Biology Paper 01 Practice Exam 1

Paper 1 · Multiple choice · 60 questions

1. 1.A student in St Lucia collected five small animals from the school yard: a spider, a mosquito, a centipede, a ladybird beetle and a scorpion. Which feature could BEST be used to sort these animals into two groups?
   APresence of jointed legsBPresence or absence of wingsCPresence of an exoskeletonDPresence of a segmented body
2. 2.Which piece of apparatus is MOST suitable for sampling insects that fly and hop among the tall grass of a Jamaican pasture?
   AQuadratBTullgren funnelCSecchi discDSweep net
3. 3.In a Trinidad garden food web, grass is eaten by grasshoppers, mango leaves are eaten by caterpillars and mango fruit is eaten by agoutis. Lizards eat grasshoppers and caterpillars, mongooses eat lizards and agoutis, and hawks eat lizards and mongooses. Which list contains ONLY herbivores?
   AAgouti, lizard, caterpillarBGrasshopper, mango tree, caterpillarCMongoose, grasshopper, agoutiDAgouti, grasshopper, caterpillar
4. 4.Consider the following relationships.I. An orchid growing on the branch of a large tree without harming itII. An owl catching and eating a mouseIII. A tapeworm living in the intestine of a pigWhich of the following correctly identifies these relationships, in the order I, II, III?
   AMutualism, predator/prey, parasitismBCommensalism, parasitism, mutualismCCommensalism, predator/prey, parasitismDParasitism, predator/prey, commensalism
5. 5.Which statement about the flow of energy along a food chain is CORRECT?
   AEach consumer obtains its energy directly from sunlight.BThe amount of energy available increases at each trophic level.CEnergy trapped by producers is passed on to consumers as chemical energy in food.DEnergy is recycled from decomposers back to the producers.
6. 6.Two species of grass growing close together on a Guyana savannah are LEAST likely to compete for
   Aorganic foodBsunlightCsoil nitrate ionsDwater
7. 7.Muscle cells in the legs of a long-distance runner contain very large numbers of one particular organelle that releases energy by aerobic respiration. This organelle is the
   AmitochondrionBribosomeCnucleusDchloroplast
8. 8.Which cell structure is a membrane-bound sac filled MAINLY with water containing dissolved sugars and salts?
   ANucleusBVacuoleCRibosomeDCell wall
9. 9.Which of the following pairs does NOT correctly distinguish a plant cell from an animal cell?
   APlant cell: stores starch; animal cell: stores glycogenBPlant cell: has a cellulose cell wall; animal cell: has no cell wallCPlant cell: usually has a regular shape; animal cell: usually has an irregular shapeDPlant cell: has a nucleus; animal cell: has no nucleus
10. 10.An enzyme from the human digestive system works fastest at pH 2 and stops working completely above pH 6.5. In which part of the gut would it work BEST?
    AMouthBStomachCDuodenumDIleum
11. 11.A protein-digesting enzyme has its highest activity at about pH 8.5 and is inactive below pH 4. This enzyme is MOST likely
    ApepsinBtrypsinCrenninDsalivary amylase
12. 12.During photosynthesis in a breadfruit leaf, the oxygen gas released comes from the splitting of
    Acarbon dioxideBglucoseCchlorophyllDwater
13. 13.The FIRST carbohydrate made by photosynthesis in a sugar cane leaf is
    AstarchBcelluloseCglucoseDglycogen
14. 14.A potted plant is placed in light under a sealed bell jar that also contains a dish of soda lime, which absorbs carbon dioxide. A second plant is set up in the same way with a dish of water instead. After six hours a leaf from each plant is tested with iodine solution. The experiment is designed to find out whether
    Acarbon dioxide is needed for photosynthesisBlight is needed for photosynthesisCoxygen is produced in photosynthesisDsoda lime damages leaf cells
15. 15.Before starting a photosynthesis experiment, a student leaves a potted plant in a dark cupboard for 48 hours. The PURPOSE of this step is to
    Aallow the stomata to open fullyBincrease the amount of chlorophyll in the leavesCallow the plant to absorb extra carbon dioxideDremove the starch already in the leaves
16. 16.A teenager in Jamaica rarely eats dairy products or green vegetables. Which mineral is she MOST likely to be short of for building strong bones and teeth?
    ACalciumBIronCIodineDSodium
17. 17.Which organ makes a digestive juice that contains NO enzymes but helps to emulsify fats?
    APancreasBSalivary glandCLiverDStomach
18. 18.Which word equation summarises aerobic respiration?
    Aglucose → lactic acid + energyBglucose → ethanol + carbon dioxide + energyCcarbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygenDglucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy
19. 19.A sprinter in Barbados finishes a 200 m race and her leg muscles ache. Her muscle cells would show a raised level of
    Alactic acidBethanolCglycogenDurea
20. 20.A model of the chest is made from a plastic bottle with its base cut off. A straw passes through a bung in the neck of the bottle and a balloon is tied to the straw inside the bottle. A rubber sheet is stretched across the open base. Which part of this model represents the diaphragm?
    ABalloonBRubber sheetCStrawDWall of the bottle
21. 21.A model of the chest is made from a plastic bottle with its base cut off. A straw passes through a bung in the neck of the bottle and a balloon is tied to the straw inside the bottle. A rubber sheet is stretched across the open base. What would MOST likely happen when the rubber sheet is pulled downwards?
    AThe balloon deflates because the pressure inside the bottle rises.BThe volume inside the bottle decreases.CThe balloon inflates because the pressure inside the bottle falls.DAir is pushed out of the balloon through the straw.
22. 22.A model of the chest is made from a plastic bottle with its base cut off. A straw passes through a bung in the neck of the bottle and a balloon is tied to the straw inside the bottle. A rubber sheet is stretched across the open base. In this model the balloon represents the
    AtracheaBlungCrib cageDdiaphragm
23. 23.The following are descriptions of three types of blood vessel.I. Thick, muscular, elastic wall; carries blood at high pressure away from the heartII. Wall only one cell thick; allows exchange of substances with tissue cellsIII. Has valves; carries blood at low pressure back to the heartWhich of the following correctly identifies these vessels, in the order I, II, III?
    AVein, capillary, arteryBArtery, vein, capillaryCArtery, capillary, veinDCapillary, artery, vein
24. 24.The pocket-shaped valves found inside the veins of the legs are important because they
    Apump blood towards the heartBstop blood flowing backwardsCraise the blood pressureDfilter out blood clots
25. 25.A child in Guyana is given a vaccine containing weakened measles virus. The vaccine causes the child's white blood cells to produce
    AantibodiesBantigensCantibioticsDred blood cells
26. 26.Under which conditions would a hibiscus plant lose water by transpiration MOST slowly?
    AHot, dry and windyBWarm, sunny and dryCCool, humid and stillDHot, humid and windy
27. 27.In a kidney nephron, the GREATEST volume of water in the filtrate is reabsorbed into the blood at the
    ABowman's capsuleBloop of HenleCcollecting ductDfirst (proximal) convoluted tubule
28. 28.Urine leaving all the collecting ducts of a kidney drains first into the
    AcortexBrenal pelvisCrenal arteryDbladder
29. 29.Which region of the kidney contains the loops of Henle and collecting ducts, where the water content of the urine is adjusted?
    AMedullaBCortexCPelvisDUreter
30. 30.A germinating pea seed is kept in a dark box lying on its side. After three days its shoot has curved and is growing upwards. The shoot is showing a
    Apositive response to gravityBnegative response to gravityCpositive response to lightDnegative response to water
31. 31.A cricketer in Antigua dislocates his shoulder, so the head of the humerus slips out of its socket in the scapula. Besides pain, which movement would he MOST likely be UNABLE to perform?
    ARotate the arm in a full circleBBend the fingersCTurn the headDBend the knee
32. 32.Mind-altering drugs such as cocaine and marijuana produce their MAIN effects on the
    AliverBkidneysCbrainDlungs
33. 33.In a reflex arc, which part carries impulses from a receptor in the skin to the spinal cord?
    ASensory neuroneBMotor neuroneCRelay neuroneDEffector
34. 34.Which sequence correctly shows the pathway followed during a reflex action?
    AReceptor → stimulus → motor neurone → relay neurone → sensory neurone → response → effectorBStimulus → effector → motor neurone → relay neurone → sensory neurone → receptor → responseCStimulus → receptor → sensory neurone → relay neurone → motor neurone → effector → responseDResponse → receptor → sensory neurone → motor neurone → relay neurone → effector → stimulus
35. 35.Which of the following are parts of the central nervous system?I. BrainII. Spinal cordIII. Sciatic nerve in the leg
    AI onlyBI and II onlyCII and III onlyDI, II and III
36. 36.Which of the following statements about drugs is FALSE?
    ASome drugs cause physical and psychological dependence.BLong-term alcohol abuse can damage the liver.CDrugs can change the way the nervous system works.DAll mood-altering drugs can be bought legally without a prescription.
37. 37.On a hot afternoon in Kingston, which pair of responses by the skin helps to cool the body?
    AConstriction of skin arterioles and increased sweatingBDilation of skin arterioles and contraction of hair erector musclesCConstriction of skin arterioles and decreased sweatingDDilation of skin arterioles and increased sweating
38. 38.In a typical 28-day menstrual cycle, with Day 1 as the first day of menstruation, ovulation is MOST likely to occur on about Day
    A2B7C14D26
39. 39.A potted croton is placed beside a window so that light reaches its shoot from one side only. After a week the shoot will MOST likely
    Abend away from the windowBbend towards the windowCgrow straight up and become paleDstop growing
40. 40.Which of the following occurs during the early stages of germination of a bean seed?
    AThe dry mass of the seed increases.BEnzymes in the seed become less active.CThe seed coat becomes thicker.DThe seed absorbs water and swells.
41. 41.Which of the following is NOT a suitable way of measuring the growth of a cassava plant?
    AMeasuring the height of its stemBCounting the number of leavesCRecording the colour of its leavesDFinding its dry mass
42. 42.After pollination and fertilisation in a mango flower, which structure develops into the seed?
    AOvary wallBStigmaCOvuleDAnther
43. 43.Which of the following is ESSENTIAL for sexual reproduction to take place?
    AFusion of a male gamete with a female gameteBTwo parents growing in the same habitatCA watery environmentDCell division by mitosis only
44. 44.Banana plants grown from suckers of one parent plant are genetically identical to that parent because
    Atheir cells are formed by meiosisBgametes from two parents have fusedCthey receive half of the parent's chromosomesDall their new cells are formed by mitosis
45. 45.Which sequence correctly shows the path taken by sperm from where they are made to the outside of the body?
    ATestis → urethra → epididymis → sperm ductBEpididymis → testis → urethra → sperm ductCTestis → sperm duct → ureter → urethraDTestis → epididymis → sperm duct → urethra
46. 46.In a woman, a sperm normally meets and fuses with an egg in the
    AuterusBoviductCcervixDovary
47. 47.Which hormone causes the development of male secondary sexual characteristics such as a deeper voice and facial hair?
    AOestrogenBProgesteroneCTestosteroneDInsulin
48. 48.A nurse in St Vincent advises a couple who want protection against BOTH pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. Which method should she recommend?
    AContraceptive pillBCondomCIntrauterine device (IUD)DVasectomy
49. 49.Bats in a Trinidad forest visit flowers to feed on nectar and also eat fruits, later dropping the seeds far away. In doing this, the bats help plants with
    Aboth pollination and seed dispersalBpollination onlyCseed dispersal onlyDvegetative propagation
50. 50.A pea plant is tall and has purple flowers. These observable features together make up its
    AphenotypeBgenotypeCallelesDkaryotype
51. 51.Which human characteristic shows discontinuous variation?
    ABody massBHeightCHand spanDABO blood group
52. 52.Genetic variation within a population is important MAINLY because it
    Aallows some individuals to survive changing conditions, providing material for natural selectionBensures that all offspring are identical to their parentsCprevents mutations from happeningDlets organisms gain features they need during their lifetime
53. 53.Which of the following could lead to one population splitting into two separate species?I. Lizards on one island are separated when rising sea level creates a channel between two parts of the islandII. Two groups of frogs in the same forest breed at different times of the yearIII. Two groups of birds in the same area use different courtship songs and no longer mate with each other
    AI onlyBI and II onlyCII and III onlyDI, II and III
54. 54.The gene for seed shape in peas exists in a form that gives round seeds and a form that gives wrinkled seeds. These alternative forms of the same gene are called
    AchromatidsBallelesChomologous chromosomesDgenotypes
55. 55.Which of the following does NOT take place during meiosis?
    ACrossing over between homologous chromosomesBSeparation of homologous chromosomesCProduction of two daughter cells identical to the parent cellDHalving of the chromosome number
56. 56.Which sex chromosomes are found in a body cell of a human male?
    AXXBXYCYYDXO
57. 57.Which statement BEST describes evolution?
    AThe changes an individual organism undergoes during its lifetimeBThe development of new features because an organism needs themCThe gradual change in the inherited characteristics of a population over many generationsDThe sudden appearance of living things from non-living matter
58. 58.In genetic terms, evolution is BEST defined as a change in the
    Afrequency of alleles in a population over generationsBnumber of chromosomes in each body cellCaverage size of individuals in a single generationDnumber of individuals in a population
59. 59.Which of the following provide evidence for evolution?I. Bats, whales and humans have the same basic bone pattern in their forelimbsII. Fossils in older rock layers are simpler than those in younger layersIII. A bodybuilder develops large muscles after years of training
    AI and II onlyBI and III onlyCII and III onlyDI, II and III
60. 60.The following steps are used to make human insulin by genetic engineering.1. The plasmid is cut open with a restriction enzyme.2. The modified plasmid is put back into a bacterium.3. A plasmid is removed from a bacterium.4. DNA ligase seals the human insulin gene into the plasmid.Which order of steps is correct?
    A1, 3, 4, 2B3, 4, 1, 2C1, 4, 3, 2D3, 1, 4, 2