VCE Biology Question Thread

[KingDrogba]

Mitosis encompasses a division of the nucleus, then followed by the division of the cytoplasm which results in two genetically identical daughter cells.

Is this a sufficient definition of Mitosis?

[cosine]

Few questions:

When mitosis occurs, are all 46 chromosomes in the nucleus replicating?

Are there 46 chromosomes in the nucleus like single stranded, or are they double?

Is there 23 distinct chromosomes in our cells? But each of these has an identical pair?

When the chromosomes replicate, does this mean that there are 92 chromosomes in the nucleus in total, before the nucleus divides?

Thanks

[vox nihili]

Goes to show how VCAA does indeed get it wrong sometimes

Funnily enough, it seems 68% of people chose option C, whereas only 16% chose D. Even more surprising is the fact that VCAA didn't pay the mark for D.

Didn't know this was a VCAA question. They don't make those mistakes normally, so I would assume that I'm wrong on this one, though I can't see how to be honest.

Few questions:

When mitosis occurs, are all 46 chromosomes in the nucleus replicating?

Are there 46 chromosomes in the nucleus like single stranded, or are they double?

Is there 23 distinct chromosomes in our cells? But each of these has an identical pair?

When the chromosomes replicate, does this mean that there are 92 chromosomes in the nucleus in total, before the nucleus divides?

Thanks

The chromosomes replicate during the S phase, before mitosis.

There are two copies of each DNA molecule in each chromosome just prior to mitosis.

No, there are 46 distinct chromosomes. There are 23 chromosomes, which describes their gene arrangement etc; however, the sequence of the DNA on each homologue is slightly different.

No, there are 92 chromatids and 46 chromosomes, each with two chromatids.

[stone1997]

do b cells attack viruses? or is that only t cells?

[vox nihili]

do b cells attack viruses? or is that only t cells?

They do.

[Dkontro]

They do.

In general, cytotoxic T cells kill cells that are infected with the virus

[vox nihili]

In general, cytotoxic T cells kill cells that are infected with the virus

Yes, indeed they do. But most viruses leave cells to spread to other cells. At this point, they can be targeted by antibodies produced by B-cells.

[Sine]

I have recently finished Unit 3 Biology and am unsure how to retain all the knowledge.

How should I tackle practice exams of private companies from the previous study design?

[vanessa14]

hey guys
I was just wondering what you guys did for your fifth sac for biology? (Infection and disease)

[Jay.C]

hey guys
I was just wondering what you guys did for your fifth sac for biology? (Infection and disease)

Hey, for my sac on infection and disease my class had to do a poster. We got given a central idea e.g. description of a bacteria and how it infects and effects its hosts. Then we had to answer a series of questions relating to this theme, e.g. How would the second line of immune defense respond to the bacteria?.

[Rishi97]

I have recently finished Unit 3 Biology and am unsure how to retain all the knowledge.

How should I tackle practice exams of private companies from the previous study design?

Hey there
Congrats on finishing unit 3! Nearly there..
When I finished unit 3, I dedicated a lot of time to completing questions from the checkpoints books (VCAA). I also asked my teacher for many unit 3 papers which really helped. I recommend that at the start, work through qs open book and no time. As you move on, make it close book and timed. After you finish, correct the answers obviously. I actually made 2 documents, one with how VCAA worded the answer and one with why I got the answer wrong. In this way, I could see exactly what I got wrong and how this could be incorporated within an answer. Idk this worked for me but it might not work for you so try out different ways. But definitely make a document on what qs you got wrong and why.
Now, for your question on previous study designs, I reckon still have a go at them so you understand concepts in detail (more than required for VCE) but don't stress too much about them. If you can't do it since it hasn't been taught, obviously skip them haha
Best of luck !!!

[Sine]

Are we supposed to know the functions of specific hormones?

[Rishi97]

Are we supposed to know the functions of specific hormones?

Know the important ones like glucagon, insulin etc... they always come up. It's best to memorise the whole feedback loop for them actually

[vanessa14]

Hey, for my sac on infection and disease my class had to do a poster. We got given a central idea e.g. description of a bacteria and how it infects and effects its hosts. Then we had to answer a series of questions relating to this theme, e.g. How would the second line of immune defense respond to the bacteria?.

We are doing a poster too! I'm still a little confused about the whole idea- but thanks for replying hope you did well! Mines tomorrow 

[Dkontro]

How to improve on 3 mark questions where you have to design an experiment. So bad at doing them