Explanation​:
A community is a group of populations living and interacting in a shared habitat (biotic factors). The abiotic factors for this community have not been described but could be the depth of the water, light intensity and the nutrients available for phytoplankton.

A population (Choice A) is a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time which can interbreed. A habitat (Choice C) refers to the environment in which a species normally lives. An ecosystem (Choice D) is a group of populations living and interacting in a common habitat and includes both biotic and abiotic factors.

Explanation​:
Cell respiration is the process where energy is released from organic compounds to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP consists of the nitrogenous base adenine, a ribose sugar and three phosphate groups. These three components contain the elements oxygen, hydrogen, phosphorus, carbon and nitrogen (Choice D). Even though ATP is made up of these five elements, they are not products of hydrolysis.

ATP is the immediately available source of energy in cells and fuels cell processes. This takes place when ATP undergoes hydrolysis and the energy which is stored in the phosphate bond of ATP is released. The phosphate bonds that are broken lead to the formation of adenosine diphosphate (ADP), inorganic phosphate and a release of energy.

Hydrolysis is a catabolic reaction of breaking down large molecules into small molecules. Water is required to split apart ATP, hence both water and ATP are the reactants in a hydrolysis reaction and not products (Choice C).

The main stages of cellular respiration are glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain. In glycolysis, glucose is broken down to pyruvate (Choice A) which then moves on to the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain before generating a high yield of 38 ATP.

Explanation​:
A respirometer is a device that is used to measure the rate of respiration. A basic feature of a respirometer is a sealed container containing the living organism and an alkaline substance such as soda-lime (Choice A) or potassium hydroxide to absorb the carbon dioxide gas, which is the product of respiration.

The rate of respiration is measured by a reduction in the volume of oxygen due to the oxygen consumed by the living organism. The reduction in the volume of oxygen inside the sealed container causes a reduction in pressure inside the container. This causes the syringe to move which is how oxygen consumption is measured (Choice B). The rate of respiration can then be calculated based on the amount of oxygen consumed over a period of time.

An oxygen gas sensor (Choice C) can also be used to measure the reduction in the amount of oxygen. However, the experimental setup for this question does not include a sealed bio chamber bottle that is designed to fit the gas sensor probe. Since this experimental setup used a bung to seal the container, removing it to place an oxygen gas sensor probe inside the flask will not provide an accurate measurement of the amount of oxygen consumed.

When using a respirometer, the temperature is a controlled variable and should be kept constant (Choice D) to avoid changes to the volume of oxygen gas. Temperature also affects the rate of respiration. There should not be more than one independent variable being tested in an experimental setup.

Explanation:
The length of food chains tends to be shorter than 6 organisms, even including parasites and detritivores. When energy is passed from one organism to the next, most of the energy is generally lost as heat which means that less and less energy is available to higher trophic levels.

All other statements are true.

Explanation​:
Autotrophs are producers and form the base of food chains. They carry out photosynthesis and get their energy from the Sun.

The most abundant organisms (Choice A) are usually the producers but there are exceptions. Energy always enters the food chain via the autotrophs, not consumers (Choice C).

The flow of energy (Choice D) is from producers to primary to secondary to tertiary consumers.

Explanation​:
The endocrine system (Statement II) is involved in the fight or flight response through the release of hormones from endocrine glands, such as adrenaline (epinephrine), from the adrenal glands. Adrenaline (epinephrine) is released into the bloodstream and travels throughout the body to target organs and tissues, preparing the body for immediate action. When adrenaline (epinephrine) reaches its target tissues it binds to specific transmembrane receptors on the surface of cells (Statement I). This binding triggers a cascade of intracellular events that ultimately lead to physiological changes associated with the fight or flight response, such as increased heart rate and dilated airways. The autonomic nervous system (Statement III) plays a central role in the fight or flight response. In a frightening situation, the nervous system is activated, leading to the release of adrenaline (epinephrine), increased heart rate, increased blood flow to muscles, and other physiological changes that prepare the body for a rapid response. Choice D is therefore correct.

Choices A, B and C are all incorrect as they do not include all three statements.

Explanation​:
Choice A - Antibodies are globular proteins synthesized by plasma B cells. The genes associated with antibody synthesis are expressed in plasma B cells.

Choice B - Macrophages do not synthesize antibodies and therefore do not express these genes. Macrophages are large phagocytic cells and present antigens to helper T cells.

Choice C - Helper T cells do not synthesize antibodies. They stimulate B cells to divide by mitosis to produce plasma B cells and memory B cells.

Choice D - Red blood cells do not have a nucleus and therefore do not have the genes for antibody synthesis.

Explanation:
Depolarisation of the presynaptic membrane (Statement II) and the resulting influx of calcium ions into the presynaptic neuron (Statement III) cause the exocytosis (release) of neurotransmitters at the presynaptic membrane.

Statement I is false, as the postsynaptic membrane receives neurotransmitters that are released from the presynaptic membrane. Choices A, C and D are incorrect.

Explanation:
Choice D is correct because the gland X is the pineal gland and it produces melatonin. Choice A is incorrect because leptin is produced by adipose tissue. Choice B is incorrect because thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland. Choice C is incorrect because progesterone is produced by ovaries.

Explanation​:
Calories (Choice A) and Kilocalories (Choice B) are measures for energy but do not include area and time which is how productivity is measured in an ecosystem. kJm−2−2 (Choice C) does include the area but not time. To see energy values over a specified time, usually a year, the units kJm−2−2y−1−1 are used.

Explanation​:
Aquatic ecosystems take in inorganic carbon when carbon dioxide dissolves in water. Dissolved carbon dioxide can combine with water to form carbonic acid (H22​CO33​) which dissociates into hydrogen ions (H

) and hydrogen carbonate ions (HCO33​

). So, inorganic carbon is present as both dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate ions in aquatic ecosystems.

Carbon dioxide, not carbon monoxide (Choice B) is the form of inorganic carbon that autotrophs can use. Methane (Choice C and D) is a form of organic carbon, not inorganic carbon.

Explanation:
As energy moves from producers to consumers, only about 10% is transferred to the next trophic level. So only about 0.1 % of the energy produced by the producers reaches the tertiary consumers. All other choices (Choice A, B, C) are not correct. Looking at the values in the diagram, producers start with 20 000 units of energy and tertiary consumers receive only 25 units. 25 divided by 20 000 is approximately 0.1%.

Explanation:
Choice A is correct because zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be transmitted from one species to another, such as from chickens to humans. Choice B is incorrect because zoonotic diseases do not only affect domesticated animals. Choice C is incorrect because zoonotic diseases are not only caused by viruses. Choice D is incorrect because zoonotic diseases do not only affect humans.

Explanation​:
Cell respiration is the controlled release of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from organic compounds. Cell respiration occurs either in the presence of oxygen or in the absence of oxygen. In the presence of oxygen, the process is known as aerobic cell respiration. In the absence of oxygen, the process is known as anaerobic cell respiration (Choice A).

Anaerobic cell respiration produces a smaller yield of ATP from glucose which is 2 ATP molecules, compared to aerobic cell respiration’s larger yield of ATP, which is approximately 38 ATP molecules.

This is because aerobic cell respiration undergoes the complete metabolic pathway of cellular respiration which involves the reaction of organic compounds such as glucose, lipids or proteins (Choice C) in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water and a large yield of ATP.

On the other hand, anaerobic cell respiration only undergoes glycolysis, the first stage of the metabolic pathway of cell respiration. This involves the incomplete breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen to produce lactate, which is also known as lactic acid (Choice D).

Explanation​:
Choice B is correct because insect-pollinated flowers have coloured petals (Statement II) to attract pollinators and a nectary (Statement I) to reward them, whereas all flowers have a stigma (Statement III). Choice A is incorrect because both statements I and II are correct. Choices C and D are incorrect because the stigma is not adapted for a mutualistic relationship with insects. Only the flower benefits from the presence of a stigma.

Explanation:
Neurotransmitters travel freely without energy from an area of high concentration at the presynaptic membrane to a low concentration at the postsynaptic membrane via simple diffusion, Choice C is correct.

Choice A is incorrect, as neurotransmitters do not use a channel to diffuse across the synapse. Choice B is incorrect, as neurotransmitters do not travel against the concentration gradient using energy across the synapse. Choice D is incorrect as although neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic membrane via exocytosis, they do not travel across the synapse using this method.

Explanation​:
Enclosed greenhouse experiments allow for wavelengths of light to be controlled by exposing the plants to different colours of light. By adjusting the spectrum of light, researchers can investigate the isolated effects of distinct wavelengths on plant responses to elevated carbon dioxide levels. Such control is typically unattainable in open-air experiments like the free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) system, where natural light conditions predominate. Choice A is correct.

Choice B is incorrect as an enclosed greenhouse space does not mimic a natural ecosystem as it is a man-made enclosed structure. Choice C is incorrect, as large trees cannot fit or grow freely in a greenhouse. Choice D is incorrect as in an enclosed greenhouse, water can be controlled, mimicking rainfall.

Explanation​:
Statements I and III are correct and describe how enzymes interact with their specific substrates. Statement II is incorrect because, in many catabolic reactions, the substrate is larger than the enzyme.

Explanation​:
When organisms respire, they lose energy in the form of heat. This form of energy cannot be recovered and is finally lost from the system.

Initially, during photosynthesis, energy is captured from light (Choice A). Carbon dioxide is not a form of energy (Choice C), and chemical energy (Choice D) is held in the bonds of organic molecules made during photosynthesis.

Explanation:
Thin-layer chromatography is a method that can be used to separate pigments extracted from a leaf. Paper chromatography uses paper with a line drawn approximately 1 cm from one end, which is called the baseline (Choice D). This is where a drop of leaf extract is placed. Then the paper is immersed in a solvent with the level of solvent being right below the baseline. This solvent will then move up the paper to separate the pigments found in the leaf extract.

The coloured spots show the distance moved by each pigment (Choice C). The solvent will then move further up and will eventually stop moving. The mark where the solvent stops is known as the solvent front and shows the distance moved by the solvent (Choice B).

In order to find the Rf value for a given pigment, the distance moved by the pigment is divided by the distance moved by the solvent (Choice A).

Explanation:
Letter X indicates the cell body, which contains the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Choice A is correct.

An axon is a long, thin projection of a neuron that carries action potentials away from the cell body, Choice B is incorrect. Dendrites are multiple specialised extensions branching from a neuron’s cell body or dendron, responsible for receiving incoming signals from other neurons or sensory receptors, Choice C is incorrect. Nerve fibres are a general term for any long, slender projection from a cell body that is capable of transmitting electrical signals - it can be an axon or dendron, Choice D is incorrect.

Explanation​:
Choice A is correct because all statements are true. Plasma cells are clones of B lymphocytes, produce large numbers of antibodies and have extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Explanation:
The digestion of starch is a catabolic reaction where starch molecules are broken down into maltose by hydrolysis.

Peptide formation from amino acids (Choice A), starch synthesis from glucose (Choice B), and DNA synthesis from nucleotides (Choice D) are all examples of anabolic reactions.

Explanation:
Okapi is a herbivore (II) because it only eats plants. Okapi is a species (III) since it can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

They are not a hybrid of a giraffe and a zebra (I), even though they look like one.

Explanation​:
A second infection by a pathogen triggers a much faster and more potent immune response, resulting in the production of greater levels of antibodies (Choice B), when compared to primary infection. Primary infection causes a smaller increase in antibody numbers; this is represented by Y (Choice A). Infection by a different pathogen (Choice C) would cause a raise in antibody numbers similar to levels in point Y. Antibiotics do not increase antibody numbers (Choice D).