Sunday
Topic: B15.1 The History of Genetics | Textbook: pages 234-235 | Suggested time: 35-45
minutes
Before answering: Read the section and complete your own notes. Answer in full sentences and use precise
biological vocabulary.
Section A - Knowledge and Understanding
1. Name the type of plant Gregor Mendel used in his breeding experiments. [1]
2. State three conclusions Mendel made from his experiments. [3]
3. What is meant by a dominant characteristic? [2]
4. Name the four scientists described in the discovery of the structure of DNA. [4]
Section B - Explain
5. Explain why Mendel’s ideas were not widely accepted when he first published them. [3]
Think about the scientific knowledge available at the time.
6. Explain how the observation of chromosomes supported Mendel’s ideas about [4]
inheritance.
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7. Describe how scientists developed the DNA double-helix model. [6]
Include the roles of X-ray evidence and model building.
Section C - Critical Thinking
8. Evaluate the following statement. [4]
“Mendel discovered everything scientists needed to know about genes.”
Use evidence from the development of genetics in your answer.
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Monday
Topic: B15.2 Theories of Evolution | Textbook: pages 236-237 | Suggested time: 40-50
minutes
Before answering: Read the section and complete your own notes. Answer in full sentences and use precise
biological vocabulary.
Section A - Knowledge and Understanding
1. What is evolution? [2]
2. State two ideas proposed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. [2]
3. Name the ship Charles Darwin travelled on during his voyage. [1]
4. Give two observations Darwin made during his voyage. [2]
Section B - Explain
5. Explain Lamarck’s theory using the development of a giraffe’s long neck as an [4]
example.
6. Explain why Lamarck’s theory is not generally accepted today. [3]
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7. Describe Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. [6]
Use the ideas of variation, overproduction, competition, survival, reproduction and
inheritance.
8. Explain how Darwin’s observations of finches on the Galápagos Islands helped him [4]
develop his theory.
Section C - Apply and Compare
9. A population of insects contains green and brown individuals. The insects live on [6]
dark brown tree bark. Explain how the population may change over many generations
through natural selection.
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10. Compare Lamarck’s and Darwin’s explanations of evolution. [6]
Give paired similarities and differences.
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Tuesday
Topic: B15.3 Accepting Darwin’s Ideas | Textbook: pages 238-239 | Suggested time: 40-50
minutes
Before answering: Read the section and complete your own notes. Answer in full sentences and use precise
biological vocabulary.
Section A - Knowledge and Understanding
1. Give three sources of evidence Darwin used to support his theory. [3]
2. What type of breeding experiment did Darwin carry out at home? [1]
3. Name the book in which Darwin published his theory. [1]
4. State the year in which On the Origin of Species was published. [1]
Section B - Explain
5. Explain why finches living on different Galápagos Islands developed different beak [4]
shapes.
6. Explain how Darwin’s pigeon-breeding experiments provided evidence that [4]
characteristics could change over generations.
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7. Give three reasons why Darwin’s theory was only gradually accepted. [3]
8. Explain why knowledge of genes and chromosomes made Darwin’s theory easier to [4]
accept.
Section C - Critical Thinking
9. Evaluate the following statement. [6]
“Darwin’s theory was rejected only because it disagreed with religious beliefs.”
Consider religious, evidential and genetic explanations.
10. Darwin spent approximately 20 years collecting evidence before publishing his [4]
theory. Suggest two scientific advantages and one possible disadvantage of waiting
this long.
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Wednesday
Topic: B15.4 Evolution and Speciation | Textbook: pages 240-241 | Suggested time: 40-50
minutes
Before answering: Read the section and complete your own notes. Answer in full sentences and use precise
biological vocabulary.
Section A - Knowledge and Understanding
1. Define speciation. [1]
2. Name the scientist who independently developed a theory of evolution by natural [1]
selection.
3. Give two ways in which populations may become isolated. [2]
4. What must happen before two populations are considered different species? [2]
Section B - Explain
5. Describe Alfred Russel Wallace’s contribution to the theory of evolution. [4]
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6. Describe the process of speciation. [6]
Include variation, isolation, different selection pressures, inheritance and reproductive
isolation.
7. Explain how geographical isolation can lead to the formation of a new species. [5]
8. Explain the difference between geographical isolation and environmental isolation. [4]
Section C - Apply and Suggest
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9. A population of lizards lives in one large forest. A new river separates the population [6]
into two groups. One side becomes hot and dry; the other remains cool and wet.
Explain how the two populations could eventually become separate species.
10. Not every isolated population develops into a new species. Suggest two reasons [3]
why speciation may not occur.
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Thursday
Topic: B15.5 Evidence for Evolution | Textbook: pages 242-243 | Suggested time: 40-50
minutes
Before answering: Read the section and complete your own notes. Answer in full sentences and use precise
biological vocabulary.
Section A - Knowledge and Understanding
1. Define a fossil and give one example. [2]
2. State three ways in which fossils may form. [3]
3. Give three examples of preserved traces that may become fossils. [3]
4. Approximately how long ago is life thought to have begun on Earth? [1]
Section B - Explain
5. Explain how a fossil may form when the hard parts of an organism are replaced by [4]
minerals.
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