VCE Biology Question Thread

[Damo23]

Hey there people, was wondering for those who have done practice exams, have you come across naming like somatic nervous system, visceral, autonomic, symphatic nervous system. Do we need to know this stuff?

Thanks 

[dankfrank420]

Is analogous structures structures that carry out similar functions but have a different structure?
Because in the answers for a practice exam it says they have similar functions + similar function but arisen from diff common ancestor

Any clarification would help, thanka

Saying they have different structure is disingenuous. Although they have varying structures of origin, the structure they have now is similar (eg. shape of dolphin and fish).

Just say that they are of different common ancestors and are a result of the different species facing similar selection pressures and hence developing similar phenotypes to suit these pressures. 

[katiesaliba]

5 more daysss!11!!

Definition of transgenic organisms? I've got "An organism that has foreign DNA artificially inserted in its genome"
But does the DNA have to be from a different species?

Yep, from diff. species.

[anat0my]

Thank you! And around 15 thus far, want to complete 25 by thursday though!  I was thinking about that tbh... I think I might stop doing practice exams on wednesday. Probably chill on thursday or study for another subject... good idea guys?  Haven't sone a ¾ before so no idea haha.Just remember in 5 days, A LOT can happen. You can basically revise the whole study design (in not much detail) but hey its better than not knowing anything!

Goodluck guys and keep studying! 5 days to go. Then we can burn our books 

Same, I'm going to complete all VCAA exams and then chill and do some light revision on Thurs. Probably won't recommend studying for another subject unless it's light study

[RazzMeTazz]

I don't quite understand this question.

The correct answer is C and the assessment report says "The heaviest components are found in the lower layers of the tube. The faster speed separates the smaller cellular components in this case the ribosomes."

But if the heavier components are found in the lower layers, why would the ribosomes be found last?

[Damo23]

I don't quite understand this question.

The correct answer is C and the assessment report says "The heaviest components are found in the lower layers of the tube. The faster speed separates the smaller cellular components in this case the ribosomes."

But if the heavier components are found in the lower layers, why would the ribosomes be found last?

Yeh I came across that question aswell, it's says in the Q the larger parts go at a slower speed, so ribosomes being the smallest would have the fastest speed as shown and the nuclei the slowest as it's the largest of the parts listed.
Hope that helps 

[DJA]

Hey there people, was wondering for those who have done practice exams, have you come across naming like somatic nervous system, visceral, autonomic, symphatic nervous system. Do we need to know this stuff?

Thanks 

no way man

[Jason12]

do ribosomes count as organelles. One practice exam says they're not since they are not membrane bound

[shivaji]

do ribosomes count as organelles. One practice exam says they're not since they are not membrane bound

it depends on your definition of an organelle - if you define it as a membrane-bound strucutre then no
but if you take it as a specialised structure which does a particular function in a cell, then yes.

and also, i'm quite sure i came across a VCAA question which asks which organelle is involved in protein synthesis or something, and the answer was ribosome. just go by VCAA

[Jason12]

when doing gel electrophoresis, does every band have to match up exactly for two people to be related. Also how do determine the distance between two bands as often it relies on guessing.

[Vicbelgaus]

when doing gel electrophoresis, does every band have to match up exactly for two people to be related. Also how do determine the distance between two bands as often it relies on guessing.

Well it would be expected that the bands would align pretty much perfectly if the individuals have the same alleles, this is because the restriction enzyme cuts at a specific recognition site. thus because the same alleles have the same DNA base sequence the restriction should cut the DNA sequence into equal strands with equal number of kilobases, so they move through the agar gel at the same speed.

It would be safe to assume if they wanted you to measure the distance between the two bands, the examiners would provide a standard which contains bands of known length and how far they travel through the gel during the process of electrophoresis.  otherwise it would be pretty dodgy 

[shivaji]

would this suffice for a diagram of a virus? a neap paper gave this solution and for 2 marks... it just seems a bit too simplistic for 2 marks - like would u have to draw antigens and stuff as well in a real exam?

[Vicbelgaus]

The amount of detail required depends on the marks allocated, since only two marks are allocated then just drawing two of the structural features of a virus seems pretty adequate.

[shivaji]

The amount of detail required depends on the marks allocated, since only two marks are allocated then just drawing two of the structural features of a virus seems pretty adequate.

thanks!

[Reus]

would this suffice for a diagram of a virus? a neap paper gave this solution and for 2 marks... it just seems a bit too simplistic for 2 marks - like would u have to draw antigens and stuff as well in a real exam?

I might added the two different protein receptors on the membrane as well.