VCE Biology Question Thread

[grannysmith]

definition of independent assortment?

Do we need to know about induced pluripotent stem cells?

Random alignment of homologous chromosomes during metaphase I of meiosis II, which means the behaviour of a homologous pair does not influence the behaviour of another pair.

I think so.

[vox nihili]

Also does mRNA transcription occur in the nucleus and cytoplasm? Since RNA is found in both locations. Or does transcription strictly occur in the nucleus?

EDIT: I just thought about, since DNA is found in the nucleus (disregarding mitochondrion and chloroplast), it needs to happen there.

Your edit is precisely correct. Otherwise there'd really be no point of the nucleus.

[Reus]

Your edit is precisely correct. Otherwise there'd really be no point of the nucleus.

Haha yep I thought about that.
Do you by any chance know/remember the process in which mRNA leaves the nucleus and enters the cytoplasm? Thanks.

[dankfrank420]

Ugh, I simply don't get this part of the course. Can someone explain (or define) the following terms and how they relate to one another.. Also some simple examples of them would be very much appreciated.

Condensation reaction
Hydrolysis reaction
Endergonic reaction
Exergonic reaction
Anabolic reaction
Catabolic reaction

[Reus]

Ugh, I simply don't get this part of the course. Can someone explain (or define) the following terms and how they relate to one another.. Also some simple examples of them would be very much appreciated.

Condensation reaction
Hydrolysis reaction
Endergonic reaction
Exergonic reaction
Anabolic reaction
Catabolic reaction

Condensation reaction:A reaction in which two molecules combine to form a larger molecule, producing H2O as a by-product. For example a polypeptide chain forming or ester bonds.
Hydrolysis reaction: The chemical breakdown of a compound due to the presence of H2O. For example catalytic conversion of starch to glucose
Endergonic reaction: Accompanied by or requiring the absorption of energy in the reaction. For example photosynthesis.
Exergonic reaction: A metabolic process of where the release of energy eventuates. For example cellular respiration.
Anabolic reaction: The phase in which simple substances are synthesised into complex materials via energy input/storage. Simply the build up of reactants into a product. For example muscle/bone growth or even photosynthesis.
Catabolic reaction: The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, often resulting in the release of energy. For example digestion or even cellular respiration.

I hope through the definitions you can see the relation they possess.

[vox nihili]

Haha yep I thought about that.
Do you by any chance know/remember the process in which mRNA leaves the nucleus and enters the cytoplasm? Thanks.

You don't need to know that. As far as I know, it just floats out of the pores.

[mahler004]

You don't need to know that. As far as I know, it just floats out of the pores.

It's a bit more complicated then that (associated review)

Well beyond the scope of year 12 biology obviously.

[dankfrank420]

Condensation reaction:A reaction in which two molecules combine to form a larger molecule, producing H2O as a by-product. For example a polypeptide chain forming or ester bonds.
Hydrolysis reaction: The chemical breakdown of a compound due to the presence of H2O. For example catalytic conversion of starch to glucose
Endergonic reaction: Accompanied by or requiring the absorption of energy in the reaction. For example photosynthesis.
Exergonic reaction: A metabolic process of where the release of energy eventuates. For example cellular respiration.
Anabolic reaction: The phase in which simple substances are synthesised into complex materials via energy input/storage. Simply the build up of reactants into a product. For example muscle/bone growth or even photosynthesis.
Catabolic reaction: The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, often resulting in the release of energy. For example digestion or even cellular respiration.

I hope through the definitions you can see the relation they possess.

Much appreciated mate, thanks 

[vox nihili]

It's a bit more complicated then that (associated review)

Well beyond the scope of year 12 biology obviously.

Surprisingly similar to protein transport!

[grannysmith]

Ugh, I simply don't get this part of the course. Can someone explain (or define) the following terms and how they relate to one another.. Also some simple examples of them would be very much appreciated.

Condensation reaction
Hydrolysis reaction
Endergonic reaction
Exergonic reaction
Anabolic reaction
Catabolic reaction

If you were still interested, basically condensation reactions are anabolic and hence are endergonic. Synthesising a large molecule from smaller ones means you are creating new chemical bonds which requires a net input of energy.

Hydrolysis reactions are catabolic and hence exergonic. Hydrolysing a large molecule into smaller ones means you are breaking it down, and thus releasing a net amount of energy which was stored in chemical bonds.

[millie96]

Do we need to know about the absorption spectrum under photosynthesis? Its not specifically in the SD but I remember it was on our sac

[Reus]

You don't need to know that. As far as I know, it just floats out of the pores.

Well beyond the scope of year 12 biology obviously.

Ah thanks for that! I was thinking to myself what if that came up on the exam and I wouldn't know what to say other than diffusion LOL.

By the way, for anyone that knows, there's different diagrams for tRNA. If we were asked to draw one on the exam, which would be most appropriate? Would we have to draw the clover leaf shape like one or the one attached? Thanks.

[millie96]

How is everybody doing revision for this subject?

Are you going through notes/theory first, then trying past papers? Or just going straight into the papers?

[shivaji]

How is everybody doing revision for this subject?

Are you going through notes/theory first, then trying past papers? Or just going straight into the papers?

probs try one/two papers first, then go back over theory?

and also, has rational drug design been removed from the course? so we don't have to know about designer drugs etc?

[Reus]

and also, has rational drug design been removed from the course? so we don't have to know about designer drugs etc?

Where'd you get this information from?