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Q:

7.      (a) Describe the structure of;

(i)    xylem (ii) bone

(b) Explain how the structure of each of these tissues is related to its functions. (10,10 mks)

A:

(a)    (i) Structure of the xylem vessel

-The xylem vessel contains four types of cells which are tracheids, vessel elements, parenchyma and fibres.

-Tracheids are elongated cells with lignified walls.

-They have tapering end walls that overlap. Mature cells are dead with empty lumens.

-Xylem vessels are very long tubular structures which are wider. They are formed by the fusion of several cells end to end. Their walls are lignified in several patterns.

-Xylem parenchyma has thin cellulose walls, large vacuoles and living contents. They contain intercellular air spaces.

-Xylem fibres are short narrow cells with thick walls. They have overlapping end walls with narrow lumens.

(ii)  Structure of bone

-Bone is a very rigid tissue whose matrix contains 70% mineral and 30% organic matter (collagen fibres).

-Bone cells called osteoblasts are present in the lacunae within the matrix.

-The matrix contains fine canals called canaliculli that connect the lacunae to each other

-Compact (dense) bone has a matrix arranged in Haversian systems. Each cylinder is made up of layers called lamellae.

-The exterior of bone is covered with a tough fibrous membrane called periosteum.

-Spongy (cancellous) bone occurs within dense bone. It is made up of thin bars of bone called trabeculae with spaces called bone marrow.

- The trabeculae are oriented in the direction in which the bone is stressed.

-They contain red bone marrow in the spaces at the head of long bones. The spaces of the shaft are filled with yellow bone marrow.

(b)    (i) Relationship between Tracheids and function of xylem

-Tracheids and vessels have lignified walls which enable the xylem to support the plant.

-The walls of vessels and tracheids overlap which gives additional strength and prevents the tubes from collapsing when they conduct water.

-Vessels have long wide empty lumens through which water is carried.

-The cells of tracheids are dead when mature. This prevents use of the water being transported and prevents any obstruction through their lumen.

(i)      Bone

-The matrix contains hard minerals like calcium and magnesium phosphate and collagen which enables it function in supporting the body.

-Heads of bones are covered with cartilage which prevents friction at joints during movement

 -The trabeculae are orientated in the direction in which bone is stressed which enables it withstand tension and compression.

-Red bone marrow found in the head of long bones help in the production of red blood cells.

Year: June 2018 | Subject: Biology | Topic: CYTOLOGY & HISTOLOGY

    Q:

    6. Discuss the ways in which the use of each of the following has contributed to advances in ’biological knowledge and understanding.

    (a)      The electron microscope

    (b)      Chromatography

    (c)      Radioactive isotopes.                   (6, 7, 7 mks)

    A:

    (a)      How the electron microscope has helped in advancing in biological knowledge

    -The electron microscope has a very high magnification and resolution power.

    -Detail study of the structure and content of cells, organelles and biomolecules is possible. The structure of the cell membrane is seen to be made

    up of a phospholipid bilayer and protein molecules.

    -Detail structures of the mitochondrion and chloroplast are given and processes that occur within them followed.

    -Also some processes like nuclear division are photographed for improved study.

    - Under this microscope, the molecular level of cells can be studied.

    (b)    Chromatography

    -Chromatography is a technique involving the separation of components of a mixture in solution through their differential solubility's in a moving solvent (mobile phase) and absorptions on a stationary phase e.g. gel or special paper.

    -It leads to the separation of substances e.g. proteins.

    -The protein is poured into column containing beads of inert gel and washed with solvent.

    -The speed of passage depends on the relative solubility's in solvents and on ability to „pass through the pores in the gel, a function of relative molecular size.

    -Components may then be identified.

    -The method is also used to separate the pigments in chlorophyll which are better analysed and studied.-

    -Calvin used chromatography and electrophoresis to show that the first stable product of photosynthesis is Glycerate phosphate and that fixation occurs on a five carbon compound.

    (c)    Radioactive Isotopes

    -Radioisotopes are labelled isotopes of some elements.

    -The technique is used to.detect the presence or movement of certain atoms in organisms. Commonly used radioactive isotopes are 14C, 3H, 35S and 32P.

    -Non-radioactive, heavy isotopes also used are 15N and 18O.

    -Material containing the unusual radioactive isotope is administered briefly (pulse-labelling) and "chased" by unlabelled material. -The time taken for labelled material to pass through the system and the route it takes contributes to our understanding of the dynamics of biological systems and processes e.g. cell membranes, photosynthesis, aerobic respiration, DNA and protein synthesis as well as molecular structure.

     

    Year: June 2018 | Subject: Biology | Topic: CYTOLOGY & HISTOLOGY

      Q:

      (a) Make an illustrated account of the structure and functions of the following organelles.

      (i)   Mitochondrion (ii) Chloroplast

      (iii)  Golgi apparatus

      (b) Compare the structure of the mitochondrion with that of chloroplast.     (14, 6 mks)

      A:

      (a) (i) Structure of mitochondrion

      -The mitochondrion is a small elongated organelle enclosed in a double membrane, a smooth outer and folded inner membrane.

      -The folds give a large surface area for respiration reactions.

      -Stalked elementary particles called oxysomes are present which provides sites for conversion of ADP and inorganic phosphate to ATP.

      -The oxysomes and folds are known as the cristae. Oxidative phosphorylation and electron transport occurs in the cristae.

      -     The space inside the membrane is called the matrix. It contains enzymes capable of catalysing the reactions of the Krebs cycle.

      -     It equally contains DNA which enables the mitochondrion to replicate when the cell divides.

      -     The mitochondrion functions mainly in energy production in the form of ATP.

      -     The smooth outer membrane is permeable and allows exchange of substances.

      inter cristal oxvsome

      circular DNA matrix

       

      Diagram of the mitochondrion

      -    ii) Structure of the chloroplast

      -The chloroplasts are bounded by a double unit membrane.

      -The outer membrane is smooth while the inner membrane is extended inwards as a system of layers called lamellae. ’

      -TJre lamellae are packed in some areas and appear as discs piled together known as the grana or thylakoid.

      -They are connected by the integranal lamellae

      -The grana contain chlorophyll and other pigments which traps solar energy used to excite the photosystem for the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis to occur, producing reduced NADPH and ATP.

      -The space inside the membrane called stroma contains enzymes capable of catalysing the reactions of Calvin's cycle for production of energy rich molecules like glucose from low energy molecules like H2O and CO2.

      -The arrangement of the thylakoids gives a large surface area for photosynthesis to take place.

       

      Diagram of the chloroplst

      (b) Similarities between chloroplast and mitochondrion    .

      Similarities: Both of them;

      -are enclosed in a double unit membrane

      -contain circular DNA

      -have enzymes in their internal aqueous matrices.

      Differences

      Mitochondrion

      Chloroplast

      Has a folded inner membrane with oxysomes present

      Grana and intergranna at extended inner membrane

      Found in both plant and animal cells

      Found only in plant cells

      No pigments

      Contain chlorophylls and other pigments

      Carries out respiration to release energy.

      Carries out photosynthesis to manufacture food substances.

       

      Year: June 2018 | Subject: Biology | Topic: CYTOLOGY & HISTOLOGY

        Q:

        (a) Explain how the electron microscope has contributed to the existing knowledge of the cell.

        (b)    Describe the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane.

        (c)     How is the structure of the membrane suited for the movement of substances in and out of the cell?         (5,10, 5 mks)

        A:

        (a)     Contributions of the electron microscope to the existing knowledge of cells.

        -The electron microscope has a high magnification and resolution power.

        - This enables extremely small cells together with many more organelles of the cell to be observed and studied.

        - Clear distinctions can be made between the parts of an organelle and a detail structure of the cell and its components clearly seen.

        -Also the molecular level of cells can now be studied employing the high resolution and magnification powers of the electron microscope.

        (b)    Description of fluid mosaic model

        -The fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane was proposed by singer and Nicholson.

        - The membrane is made up of a fluid phospholipid bilayer which moves randomly in their layer.

        -Proteins float about in the phospholipid bilayer forming a fluid mosaic pattern, making the membrane trilamella.

        -Some proteins penetrate the entire membrane while others penetrate only half

        -Some proteins and lipids may have short carbohydrate branches forming glycoproteins and glycolipids.

        -Hydrophilic phosphate heads of phospholipids face outwards while the hydrophobic hydrocarbon tails face inwards.

        -Cholesterol is present in the membrane which improves membrane flexibility, fluidity and stability.

        Diagram of the fluid mosaic model of the plasma
        membrane

        (c)    Adaptation of cell membrane for movement of substances.

        -The membrane contains proteins

        -Some are channel proteins that allow an opening for simple diffusion of gases like O2 and CO2.

        -Some are carrier proteins that help in the facilitated diffusion of glucose and amino acids, and in active transport.

        -The membrane equally contains phospholipids, which facilitates the movement of fatty acids.

        -Cholesterol plugs present restrict entry of' substances.

        Year: June 2018 | Subject: Biology | Topic: CYTOLOGY & HISTOLOGY

          Q:

          3. (a) Explain why (i) Xylem and (ii) Phloem are referred to as compound tissues.

          (b) Primus africana (Pygium) is a perennial whose bark is used to treat cancer. How would you advise a villager on the harvesting of this bark so as to ensure a greater conservation of the trees? (12, 8 mks)

          A:

           

          (a)    (i) Reason why Xylem is a compound tissue

          -Xylem is made up of four types of cells which are adapted to specific roles. A compound tissue is one with different types of cell layers. The various cells are: 

          -Xylem vessels: They are long tubular structures formed by the fusion of several cells end to end in a row. This gives additional strength. The walls are lignified differentially into spiral, pitted, reticulate and scalariform. Lignification gives strength which supports plants Vessels have wide lumen to conduct water and mineral salts.

          -Tracheids are single elongated, lignified cells. Their mature cells are dead with empty lumens.

          -Xylem parenchyma: These have thin cellulose cell walls and their mature cells are living. They function for food storage, gaseous exchange through their intercellular air spaces and radial transport of food and water.

          -Xylem fibres have short narrow cells with thick walls for mechanical strength.

          (ii) Phloem

          The phloem functions in the translocation of food, and is made up of five different types of cells.

          -Sieve tubes: They are formed by the end to end fusion of cells called sieve elements. Their walls are made of cellulose and pectic substances and their mature cells lack nuclei.

          -Companion cells: They occur near sieve elements and supply them with their needs. The sieve plates are pores to allow flow of substances from one sieve element to the other.

          -Phloem parenchyma: They are cells with an elongated nucleus, are living and function in storage.

          -Phloem fibres provide strength to resist pressure and occur only in dicots.

          -Sclereids: They give additional mechanical strength and occur in older phloem.

          (b)    Ways of harvesting Bark of Pygium for greater conservation of the tree

          -The villagers should avoid removing a complete ring not to block translocation of food from the leaves to the roots and otherv parts.

          -They should allow enough time' for the replacement of cut regions.

          -They should remove part of the bark from the main trunk and not from the branches.

          -Harvesting should be done when the tree is large and mature, not from small ones and planting of trees should be encouraged.

          -Time the harvesting season well, not to kill the plant

          -Minimise cutting down of the whole tree

          -Develop techniques to tap the content of the bark.

          Year: June 2018 | Subject: Biology | Topic: CYTOLOGY & HISTOLOGY

            Q:

            2.    (a) What is meant by a cell?

            (b)    Describe how the structure of each of the following is related to the functions it performs.

            (i)   a parenchyma cell (ii) a tracheid

            (c)    Why does specialization of some plant cells often result in the loss of their ability to divide?   (4,12, 4 mks)

            A:

            (a)    Definition of a cell

            A cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living organisms. It is bound by an outer membrane and contains definite organelles. A cell comes from pre-existing cells by division and can carry out all the activities of life including metabolism.

            (b)    (i) Relationship between structure and functions of parenchyma

            -Parenchyma has a thin cellulose wall which provides a pathway for water and mineral salts.

            -The cells are unspecialized and serve as parking tissues. When turgid, they become tightly packed and provide support for the organs in which they are found,

            -Air spaces exist between their cells which allow gaseous exchange to occur with the external environment.

            -Their cells are metabolically active and provide sites for metabolic activities.

            -They have large vacuoles and serve in food storage e.g. potato tubers where they store starch -Plasmodesmata between adjacent cells allow lateral transportation of substances between parenchyma cells.

            (ii)  Tracheids

            -Tracheids have dead cells at maturity.                    -.

            -This prevents obstruction or usage of water being transported.

            - It has pits for horizontal transportation of water

            - The walls of their cells are lignified which enables them give support to other plant organs.

            - Cells have tapering end walls which overlap, giving additional mechanical strength.

            - Make a good labelled diagram of the tracheid.

            (c)    Why specialization sometimes leads to loss of the ability of plant cells to divide

            -Specialisation may lead to loss of some cell organelles like the nucleus. This may restrict metabolic activities and prevent synthesis of new materials and make them loss the ability to divide. Also, specialisation may cause the introduction of new materials like lignin, or suberine which blocks transportation of substances causing cells to loss their ability to divide.

            Year: June 2018 | Subject: Biology | Topic: CYTOLOGY & HISTOLOGY

              Q:

              (a) On the basis of structure only, differentiate between a bacterial cell and a chlorenchyma cell as revealed by the electron microscope.

              (b)    How is the light microscope different from an electron microscope?

              (c)    Describe the structure of a compact bone in relation to its function as revealed by the light microscope.   (5, 5,10 marks)

              A:

               

              (a) Differences between a bacterial cell and achlorenchyma cell

               

              Bacterial cell

              Chlorenchyma cell

              Cell wall made of murein

              Cell wall made of cellulose

              Has few non­membrane bound organelles

              Has many membrane bound organelles

              Chlorophyll found in the photosynthetic membranes

              Chlorophyll found in the chloroplast

              Has flagella for movement

              Absent

              Has 70S ribosomes

              Has 80S ribosomes

              Energy produced in mesosomes

              Energy produced in mitochondrion

              Lacks pyrenoids

              Has granules and pyrenoids for starch storage

              Plasmids present

              No plasmid

              Small vacuoles lacking cell sap

              Has large central vacuoles containing cell sap.     *

               

              (b)    Differences between light and electron microscopes

              Light microscope

              Electron microscope

              Uses light beams

              Uses electron beams

              Used to observe life and dead specimens

              Specimen          observed

              when dead

              Can use sunlight              

              Uses electricity

              Have low resolution and magnification powers.

              High resolution and magnification powers.

              Cheap and easily handled.

              Expensive and bulky

              Uses convex lènses

              Uses electromagnets

              Produces coloured images seen in 3 planes

              Produce black and white images seen in one plane

               

               

              Specimen viewed normally without special conditions.

              Specimen             viewed

              through a vacuum.

              Easily manipulated with no expert training

              Difficult to manipulate and requires expert training

              Specimen supported on glass slides

              Specimen supported on copper grid.

               

              (c)    Structure and functions of compact bone

              -The compact bone is made up of a hard rigid tissue composed of calcium salts and hydroxyapatite forming the lamellae. This gives hardness to bone.

              -Living cells called osteoblasts are present in the lacunae which secret the substances to form the lamellae.

              -Organic fibres, mainly collagen are present, making compact bone to resist tension and stress.

              -Canaliculli connects bone lacunae, providing osteoblasts with nutrients and draining away wastes.

              -The lamellae have hollow canals called Haversian canal which carries blood vessels and nerves.

              -Bone is surrounded by fibrous membranes called periosteum which provide attachment sites for ligaments.

              Year: June 2016 | Subject: Biology | Topic: CYTOLOGY & HISTOLOGY

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