PROBLEM OF THE DAY 6

The diagram below shows a diagrammatic representation of the fluid mosaic model
of the plasma membrane. Use it to answer the questions below.

1. Provide labels for the following letters

A………………………………….
B………………………………….
C…………………………………..
D………………………………….
E…………………………………..
F…………………………………..
G………………………………….
I…………………………………….
2. Name the biomolecules that form the following
C ……………………..
G ………………….
3. State the principal property of the structure
Answer.
1.
A. Integral protein
B. Hydrophobic tail
C. Glycoprotein
D. Hydrophilic head
E. Peripheral protein
F. Phospholipid
G. Glycolipid
I. Cholesterol

2. C. Carbohydrate and Protein

G. Carbohydrate and Lipid
3. Selectively permeable
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 7

Copy and complete the following by filling in the blanks 1 to 5 with appropriate
words, terms or phrases.

To test the leaf for starch,, the leaf is boiled in water to . . . . . . ….. (1). It is next
boiled in methylated spirit to . . . . . . . . . (2). The leaf is placed in warm water to
soften it. It is then placed in a dish and . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) solution is added. The
region, which contains starch, turns . . . . . . . . . . . . (4 ) and the region, which does
not contain starch, turns . . . . . . . . . . . . (5).

………………………………………..
Answer

To test the leaf for starch,, the leaf is boiled in water to . . . . . .kill the cells (1). It
is next boiled in methylated spirit to . . . . remove chlorophyll (2). The leaf is
placed in warm water to soften it. It is then placed in a dish and . . . . . .iodine (3)
solution is added. The region, which contains starch, turns . . . . . .blue black (4 )
and the region, which does not contain starch, turns . . . . . .brown (5).
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 8

You have been provided the following apparatus. Show how they can be used to
determine the effect of environmental conditions on transpiration rate using a
potometer
Apparatus
 Drinking straw or clear plastic tubing
 Knife
 Water in a basin
 Soft green leafy shoot
 Vaseline
 Marking pen
 Play dough / putti/ Prestick
 Ruler
Answer
Perform the following steps under water:
1. Cut the stem of the leafy shoot with the knife (at an angle to increase the
surface area) under water in the basin. The reason we cut it under
water is to prevent air bubbles entering the xylem vessel.
2. Test to make sure the stem of the leafy twig will fit snugly into the top of
the straw.
3. Remove the leafy shoot from the straw and set aside, keeping the stem
submerged, and the leaves above water.
4. Fill the straw with water. Place one finger over one end of the straw to
stop the water from running out.
5. Put the leafy shoot into the open end and seal it with play dough/ putti/
Prestick while removing it from water KEEPING YOUR FINGER ON
THE STRAW! Perform the following steps above water.
6. Seal with Vaseline. Make sure it is air tight and water tight. If not, all
the water will run out when you take your finger off the straw.
7. Mark the water level on the straw with the pen.
8. Place your potometer under one of the following conditions for one
hour:
a. as is, in a warm, sunny place (no wind)
b. as is, in a warm, windy place
c. with a plastic bag tied around the leaf, in a warm, sunny place
d. a shady place.
9. Every 10 minutes use a marking pen to mark the change in water level
on the straw. Continue taking measurements for 1 hour.
10.Measure the distance the water moves during each time interval with
the ruler.
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 9

The diagram below shows the ventral view of the external structure of the heart.
Study it carefully and answer the question below.

1. Name the parts labelled 1, 2, 7, 8.2 and 9.2

1 - Aorta
2 - Coronary artery
7 - Inferior vena cava
8.2 - (right) pulmonary artery
9.2 - Pulmonary veins

2. What type of blood (oxygenated or deoxygenated) is transported by blood

vessels 1, 3 and 6?
1 - Oxygenated blood
3 - Deoxygenated blood
6 - Deoxygenated blood
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 10

Explain the advantage that populations of sexually reproducing organisms have

over asexually reproducing organisms?

3. The offspring of sexually reproducing organisms are all genetically

unique.
4. Because of this, sexually reproducing organisms may have more
successful survival of offspring in environments that change than
asexually reproducing organisms, whose offspring are all genetically
identical.
5. In addition, the rate of adaptation of sexually reproducing organisms is
higher, because of their increased variation.
6. This may allow sexually reproducing organisms to adapt more quickly
to competitors and parasites, who are evolving new ways to exploit or
outcompete them.
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 11

Hydroponics is a solution culture that is utilized to raise plants in a soilless

medium. Explain why in spite of the success of this technique, most crops are still
cultivated on land.

There are various disadvantages associated with hydroponics.

1. Regular root aeration for normal growth of plants is required

2. For maximum growth, the solution needs to be replaced frequently
3. There are undesirable pH changes due to the loss of certain ions that
are quickly absorbed
4. It is an expensive technique. The handling and settling of this technique
needs much more investment than soil-based production
5. There are chances of these methods spreading water-borne diseases
6. Due to lack of knowledge, it is not practised by traditional farmers
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 12

Explain why higher organisms have resorted to sexual reproduction in spite of its
complexity.

Answer

Sexual reproduction involves more time and energy. Explain why higher
organisms have resorted to sexual reproduction in spite of its complexity.

1. This is because this mode of reproduction helps introduce new variations

in progenies through the combination of the DNA from two (usually)
different individuals.
2. These variations allow the individual to cope with various environmental
conditions
3. And thus, make the organism better suited for the environment.
4. Variations also lead to the evolution of better organisms and therefore,
provide better chances of survival.
5. On the other hand, asexual reproduction does not provide genetic
differences in the individuals produced.
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 13

Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow

A B

1. State and explain the physiological process being studied.

2. What will be observed in the two test tubes after two to three days?
3. Give a reason for your answer in (ii) above.
4. Why was the surface of water in the 2 test tubes covered with oil?
5. State the purpose of setting up test tube B
Answer

1. State and explain the physiological process being studied.

The physiological process being studied is transpiration
To show that loss water absorbed by the root of plants is due to
transpiration

2. What will be observed in the two test tubes after two to three days?
The level of water in test tube A will go down, whereas that in test
tube B, will remain same

3. Give a reason for your answer in (ii) above.

The water in test-tube A was absorbed by roots and through the
xylem vessels it reached the leaves where it was transpired
through the leaves. Therefore, the level of water in test-tube A
falls down.
In test-tube B, there is no plant fixed on it. Therefore,
transpiration did not take place, making the level of water remain
the same.

4. Why was the surface of water in the 2 test tubes covered with oil?
Oil was put in each test-tube to prevent the loss of water due to
evaporation

5. State the purpose of setting up test tube B.

Test-tube B was set up as control experiment and show that water
is absorbed by roots and transpired by a plant in the test-tube A.
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 14

The diagram below shows two test-tubes A and B. Test-tube A contains a green
water plant. Test-tube B contains both a green water plant and a snail. Both test
tubes are kept in sunlight. Answer the questions that follow:

(i) Name the physiological process that releases the bubbles of oxygen.
Photosynthesis

(ii) Explain the physiological process as mentioned above in Q. (i).

Photosynthesis is a physiological process by which plant cells
containing chlorophyll produce food in the form of carbohydrates by
using carbon dioxide, water and light energy. Oxygen is released as a
by-product.

(iii) What was the purpose of keeping a snail in test-tube ‘B’?

Carbon dioxide released by the snail during respiration is used
by the plant for photosynthesis. This increases the rate of
photosynthesis in the plant placed in test tube B. This also
suggests that both respiration and photosynthesis are
 complementary processes to maintain the concentration of
oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

(iv) Why does test-tube ‘B’ have more bubbles of oxygen?

In test tube B, a plant and a snail are kept. The plant in test tube B
has more concentration of CO2 available because the snail releases
CO2 during respiration. This increases the rate of photosynthesis in
the plant placed in test tube B which leads to the release of more
amount of oxygen.

(v) Write the overall chemical equation for the above process.
Light energy
6CO2 12H2OC6H12O6 6H2O6O2 
Chlorophyll
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 15

Explain how muscles cause movement of the human arm

1. The muscles which bring about these movements are called biceps and
triceps
2. The biceps are attached to scapula and radius for bending
3. The triceps are attached to scapula, humerus and ulna for stretching
4. When the biceps contracts, it pulls the radius (forearm) and the hand
bends
5. The triceps relaxes at the same time
6. When the triceps contracts and biceps relaxes(extends) the arm is
stretched
7. Biceps flexes the arm (flexor) and triceps extend(extensor muscle) the
arm
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 16

Fungi are multicellular eukaryotic organisms that are heterotrophs (cannot make
their own food) and have important roles in ecosystem. State at least 5 economic
importance of fungi

1. Many cause diseases to cash crops, eg black pod disease of cocoa

2. Mycorrhizal association in forest development may help in water
intake/absorption
3. Some are used in the production of antibiotics e. g. penicillin,
chloromycin, streptomycin
4. Some cause decay to food and other materials
5. Some cause diseases to humans and animals e. g. ringworms
6. They help in nitrogen fixation
7. They are important in recycling nutrients in soil since they cause decay
of organic matter
8. They may be used as food e. g. mushrooms, yeasts
9. Yeast is used in brewing and baking industries and a source of vitamin
B
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 17
Explain why offspring of oviparous animals are at a greater risk as compared to
offspring of viviparous animals.

Answer
1. Oviparous animals lay eggs outside their body.
2. As a result, the eggs of these animals are under continuous threat from
various environmental factors.
3. They do not get proper protection and nourishment as in viviparous
organisms.
4. On the other hand, in viviparous animals, the development of the egg
takes place inside the body of the female.
5. Hence, the offspring of an egg-laying or oviparous animal is at greater
risk as compared to the offspring of a viviparous animal, which gives
birth to its young ones.
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 1 (18)

Study the diagram below and use it to answer the question that follow

1. Name the technique that is demonstrated in the figure

Hydroponics

2. Name the scientist who demonstrated it for the first time.

(Julius Von) Sachs

3. What is the importance of the feeding funnel?

Feeding funnel is used to add nutrients and water.

4. What is the importance of the aerating tube

The aerating tube supplies oxygen for the proper growth and
development of the roots nurturing in the liquid solution
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 2 (19)

The table below shows water loss in two plants recorded over a 12 hour period.
Study the information carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Time of Day 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00
Water loss in
0.0 0.3 1.4 4.0 8.0 8.0 7.6
Plant A (cm3)
Water loss in
0.2 0.6 3.0 12.0 18.0 16.2 14.5
Plant B (cm3)
1. What is the correct biological term for water loss in a plant?
Transpiration

2. From which plant was the greatest amount of water loss recorded?
Plant B

3. Assuming the plants were kept in identical conditions; suggest two possible
ways that the plant that lost less water may have differed structurally from
the plant that lost more water.
Any two of the following:
a. It could have smaller or fewer leaves
b. Trichomes or hairs on the leaves
c. Leaves in a rosette arrangement
d. Sunken stomata
e. Fewer stomata per leaf
f. Thicker cuticle
g. Curled up leaves.
4. Which time of day was the greatest water loss recorded for both Plants A
and B. Why do you think this is so?
14.00 (2pm). It is the hottest part of the day. The sun shines brightly,
causing stomata to open wider and the high air temperature causes
water vapour to diffuse rapidly out of stomata.

5. Why was the rate of water loss lowest at 06:00?

The sun had not risen, so light intensity was low, closing the stomata.
The air temperature was also low, reducing the diffusion rate of water
vapour, so both plants lost less water.
 6. What name is given to the apparatus that could have been used in the
laboratory to measure the rate of water loss in plants A and B.?
Potometer

PROBLEM OF THE DAY 3 (20)

What is meant by emasculation in plant breeding? Explain when and why a plant
breeder employ this technique?

Answer
Emasculation is the process of removing anthers from bisexual flowers
without affecting the female reproductive part (pistil), which is used in
various plant hybridization techniques.

1. Emasculation is performed by plant breeders in bisexual flowers

2. It prevents self-pollination.
3. This allows the breeder to obtain the desired variety of a plant by
crossing a particular plant with the desired pollen grain.
4. To remove the anthers, the flowers are covered with a bag before they
open.
5. This ensures that the flower is pollinated by pollen grains obtained from
desirable plant varieties only (avoid self-pollination).
6. Later, the mature, viable, and stored pollen grains are dusted on the
bagged stigma by breeders to allow artificial pollination to take place
and obtain the desired plant variety.
PROBLEM OF THE DAY 4 (21)

Explain why individuals do not evolve but populations do evolve.

Answer
1. Evolution represents the genetic change of a population over a period of
time
2. Individuals, such as humans may develop new skills and abilities
3. But their genetic material remains unaffected.
4. Therefore, the new skills cannot be passed on to their offspring or the
next generation
5. Hence the changes do not change the genetic composition of the
population

PROBLEM OF THE DAY 5 (22)

Food fermentation has been said to serve five main purposes: State all

1. There is enrichment of the diet through development of a diversity of

flavors, aromas, and textures in food substrates.
2. Substantial amounts of food are preserved through lactic acid, alcohol,
acetic acid, and alkaline fermentations.
3. There is biological enrichment of food substrates with protein, essential
amino acids, essential fatty acids, and vitamins.
4. Elimination of antinutrients.
5. There is a decrease in cooking time and fuel requirement.

PROBLEM OF THE DAY 6 (23)

The diagram below shows the legs of a 400 meter athlete while waiting to start a
race. The letters A to F show some of the muscles as well as joints that will be
needed to run the race.

When the athlete takes off his mark, the right leg will straighten, pushing him
upwards and forwards.
1. Indicate the muscles lettered A to F that will relax after takeoff.
B

2. Indicate the muscles lettered A to F that will contract after takeoff

B, C and E

3. List the letters that indicate hinge joints in the diagram.

D

4. List the letters that indicate ball and socket joints in the diagram
A

PROBLEM OF THE DAY 7 (24)

Explain animal husbandry and its role in human welfare

1. Animal husbandry deals with the scientific management of livestock

which includes various aspects such as feeding, breeding, and control of
diseases to raise the population of animal livestock.
2. It usually deals with animals such as cattle, pig, sheep, poultry, and fish
which are useful for humans in various ways.
3. These animals are used for the production of commercially important
products such as milk, meat, wool, cgg, honey, silk, etc.
4. As human population increases, the demand for the products from
livestock also increases
5. Therefore it is necessary to improve the management of livestock.