KCSE 2011 Biology Paper 2 Questions with Marking Scheme

SECTION A (40 marks)
Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided.

1. The set-up below illustrates a procedure that was carried out in the laboratory with a leaf plucked from a green plant that had been growing in sunlight.
   
   
   
   
   
   1. What was the purpose of the above procedure? (1 mark)
   2. Give a reason for carrying out steps A, B and C in this procedure. (3 marks)
   3. Name the reagent use at the step labelled D. (1 mark)
   4. State the expected result on the leaf after adding the reagent named in (iii) above. (1 mark)
      
      
2. In humans, hairy ears is controlled by a gene on the Y chromosome.
   1. Using letter Y^H to represent the chromosome carrying the gene for hairy ears, work out a cross between a hairy eared man and his wife.
      
      
   2. 1. What is the probability of the girls having hairy ears? (1 mark)
      2. Give a reason for your answer in b(i) above. (1 mark)
         
         
   3. Name two disorders that are determined by sex-linked genes. (2 marks)
      
      
   4. Explain how comparative embryology is an evidence for organic evolution. (2 marks)
      
      
3. 1. Name the causative agents for the following respiratory diseases. (2 marks)
      1. Whooping cough
      2. Pneumonia
         
         
   2. Describe how oxygen in the alveolus reaches the red blood cells. (4 marks)
   3. How are the pneumatophores adapted to their function? (2 marks)
      
      
4. 1. The diagram below represents a human brain.
      
      
      1. Name the structures labeled P and R. (2 marks)
      2. State two functions of the part labeled Q. (2 marks)
         
         
   2. 1. Name two reproductive hormones secreted by the pituitary gland in women. (2 marks)
      2.  State one function of each of the hormones named in (b)(i) above. (2 marks)
         
         
5. 1. The diagram below represents a flower.
      
      
      
      
      1. On the diagram, name two structures where meiosis occurs. (2 marks)
      2. How is the flower adapted to self-pollination? (2 marks)
      3. How is the flower adapted to prevent self-pollination? (2 marks)
         
         
   2. The diagram below represents a human reproductive organ.
      
      
      1. Explain two adaptations of the structure labeled L to its functions. (2 marks)
      2. Explain the role of the gland labeled K. (2 marks)
         
         
                                              SECTION B (40 marks)
         Answer question 6 (compulsory) and either question 7 or 8 in the spaces provided after question 8.
         
         
         
6. 1. An experiment was carried out to investigate the population of a certain micro-organism. Two petri-dishes were used. Into the petri-dish labeled M, 60cm³ of a culture medium was placed while 30 cm³ of the same culture medium was placed in petri-dish labeled N. Equal numbers of the micro-organisms were introduced in both petri-dishes. The set ups were incubated at 35⁰C. The number of micro-organisms in each petri-dish was determined at irregular intervals for a period of 60 hours. The results were as shown in the table below.
      
      
      
      
      
      1. On the same axes, draw the graphs of relative number of micro-organisms against time on the grid provided. (7 marks)
         
         
         
         
      2. After how many hours was the difference between the two populations greatest? (1 mark)
         
         
      3. Work out the difference between the two populations at 50 hours. (2 marks)
         
         
      4. With a reason, state the effect on the population of micro-organisms in petri-dish M if the temperature was raised to 60⁰C after 20 hours. (2 marks)
         
         
      5. Account for the shape of the curve for population in petri-dish N between 46 hours and 59 hours. (3 marks)
         
         
         
   2. Explain how the osmotic pressure in human blood is maintained at normal level. (5 marks)
      
      
      
7. 1. Explain how structural feature sin terrestrial plants affect their rate of transpiration. (13 marks)
   2. Explain how the human skin brings about cooling the body on a hot day. (7 marks)
      
      
8. 1. Describe the exoskeleton and its function in insects. (13 marks)
   2. Describe how accommodation in the human eye is brought about when focusing on a near object. (7 marks)

MARKING SCHEME

1.      
   1. Testing a leaf for the presence of starch;
   2. A- kill the leaf/break down cells/stop enzymatic activity;
      B - Removal of chlorophyll;
      C - Soften leaf/makes leaf less brittle;
   3. Iodine solution;
   4. Areas where starch is present stain blue/blue black;
2.       
   1.    
           
   2.      
      1. Probability of girls having hairy ears is zero 'O';
      2. The gene for hairy ears is on the Y chromosomes which girls do not inherit from their father;
   3. Haemophilia; Colour blindness;
   4. Vertebrate embryos have similar morphological features; which suggest a common ancestry;
3.          
   1.            
      1. Bordetella pertussis;
      2. Streptococcus pneumoniae;
      3. Micoplasma pneumoniae;
   2. Inhaled oxygen dissolves in moisture in the alveolus; since the oxygen concentration in blood is lower; than in the alveolus, oxygen diffuses; through the alveolus epithelium, the capillary wall into the plasma; and finally into the red blood cells.
   3. Pneumatophores - grow into the air above mud/water; their lenticel for gaseous exchange;
4.          
   1.           
      1. P - is cerebral hemisphere/cerebrum;
         R- medulla oblongata;
      2. Muscular co-ordination; maintaining body posture; manual /motar dexterity; (first two)
   2.       
      1. Follicle stimulation hormone; luteinizing hormone; oxytocin, prolactin;
      2. FSH - stimulates secretion of oestrogen; stimulates development of the Graafian follicle;
         LH - Brings about ovulation; causes development of corpus luteum;
         Oxytocin - causes contraction of uterus; causes expulsion of milk from mammary glands;
         Prolactin - stimulates milk production/secretion;
5.            
   1.               
      1. Anthers; Ovary;
      2. Anthers are below the stigma to minimise self pollination;
         - petals are large/conspicuous, for insects to land on/ to attract insects encouraging cross pollination;
         presence of interstitial cells that secrete androgens.
   2.      
      1. L is hanging outside the body to ensure optimal temperature for sperm production; it has many, long and coiled seminiferous tubules to increase the surface area for production/storage of sperms;
      2. K produces an alkaline fluid that neutralizes acid in the vagina; this fluid contain nutrients for the sperms; and also activates sperms;
6.          
   1.           
      1. See graph.
      2. 42 hours;
      3. Graph M at 50 hrs is 1220 - 20.
         Graph N at 50 hrs is 540 + 20
         1220 - 540 = 680 + 4;
      4. Population growth stops;
         High temperatures kill the microorganisms/denature enzymes; (2 marks)
      5. 46 hours to 59 hours death rate of the microorganisms is higher than their population growth rate, due to exhaustion of nutrients; and accumulation of toxic wastes;
   2. When the osmotic pressure of the blood increases beyond the normal level the hypothalamus detects this and stimulates the pituitary gland; to secrete more ADH; hormone which make kidney tubules more permeable to water, and more water is re-absorbed into the blood; reducing the osmotic pressure to the normal level.; (accept the reverse description)
7.      
   1. Plants in arid, semi-arid and desert habitats have leaves covered with thick/waxy cuticles; that are waterproof/impermeable to water; allowing for reduced rate of transpiration; Sunken stomata; in some desert/semi arid areas plants have water vapour accumulating in the pits; reducing rate of transpiration (as the moisture in the pit is not carried away by wind.) Most plants have few or no stomata on the upper surface of the leaf; the fewer the stomata the less the water lost from the plant. Some plants have small stomata/stomatal size decrease when guard cells are flaccid; thus reducing transpiration rate. Plants with small/folding leaves, expose less surface area; hence reduce the rate of transpiration. Leaves with shinny surfaces, reflect light resulting in reduced leaf temperatures, thus reducing the rate of transpiration, Some plants have leaves covered with hairs/scales; which trap a layer of moisture; on the leaf surface reducing rate of transpiration.
      Mesophyte have a thin layer of cuticle; to facilitate high transpiration rate; brad lenses exposing large area to transpiration; Many stomata on both leaf surfaces provide many apartunes to enhance transpiration.
   2. Erector pilli muscle relax, and hair lie flat; trapping less air; thus reducing insulation; Blood capillaries under the skin vasodilate; and more blood is brought under the skin; increasing heat loss; sweat glands release more sweat to the skin surface; the sweat take away heat from the body when it evaporates;
8.      
   1. The exoskeleton is made of chitin; chitin is not evenly distributed; hence it allows for movement; exoskeleton is secreted by the epidermal cells; when still soft it allows for growth of the insect; when in contact with the air it hardens limiting growth; It is shed regularly; thus regulating the growth of insects. It also supports the internal structures; Because it is hard; it protects; internal organs from mechanical damage. It is water proof, preventing water loss/dessication; of the insect. It also provides a surface for attachment of muscles;
   2. Light rays from a near object are more diverged and need to bend more; in order to be focused properly on the retina; ciliary muscles contract; suspensory ligaments attached to the ciliary muscles relax; the lens becomes thicker; increasing its curvature/becomes more convex; light from the object is refracted more; in order to be focused/more sharply on the retina to form an image.