Unit 5: Evolution and Biodiversity

a. variation is required for natural selection/evolution/variation in species/populations

b. mutation/meiosis/sexual reproduction is a source of variation
c. competition/more offspring than the environment can support
d. adaptations make individuals suited to their environment/way of life
e. survival of better adapted «individuals)/survival of fittest/converse
f. inheritance of traits/passing on genes of better adapted «individuals» OR reproduction/more
reproduction of better adapted/fittest «individuals»
g. speciation is formation of a new species/splitting of a species/one population becoming a separate
19HL Explain how natural selection can lead to speciation (7)
species
h. reproductive isolation of separated populations
i. geographic isolation «of populations can lead to speciation»
j. temporal/behavioral isolation «of populations can lead to speciation»
k. disruptive selection/differences in selection «between populations can lead to speciation»
l. gradual divergence of populations due to natural selection/due to differences in environment
m. changes in the gene pools «of separated populations»/separation of gene pools
n. interbreeding becomes impossible/no fertile offspring «so speciation has happened»

a. crop plants/domesticated animals/livestock produced by selective breeding

b. specific example of a domesticated animal/crop plant and the wild species from which it
was developed
OR
specific example of a domesticated animal/crop plant and the features in it which have been
Outline the evidence for evolution provided by selective breeding. improved «compared with the wild species»
17HL
(3) For example dogs have been developed from wolves
c. artificial selection/crossing selected varieties/eliminating undesirable varieties
d. «selective breeding/artificial selection can cause» significant/rapid change over time/from the
original wild species
e. «changes due to selective breeding/artificial selection» shows natural selection can cause
change/evolution «in a species»
 a. similar structure but different function «in homologous structures»

b. pentadactyl limbs/limb with five digits/toes / other example

c. similar bone structure/example of similarity of bones «in pentadactyl limbs» but different
Describe, using one example, how homologous structures provide uses/functions
17HL
evidence for evolution. (4)
d. two examples of use of pentadactyl limb by a vertebrate group

e. suggests a common ancestor «and evolutionary divergence»

f. process called adaptive radiation

a. can be sympatric or allopatric

b. temporal isolation by members of difference populations reproducing at different times OWTTE

Outline how reproductive isolation can occur in an animal c. behavioural isolation by difference in courtship behaviours OWTTE
17HL
population. (3)
d. geographic isolation by a population being separated by river/mountain/barrier to contact
An example of a geographic barrier is required.

e. polyploidy
 Evolution is «cumulative» change in population/species over time
OR
change in allele frequency

A population has variations amongst the individuals

Due to meiosis
OR
sexual reproduction

Due to mutations

Certain variations give an advantage to some organisms over others in certain environments

Populations/species produce more offspring than the environment can support

16SL Explain how the process of evolution occurs. (8)
Individuals of the species compete for the same resources

The better-adapted organisms tend to survive and reproduce

OR
less adapted organisms tend to die or reproduce fewer offspring

Individuals «that reproduce» pass on their «heritable» characteristics/alleles/genes to their offspring

(“Traits” is an acceptable alternative to “characteristic”)

Natural selection increases the frequency of «heritable» characteristics/alleles/genes of the better-

adapted organisms (Accept “genes”)

Specific example described (Example must be “described” to award marks)

Award [7 max] if no reference to heritable characteristics or alleles.

 a. (genetic) variation in population;

b. (variation is) due to mutation / sexual reproduction;

c. valid example of variation in a specific population;

d. more offspring are produced than can survive / populations over-populate;

e. competition / struggle for resources/survival;

f. example of competition/struggle for resources;

g. survival of fittest/best adapted (to the changed environment)/those with beneficial adaptations /
converse;
Explain how evolution may happen in response to an
15HL h. example of changed environment and adaptation to it;
environmental change. (8)
i. favourable genes/alleles passed on / best adapted reproduce (more) / converse;

j. example of reproduction of individuals better adapted to changed environment;

k. alleles for adaptations to the changed environment increase in the population;

l. example of genes/alleles for adaptations increasing in a population;

m. evolution by natural selection;

n. evolution is (cumulative) change in population/species over time / change in allele frequency;

Suitable examples are antibiotic resistance and the peppered moth but any genuine evidence-based
example of adaptation to environmental change can be credited.

a. antibiotics (are chemicals) used to treat bacterial diseases;

b. within populations, bacteria vary in their (genetic) resistance to antibiotics/fitness;
c. resistance arises by (random) gene mutation;
d. when antibiotics are used antibiotic-sensitive bacteria are killed;
e. (natural) selection favours those with resistance;
f. resistant bacteria survive, reproduce and spread the gene / increase allele frequency of resistant
15SL Explain the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. (6)
bacteria;
g. the more an antibiotic is used, the more bacterial resistance/the larger the population of antibiotic-
resistant bacteria;
h. genes can be transferred to other bacteria by plasmids;
i. doctors/vets use different antibiotics but resistance develops to these as well;
j. multiple-antibiotic resistant bacteria evolve/it becomes difficult to treat some infections

Describe the consequences of the potential overproduction of
15HL
offspring. (5)
Explain how DNA is used to pass on genetic information to
15HL
offspring accurately but also produce variation in species. (8)
Reproduction can cause populations to increase rapidly. Draw a
13SL
labelled graph showing a sigmoid population growth curve. (4)
a. more (offspring) than the environment can support / carrying capacity reached;
b. increased mortality/lower life expectancy/more deaths;
c. competition (for resources) / struggle for survival;
d. food/mates/nest sites/territory/other example of resource shortage / example of greater need;
e. variation between members of population / example of variation;
f. better adapted more likely to survive / converse; (reject Lamarckian statements such as those who
adapt survive)
g. better adapted reproduce / pass on (favourable) genes/traits / converse;
h. natural selection / (survival of fittest) leads to evolution;
a. DNA is replicated/copied semi-conservatively/from a template;
b. mutations can be a source of variation / resulting protein has new or different functions;
c. mutations/changes in the DNA may not result in changes in the amino acid for which the triplet
codes;
d. genetic code is redundant;
e. genes occur as paired alleles which can be different;
f. crossing-over occurs;
g. recombines linked alleles producing new combinations;
h. random orientation of bivalents / homologous chromosomes (in metaphase I);
i. large genetic variation in (haploid) gametes / 2n / 223;
j. random recombination of alleles during fertilization (leads to variation);
k. different phenotypes among members of the same population;
l. natural selection may lead to enhanced survival of recombinants;
 overpopulation/overproducing (of offspring) leads to competition for limited resources/struggle for
survival;

example of limited resource; (eg water/space/food)

not all can survive / less adapted will die/migrate;

some varieties/individuals more suited for environmental conditions;

Explain the various possible consequences of overproduction of
13SL they are more likely to survive and reproduce;
offspring. (6)
this is natural selection;

increase chances/spread of disease in population;

waste products of the population may reach toxic levels;

may exceed carrying capacity leading to population crash;

Do not accept references between species.
a. fossils (give evidence of evolution);
b. fossils show different species existed in the past/species changed over time;
c. selective breeding of (domesticated) animals/crop plants;
d. selective breeding shows that (artificial) selection can cause rapid change;
Outline the types of evidence that can be used to support the e. homologous (anatomical) structures/vestigial organs (give evidence of evolution);
13HL
theory of evolution. (4) f. homologous structures/pentadactyl limbs/other example show common ancestry;
g. DNA/base/amino acid sequences show (common) ancestry/species diverged;

Do not award marks for examples of evolution in response to environmental change such as
melanism as this is tested in part (c) of this question.
For each example:
a. a named example of a species that has evolved in this way;
b. description/clear statement of the change that occurred in the environment;
c. description/clear statement of different varieties (that existed at the same time);
d. explanation of/reason for one variant having a selective advantage;
e. the change in the population/species due to natural selection/evolution;
Do not award the last mark if the change is explained using Lamarckism rather than natural
selection.
Explain two examples of evolution in response to an environmental
13HL Example:
change. (8)
f. Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA/Clostridium difficile/other named species;
g. introduction/use of an antibiotic/named antibiotic;
h. some bacteria were resistant and others were not;
i. resistant bacteria survived (and multiplied) while non-resistant were killed;
j. percentage of the population showing resistance increased;

[8] can be awarded if the candidate scores [5] for one example and [3] for the other.
Do not accept examples where the evidence of evolution comes from fossils, or where the variation
is not heritable.

Plants are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms. Describe the
10SL different characteristics of the bryophyta, filicinophyta,
coniferophyta and angiospermophyta. (9)
Explain how sexual reproduction can eventually lead to evolution
10SL
in offspring. (8)
Using simple external recognition features, distinguish between the
10SL
plant phyla bryophyta and angiospermophyta. (4)
(At least one characteristic from each group is needed for maximum credit.)
bryophyta have no roots / only have rhizoids;
bryophyta have simple leaves/stems / only a thallus;
bryophyta produce spores in capsule;
byrophyta are nonvascular;
bryophyte exhibit (pronounced) alternation of generations / a significant gametophyte generation;
filicinophyta have roots, stems and leaves;
filicinophyta (often) have divided/pinnate leaves;
filicinophyta produce spores in sporangia/spores on the undersides of leaves;
filicinophyta exhibit alternation of generations;
filicinophyta have primitive vascular tissue / no true xylem and phloem;
coniferophyta have woody stems;
coniferophyta (often) have narrow leaves/needles/scales;
coniferophyta produce seeds in cones/unenclosed seeds;
angiospermophyta have flowers;
angiospermophyta have ovules in ovaries;
angiospermophyta produce seeds (with hard coats) in fruits;
offspring vary in traits;
variation results from sexual reproduction;
independent assortment of alleles (during meiosis of spermatogenesis/ oogenesis) contributes to
variation;
meiosis is the cellular process that produces gametes;
crossing over (during meiosis) increases variation;
fertilization (combination of different genomes) contributes to variation;
more offspring may be produced than the environment can hold;
struggle for existence can occur;
offspring whose traits best adapt them to environment will survive/survival of fittest;
change in environment will lead to survivors with new/different traits;
correct use of term natural selection/selective pressure;
variation is heritable / over time more offspring born with new trait;
change in gene pool;
when entire population (of a species) exhibits new trait, evolution has occurred;

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is an example of evolution in
10HL response to environmental change. Using another example,
explain how an environmental change can lead to evolution. (8)
natural selection (in correct context);
better-adapted individuals survive/more likely to survive;
more reproduction/genes passed on by better adapted individuals;
name of species; (accept even if remainder of answer is invalid)
description of original/decreasing phenotype;
type of environmental change that led to evolution;
consequence of environmental change
description of new/increasing phenotype;
genetic basis of phenotypes;
reason for new phenotype being better adapted;
detail of reason for adaptedness of new phenotype;
The following has been provided as an example answer.
great tit;
bird that lays its eggs in spring;
global warming/climate change;
more caterpillars (on trees) in early spring;
laying eggs earlier in spring;
time of egg laying is (partly) genetically controlled;
eggs laid early hatch at start of period of greatest food abundance;
more young can be fed/young grow faster/fewer deaths;