VCE Biology Question Thread

[doomdestroyer]

Is the endosymbiotic theory still assessable? Only came across it once in an old VCAA exam.

Doubt it.

[dankfrank420]

True. How are you guys planning to approach reading time. I'm torn between doing MC during reading time or analysing SA. Both have their benefits.

Read through thoroughly the SA, make mental notes in my head (identifying what question relates to what concept). Also, I'll attempt to answer the simple 1 mark questions like "where does LD photosynthesis take place" in my head to get confidence up. If I have time, I'll look through MC.

When writing starts, aim to go through MC at a mark a minute. Obviously, some will be harder than others, but I'll aim to finish MC by 9:40. Leaves me a little less than two hours to go through SA.

[Reus]

Isn't there only 12? 

I like to spend most of my time reading through the SA, grasping what the questions are asking and determining which questions will take longer to answer. Then I look through the MC and remember the answers to some of the questions

Ah fml I was looking at the global politics cover sheet hahahaha sorry! Yep, 12 it is. Any predictions?

[vox nihili]

Ah fml I was looking at the global politics cover sheet hahahaha sorry! Yep, 12 it is. Any predictions?

They'll surprise you a bit I think. Last year's had a habit of pulling some things that wouldn't be out of place at Uni level. They're making you think more, which is nice

[dankfrank420]

They'll surprise you a bit I think. Last year's had a habit of pulling some things that wouldn't be out of place at Uni level. They're making you think more, which is nice

Not trying to sound like a pretentious know-it-all, but I thought last years exam was pretty straightforward... (especially compared to a few past VCAA ones I did)

What questions were at Uni level?

[melzwelz]

Will the replication fork be directly in front of DNA helicase?

[darkknight98]

Not trying to sound like a pretentious know-it-all, but I thought last years exam was pretty straightforward... (especially compared to a few past VCAA ones I did)

What questions were at Uni level?

Considering that a bulk of various concepts from previous study designs have been taken out, I think that we should expect the more challenging questions not to focus on minimal and less covered aspects of the study design; but rather more complex applications that test us in applying our knowledge to solve a particular question rather than simply defining or explaining processes.

[Reus]

Considering that a bulk of various concepts from previous study designs have been taken out, I think that we should expect the more challenging questions not to focus on minimal and less covered aspects of the study design; but rather more complex applications that test us in applying our knowledge to solve a particular question rather than simply defining or explaining processes.

I'm scared of that tbh... in exam conditions I can never get my head around application-like questions simply because of the pressure and overthinking. Ugh.

[doomdestroyer]

I'm scared of that tbh... in exam conditions I can never get my head around application-like questions simply because of the pressure and overthinking. Ugh.

You have two and half hours, just go in with a steady mind, and just take your time with it.

[Reus]

You have two and half hours, just go in with a steady mind, and just take your time with it.

That is true. Thanks

[RazzMeTazz]

Can the primary structure of a protein be altered in denaturation?

[shivaji]

what exactly does reproductive isolation refer to?
is it during allopatric speciation when the original population can not breed with each other as they are separated from each other?
or does it refer to the fact that two species are reproductively isolated as they can't reproduce?

[shivaji]

Can the primary structure of a protein be altered in denaturation?

no, it can only be altered by hydolysis reactions when a water molecule is added to split the amino acid sequence

[jessica666]

what exactly does reproductive isolation refer to?
is it during allopatric speciation when the original population can not breed with each other as they are separated from each other?
or does it refer to the fact that two species are reproductively isolated as they can't reproduce?

When they cannot breed because they are separated = Geographic isolation
When they cannot produce viable and fertile offspring = Reproductive isolation

[doomdestroyer]

what exactly does reproductive isolation refer to?
is it during allopatric speciation when the original population can not breed with each other as they are separated from each other?
or does it refer to the fact that two species are reproductively isolated as they can't reproduce?

Reproductive isolation is essentially referring to anything that stops reproduction from happening, be it separation by physical barriers, individuals being sterile which often arises in hybrid individuals, divergence of a species to the point where individuals are mechanically different from each other as well as behaviorally such as individuals being ready for reproduction at different seasons from each other.