Paper 3 (2) [172 marks]

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued guidelines to control

invasive plants within the state. One mechanical method is to cut the plants down
where they occur. However the time of year the plants are cut down is important
in their control. The chart shows the months when it is recommended to cut down
the plants and the months when they should not be cut down.

1a. State which plant can be cut in August. [1 mark]

1b. Suggest a reason for not cutting invasive plants at certain times of year. [1 mark]

1c. Outline reasons for controlling invasive plants. [2 marks]

1d. Discuss what precautions should be taken before considering biological [2 marks]
control of the invasive plants.
 When water rises above a certain temperature, coral bleaching may occur. The
coral expels Zooxanthellae algae living in its tissues, leaving the coral a white
colour. The graph shows how the water temperature is changing in the coral reefs
surrounding the Cayman Islands.

2a. State the trend in temperatures from 1982 to 2014. [1 mark]

2b. Deduce the effect of bleaching on corals. [4 marks]
 Measurements of the lung capacity of a student were recorded using a spirometer
and displayed with a data logger. Initially the student was at rest, then changed to
carrying out strenuous exercise. The results are displayed in the graph.

3a. Calculate the ventilation rate at rest, giving the units. [1 mark]

3b. Explain the changes in ventilation after 35 seconds. [2 marks]

3c. Suggest how the total lung volume at rest would differ for a patient with [1 mark]
emphysema.

The micrograph shows mitosis in a cell of an onion (Allium cepa) root tip.

4a. Deduce, with a reason, which stage of mitosis is shown. [2 marks]

4b. The cells visible in the onion root tip were classified and counted. [1 mark]

Calculate the mitotic index.

 A study was carried out on the activity of catalase in bacteria living in extreme
environments. Catalase decomposes hydrogen peroxide (H2O 2). The data were
obtained for a strain of bacteria called Vibrio rumoiensis which exhibits high
catalase activity.

5a. Describe the relationship between increasing H2O 2 concentration and [2 marks]
catalase activity.

5b. Identify two factors that would need to be controlled in generating these [1 mark]
data.
5c. Evaluate the claim that, based on the data, the optimum H2O 2 [2 marks]
concentration for catalase is 70 mM.

Isopods are a group of organisms belonging to the arthropods and include

woodlice (slaters) and other species, some of which live on land and others in
water. A study was carried out on the diversity of isopod species living in a bog
(site B), the edge zone separating the bog and forest (site E) and adjacent forest
(site F).

Data collected for the three sites are summarized in the table:

6a. Outline what is meant by the edge effect. [2 marks]

6b. Analyse the differences in biodiversity seen in the three sites. [3 marks]

6c. State one method that could be used to estimate the isopod population [1 mark]
size.

7a. Distinguish between fundamental niche and realized niche. [1 mark]

7b. Outline the impact of competition on the niche of an organism. [2 marks]

7c. Outline the characteristics of keystone species in an ecosystem. [1 mark]

8a. A retreating glacier leaves an environment of lifeless glacial deposits, [3 marks]

including sands and gravels. Retreating glaciers often offer suitable sites
for primary succession.

[Source: climatica.org.uk]

Predict the process of succession that takes place on exposed bare ground as the
glacier retreats.
8b. Suggest how human activities could impact the development of an [3 marks]
ecosystem on exposed bare ground.

9. Discuss how abiotic factors can affect the distribution of species in an [4 marks]
ecosystem.
 The image is a transmission electron micrograph of part of two adjacent
pancreatic cells.

10a. Using the scale bar, determine the diameter of the nucleus of the cell [2 marks]
on the left, giving the units.

10b. Deduce the magnification of the image. [2 marks]

10c. Identify the structure labelled A. [1 mark]

Chromatography is a technique used to separate the components of a mixture.

The photosynthetic pigments from three organisms were separated by thin layer
chromatography: spinach (Spinacia oleracea), a red alga (Porphyra) and a brown
alga ( Fucus).

11a. Identify a pigment found in all three organisms. [1 mark]

11b. Compare and contrast absorption spectra and action spectra. [2 marks]

11c. Porphyra also contains phycoerythrin, which is a red pigment. [1 mark]

Suggest a reason for phycoerythrin being absent from the Porphyra
chromatogram.

11d. Porphyra also contains phycoerythrin, which is a red pigment. [1 mark]

Predict one colour of light that will be absorbed efficiently by phycoerythrin.
 One challenge associated with establishing nature reserves is concerns about
edge effects. The graph shows that some edge effects in the Amazon rainforest
are detected quite far in from the edge.

12a. Determine how far from the forest edge an increase in disturbance- [1 mark]
adapted beetles would be detected.

12b. With respect to the example of disturbance-adapted beetles, explain [2 marks]

what is meant by an indicator species.
12c. Outline how reserve size and shape can impact edge effects. [3 marks]

Gersmehl diagrams for two ecosystems are shown.

13a. Identify the processes represented by the arrows labelled A and B in [2 marks]
both diagrams.
13b. Deduce, with a reason, which ecosystem is representative of a tropical [2 marks]
rainforest.

14. Discuss the health consequences and environmental consequences of [4 marks]

the use of DDT.
 White sage (Salvia apiana) is a native Californian shrub. Slender oat (Avena
barbata ) is a grass, originally from the Mediterranean, which was introduced to
California. The map shows the distribution of the two species in relation to one
another in an area near Santa Ynez, California.

15a. Using the scale bar, determine the area of quadrat A1, giving the units. [1 mark]

15b. Outline how chi-squared can be used to test for an association between [3 marks]
the distributions of the two species.

In an experiment to explore the effect of exercise on ventilation rate, a subject

 breathed into a data logging sensor that measured air flow.

The graphs show the result before the subject exercised and immediately after the
exercise had finished.

16a. Determine the ventilation rate after exercise. [2 marks]

16b. Describe how the mean tidal volume after exercise could be determined[2 marks]
using the graph.

16c. Predict, with a reason, the effect of exercise on the rate of cell [1 mark]
respiration.

16d. Identify a muscle responsible for increasing the volume of the chest [1 mark]
cavity.
 Vinegar is a water-based solution of ethanoic acid. Acetobacter aceti is used in the
production of vinegar. This bacterium has the ability to convert ethyl alcohol,
C2H5OH, into ethanoic acid, CH3COOH.

17a. A. aceti is a Gram-negative bacterium. If a Gram staining procedure were [1 mark]

carried out on a sample of A. aceti, predict the result that would be observed
after decolourization.

17b. A. aceti is a Gram-negative bacterium. If a Gram staining procedure were[1 mark]

carried out on a sample of A. aceti, predict the result that would be
observed after counterstaining.
 In the generator method of ethanoic acid fermentation, Acetobacter aceti are
grown over wood shavings in a fermenter to the point where they form a biofilm.

At the base of the fermenter oxygen is bubbled in, which then rises through the
wood shavings. Ethanol drips through the wood shavings. At a suitable
temperature the ethanol is converted to ethanoic acid, which is withdrawn from
the bottom of the fermenter, and new ethanol is added at the top.

17c. List two abiotic variables that would need to be monitored during this [2 marks]
fermentation process.

17d. Describe one way in which microorganisms in this fermenter could be [2 marks]
limited by their own activities.
17e. Distinguish between batch fermentation and continuous fermentation. [2 marks]

17f. Outline the concept of an emergent property. [2 marks]

 To investigate the thermal properties of water, students placed hot water in two
thin plastic cups and measured their rate of cooling. The sides of one cup were
covered with tissue paper soaked in hot water; the other cup was left uncovered.
The temperature was recorded with a thermometer every 4 minutes for 20
minutes. The temperature in the laboratory was 18 °C.

[Source: © International Baccalaureate Organization 2017]

[Source: © International Baccalaureate Organization 2017]

18a. Calculate the change in temperature in each cup after 20 minutes. [1 mark]
Uncovered:
Covered with wet tissue paper:

18b. State two conditions that must be the same for each cup at the start of [2 marks]
the experiment.
18c. Predict the temperature of the water in the cups after 3 hours. [1 mark]

18d. Explain, with reference to the thermal properties of water, how this [3 marks]
experiment helps demonstrate how humans respond to overheating.
 Thin-layer chromatography was carried out on red and brown algae to discover
what photosynthetic pigments they contained. The results were compared with
the known pigments found in spinach leaves.

19a. Identify pigment labelled P. [1 mark]

19b. State a suitable solvent for extracting photosynthetic pigments from [1 mark]
plant tissue.
19c. Explain how the pigments in the chromatogram of spinach are [3 marks]
identified.

The micrograph shows a transverse section through blood vessels of a mammal.

[Source: This book was originally published by OpenStax College, released under
the CC-By license: https://creativecommons.org The eBook was adapted by Frank
Lee.]

20a. Identify the vein by labelling it with the letter V. [1 mark]

20b. Distinguish between the vein and the artery with reference to [2 marks]
structures visible in the micrograph.

21a. Calculate the energy loss due to respiration in primary consumers in kJ [1 mark]
m –2 y–1.

21b. Outline why a year is more suitable than a month for the measurement [1 mark]
of energy flow.
21c. Explain how pesticides may undergo biomagnification in the lake. [2 marks]

The sea snail Nucella ostrina and the sea star Pisaster ochraceus are predators of
the mussel Mytilus trossulus. The mussels live on rocks at the edge of the sea and
feed on phytoplankton and zooplankton. The zooplankton feed on the
phytoplankton.

Groups of 50 mussels were transplanted to an experimental area and protected

from predation until the start of the experiment. Researchers then investigated
the effect of the predators on the population of the mussels over a period of 60
days.

[Source: Republished with permission of John Wiley and Sons, from Navarrete, S.
A. and Menge, B. A. (1996),
 Keystone Predation and Interaction Strength: Interactive Effects of Predators on
Their Main Prey. Ecological Monographs, 66: 409–429. doi:10.2307/2963488;
permission conveyed through Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.]

22a. Compare and contrast the effects of the predators on the population of [2 marks]
the mussels.

22b. The sea star also eats the sea snails. Construct a food web to show the [2 marks]
feeding relationships between these five organisms in the ecosystem.
 Data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) indicates that
the population numbers of many mammal species are decreasing. The chart
shows reasons for the decrease and the number of species in each category of
danger.

[Source: Michael Hoffmann et al. 2011. The changing fates of the world’s
mammals. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Volume 366, issue
1578. DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0116. By permission of the Royal Society.]

23a. Calculate how many species are classified as endangered due to hunting [1 mark]
and trapping.

23b. State one reason mammals can continue to survive even if they are [1 mark]
extinct in the wild.
23c. Outline how deforestation can affect the richness of biodiversity in an [1 mark]
ecosystem.

23d. Explain the impact of plastic waste on Laysan albatrosses (Phoebastria [2 marks]
immutabilis).

24. Explain reasons for differences in the realized niche and fundamental [4 marks]
niche of an organism.
 Urease is an enzyme that breaks down urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide.
The ammonia produced causes the pH of the solution to rise. This reaction can be
followed using a pH indicator or a pH probe.
In an experiment conducted by a student the time taken for the pH indicator,
thymol blue, to change from yellow to blue was recorded at different
temperatures.

25a. Outline what the standard deviations reveal about the data from this [2 marks]
experiment.
25b. One result in this experiment can be classified as an outlier as its value [2 marks]
is very distant from those of the other values.
Explain an appropriate procedure for dealing with outliers.

25c. Outline the effect of temperature on the activity of urease enzyme. [2 marks]

25d. State one factor that would need to be controlled in this experiment. [1 mark]
 Reef-building corals are an association between two organisms: coral polyps and
Zooxanthellae.

26a. State the relationship between Zooxanthellae and coral reef species. [1 mark]

26b. Describe the exchange of materials between the coral’s polyps and [2 marks]
Zooxanthellae.
26c. State one limiting factor on Zooxanthellae which affects coral reef [1 mark]
formation.

27. The Gersmehl diagram below shows the movement and storage of [2 marks]
nutrients in a taiga ecosystem.

Predict the possible effect of global warming on the nutrient flow in a taiga
ecosystem.
28a. Outline one consequence of introducing an alien species into an [2 marks]
ecosystem.
 After their introduction cane toads (Rhinella marina) have become a serious pest
in many parts of Australia. In an attempt to control them scientists set traps to
which they added toxins produced by native species of toad to capture cane toad
tadpoles. The toad toxin attracts the cane toad tadpoles without killing them.

28b. State the origin of cane toads. [1 mark]

28c. Evaluate the use of traps containing toxin as a means of cane toad [3 marks]
control.
 Freshwater invertebrates were sampled by students at three sites along a river in
central France. The animals were identified and counted. The diversity of each site
can be compared using Simpson’s reciprocal index.

Simpson’s reciprocal index is given by the following formula:

29a. Calculate the diversity of site C. Working should be shown. [2 marks]

29b. Site A has a higher Simpson’s reciprocal index than Site B showing that [2 marks]
its diversity is higher.
Explain the reason that ecologists consider Site A to have a higher diversity than
Site B, despite both sites having six different species present.
29c. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of in situ conservation [4 marks]
methods.
 Students exposed the water plant Cabomba caroliniana to different light
intensities. The bubbles of oxygen gas released by the plant were counted each
minute.

30a. Compare and contrast the experimental results for the effect of light [2 marks]
intensity on the rate of photosynthesis of a green plant with the
expected trend line.
30b. C. caroliniana can grow well in water at 27°C. This experiment was [1 mark]
carried out at 25°C.
Describe the effect of carrying out the same experiment at 15°C.

30c. This experiment measured the quantity of oxygen gas released by the [1 mark]
water plant. State one other way of measuring the rate of
photosynthesis.
 A spirometer was used to measure the ventilation rate of a person at rest and
pedaling at 22 km per hour on an exercise bike.

31a. Calculate the difference in ventilation rate between resting and [1 mark]
exercising.
31b. Explain the change in the tidal volume during exercise. [3 marks]
 The oxygen consumption rate of the fish Oplegnathus insignis was examined in a
respirometer at three different water temperatures and at four different body
masses.

32a. Suggest how the oxygen consumption rate is determined using this [2 marks]
apparatus.
32b. State the relationship between body mass and the oxygen consumption [1 mark]
of fish.

32c. Predict the effects of global warming on aerobic respiration in fish. [2 marks]
33. Paramecium aurelia and Paramecium caudatum are single cell [3 marks]
organisms. They were grown separately and together. The population
growth curves are shown.

Explain the results shown in this experiment.

 The pyramid of biomass obtained from a pine forest stream includes the parasite
biomass. Parasites are fungi, worms and other organisms that live on a host.

34a. Estimate the approximate amount of biomass represented by parasites [1 mark]

in this ecosystem.

34b. Compare and contrast the biomass in the different trophic levels. [2 marks]
34c. Outline the reason that parasite biomass occurs in both tertiary [1 mark]
consumers and secondary consumers.

The fire ant (Solenopsis geminata) is an effective colonizer and has become
invasive in a number of ecosystems. Sometimes, efforts to eliminate this species
have had an unexpected impact on community structure. It is argued that S.
geminata can play a beneficial role in corn production. The graph shows how the
presence of S. geminata
can impact insect diversity in areas where crops of corn are grown.

35a. State the impact of S. geminata on insect species diversity. [1 mark]

 35b. Discuss whether S. geminata might play a positive role in corn [3 marks]
production.

35c. Researchers have argued that S. geminata is a keystone species in the [2 marks]
corn agricultural system. Outline what is meant by a keystone species.

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