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Biology A
Ecosystems, Population and Sustainability

Complete Module
1.5 Hours
Mrs Davis
Please note that you may see slight differences between
this paper and the original.
Duration: 1 mins
Candidates answer on the Question paper.
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Geography a Quality of extended response question is marked with an asterisk, while a pencil is used for questions in
which Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology is assessed.
• The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
• The total number of marks for this paper is 95.
• The total number of marks may take into account some 'either/or' question choices.
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1. Peat bogs are ecosystems that contain unique communities of invertebrates, bird species, and wetland plants.
Sphagnum mosses represent a vital part of peat bog ecosystems. These species of moss require a high soil
moisture content.
Almost all of the peat bogs in the UK have been affected by human activity.
The following management activities were planned in a peat bog ecosystem:
the planting of a small area of conifer trees at the edge of the peatland
a ban on the extraction of peat for use as compost
reintroduction of natural sphagnum mosses
the construction of a ditch as a flood prevention measure
extended grazing by cattle and a large flock of sheep
managed burning to create new growth for livestock grazing
the construction of a boardwalk to replace several sets of footpaths
(i) Suggest improvements that could be made to these plans.
Explain why your improvements would help conservation of the peat bog ecosystem.
[3]
(ii) Explain why the preservation of peat bog ecosystems is not a strategy that can be used in most cases.

[2]

2. The graphs below show the density of two different plant species as proximity to the coast changes.
Which of the following statements correctly describes one aspect of the technique used to collect these data?
A Quadrats were randomly placed using a random number generator and coordinates.
B Larger quadrats were required for species A because their mean density was higher.
C A belt transect has been used to allow calculation of density.
D Abiotic factors were measured at every point of quadrat sampling.
Your answer
[1]

3. The graph shows a population of yeast and a unicellular organism, Paramecium, grown in a fermentation
chamber.
Which one of the following statements best describes the relationship between the two organisms?
A The Paramecium and yeast populations are complementary to each other.

B The yeast thrives in the relationship at the expense of the Paramecium population.
C The Paramecium feeds on the yeast and reduces the number in the yeast population.
D The two populations are in equilibrium and stable due to a type of negative feedback.
Your answer
[1]

4. Deep sea vents on the ocean floor are surrounded by unusual organisms such as chemosynthetic bacteria and
eyeless shrimp.
Which of the following statement(s) about these ecosystems is / are true?

Statement 1: The temperature of the vents influences the organisms that live there.
Statement 2: A predatory octopus would affect the balance of these organisms.
Statement 3: The number of eyeless shrimp found at each vent is constant.
A 1, 2 and 3
B Only 1 and 2
C Only 2 and 3
D Only 1
Your answer
[1]

5(a). This question is about ecosystems in the Southern (Antarctic) Ocean.
Observe the food chain:
phytoplankton (producers) → krill (shrimps etc.) → small fish → large fish → seals
Table 21.1 shows the transfers of energy and the quantities of energy stored as biomasses for the food chain.
Magnitudes are given in kilojoules per square metre of sea surface per year.
Phyto-plankton Krill Small fish Large fish Seals

Energy input, by
photosynthesis or feeding 900 80 11 1.4
−2 −1
(kJ m y )
Energy lost to
surroundings by 180 64 8.8 1.2 1.05
respiration
(kJ m−2 y−1)
Energy input converted to
biomass 720 16 2.2 0.2 0.05
(kJ m−2 y−1)
Biomass energy lost to

other consumers or 640 5 0.8 0.09 0.05
decomposers
(kJ m−2 y−1)
Table 21.1
(i) For larger and less numerous organisms, such as the seal, it is more appropriate to record energy flows per
square kilometre.
Calculate the energy input to the seal population from large fish. Record your answer in kilojoules per
square kilometre of sea surface per year.
Answer_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [2]
(ii) Calculate the percentage of energy stored in large fish biomass converted to energy in seal biomass. Show
your working.
Answer_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [2]

(b).
(i) The biomass of large fish in the Southern Ocean is a food resource for humans. It is increasingly harvested
by powerful, long-distance trawlers. If over-exploited, the Southern Ocean ecosystem may be permanently
altered.
Suggest two measures that an international treaty might impose, to prevent fishing from causing
permanent damage to the Southern Ocean.
Identify the practical difficulties that might prevent your two measures from being effective.
First measure
Difficulty
Second measure
Difficulty
[4]
(ii) Krill can also be harvested as a human food source.

The fishing industry aims to harvest large fish.
Some environmentalists say that krill harvesting should be increased.
Use this information and Table 21.1 to put forward arguments for and against harvesting krill instead of large
fish as a human food source.
[2]

6(a). A small, permanent pond is the habitat for a climax community of producers (aquatic plants and algae) and
consumers (bacteria, protoctista, worms, snails, arthropods and small vertebrates like newts and fish).
Why might ecologists call this a ‘climax community’?
[1]
(b). The protoctist Paramecium caudatum is usually between 200 and 300 μm in length. An accurate measurement
would help in the correct identification of a specimen from this pond.
What laboratory equipment would you select to make an accurate measurement of the length of Paramecium
caudatum?
[2]
(c). An animal fell into the pond. It drowned and decayed. Within a year the biological compounds in its body had
been completely recycled.
(i) What nitrogenous excretory molecule from the decomposers would pass to the next stage of the nitrogen
cycle?
[1]
(ii) Complete the flow chart to show what happens to this nitrogenous compound, and name the groups of
bacteria involved at steps 1 and 2, as it is converted to a form that plants can take up and use.

[4]

7. The list below describes some types of plant found during primary succession on a sand dune.
i. a legume that contains nitrogen fixing bacteria

ii. hardy grasses that can resist desiccation
iii. large mature trees
iv. small herbs that can tolerate salty spray
v. small trees and bushes
In which order are these plants most likely to grow successfully?
A i – ii – iii – iv – v
B ii – v – iv – i – iii
C ii – iv – i – v – iii
D ii – iv – iii – v – i
Your answer
[1]

8. The images show four pieces of apparatus that could be used to collect data about biodiversity in the field.
Which row, A to D, describes when each piece of apparatus would be used to measure species evenness and
richness in a meadow?
Row Measuring species richness Measuring species evenness

A Q, S R
B P P, R
C P, Q, R, S P, Q, R, S
D P, Q, R, S P, Q, S
Your answer
[1]

9(a). A student investigated the distribution of buttercups (Ranunculus bulbosus) in a field which contained a pond.
The student noticed that the buttercups near the pond looked slightly different from those further away. After
further investigation the student identified the buttercups near the pond as a different species (Ranunculus
repens).
(i) Describe how the student would use a belt transect to investigate the distribution of the two buttercup
species.
[3]
(ii) Use the space below to show the format of a results table suitable for recording the results of the student's
investigation. (You do not need to include any suggested data.)
[2]

(b). As the ground dipped towards the pond the soil became obviously wetter. The student thought that the soil
moisture might affect the distribution of the two buttercup species.
Suggest one biotic factor that might affect the distribution of the buttercups.
[1]

10(a) Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK about 500 years ago. Recently a trial reintroduction in Scotland was
. hailed as a great success after researchers found that the animals had ‘transformed the landscape’. After five
years the beavers had:
constructed dams – the largest of which was 18 m long and 1.6 m high
felled trees
created canals
built lodges (large nests)
successfully reproduced.
(i) Beavers are considered to be a keystone species.
Explain why they are a keystone species in their native Canada.
[2]
(ii) One benefit of the reintroduction of beavers in Scotland was an increase in habitat diversity.
Explain how the following activities could have contributed to increased habitat diversity.
constructed dams
felled trees
built lodges
[3]

(iii) Suggest one other benefit of the reintroduction of beavers.
[1]
(b). Increasing habitat diversity may lead to an increase in species diversity and genetic diversity.
Explain why species diversity and genetic diversity may be increased as a result of the beavers' activity.
[2]
(c). Some land owners have expressed concern about the impact that beavers can have on rural businesses.
Suggest two arguments that may be used by local business leaders against the introduction of beavers. State
whether these outweigh the arguments presented by the naturalists.
argument 1
argument 2
[4]

11. The first stage of primary succession is the pioneer community.
Which of the following statements about a pioneer community are correct?
1 species produce large numbers of wind-carried seeds or spores

2 biomass is low
3 many species are lichens and mosses
A 1, 2 and 3
B Only 1 and 2
C Only 2 and 3
D Only 1
Your answer [1]

12. The graph shows a typical population growth curve.
Which row correctly describes what is happening at each of stages V to Z ?
V W X Y Z
A reproduction rate is as time doubles population size is population growth reproduction rate is
higher than death population doubles proportional to time is similar to death
rate slowing rate
B reproduction rate is as time doubles reproduction rate is population growth reproduction rate is
higher than death population more much higher than is similar to death
rate than doubles death rate slowing rate
C reproduction rate is as time doubles population size is population growth reproduction rate is
higher than death population doubles proportional to time is similar to death
rate decreasing rate
D reproduction rate is population is reproduction rate is population is reproduction rate is

higher than death increasing rapidly much higher than decreasing similar to death
rate death rate rate
Your answer [1]

13(a) The Madidi National Park, in the South American rainforest, is home to a wide variety of species. The largest
. predator in the area is the jaguar. These large cats are well camouflaged and hunt mostly at night. A single
individual can cover a very large area.
In 2007 the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) attempted to estimate the population of jaguars in the Madidi
National Park.
Digital camera traps were placed in areas that jaguars were likely to visit.
If an infrared beam was broken by an animal, the camera was activated.
The camera then took a photograph of the animal.
(i) Suggest why it was not appropriate to estimate the number of jaguars using the capture-recapture
technique.
[2]
(ii) Most studies estimate the population density of jaguars in the South American rainforest to be 5
individuals per 100 km2.
In the 2007 study:
100 camera traps were set up covering an area of 271 km2.
28 images of 9 different jaguars were recorded.
How well do these results support a population estimate of 5 individuals per 100 km2?
[4]

(iii) Other evidence used to estimate the jaguar population includes footprints and reports of sightings by
local humans.
Suggest one disadvantage of each of these methods for estimating the size of the jaguar population.
human sightings
footprints
[2]
(b). The Madidi National Park is also home to approximately 260 000 humans who support themselves by means of
cattle-farming, and the production of timber and brazil nuts (a large nut harvested from a local native tree).
Conservationists have been working with:
local people to promote sustainable use of these resources; and

government agencies to maintain the quality of the national park.
Explain why the Madidi National Park is an example of conservation rather than preservation.
[3]

14. Many species of bacteria act as decomposers within ecosystems by breaking down organic material.
Scientists analysed the energy flow within a grassland ecosystem.
They estimated that the energy in the decomposers’ trophic level was 950 000 J m–2 yr–1.
The energy within the producers’ trophic level was 800% greater than that of the decomposers.
(i) Calculate the energy in the producers’ trophic level in kJ m–2 yr–1.
Answer: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ kJ m–2 yr–1[2]
(ii) Calculate the percentage efficiency of the energy transfer from producers to decomposers.
Give your answer to two significant figures.
Answer: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ % [1]

15. Which of the following statements about ecosystems is not true?
A An ecosystem is affected by biotic and abiotic factors.
B An ecosystem is all of the organisms and habitats in a large area.
C An ecosystem is dynamic.
D There is a flow of biomass between trophic levels in an ecosystem.
Your answer [1]

16.
Penguins are flightless birds that eat fish. Most species of penguin live near the coast of Antarctica or on the
many islands that surround Antarctica.
Fig. 17 shows the populations of three penguin species on an island off the coast of Antarctica.
Fig. 17
(i) Before 1975 the only penguin species on the island was the adélie penguin. Chinstrap penguins were first
recorded on the island in 1976.
The changes in the chinstrap penguin population are not directly related to abiotic factors.
Suggest explanations for the changes in the population of chinstrap penguins between 1976 and 2010.
[3]

(ii) Calculate the mean annual decrease in the adélie penguin population between 1988 and 2010.
Show your working. Give your answer to three significant figures.
Answer .......................................................... [2]

17(a) Nitrogen cycling within ecosystems is controlled by various bacterial species. The table below lists four groups of
. bacterium that are involved in the nitrogen cycle.
Complete the table to show the locations of each type of bacterium in the cycle and the reactions they perform.
Type of bacteria Location Reactant(s) Product Oxidation or reduction

of nitrogen?
+
Rhizobium N2 and H ions NH3 reduction
Nitrosomonas soil oxidation
–
Nitrobacter soil NO3
–
Denitrifiying bacteria NO3
[4]
(b). Nitrogen fixation is an important part of the nitrogen cycle.
The rate of nitrogen fixation is reduced by the presence of oxygen.
Rhizobium uses the enzyme nitrogenase to fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Fig. 4 shows a simplified representation of the structure of nitrogenase and the reaction that it catalyses.
Fig. 4

(i) What can you conclude from Fig. 4 about the molecules or ions that affect the functioning of the nitrogenase
enzyme?
[4]
(ii) Leghaemoglobin is a molecule that improves the performance of nitrogenase. It has very similar properties to
mammalian haemoglobin.
Suggest two ways in which leghaemoglobin improves the performance of the nitrogenase enzyme.
[2]

18(a) The spruce pine plant is given the binomial name Pinus glabra.
.
A scientist sampled the species of trees present in two different habitats containing Pinus glabra.
The results of the sampling are shown in Table 5.
Species Number of individuals in Number of individuals in

habitat A habitat B
P. glabra 45 60
M. grandiflora 23 10
F. grandiflora 55 20
L. styraciflua 0 10
L. tulipifera 0 0
S. shumardii 23 4
Table 5
Using Simpson’s Index of Diversity, the scientist calculated the biodiversity (D) of Habitat A as 0.71.
Use the formula given to calculate the biodiversity of Habitat B.
Show your working.
State which habitat, A or B, has the greater biodiversity.
D (Habitat A) = 0.71
D (Habitat B) = ...............................
Habitat with the greater biodiversity = ...............................
[2]

(b). Habitat B was situated beside a lake and showed evidence of ecological succession.
The scientist planned to investigate how the biodiversity changed from the edge of the lake to the other side of
habitat B.
(i) State the collective name of the animal and plant populations that are present at the end of primary
succession.
[1]
(ii) Suggest how the scientist could achieve the following during their investigation:
Sample all stages of succession in the habitat
Minimise sampling bias
Sample insect biodiversity
[3]
(iii) The scientist also measured primary production in both the woodland and lake habitats. Suggest the units
the scientist should use to measure primary production in the two habitats.
Woodland
Lake
[1]

19. Madagascar is a large island off the coast of Africa that once formed part of the mainland.
The fossa, Cryptoprocta ferox is the top predator on Madagascar.
The fossa shares many physical similarities with cats but it is not a member of the family Felidae. It is related to
the mongoose.
The mongoose is a much smaller mammal that lives on the African mainland.
Fig. 20.2 shows a fossa and a mongoose.
Fig. 20.2
(i) The mongoose is a smaller mammal and also has proportionally longer fur. State one other difference, visible
in Fig. 20.2, between a fossa and a mongoose.
[1]

(ii) When the island of Madagascar became separated from the African continent, there were no members of the
cat family, Felidae, on the island.
Outline how a fossa could have evolved from a much smaller, mongoose-like ancestor.
[4]
(iii) Islands, such as Madagascar, often have species that are different from those on the nearest land mass
because they are reproductively isolated.
State three other conditions that must be present in order for speciation to occur.
[3]

20. Listed below are three approaches, A, B and C, that can be taken to maintain biodiversity:
A ex situ conservation
B in situ conservation
C preservation
For each of the statements below, indicate whether it could be consistent with in situ conservation, ex situ
conservation or preservation by inserting the correct letter or letters in the table.
Approach
organisms are not removed from their
natural habitat
human intervention is happening
[2]
END OF QUESTION PAPER

Mark Scheme
Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance
1 i no / less, planting AND idea of trees 3

remove water from the bog (1)
no ditch AND idea of ditch drains water
from the bog (1)
no / controlled, grazing AND idea of
overgrazing disrupts the food chain (1)
no / less, burning AND idea of death of
organisms from rare species (1)
ii idea that preservation leaves ecosystems 2

untouched, or without human interference
(1)
idea that most peat bogs have been
damaged already and require management
and restoration (1)
Total 5
2 C 1
Total 1
3 D 1
Total 1
4 B 1
Total 1
5 a i 110 000 / 1.1 × 105 (1) 2 ALLOW the word or any reasonable
kJ km–2 y–1 (1) symbol for year
ALLOW kJ y–1 km–2
ii 25 (1)(1) 2 ALLOW correct answer in the working if

the answer line is left blank.
If answer is incorrect, award 1 mark for
0.05 ÷ 0.2 × 100

Mark Scheme
b i Measures 4 The difficulties should relate to the

fishing quotas (1) measures proposed.
mesh size (1)
species restriction (1)
trawler size / days at sea (1)
penalties / sanctions (1)
monitoring / surveillance (1)
publicity / public education (1)
Difficulties
area too large (1)
expense of monitoring (1)
monitoring hampered by, weather /
seasons (1)
false reporting of, catches / trawler size /
mesh size / days (1)
death of fish caught but not kept (because
of restrictions) (1)
ii argument for 2 ALLOW the use of figures to illustrate the

comparison of the energy in large fish and data comparison.
krill shows humans would get 100x more
kJ / energy from krill than large fish (1)
argument against
would require large change to fishing
industry / consumer habits
or
could impact ecosystem at first trophic
level (1)
Total 10

Mark Scheme
6 a (pond community is) final / stable / not 1 IGNORE ‘permanent’, it is in the rubric.
subject to further succession
b light microscope (1) 2

graticule (1)
c i urea / uric acid 1 ALLOW ammonia, ammonium (ions).
ii Nitrosomonas (1) 4
nitrite (1)
Nitrobacter (1)
nitrate (1)
Total 8
7 C✓ 1
Total 1
8 C✓ 1
Total 1

Mark Scheme
9 a i lay tape measure out from edge of pond ✓ Max 3
place quadrat beside tape measure ✓
identify species of buttercup in quadrat ✓
count number of plants of each species (in ACCEPT measure % cover of each
quadrat) ✓ species
ACCEPT count squares containing plants

of each species
repeat for positions of quadrat along tape
✓
ii three columns with clear headings ✓ Max 2 ACCEPT two columns where second
column is divided into two forseparate
quadrat number / distance from pond in left species
hand column ✓
number of plants / % cover in right hand

column(s) ✓
b predation / herbivory ✓ Max 1
competition ✓
correct ref to organisms living in soil ✓
Total 6

Mark Scheme
10 a i have significant effect on ecosystem✓ 2
many other species rely on activity of

beavers✓
ii created dams Max 3 ALLOW any other valid point

flooded areas upstream / reduced flow rate
downstream creating still / slow moving
water for aquatic species✓
felled trees
opened up tree canopy allowing light to
ground level✓
built lodges
creates sheltered habitat for insect species
/ beaver parasites✓
iii ecotourism / education / scientific study✓ Max 1

water quality improved as silt is held back
by dams✓
b species diversity will rise as more species 2

live in the new habitats✓
genetic diversity will increase as species
have a wider range of conditions in which
to live ✓
c loss of farmland due to flooding ✓ max 4
strength of argument depends on area

affected ✓
(probably) not a strong argument as

relatively small areas affected✓
trees cut down✓
(of concern to foresters) likely to occur only

in area near water – so not a strong
argument ✓
damage to river bank needing costly
repairs ✓
cost should be shared by all who benefit
(including those downstream) so not a
strong argument ✓
Total 12

Mark Scheme
11 A 1 ALLOW B
Examiner’s Comments
Almost two-thirds of candidates were
correct about pioneer communities.
Total 1
12 B 1
Around two thirds of candidates also
achieved this mark. The most common
incorrect response was A, suggesting that
some candidates are unclear about how
exponential growth (stage W) can be
described.
Total 1

Mark Scheme
13 a i 2 IGNORE refs to conspicuousness of tags
estimate will be inaccurate (because of low ALLOW catching one more jaguar will
numbers)  make a big difference to the calculated
number
ALLOW the technique only works well with
large populations
IGNORE difficult to catch
dangerous (for collector or jaguar)  ALLOW the jaguars might die

IGNORE inhumane / cruel / stressful
Just under half of candidates gained one
mark for (a)(i) for alluding to the dangerous
nature of capturing jaguars but very few
gained a second mark. Many candidates
did not notice the reference to the capture-
recapture technique and answered in
terms of the inappropriateness of camera
traps, which did not gain credit.

Mark Scheme
ii 1 appropriate calculation of, observed / 4 max 1 CREDIT e.g.

expected, population density 
3.3 / 3 (jaguars per 100 km2)
13.55 / 13 / 14 (est. pop. in 271 km2)
0.05 and 0.033 / 0.03 (jaguars per km2)
20 and 30.1 / 30 (mean area per
jaguar)
1 IGNORE significant figures
2 lower than estimate  2 ALLOW ecf from candidate’s calculation
3 so does not support  3 Must be in context of mp 1 or 2
4 low / unknown, repeatability / 4 ALLOW low reliability

reproducibility (of results)  4 ALLOW ref. to one-off study / should be
repeated
4 IGNORE accurate / valid
5 (some) support because, figure / 3,
is close (enough) to, estimate / 5 
6 some individuals not photographed  6 ALLOW some not caught by camera
7 idea that if many individuals not trapped Examiner’s Comments

population could be higher than estimate The strongest candidates coped with the
 evaluative nature of this question well and
achieved full marks – usually for the first
three points on the mark scheme plus
marking point 4, 5 or 6. The majority of
candidates focused only on the extent to
which the data did not support the
conclusion and often scored three marks.
The fourth marking point was seen
regularly but candidates often used the
term ‘reliability’ which is not encouraged
because of its ambiguous nature. Centres
should refer to the OCR Practical Skills
Handbook for a list of terms used to
describe investigative results and their
agreed definitions. Although the candidates
were not explicitly directed to complete a
calculation for this question, almost all did
and the vast majority of these were correct.

Mark Scheme
iii human sightings 2

idea of any one of the following
misidentification
seeing the same individual twice
exaggeration / lying
poor recollection
jaguars likely to be in, places / times, IGNORE hard to spot
humans are not method unlikely to spot
cubs (as still in den) 
footprints
idea of any one of the following
misidentification IGNORE misidentification if given in human
might disappear (before recording) sighting
multiple prints in same spot makes
counting difficult same print might be Examiner’s Comments
counted on different occasions This was generally well answered.
many prints made by the same individual Candidates who thought that jaguars lived
hard to distinguish individual jaguars alongside tigers or cheetahs were not
footprints not always left  penalised for incorrect general knowledge.

Mark Scheme
b conservation because… 3 max

there are (local) people there  Cannot be implied from another marking
point.
Look for positive statement,
CREDIT if preservation people would not
be there
sustainable use 
(area used for) logging / farming / nut CREDIT logging / farming / nut production,
production  not consistent with preservation
active measures / work, to maintain, CREDIT preservation would leave park

biodiversity / habitat / park  untouched
CREDIT active management
NB preservation would leave park
untouched by people = mp 4 not mp 1
The majority of candidates knew the
definitions of conservation and
preservation and were able to use
information given in the question to
exemplify why Madidi is an example of
conservation to gain at least two marks. All
marking points were seen but surprisingly
few referred to the contextual examples of
logging, farming or nut harvesting given in
the introduction. Some candidates simply
stated definitions without reference to the
example and gained one or two marks. A
small minority of candidates discussed in
situ and ex situ conservation, gaining no
credit.
Total 11

Mark Scheme
14 i 8550 (kJ m–2 yr–1) ✓✓ 2 AWARD one mark for 8 550 000 (J m–2
yr–1)
OR
AWARD one mark for 9 x 950 000
OR
AWARD one mark for 7600 (kJ m–2 yr–1)
A small proportion of candidates were
awarded full marks for this question. Many
gained one mark for an answer of 7600, for
incorrectly multiplying 950 000 by 8,
instead of 9, and then correctly converting
it to kJ. The remainder were awarded no
marks due to an incorrect calculation or
giving an answer of 7,600,000 and not
converting it to kJ.
ii 11 (%) ✓ 1 ACCEPT ECF from c (i)

(look for 950(000) divided by answer to
c(i)and a correct calculation to 2 sig figs)
e.g. if calculated 7600 (kJ m–2 yr–1) then

answer would be 13(%)
The majority of candidates were awarded
one mark here for either a fully correct
answer or ECF from Q4(c)(i). Where not
awarded, this was mainly due to students
not giving their answers to the correct
number of significant figures.
Total 3
15 B✓ 1 Examiner’s Comments
(AO1.1)
Most responses were correct. There was
evidence that some candidates expected
to see the term ‘energy’ rather than
‘biomass’ and so opted for D. However,
‘biomass’ is the term used in the
specification and so the statement
associated with D was true.
Total 1

Mark Scheme
16 i 3 max ALLOW ‘fish’ as AW for ‘food’ throughout

(AO2.6) for this question only
CREDIT marking points 3-5 in the context
of either intraspecific or interspecific
1 penguin species have overlapping / competition
AW , niches ✓
2 competitive exclusion ✓
3 increase as , food / nesting sites /

resources (available) ✓
4
increase as , no / little , competition / 3 IGNORE refs to predator
limiting factors ✓
3 & 4 ALLOW increase as no competition
for food = 2 marks
3 & 4 ALLOW increase as outcompetes
5 plateau / drop, because of Adélie for food = 2 marks
(increased) competition ✓
5 CREDIT reached carrying capacity
6 drop / plateau , due to , arrival of /
competition from , gentoo ✓ 5 & 6 ‘plateaus because of competition
from gentoo’ = 2 marks
Most candidates achieved 2 out of the 3

available marks with a smaller number
achieving all 3. Marking points 3 and 4
were commonly credited, 5 and 6 less so,
1 and 2 rarely. The question tested the skill
of interpreting and explaining graphs.
Candidates who did not make it clear
which part of the graph their explanation
referred to did not receive any credit. Thus,
for example, ‘there was plenty of food
available’ might hint at an explanation for
the first part of the graph but unless this
was explicitly linked to the increase in
chinstrap numbers no mark was credited.
A large number of candidates were content
to offer an explanation for only the increase
in chinstrap population and so did not
access the final two marking points.

Mark Scheme
ii 2 (AO2.6) Max 1 if answer not given to 3 SF

Max 1 if no / incorrect units given
836 (± 40) / 8.36 (± 0.4) × 102, (individuals) ALLOW per annum / a year , as units
y–1
or If ‘pairs’ interpreted as individuals
418 (± 20) / 4.18 (± 0.2) × 102 , per year / If answer incorrect allow 1 mark for 83.6 (±
y–1 ✓✓ 4) / 8.36 (± 0.4) × 101or
41.8 (± 2) / 4.18 (± 0.2) × 101, per year / y–1
This calculation proved problematic for

many candidates. Many found the y-axis
difficult to interpret and very few attempted
to give units. A good proportion of
responses gave answers as a percentage
decrease rather than the mean annual
decrease as asked for.
Total 5

Mark Scheme
17 a 4 AWARD one mark per correct column
IGNORE references to oxygen in the

reactant and product columns.
DO NOT ACCEPT incorrect formulae or

charge
ACCEPT NH3 /ammonia for Nitrosomonas

reactant
A low percentage of candidates (<10%)
achieved four marks on this question and
many had zero or only one mark awarded.
Common mistakes included:
Column 1 – not being specific in saying

that the location for Rhizobium is in the
root nodules or leguminous roots.
Columns 2 and 3 – missing the charge
on NO2– or incorrectly expressing it as
a positive ion NO2+ OR putting
ammonia as a positive ion NH3+.
Column 4 – mixing up oxidation and
reduction.
A surprising number of candidates also left

blank spaces on this question, suggesting
a lack of understanding of the nitrogen
cycle.

Mark Scheme
b i 1. cluster / iron / molybdenum / sulfur , are, 4 max DO NOT ACCEPT coenzyme

cofactors / prosthetic groups ✓
2. H2 is a, competitive inhibitor / end 2. ACCEPT H2, competes / AW, with N2 for

product inhibitor ✓ the active site OR ‘increase in H2 will
reduce the activity of the enzyme’
3. CO is a non-competitive inhibitor ✓ 3. ACCEPT CO acts as a cofactor (as
candidates may be unfamiliar with CO)
4. (CO binds to allosteric site and) causes
change in shape of active site ✓
5. energy required (from ATP ) ✓ 5. ACCEPT ATP required as process is

active
6. acidic conditions, are tolerated /
increase reaction rate ✓ Examiner’s Comments
It was pleasing to see that the majority of
candidates were awarded two or three
marks for this question accessing marking
points 2, 3 and 4, for identifying H2 as a
competitive inhibitor and CO as a non-
competitive inhibitor (and then going on to
add how this affects the shape of the
enzyme’s active site). The other two
marking points for this question were rarely
mentioned, but sometimes the marks for
these were missed when candidates did
not expressly say that as ATP is needed,
the process is active/energy requiring or for
saying that acidic conditions are tolerated
or increase reaction rate.
In addition, some marks were lost for

marking points 3 and 4 as students
mistake CO for CO2.

Mark Scheme
ii transport of oxygen, for respiration / to 2

generate ATP (in Rhizobium)✓
removes(excess) oxygen so less inhibition ACCEPT removes oxygen / creates

(of enzyme / reaction)✓ anaerobic conditions, for nitrogen fixation
removes CO to prevent inhibition (of IGNORE removes H2 so more N2 can bind

nitrogenase) ✓ (to active site)
Few candidates obtained full marks on this
question. Those that did talked about the
removal of oxygen and CO and therefore
removal of inhibition of the enzyme. Some
common errors/omissions on this question
included:
Candidates mentioned the removal/

binding of CO/oxygen by
leghaemoglobin but did not then
mention how this affects the enzyme.
Candidates talked about how
leghaemoglobin provides the Iron (from
the haem group) for the enzyme’s
prosthetic group or protons/electrons
for the reaction.
Total 10

Mark Scheme
18 a (Habitat B =) 0.61 ✓ 2 DO NOT ALLOW mp 2 if value of D not

calculated
Habitat with the greatest biodiversity = A ✓
ALLOW ECF if B has been identified as the
habitat with greatest biodiversity, (if value
of D calculated for habitat B greater than
0.71)
Most candidates gained both marks here.

Candidates who showed clear working and
an understanding of the method to
calculate Simpson's index scored well, but
without clear workings, answers were often
wrong. Some candidates forgot to take
their calculated number from 1. Most
candidates who had correctly calculated
the biodiversity for habitat B understood
the significance of the result and stated
that habitat A had a greater biodiversity.
b i climax community ✓ 1
Many candidates gained credit by making

reference to the climax community.
Unsuccessful responses often indicated
that the candidate had not understood the
question and their response related to the
beginning of the process of primary
succession. Common errors included
pioneer species and climax population.

Mark Scheme
ii belt / line, transect / described 3 e.g. ' lay tape from edge of lake and
or sample along it'
stratified sampling / described ✓
random selection of transect sites
or
systematic sampling / place quadrats at,
set / pre-determined, intervals along the
transect
or (N.B. only allow random sampling in
random sampling using quadrats in, context of stratified sampling)
selected areas / strata ✓
ALLOW any suitable method of trapping

insects
pooter / sweep nets / pitfall traps / light IGNORE capture mark recapture
traps / tree-beating ✓
Successful responses referred to the use

of a belt or line transect to sample stages
of succession and a few referred to the use
of stratified sampling.
Candidates were less successful in

describing how to minimise sampling bias,
the most common error was to refer to
random sampling without stating in what
context this would be used. Contradictory
statements referring to the use of random
sampling along a transect, lost many
candidates marks.
Candidates showed a good understanding

of methods to sample insect biodiversity,
the most frequent successful responses
referred to the use of pooters, sweep nets
or pitfall traps.

Mark Scheme
iii Woodland = (k)g m–2 yr–1 / (k)J m–2 yr –1 1 ALLOW ( k)g h–1 yr –1 / (k)J h–1 yr -1 /
tonnes h–1 yr–1 / (k)g (k)m–2 yr–1 / (k)J (k)m–2
AND yr –1
Lake = (k)g m–3 yr–1 / (k)J m–3 yr–1 ✓ ALLOW (k)g (d)m–3 yr–1 / (k)J (d)m–3 yr–1 /
(k)g (k)m–3 yr–1 / (k)J km–3 yr–1
ALLOW hectare –1 for h–1

ALLOW y for yr
DO NOT ALLOW ‘per’
ALLOW ‘/’ instead of –1
This was a high level question, and as

expected, only the most able candidates
answered this question correctly. Very few
understood the idea of mass/energy
+area/volume + time, make up the unit.
Total 7

Mark Scheme
19 i 1 max Mark the first response only

(AO2.3) Assume ‘it’ refers to mongoose
IGNORE references head / body / shape
ALLOW ora for mongoose throughout
Fossa has …
longer , legs ✓
different (shaped / size) , ears ✓
(proportionally) bigger eyes ✓ ALLOW longer tail / larger jaw
The vast majority of candidates achieved

this mark. Some were even able to
correctly refer to proportional sizes. Those
few responses that did not gain a mark
tended to refer to differences not visible in
the figure or vague differences in body
shape.
ii 1 allopatric speciation ✓ 4 max

(AO2.5)
2 different , selection pressure /
environmental conditions (from
mainland) ✓
3 ALLOW pre-existing genetic variation
3 (random) mutation ✓
4 IGNORE best adapted / fittest
4 (fossa-like) individuals with ,
mutation / (new) feature , survive / Examiner’s Comments
reproduce ✓ ora
This question differentiated well between
5 beneficial / AW , alleles passed on ✓ candidates of differing abilities and two
marks were most commonly scored. The
6 directional selection best responses outlined the natural
selection of cat-like features using
technical terms. Many responses were not
credited marks because they did not use
the term ‘alleles’ correctly. Some conflated
‘alleles’ with ‘genes’ while others merely
referred to traits, characteristics or
features. Answers that ignored the context
completely struggled to gain full marks as
generic references to selection pressures
or survival of the best adapted were not
credited without a link to the
Madagascar/fossa-like context. A minority
of responses did not address the question,
which the evolution of the fossa, and
devoted their entire answer to issues of
speciation, gaining little credit. Use of the A

Mark Scheme
Level key term, ‘directional selection’, was

rare.
Exemplar 9
This response ignores the context of the

question and simply discusses natural
selection in generic terms. One mark has
been credited for discussing mutations but,
although the response alludes to marking
points 2 and 4, as these are context-
dependent, the marks have not been
given.
Exemplar 10
This response achieves full marks for the

following marking points: 2 – recognising
the context of an environment different
from the African mainland, 3, 4 –
recognising the context of a vacant large
predator niche, and 5.

Mark Scheme
iii 3 max IGNORE refs to isolation

(AO1.2)
mutation / genetic diversity ✓ ALLOW genetically different / large gene
pool
natural / directional , selection ✓
idea that environment / selection pressure , ALLOW e.g. different food source
is different from the ‘other’ population ✓
time ✓ ALLOW many generations
This question was poorly answered with

many candidates failing to appreciate the
significance of ‘other’ in the question and,
hence, listing methods of reproductive
isolation. Mutation and different
environmental conditions were the most
commonly seen correct answers but
references to natural selection and time
were rare.
Total 8
20 Is consistent 2
with… (AO2.5)
organisms are ALLOW in situ and preservation
not removed B and C ✓
from their
natural habitat ALLOW ex situ and in situ
human
intervention is A and B ✓ Examiner’s Comments
happening
Most candidates achieved 1 mark and
almost half got both. A number only put 1
letter in each box, despite the emboldened
instruction. All three letters appeared often
in the lower box, suggesting a
misunderstanding about preservation on
the part of some candidates.
Total 2
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Biology A

Ecosystems, Population and Sustainability

OCR supplied materials:

Other materials required:

Centre number Candidate number

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

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The following management activities were planned in a peat bog ecosystem:

(i) Suggest improvements that could be made to these plans.

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A The Paramecium and yeast populations are complementary to each other.

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Which of the following statement(s) about these ecosystems is / are true?

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Observe the food chain:

Phyto-plankton Krill Small fish Large fish Seals

Biomass energy lost to

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(ii) Krill can also be harvested as a human food source.

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Why might ecologists call this a ‘climax community’?

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i. a legume that contains nitrogen fixing bacteria

In which order are these plants most likely to grow successfully?

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Row Measuring species richness Measuring species evenness

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(i) Beavers are considered to be a keystone species.

Explain why they are a keystone species in their native Canada.

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Which of the following statements about a pioneer community are correct?

1 species produce large numbers of wind-carried seeds or spores

Your answer [1]

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Which row correctly describes what is happening at each of stages V to Z ?

D reproduction rate is population is reproduction rate is population is reproduction rate is

Your answer [1]

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Conservationists have been working with:

local people to promote sustainable use of these resources; and

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Scientists analysed the energy flow within a grassland ecosystem.

Answer: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ kJ m–2 yr–1[2]

Give your answer to two significant figures.

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A An ecosystem is affected by biotic and abiotic factors.

B An ecosystem is all of the organisms and habitats in a large area.

D There is a flow of biomass between trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Your answer [1]

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Show your working. Give your answer to three significant figures.

Answer .......................................................... [2]

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Type of bacteria Location Reactant(s) Product Oxidation or reduction

(b). Nitrogen fixation is an important part of the nitrogen cycle.