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553/1
BIOLOGY
(Theory)
June/July
2024
2 ½ hours

UGANDA CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION

BIOLOGY
Paper 1
Theory
2 hours 30minutes

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.
Answer five items in all.
Any additional item(s) answered will not be scored.

Turn Over
 SECTION A

Answer all items in this section in the spaces provided.

Item 1.
Mr. Mukasa is a large-scale bean farmer who supplies his local market. During one
growing season, his bean plants were struck by a disease just as the bean pods were
forming. Concerned about potential poor yields and the risk of not meeting market
demand, Mukasa sought advice.

Fig. 1 shows the appearance of some of Mr. Mukasa’s bean plants after being attacked by
the disease.
Task:
As a biology student,
(a) Identify the pests that might have affected James' bean plants and list common diseases

that attack bean plants.

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(b) Explain the impact of the disease on the biological processes within the bean plants.

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(c) Propose solutions to help James and other farmers prevent and manage similar

challenges in the future.

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Item 2
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Peter, a teenager, recently joined a peer group of boys who smoke, use marijuana, and
frequently watch films at the cinema hall in trading centers late into the night. As a result, he
has adopted these behaviors. One night at midnight, while returning home from watching a
film, Peter encountered a dog that barked loudly at him. This caused his heart rate, breathing
rate, and mental alertness to increase significantly. In response, he ran away quickly and
avoided being bitten by the dog.

Fig. 2 Shows Peter smoking and some of his peer group friends.

Task:
(a) Describe how Peter's body coordinated his response to the barking dog, including the
physiological reactions that occurred.

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(b) Discuss the potential effects of Peter's current lifestyle on his health and well-being.
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(c) Suggest ways Peter can change his lifestyle for the better.
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 Item 3.

Mary, a 17-year-old girl, became pregnant by a man from her home village. After the birth
of their baby, the man refused to provide any parental support, claiming that the baby's
appearance was unlike anyone in his family lineage. Distressed, Mary consulted a doctor
who explained that the baby's unusual appearance was due to a genetic disease.

Fig. 3 shows the appearance of Mary’s baby held at her back.

Task:
As a biology student,
(a) Identify the genetic disease the baby might have and explain how it is possible for the
man to be the father despite his claims.
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(b) Discuss the challenges Mary is likely to face in this situation.

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(c) Suggest ways teenagers can avoid early pregnancy.

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 SECTION B
Part 1

Answer only one item from this part. Answers should be written in the answer booklets
provided.

In the regions surrounding Lake Victoria, residents have engaged in activities such as sand
mining, constructing structures, and poor waste management. These practices have led to
several environmental challenges, threatening the sustainability of the lake.

Task:
Explain to the residents how these environmental challenges have arisen. Additionally,
provide advice on how to address these challenges and emphasize the importance of natural
resources in the area.

Item 5.
In Sembabule District, there is significant environmental degradation due to extensive tree
cutting for charcoal burning and the depletion of swamps for agricultural settlements. The
district environmental officer has organized a conference for residents titled "Conservation of
Natural Resources."

Fig. 4(a) Fig. 4(b)

Task:
As an environmentalist, explain the environmental challenges that need to be addressed to the
residents and propose solutions. Suggest measures to emphasize the importance of

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environmental conservation.
Part II
Answer only one item from this part. Answers should be written in the answer booklet(s)
provided.

Item 6
Musa and Hakim are local brick makers. One day, Musa drank a lot of sugar cane juice and
claimed it would help him make more bricks per day. Hakim didn't understand how this was
possible. While making bricks, Musa experienced some physical challenges but returned to
his normal state afterward.

Task:
As a biology student, explain to Hakim how the sugar cane juice affected Musa's body to help
him make more bricks, the challenges Musa experienced, and how his body was able to return
to its normal state.
Item 7
A smoker and a non-smoker participated in a 100-meter race. During the race, the smoker
developed muscle pain and collapsed before finishing, while the nonsmoker completed the
race without any issues, experiencing only normal bodily changes. Their oxygen absorption
rates from the lungs were 20% and 70%, respectively. Eventually, the smoker recovered from
the muscle pain.

Table 1 shows the percentage of oxygen absorbed from the lungs of each individual during
breathing.

Individual Percentage of oxygen absorbed

Smoker 20
Non smoker 70
Task:
Using biological knowledge of a physiologist, explain to the smoker and nonsmoker the
experiences their bodies went through during the race and how the smoker recovered from
muscle pain.
Advice the smoker on how to manage and prevent the challenges experienced during the
race.
END