VCE Biology Question Thread

[Reus]

A question of my own, if asked to write down the balanced chemical equation of photosynthesis or cellular respiration, do we have to include states? (all would be aqueous or gas) Or is this more chemistry? Thanks.

[shivaji]

A question of my own, if asked to write down the balanced chemical equation of photosynthesis or cellular respiration, do we have to include states? (all would be aqueous or gas) Or is this more chemistry? Thanks.

defs not, we are bio students haha
but guess it wouldn't hurt if u do chem

[Rachelle]

Can someone please give me a quick rundown on the absolute dating technique of C-14 precisely?
Is it that the older the fossil, more/less radiation is left/released?
 Thanks

[anat0my]

Can someone please explain the concept of linkage with and without crossing over...? thanks!

[RazzMeTazz]

I have a question about genotype and phenotype ratios

Let T= tall
Let t= short

Tt×Tt

Would you write genotype ratio
Tt:tt
1:1

Or

Tt:tt:TT
1:1:0

(do you have to include all three possible genotypes?)

Also for phenotypes say there is a 4/4 chance of being tall do you write

Phenotype: tall: short
                     4:0

Or

Phenotype: Tall:short
                       1:0

[chekside]

Can someone please give me a quick rundown on the absolute dating technique of C-14 precisely?
Is it that the older the fossil, more/less radiation is left/released?
 Thanks

When an organism is living, the proportion of Carbon-12 (stable isotope) and Carbon-14 (radioisotope) are kept relatively constant. However when an organism dies the proportion of Carbon-14 decreases as it decays to Nitrogen-14 and is not replaced and the amount of Carbon-12 remains the same. Therefore an estimate since the time of death can be made by measuring the ratio of Carbon-12 to Carbon-14.

[Reus]

I have a question about genotype and phenotype ratios

Let T= tall
Let t= short

Tt×Tt

Would you write genotype ratio
Tt:tt
1:1

Or

Tt:tt:TT
1:1:0

(do you have to include all three possible genotypes?)

Also for phenotypes say there is a 4/4 chance of being tall do you write

Phenotype: tall: short
                     4:0

Or

Phenotype: Tall:short
                       1:0

You would simplify, however do not fall under the trap of not showing working out.

[Reus]

How the hell is the use of antibiotics an example of cultural evolution? I thought it would have been technological.

[nerdmmb]

How the hell is the use of antibiotics an example of cultural evolution? I thought it would have been technological.

These type of questions kill me- I came across a similar question, how is cultural evolution influenced by technological evolution?

[RazzMeTazz]

Do we have to know about the Old World and New World monkeys and the Great and Lesser apes

Such as the animals they are comprised of?

:/ ?

[dankfrank420]

These type of questions kill me- I came across a similar question, how is cultural evolution influenced by technological evolution?

I think you've got it the wrong way around. The paper I did asked how technological evolution was influenced by cultural evolution.

Basically, cultural evolution is about communication. Communication = passing on ideas to next generation/sharing ideas, so therefore increased cultural evolution means more ideas are passed on, hastening the advancement/developments of new technologies. 

[RazzMeTazz]

Would this be a sufficient definition for 'denaturation': the bonds maintaining the functional shape of a protein are altered as a result of being exposed to conditions outside its optimal range hence resulting in a loss of protein function.

Should I specifically include the fact that the tertiary structure is altered? (Wasn't sure if I should since secondary structure of protein can  be altered too)

[katiesaliba]

Would this be a sufficient definition for 'denaturation': the bonds maintaining the functional shape of a protein are altered as a result of being exposed to conditions outside its optimal range hence resulting in a loss of protein function.

Should I specifically include the fact that the tertiary structure is altered? (Wasn't sure if I should since secondary structure of protein can  be altered too)

With this, just be careful about saying 'outside its optimal range' as that is a rather vague statement that may not always be correct. For example, when temperature is lower than an enzyme's optimal range, denaturation does not occur. However, pH, whether too acidic or too basic, will denature an enzyme. Also, note that quaternary, tertiary and secondary structures can be affected. 

[RazzMeTazz]

Thankyou for the help!

For cells would the internal environment be the intracellular fluid?

[katiesaliba]

Thankyou for the help!

For cells would the internal environment be the intracellular fluid?

The internal environment is the extracellular/interstitial fluid