2015 Predicted Biology Exam Questions

[Bruzzix]

What questions do you anticipate will appear on this years exam?

[Biology24123]

Nothing that was on last years exam. e.g I doubt their will be a 3 mark question on translation

[plants]

There's always seems to be some form of respiration/photosynthesis question on the exam. Honestly, I can't really make any proper predictions -- any topic I am even vaguely uncomfortable with is coming to mind because that's what I'm most nervous about!

[Sine]

There's always seems to be some form of respiration/photosynthesis question on the exam. Honestly, I can't really make any proper predictions -- any topic I am even vaguely uncomfortable with is coming to mind because that's what I'm most nervous about!

Only read if you've done the 2014 exam

Spoiler

there wasn't a photo/resp question last year so a close to certain possibility this year

Nothing that was on last years exam. e.g I doubt their will be a 3 mark question on translation

I wouldn't count it out so quickly as VCAA tend to really like questions on gene expression as it's such a fundamental part of biology and it's not like the whole state has mastered it last year 33% of students got 0/3.

[Bruzzix]

I can't remember where, but I've heard that there could be a question on the amount of branching of certain carbohydrates like starch and glycogen.

[Biology24123]

I can't remember where, but I've heard that there could be a question on the amount of branching of certain carbohydrates like starch and glycogen.

I keep forgetting which ones are branched

[Biology24123]

You can count on heaps of immunity regardless of last years exam

[plants]

I keep forgetting which ones are branched

Glycogen and starch are the branched molecules, though glycogen is more highly branched. This is because they're energy storage molecules. I read somewhere the branching allows for more area for enzymes to act on to allow for rapid release of glucose when needed (in the case of glycogen). Though I'm pretty sure VCAA won't expect an answer that detailed - or even if they do ask about branching a lot of answers would be viable with justification.

[Bruzzix]

You can count on heaps of immunity regardless of last years exam

How much detail should we know about cytokines?

[Biology24123]

How much detail should we know about cytokines?

Know that they are signalling molecules involved in the immune system. If you were asked to describe a function of them, then you could say that they are released by T helper cells and trigger proliferation of B cells

[plants]

How much detail should we know about cytokines?

Hmmm. What I know is that they're signalling molecules secreted by immune cells to evoke further response on the part of the immune system. Probably good to associate them with T-helper cells in that it's these cells that release cytokines to stimulate macrophages, and specific cytotoxic t-cells and b-cells to proliferate. Also interferons would be classed as a type of cytokine.

EDIT: Basically what Biology24123 said.

[StupidProdigy]

I can't remember where, but I've heard that there could be a question on the amount of branching of certain carbohydrates like starch and glycogen.

What even is this?  Could you give me a basic run down please!?

[Bruzzix]

What even is this?  Could you give me a basic run down please!?

I think the posts above covered it pretty well ^^ but here's some pictorial comparison

[pra96]

I've heard that there will be a question on the recent discovery of Homo naledi.

[heids]

Branching is very unlikely imo (too in-depth for VCE's study design); and if a question was asked about a new species, they'd give you background rather than expect you to know a thing about it.