VCE Biology Question Thread

[Sine]

Then in terms of exams and sacs would; the mitochondria is the site of aerobic respiration be the preferred answer rather than the site of cellular respiration? 

There is a precedent in the 2013 exam
Students were required to use "anerobic respiration"  and also "aerobic respiration" in their answer but were not given the mark for either or both being substitued for "cellular respiration" so given how harsh VCAA is with the short answer question you would definitely want to be as specific as you can.

Especially on easy exams they need to be very harsh

[Poet]

How might the structure of the cytoplasm relate to its function?

Like its fluid so it can suspend the organelles or..?

Hey DBA-144! You're correct, the cytoplasm (more specifically the cytosol) helps keep the organelles suspended within the cell. Here's a list of functions due to the cytoplasm's fluid structure.

The cytoplasm's structure relates to its function by:
- Allowing for movement via vesicles in the cell
- Suspending organelles and keeping them in place
- It gives the cell its shape, which enables easier movement within the cell

[MAGGOT]

In aerobic respiration, do we need to know and explain in detail of how each stage works like for example, acetyl coenzyme a in the kerbs cycle

[darkz]

In aerobic respiration, do we need to know and explain in detail of how each stage works like for example, acetyl coenzyme a in the kerbs cycle

At a VCE level, all you need to know are the inputs, outputs and location of each stage. However, having a general idea of what's going on does help

[Bri MT]

In aerobic respiration, do we need to know and explain in detail of how each stage works like for example, acetyl coenzyme a in the kerbs cycle

I would be aware that there is an intermediate stage before the Kreb's cycle in which pyruvate is converted to Acetyl CoA, that Acetyl CoA enters the Kreb's Cycle and potentially that the CoA is recycled just in case but definitely don't worry about intermediates in the Kreb's cycle such as citric acid or oxaloacetate.

[Ironiic]

Hey, so I'm getting kind of confused with pigments and chloroplasts in photosynthesis-

Do chloroplasts only contain chlorophyll, and does chlorophyll only contain green pigment? Can there be different pigments in chloroplasts? And this might sound dumb, but why do plants need energy? And why don't cells in roots, etc, undergo photosynthesis?

Also, do prokaryotes need to undergo cellular respiration? Do they need energy?

[darkz]

Hey, so I'm getting kind of confused with pigments and chloroplasts in photosynthesis-

Do chloroplasts only contain chlorophyll, and does chlorophyll only contain green pigment? Can there be different pigments in chloroplasts? And this might sound dumb, but why do plants need energy? And why don't cells in roots, etc, undergo photosynthesis?

Also, do prokaryotes need to undergo cellular respiration? Do they need energy?

Hey
What I've taught is that different plants can have different pigments in their leaves, e.g. chlorophyll a, b, carotene etcetera. So there can be different pigments in chloroplasts, however the only green pigment is chlorophyll - for example, carotene is orange. Plants need energy to growth and repair, just like any organism. Cells in roots can't undergo photosynthesis as there is no light - the light dependent stage cannot run.

[vox nihili]

Hey, so I'm getting kind of confused with pigments and chloroplasts in photosynthesis-

Do chloroplasts only contain chlorophyll, and does chlorophyll only contain green pigment? Can there be different pigments in chloroplasts? And this might sound dumb, but why do plants need energy? And why don't cells in roots, etc, undergo photosynthesis?

Also, do prokaryotes need to undergo cellular respiration? Do they need energy?

darkdzn has already answered some of the technical stuff for you, but I think the rest you should really give a crack yourself

The questions you’re asking are reasonably straightforward if you take a moment to nut through them this happens a lot in biology, people get freaked out by all the technical stuff and forget to slow down and think about the obvious things too

[Ironiic]

darkdzn has already answered some of the technical stuff for you, but I think the rest you should really give a crack yourself

The questions you’re asking are reasonably straightforward if you take a moment to nut through them this happens a lot in biology, people get freaked out by all the technical stuff and forget to slow down and think about the obvious things too

Alright, thanks

[PopcornTime]

In an experiment with hydrogen peroxide, catalase and temperature, what would a suitable control group involve?

Would it be catalase + hydrogen peroxide at 0ºC?

[Sine]

In an experiment with hydrogen peroxide, catalase and temperature, what would a suitable control group involve?

Would it be catalase + hydrogen peroxide at 0ºC?

what variable are you testing?

the control group is there so you can compare and contrast two trials which vary by only a single variable hence you can amount the differences to the change in said variable.

[PopcornTime]

- how can we comment on whether an investigation has generated useful results?
I assume it would be comparing my results to previous results, but I can't seem to find any online which used the same experiment. Any other idea how?

What should a discussion section include?
- trends + explain
- errors
Am I missing anything else?

[PopcornTime]

what variable are you testing?

the control group is there so you can compare and contrast two trials which vary by only a single variable hence you can amount the differences to the change in said variable.

Temperature is independent. Oxygen gas production is dependent.

[darkz]

- how can we comment on whether an investigation has generated useful results?
I assume it would be comparing my results to previous results, but I can't seem to find any online which used the same experiment. Any other idea how?

What should a discussion section include?
- trends + explain
- errors
Am I missing anything else?

In the first question, you can add in that by using a control, you can adequately conclude that it is solely the independent variable causing the effect on the dependent variable and not some other factor

You can also include experimental improvements in the discussion, but in my experience, not teachers all have different expectations - so it would be best to ask your own teacher to see what they want in it

[DBA-144]

Are aerobic respiration and photosynthesis opposites? Like they have opposite reactants and products but other than that they make energy for the cell or organism? Is that it? Are they opposites? 

Thanks