosis 1 mark
i. The end product was two genetically identical daughter cells
ii. Absence of a chiasmata.
1 mark (½ mark each for two correct answers)

3d

i. It ensures the repair and replacement of worn-out and damaged cells.

ii. It is responsible for the growth and development of an individual.

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 iii. It maintains the constant number of chromosomes in all body cells of an organism.
iv. Mitosis is required for asexual reproduction and vegetative propagation in plants.
v. Mitosis helps in maintaining the purity of the genome as no recombination or
crossing over takes place.
2 marks (½ mark each for stating any 4 correct answers)
Total = 20 marks

4.
4a
Identification: A compound microscope 1 mark
Drawing the specimen correctly 2 marks
Stating the magnification of the drawing 1 mark

Correctly labeling any 10 parts of the specimen 5 marks (½ marks each for 10 correct
labeling)

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 4b

Eyepiece: This is used by the observer to see the final magnification of the object.
Objective lens: This is where the initial magnification of a specimen occurs and ranges from 4x
to 100x.
Nose piece: This holds the objective lenses into place and can allow each of the lenses to be
rotated into alignment with the ocular lens.
Coarse adjustment knob: This is used to focus the specimen under observation for viewing
through the eyepiece.
Fine adjustment knob: The fine adjustment knob brings the specimen into sharp focus under
low power and is used for all focusing when using high-power lenses such as the 100x oil
immersion lens.

Stage: This is the flat surface on which a specimen/slide is set up for viewing.

Aperture: The Aperture is a tiny hole in the stage via which the transmitted light enters the
stage.
Illuminator: This contains the light source, a lamp made either of an incandescent tungsten-
halogen bulb or an LED typically located at the microscope’s base.
Diaphragm: The diaphragm controls the amount of light passing from the illuminator through
the bottom of the slide,
Condenser: The condenser is a lens system that focuses the light coming up from the illuminator
onto objects on the stage.

Stage clip: This holds the slide under observation into place for viewing.

Base: This houses the illuminator and serves to support the instrument when standing. It also
supports the arm when carrying the microscope with hands.

Arm: The arm joins and supports the microscope’s base and head. It is also used to carry the
microscope

5 marks (½ marks each for 10 correct answers)

4c.

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correctly setting up the microscope and focusing the specimen D using X4 objective lens under
moderate illumination. 2 marks

4d

 A microscope must be handled with the uttermost carefulness and kept clean after being
used.
 Ensure that the microscope is properly covered after being used.
 Use the correct objective lens when focusing and ensure that the lens is focused properly
 Do not focus high-powered lens with the coarse adjustment knob. This might crack the
lens.
 Don’t remove a slide with high high-powered lens in place. This might crack the slide
and the lens.
 Don’t place a wet slide for examination on the microscope.
 Cleaning of optics and degreasing of dovetails and nosepiece movement should be
carried out regularly to ensure that the microscope works effectively when the need
arises.
 Do not clean the lens with ordinary cloth or tissue paper. Use the correct lens tissue to
carry out the cleaning of the lens’ surfaces.
 Do not dismantle the objectives lens, adjustments to fine-focusing mechanisms, or, in
general, the pinions or pinion bearings.
3 marks (1 mark each for any 3 correct answers)

Total = 20 marks

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