A transect runs from a shaded wall into a lawn. Mean plant counts per quadrat at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 m are 1, 3, 6, 6 and 5 respectively.
.1
Describe the pattern in the data without claiming a cause.
[2 marks]
.2
Explain how to investigate whether light accounts for the pattern.
[2 marks]
4 marksFoundation and Higher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
Forest is cleared to grow crops used as livestock feed. Cut trees are burned.
.1
Explain two different mechanisms by which this can increase atmospheric carbon dioxide.
[2 marks]
.2
Explain why biodiversity can decline even if a crop rapidly covers the cleared ground.
[2 marks]
4 marksFoundation and Higher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A buried bone is found in sedimentary rock, while a soft-bodied organism from the same ancient habitat has left no recognisable fossil.
.1
Describe how the bone could become a fossil.
[2 marks]
.2
Explain why this find cannot prove that only hard-bodied organisms lived there.
[2 marks]
4 marksFoundation and Higher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
Two neurones meet at a synapse. An electrical impulse reaches the end of the first neurone.
.1
Describe how information passes to the second neurone.
[3 marks]
.2
A substance stops release of the chemical. Predict the effect on transmission at this synapse and explain your answer.
[1 mark]
6 marksHigher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
Two carriers of cystic fibrosis consider embryo screening. Screening can identify embryos with two recessive alleles, but the IVF process may not produce an unaffected embryo suitable for transfer.
