1
1 The birthweights of 75 rats were measured and recorded within different birthweight ranges.
The number of rats in each birthweight range is recorded in the table.
birthweight / g number of rats
5.5 − 5.9 8
6.0 − 6.4 11
6.5 − 6.9 13
7.0 − 7.4 15
8.0 − 8.4 8
8.5 − 8.9 2
State the type of variation shown by the data in the table.
Continuous variation
.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
2 The birthweights of 75 rats were measured and recorded within different birthweight ranges.
The number of rats in each birthweight range is recorded in the table.
birthweight / g number of rats
5.5 − 5.9 8
6.0 − 6.4 11
6.5 − 6.9 13
7.0 − 7.4 18
7.5 − 7.9 15
8.0 − 8.4 8
8.5 − 8.9 2
State the number of rats that are heavier than 6.9 g at birth in the table.
43
.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
2
3 Mutations can create variation.
A student made some statements about mutations.
“A mutation is a genetic change. Ionising radiation decreases the rate of mutation”
Identify one incorrect word in the sentences.
decreases
.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
4 Blood group is inherited. There are four human blood groups: A, B, AB and O.
Surveys were carried out in two different countries to find out the percentage of the population in
each blood group.
The results are shown in the graph.
Suggest the type of variation shown in the graph and give a reason for your choice.
discontinuous variation
type of variation ........................................................................................................................
There are distinct differences in for a characteristic and it is usually through genetics.
reason ......................................................................................................................................
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.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
3
5 Blood group is inherited. There are four human blood groups: A, B, AB and O.
Surveys were carried out in two different countries to find out the percentage of the population in
each blood group.
The results are shown in the graph.
Complete the sentences that describe the data shown in the graph.
AB
The rarest blood group in both countries is ...................... .
B
In country X blood group ...................... is the most common but in country Y it is blood group
O
...................... .
30
The percentage of the population of country X that has blood group A is ......................%. [4]
[Total: 4]
4
6 Diagram 1 and diagram 2 are maps showing some of the different regions in a country. Scientists
S
studied the distribution of the Hb allele in the country.
Diagram 1 shows the estimated frequency of the allele within the population.
Diagram 2 shows the estimated number of babies born with sickle cell anaemia in each region.
diagram 1
diagram 2
5
The scientists made a statement:
S
‘There is a relationship between the frequency of the Hb allele and the number of babies born
with sickle cell anaemia in regions A, B and C.’
Using the information in diagram 1 and diagram 2, discuss the evidence for and against this
statement for regions A, B and C only.
In area A, in diagram 1 shows a low frequency of Hbs allele in the population but in diagram 2.,
..................................................................................................................................................
the number of babies with sickle cell anaemia is medium and not low so it doesn't match the scientist's
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statement. In area C, in the diagram 1 shows a medium frequency of Hbs allele in the population but in
diagram 2, the number of babies with sickle cell anaemia is low and is not medium so this also doesn't
..................................................................................................................................................
match the scientist's statement. In area B, in the diagram 1 shows some parts are low and some are high
..................................................................................................................................................
in frequency of a Hbs allele in the population but in diagram 2, the number of the babies with sickle cell
..................................................................................................................................................
anaemia is high so it does match the scientist's statement.
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.................................................................................................................................................. [5]
[Total: 5]
6
7 Diagram A and diagram B are maps showing some of the different regions in a country. Scientists
S
studied the distribution of the Hb allele in the country.
Diagram A shows the estimated frequency of the allele within the population.
Diagram B shows the estimated number of babies born with sickle cell anaemia in each region.
diagram A
diagram B
S
Suggest how the scientists would identify the presence of the Hb allele in tissue samples.
The shape of the cell will be like a sickle.
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.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
7
8 Seed banks are used to conserve endangered plant species.
The diagram shows some of the steps involved in managing a seed bank.
seeds are collected from
many populations of
each species
seeds are checked using
X-rays
seeds are stored at low
temperatures in the
seed bank
a small sample of seeds
is germinated
Seeds are X-rayed before they are stored to check that they contain an embryo.
State one possible consequence of using ionising radiation on seeds.
This can cause a mutation in the seeds.
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.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
8
9 There are four blood groups in the ABO system in humans: A, B, AB and O.
A B o
The gene that determines blood group has three alleles: I , I and I .
The graph shows the percentages of the global population with the four different blood groups in
the ABO system.
45
40
35
30
percentage 25
of the global
population
20
15
10
0
A B AB O
blood group
With reference to the graph, explain why the ABO blood group system is an example of discontinuous
variation.
This is because the blood group has only a limited number of groups which are just 4
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and not a range of values.
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[Total: 2]
9
10 Insecticides are often made from chemicals that occur naturally in plants. Tobacco plants are one
example of this.
Suggest why having a natural insecticide is an adaptive feature of plants.
This can protect the plants from the insects.
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.................................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 1]
11 Xerophytes grow in habitats with low rainfall and soils that often have high concentrations of salts.
The photograph shows the xerophyte Yucca treculeana growing on salt flats.
Explain how xerophytes, such as Y. treculeana, are adapted to absorb sufficient water in the
conditions in which they live.
They have thorns instead of leaves
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They have thick stems as a reservoir to store water.
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They have less number of stomata to reduce water loss.
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Extensive shallow roots that help in quick absorption.
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10
[Total: 4]
12 Xerophytes grow in habitats with low rainfall and soils that often have high concentrations of salts.
The photograph shows the xerophyte Yucca treculeana growing on salt flats.
Explain how xerophytes are adapted to reduce water loss to the atmosphere.
Sunken stomata
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Narrow leaves
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Thick cuticle
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[Total: 3]
11
13 The American writer Ernest Hemingway lived on the island of Key West in Florida, USA in the
1930s. During this time he was given a male cat by a sea captain.
The cat had more toes than usual. This inherited condition is called polydactyly. The allele for
polydactyly is dominant.
Here is part of a pedigree diagram for Hemingway’s cats.
Explain why polydactyly is an example of discontinuous variation.
There are distinct differences for a characteristics and usually to do with genes.
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.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
12
14 The American writer Ernest Hemingway lived on the island of Key West in Florida, USA in the
1930s. During this time he was given a male cat by a sea captain.
The cat had more toes than usual. This inherited condition is called polydactyly. The allele for
polydactyly is dominant.
Scientists published the results of an investigation into the DNA of cats with and without polydactyly.
They compared the base sequence from a particular region of DNA that controls the development
of the limbs.
The table shows the base sequences.
cats without polydactyly AGA CAC AGA AAT GAG
Hemingway’s cats with polydactyly AGA CAC GGA AAT GAG
cats with polydactyly from Oregon and Missouri in the USA AGA CAC GGA AAT GAG
cats with polydactyly from the UK AGA CAC AGT AAT GAG
The base sequences in the table provide evidence that indicates which country the male cat given
to Hemingway in the 1930s came from.
Suggest which country this cat came from and give a reason for your choice.
The cat came from the USA because the base sequence GGA is found in Hemingway's cat so this
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shows that the cat's base sequence matches with cats in the Oregon and Missouri areas.
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.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
13
15 Xerophytes grow in habitats with low rainfall and soils that often have high concentrations of salts.
The photograph shows the xerophyte Yucca treculeana growing on salt flats.
Xerophytes often have many defence mechanisms that reduce or prevent herbivores eating them.
Suggest how xerophytes protect themselves against herbivores.
They have spiky leaves.
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They have narrow leaves.
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.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]
14
16 Colour blindness is a characteristic that is inherited. Colour blindness is more common in males
than in females.
Here is a pedigree diagram showing the inheritance of colour blindness in a family.
There was no history of colour blindness in the parents and grandparents of individuals 1 and 2.
Suggest how colour blindness first occurred in the family in the pedigree diagram.
The individuals 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 may be carriers and heterozygous dominant.
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[Total: 2]
15
17 Cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus, are carnivores found in the dry grasslands and woodlands of southern
Africa. Cheetahs hunt for food during the day. They eat deer and antelope.
The cheetah is the fastest mammal on land but can only run at high speed (sprint) over a short
distance. Its hunting strategy is to creep up on prey and then sprint to catch them.
The photograph is of a cheetah in its natural habitat.
Suggest how these adaptive features enable cheetahs to survive in their natural environment.
This can help to camouflage in the grassland.
fur colouring .............................................................................................................................
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Helps to go faster.
streamlined body shape ...........................................................................................................
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.................................................................................................................................................. [2]
[Total: 2]