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553/1
BIOLOGY
Paper 1
2024
2½ hours

PROVINCIAL COUHEIA EXAMINATION AGENCY SECONDARY

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:
This paper consists of seven examination items. It has two sections; A and B.
Section A has three compulsory items.
Section B has two Parts; I and II. Answer one item from each part. Indicate the item
done in the grid below.
Answer five items in all.
Any additional item(s) answered will not be scored.
For Examiner’s Use Only
Section Scores Examiner’s comments and signature
A No. 1-3
B Part I No.
Part II No.
Total

Restoring the church

Answer all the items in this section in the spaces provided.

ITEM 1.

A cassava farmer in rural Uganda relies on cassava as a staple crop for both
household consumption and income generation. When she planted several cassava
varieties, sunshine became too much causing the plants to start drying. She became
very worried of having low cassava yields. She even got more confused when she
realized that the cassava varieties with broader leaves were drying faster.

Fig. 1 shows the farmer’s cassava plants which have started drying.
Tasks:
a) Suggest a way in which you help her resolve her confusion. (01 Score)
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 b) Briefly describe how the resulting effect of the too much sunshine described
occurs. (04 Scores)
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c) Explain why the farmer has a specific worry identified. (03 Scores)
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d) Apart from the identified environmental factor causing the problem, identify
two other factors that could make her have a related worry. (02 Scores)
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ITEM 2.
In the family of Mr. Guka, his children like eating deep-fried chicken, fatty meat,
fried brown rice, and whole-grain bread. His family nutritionist has consistently
cautioned him on the amounts of those foods on their meal or diety a task Mr.
Guka failed to implement. According to the nutritionist the high intake of those
foods can cause problem on the system that move the end products of those foods
across the body. The children have started complaining of the following: Chest
pain/discomfort, Shortness of breath, Pain in neck, jaw, throat, or back, Numbness
or weakness in legs or arms.

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Fig. 2 shows one of the children with a plate of their favourite meal.
Tasks:
a) Identify one disease Mr. Guka’s children are likelyto be suffering from due
to the diet and two ways in which it can be prevented. (03 Scores)
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b) Briefly describe the ways in which the nutrients obtained from the foods
eaten by the children are used by the body. (04 Scores)
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 c) Explain why Mr. Guka’s children’s body have a specific system to move the
products of their meal across the body. (03 Scores)
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ITEM 3.

In the heart of Uganda’s Mabira forest, abundant green canopy shelters numerous
of life forms. Ancient trees stretch their branches, their roots intertwining with
ferns, orchids and mosses. “This forest, crowded with biodiversity, has thrived for
centuries and this can be attributed to each species having a specific role to play,
‘(the chameleons control insect populations,” says Mr. Lwika, a forest guide. One
morning, Lwika notices a logging truck at forest edge and men with chainsaws fell
ancient mahogany trees, he moves and confronts them on their act.

Fig. 3 shows the act noticed by Mr. Lwika on the forest.

a) Suggest two characteristics of the organisms affected by the act of the men
noticed by Mr. Lwika. (02 Scores)

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b) Give three reasons that you think Mr. Lwika could have based on to
confront the men he noticed. (03 Scores)
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c) On the same axes, sketch a graph to illustrate what Mr. Lwika gives as a
reason for the existence of the forest for centuries. (03 Scores)
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d) Identify two ways in which the effects of the men’s activity can be
minimized in your communities. (02 Scores)
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SECTION B
Part I
Answer only one item from this part. Answers should be written in the answer
booklet(s) provided.
Item 4.
In the hills of South-Western Uganda, local farmers cultivate various maize plant
(Zea mays) varieties which is an essential part of Ugandan dishes. Neighbouring
farmers; Nyakato and Kato both planted yellow kernel variety. On harvesting, it
was observed that 75% of Kato’s maize kernels were yellow and the rest white.
Tasks:

a) Using genetic diagram only, show how this was possible. (05 Scores)
b) Explain how the observed results were externally influenced. (03 Scores)
c) Suggest two ways why the knowledge from the experience of these farmers
should be applied in selective breeding. (02 Scores)
Item 5.

In a small village in Uganda, Mr. kwale’s family has a long history of constant
habit of forced early marriages, intertwined with haemophilia, a disease caused by
a recessive allele. Mr. Kwale’s daughter, who is a carrier for the disease was forced
to get married at the age of 16 years to Mr. Delfik who has normal blood clotting.
The couple planted paspalum grass in their compound but after a year, they were
irritated as it was completely outgrown and naturally replaced by Bermuda grass.
Task:
a) Identify three health risks that Mr. kwale’s daughter most likely suffered
from in her first pregnancy as a result of her family’s habit. (03 Scores)
b) Explain how the process that made them irritated occurred. (02 Scores)
c) Use annotated diagram to show the probable health conditions of Mr.
Kwale’s four grandchildren. (05 Scores)
Part II
Answer only one item from this part. Answers should be written the answer
booklet(s) provided.
Item 6.

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In Kampala, during the “Uganda marathon”, runners gathered to participate and
among them was Kali, a young athlete with dreams of Victoria. He ran fast with
his arms swinging rapidly and became first but as soon as he passed the finishing
line, he fell down and could not walk for about 20 minutes. The first aid provider
told people who had gathered around him to move away so as to allow him recover
from the high level of carbon dioxide resulting from high respiration rate during
the activity.
Tasks:
a) Briefly describe how Kali’s arms moved the way they did. (04 Scores)
b) Identify the chemical substance that was likely released before the activity
and suggest two ways in which it was impactful on his victory. (03 Scores)
c) Briefly explain how the body was able to cope with the issue identified by
the first aid provider throughout the activity. (03 Scores)
Item 7.
In bustling Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, Boda-boda riders navigate through
chaotic traffic, transporting passengers on their motorcycles. Kula, a seasoned
Boda-boda rider faces constant challenge during his daily commute as a result of
hearing impairment, yet he always reaches his destination without being knocked
by other road users.
Task:
a) Using the eyes, illustrate diagrammatically the set of events that allows
Kula to be able to make the achievement. (04 Scores)
b) With a reason in each case, suggest two parts that could have been affected
and thus resulting into Kula’s impairment. (04 Scores)
c) Identify one part of the brain that could have been most used during his
work and state the role it played. (02 Scores)

END