Question_______________________________________________________2

Question
HKALE 1990 Biology Paper II__________________________________________2
HKALE 1990 Biology Paper II__________________________________________2
HKALE 1991 Biology Paper I___________________________________________2
HKALE 1992 Biology Paper I__________________________________________2
HKALE 1992 Biology Paper II__________________________________________3
HKALE 1994 Biology Paper I__________________________________________3
HKALE 1995 Biology Paper II__________________________________________3
HKALE 1995 Biology Paper I__________________________________________3
HKALE 1997 Biology Paper I___________________________________________4
HKALE 1998 Biology Paper 2__________________________________________4
HKALE 1998 Biology Paper II__________________________________________4
Suggested Solution_____________________________________________5
Solution
HKALE 1990 Biology Paper II__________________________________________5
HKALE 1990 Biology Paper II__________________________________________6
HKALE 1991 Biology Paper I___________________________________________6
HKALE 1992 Biology Paper I__________________________________________6
HKALE 1992 Biology Paper II__________________________________________6
HKALE 1994 Biology Paper I__________________________________________8
HKALE 1995 Biology Paper II__________________________________________9
HKALE 1996 Biology Paper I_________________________________________12
HKALE 1997 Biology Paper I__________________________________________12
HKALE 1998 Biology Paper II_________________________________________13
HKALE 1998 Biology Paper II_________________________________________14
 Question

HKALE 1990 Biology Paper II

11. Discuss the biological basis of replacing defective human body parts by artificial devices and the
transplantation of tissues and organs. (20 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1990 Biology Paper II

13. Write an essay which shows that you understand the sources, production and function of antibiotics
and discuss why their indiscriminate use can have serious consequences. (20 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1991 Biology Paper I

5. Briefly describe the blood clotting process at the site of a wound. (5 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1992 Biology Paper I

5. List the differences between cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immunity. (4 marks)

Suggestd Solution
HKALE 1992 Biology Paper II

9. "Cancer-related deaths are seen as more prevalent nowadays simply because most other potentially
fatal diseases are treatable by modern medicine." Discuss this statement and give arguments both for
and against it in relation to medical and environmental developments since 1950. (20 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1994 Biology Paper I

5. Give a brief account of the immunological basis of the ABO blood groups and its significance to blood
transfusion. (6 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1995 Biology Paper II

7. Write an essay on : 'Certain diseases are transmitted through contact with the blood of infected
persons while some are diseases of the blood itself.' (20 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1995 Biology Paper I

2. (a) List four symptoms of the inflammatory response. For each of these symptoms, outline the
contributory process(es). (5 marks)

(b) State three immunological differences between humoral immune response and inflammatory
response. (3 marks)

Suggested Solution
HKALE 1997 Biology Paper I

6. Some types of vaccinations require a booster (second) dose. Briefly account for this requirement.
(3 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1998 Biology Paper 2

4. While playing, a boy fell and scratched his leg. His leg bled, the wound became infected and swollen.
Give a full account of the various physiological responses of the boy's body to his injury. (20 marks)

Suggested Solution

HKALE 1998 Biology Paper II

8. What are antibiotics and how do they work ? Describe and explain the consequences of the
indiscriminate long-term use of antibiotics and suggest two possible solutions to alleviate such
consequences. (20 marks)

Suggested Solution
 Suggested Solution

HKALE 1990 Biology Paper II

11. Main points :

organ transplant kidney

heart

Tissues transplant blood transfusion

Bone marrow transplant
Cornea replacement
Heart valve replacement
Skin grafting
Tendon and cartilage transplant
Blood vessel transplant

Concept of donor-recipient compatibility :

contract transplantation of tissue between genetically different individuals of the same species
(allografts); transfer of tissue between genetically identical individuals; and grafts removed from
and placed on the same organism
blood group compatilibility
hist-compartibility testing cell / tissues & serum typing (antigen)

Host response to transplantation rejection reaction

Immunologic tolerance
(non-vascularized tissues such as cornea normally have
no immune rejection)

Artificial devices : eye lens

Heart pacemaker electrical
Ball and socket joint mechanical
Heart valve mechanical
Prosthetic limb / tooth mechanical
 Cochlear implant electronics

Post-operative management using immunosuppressive drugs (such as corticosteriods) is directed at

blocking the expression of cell mediated immunity.

N.B. This essay should be marked as a whole.

HKALE 1990 Biology Paper II

HKALE 1991 Biology Paper I

5. Thromboplastin / thrombokinase / prothrombin activator is formed in response to rupture of

blood vessels
1
This catalyzes the conversion of prothrombin into thrombin in the presence of calcium ions
1
Thrombin acts as an enzyme to convert fibrinogen into fibrin threads
1
that enmesh red blood cells and plasma to form the clot itself
1
(5)

HKALE 1992 Biology Paper I

5. Cell-mediated Antibody-mediated
Antigen recognized by T cells () originated by B cells (h) originated
from thymus () from lymphoid tissue ()
T cells divide and proliferate to form either : B cells divide and proliferate to form
cells which can act against antigens cells (plasma cells) which produces
directly (), or antibodies () which then act against the
cells which liberate chemicals antigens ()
(lymphokines)( ) to activate macrophages()
to act against the antigens
max. (4)
HKALE 1992 Biology Paper II

9. Modern medicine has achieved success with

antibiotics - examples
vaccines and immunizations - examples
fluid loss replacement from burns/cholera and other dehydration diseases
prostheses and surgery - examples
control of haemorrhage
prenatal diseases

other major causes of death - malnutrition and environmental accident now have improved treatment
and personal care / safety

community health, hygiene and safety :

sewage treatment
water purification
refuse disposal
equipment awareness

only a major breakdown in cellular growth systems can kill, and even great improvement in this -
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery
causes of cancer :
food additives
ozone layer
cosmetics
radiation load
smoking
atmospheric pollution
diet

how cancer kills

pressure of tumours on vital organs
loss of function of vital organs
metastases causing vital energy debilitation

Mention of trends - interferon, new drugs, earlier detection, cat. - scans, NMR tomography
(20)
HKALE 1994 Biology Paper I

5.
Antigen on
Blood group red cell Antibody in plasma
A A () anti-B antibody () 1
B B () anti-A antibody () 1
AB A and B () no antibody () 1
O no antigen () anti-A and anti-B 1
antibodies ()

In blood transfusion the antigen on the red cells of the donor must be compatible with the
antibody in the plasma of the recipient.
1
Otherwise, incompatible donor antigen will react with the antibody in the recipient's serum
as an immune response.
1
Clumping will occur leading to possible death of the recipient. (e.g. when group A blood is
transfused to group O or group B patients)

Max. (6)
HKALE 1995 Biology Paper II

7. A. Diseases transmitted through contact with blood

8

Several diseases are usually transmitted by the blood of an infected person getting
into the bloodstream of another person. Familiar examples include AIDS, hepatitis B.
gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, etc.

The amount of blood needed is only very small for transmission to occur. This can
happen during

(a) sexual activity which may involve contact between body surfaces that have
lesions. Hence the term "sexually transmitted diseases (STD)' is also applicable
for the diseases so caused.

(b) inoculation by an animal vector which carries the pathogen after the former has
fed on blood from an infected human host. An example is provided by the
Anopheles mosquito transmitting malaria.

(c) direct contact of wounds with infected blood.

(d) transfusion of blood or blood products.

Well written on at least three of such diseases to get max. of 8 marks. (Answers
should include name of disease and a brief description as well as the mechanism of
transmission. Causative organism, effects and treatments can be mentioned.)

(a) AIDS - caused by the human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) which attacks T cells
in the immune system, rendering the person susceptible to opportunistic
infections. Asymptomatic period is highly variable. No definite cure at present.

(b) Hepatitis B - due to a virus that mainly produces lesions in the liver. No specific
treatment.

(c) Gonorrhoea - caused by bacterium which attacks the mucosae of the

reproductive and urinary tracts. Responds will to antibiotics like penicillin but
resistant strains to these antibiotics have evolved.
 (d) Syphilis - also caused by bacterium that attacks genital organs like penis or
vagina. Antibiotic like penicillin is still the best treatment especially at early stage.

(e) Genital herpes - herpes virus results in blister like lesions on reproductive
organs. They are usually more of a nuisance than a threat to life.

(f) Malaria - causative agent is the protozoan Plasmodium. Bridging two human
hosts is the vector - (Anopheles) mosquito. In man, the parasite invades red
blood cells and produces cyclic fevers. Effective cure is possible with antimalarial
drugs like quinine.

B. Diseases of blood (3 marks for each complete description)

7

(a) Diseases of red blood cell - Anaemia : number of red cells and / or concentration
of haemoglobin are / is reduced.

Some common causes of anaemia are :

(i) haemorrhage
(ii) deficiency of iron
(iii) deficiency of vitamin B12
(vi) hereditary abnormalities of the red blood cell
e.g. sickle-cell anaemia : base substitution mutation leading to substitution of
amino acid (valine replaces glutamic acid) in beta chains of haemoglobin)

(b) Diseases of white blood cell Leukaemia : white blood cells increase in number
in a malignant way, causing death from anaemia and haemorrhage. No known
cure for leukaemia.

(c) Deficiency in density of platelets - Haemorrhagic disorders : abnormal tendency

to bleed and greatly prolonged coagulation time.Treated by blood transfusion.

(d) Haemophilia - the most important haemorrhagic disease caused by a disease

caused by a deficiency of the antihaemophilic globulin (AHG or AHF or Factor
VIII).
A hereditary disorder transmitted as an X-linked recessive character. The trait
may be inherited obliquely from grandfather to grandson, skipping the daughter
who is known as the carrier of the trait.
No cure except the patient is dosed with preparations of AHG when
necessary.

(e) Autoimmune diseases

The immune system fails to recognize self-antigens and produces an immune
attack against them. Among human autoimune diseases are glomerulonephritis,
hemolytic and pernicious anaemias. Therapy for autoimmune diseases typically
involves giving drugs to suppress immune responses.
(15)
HKALE 1996 Biology P aper I

2. (a) Symptoms (2 marks) contributory process (3 marks)

Swelling () permeability of blood vessels is increased (), tissue
(oedema, no mark) fluid accumulates () locally
Reddening () dilation of blood vessel at inflamed area ()
Warm / hot () higher metabolic activity ()
blood carries heat ()
pain / pressure () swelling imposes pressure on surrounding cells ()
(contributory process must match with symptom)
(5)

(b) humoral immunity inflammatory response

antigen specific () antigen non-specific ()
(if specific vs. non-specific, mark only)
antibody is produced () no antibody is produced ()
(if B cell vs. phagocytes or slow in action with latent period vs. fast in action,
mark only)
has a memory for repeated infection no such memory ()
by the same antigen / involve
memory cell production
(with secondary response / stronger (no such response)
or faster response in subsequent
infection) (3)
(Q2 = 8 marks)

HKALE 1997 Biology Paper I

6. The antibody level in the blood after the first stage of vaccination is insufficient to protect the
organism from a genuine infection (1), the booster dose elicits the proliferation of memory B
cells (1) / which increase to a large number. These memory cells will lead to the production
of a lot of specific antibody () which can then stay in the body for a prolonged period of
time () to offer immunisation from further infection.
(3)
Q6 = 3 marks
HKALE 1998 Biology Paper II

4. (a) Clotting at the wound (1)

1
This stops further bleeding () and prevents entry of bacteria ().
1

(b) Phagocytosis at the wound (1)

1
Engulfment of antigen by phagocytes () / macrophages.

(c) Inflammation at the wound (1)

1
(1) Damaged cells () / mast cells release a chemical () / histamine which increases
the permeability () of local capillaries ().
Tissue fluid () accumulates at the wound causing it to swell. This causes pain ()
at the wound. The chemical also causes local vasodilation (), as more blood
flows () towards the wound and this results in redness () and increased skin
temperature () at the wound.
5
(2) At the wound, more white blood cells () / phagocytes / macrophage leave the
capillaries () which serve to ingest invading bacteria () .The lysosomes ()
inside the phagocytes release enzymes () to digest / lyse the foreign microbes
(). 3

(d) Cell-mediated immune response (1) ( for CMIR)

1
Antigens () stimulate the differentiation of T cells () to form T-killer cell/ cytotoxic T
cells (). T-killer cells kill the infected cells () / bacteria.
2
Some T cells activate the macrophages () for phagocytosis ().
1
[Bonus : mark for correct mentioning of T-helper cell].

(e) Humoral-mediated immune response (1) / ( for HIR)

1
Antigens () stimulate the proliferation of B lymphocytes () to form plasma cells ().
 These plasma cells then produce specific antibody () to destroy the antigen () by
neutralization () / renders the toxin of antigens / antigen harmless; precipitation () /
coagulates / clumps the antigen, for ease of subsequent phagocytic action (); attacks
the wall and causes lysis / breakdown of bacterial cells ().
4

(f) Memory T () and B cells () are produced (1) for secondary

immune response ().
1
Question Total : max. 20
Overflow : 3
Deduct mark if in note-form

HKALE 1998 Biology Paper II

8. (a) What are antibiotics

max. 2
Antibiotics are chemicals produced synthetically and / or naturally from microorganism
for their natural defence mechanism and / or survival mechanism. Its primary action is
to kill or eliminate competitors or other microorganism (including bacteria and fungi,
but not virus ) in the vicinity for food. In so doing, the antibiotic-producing
microorganism becomes the dominant species in a particular environment.

Function
Chemotherapy against infectious disease in man

(b) Action
max.5
(1) Inhibit cell wall synthesis
(2) Inhibit protein / nucleotide synthesis
(3) Injury to plasma membrane
(4) Interfere with nucleic acid replication and transcription
(5) Cause cell lysis

(c) Consequence of indiscriminate use

(1) The infectious bacteria will become resistant to the antibiotics in
time.

Development of resistance :
 Initially, the antibiotic can kill off the infectious bacteria in controlling
infection. However, if a resistant mutation occurs, the mutated bacteria with
resistance to antibiotics will proliferate to replace the original non-mutated
ones. As a consequence, the resistant infectious bacteria will become the
dominant type within the bacteria population. In addition, asexual mode of
replication will further enhance the rapid reproduction of bacteria with
identical, favourable survival characteristics, i.e. resistance.
max. 8

The two biological processes of mutation and selection are needed for the
development of resistance.

(2) Indiscriminate use of antibiotic may also rid of beneficial mutualistic bacteria in
the body / upset balance of microflora and microfauna in the body.

(3) Heavy use of antibiotic in meat / dairy and poultry production may result in the
transfer of resistant bacteria to man through tainted products.

(4) Retention of resistant gene in the gene pool of microorganism has a potential
danger of allowing the transfer of their resistance to other pathogens.

(5) Development of allergy certain antibiotics will lead to immune response, such
response may be lethal to certain individuals on subsequent use of the same
antibiotics

(6) Previously treatable infectious diseases will be without effective drugs for
treatment.

(7) Untreatable individuals harbouring the resistant antigen will spread the antigens
to others. This will eventually lead to epidemic of infectious diseases and
difficulty in providing effective medical treatment. In addition, more intensive
patient-care, elaborate and prolong treatment procedures are needed which will
increase medical costs.

(8) Without effective treatment, productivity of the disease-stricken people will be

reduced.

(9) Development of the new antibiotics will also have to keep pace with the mutation
for resistance which will demand more resources from society.
(N.B. parts (a) + (b) + (c) max. 11)
 (d) Possible solutions (any two )
max. 4
(1) Proper use of antibiotics :
(a) Avoid the use of a single type of antibiotic in treating the infectious disease
of a population.
(b) Use narrow spectrum / specific antibiotic.
(c) For individuals, take the complete course of antibiotics prescribed by
doctors to avoid development of resistance.

(2) Development of new drugs based on different mechanism in killing the infectious
bacteria.

(3) In short term situation, implement effective measures to control the spread of
infectious bacteria and to eliminate the sources of contamination / good hygene.

(4) For long term purpose, provide funding for research in the understanding of
disease mechanism and the development of new and innovative treatment.

(5) If possible, explore and use alternative but effective treatment for the same
disease, such as, Chinese herbal medicine.
Contents : max. 15