T4-1 [230 marks]

What is the best definition of the greenhouse effect in the Earth’s atmosphere? [1 mark]
1.
A. A naturally occurring effect by which shorter wavelength radiation is trapped
B. A naturally occurring effect by which longer wavelength radiation is trapped
C. An effect of pollution by which shorter wavelength radiation is trapped
D. An effect of pollution by which longer wavelength radiation is trapped

2. Human activity leading to the emission of greenhouse gases may be a cause of global warming. [1 mark]
According to the precautionary principle, what should be done about greenhouse gas emission?
A. Analyse historical records from monitoring stations to see the trends in carbon dioxide emissions
B. Obtain more evidence by carrying out research on greenhouse gas emission
C. Take measures to lower greenhouse gas emission without further evidence
D. Develop strategies for coping with higher global temperatures

3. Which statement describes the term species? [1 mark]

A. Members of the same ecological community
B. Organisms that reproduce together to produce fertile offspring
C. Organisms of the same type in a population
D. The first word in the binomial name of an organism

The following statements refer to a pyramid of energy. [1 mark]

4.
I. Some material is not assimilated by each trophic level.
II. Energy transformations are never 100 % efficient.
III. Heat is lost during photosynthesis.

Which of the statements give the reason why a pyramid of energy is narrower at the top than at the bottom?
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III

The table shows the monthly CO2 concentrations in mg L–1 taken at two monitoring stations. [1 mark]
5.

What is directly indicated by the data?

A. CO2 concentration in the atmosphere varies from place to place.
B. Cape Grim is less affected by global warming than Mauna Loa.
C. CO2 creates a greenhouse effect at both locations.
D. The standard deviation for Cape Grim is higher than standard deviation for Mauna Loa.
 Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a unicellular organism, Plasmodium. Plasmodium is a parasite that
spends part of its life in a mosquito and part in a human. The mosquito transmits the Plasmodium to a human when it
feeds on human blood. Mosquitoes hatch in water and are flying insects as adults. In the country of Belize, where
malaria is a serious problem, studies have been made to determine what environmental factors affect the incidence of
the disease. 156 villages were studied over a ten-year period.

State the district where there is the highest number of villages with the highest incidence of malaria. [1 mark]
6a.
 Analyse the data in the map to find whether there is an association between rivers and the incidence of malaria. [2 marks]
6b.

Each of the six districts of Belize was studied from 1989 to 1999. The graph shows the mean number of people in each
district to be affected by malaria per year per 1000 people.

Compare the trends in incidence of malaria for Toledo and Corozal. [3 marks]
6c.
 Suggest a reason for the decreases in the incidence of malaria from 1995 to 1999. [1 mark]
6d.

Suggest a reason why the incidence of malaria is so low in the Belize District. [1 mark]
6e.
 The country of Belize has many different ecosystems. These ecosystems are shown in the bar chart. The white bars
indicate the total area within each ecosystem with the lowest incidence of malaria. The dark grey bars indicate the
total area within each ecosystem with the highest incidence of malaria. The total area with an intermediate incidence
of malaria is not shown.

Besides farmland, identify which two ecosystems have the greatest total area with a high incidence of malaria. [1 mark]
6f.

6g. Predict with a reason, using the data, which district has most farmland. [1 mark]
 Discuss whether malaria could be reduced by replacing farmland with natural ecosystems and replacing [4 marks]
6h.
broadleaf hill forest with mixed hill forest.

The image shows a forest food web from North America.

Describe what is meant by a food chain. [2 marks]

7a.
 Identify a food chain with four or more organisms from the forest food web. [1 mark]
7b.

Deduce the trophic level of each organism identified in your food chain from (b)(i). [1 mark]
7c.

State one reason that the population of mountain lions is smaller than the populations of other animals in the food [1 mark]
7d.
web.
 Global warming has changed both the thickness and surface area of sea ice of the Arctic Ocean as well as the
Southern Ocean that surrounds Antarctica. Sea ice is highly sensitive to changes in temperature.

Scientists have calculated a long-term mean for the surface area of sea ice in the Arctic and in the Southern Ocean
around Antarctica. This mean value is used as a reference to examine changes in ice extent. The graph shows the
variations from this mean (zero line) over a period of time.

State the trend in the surface area of sea ice in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. [1 mark]
8a.

Distinguish between changes in the surface area of sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctica. [2 marks]
8b.
 Discuss the data as evidence of global warming. [3 marks]
8c.

Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) are only found in Antarctica and need sea ice for feeding and nesting. Biologists
are able to deduce how these penguins have responded to changes in their environment for the last 35 000 years, as
the Antarctic conditions have preserved their bones and their nests. The image is a map of Antarctica and the
surrounding Southern Ocean. It shows the trends in the length of the sea ice season (days of the year when sea ice is
increasing) and the sites of nine Adélie penguin colonies.

Describe the trends in the length of the sea ice season around the Antarctic Peninsula and in the Ross Sea. [2 marks]
8d.
 Analyse the trends in colony size of the Adélie penguins in relation to the changes in the sea ice. [3 marks]
8e.

8f. Discuss the use of Adélie penguins in studying the effects of global warming. [3 marks]
 Draw a labelled diagram showing the structure of three water molecules and how they interact. [5 marks]
9a.

Aquatic and other environments are being affected by a global rise in temperature. Outline the consequences of [6 marks]
9b.
this on arctic ecosystems

Cell membranes separate aqueous environments in cells. Explain how the properties of phospholipids help to [8 marks]
9c.
maintain the structure of cell membranes.

1
 The table shows the monthly CO2 concentrations in mg L–1 taken at two monitoring stations. [1 mark]
10.

What is directly indicated by the data?

A. CO2 concentration in the atmosphere varies from place to place.

B. Cape Grim is less affected by global warming than Mauna Loa.
C. CO2 creates a greenhouse effect at both locations.
D. The standard deviation for Cape Grim is higher than standard deviation for Mauna Loa.
 The image shows an Arctic food web. [1 mark]
11.

What is the role of the Arctic hare?

A. Detritivore
B. Primary consumer
C. Secondary consumer
D. Saprotroph
 The diagram below shows changing vegetation along a slope in a terrestrial ecosystem.

Describe how a transect can be used to investigate the distribution of plant species in this ecosystem. [2 marks]
12a.

The vegetation shown here has developed as a result of primary succession. Outline the changes that take [2 marks]
12b.
place in the abiotic environment during primary succession.

Outline the abiotic factors that affect the distribution of plant species in an ecosystem. [2 marks]
12c.
 Distinguish between autotrophs and heterotrophs. [2 marks]
13a.

Define saprotroph. [1 mark]
13b.

State an external feature that is different in: [1 mark]

13c.
Cnidaria and Mollusca.
 State an external feature that is different in: [1 mark]
13d.
Mollusca and Annelida.

In ecosystems the amount of energy that passes from one trophic level to the next is called the conversion [1 mark]
14.
efficiency. What is the average conversion efficiency from primary to secondary consumers in most ecosystems?

A. 1 %
B. 10 %
C. 50 %
D. 90 %

Global warming caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect is likely to have major consequences for arctic [1 mark]
15.
ecosystems. Which of the following are likely to occur in the arctic if the Earth’s surface temperature rises?

I. Decreased rates of decomposition of detritus

II. Increased range of predators from temperate regions

III. Increase in numbers of pest species and pathogens

A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III
 The diagram is a representation of a carbon cycle. Which arrow will reduce the greenhouse effect? [1 mark]
16.

Outline the difference in absorption of red, blue and green light by chlorophyll. [4 marks]
17a.

Explain how the process of photosynthesis affects carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere during a [8 marks]
17b.
typical year and the likely consequences on Earth of the yearly rises in carbon dioxide concentrations.
 Ecologists sometimes display data from an ecosystem using a diagram called a pyramid of energy. Describe [6 marks]
18a.
what is shown in pyramids of energy.

Explain the control of body temperature in humans. [8 marks]

18b.

19. What is an ecosystem? [1 mark]

A. An environment in which an organism normally lives

B. A group of organisms of the same species inhabiting an area
C. A group of populations living and interacting with each other in an area
D. A community and its abiotic environment
 What term can be used to describe clams that eat decaying plant matter? [1 mark]
20.
A. Detritivores
B. Tertiary consumers
C. Saprotrophs
D. Decomposers

At each trophic level energy is lost. How is this energy regained by the ecosystem? [1 mark]
21.
A. Heat
B. Nutrients
C. Photosynthesis
D. Recycling

Outline how and where energy is stored in plants. [4 marks]

22a.
 Ecologists sometimes display data from an ecosystem using a diagram called a pyramid of energy. Describe [6 marks]
22b.
what is shown in pyramids of energy.

Explain the control of body temperature in humans. [8 marks]

22c.

One of the distinguishing features of the Archaea is that they are capable of inhabiting extreme environments [2 marks]
23.
such as extreme temperatures or anoxic conditions. Outline other extreme environments inhabited by the Archaea.
 Discuss the definition of the term species. [3 marks]
24.

Which of the following is the best definition of a population? [1 mark]

25.
A. A group of individuals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
B. The number of individuals of the same species in a given area
C. A group of species living and interacting with each other in a given area
D. The total number of individuals in a given area
 In a pond, two species of fish feed on insects and worms. The insects feed on the green plants that live in the [1 mark]
26.
water. What constitutes a population in this ecosystem?

A. All the living organisms

B. All the animals
C. All the fish
D. All the fish of one species

The fungus Calocera viscosa obtains its nutrients from decaying conifer trees. Which pair of terms describes C. [1 mark]
27.
viscosa’s nutrition?
 What is an example of the precautionary principle? [1 mark]
28.
A. Avoiding cigarettes as they increase the chances of lung cancer
B. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions as they may cause global warming
C. Avoiding strong sunlight as it increases the chances of skin cancer
D. Reducing cod fishing to increase fish stocks

What best describes the mode of nutrition of a heterotroph? [1 mark]

29.
A. It ingests only non-living organic matter.
B. It obtains organic molecules from other organisms.
C. It synthesizes its organic molecules from inorganic substances.
D. It produces its organic molecules from chemical reactions using light.
 This question refers to the following food web.

The energy passing from the detritivores to the predatory invertebrates in this food web is 14 000 kJ m –2 year–1. [1 mark]
30.
Approximately how much energy (in kJ m –2 year–1) passes from the predatory invertebrates to the carnivores?

A. 140

B. 1400

C. 14 000

D. 140 000

To which trophic level do the butterflies belong? [1 mark]

31.
A. Producers
B. Primary consumers
C. Secondary consumers
D. Tertiary consumers
 What best describes the mode of nutrition of a heterotroph? [1 mark]
32.
A. It ingests only non-living organic matter.
B. It obtains organic molecules from other organisms.
C. It synthesizes its organic molecules from inorganic substances.
D. It produces its organic molecules from chemical reactions using light.

The energy passing from the detritivores to the predatory invertebrates in this food web is 14 000 kJ m –2 year–1. [1 mark]
33.

Approximately how much energy (in kJ m –2 year–1) passes from the predatory invertebrates to the carnivores?

A. 140
B. 1400
C. 14 000
D. 140 000
34. What do records from the twentieth and twenty-first century show about the concentration of carbon dioxide in [1 mark]
the atmosphere?

A. An upward trend with annual fluctuations

B. An upward trend with no annual fluctuations
C. Annual fluctuations but no overall trend
D. Random fluctuations and no overall trend

What term refers to organisms of the same species, living in a specified area and time? [1 mark]
35.
A. Population
B. Community
C. Family
D. Genus

In a pond, two species of fish feed on insects and worms. The insects feed on the green plants that live in the [1 mark]
36.
water. What constitutes a population in this ecosystem?

A. All the living organisms

B. All the animals
C. All the fish
D. All the fish of one species
 What is recycled in an ecosystem? [1 mark]
37.
A. Nitrogen, carbon and energy are all recycled.
B. Nitrogen and carbon are recycled but not energy.
C. Nitrogen is recycled but not carbon or energy.
D. Nitrogen, carbon and energy are not recycled.

Explain the principles involved in the generation of methane from biomass. [3 marks]
38a.

38b. State the role of Rhizobium in the nitrogen cycle. [1 mark]

 The diagram below shows the carbon cycle.

39a. State the process occurring at X and Y. [2 marks]

X: ..................................................................

Y: ..................................................................
39b. Suggest one type of organism that can be involved in process Z. [1 mark]

39c. Explain the relationship between the rise in concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide and the enhanced [3 marks]
greenhouse effect.

40. Which term best defines a group of populations living and interacting with each other in an area? [1 mark]

A. Ecology
B. Community
C. Species
D. Ecosystem
41. What is a consequence of a global temperature rise on arctic ecosystems? [1 mark]

A. Decrease in CO2 released from decomposing detritus

B. Increase in the greenhouse effect
C. Decrease in ocean level
D. Increase in pest species

The diagrams below show different organisms (not drawn to scale).

42a. State all the organisms shown above that belong to the following phyla. [3 marks]

Filicinophyta:
Arthropoda:
Mollusca:
42b. Construct a possible food chain using three of the organisms shown opposite, stating the trophic level to which [2 marks]
they belong.

42c. State the initial energy source of the food chain constructed in (b)(i). [1 mark]

43. Which of the following trophic groups include fungi? [1 mark]

A. Detritivores
B. Autotrophs
C. Saprotrophs
D. Producers
44. The diagram shows a pyramid of energy for a wetland environment. What units would be appropriate for the [1 mark]
values shown?

A. kg yr–1
B. kJ m –2 yr–1
C. J m –2
D. mg dry mass m –3

45. The diagram shows the carbon cycle. Which letter indicates respiration? [1 mark]
46. What is the mode of nutrition of midge larva? [1 mark]

A. Autotroph
B. Detritivore
C. Heterotroph
D. Saprotroph

47. Which represents a correct food chain from this web? [1 mark]

A. stickleback → midge larva → unicellular algae

B. ciliates → Daphnia → stickleback → dragonfly nymph
C. diatom → midge larva → caddisfly larva → stickleback
D. filamentous algae → mayfly nymph → leech → stickleback
 The grey partridge (Perdix perdix) is a species of bird that is found on farmland. Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) and
buzzards (Buteo buteo) are birds of prey that kill and feed on birds, including grey partridge. The number of grey
partridges in a region of southern England was monitored from 1970 to 2004. The numbers of sparrowhawks and
buzzards, seen from sampling positions during regular observation periods, were counted. The results are shown in the
graph below.

48a. Outline the trends, over the period of time shown in the graph, in the number of grey partridges, buzzards and [3 marks]
sparrowhawks.

Grey partridges: ........................................................

Buzzards: ........................................................

Sparrowhawks: ........................................................
 The density of grey partridge (number per square kilometre) varied considerably in different areas within the study
region. The graph below shows the correlation between the density of grey partridges and the density of birds of prey.

48b. Identify the correlation between the density of grey partridges and birds of prey. [1 mark]

48c. Suggest a hypothesis to account for this correlation. [2 marks]

 The highest density of birds of prey was found in areas used for recreational shooting. In these areas, other species of
partridge were bred and released. Food and shelter were provided for the released birds. These measures tended to
increase the number of both released and wild birds.

The causes of death of grey partridge were investigated in one of the areas that was used for recreational shooting.
The pie chart below shows the causes of death.

48d. Calculate the percentage of deaths due to birds of prey. [1 mark]

48e. Using the data provided, discuss the causes of the correlation between the density of grey partridges and the [3 marks]
density of birds of prey.
 Male Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) commonly drink from pools of water or from moist soil. This behaviour, called
puddling, was investigated in an undisturbed area where male tiger swallowtails, Papilio glaucus, had been seen
puddling.

Four successive sets of experiments were performed under similar conditions of temperature and humidity. In each
set, equal samples of sand were spread out evenly on trays and then treated differently. Except for one dry sample (in
the first set), all others were saturated with a different liquid. Results of the observations are given in the table below.

49a. Identify the dissolved element always present in the three samples with most puddling time. [1 mark]

49b. Discuss the relationship between sampling visits (V) and puddling time (T) in experiments 1, 2 and 3. [2 marks]
49c. Analyse the results for experiment 4. [2 marks]

Study of the male moth Gluphisia septentrionis revealed that their puddling behaviour can last for hours. Though
drinking results in the uptake of hundreds of gut-loads of fluid, this fluid becomes rapidly expelled from the digestive
system through frequent anal ejections. In this experiment, the ion concentration change was calculated by
subtracting ions ejected from ions taken in. The following data was collected from males drinking laboratory solutions
and from natural puddles.

Identify which ion the moths are retaining in their body from the laboratory solutions. [1 mark]
49d.
 Compare the gain and loss of ions in the male moths which have drunk from laboratory solutions with the [3 marks]
49e.
changes in those that have drunk from natural puddles.

The diagram below shows the digestive system anatomy of the male and female moth. [2 marks]
49f.

Using the diagram above, evaluate the hypothesis that male moths are better adapted than female moths to benefit from
puddling behaviour.
50a. Describe the movement of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem. [6 marks]

50b. Explain how sexual reproduction can eventually lead to evolution in offspring. [8 marks]

50c. Using simple external recognition features, distinguish between the plant phyla bryophyta and [4 marks]
angiospermophyta.
51a. Below is a graph of atmospheric CO2 levels measured at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawai’i. [3 marks]

Explain the observed changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration from 1960 to 2005.

Outline the precautionary principle. [2 marks]

51b.
 Define the terms species, population and community. [3 marks]
52a.
Species:

Population:

Community:

52b. Explain the shape of the pyramids of energy that are constructed by ecologists to represent energy flow in an [3 marks]
ecosystem.

53a. Draw a labelled diagram showing the ultrastructure of a typical prokaryote. [4 marks]
53b. Outline how three different environmental conditions can affect the rate of photosynthesis in plants. [6 marks]

53c. Explain how the emission of gases, both naturally and through human activity, can alter the surface [8 marks]
temperature of the Earth.
 The following graph refers to questions 19 and 20. It shows variation in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere as
measured at Mauna Loa in Hawai’i. The small inset graph shows the variations in CO2 during a one year period.

Why does the amount of CO2 fall between April and August? [1 mark]
54.
A. Seasonal increase in the rate of photosynthesis in northern hemisphere forests
B. Seasonal decrease in the rate of photosynthesis in northern hemisphere forests
C. Seasonal decrease in the rate of fossil fuel consumption
D. Seasonal increase in the amount of CO2 taken up by the oceans

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