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]
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.
Evaluate embryo screening for this couple.
[6 marks]
4 marksFoundation and Higher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A patient with influenza asks for antibiotics and takes a painkiller to reduce fever.
.1
Explain why antibiotics do not cure influenza and why the painkiller may still help.
[2 marks]
.2
Explain why developing drugs against viruses can be difficult.
[2 marks]
4 marksHigher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A breeder repeatedly selects the largest tomatoes from closely related plants. Average fruit size rises, but a disease damages almost all plants in the new line.
.1
Explain how the breeder increased fruit size.
[2 marks]
.2
Suggest why the new line may be unusually vulnerable to one disease.
[2 marks]
4 marksHigher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
Researchers record 48 freshwater invertebrate species at an unpolluted site and 18 at a site with low dissolved oxygen. The sites also differ in temperature and water flow.
.1
Calculate the percentage decrease in species count relative to the unpolluted site.
[2 marks]
.2
Evaluate the claim that low oxygen alone caused the decrease.
