Biology 2016 HSC exam pack (archive)

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• identifying the benefits of artificial blood (Q21)
• identifying an Australian ectotherm and its response to assist temperature regulation when there is a change in the ambient temperature (Q22)
• outlining why the concentration of water in cells should be maintained within a narrow range (Q23)
• naming an infectious disease and relevant host response (Q24)
• identifying that viruses are too small to be seen with a light microscope (Q25)
• linking Koch’s Postulates to ‘scientific standards’ (Q25)
• drawing a line graph and identifying a relationship or trend in the data (Q26)
• demonstrating knowledge about bases in DNA (Q26)
• identifying a xylem vessel and its structure and function (Q27)
• identifying a problem with antibiotic resistance and identifying a possible disadvantage of using bacteriophages (Q28)
• outlining Mendel’s experiments (Q29)
• outlining the role of quarantine and vaccination programs in preventing disease (Q30)
• using the theory of evolution by natural selection to outline divergent evolution (Q31).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• describing the response of a named Australian ectotherm to a change in the ambient temperature (Q22)
• linking the reason given for maintaining water concentration in cells to optimum cell function (Q23)
• linking the host response to a defence adaptation (Q24)
• applying knowledge to a new discovery (Q28)
• explaining how Mendel’s experiments helped advance our knowledge of inheritance (Q29)
• explaining the adaptive advantage of haemoglobin (Q31)
• linking the need for endotherms to produce heat and therefore the need for more oxygen (Q31).

Question 32

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• identifying the larynx and how its structure assists in the production of sound (part a)
• defining accommodation (part b)
• identifying the parts of the brain and the location of regions associated with the perception of sound (part c)
• describing the differences in distribution, structure and function of the photoreceptor cells in the human eye (part e)
• evaluating how a hearing aid and cochlear implant will assist hearing (part e)
• describing the relationship between the distribution of hair cells in the organ of Corti and the detection of sound of different frequencies (part e).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• describing how accommodation works and relating it to an experiment (part b)
• describing how electrochemical changes in membranes occur for the transmission of information (part c)
• identifying energy transformations that occur for a sound wave to be interpreted (part d)
• outlining the impact that the use of new technologies for hearing has on its users (part d)
• comparing the mechanisms in humans for detecting a variety of visual and auditory stimuli (part e).

Question 33

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• explaining the process that occurs at the ribosome (part a)
• describing an investigation in detail and the results in terms of identifying the optimal condition for enzyme activity (part b)
• making the link that strain isolation can be used to produce higher grade antibiotics (part d)
• identifying the purpose of PCR (part c).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• locating where ribosomes can be found (part a)
• referring to first hand investigations in answers where it was required (part b)
• providing details of the PCR process (part c)
• linking the processes of artificial selection in animals to improvements in characteristics (part e)
• evaluating the given statement by providing arguments for and/or against (part e).

Question 34

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• identifying and describing the process of whole organism cloning (part a)
• defining selective breeding and outlining an agricultural example (part b)
• outlining why selective breeding is practised (part b)
• identifying ABO blood groups as an example of multiple alleles (part c)
• identifying gene therapy to manage a genetic disease (part d)
• describing the process of gene expression, protein synthesis and protein structure (part e).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• explaining the processes in whole organism cloning (part a)
• explaining the processes of selective breeding over time (part b)
• relating changes in genotype to changes in phenotype for selective breeding (part b)
• distinguishing between polygenic inheritance and multiple allele inheritance (part c)
• sketching appropriate graphs to show data (part c)
• distinguishing between gene cloning and whole organism cloning in terms of processes and products (part d)
• outlining the structure of a gene (part e).

Question 35

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• identifying information relating to relative dating and identifying a need for alternative dating types (part a)
• outlining the concept of reliability (part b)
• making reference to the data provided, identifying differences and linking this to the classification of the species (part b)
• graphing a trend of population growth (part c)
• identifying genetic technologies used to clarify classification of species (part d)
• explaining the progression of biologically evolved traits and linking these to culture (part e)
• describing the influence of culture on biological evolution (part e)
• using examples to illustrate answers.

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• identifying alternative dating types (part a)
• using the data provided to make comparisons (part b)
• distinguishing between DNA sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridisation (part d)
• linking a description of evolution to survival (part e).

Question 36

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• distinguishing between the light and dark reactions (part b)
• comparing the processes in artificial and ‘real’ leaves (part d)
• identifying reasons for pursuing research into artificial photosynthesis (part d).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• describing the process in the light and dark reactions (part b)
• describing the role of ATP or high energy phosphate bonds in light-independent reactions (part b)
• making an evaluation based on criteria and including a judgement (part e).