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Biology Paper 2, May/Jun 2014  
Questions:   1 2 3 4 5 6   Main
General Comments
Weakness/Remedies
Strength












Question 1

(a)  (i) List three characteristics of living organisms.  [3 marks]                                                                                                              
       (ii)  Explain briefly the characteristics listed in 1(a) (i) above  [6 marks]                      
(b)    In a tabular form, state four differences between plants and animals  [4 marks]          
       
(c) (i)   Name one organism that exhibits both plant and animal features  [1 mark]     

    (ii)   State four animal features and two plant features possessed by the

            organism named in 1(c)(i)   [6 marks]
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
OBSERVATION

This was the most popular question among the candidates.  It was also well
answered but candidates could not state the animal and plant features possessed
by the named organism.
                     
The expected answers are:
           
Explanation of characteristics of living Organisms
(ii)     Movement
                        Living things change the position of the whole body/parts of the body;
                        from one place to another; in search of food/shelter/mates, etc.   
           
          Excretion
                        This involves the removal/getting rid of waste products of cell metabolism;
                        metabolic wastes are poisonous if allowed to accumulate.                
          Respiration
            This is the breakdown/burning of food substances; by aerobic/anaerobic respiration;
            to release energy needed for all processes of  life.    

           Reproduction
                        This is the ability of living organisms to produce new individuals of their own
                        kind; this ensures the continuity of the species of an organism.        

            Irritability
            Response/reaction of organisms; towards changes in the environment; to ensure
            survival.                                                                      

            Nutrition
            The process involved in obtaining/manufacturing food; can be autotrophic/
            heterotrophic; and utilizing it for growth and maintenance/life processes.   
                                                                                                 

            Growth
            This is the irreversible increase; in size and weight of an organism; which   
            leads to complexity and maturation.              

            Competition
            Ability of organisms to struggle; for all necessity of life; to survive in their
            environment.                                                              

            Adaptation
            Ability of organisms to adjust; to changes in environment; for survival.                                                                                                                              
            Life span/Death
            All living organisms have definite period of existence; all organisms die.                                                                                                                            
(b)    Differences between plants and animals


Animals         

Plants

     -   Move from place to place/locomotion;         move with the whole body

Are fixed/do not move from place to place; and move only parts of the body, root/stem/leaves;

  • Heterotrophic mode of nutrition that depend on already-made food

Autotrophic mode of nutrition/manufacture their own food using the energy from the sun;

  • No chlorophyll/chloroplast

Chlorophyll/chloroplast present;

  • Sense organs present

Sense organs absent;

  • No cell wall

Has a cell wall made of cellulose;

  • Growth is limited/definite; growth in all parts of the body

Growth is unlimited/indefinite; growth is apical or terminal;

  • Store carbohydrate as glycogen

Store carbohydrate as starch;

  • Has special excretory organs

No special excretory organs;

  • Response is fast/ short termed

Response very slow/long termed;

  • Respiratory organs present

No respiratory organs;

Note:  Points must correspond to score.
            No tabulation minus (-) 1 mark.                                                                                          

      (c)(i)    Name of organism
                  Euglena/Chlamydomonas
            Note:  Spelling must be correct to score.                                                                                                                                                                            
    (ii)     Animal Features
For Euglena                                                                         For Chlamydomonas
         -     Gullet for feeding;                                                               - Flagella;
         -     Has flagellum for locomotion in water;                               - eye spot;
         -     Myonemes for movement;                                                   - contractile vacuole
         -     Has pellicle that gives it a definite shape;
         -     Has eye spot to detect light intensity;
         -     Has contractile vacuole for osmoregulation and excretion.
    
        Plant features
         -     definite shape;
         -     has chloroplasts containing chlorophyll used to absorb light;
         -     Paramylum granules;
         -     Pyrenoid.

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