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INTERACTIVE MULTIPLE
CHOICE QUESTIONS
Test 2
The answers are provided, but so also are
explanations of why the alternatives are
unsatisfactory
These multiple choice questions are similar to the ones set by
the GCSE and IGCSE Examination Boards except that, in
some cases, there may be more than one acceptable
answer.
For this reason, even if you select a correct answer at your
first attempt, it is worth looking at all the alternatives
(a) to see if there is a better answer and
(b) to see why some of the alternatives are unacceptable.
Question 1
Question 1
A male heterozygous black mouse (Bb) is mated with a
female heterozygous black mouse (Bb) and the litter consists
of 12 pups. B is the allele for the black colour. The allele for
brown colour is b. The dominant allele is B .
Which of these ratios is closest to the expected ratio for the
distribution of colour among the offspring?
(a) all black
(b) 6 black and 6 brown
X
(c) 4 black and 8 brown
(d) 8 black and 4 brown
Question 2
Not very close
From the Punnett square you can see that the expected
ratio is 3 black (BB or Bb) to 1 brown (bb)
gametes
B
b
B
BB
Bb
b
Bb
bb
These are only the chance combinations. It would be
possible to produce 12 black pups, since ‘black’ is the
dominant allele but this is not close to the expected ratio
Not very close
From the Punnett square you can see that the expected
ratio is 3 black (BB or Bb) to 1 brown (bb)
gametes
B
b
B
BB
Bb
b
Bb
bb
These are only the chance combinations. It would be possible to
produce 6 black and 6 brown pups but this is not very close to
the expected ratio of 9:3
Close but ….
From the Punnett square you can see that the expected ratio
is 3 black (BB or Bb) to 1 brown (bb)
gametes
B
b
B
BB
Bb
b
Bb
bb
These are only the chance combinations.
A combination of 4 black to 8 brown is close to the
expected ratio of 3:9 but since black is the dominant
allele it seems to be the wrong way round
The closest
From the Punnett square you can see that the expected
ratio is 3 black (BB or Bb) to 1 brown (bb)
gametes
B
b
B
BB
Bb
b
Bb
bb
These are only the chance combinations.
A combination of 8 black to 4 brown is closest to the
expected ratio of 9:3 so this would be the most likely
outcome
Question 2
Which of the following gases are the cause of acid rain?
(a) Carbon dioxide
(b) Carbon monoxide
(c) Nitrogen oxide
(d) Sulphur dioxide
Question 3
No
Carbon dioxide does dissolve in rain to form a weak solution
of carbonic acid (H2CO3) but this is normal and does not
contribute to what is known as ‘acid rain’.
However it is thought to be making the ocean more acid and
this is a cause for concern
No
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas but does not
contribute to acid rain
Yes
Oxides of nitrogen dissolve in rain water to form
nitric acid which is very harmful to lakes and land
plants
Yes
Sulphur dioxide dissolves in water to form,
eventually, sulphuric acid. This damages lakes
and land plants
Question 3
Asexual reproduction in plants
(a) involves self-fertilisation
(b) maintains the characteristics of the plant
(c) produces variation in the offspring
(d) disperses the offspring widely
Question 4
No
Self-fertilisation is one type of sexual reproduction
Yes
Asexual reproduction does maintain the parental
characteristics in all the offspring. This is particularly
valuable in horticulture for retaining the desirable
characteristics of a plant.
No
Asexual reproduction does not result in variation
among the offspring
No
Asexual reproduction does not result in dispersal.
Plants produced by asexual reproduction usually
grow in clumps or colonies
Question 4
A mother’s blood group is A. The father’s blood group is AB.
Which of the following blood groups could appear in their
children?
(a) A
(b) B
(c) AB
(d) O
Question 5
Yes
The mother’s genotype could be IaIa or IaIo
The father’s genotype can only be IaIb
Their child’s genome could therefore include IaIa, IaIo,
IaIb or IbIo
The first two of these would be expressed as group A
because Ia is dominant to Io
Yes
The mother’s genotype could be IaIa or IaIo
The father’s genotype can only be IaIb
Their child’s genome could therefore include IaIa, IaIo,
IaIb or IbIo
IbIo would be expressed as group B because Ib is
dominant to Io
Yes
The mother’s genotype could be IaIa or IaIo
The father’s genotype can only be IaIb
Their child’s genome could therefore include IaIa, IaIo,
IaIb or IbIo
In the the combination IaIb the alleles are codominant
and would be expressed as group AB
No
The mother’s genotype could be IaIa or IaIo
The father’s genotype can only be IaIb
Their child’s genome could therefore include IaIa, IaIo,
IaIb or IbIo
The combination IoIo could not arise
Question 5
Ranunculus bulbosus is
(a) A genus
(b) A species
(c) A class
(d) A family
Question 6
No
The genus is Ranunculus. This is the genus
which includes the buttercups
Yes
The use of the binomial name indicates that Ranunculus
bulbosus is a species (the bulbous buttercup).
No
The class would be flowering plants
No
The family would be Ranunculaceae which includes
clematis, anemone, water lily as well as buttercup.
Question 6
Sunflower seedlings with straight shoots are placed on a
window sill. After a period of several hours, the growing
parts of the stems have turned through 30o and are now
growing towards the window. This is an example of
(a) a response to a stimulus
(b) negative phototropism
(c) positive phototropism
(d) positive geotropism
Question 7
This is certainly a response (growth movement)
to a stimulus (light from one side) but it is
possible to be more precise
No
Negative phototropism implies a growth movement away
from the light source
Yes
This is an example of positive phototropism,
a growth movement (response) towards the light
source (the stimulus)
No
Geotropism refers to a response to gravity acting on one
side of the plant.
Question 7
Which of these processes increase the concentration of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
(a) Respiration
(b) Photosynthesis
(c) Combustion
(d) Decay
Question 8
Yes
Aerobic respiration involves the oxidation of
carbohydrates with the production of carbon dioxide.
For example
C6H12O6 + 6O2
6CO2 + 6H2O
Anaerobic respiration involves the breakdown of
carbohydrates with the production of carbon dioxide
and products such as alcohol or pyruvic and lactic acids.
For example
C6H12O6
2CO2 + 2C2H5OH
alcohol
No
Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere.
6CO2 + 6H2O
C6H12O6 + 6O2
glucose
Yes
When carbon-containing substances burn, the carbon
combines with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide
C + O2
CO2
Yes
Organic compounds all contain carbon. When these
decay, they release carbon dioxide. (In the absence of
oxygen, decay may result in the production of
methane).
Question 8
In the growth of a plant cell, what causes the cell to
increase in size?
(a) Expansion of the vacuole
(b) Division of the nucleus
(c) Formation of a new cell wall
(d) Increase in the amount of cytoplasm
Question 9
Yes.
The vacuole absorbs water by osmosis and pushes the
cell wall outwards while it is still plastic
No
Division of the nucleus precedes cell division but
does not increase the size of cells
No
A new cell wall is formed before cell expansion takes
place, but the cell wall remains plastic till expansion is
complete
No
In the course of cell division, new cytoplasm is
formed but this precedes any cell enlargement.
Question 9
Which of these alternatives is the correct sequence of
events when we breathe in?
(a) The lungs fill with air and push down the
diaphragm and expand the rib cage.
(b) Muscles pull the ribs upwards and outwards
and cause the lungs to expand
(c) The diaphragm is lowered, the ribs are pulled
downwards and air is drawn into the lungs
(d) The diaphragm is lowered, the rib cage is
expanded and air is drawn into the lungs.
Question 10
No
Air cannot enter the lungs unless they are first made
to expand
Partly right
The movement of the rib cage does draw air into the lungs
but this is not the main force responsible
No.
If the ribs are pulled downwards, this will reduce the
volume of the thorax and counteract the effect of the
diaphragm
Yes
These two movements increase the volume of the
thorax and cause air to be drawn into the lungs.
The rib movements do not usually come into play
except for deep breathing as in taking exercise.
Question 10
In the process of active transport, substances move into a
cell
(a) by osmosis
(b) by simple diffusion
(c) against a diffusion gradient
(d) down a diffusion gradient
Question 11
No
Osmosis refers only to the diffusion of water
No.
Substances can enter the cell by diffusion but this is not
active transport
Yes
Active transport enables a cell to take up substances
against a diffusion gradient. This requires the
expenditure of energy.
No
Substances could enter a cell by diffusion down a
diffusion gradient but this is not active transport
Question 11
Tooth decay is caused principally by
(a) plaque
(b) failure to brush the teeth regularly
(c) bacterial activity
(d) sugar
Question 12
No
Plaque is a coating which forms round the teeth. It
contains bacteria but the plaque itself is not responsible
for tooth decay
No
Regular brushing does help to remove plaque and the
bacteria it contains, but failure to brush regularly is not itself
a cause of decay.
The principal value of brushing is the prevention of gum
disease.
Yes.
The bacteria flourishing in the plaque release acids which
cause the cavities in the teeth
No
The bacteria on the tooth surface metabolise sugar and
produce the acids which cause cavities, but sugar itself
is not a cause of decay.
Question 12
The cell labelled A is best
described as
A
1mm
(a) a leaf cell
(b) a mesophyll cell
(c) a palisade cell
(d) an epidermal cell
Section through a leaf
Question 13
No
Cell A is certainly a leaf cell but this is not a precise
enough description
Yes but ….
Cell A is a mesophyll cell but so are all the cells
enclosed by the upper and lower epidermis (except
for the vascular tissue). This is not a precise enough
description
Yes
Cell A is a palisade cell, or better still, a ‘palisade
mesophyll cell’. Most of the photosynthesis in the leaf
takes place in these cells.
No
The epidermal cells form the outer layers of the leaf
Question 13
Acute shortage of oxygen in lakes and rivers is caused
by
(a) eutrophication
(b) the oxygen demand by the excess of
decaying plant material
(c) excess nitrate and phosphate
(d) excessive growth of algae
Question 14
No
Eutrophication refers to a high level of nutrients in a body of
water. It may cause excessive algal growth but is not a direct
cause of oxygen depletion
Yes
The oxygen demand of an excess of decomposing plant
material, e.g. algae, is the immediate cause of the
reduction in the oxygen content of the water in lakes and
rivers.
The excess of plant material is the result of eutrophication
No
Eutrophication results from high levels of nitrate and
phosphate in the water. But although this encourages
excessive algal growth it does not inevitably lead to
oxygen depletion.
No
The excessive growth of algae is not itself a cause of
oxygen depletion.
Question 14
Which of the following statements are correct?
In moving through each trophic level in a food chain e.g.
producers
1st order consumers
2nd order consumers etc
(a) the number of organisms increases
(b) energy is lost
(c) the number of organisms is reduced
(d) plants are eaten by animals
Question 15
No
In many cases the number of organisms at each level
decreases
Yes
At each trophic level, the organisms lose energy as a result
of their living processes. This means that less energy is
available to the next trophic level
Partly correct
The number of organisms at each trophic level usually
decreases but there are exceptions. For example a single
oak tree may support a population of hundreds of
caterpillars.
It is the total biomass which decreases.
No
At the first trophic level plants may be eaten by
animals but at succesive levels it is a case of animals
eating animals, e.g. barn owls eating voles.
Question 15
A student sets up this experiment to investigate
whether germinating seeds take up oxygen. The
experiment is inadequately designed because
sodalime
(a) there is no control experiment
(b) there are not enough seeds
(c) there is no temperature control
(d) the volume of O2 taken up will be
the same as the volume of CO2 given
out
Question 16
germinating
seeds
Yes
This is a serious fault in the design. There should be an
identical experiment with dead seedlings to establish that
any oxygen uptake is the result of a living process in the
seedlings
No
The student might get quicker results if there were more
seedlings but this is not a fault in the experimental design
Yes
Without a any form of temperature control the apparatus
will behave like an air thermometer. Any change in the
temperature will cause the air in the flask to expand or
contract and affect the level of the liquid in the delivery
tube
If the flask was in a container of water, temperature
fluctuations would be very much reduced
No
The volume of carbon dioxide given off will be the same
as the volume of oxygen taken up but the soda lime
absorbs the carbon dioxide.
Question 16
The composition of blood leaving the kidney will differ from
that entering the kidney by having
(a) less oxygen, more carbon dioxide, more salt and urea
(b) less oxygen, more carbon dioxide, less salt and urea
(c) more oxygen, less carbon dioxide, less salt and urea
(d) less oxygen, more carbon dioxide, more glucose,
less salt and urea
Question 17
No
Respiration in the kidneys will use oxygen and
produce carbon dioxide but urea and salt are
removed by the kidneys
Yes
Respiration in the kidneys uses oxygen and produces
carbon dioxide. The energy released is used to remove
urea and excess salt
No
Respiration in the kidneys reduces the oxygen
concentration in the blood and increases the carbon
dioxide concentration
No
This is mainly correct but the glucose concentration
will not be increased in blood leaving the kidney. In
fact it is likely to be reduced as a result of respiration
Question 17
For photosynthesis to take place, a green plant needs
(a) Carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll and sunlight
(b) Carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll and minerals
(c) Carbon dioxide, oxygen, chlorophyll and water
(d) Carbon dioxide, chlorophyll and water
Question 18
Yes
All these are needed for photosynthesis to take place
No
Sunlight is needed for photosynthesis.
Minerals are not needed for photosynthesis itself but
are used to help convert the glucose into other products
No
Oxygen is not needed for photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis produces oxygen
Sunlight, however, is needed
No
Sunlight is needed for photosynthesis to take
place
Question 18
Which of the following compounds would you classify as
an enzyme?
(a) Sucrose
(b) Sucrase
(c) Adenine
(d) Calciferol
Question 19
No
The –ose ending tells you that the compound is a sugar
Yes
The –ase ending indicates that the compound is an
enzyme.
This enzyme. sucrase, acts on sucrose and converts
it to glucose and fructose
No
Adenine is an organic base. It occurs in DNA
and RNA and a number of other compounds. It
is not an enzyme
No
Calciferol is Vitamin D. It is not an enzyme
Question 19
Which of the following are good sources of protein?
(a) Herring
(b) Banana
(c) Baked beans
(d) Potato
Question 20
Yes.
Herring are an excellent source of protein having 16g protein
per 100 g fish.
They are also a valuable source of unsaturated fats and
vitamin E
No
Bananas have only 1g protein per 100g fruit. They
provide mainly carbohydrate
Yes
Though not as good as herring, baked beans in tomato
sauce provide 6g protein per 100g beans
No
Potatoes provide mainly carbohydrate in the form of
starch. They contain only 1.4g protein per 100g potato
Question 20
In the nitrogen cycle, the bacteria which can convert
nitrogen in the air into nitrates are called
(a) nitrate bacteria
(b) denitrifying bacteria
(c) nitrite bacteria
(d) nitrogen-fixing bacteria
No
Nitrate bacteria convert nitrites in the soil to
nitrates
No
Denitrifying bacteria break down nitrates in the
soil and release atmospheric nitrogen
No
Nitrite bacteria convert ammonium compounds
to nitrites
Yes
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria can use nitrogen in the air to
produce nitrates. These bacteria are found mostly in the
root nodules of plants of the pea and bean family
(leguminous plants)
End of questions
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