BIOLOGY

TERM 2
REVISION
QUESTIONS
 - A-level: Biochemistry -

2. Matsec May 2012 Paper 1

a)

b)

c)

(Total: 7 marks)
3. Matsec September 2017 Paper 1

N. Dunlop Page | 34
 - A-level: Biochemistry -

(Total: 4 marks)
4. Matsec May 2006 Paper 1
This question concerns lipids.
a) Distinguish between lipids and fats. (2)

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

b) List TWO functions of lipids in living organisms. (1)

___________________________________________________________________________

c) List TWO chemical elements that may occur in proteins but not in lipids. (1)

___________________________________________________________________________

d) How may a diet that has excessively low or excessively high levels of fat be harmful? (4)

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(Total: 8 marks)
N. Dunlop Page | 35
 - A-level: Biochemistry -

5. Adapted from Matsec September 2013 Paper 1

(Total: six marks)

N. Dunlop Page | 36
 - A-level: Biochemistry -

6. Matsec September 2016 Paper 1

a)

b)

c)

d)

N. Dunlop Page | 37
 - A-level: Biochemistry -

7. Matsec September 2019 Paper 1

a)

b)

(Total: 5 marks)

8. Living organisms require a range of vitamins in their diet in order to ensure adequate
functioning of body systems.

a. What is a vitamin? [2]

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

b. Humans and goats both require ascorbic acid. This chemical is considered a vitamin for
humans (Vitamin C) but not considered a vitamin for goats. Suggest a reason for this. [2]
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
(Total: 4 marks)

9. Matsec May 2008 Paper 2 Section B

Is water really necessary for life? Discuss. (25 marks)

10. Matsec May 2009 Paper 2 Section B

Despite the relatively restricted number of chemical elements found in living organisms, the
molecules they form are structurally very diverse and complex. Discuss. (25 marks)

N. Dunlop Page | 38
 - A-level: Enzymes

3. Matsec May 2015 Paper 1

This question concenns enzymes.

Bncly explaintheimportance of theslhapeof the enzyme in relation to its finction.

a)

[tvo marks)

b) Compare the lock and keyandinduced fit lypotheses.

[vo marks]
The activity of cellulase was measwed at difierent temperatures. Tbe pH level was kept
constant. The results are shown in Figure 2.
101
100
99

91

15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Temperature (C)
Figure 2 adapted fromhttp:/[Link]/content/2004/2/1471-fi8,JPG
c)
With reference to Figure 2,describeand explain the effect of teniperature on the activity of
cellulase.

|four inarks]

N. Dunlop
Page | 12
 - A-level: Enzymes

d) Why was the pH kept constant?

[one mark]
[Total: Nine marks]
4. Matsec May 2014 Paper 1

Briefly explain the following statennentsrelated to the structure and function of enzynes.

a Eizyme activity can be affected by a minor change in its amino acid sequence.

[two marks]

b) Prosthetic groups play an important role in the function of certain enzymes.

[two marks]
c) Bacteria living in hot water vents Lave enzymes that are rich in disulfide bonds.

(two marks)
[Total: slx marks]
5. Matsec May 2019 Paper 2 Section C

Use your knowledge of Biology to distinguish between the following:

Competitive and Non-competitive inhibitors. (5)

N Dunlap Page 13
 Spatial resource partitioning is when the same resource is exploited
in different areas.

o For example Paramecium caudatum and P. bursaria easily

coexist as P. caudatum feeds on suspended bacteria while P.
bursaria feeds on settled bacteria.

Resource Partitioning: Speces ater ther use of the niche to avoid competton by Cvicng resources among them

Flamingos Ducks Avocets Oyster catchen Plovers

Morphological resource partitioning is when organisms evolved

different physical attributes to reduce overlap in the shared
resource.
a For example, Darwin's finches developed different beak
morphologies to utilise slightly different diets.
Warter fnch Cactusground tnc
(Certhidoa olvacoay (Geosora scandos)

Woodoeer finch Sharp beaked

(Camartynchus paldus giound finch
G. dciks)

Small ater SmaODund

Coun
insectivorous
Probig bs (G gncsa
(C
Cocus
ater indfr
Lay
InsecvorDus
Modum ground
finch
Inseci eater (G forts)
Cpsttacula)
Seadeates

Veaa Bud eatert Larçe

(Platysoza
oassirostris) (G
nosts)

From the MATSECPastPa

Briefly explain the following statement related topopulation ecology.
The distribution of the barnacle Chthalamus fragilis along the intertidal
zone is narrowed when it coexists with the barnacle Semibalanus
balanoides.

S AloysiusCollege Sixth Form -Frst Year

Page 31 of 43
Ttian Schembri
 (3)
This question is about ecological communities.

Woodpecker species have different diets, and this can be deducted by

looking at their tongues which have different structures. The tongue of
one species of woodpecker is piliated and serrated and can snag insects.
The tongue of another species is packed with brush-like fibres that mop
up tree sap. How does resource partitioning between these two species
affect the strength of competition between them?

(2)
Resource partitioning may be thought of as a highly specialised mode of
coexisting with a closely related organism in a community. Another
survival strategy would be that of a generalist.

Define the terms generalists and specialists. Refer to the niche breadth in
your answer.

(4)
Give ONE advantage of the generalist strategy.

(1)
Give ONE advantage of the specialist strategy.

(1)

SAloystus CollegeSxth Form -First Year

Titan Schembri
Page 32 of 43
 survive; these outcompete and
displace the previous community.
3. As a result of plants with deeper
roots and larger size settling in,
productivity, biodiversity and
community interactions increase.
4. This in turn stabilises the
environment so that there is a
gradual shift from mainly r-selected
species to mainly k-selected species.
5. The climax community comprises the
best competitors which cannot be
outcompeted and displaced.

From the MASTECPast

An area of abandoned grassland was studied over a period of time of
more than 150 years. The table below shows the changes that occurred
in the plant communities as well as the number and densities of species of
small birds.
Time since area was abandoned
15 50
(vears)

Grass Shrubs
Mixed
Plant community Pinetrees
woodland
Number of species of small birds 2 8 13 19

Density 53 338 282 563

(pairs of small birds per km)

Give TWO possible reasons to why after being abandoned, the grassland
community was replaced by the shrub community.

(2)
Give TWO resons why the density of birds decreased when the shrub
community was replaced by pine trees.

(2)
St Aloystus College Srth Form -First Year
Page 39 of 43
Titian Schembri
 SuggestTWOreasons for the change noted in the number of small bird
speciesas the community changed from pine to mixed woodland.

L(2)

What is the term used to describe the change in the plant communities
illustrated in this question. (1)
How would you expect the level of nitrates in the soil to change in the
area studied over the 150 years period? Give reasons for your answer.

(3)
The final climax vegetation can be stable for very long periods of time.
Suggest TWO natural and TWO anthropogenic (human caused) processes
by which this stable community may be disturbed.

Natural processes:

(1)
Antropogenic processes:

(1)

S Aloysius Colege Sixrth Form -First Year

Page 40 of 43
Titian Schembri
rot theMA ast ers
This is a question about local ecology.

List FOUR habitat types that are found in the Maltese Islands.

(4)
"Buskett was originally planted by man but is now self-regenerated and
has the natural chracteristics of a climax community and may be
described as a semi-natural woodland" (Schembri, 1993). What is a
climax community?

L(2)

Which type of vegetation characterises a garrigue?

(2)
List TWO species of plants that you would expect to find in a garrigue.
(Both scientific and common names are accepted.)

(2)
In which type of Maltese habitat would you expect to find shrubs like Olea
europaea (olive tree), Ceratonia siliqua (carob tree) and Pistacia lentiscus
(lentisk)?

(1)

S Aloystus College Sixth Form - First Year

Page 43 of 43
Titlan Schembri
Task: Name the bacterium species that are involved in the denitrification
of the soil. What can farmers do to reduce the rate of denitrification in
their fields?

Task: Answer the following questions:

Describe Eutrophication and explain how this process is related to the
Nitrogen Cycle.

Describe TWO natural and TWO human activities that increase the
amount of nitrogen in the soil.

What is acid rain and how is it connected to both the Carbon and the
Nitrogen Biogeological Cycles?

St Aloyslu College Sixth Form -First Year

Titlan Schembri
Page 27 of 29
From theMATSECPastPapers
This question is about the nitrogern cycle. The diagram below shows
different chemical forms in which nitrogen is found.

Nitrogengas in the atmosphere

step1 step4

Ammonium ions Nitrite ions Nitrate ions

(NH,) (NO; ) (NO;)

step 2 step3

Step 1 involves the bacterria of the genus [Link] bacterium

makes use of the enzyme nitrogenase to convert nitrogen gas into
ammonium ions. Ina laboratoryinvestigation,it was noted that this
enzyme's activity was linked to the ammonium ion concentration present
and was concluded that nitogenase behaves as an inducible enzyme.

Explain how one would expect the nitrogenase activity to change as the
ammonium ion concentration increases.

(2)
Name a bacterium genus responsible for step 2 and for step 3.

Genus for Step 2: (2)

Genus for Step 3: (2)
What type of bacteria carry out Step 4 and under which conditions do
these bacteria convert nitrate into nitrogen gas?

(2)

&Ava CslryeSurFrn-Prg Ya
Page 29 of 29
Tan Shebr
b. Table 1 refers to epithelial tissues. Complete the table, using phrases listed below. One is
ready for you.

urinary bladder upper respiratory tract alveoli

diffusion elastic properties secretion and transportation

Table 1: Epithelial Tissues

Epithelial Location Function

Tissue

squamous alveoli

transitional

Pseudostratified

columnar

(5)

(Total: 10 marks)
2. This question is about plasma membranes.

a. The fluid mosaic model is used to describe plasma membranes. Explain what is meant by the
term fluid mosaic.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________ (2)

b. Name and briefly explain ONE technique that can be used to prepare plasma membranes for
electron microscopy.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________ (3)

Question continues on next page

2|Page
c. Briefly outline the role of the following eukaryotic organelles in the synthesis and processing of
proteins.

i. messenger RNA

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________ (2)

ii. rough endoplasmic reticulum

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________ (2)

iii. ribosomes

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________ (2)

iv. Golgi apparatus

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________ (2)

(Total: 13 marks)

3. This question is about classification.

Identify the phylum and class of the organisms shown in Figure 2 and give ONE visible
characteristic feature for each organism in Table 2.

Question continues on next page

3|Page
c. Give ONE advantage of the specialist survival strategy.

___________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________ (1)

(Total: 4 marks)

6. This question is about biochemistry.

Starch is the main carbohydrate storage in plants.

a. In the space below, name and draw the ring structure of the monomer of starch.

(2)
b. Briefly describe how the structure of starch relates to its function.

_________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ (2)

c. Similar to starch, glycogen is used as storage in animals. Compare the structure of glycogen
with that of starch.

_________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ (2)

(Total: 6 marks)

7. This question is about enzymes.

a. Briefly explain why enzymes are made from proteins and not from any other biomolecule.

_________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ (2)

Question continues on next page

7|Page
b. Figure 3 shows a graph of the rate of an enzyme-catalysed reaction against substrate
concentration as it occurred at 37°C.

Figure 3: Graph of rate of reaction against substrate concentration

(Adapted from: [Link]

i. Describe the pattern that emerges from Figure 3. In your answer name region X.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________ (2)

ii. Use Figure 3 to sketch the rate of reaction as it would occur at 25°C. (1)

iii. List another factor that should be kept constant throughout the experiment, apart from those
already mentioned.

_____________________________________________________________________________ (1)

iv. Explain why after adding a non-competitive inhibitor, the rate of reaction decreased rapidly.

_________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ (2)

(Total: 8 marks)

Questions continue on next page

8|Page
 2. Amino acids are the basic building blocks for proteins. The figure below shows the amino acid
cysteine.

Figure 1 Cysteine amino acid

a. Give a name to the following groups:

J:__________________________

L: _________________________

M: _________________________(3)

b. The primary structure of a protein consists of a chain of amino acids. Describe how a second
amino acid would bond to cysteine in forming the primary structure of a protein. Include diagram
of reaction. (3)

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Page 4 of 10
c. Each amino acid has a different R group.

Describe how these R groups can interact to determine the tertiary structure of a protein. (3)

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

d. State the importance of shape in protein function. (2)

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

e. Explain the role of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi body in protein synthesis. (2)

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

f. Both polysaccharides and proteins are polymers. Distinguish between them. (2)

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

(Total: 15 marks)

Page 5 of 10
3. The graph below shows the rate of influx of two chemicals into a mammalian hepatocyte (liver
cell) as the extracellular concentration of the chemicals is raised. One chemical is known to enter
the cell by simple diffusion while the other enters by facilitated diffusion in which a permease
protein assists the molecule to diffuse across the cell membrane.

Figure 2

a. Which molecule enters by diffusion alone and which by facilitated diffusion? (1)
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

b. Explain the shape of the graph for glucose. (2)

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

c. Explain the difference between facilitated diffusion and exocytosis. (3)

_____________________________________________________________________________

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Page 6 of 10
d. Sodium ions are normally 10 times more concentrated inside hepatocytes than in the
extracellular fluid. How is this high intracellular concentration maintained? (4)
_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

e. Plant cells are placed in a solution containing 1M glucose solution. In terms of solute potential
and water potential, explain how the plant cells will behave. (4)
_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

f. Why is it the plasma membrane, rather than the cell wall which is usually considered the more
important factor in movement of solutes? (2)
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

(Total: 16 marks)

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