VCE Biology Question Thread

[Reus]

You don't need to understand the technique, just the basic principles of DNA to be able to answer this question. IT was actually relatively well answer.

Yes I got the answer, but I was just wondering if it was a technique that I've missed and was thinking that it could potentially be a short answer question haha. Thanks.

[vox nihili]

Yes I got the answer, but I was just wondering if it was a technique that I've missed and was thinking that it could potentially be a short answer question haha. Thanks.

Nope, definitely don't need to know it. I've still yet to properly encounter that technique for sequencing (though we've brushed over it I think)

[Reus]

Nope, definitely don't need to know it. I've still yet to properly encounter that technique for sequencing (though we've brushed over it I think)

Thanks for clarifying!!

[Reus]

I've noticed that the VCAA assessors report provides very short and simplistic answers (yet concise in metalanguage). Is this the way they want us answering? Or is it just VCAA being lazy and time efficient (for their benefit) by answering the questions with least amount of detail? 

[flares]

Hi,
Could someone explain me the differences between signalling molecules and signal transduction?
These two ideas are really confusing me..

Thanks

[millie96]

Has anybody done the STAV 2014 paper?
Did you find it a lot more difficult than others? and a bit out of the scope of the course?

[Reus]

"A tissue that has been responsive to hormone X may, over time, lose its response to hormone X, even though the concentration of hormone X remains unchanged.
Based on your understanding of how a hormone controls the functioning of cells, suggest reasons for this decrease in responsiveness."

WTH. Never even heard of a concept as such... Could someone please help me. It's a VCAA question which makes it scary haha

Has anybody done the STAV 2014 paper?
Did you find it a lot more difficult than others? and a bit out of the scope of the course?

Yes definitely more challenging than VCAA.

[anat0my]

Gel electrophoresis can be used to identify the relative mass of a protein. Why not length? Thanks.

[Reus]

Gel electrophoresis can be used to identify the relative mass of a protein. Why not length? Thanks.

Proteins don't have base pairs to be measured in length?

[howlingwisdom]

"A tissue that has been responsive to hormone X may, over time, lose its response to hormone X, even though the concentration of hormone X remains unchanged.
Based on your understanding of how a hormone controls the functioning of cells, suggest reasons for this decrease in responsiveness."

WTH. Never even heard of a concept as such... Could someone please help me. It's a VCAA question which makes it scary haha Yes definitely more challenging than VCAA.

Hmm, I'd say that the cells no longer require the hormone for growth or development and hence release proteins that alter the shape of the receptor (specific for that hormone) or the specific receptors are removed from the cell. Hence, hormone X can no longer trigger a response in the cell.
Or, the cell could possibly be old and hence the receptor molecule molecule might be damaged due to age, therefore hormone X can no longer bind effectively with the receptor and trigger the response.

[Reus]

Hmm, I'd say that the cells no longer require the hormone for growth or development and hence release proteins that alter the shape of the receptor (specific for that hormone) or the specific receptors are removed from the cell. Hence, hormone X can no longer trigger a response in the cell.
Or, the cell could possibly be old and hence the receptor molecule molecule might be damaged due to age, therefore hormone X can no longer bind effectively with the receptor and trigger the response.

They both sound reasonably correct Which one do I use? :/
The thing that sucks is its the sample VCAA one where they don't provide answers except multiple choice questions ffs -.-

[howlingwisdom]

They both sound reasonably correct Which one do I use? :/
The thing that sucks is its the sample VCAA one where they don't provide answers except multiple choice questions ffs -.-

Your choice! I think what ever is reasonable and logical VCAA would accept (because the hormone concentration remains the same, there must be something wrong with the receptors.)
I believe that the sample examination is composed of questions from actual past VCAA papers, so I reckon that you'll come across that hormone question somewhere and see what the examiners wrote.

[Reus]

Your choice! I think what ever is reasonable and logical VCAA would accept (because the hormone concentration remains the same, there must be something wrong with the receptors.)
I believe that the sample examination is composed of questions from actual past VCAA papers, so I reckon that you'll come across that hormone question somewhere and see what the examiners wrote.

I see... Thanks heaps!! And yes they are composed of different years. I just cbf going through all the exams to find it for the moment Plus 'f' key isn't working -.-

[InsaneMDot]

I see... Thanks heaps!! And yes they are composed of different years. I just cbf going through all the exams to find it for the moment Plus 'f' key isn't working -.-

It's from the 2005 Exam 1. The answer states:

Either of:
• as a cell ages, receptor sites may degenerate and be less effective in identifying a particular hormone
• receptor sites on target tissues may degenerate with age and may be less effective in binding the particular
hormone

[Reus]

It's from the 2005 Exam 1. The answer states:

Either of:
• as a cell ages, receptor sites may degenerate and be less effective in identifying a particular hormone
• receptor sites on target tissues may degenerate with age and may be less effective in binding the particular
hormone

Thanks so much!!