Natural Sciences Baccalaureate Exam
Duration: 3 Hours
Total Marks: 100 Marks
Part I: Biology and Physiology (30 points)
Answer the following questions.
1. The Cell
a) Describe the structure of a eukaryotic cell, specifying the role of its main structures
(nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, etc.). (10 points)
b) Explain the difference between mitosis and meiosis in terms of cell division. (5
points)
2. Genetics
a) What is the difference between a dominant allele and a recessive allele? Illustrate
with a classical example (e.g., eye color or flower color in plants). (5 points)
b) Explain the principles of inheritance according to Mendel's laws, using an example
of a monohybrid cross. (10 points)
Part II: Ecology and Environment (25 points)
Answer the following questions.
3. Biogeochemical Cycles
Describe the carbon cycle and its importance for maintaining balance in the
biosphere. Mention the main carbon reservoirs and the processes involved
(respiration, photosynthesis, combustion, etc.). (10 points)
4. Ecosystems
a) What is an ecosystem? Provide an example of a terrestrial ecosystem and an
aquatic ecosystem. (5 points)
b) Explain the concept of a food chain and its impact on the structure of an
ecosystem. (5 points)
5. Threats to Biodiversity
What are the main threats to biodiversity today, and how does human activity
influence these threats? (5 points)
Part III: Human Anatomy and Physiology (20 points)
Answer the following questions.
6. The Circulatory System
a) Describe the structure and function of the heart in blood circulation. (5 points)
b) Explain the difference between pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation. (5
points)
, 7. Human Respiration
a) Describe the main steps of human respiration, including the role of the lungs and
blood in gas exchange. (5 points)
b) Explain the process of cellular respiration and its importance for energy
production. (5 points)
Part IV: Geology (25 points)
Answer the following questions.
8. Plate Tectonics
a) Explain the theory of plate tectonics and the different types of plate boundaries
(convergent, divergent, transform). (10 points)
b) How do plate movements contribute to geological phenomena such as
earthquakes and volcanic activity? (5 points)
9. Rocks and the Rock Cycle
a) Describe the three main types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic),
and explain how each is formed. (5 points)
b) Outline the rock cycle and the processes involved in the transformation of one type
of rock to another. (5 points)
Bonus Question (5 points)
10. Evolution and Natural Selection
Discuss the theory of natural selection and its role in evolution. Include an example of
a species that has evolved due to natural selection. (5 points)
Answers
Part I: Biology and Physiology (30 points)
1. The Cell
a) Structure of the Eukaryotic Cell (10 points)
A eukaryotic cell is composed of the following structures:
Nucleus: Contains the genetic material (DNA). It controls cellular activities and cell
division.
Mitochondria: The cell’s energy powerhouses, responsible for producing ATP
through cellular respiration.
Endoplasmic Reticulum: Exists in two forms, rough (with ribosomes) and smooth.
The rough ER synthesizes proteins, while the smooth ER is involved in lipid
synthesis and detoxification.
Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids produced in the
ER for transport.
Lysosomes: Contain digestive enzymes to break down substances.
Duration: 3 Hours
Total Marks: 100 Marks
Part I: Biology and Physiology (30 points)
Answer the following questions.
1. The Cell
a) Describe the structure of a eukaryotic cell, specifying the role of its main structures
(nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, etc.). (10 points)
b) Explain the difference between mitosis and meiosis in terms of cell division. (5
points)
2. Genetics
a) What is the difference between a dominant allele and a recessive allele? Illustrate
with a classical example (e.g., eye color or flower color in plants). (5 points)
b) Explain the principles of inheritance according to Mendel's laws, using an example
of a monohybrid cross. (10 points)
Part II: Ecology and Environment (25 points)
Answer the following questions.
3. Biogeochemical Cycles
Describe the carbon cycle and its importance for maintaining balance in the
biosphere. Mention the main carbon reservoirs and the processes involved
(respiration, photosynthesis, combustion, etc.). (10 points)
4. Ecosystems
a) What is an ecosystem? Provide an example of a terrestrial ecosystem and an
aquatic ecosystem. (5 points)
b) Explain the concept of a food chain and its impact on the structure of an
ecosystem. (5 points)
5. Threats to Biodiversity
What are the main threats to biodiversity today, and how does human activity
influence these threats? (5 points)
Part III: Human Anatomy and Physiology (20 points)
Answer the following questions.
6. The Circulatory System
a) Describe the structure and function of the heart in blood circulation. (5 points)
b) Explain the difference between pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation. (5
points)
, 7. Human Respiration
a) Describe the main steps of human respiration, including the role of the lungs and
blood in gas exchange. (5 points)
b) Explain the process of cellular respiration and its importance for energy
production. (5 points)
Part IV: Geology (25 points)
Answer the following questions.
8. Plate Tectonics
a) Explain the theory of plate tectonics and the different types of plate boundaries
(convergent, divergent, transform). (10 points)
b) How do plate movements contribute to geological phenomena such as
earthquakes and volcanic activity? (5 points)
9. Rocks and the Rock Cycle
a) Describe the three main types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic),
and explain how each is formed. (5 points)
b) Outline the rock cycle and the processes involved in the transformation of one type
of rock to another. (5 points)
Bonus Question (5 points)
10. Evolution and Natural Selection
Discuss the theory of natural selection and its role in evolution. Include an example of
a species that has evolved due to natural selection. (5 points)
Answers
Part I: Biology and Physiology (30 points)
1. The Cell
a) Structure of the Eukaryotic Cell (10 points)
A eukaryotic cell is composed of the following structures:
Nucleus: Contains the genetic material (DNA). It controls cellular activities and cell
division.
Mitochondria: The cell’s energy powerhouses, responsible for producing ATP
through cellular respiration.
Endoplasmic Reticulum: Exists in two forms, rough (with ribosomes) and smooth.
The rough ER synthesizes proteins, while the smooth ER is involved in lipid
synthesis and detoxification.
Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids produced in the
ER for transport.
Lysosomes: Contain digestive enzymes to break down substances.
