KCSE Past Papers 2010 Biology Paper 2 (231/2)

Biology – Paper 2 -2010

1. . a) Respiration (Rej: external respiration/ anaerobic respiration )
Acc: aerobic respiration.

b) i) Rise/ increase in thermometer / temperature reading.

ii) stored starch/ glucose/ carbohydrates in germination seeds are broken down/ oxidized to get energy. Some of the energy is released to get energy; some of the energy is released as heat.

c) To kill bacteria/ fungi/ micro-organisms; that would cause decay/ decomposition / respire. (of the bean).

d) To conserve heat/prevent heat loss to surrounding

e) Use similar set up with dead disinfected seed.
Use dead disinfected bean seed/ use of dry bean seeds; acc formaldehyde / formalin for disinfection sodium hypochlorite.

2. . a) P – tissue fluid / intercellular fluid/ space.

Q – Venule.

b) i) Glucose, oxygen; Rej: formulae

ii) Carbon (IV) oxide, water; Rej; carbon dioxide OR Formula.

c) Blood entering the arteriole has a higher pressure; than that leaving the venule, the pressure force water and small solutes (molecules) in blood to go through capillary wall forming tissue fluid; Nutrients / oxygen in tissue fluid move into the tissue cells by diffusion; Acc. Nutrients like glucose/ mineral salts/ vitamins/ fatty acids & glycerol. ( Acc 2 nutrients)

d) Red blood cells/ proteins/platelets; Acc one example of protein e.g. globalin.

3. . a) i) Primary consumer

ii) Primary consumer / Secondary consumers;

b) Green plants → Caterpillars → Small insects → lizard
Decaying leaves → Caterpillars → Small insects → lizard
c) i) Hawks;

ii) At each trophic level energy is lost as heat / respiration; and during decomposition; or lost in defecation/ feces/ waste products of metabolism/ excretion; some parts of the organism are not eaten; (hence less biomass as one moves up the tropic levels.

4. . a) X – pupil

Y – circular muscues

b) i) Dimlight / low light intensity/ darkness/ dull light.

ii) Circular muscles in (iris) relax; while radial muscle contract; the pupil becomes bigger allowing more light to enter the eye.

iii) allow one to visualize/ see objects under dim light;

5.

b) Black : Black & white : White = 1: 2 : 1

c) i) Codominance; (Rej: incomplete dominance, partial dominance, equal dominance, blending inheritance.

ii) ABO blood group inheritance. Acc. Blood group(Rej; Rhesus factor sickle cells trait.

6. . a)

b) ii) B has a large surface area to volume ratio making it to lose heat to the to the surrounding faster; Acc the converse/ viceversa.

iii) A rat has a larger surface area to volume ratio compared to an elephant; making the rate to lose heat at a faster rate than an elephant; Acc: the converse/ Viceversa.

c) i) Insulate against heat loss (to surrounding)

ii) Subcutaneous fat (layer) / Adipose tissue/ Bludder; fur/ hair; Rej: wool.

d) Are active always( even under very cold conditions);
Able to escape from predators/ search for food/ mates ( because they are active always) Can survive in (any habitat) both cold & hot habitat / wide range of habitats.

7. Pollen grains land onto the stigma and adhere to it as a result of the stigma cells secreting a sticky substance . it absorbs nutrients; & germinates forming a pollen tube; the pollen tube grows down the style to the ovary; deriving nourishment from surrounding tissue. The pollen tube has tube nucleus at the tip; and generation nucleus immediately behind it; As the tube grows downwards into the ovary the generative nucleus divided 9by mitosis) mitotically, to give rise to two nucleui; which represent the male gametes; the pollen tube penetrate the ovule/ embryo sac/ chalaza through micropyle. After the pollen tube enters the embryo sac the tube nucleus breakdown/ disintegrates/degenerates; leaving a clear passage for the entry of the male nuclei. The (two male) nuclei then enter into the embryo sac; where one fuses with the egg cell nucleus (Acc; egg cell/ ovum/ oosphere, to form a diploid zygote; which develop into an embryo. The other male nuclei fuse with the two / both polar nuclei; to form atriploid nucleus/ primary endosperm nucleus; which becomes the endosperm. This (type of fertilization) is called double fertilization; Acc vegetative nucleus for tube nucleus.

8. Movement of fish in water is by swimming. It involves forward movement and control of the body position in water. Mucus / streamline body shape reduces friction/ resistance (Acc; scale overlapping backwards) to enhance forward movement; forward movement/ propulsion is caused by the tail. The tail is long (almost half the large of the body of the fish) to enable it create enough force(to enable the fish push forward). Propulsion is achieved when the tail pushes sideways against water. Sideways movement is brought about by muscles arranged in segmented blocks/ myotomes on both sides of vertebrate column to swing sideways; when the muscle blocks on the right relax and those on the left contract; the body bends to the left side. When the muscle of the left relax and those on the right contract; the body bends to the right side; the fish uses its fins to control the position of body in water. During forward movement paired fin/ pectoral & pelvic fins). Lie flat on the body surface to reduce friction/ resistance. To change direction the fish uses the paired fins. Paired fins also are used by fish to change its level in water / control pitching. The fish spreads out the pectoral & pelvic fins at 900 to the body; to enable it brake. Fish can also use the swim bladder to change its level in water. When the bladder fills up with air the fish become less dense / lighter making it to rise in water; when the air leaves the bladder the fish becomes more dense/ heavier; making it to sink deeper in the water. Water currents may cause sideways swaying of the body of the fish/ yawing. The dorsal and ventral fins (also) prevent rolling / yawing; Acc anal fin for ventral fin.

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