BIOLOGY UNIT 1

Syllabus
Module 2: Genetics, Variation and Natural Selection
1. Structure and Role of Nucleic Acids
 Illustrate the structure of RNA and DNA using simple labelled diagrams
 Explain the importance of hydrogen bonds and base pairing in DNA replication
 Explain the relationship between the sequence of nucleotides and the amino acid
sequence in a polypeptide
 Describe the roles of DNA and RNA in protein synthesis
 Explain the relationship between the structure of DNA, protein structure and the
phenotype of an organism
 Describe the relationship between DNA chromatin and chromosomes
2. Mitotic and Meiotic Cell Division
 Describe with aid of diagrams, the processes involved in mitotic cell division
 Explain the importance of DNA replication for maintaining genetic stability
 Discuss the role and importance of mitosis in growth, repair and asexual
reproduction
 Explain what is meant by homologous pairs of chromosomes and the terms
haploid and diploid
 Describe with the aid of diagrams, the process involved in meiotic cell division
 Describe how meiosis contributes to heritable variation
3. Patterns of Inheritance
 Explain the terms: gene, allele, dominant, recessive, codominant, homozygous
and heterozygous
 Use genetic diagrams to solve problems involving monohybrid and dihybrid
crosses
 Analyze the results of a genetic cross by applying Chi-square test
 Determine whether the difference between the observed and expected ratio is
significant using the results of the Chi-square test
4. Aspects of Genetic Engineering
 Outline the principles of restriction enzyme use in removing sections of the
genome
 Explain the steps involved in recombinant DNA technology
 Discuss the possible benefits and hazards of gene therapy
 Discuss the implications of the use of genetically modified organisms on humans
and the environment
5. Variation and Natural Selection
 Explain why sexually produced organisms vary in characteristics
 Describe gene and chromosome mutations
 Discuss the implications of changes in DNA nucleotide sequence for cell
structure and function in sickle cell anaemia
 Explain how mutation brings about genetic variation
 Explain why heritable variation is important to selection
 Explain how environmental factors act as forces of natural selection
  Explain how natural selection may be an agent of constancy or an agent of
change
 Discuss how natural selection brings about evolution
 Discuss the biological species concept
 Explain the process of speciation
2016 May/June #2
a) i) Using a simplified diagram of a small section of ribonucleic acid (RNA), describe the
structure of RNA.Note:Details of the chemical composition of components are NOT
required.(5)
ii)Comment on the role of m-RNA in eukaryotes.(2)
b) A plant geneticist is investigating the inheritance of genes for bitter taste (Su) and
explosive rind (e) in watermelon. Explosive rind is recessive and causes the watermelon
to burst when cut. Non-bitter watermelons are as a result of the homozygous recessive
allele (su). The geneticist wishes to determine if the genes assort independently. A test
cross is done between a bitter, non-explosive plant and a plant homozygous recessive
for both traits. Table 1 shows the offspring produced.

i. Determine the genotype of EACH phenotypic category in Table 1,using the

symbols given. (2)
ii. Suggest a null hypothesis for the test cross in (b). (2)
iii. A Chi-square test is conducted on the results of the test cross. Table 2 is
incomplete for calculated values.(2)
Complete Table 2 by writing the missing values in the relevant spaces.

iv. Using the table of probabilities provided below, and with reference to the
calculated Chi-square value from Table 2, evaluate the validity of the hypothesis.
2016 May/June #5

a. Evaluate the use of genetically modified organisms in agriculture.Include an explanation

of the term”genetically modified organism”.(7)
b. Explain the steps involved in the use of recombinant DNA technology for the production
of human insulin from bacteria under the following headings: (8)
 Gene isolation
 Gene insertion into a vector

2015 May/June #2
a) Figure 3 is a diagram of a cell with four chromosomes (haploid number=2) during the
process of meiosis.

i. Name the stage of meiosis illustrated in Figure 3.(1)

ii. Make labelled sketches to illustrate the next TWO key stages of meiosis in this
cell. Write the name of the stages on the line provided below in the boxes.(6)
iii. Explain the key stages identified in i and ii contribute to genetic variation (3)
b) Explain how “substitution” and “insertion” result in genetic variation.Discuss how gene
mutation causes sickle-cell anemia.(5 )

2015 May/June #5

a) Explain what is meant by the term “gene”. Outline the properties of using restriction
enzymes to cut a gene from length of DNA. (5)
b) Gene therapy is the application of the principle of genetic engineering in the treatment of
diseases.
i. Give a brief description of one disease for which the use of
somatic gene therapy has been shown to be effective. (2)
ii. Discuss FOUR reasons why somatic gene therapy despite its potential is still not
used as an effective treatment for human diseases. (8)
2014 May/June #2
a) (i) Protein synthesis requires two steps, transcription and translation. Table 1 is
an incomplete comparison of some features of transcription and translation in
eukaryotes. Complete Table 1 by writing correct answers in the relevant spaces
in the table.
 (4)
(ii) Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the elongation phase of
translation. In the box labelled A in Figure 2, sketch a diagrammatic
representation of the tRNA molecule carrying the next amino acid to be added to
the growing polypeptide chain.

b) In humans, the A,B,O blood groups are determined by multiple alleles of a single
gene. The gene locus is usually represented by the symbol I and the blood
genotypes may be represented as follows:
 IA IA or IA i = blood group A
 IB IB or IB i = blood group B
 ii = blood group O
 IA IB = blood group AB

i. Briefly explain the nature of the relationship between the alleles in the AB blood
group(2)
ii. In a paternity suit, a female with blood type O has accused a male with blood
type B of being the father of her child. The child has blood type O.
a) Deduce the blood genotype of the accused male which will clearly prove that
he is NOT the father of the child. Give a brief explanation to justify your answer.
Blood genotype of male (no symbols required): ____________________
Justification: _______________________________________________(3)
b) If the male parent in (b) (ii) a) above has blood type B, demonstrate the
inheritance of the blood type (O) of the child. Use the given symbols and a
Punnett square. (3)

2014 May/June #5
a) State FOUR observations and THREE deductions that formed the basis of
Darwin’s theory of natural selection. (5)
b) Use the theory of natural selection to explain how a new species can evolve from
an existing one by allopatric (geographical) speciation. (4)
c) Discuss three potential threats to humans and other organisms of the use of
genetically modified crops. Include a definition of the term “genetically modified
organisms”. (6)
2013 May/June #2
(a) In a cross between a plant with purple flowers and a plant with white flowers, all
the F1 plants had purple flowers. When the F1 offspring were crossed (selfed), 705
plants had purple flowers and 224 plants had white flowers.
(i) State the expected ratio for the cross of the F1 offspring. 1
(ii) State an appropriate null (H0) hypothesis and an appropriate alternative (H1)
hypothesis for a Chi-square test of the results.
H0:
H1: (2 )

iii. Complete Table 2 by calculating missing values.

(4)

(iv) Determine the number of degrees of freedom. Show your calculation.(1

 (v) Using the Chi-square values in Table 3, comment on the validity of the null
hypothesis .(2)

2013 May/June #5

a. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis has been virtually
eliminated by the widespread use of two effective antibiotics. Due to the development of
antibiotic-resistance strains of the bacterium, the disease has reemerged as a major public
health problem.
(i) Applying Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, discuss how resistance to
antibiotics could have evolved in bacteria. Include in your discussion a concise explanation of
natural selection. (6)
(ii)Briefly comment on why mutation is regarded as a driving force of evolution. ( 2)
(b) Define the term “speciation” and using examples, explain how geographical isolation may
lead to speciation. (7)

2012 May/June #2

Figure 2 summarizes the main steps in the replication of DNA in eukaryotes.

(a) (i) Give a concise description of the events occurring at the steps labelled 1, 2 and 3 in
Figure 2.
Step 1 ____________________________________________________________
Step 2 ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Step 3 ____________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________ (6)
(ii) DNA replication is regarded as being semi-conservative. Comment on the significance of
this method of replication. (2)
(b) Figure 3 shows the distribution of beak depth of medium ground finches on Daphne Major, a
small island in the Galapagos. Initial measurements of all birds on the island were taken in
1976. In 1978, following a period of severe drought on the island in the previous year, the beak
depth of the surviving population was recorded. The illustrations at the bottom of the graphs
show the beak depths of the initial and surviving populations.

(i) With reference to average beak depth (indicated by the broken line in Figure 3) and
nature of the frequency distributions of the two populations, determine what effect the
drought had on the finch populations. Quote values where appropriate.(4)
(ii) With the aid of a simple diagram, comment on the type of selection illustrated by the
data shown in Figure 3.(1 mark)
(iii) Comment: (2)
2012 May/June #5

(a.i) Distinguish between terms “gene mutation” and “chromosome mutation”.( 4 marks)
(ii) Using sickle cell anaemia as the example ,explain the sequence of changes triggered by the
gene mutation that leads to the cells becoming sickled shaped.(5 marks)
(b.i)Outline the procedure somatic gene therapy giving FOUR key steps.(4 marks)
(ii) With reference to cystic fibrosis, comment on ONE difficulty in using gene therapy to treat
diseases.(2 marks)

2011 May/June #2
In Leghorn chickens, coloured feathers are due to a dominant gene, F; white feathers
are produced by its recessive allele, f. Another dominant gene, A, carried on a different
chromosome, inhibits colour expression in birds with genotype FF or Ff. Consequently,
both F_A_ and ff_ _ are white.
(i) State the term which describes the interaction of these two genes. [1 mark]
(ii) Define the terms ‘allele’ and ‘dominant’.(2)
(iii) A coloured rooster is mated with a white hen and produces all coloured offspring. In
the space provided, draw a genetic diagram to explain the cross. [5 marks]
(In your diagram, use the symbols F to represent the dominant gene for coloured
feathers and f for the recessive allele which produces white feathers. Use A to
represent the dominant gene which inhibits colour expression and a for the recessive
allele.)
(b) In pea plants, tall (T) plants are dominant over short (t) plants, and round seeds (R) are
dominant over wrinkled seeds (r). A cross between two heterozygous tall, round-seeded plants
produced the following progeny:
Tall plants with round seeds 98
Tall plants with wrinkled seeds 46
Short plants with round seeds 44
Short plants with wrinkled seeds 14
(i) Based on the type of cross, deduce the expected ratio of the phenotypes.
(ii) A Chi-square test was performed on the data in (b)(i). The calculated value for ᵪ² is 10.81.
Using the information provided, formulate a possible null hypothesis for the Chi-square test.
(iii) State the formula for, and determine the number of degrees of freedom in the Chisquare
test performed in (b)(ii), briefly explaining any terms used.
 (iv) Use the calculated value of ᵪ² (10.81) and the probabilities provided in Table 2 to find
the probability of the results of the cross departing significantly by chance from the
expected ratio. State your findings
(v) What conclusion may be drawn from the probabilty found in (b)(iv)?

2011 May/June #5
(a) (i) Outline the stages in Meiosis 1 and comment on the importance of this phase of meiosis.
[6 marks]
(ii) State TWO ways in which daughter cells produced by meiosis differ from those resulting
from mitosis. [2 marks]
(b) The black billed seed-crackers that inhabit a rainforest in Cameroon, West Africa were
found to have EITHER large or small bills, with no birds having bills of intermediate sizes.
(i) Which of the three types of natural selection BEST describes the example above? Justify
your choice. [3 marks]
(ii) Discuss how the frequency of the distribution of phenotypes in the example above would be
different if the other two types of selection operated. [4 marks]