Solutions for Practice Paper 1

Question 1
(a) Choose the correct option from the following: (i) The part of the
cell responsible for packaging and transporting proteins:
 (B) Golgi apparatus

(ii) The hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells:

 (A) Erythropoietin

(iii) The type of joint found in the human elbow:

 (B) Hinge joint

(iv) The primary pigment involved in photosynthesis:

 (C) Chlorophyll

(v) The structure that prevents the backflow of blood in veins:

 (B) Valve
(b) State the exact location of the following: (i) Thyroid gland:
Located in the neck, just below the Adam's apple. (ii) Semicircular
canals: Located in the inner ear. (iii) Bowman’s capsule: Located in the
cortex of the kidney. (iv) Guard cells: Surround the stomata on the leaf
surface. (v) Sinoatrial node: Located in the right atrium of the heart.
(c) Give biological reasons for the following
statements: (i) Photosynthesis is essential for the survival of most
life forms on Earth.
 Photosynthesis produces oxygen, which is essential for the
respiration of most living organisms, and it is the primary source of
energy in the form of glucose for plants.
(ii) Regular exercise is important for maintaining cardiovascular
health.
 Regular exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improves blood
circulation, and helps maintain healthy blood pressure and
cholesterol levels.
(iii) The skin is considered an important organ of the immune
system.
 The skin acts as a physical barrier against pathogens and contains
immune cells that can detect and respond to infections.
(iv) Vaccination helps in preventing infectious diseases.
  Vaccination stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies
and memory cells specific to a pathogen, providing immunity
without causing the disease.
(v) Plants have different types of roots for various functions.
 Different types of roots, such as taproots and fibrous roots, help in
anchoring the plant, absorbing water and nutrients, and storing
food.
(d) Match the items in Column A with those in Column B:
Column A Column B
(i) Alveoli (B) Gas exchange
(ii) Nephrons (A) Blood filtration
(iii) Myelin sheath (C) Nerve impulse transmission
(iv) Chloroplast (D) Photosynthesis
(v) Platelets (E) Blood clotting
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(e) Choose the correct option from the following and explain why
the other options are incorrect: (i) The part of the brain responsible
for balance and coordination:
 (B) Cerebellum

 Explanation: The cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements and

maintains balance and posture. The cerebrum is responsible for
higher brain functions, the medulla oblongata controls autonomic
functions, and the pons relays signals between different parts of the
brain.

(ii) The main component of the plant cell wall:

 (A) Cellulose
 Explanation: Cellulose is the primary structural component of the
plant cell wall. Starch and glycogen are storage polysaccharides,
and chitin is found in fungal cell walls and insect exoskeletons.

(iii) The process by which white blood cells engulf and digest pathogens:

 (B) Phagocytosis
 Explanation: Phagocytosis is the process by which cells engulf and
digest large particles or pathogens. Pinocytosis involves the
ingestion of liquid, endocytosis is a general term for cellular
ingestion, and exocytosis is the process of expelling materials from
the cell.

(iv) The type of reproduction in which offspring are genetically identical to

the parent:

 (B) Asexual reproduction

  Explanation: Asexual reproduction involves a single parent and
produces genetically identical offspring. Sexual reproduction
involves two parents and genetic variation, parthenogenesis is a
form of asexual reproduction in some animals, and hermaphroditism
involves organisms with both male and female reproductive organs.

(v) The plant hormone responsible for cell division and growth:

 (C) Cytokinin
 Explanation: Cytokinins promote cell division and growth. Auxins are
involved in cell elongation, gibberellins stimulate stem elongation,
and ethylene is involved in fruit ripening.
(f) Identify the odd term in each set and mention the category of
the remaining terms: (i) Protein (Odd term) - The remaining terms are
types of carbohydrates. (ii) Neuron (Odd term) - The remaining terms are
organs. (iii) Epidermis (Odd term) - The remaining terms are tissues
found in vascular plants. (iv) Enzyme (Odd term) - The remaining terms
are nucleic acids. (v) Hemoglobin (Odd term) - The remaining terms are
hormones.
(g) Define the following terms: (i) Active transport: The movement of
molecules across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to
a region of higher concentration, using energy. (ii) Biodegradable
waste: Waste that can be broken down by natural processes involving
microorganisms. (iii) Dominant allele: An allele that expresses its
phenotype even in the presence of a recessive allele. (iv) Reflex action:
An involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a
stimulus. (v) Plasmolysis: The process in which cells lose water in a
hypertonic solution, causing the cell membrane to pull away from the cell
wall.

Solutions for Practice Paper 2

Question 1
(a) Choose the correct option from the following: (i) The molecule
that acts as the main energy currency in cells:
 (B) ATP

(ii) The structure in the human brain responsible for regulating body
temperature:

 (C) Hypothalamus

(iii) The process by which plants lose water in the form of vapor:

 (A) Transpiration

(iv) The hormone responsible for lowering blood sugar levels:

  (B) Insulin

(v) The type of immunity acquired after recovering from a disease:

 (B) Active Immunity

(b) State the exact location of the following: (i) Mitochondria:
Found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. (ii) Stapes: Located in the
middle ear. (iii) Pituitary gland: Located at the base of the brain, below
the hypothalamus. (iv) Guard cells: Surround the stomata on the leaf
surface. (v) Mitral valve: Located between the left atrium and left
ventricle of the heart.
(c) Give biological reasons for the following statements: (i) It is
important to practice drawing neat and labeled diagrams in
biology.
 Neat and labeled diagrams help in understanding and visualizing
biological structures and processes, which can aid in better
retention and recall during exams.
(ii) Green plants are essential for maintaining oxygen levels in the
atmosphere.
 Green plants produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis,
which is essential for the respiration of most living organisms.
(iii) Osmosis is crucial for the survival of plant cells.
 Osmosis helps in the absorption of water from the soil, maintaining
cell turgor, and facilitating the transport of nutrients.
(iv) Reflex actions are faster than voluntary actions.
 Reflex actions are involuntary and involve a direct pathway through
the spinal cord, bypassing the brain, leading to a quicker response.
(v) Correct spelling of biological terms is important in exams.
 Correct spelling ensures accurate communication of concepts and
prevents misunderstandings or loss of marks due to incorrect
terminology.
(d) Match the items in Column A with those in Column B:
Column A Column B
(i) Hemoglobin (B) Oxygen transport
(ii) Chlorophyll (A) Photosynthesis
(iii) Nephrons (C) Blood filtration
(iv) Retina (D) Vision
(v) Insulin (E) Blood sugar regulation
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(e) Choose the correct option from the following and explain why
the other options are incorrect: (i) The primary site of protein
synthesis in a cell:
 (B) Ribosomes

 Explanation: Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis. The

nucleus contains genetic material, mitochondria are involved in
 energy production, and the Golgi apparatus is involved in modifying,
sorting, and packaging proteins.

(ii) The part of the flower that develops into fruit:

 (B) Ovary
 Explanation: The ovary develops into the fruit after fertilization. The
ovule develops into the seed, the stigma is the part of the pistil
where pollen germinates, and the anther produces pollen.

(iii) The gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect:

 (C) Carbon dioxide

 Explanation: Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas that traps
heat in the atmosphere. Oxygen and nitrogen are not greenhouse
gases, and hydrogen is not present in significant amounts in the
atmosphere.

(iv) The type of reproduction involving two parents:

 (B) Sexual reproduction

 Explanation: Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes
from two parents, leading to genetic variation. Asexual reproduction
involves a single parent, binary fission is a type of asexual
reproduction, and budding is another form of asexual reproduction.

(v) The process of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by
half:

 (B) Meiosis
 Explanation: Meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half,
producing gametes. Mitosis is cell division that maintains the
chromosome number, cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm,
and synapsis is the pairing of homologous chromosomes during
meiosis.
(f) Identify the odd term in each set and mention the category of
the remaining terms: (i) Protein (Odd term) - The remaining terms are
types of carbohydrates. (ii) Neuron (Odd term) - The remaining terms are
organs. (iii) Stomata (Odd term) - The remaining terms are tissues found
in vascular plants. (iv) Ribosome (Odd term) - The remaining terms are
nucleic acids. (v) Hemoglobin (Odd term) - The remaining terms are
hormones.
(g) Define the following terms: (i) Photophosphorylation: The
process of converting ADP to ATP using the energy of sunlight during
photosynthesis. (ii) Biodegradable: Capable of being decomposed by
natural processes involving microorganisms. (iii) Genotype: The genetic
makeup of an organism, consisting of the alleles inherited from its
parents. (iv) Reflex arc: The neural pathway that controls a reflex action.
(v) Endocytosis: The process by which a cell engulfs material from its
environment by enclosing it in a vesicle.