Question

Part A

Match the themes on the left with the examples on the right. Not all themes will be used.

ResetHelp Pathways that transform energy and matter Evolution Relationship of structure to function Information flow Interactions within biological systems To improve biofuel production, algae are exposed to mutation-promoting chemicals. This produces a highly varied collection of algae that can be screened for the ability to produce the most useful biofuel in the largest quantity. The tiny fraction of total algae that can best perform this task is grown and subjected to another round of mutation and selection. After many repetitions, the algae may slowly improve their ability to efficiently produce biofuels. ( ) The carbon dioxide that enters a leaf is the source of carbon for much of the body of the plant, including the sugars and starches that we eat. So the bulk of the body of a plant derives from the air, not the soil. ( ) Chloroplasts contain several different pigments of different molecular shapes that absorb light of different wavelengths. ( ) Deforestation, which removes a lot of photosynthetic plant life, thereby reduces the ability of the biosphere to absorb carbon. Planting new forests can have the opposite effect of fixing carbon from the atmosphere, potentially reducing the effect of the gases that contribute to global climate change. ( )

Answer 1

1) Evolution : To improve biofuel production, algae are exposed to mutation-promoting chemicals. This produces a highly varied collection of algae that can be screened for the ability to produce the most useful biofuel in the largest quantity. The tiny fraction of total algae that can best perform this task is grown and subjected to another round of mutation and selection. After many repetitions, the algae may slowly improve their ability to efficiently produce biofuels.

Reason : Mutation is an evolutionary change.

2) Interactions within biological systems : Deforestation, which removes a lot of photosynthetic plant life, thereby reduces the ability of the biosphere to absorb carbon. Planting new forests can have the opposite effect of fixing carbon from the atmosphere, potentially reducing the effect of the gases that contribute to global climate change.

Reason : Maintaining ecosystem is essential for sustainable living of all organisms in that ecosystem.

3) Relationship of structure to function : The carbon dioxide that enters a leaf is the source of carbon for much of the body of the plant, including the sugars and starches that we eat. So the bulk of the body of a plant derives from the air, not the soil.

Reason : Carbon is the backbone for sugars and starches where the function of each biomolecule depends on its structure.

4) Pathways that transform energy and matter : Chloroplasts contain several different pigments of different molecular shapes that absorb light of different wavelengths.

Reason : Light energy is converted into useful form of energy.