VCE Biology Question Thread

[chekside]

And DNA consists of Nucleotids, Sugar and Phosphate?
I thought it was wrong, i didn't remember the amino acid structure but i thought stating chromosomes has deoxyribose sugar in it then drawing the monomer of sugar (Glucose) maybe counted as correct.

DNA doesnt consist of nucleotides, sugar and phosphate. The monomer of DNA is a nucleotide which consists of sugar, phosphate and nitrogenous base.

[Sense]

That was a lot harder than last years exam... I'm glad I do chemistry, helped me fly through a couple of questions.

[dankfrank420]

A few things about that question:

Could you write nucleic acid instead of DNA?
Could you write polypeptide instead of protein?

Also, was the question below draw the monomer of the above macromolecules?

I managed to label the amine group, side chain (R-group) and carboxyl acid. I got the middle atom wrong (I put N instead of C) and didn't include the extra hydrogen. Have I lost the mark?

[darkknight98]

Just wanted to say that in general this exam was fairly difficult and a tad bit different from other exams.
However, everyone just doing bio should relax over this weekend and those of you doing other wretched vce exams, I wish you all the best of luck.
Hopefully the examiners take all the ambiguity of some questions into consideration whilst marking them.
All in all, I must say biology was a wonderful subject and i enjoyed it throughout the year.
Also, a special thanks to all the moderators on this forum, past vce biology students and all current (actually no longer current ) biology students for everything. I personally rarely made contributions to this forum but benefited greatly from it, and will hope to assist others next year.
Anyways, good luck with vce everyone. 

[darkknight98]

A few things about that question:

Could you write nucleic acid instead of DNA?
Could you write polypeptide instead of protein?

 I wrote both nucleic acid and DNA
not sure if polypeptide will be right for the protein one

[chekside]

I managed to label the amine group, side chain (R-group) and carboxyl acid. I got the middle atom wrong (I put N instead of C) and didn't include the extra hydrogen. Have I lost the mark?

I did a similar thing, I put the hydrogen in the centre and the carbon where the hydrogen is meant to be. I think it would be really tight if they take off marks for that because it's more chemistry.

[katiesaliba]

I did a similar thing, I put the hydrogen in the centre and the carbon where the hydrogen is meant to be. I think it would be really tight if they take off marks for that because it's more chemistry.

I managed to label the amine group, side chain (R-group) and carboxyl acid. I got the middle atom wrong (I put N instead of C) and didn't include the extra hydrogen. Have I lost the mark?

Technically yes you're incorrect, but how are non-chemistry students supposed to know what an amino acid looks like structurally?! Such a harsh question, IMO.

[katiesaliba]

I don't do chem and just drew amino acids as circles.. What are my chances of getting marks? ...

As in just a circle? Or like they're drawn in the NOB book as a square with a circle on top? Because I don't think drawing just a circle would get you a mark, but if you've drawn the latter then you'll probably get it

[dankfrank420]

 I wrote both nucleic acid and DNA
not sure if polypeptide will be right for the protein one

Histones are polypeptides, and polypeptide is the polymer of amino acids, so I think I should be ok.

Never know with VCAA though.

[darkknight98]

Histones are polypeptides, and polypeptide is the polymer of amino acids, so I think I should be ok.

Never know with VCAA though.

yeh true
dw most likely it will be fine
i stuffed up at drawing it so...
honestly the amount of diagram drawing in this exam was surprising

[darkknight98]

I didn't mention all the heavy and light chain for the antibody labeling one
would i be penalised for this or?

[katiesaliba]

I didn't mention all the heavy and light chain for the antibody labeling one
would i be penalised for this or?

Perhaps  depends how many marks the question was worth though I guess.

[darkknight98]

Perhaps  depends how many marks the question was worth though I guess.

dammit
two marks if I am not mistaken

[dankfrank420]

Perhaps  depends how many marks the question was worth though I guess.

Two marks, so I assumed drawing (1) and labelling heavy/light chains (1)

I don't think constant/variable regions were required.

[darkknight98]

Two marks, so I assumed drawing (1) and labelling heavy/light chains (1)

I don't think constant/variable regions were required.

I mentioned the constant/variable reigons but not the heavy and light chains
oh well...
i think i should really stop worrying about all this