VCE Biology Question Thread

[grannysmith]

Ah, those questions.

Split it into parts: hypothesis, method and conclusion (stating the results that would either support or negate the hypothesis).
In your method, include:
>large sample size (if there are multiple groups then ensure they are identical as well as any other initial condition)
>a control and an experimental group
>controlled variables (temperature, nutrients + other conditions), ensuring only the variable you are testing for changes
>repeat experiment

It's probably best if you provide an example question to demonstrate this.

[heids]

Do we still have to know about rational drug design?

Yes.

'...the inhibition of the action of enzymes both naturally and by rational drug design'

[faso]

Yes.

THank you!!

[StupidProdigy]

With introns, I get that they are non-coding sections of mRNA but why is it that they don't code? Is it just because the triplets of base pairs don't code for a specific amino acid? Thankyouuuu

[mahler004]

With introns, I get that they are non-coding sections of mRNA but why is it that they don't code? Is it just because the triplets of base pairs don't code for a specific amino acid? Thankyouuuu

No, there's a system which cuts out the introns so they aren't in the mature mRNA that reaches the ribosome.

[cosine]

So im having a bit of trouble understanding the whole process of chromosomes, DNA, replication and cellular division, what should I do?

[Biology24123]

When a question asks for the genotype for the 1st and 2nd generation, do the parents count as the first generation?

[grannysmith]

So im having a bit of trouble understanding the whole process of chromosomes, DNA, replication and cellular division, what should I do?

A good dosage of Bozeman and Khan should serve you well

[Jay.C]

Hey guys,

just wondering, would you recommend revise unit 3 in these holidays or getting a head start on unit 4? Also would it be sufficient for me to do unit 3 revision by just doing a lot of check point questions or would you guys recommend something else?

[BakedDwarf]

How do people get hold of biology commercial papers such as Neap and STAV? My school literally has no commercial papers for any subject.

[cosine]

Few questions about Unit 3:

- Do we need to know the specifics about the protein molecules that protrude out of the phospholipid bilayer? For example, if a question asks what type of protein molecule assists glucose to diffuse from the high concentration outside the cell into the cell, the answer is protein carriers through facilitated diffusion, but would protein 'channels' be wrong, as they are two different type of functioning proteins?

- Does cholesterol in the membrane maintain fluidity in the sense that when it's too cold, it will not allow the membrane to solidify, and when it is too hot, it will not allow it to melt - essentially does cholesterol stabilise the membrane?

- Is cholesterol a lipid or a carbohydrate?

- What's the main difference between simple and complex carbohydrates? Are simple carbs basically monosaccharides and disaccharides, whereas polysaccharides are considered complex because of their complexity?

- Do we actually need to know the different between alpha glucose and beta glucose?

- Are the only polysaccharides we need to know: cellulose, glycogen, chitin and starch?

- I know glycogen and starch are energy storage carbohydrates, but is starch also found in animals/humans or only plants?

- If only plants, then is it true that plants contain structural cellulose and energy storage starch?

- Are plants the only organism that produce/synthesise glucose?

- How much do we need to know about the light dependent and independent stages of photosynthesis? Do we need to know further than just: Light dependent occurs in the thylakoid membranes and the electrons of the pigments (mainly chlorophyll) get excited and split water molecules into hydrogen ions and oxygen, where the oxygen binds with another molecule to form oxygen gas, and the hydrogen ions and electrons are occupied by 'unloaded' carrier molecules called NADP+, as well as ADP + Pi. Then these two loaded molecules NADPH and ATP leave the thylakoid membranes and undergo the calvin benson cycle in the stroma of the chloroplast, where carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is broken down into further products, essentially producing glucose.

- Do ALL plants photosynthesise? If not, can you give an example of plants that do not, and obtain their energy through other organisms?

Thanks for the help guys, any responses will be greatly appreciated, many thanks.

[Jay.C]

Hey guys is anyone going to the ATARnotes biology lecture on this Wednesday?

[sunshine98]

Few questions about Unit 3:
- Do we need to know the specifics about the protein molecules that protrude out of the phospholipid bilayer? For example, if a question asks what type of protein molecule assists glucose to diffuse from the high concentration outside the cell into the cell, the answer is protein carriers through facilitated diffusion, but would protein 'channels' be wrong, as they are two different type of functioning proteins? I don't think you need the specific names , someone else can clarify

- Does cholesterol in the membrane maintain fluidity in the sense that when it's too cold, it will not allow the membrane to solidify, and when it is too hot, it will not allow it to melt - essentially does cholesterol stabilise the membrane? yes

- Is cholesterol a lipid or a carbohydrate? It is made from steroids , which fall under the class of lipids

- What's the main difference between simple and complex carbohydrates? Are simple carbs basically monosaccharides and disaccharides, whereas polysaccharides are considered complex because of their complexity? Yes (well at least that's how much I know, someone else can clarify)

- Do we actually need to know the different between alpha glucose and beta glucose? Nope

- Are the only polysaccharides we need to know: cellulose, glycogen, chitin and starch? yes

- I know glycogen and starch are energy storage carbohydrates, but is starch also found in animals/humans or only plants? Starch is energy storage in plants. Glycogen in animals.

- If only plants, then is it true that plants contain structural cellulose and energy storage starch? Yep. Plant cells are made of cellulose.

- Are plants the only organism that produce/synthesise glucose? Autotrophs, is the name given to all organisms which synthesis their own glucose. Also , idk if you've looked at chemosynthesis , but that's another way of synthesising organic material to derive  chemical energy from

- How much do we need to know about the light dependent and independent stages of photosynthesis? Do we need to know further than just: Light dependent occurs in the thylakoid membranes and the electrons of the pigments (mainly chlorophyll) get excited and split water molecules into hydrogen ions and oxygen, where the oxygen binds with another molecule to form oxygen gas, and the hydrogen ions and electrons are occupied by 'unloaded' carrier molecules called NADP+, as well as ADP + Pi. Then these two loaded molecules NADPH and ATP leave the thylakoid membranes and undergo the calvin benson cycle in the stroma of the chloroplast, where carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is broken down into further products, essentially producing glucose.
Study Design asks for Inputs and outputs of each stage and also where the stage occurs.

- Do ALL plants photosynthesise? If not, can you give an example of plants that do not, and obtain their energy through other organisms? No not all plants photosynthesis. Photosynthesis depends on chlorophyll and not all plants are green.

Thanks for the help guys, any responses will be greatly appreciated, many thanks.

[cosine]

Hey guys is anyone going to the ATARnotes biology lecture on this Wednesday?

Yep, I am
 
@Sunship98, cheers for the quick response!

You say photosynthesis only depends on the pigment chlorophyl? But what about yellow plants, aren't there other pigments that reflect other colours?

Also the study design says that, so we would never be asked what occurs at each stage, but rather what comes out of each stage right?

[sunshine98]

Yep, I am
 
@Sunship98, cheers for the quick response!

You say photosynthesis only depends on the pigment chlorophyl? But what about yellow plants, aren't there other pigments that reflect other colours?

Also the study design says that, so we would never be asked what occurs at each stage, but rather what comes out of each stage right?

Whoops, my bad I think I mixed this with something else, Idk. But yep your right. 

Study design quote 'Requirements for photosynthesis – excluding differences between CAM, C3 and C4 plants – including: the structure and function of the chloroplast; the main inputs and outputs of the light dependent and light independent stages'<-- That's all , but u most definitely need to know whats actually happening as well , but not in depth