!! Biology 2015 - predictions, guesses, discussion, petri dishes ...

is mise spartacus · 25-01-2015 10:42am #1

Viruses for Biology due to Ebola

flankerdo · 08-05-2015 1:07pm

Viruses and Human Reproduction

loveemmaxxxx · 08-05-2015 1:26pm

Biology predictions

Viruses - Due to the out break of Ebola in 2014

The Nervous system - Due to ALS Ice Bucket challenge this year

Respiration - Did not come up in long questions last year and it nearly always does

Photosynthesis - Usually comes up

Genetics - Nearly Always comes up

Ecology - Always comes up

The Senses ( eye, ear, touch) - Have not came up in years

Codswapple · 08-05-2015 6:36pm

For biology excretion is due up and im definitely going to learn it

Mattf96 · 09-05-2015 3:36pm

These are all my opinions and they are all because they have not come up recently, if you look at past patterns it is not that hard to predict...
Geography:
Soils:
Brown Earth Soils
Adaptations to rainforest
Deforestation
Physical:
Sedimentary rocks
Human interaction with rocks and rivers
Regional:
Learn all of Ireland and all maps and a bit of india
Economic elective:
Gloabalisation
Colonisation
Conflicts of Interest
CAP

Biology:
Human Reproduction
Human Nutrition
Respiration
Photosynthesis

These are the main ones.... there is a lot more

randylonghorn · 16-05-2015 2:42am

Biology threads / posts merged

ThatsTheShtuff · 16-05-2015 5:00pm

Can't really predict for Biology? The paper usually covers like 70% of the syllabus anyway, between short questions and all that!

Obviously Photosynthesis, since there was nothing last year.
Sexual Reproduction of plants seems important, too.
Excretion/The Kidneys hasn't come up in a while.
I think the eye and skin is due up too, hasn't appeared since 2009.
And then the usuals, Genetics, Ecology, blah blah blah hurry up lets get this crap over with

Kat97 · 20-05-2015 1:49pm

Do you need to be able to draw a diagram of the ear? Studying it right now and it's a really difficult one to draw!

ThatsTheShtuff · 20-05-2015 5:48pm

Kat97 wrote: »

Do you need to be able to draw a diagram of the ear? Studying it right now and it's a really difficult one to draw!

I don't think so really, but never say never!
The kind of things you'd be asked are 'Number of bones in the inner ear', = 3. And maybe name them!

Gandhai · 21-05-2015 10:27pm

IAA experiment seems likely

expiiplus1 · 21-05-2015 10:56pm

As a short question, the functions of water in the body [because of water charges)

Take Your Pants Off · 23-05-2015 7:06pm

Do you thing this would be enought for this bio question:
(2007 Section B Q8)
In relation to your investigation of the growth of leaf yeast.
Describe, in words, how you conducted the investigation. (4)(3)

Pick up leaves, cut leaves into suiteable size,
Flame forceps. Pick up leaves. Cut into suitebale size.
Place vaseline onto lid of petri dish.
Place leaf ounderside of leaf facing agar.

Magnate · 23-05-2015 7:56pm

Take Your Pants Off wrote: »

Do you thing this would be enought for this bio question:
(2007 Section B Q8)
In relation to your investigation of the growth of leaf yeast.
Describe, in words, how you conducted the investigation. (4)(3)

Pick up leaves, cut leaves into suiteable size,
Flame forceps. Pick up leaves. Cut into suitebale size.
Place vaseline onto lid of petri dish.
Place leaf ounderside of leaf facing agar.

I highlighted what you'd get marks for, yep that's enough.

The examiner is just looking for keywords or phrases, everything else is essentially waffle.

Edit: Whoops I misread the marking scheme, thought it was 3(4).. You'll need one more point, I'd go with

1. Cut leaves
2. Attach to lid
3. Flame foreseps
4. Seal dish.

Take Your Pants Off · 23-05-2015 8:38pm

Magnate wrote: »

I highlighted what you'd get marks for, yep that's enough.

The examiner is just looking for keywords or phrases, everything else is essentially waffle.

Edit: Whoops I misread the marking scheme, thought it was 3(4).. You'll need one more point, I'd go with

1. Cut leaves
2. Attach to lid
3. Flame foreseps
4. Seal dish.

Thanks, but why do they give such massive space. If I can write that in 2 lines?!

Magnate · 23-05-2015 8:44pm

Take Your Pants Off wrote: »

Thanks, but why do they give such massive space. If I can write that in 2 lines?!

Well I suppose the course is so massive and detailed that they have to allow room for students to "demonstrate their knowledge"... But really the only way to study is by the marking scheme, which in contrast is very short, concise and to the point.

If you want to be safe then by all means waffle, just not in section A, or in part B or C where they ask you to name something or identify X. In these sections surplus answers cancel out correct ones.

However in most long questions, where they ask you to describe or draw something, you can write as much as you want and even if it's wrong they'll pick out the right part and give you the marks. This is really handy for diagrams if you're not sure what section of a plant they want you to draw for example, just draw everything!

kelly8249 · 24-05-2015 7:38pm

This is my personal prediction list:

Ecology
Genetics
Respiration
Photosynthesis

^^^^^^^^^ IMO these are a given, and there's not really any point going into your Bio exam not knowing them!
Beyond that:

Excretion
Human Reproduction
Plant Reproduction
Human Digestion

Those are the main things I'm predicting! Plus the IAA exp especially, and the how to extract DNA from a plant tissue for the EXPS.
And the senses!

Short questions though, they could be anything!

podisyc · 24-05-2015 10:19pm

DEB mock 2015. Does anyone have a copy of this and it's marking scheme? Would be greatly appreciated.

9de5q7tsr8u2im · 25-05-2015 6:35pm

Sorry this is off topic as i couldny find the thread for it but in so confused should i learn for:

To prepare enzyme immobilisation
Or
Application of immobilized enzyme

In 2009 HL Q9b
It doesnt say specifically it says ' you prepared an enzyme immobilisation ' but the answer rightly is application of immobilised enzyme not to prepare enzyme immobilisation

kelly8249 · 25-05-2015 8:25pm

LuckyDude12 wrote: »

Sorry this is off topic as i couldny find the thread for it but in so confused should i learn for:

To prepare enzyme immobilisation
Or
Application of immobilized enzyme

In 2009 HL Q9b
It doesnt say specifically it says ' you prepared an enzyme immobilisation ' but the answer rightly is application of immobilised enzyme not to prepare enzyme immobilisation

You need to know both the preparation (ie. HOW) of the immobilised enzymes
AND
the application of the enzymes you have just immobilised.

So the 2009 question:

part (b)(i) says 'Describe how you carried out the immobilisation', so this is using the sodium alginate etc, HOW you actually entrapped and immobilised the enzymes.

part (b)(ii) & (iii) is asking you to draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus, and explain how you use this apparatus, to show the ACTIVITY of the enzyme.

I don't know if I'm explaining myself very well, but it's not either or, you don't learn either HOW to immobilise, or the USE of the immobilised enzymes. You need both, they're all in the same experiment and they could ask you on both aspects of the exp.

Hope this helped

9de5q7tsr8u2im · 26-05-2015 4:08pm

Guys do we have to know the specific amount of distilled water we used in experiments because when i was looking at the marking scheme for explain beiefly how you carried out this experiment it was only looking for like 4 points?

podisyc · 26-05-2015 4:25pm

LuckyDude12 wrote: »

Guys do we have to know the specific amount of distilled water we used in experiments because when i was looking at the marking scheme for explain beiefly how you carried out this experiment it was only looking for like 4 points?

No, we do not have to know any amounts of anything we used, just the names of what we used.

DublinArnie · 26-05-2015 5:42pm

Hate the biology papers.

Some questions aren't even marked or have the number of allocated marks beside them.

It's very easy to miss a question, and hard to know how much you should be writing.

kelly8249 · 26-05-2015 6:08pm

DublinArnie wrote: »

Hate the biology papers.

Some questions aren't even marked or have the number of allocated marks beside them.

It's very easy to miss a question, and hard to know how much you should be writing.

I agree with this.. I would always write far far too much. And in Section A, waffling on can actually LOSE you marks.

And for a question like 'Describe what happens in both Pathway 1 and Pathway 2' with regards to photosynthesis, I always write far more than I need..

But what I've found really really helps i going through the marking schemes. it's helpful in general, but especially in long questions where you aren't entirely sure how much you should be writing, looking up the marking scheme helps because you can see what and how much they're looking for!

DublinArnie · 26-05-2015 6:48pm

kelly8249 wrote: »

I agree with this.. I would always write far far too much. And in Section A, waffling on can actually LOSE you marks.

And for a question like 'Describe what happens in both Pathway 1 and Pathway 2' with regards to photosynthesis, I always write far more than I need..

But what I've found really really helps i going through the marking schemes. it's helpful in general, but especially in long questions where you aren't entirely sure how much you should be writing, looking up the marking scheme helps because you can see what and how much they're looking for!

Questions like "Explain what was done to the leaf when in the lab" for the yeast leaf experiment is so vague.

The other questions in the section didn't ask anything about the experiment but the results.

Didn't know if I was meant to write the whole experiment or just what was done to the leaf in preparation.

Wrote out the whole experiment, ended up using extra paper.

kelly8249 · 26-05-2015 6:52pm

DublinArnie wrote: »

Questions like "Explain what was done to the leaf when in the lab" for the yeast leaf experiment is so vague.

The other questions in the section didn't ask anything about the experiment but the results.

Didn't know if I was meant to write the whole experiment or just what was done to the leaf in preparation.

Wrote out the whole experiment, ended up using extra paper.

I find that as well, especially in the exp questions!

Well for Section B and C, provided you're not writing out complete and utter crap that's incorrect, you'll get all your marks anyway even you have excess information. Better safe than sorry I suppose! It's just a bit annoying.

Codswapple · 26-05-2015 11:17pm

The experiments i wouldnt go into the exam without knowing are;
IAA
Osmosis
Food tests-might only be part of a short question
Leaf yeast
Dna isolation
Enzyme experiments on ph and temp
Photosynthesis
Enzyme immobilisation and application.
The heart-even though it came up last year, if they put up two in a row it will be this one, and its also good revision for the circulatory system chapter which is due up.

Hopefully these come up

9de5q7tsr8u2im · 27-05-2015 12:19am

In fairness the way i look at long questions is just broken up into a load of short questions honestly thats why im glad we dont have to write 10+ sentences on one answer!!

ThatsTheShtuff · 27-05-2015 10:27am

Take Your Pants Off wrote: »

Thanks, but why do they give such massive space. If I can write that in 2 lines?!

That always freaks me out too, sometimes it's a 5 word answer to get all the marks! Infact, waffling to fill up the space might end up with you losing marks!

LuckyDude12 wrote: »

In fairness the way i look at long questions is just broken up into a load of short questions honestly thats why im glad we dont have to write 10+ sentences on one answer!!

The whole paper is basically short questions, that's why Biology is the best!!!
(Apart from stages of photosynthesis etc, theres a bit of writing in those)

FoxScientist · 28-05-2015 12:09pm

Biology: Usual ones really Genetics, Ecology,Food and Photosynthesis is probably going to come up, Kidney and Nephron according to some people too..
Osmosis as well!

Leitrim96 · 29-05-2015 9:51am

Love/hate relationship with biology. Favourite subject a week before the mocks, would leisurely read it before going to sleep. Picked up a poor C2 in te mocks having expected a B3 at least. Just so much to learn in such detail.

Hopefully I'll be good with genetics/ecology/respiration/photosynthesis/ the male pee pee/ nephron.

IrishLoriii · 30-05-2015 12:31pm

This might sound really stupid to you guys but I am the worst person in the world
at drawing..i cannot draw for my life! Has anybody got any simplified diagrams they
would be willing to share particularly of the reflex arcs etc?? Or even websites you use
that help you draw them? Im really dreading them as question because no matter what
way the diagrams just ends up looking messy and strange and like I couldn't give a crap
but its not on purpose..maybe this is a strange request sorry :P

9de5q7tsr8u2im · 01-06-2015 6:04pm

does anyone know any useful websites for experiments?

the results / steps and equipment needed is fine.

but i need help with control and reasons for using a particular substance is making life difficult

IrishLoriii · 01-06-2015 10:16pm

LuckyDude12 wrote: »

does anyone know any useful websites for experiments?

the results / steps and equipment needed is fine.

but i need help with control and reasons for using a particular substance is making life difficult

Tell us what your stuck on and we'l see if we can help!! Its revision for us too

Kermah · 04-06-2015 8:15pm

What is everyone hoping to see on this paper next week?

electromix · 04-06-2015 8:24pm

Would be nice if photosynthesis experiment and human reproductive system came up.
Don't want to see NEPRHON on that paper.

Kermah · 04-06-2015 8:28pm

electromix wrote: »

Would be nice if photosynthesis experiment and human reproductive system came up.
Don't want to see NEPRHON on that paper.

I hope plant reproduction doesn't come up

ShaunDaSheep · 05-06-2015 12:53pm

electromix wrote: »

Would be nice if photosynthesis experiment and human reproductive system came up.
Don't want to see NEPRHON on that paper.

the nephron cannot come up or i will cry

same with protein synthesis

Magnate · 05-06-2015 6:02pm

ShaunDaSheep wrote: »

the nephron cannot come up or i will cry

same with protein synthesis

Have a look at the marking scheme for protein synthesis questions, they're not looking for anything near as detailed as what you'll find in your book.

That applies for most questions really. While it's always better to have a fundamental understanding so that you can apply your knowledge to any question, if there's a topic or two that just won't click with you lookup past questions and see exactly what they want for an answer.

9de5q7tsr8u2im · 05-06-2015 7:47pm

Magnate wrote: »

Have a look at the marking scheme for protein synthesis questions, they're not looking for anything near as detailed as what you'll find in your book.

That applies for most questions really. While it's always better to have a fundamental understanding so that you can apply your knowledge to any question, if there's a topic or two that just won't click with you lookup past questions and see exactly what they want for an answer.

Lol im screwed if protein synthesis comes up the steps we took is soooooo complicated and in depth i dont even know whats evn happening:(

Magnate · 05-06-2015 7:59pm

LuckyDude12 wrote: »

Lol im screwed if protein synthesis comes up the steps we took is soooooo complicated and in depth i dont even know whats evn happening:(

I'll probably be studying biology tomorrow so I'll post up all the possible questions and solutions for ya.

KA97 · 05-06-2015 8:02pm

Anyone else only starting Biology study this weekend and trying to cover the whole course ?

Magnate · 05-06-2015 8:06pm

KA97 wrote: »

Anyone else only starting Biology study this weekend and trying to cover the whole course ?

I would if I could, but need to cover maths p2 and Irish too so I'll probably only have 1 day for Biology to spare.

ThatsTheShtuff · 06-06-2015 9:14am

WHY does irish paper 2 have to be the same day as Biology?
It's going to be the loss of any hope i had of getting an A in Biology...

Also, i think Photosynthesis and Plant Reproduction may come up in the same question...
Experiments- I think IAA, DNA isolation are definitely due.
The Kidney/Nephron could be there, aswell as eye/ear/skin, its been a while since those.

Shanmcg97 · 06-06-2015 11:08am

Can someone help me out here. If the carbon cycle comes up are you able to explain it instead of drawing it?

Doctorhopeful · 06-06-2015 11:13am

Magnate wrote: »

Have a look at the marking scheme for protein synthesis questions, they're not looking for anything near as detailed as what you'll find in your book.

That applies for most questions really. While it's always better to have a fundamental understanding so that you can apply your knowledge to any question, if there's a topic or two that just won't click with you lookup past questions and see exactly what they want for an answer.

This is a really bad idea, the marking scheme changes every year depending on how the question is answered that year. What might be sufficient one year might not be enough for half the marks another year. It's better than nothing, but I really wouldn't rely on the marking scheme in bio

Magnate · 06-06-2015 11:28am

Doctorhopeful wrote: »

This is a really bad idea, the marking scheme changes every year depending on how the question is answered that year. What might be sufficient one year might not be enough for half the marks another year. It's better than nothing, but I really wouldn't rely on the marking scheme in bio

The only thing that changes really is the mark allocation. Say you have a particularly difficult short question, well you might be awarded 7 marks for your first 2 correct answers and then 2 marks for the subsequent 3 parts. This is to ensure the grade distribution fits the overall bell curve. An easier question might be 6(3) + 1(2).

In general though, the accepted answers never really change from year to year. Definitions are definitions, biology is very black and white for the most part. With long questions a good rule of thumb is 3 marks per point. For example, the steps to DNA profiling will always be:

Cut into fragments = 3 marks
With enzymes = 3 marks
Analyse results = 3 marks

It could even be a 12 marker where you're also asked for the name of the process, in which case "profiling" will always be the answer.

So I have to respectfully disagree with you completely.

Dianabluex · 06-06-2015 11:33am

hope human reproduction , endocrine system , photosynthesis, sensory system, digestion system , excretory system, respiration, cells, scientific method , genetic crosses , everything really lol

fin709 · 06-06-2015 11:46am

Since the nitrogen and carbon cycle came up the last two years, can we safely assume it won't be there this year?

ShaunDaSheep · 06-06-2015 12:01pm

fin709 wrote: »

Since the nitrogen and carbon cycle came up the last two years, can we safely assume it won't be there this year?

you cant really assume anything tbh

Magnate · 06-06-2015 12:22pm

Here's everything I could find on protein synthesis for anyone interested:

And for full marks in this question you're looking for:

It's a handy 27 marks, and the answers to them cannot change, only the mark allocation. Now those questions are by no means exhaustive, but as you can see they're not looking for much. I've checked all the past papers and while it's on the syllabus, the detailed events of protein synthesis have never been asked. On the off chance that they are, I'd go with this:

1. DNA Double helix unwinds
2. RNA nucleotide bases bond with DNA strand
3. RNA polymerase assembles these bases to form mRNA.
4. mRNA moves into ribosome
5. mRNA codons attract tRNA anti-codons.
6. tRNA & mRNA amino acids bond in ribosome
7. Protein folds into shape.

I know this isn't a great example of simplifying it down but you're looking at about 21-24 marks there. It's hard to tell when this has never been asked fully before, but depending on the question you might want to throw in some waffle on codons, maybe the 3 types or how many bases, stuff like that.

Remember the great thing about the long questions is that surplus answers do not cancel out right answers in sections where they're not looking for a specific word or definition, so feel feel to ramble on about anything that you think is even remotely relevant.

9de5q7tsr8u2im · 06-06-2015 12:35pm

Thanks so much magnate was just looking at part ii - which cell does translation occur the answer is ribosomes but which cell does transcription occur or is it a broad answer? Hehe thanks

!! Biology 2015 - predictions, guesses, discussion, petri dishes ...

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