How many SCSA Biology questions cover Science as a Human Endeavour?

AusGrader has 7 SCSA Biology questions on Science as a Human Endeavour, all with instant AI grading and detailed marking feedback.

SCSA Biology Science as a Human Endeavour

5 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers

2025

SCSA

1 mark

Urban areas are susceptible to epidemics primarily because they

are unhygienic.

are densely populated.

have many vectors.

have antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Q18

2023

SCSA

1 mark

Q18

1 mark

In Western Australia, permits are required to move honeybees, honey and bee-keeping equipment between regions within the State. The main reason for this regulation is to

reduce competition between honeybees and native bees.

ensure that honeybees are available to pollinate crops.

limit the spread of honeybee pathogens.

regulate the number of honeybees present in a region.

Q38

2024

SCSA

20 marks

Q38

Xerophytic plants need to maintain water balance while allowing for gas exchange, and have a variety of adaptations to achieve this.

Q38a

10 marks

Explain why plants lose water to the environment during gas exchange and three distinctly different ways in which xerophytic plants minimise water loss from gas exchange.

Gas exchange occurs through stomata, which are pores in the leaf. When stomata are open, water is lost from the plant via transpiration/evaporation.

Ways to minimise water loss from gas exchange are (any 3 of):

Reduced stomata size, such that there's smaller area to lose water through.
Sunken stomata, which increases humidity around stomatal pore.
Closing stomata during the day, when temperatures are higher.
Rolled leaves, which protect stomata from the environment.

Marking Criteria

Water loss during gas exchange

Descriptor	Marks
gas exchange occurs through (open) stomata or plants release oxygen/take in carbon dioxide through (open) stomata	1
stomata are pores in the leaf (that are surrounded by guard cells)	1
water/water vapour is lost from plant when stomata are open	1
via transpiration or evaporation	1

Minimising water loss 1

Descriptor	Marks
Identifies a valid strategy to minimise water loss (e.g., fewer stomata/reduced size, sunken stomata/hairs in pit/rolled leaves, stomata open at night/close during day, less stomata on upper surface/more on lower surface)	1
Provides the corresponding explanation for how the identified strategy minimises water loss (e.g., fewer openings/smaller area, increases humidity/creates humid microclimate, open when temperatures are lower, protects stomata from environment/wind/sunlight)	1

Minimising water loss 2

Descriptor	Marks
Identifies a valid strategy to minimise water loss (e.g., fewer stomata/reduced size, sunken stomata/hairs in pit/rolled leaves, stomata open at night/close during day, less stomata on upper surface/more on lower surface)	1
Provides the corresponding explanation for how the identified strategy minimises water loss (e.g., fewer openings/smaller area, increases humidity/creates humid microclimate, open when temperatures are lower, protects stomata from environment/wind/sunlight)	1

Minimising water loss 3

Descriptor	Marks
Identifies a valid strategy to minimise water loss (e.g., fewer stomata/reduced size, sunken stomata/hairs in pit/rolled leaves, stomata open at night/close during day, less stomata on upper surface/more on lower surface)	1
Provides the corresponding explanation for how the identified strategy minimises water loss (e.g., fewer openings/smaller area, increases humidity/creates humid microclimate, open when temperatures are lower, protects stomata from environment/wind/sunlight)	1

Q38b

10 marks

The chance of an epidemic occurring depends on several factors.

Using influenza as an example, explain why urban areas are susceptible to epidemics and how vaccination and three other healthcare provisions can reduce disease transmission.

Influenza is easily spread via direct contact or airborne particles. Urban areas have high population density, which increases disease transmission, as uninfected people are more likely to come into contact with an infected person. Increased travel to urban areas also increases the chance of introducing a new strain with little resistance in the population.

Vaccines give people immunity without catching the disease, which reduces the chances of an individual catching the disease even if they are in contact with an infected individual. The spread of disease will slow if a large proportion of the population are vaccinated.

Other healthcare provisions include education about good hygiene. Healthcare can implement quarantine of infected people, and provide antiviral medication to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. Monitoring and reporting can result in early detection and early implementation of control measures.

Marking Criteria

Urban areas

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 4 of): • Identifies that influenza is easily spread or transmitted via direct contact or airborne particles • States that urban areas have high population density • Explains that high density increases disease/influenza transmission • Describes that uninfected people are more likely to come into contact with an infected person • Explains that increased travel/migration to urban areas increases the chance of introducing a new strain (little resistance in population)	4

Descriptor

Marks

1 mark for each correct point (any 4 of):
• Identifies that influenza is easily spread or transmitted via direct contact or airborne particles
• States that urban areas have high population density
• Explains that high density increases disease/influenza transmission
• Describes that uninfected people are more likely to come into contact with an infected person
• Explains that increased travel/migration to urban areas increases the chance of introducing a new strain (little resistance in population)

Vaccinations

Descriptor	Marks
States that vaccines give people immunity (without catching the disease)	1
Explains that vaccination reduces the chances of an individual catching the disease (even if they are in contact with an infected individual)	1
Describes that the spread of disease will slow/transmission will be reduced if a large proportion of the population are vaccinated/immune/with herd immunity	1

Other healthcare provisions

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 3 of): Identifies education/advice about good hygiene/mask wearing/hand washing States that isolation/quarantine of infected people can be implemented Identifies antiviral medication to reduce severity/duration of symptoms Describes how monitoring/reporting can result in early detection/early implementation of control measures	3

Q31

2020

SCSA

20 marks

Q31

The pathogen that causes jarrah dieback is a type of protist.

Q31b

In order to prevent the spread of jarrah dieback, vehicles are banned from driving on some tracks when the soil is wet.

Q31a (i)

2 marks

List two structural features of protists that are not found in bacteria.

Protists are eukaryotes and membrane-bound organelles.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 2 of): States that protists are eukaryotes or have a nucleus Identifies that protists have membrane-bound organelles or mitochondria States that the cell walls of protists are made of cellulose (not peptidoglycan)	2

Q31a (ii)

2 marks

List two structural features of protists that are not found in fungi.

Protists are usually unicellular and often have flagella.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 2 of): States that protists are (usually) unicellular Identifies that protists (often) have flagella (except in Chytrid zoospores) or cilia States that the cell walls of protists (when present) are made of cellulose (not chitin)	2

Q31b

4 marks

Explain how this can prevent the spread of jarrah dieback.

The disease is spread from plant to plant by spores, which are more active when it is wet. Vehicles pick up more contaminated soil when it is wet, therefore the risk of transmission is greater when the soil is wet. Furthermore, vehicles can spread the disease over a large area.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Identifies that the disease is spread (from plant to plant) by spores/zoospores	1
States that spores/zoospores are more active when it is wet	1
Explains that vehicles pick up more (contaminated) soil when it is wet, therefore the risk of transmission/spread is greater when the soil is wet	1
Describes that vehicles can spread the disease/spores/zoospores over a large area	1

Q31c (i)

2 marks

Describe how the tuberculosis pathogen is transmitted to a new host.

The pathogen is airborne and a new host inhales the pathogen.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
States that the pathogen is in the air/airborne OR affected individuals breathe out the pathogen/droplet	1
States that a new host breathes in/inhales the pathogen	1

Q31c (ii)

2 marks

Describe the impact that the tuberculosis pathogen has on the host.

The pathogen infects the lungs and causes coughing.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 2 of): Identifies that it infects the lungs/respiratory system States that it causes coughing/lung irritation/breathing problems/tuberculosis Describes that it sometimes does not cause symptoms OR takes time for symptoms to develop OR can infect the brain/nervous system/tissue other than the lungs	2

Q31d

4 marks

Explain how vaccination helps to control the spread of tuberculosis.

Vaccination introduces a weakenedversion of a pathogen into the body, which stimulates the production of antibodies. Vaccinated individuals become immune. The higher the proportion of the population that is immune, the greater the protection.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 4 of): Describes that vaccination introduces a weakened/harmless version of a pathogen into the body States that this stimulates the production of antibodies/stimulates an immune response Identifies that vaccinated individuals become immune OR do not catch the disease Explains that the higher the proportion of the population that is immune, the greater the protection OR the converse Explains that this is because infected individuals do not/rarely come into contact with susceptible individuals OR the converse States that herd immunity/high immunity protects susceptible individuals	4

Descriptor

Marks

1 mark for each correct point (any 4 of):

Describes that vaccination introduces a weakened/harmless version of a pathogen into the body
States that this stimulates the production of antibodies/stimulates an immune response
Identifies that vaccinated individuals become immune OR do not catch the disease
Explains that the higher the proportion of the population that is immune, the greater the protection OR the converse
Explains that this is because infected individuals do not/rarely come into contact with susceptible individuals OR the converse
States that herd immunity/high immunity protects susceptible individuals

Q31e

4 marks

When travellers enter Australia from overseas, they are required to declare all plant and animal matter that they have brought with them. Explain why.

This is biosecurity measure that protects the agricultural industry. It stops the introduction of exotic pests found in other countries but not in Australia. Plant and animal matter found to be infected will either be treated with pesticides or insecticides, or destroyed.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 4 of): Identifies the action as a quarantine/biosecurity measure States that it protects the agricultural industry/the environment OR stops the spread of disease Describes that it stops the introduction of exotic pests/diseases/weeds found in other countries (but not in Australia) Explains that plant and animal matter/declared items may carry pests/diseases States that plant and animal matter found to be infected will either be treated with pesticides/insecticides OR destroyed	4

Descriptor

Marks

1 mark for each correct point (any 4 of):

Identifies the action as a quarantine/biosecurity measure
States that it protects the agricultural industry/the environment OR stops the spread of disease
Describes that it stops the introduction of exotic pests/diseases/weeds found in other countries (but not in Australia)
Explains that plant and animal matter/declared items may carry pests/diseases
States that plant and animal matter found to be infected will either be treated with pesticides/insecticides OR destroyed

Q29

2025

NESA

6 marks

Q29

The Varroa mite is an external parasite of European honey bees and is considered to be the most serious pest of honey bees worldwide.

Q29a

2 marks

Why is Varroa mite infection considered to be an infectious disease?

Varroa mite is an infectious disease because the mite is a parasitic pathogen that is spread between bees and hives that come into direct contact with the pest.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Provides justification for Varroa mite infection being an infectious disease	2
Provides some relevant information	1
None of the above	0

Q29b

4 marks

In June 2022, the Varroa mite was detected for the first time in Australia at the Port of Newcastle. It then spread to surrounding areas.

Explain TWO procedures that could have been employed to prevent the spread of the Varroa mite in honey bees.

Measures used to prevent the spread of Varroa mite include:

Early identification of Varroa mite infestation ensures early detection and isolation of infected bee populations. This will stop them from spreading to healthy bees
Destroy infected hives. This will kill the mites and infected bees, preventing the spread of the mite to healthy hives.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Explains TWO procedures used to prevent the spread of Varroa mite	4
Explains ONE procedure OR Describes procedures used to prevent the spread of Varroa mite	3
Describes ONE procedure OR Outlines TWO procedures	2
Provides some relevant information	1
None of the above	0

SCSA Biology Science as a Human Endeavour

Water loss during gas exchange

Minimising water loss 1

Minimising water loss 2

Minimising water loss 3

Urban areas

Vaccinations

Other healthcare provisions

Frequently Asked Questions

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