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MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

FIJI SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION 2009

BIOLOGY

Time Allowed : Three Hours

(An extra ten minutes is allowed for reading this paper.)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Write all your answers in the Answer Book provided.

2. Write your Index Number on the front page and inside the back flap of the Answer Book.

3. If you require more paper, ask the supervisor for extra sheets. Tie these inside the Answer

Book at the appropriate places.

4. There are three sections in the paper. Sections A and B are compulsory.

Note the choices in Section C.

Note : If you have not seen or studied any of the organisms used as examples in this paper, you should apply the principles learnt and the knowledge gained during your Biology course to the situations mentioned.

SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS

Section Guidelines Total

Mark

Suggested Time

A

PART I

There are twenty multiple-choice questions.

All the questions are compulsory.

PART II

There are four matching questions.

All the questions are compulsory.

20

10

36 minutes

18 minutes

B There are six short-answer questions.

All the questions are compulsory. 60 108 minutes

C There are four essay questions.

Answer only one question.

10 18 minutes

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SECTION A [30 marks]

PART I MULTIPLE – CHOICE QUESTIONS (20 marks)

The multiple-choice questions are all compulsory. Each question is worth 1 mark.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MULTIPLE – CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. In your Answer Book, circle the letter which represents the best answer. If you change your mind, put a line through your first choice and circle

the letter of your next choice.

For example:

2. If you change your mind again and like your first answer better, put a line through your second circle and tick () your first answer.

For example:

3. No mark will be given if you circle more than one letter for a question.

1. The main elements present in proteins are

A. calcium, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur.

B. carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen.

C. calcium, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen.

D. carbon, hydrogen, potassium and oxygen.

2. The light reaction of photosynthesis takes place in the

A. stroma. C. matrix space.

B. cell cytoplasm. D. thylakoid membrane.

3. The vascular tissues in a root conduct water and food. Where does the food come from ?

A. It is made in the root.

B. It is absorbed from the soil by the root.

C. It is made in the leaves and transported to the root.

D. It is absorbed from the air by the leaves and transported to the root.

12 A B C D

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3.

4. In animal joints, at least two muscles are required to flex and extend at the joint. Which of

the following explains why a single muscle cannot act as both a flexor and an extensor ?

A. A single muscle would not be strong enough to produce both actions.

B. The muscle would have to move to a different bone in order to produce both actions.

C. Since muscles cannot push, a different muscle would be required to move the joint in

an opposite direction.

D. The contraction of a muscle that is acting as a flexor is different from the contraction

that produces extension.

Studythe picture given below to answer Question 5.

5. The main tasks of a plant are to

A. produce seeds, grow and reproduce.

B. obtain light and nutrients, grow and reproduce.

C. obtain light and nutrients and provide food for humans.

D. provide oxygen for animals and absorb all solar radiation.

6. An organism has a genotype represented by KkNn. The possible gametes that this

organism can produce are

A. K, k, N, n C. KK, kk, NN, nn

B. Kk, kN, KN, kn D. KN, Kn, kN, kn

7. Which of the following characteristics of an insect’s respiratory system is incorrect ?

A. blood carries oxygen to cells

B. absence of respiratory pigment for gas transport

C. use of spiracles to reduce evaporative water loss

D. muscles of locomotion help to ventilate the respiratory system

Turn Over

© MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, FSLCE 2009 : BIOLOGY. Light

Light

Shoot system

Root system

CO2

K

P H2 O

H2 O

H2 O N

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8. Scientists subjected a corn plant to different light intensities while measuring the xylem pressure in the leaves. They found that the brighter the light, the more negative the pressure in the xylem.

Which of the following statements best explains the results given above ?

A. The increased light intensity decreased the rate of photosynthesis, which decreased

the rate of transpiration.

B. The increased light intensity increased the rate of photosynthesis, which decreased

C. The increased light intensity decreased the rate of photosynthesis, which increased

D. The increased light intensity increased the rate of photosynthesis, which increased

9. The five letters given below represent the nucleotide sequence on a piece of mRNA that

was produced from transcription of a certain piece of DNA.

AGGUC

The nucleotide sequence on the piece of DNA that is being transcribed in this case is

A. TCCAG C. UCCAG

B. TCCTG D. UCCTG

Insertion of pressure probe into xylem vessel Light Intensity : Medium

Light Intensity : Med – High

Light Intensity : High

0 100 200 300 400 500 -0.6

-0.5 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Time (s)

X

yl

em

pr

es

su

re

(MPa

)

The Effect Of Light Intensity On Xylem Pressure

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5.

10. The diagram below represents a nephron with associated blood vessels.

Which of the following sets gives the correct names for the structures labelled I, II, III

and IV ?

Structures

I II III IV

A. Bowman’s capsule Collecting duct Distal tubule Loop of Henle’

B. Loop of Henle’ Distal tubule Bowman’s capsule Collecting duct

C. Bowman’s capsule Distal tubule Collecting duct Loop of Henle’

D. Collecting duct Distal tubule Loop of Henle’ Bowman’s capsule

11. Carbohydrates are digested by

A. bile from the liver.

B. lipases in the small intestine.

C. pepsin and HCl in the stomach.

D. amylases in the mouth and small intestine.

Turn Over

© MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, FSLCE 2009 : BIOLOGY.

I

II

III

IV

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Refer to the graph given below to answer Question 12.

12. Which of the following represents an appropriate interpretation of the graph shown

above ?

A. The secondary immune response is both faster and stronger.

B. The secondary immune response is stronger but takes longer to occur.

C. The secondary and the primary immune responses occur at the same rate.

D. The secondary immune response is the same as the primary immune response.

Refer to the information given below to answer Question 13.

The photosynthetic reaction can be written as :

6CO2 + 12H2O + light 6O2+ C6H12O6 + 6H2O + energy

Experiments have shown that photosynthetic bacteria can use hydrogen sulfide (H2S)

instead of water (H2O) as a raw material for photosynthesis and produces sulfur (S2), instead

of oxygen (O2) as a by-product.

13. An important conclusion that can be made from the information given above is that the

oxygen produced during photosynthesis comes from

A. light.

B. water.

C. chlorophyll.

D. carbon dioxide.

14. Which of the following sets of lenses on a microscope would show the greatest number

of cells when used to view the same tissues ?

Objective lens Eyepiece lens

A. 10x 10x

B. 20x 10x

C. 40x 5x

D. 40x 10x

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7.

15. Bats are active at night. They are an example of organisms that display a natural behaviour

that is known as being

A. diurnal. C. lunar.

B. crepuscular. D. nocturnal.

16. Nitrogen - fixing bacteria live in the roots of legumes such as beans and convert nitrogen

gas into ammonia and nitrates that the plants need. In return, bacteria live on food produced

by the plants. This relationship could be best described as

A. inhibition. C. symbiosis

B. competition. D. commensalism.

17. Study the diagram given below and answer the question that follows.

The ecological pyramid above is

A. a pyramid of energy.

B. a pyramid of biomass.

C. a pyramid of numbers.

D. an inverted pyramid of numbers.

18. Some Form Five Biology students want to know the population size of sensitive grass found

around their Biology Lab. The area around the Lab is about 500 m2 and the students have

counted 75 total plants in 25, 1 m2 quadrats. What is the estimated sensitive grass

population around the Biology Lab ?

A. 1200 C. 1400

B. 1300 D. 1500

Turn Over

0.8 kg of mynahs

3 kg of grasshoppers

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Number of Individual

Time

A

II C

IV

19. The growth curve given below shows that population continues to grow until it has reached

the carrying capacity of the environment.

Which region on the growth curve shows a drop in natality rate ?

A. I

B. II

C. III

D. IV

20. The “Earth Hour” was celebrated throughout Fiji in March by switching off all unnecessary

lights for an hour. A reasonable explanation for “Earth Hour” would be to

A. raise awareness in global warming.

B. increase the supply of carbon dioxide.

C. participate in reducing water pollution.

D. raise awareness in human development.

Source: Form Six Biology Revision, T. Bunn, 1997.

III

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9.

PART II MATCHING (10 marks)

For each question (21 to 24), select the item in List B that best matches each item in either List A or Diagram A. Write the letter of the item of your choice beside each numeral in the space provided in the Answer Book.

21. Match the functions in List A with the correct parts of the eye in List B.

List A List B

(i) Converts the images made by light A. Choroids

into nerve impulses.

B. Fovea

(ii) Controls the amount of light entering.

C. Iris

(iii) Helps focus light on the retina.

D. Lens

(iv) Carries messages from the retina to

the brain. E. Optic nerve

(v) Allows light to pass through. F. Pupil

G. Retina

(2½ marks)

22. Match the cell structures numbered (i) to (v) in Diagram A with their correct

names in List B.

Diagram A List B

A. Plasma membrane

B. Chromatin

C. Cristae

D. Microtubule

E. Ribosomes

F. Grana

G. Nucleolus

Adapted from: The Unit of Life, Koning R. E., 1994.

(2½ marks)

Turn Over

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23. Match the descriptions in List A with the correct minerals in List B.

(i) Component of nucleic acids and A. Nitrogen

phospholipids.

B. Potassium

(ii) Component of chlorophyll.

C. Calcium

(iii) Important in cell walls and in forming the

spindle during cell division. D. Phosphorous

(iv) Component of proteins, nucleic acids and E. Magnesium

cofactors.

F. Sodium

(v) Especially important in water/solute

balance. G. Aluminium

(2½ marks)

24. Match the descriptions in List A with the correct agricultural practices in List B.

(i) Addition of powered CaCO3 . A. Contour farming

(ii) Reduce organisms which affect B. Crop rotation

agricultural productivity.

C. Inter cropping

(iii) Growth of legumes in between

sugar canes to keep the soil fertile. D. Liming

(iv) Turns organic matter and aerates the E. Manuring

soil.

F. Pest control

(v) Restores mineral salts to the soil.

G. Ploughing

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11.

SECTION B

[60 marks]

The six questions in this section are all compulsory. Each question is worth 10 marks.

QUESTION 1 CELL BIOLOGY (10 marks)

(a) The diagram given below shows a cube.

(i) Calculate the surface area to volume ratio of the cube. (1½ marks)

(ii) Explain what happens to the surface area to volume ratio with increasing

size of the cube. (1 mark)

(iii) If the cube represents a cell in a living organism, briefly explain how the

increase in cell size affects the ability of diffusion in cells. (1 mark)

(b) A group of Form Six students were using a microscope at a 100x objective lens

and found the diameter of the field of view to be 4 mm.

Calculate the new diameter if a 400x objective lens is used. Convert your answer

to microns. (2 marks)

(c) Glycolysis is the first part of respiration that produces two pyruvate molecules

and a small amount of ATP.

(i) Name the material that is needed to start glycolysis. (½ mark)

(ii) In which part of a cell does glycolysis occur ? (½ mark)

(iii) Write a word equation to show how anaerobic respiration takes

place in a yeast cell. (1½ marks)

(iv) What name is given to anaerobic respiration in fungi ? (½ mark)

Turn Over

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SECTION B (continued)

(d) Given below is a diagram of a diploid sex cell that is about to undergo meiotic division.

(i) Draw the chromosomes formed in a cell after the meiotic division. (1 mark)

(ii) How many chromosomes will be found in the cells after a mitotic

cell division ? (½ mark)

QUESTION 2 PLANT FORM AND FUNCTION (10 marks)

(a) Diagrams A and B given below show the cross-sections of two leaves from

two different plants. The diagrams show a number of features which assist the plants in their survival in different environments.

Source: Y12Biology, Student Res. & Act Manual, Allan & Greenwood, 1999.

(i) State two differences in the internal structures of the two leaves. (2 marks)

(ii) For one of the difference you have identified in part (i) above, explain

how it assists the plant’s survival. (1 mark)

(iii) Which leaf is more exposed to the sun ? Give a reason for your answer. (1½ marks)

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13.

(b) Phloem cells are adapted for carrying food from leaves to all parts of a plant.

Study the cross-section of phloem cells given below and answer the questions that follow.

Source : Form Six Biology, C. Porter, 1997.

(i) Name the cells labelled E and F. (1 mark)

(ii) State a function of the cell labelled E. (½ mark)

(iii) Phloem cells have little pores on the walls of both ends.

What is the function of these porous ends ? (½ mark)

(c) Given below is a diagram of the upper part of a pot plant which is exposed

to direct sunlight near a window.

Source : Form Six Biology, C. Porter, 1997.

(i) Name the growth response shown in the diagram above. (½ mark)

(ii) Name the hormone that regulates this growth response. (½ mark)

(iii) Which of the sides labelled M or N of the plant will have the highest

hormone concentration ? (½ mark)

(iv) On the diagram given in your Answer Book, sketch some cells along

sides M and N to show the extent of their growth. (1 mark)

(v) Give one adaptive value of such a growth response to the plant. (1 mark)

Turn Over

E

F

Sunlight

Growing shoot of plant Shoot grows in

the direction of light

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QUESTION 3 ECOLOGY (10 marks)

(a) Study the diagram given below and answer the questions that follow.

ENERGY FLOW IN THE PINE FOREST ECOSYSTEM

Adapted from: Form Six Biology Revision, T. Bunn, 1997.

(i) What is the basic source of energy for the pine forest ecosystem ? (½ mark)

(ii) How much of the energy is lost through respiration at each trophic level ? (½ mark)

(iii) Calculate the percentage of the energy incorporated into the plant tissue

that finally reached the cat tissue. (1 mark)

(iv) At which trophic level do the organisms have the greatest total biomass ?

Give one reason for your answer. (1½ marks)

(b) Find the name for each of the following insects using the classification key provided.

Insects Classification Key

(3½ marks)

l. Wings visible

Wings not visible

3 2

2. Three-pronged tail

Pincers at end of tail

Bristle tail Earwig

3. Two pairs of wings

One pair of wings

4 5

4. Wings fringed with hair

Wings not fringed with hair

Thrip 6

5. Legs longer than body

Legs not longer than body

Cranefly Housefly

6. Wings larger than body

Wings not larger than body

Butterfly Wasp Solar Energy

1 500 000 kJ m-2 yr-1

30 000 kJ incorporated. into plant tissue.

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

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15.

(c) The distribution of Chthamalus (smaller barnacles) and the Semibalanus (larger

barnacles) on a sea community is illustrated in the diagram below. Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow.

COMPETITION AMONGST BARNACLES

Source : Biology, 4th Edition, Raven and Johnson, 1996.

(i) What kind of resource-division pattern does this sea community show ? (½ mark)

(ii) For what reason are the realised niches of these barnacles restricted in

size when compared with their fundamental niches ? (½ mark)

(iii) Identify which of the two barnacles is better adapted to low and high tides.

Explain your choice. (1 mark)

(iv) Which of the two barnacles most probably came later to this community ?

Give a reason for your answer. (1 mark)

QUESTION 4 ECOLOGY/PRACTICAL SKILLS (10 marks)

(a) A group of students carried out an experiment. A part of their results is shown in

the table below.

Breathing Rate (breaths per minute) Student 10 minutes

before exercise

During exercise

10 minutes after exercise

X 15 35 18

Y 22 60 35

(i) Name a major muscle in the chest that is involved in breathing. (½ mark)

(ii) Explain why breathing rate increases during exercise. (½ mark)

(iii) Explain how the data in the table indicate that Student Y may have a

deficiency of red blood cells. (1 mark)

Turn Over

Chthamalus

Semibalanus

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(b) Use the resource given below and your own knowledge to answer the questions

that follow.

SOIL CONSERVATION

Source : World Agroforestry Centre, 2004.

(i) Identify the method of soil conservation used in the resource above. (½ mark)

(ii) State two benefits of using the method of soil conservation shown above. (1 mark)

(iii) State a disadvantage of this particular method of soil conservation. (½ mark)

(c) The information below describes an experiment.

Fresh liver contains the enzyme catalase, which speeds up the conversion of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water.

The following experiment was carried out:

(1) 5 ml of hydrogen peroxide solution was added to each of three identical

test-tubes labelled A, B and C.

(2) 1 ml of distilled water was added to test tube A

1 ml of dilute acid was added to test tube B 1 ml of dilute alkali was added to test tube C

(3) Identical cubes of liver were added to each test tube and the time taken

for each test tube to fill with bubbles of oxygen was measured.

The results of this experiment are shown below:

Test tube Time (seconds)

A. Distilled water 100

B. Dilute acid 121

C. Dilute alkali 79

(i) In which test tube was the enzyme catalase most active ? (½ mark)

(ii) Which property of enzymes is illustrated by the different results

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17.

(iii) What is the purpose of test tube A in this experiment ? (½ mark)

(iv) Name the substrate in this experiment. (½ mark)

(d) Study the survivorship curves below and answer the questions that follow.

SURVIVORSHIP CURVES

Source : Biology, 4th Edition,Raven and Johnson, 1996.

(i) Which type of survivorship curve is typical of organisms like fish that

experience a high, early mortality and once established, manage to live

a long time ? (½ mark)

(ii) Lizards and mice are constantly threatened by predators and food

shortages. Which type of survivorship curve would they have ? (½ mark)

(iii) Give two reasons why humans are the typical examples of TYPE I

survivorship curve. (1 mark)

(e) A student set up the apparatus shown below and subjected the leafy twig to different

environmental conditions. Study the apparatus carefully and answer the following questions.

Source: Form Six Biology Revision, T. Bunn, 1997.

Turn Over

TYPE I TYPE II

TYPE III

1000

100

10

1

0 25 50 75 100 Percent of maximum lifespan

Survi

val

per

t

hou

sa

nd

Air bubble in graduated capillary tube

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(i) What is the student trying to investigate in this set-up ? (½ mark)

(ii) What would happen to the air bubble if you switched on an electric

fan close to the twig ? Explain your answer. (1½ marks)

QUESTION 5 ANIMAL FORM AND FUNCTION (10 marks)

(a) The diagrams below show the vertical-sections of the hearts of the following

animals: an earthworm, a dog, a frog and a fish.

(i) Which heart belongs to a dog ? Explain the reason for your answer.

(1 mark)

(ii) In the spaces provided in your Answer Book, arrange the three hearts

labelled A, B and C in increasing order of complexity. The earthworm

has the most simple heart. (1½ marks)

(iii) Explain why a fish’s heart does not have to pump as hard as that of

a land animal. (1 mark)

(b) Oestrogenand testosteroneare hormones that play vital roles in the development

of sexual characteristics in human and other mammals.

(i) Name the organ that produces testosterone.

(½ mark)

(ii) Explain the importance of maintaining a high level of oestrogen

during pregnancy. (1 mark)

Heart

Left Atrium Left Ventricle

Right Ventricle Right Atrium

EARTHWORM HEART A

HEART B HEART C Right

Atrium

Left Atrium

Ventricle _Ventricle

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19.

(c) Study the table below which shows some secretions of the human digestive

system and answer the questions that follow.

Secretion Secreted by Site of action

Saliva Salivary glands A

Gastric juice B Stomach

C Liver Duodenum

(i) Provide labels for A, B and C. (1½ marks)

(ii) The stomach’s acidic contents can harm its walls. Give one way

in which the stomach protects its walls from its acidic contents. (½ mark)

(iii) Explain why one would feel sleepy after a big meal. (1 mark)

(d) The diagram below shows the two basic limb styles of terrestrial vertebrates.

Source : Form Six Biology Revision, T. Bunn, 1997.

(i) Identify the limb style that requires less energy to support.

Explain your answer. (1 mark)

(ii) Which of the two styles is primitive and give an example of a land

vertebrate that displays such a limb style ? (1 mark)

QUESTION 6 GENETIC AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY (10 marks)

(a) “Survival of the Fittest” plays an important role in natural selection.

(i) Briefly explain what is meant by “Survival of the Fittest.” (½ mark)

(ii) Explain why mutations could be harmful. (1 mark)

Turn Over

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(b) Coconuts belong to the family of palms whose scientific name is Cocos nucifera.

Two varieties of coconut exist in Fiji, the Fiji Tall and the Fiji Dwarf.

A farmer has two pure-breeding strains of coconut palms which are given in the table below.

Strain A Strain B

Fiji Tall Fiji Dwarf

Non-resistant to the lethal yellowing disease

Resistant to the lethal yellowing disease

The allele for the Fiji Tall (T) is dominant to the allele for Fiji Dwarf (t). The allele for resistance to the lethal yellowing disease (Y) is dominant to the allele for non-resistance to the lethal yellowing disease (y).

(i) Name the genus and species to which coconut belongs. (1 mark)

(ii) State the genotypes of StrainsA and B. (1 mark)

(iii) List the types of gametes that could be produced by Strains A and B. (1 mark)

(iv) Complete the punnet square in your Answer Book to show a cross

between StrainA and StrainB. (2 marks)

(v) What proportion of the F2 generation will be tall and resistant to the

lethal yellowing disease ? (½ mark)

(c) Explain the first form of action which should be taken when a boy becomes

electrocuted while playing near a broken power line. (1 mark)

(d) Mineral salts and vitamins are needed by the body in addition to energy and

body-building foods. State a function and a source of vitamin B. (1 mark)

(e) Various contraceptive methods are now widely available and used for birth

control. Only sterilisation offers a success rate of almost 100%. Name the sterilisation method that is applied to :

(i) Men

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21.

SECTION C

[10 marks]

There are four questions in this section. Answer only one question.

In this section, you are given an opportunity to show that you can :

(i) select ideas relevant to the question; (ii) use appropriate examples; and

(iii) communicate information clearly and logically.

Write an essay using approximately 200 – 250 words on any one of the questions given below.

Either

QUESTION 1

In Fiji, over half the population depends on agriculture for family income. However, poor farmingpractices exert a high environmental price and eventually reduce crop yields.

With reference to the statement given above, discuss the following :

the environmental impacts related to the use of chemicals in Fiji’s agricultural sector.

the environmental impacts related to deforestation in Fiji’s agricultural sector.

four farming techniques that would minimise the impacts of agriculture on the environment.

Or

QUESTION 2

Heterotrophs employ different methods of digestion that are specifically tailored to match their needs and environments.

With reference to the statement given above, discuss the following :

the main difference between external and internal digestion.

a benefit of each method to the organisms that use it.

the four forms of internal digestion and an example of organisms that use each form.

a benefit of each form of internal digestion to the organism mentioned above.

Turn Over

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SECTION C (continued)

Or

QUESTION 3

Deoxyribonucleic acid contains the information that instructs cells on how to make proteins.

With reference to the statement given above, briefly explain :

the structure of DNA.

the two main steps of DNA replication.

two major differences between DNA and RNA.

the three main steps of protein synthesis.

Or

QUESTION 4

No relationship is perfect, even if people work hard to love, respect and communicate with each other. Some families suffer from very serious problems, including abuse that can be physical, emotional or sexual.

With reference to the statement given above, discuss :

the three forms of abuse mentioned above as they exist in families.

the effects of each form of abuse to those involved.

two possible general solutions to these forms of abuse.