9A Selective Breeding Worksheet Activity ANSWERS

9AB5 Genes and the Environment

1. [1 mark for each answer in the following order] [Wrong spelling no mark]
I. Genetic information
II. Genes
III. Characteristics
IV. Environment
V. Tattoo
VI. Scars
VII. Temperature
VIII. Nutrients or Water
IX. Environment
X. Height
XI. Tall
XII. Genes
XIII. Nutrients

2. [1 mark for all correct only] Eye colour, hair colour, height, tall
3. [1 mark for all correct only] Temperature, amount of water, not enough food

9Ac/2 Selective breeding

1.
a.
i. [1 mark for ‘colour’] The colour of the fur, black absorbs the
most heat.
ii. [1 mark for ‘softness’ or synyoms]The softness of wool, for
producing wool products
iii. [1 mark for ‘flesh’ or synyoms] The growth rate or superior
fleshing or muscular development
iv. has high fecundity and high milk production
b. [1 mark for all ‘B’ and ‘C’] Sheep B (Bluefaced Leicester) and C
(Polled Dorset sheep)
c. [1 mark for all ‘A’ and ‘B’] Sheep A (Balwen mountain sheep) and B
(Bluefaced Leicester)
 9A Selective Breeding Worksheet Activity ANSWERS

2.
a. [1 mark for all correct] A ram
b. [Accept the answer with the same meaning] [Total 3m]The farmer's
method is an example of selective breeding because he intentionally
chose to breed only the ewes and rams with the longest wool [1m],
and then continued to selectively produce their offspring with the
longest thread. By doing so, he selected specific traits (long wool) and
allowed those traits to become more prevalent in his flock over time
[1m]. This is the fundamental principle of selective breeding, which is
the process of choosing specific individuals with desirable traits and
breeding them to produce offspring with those same desirable traits
[1m]. In this case, the farmer's selection of sheep with long wool over
many generations was a deliberate and controlled process aimed at
achieving a specific outcome, which is an example of selective
breeding.
c. [Accept the answer with the same meaning] It likely took the farmer
so long to win a prize because selective breeding is a gradual process
that requires patience and persistence [1m]. Even though the farmer
was selecting only the sheep with the longest wool to breed, it still
takes several generations for the desired trait to become more
prevalent and consistent within the population [1m].
3.
a. [Accept the answer with the same meaning]
[4m; 2 for a list, 2 for reason ]If sheep were to be farmed in Hong
Kong, they would need to have certain characteristics to thrive in the
hot and humid environment. These include:
- Being able to tolerate hot temperatures and humidity
- Resistant to common diseases and parasites found in the area
- Good at foraging and grazing on a variety of plants
- Having strong maternal instincts to care for their offspring
- Adaptability to changing weather patterns. Eg. typhoons/ big rainfall.
b. [Accept the answer with the same meaning]
[2m; 1 for ans, 1 for why] Depending on the farmer's goals and the
conditions of the farm, they may want their sheep to have additional
desirable traits such as high wool production, fast growth rate, docile
temperament, long lifespan, good milk production, and disease
resistance. The specific traits that are desirable will vary depending on
the farmer's needs and can be balanced through breeding programs.
 9A Selective Breeding Worksheet Activity ANSWERS

9Ac/5 Breeding animals

1. How have the characteristics that people have found useful in farm
animals changed through the ages?
[Accept the answer with the same meaning] [2m]Over time, the
characteristics that people have found useful in farm animals have changed
depending on their needs. In the past, humans domesticated animals
primarily for meat and used heavy work, such as ploughing fields. However,
as farming practices changed, new traits such as wool production or milk
production became more desirable. Advances in selective breeding have
allowed farmers to choose animals with the most desirable traits and breed
them, which has led to the development of modern animal breeds.
2. What were the origins of modern farm animals?
[Accept the answer with the same meaning] [2m] Modern farm animals
have their origins in the domestication of wild animals by humans. People
caught wild animals and started the first farms, where they bred these
animals. Over time, they selectively bred animals with desirable traits to
create new breeds that were better suited to human needs.
3. Are the useful characteristics of some farm animals only useful in
certain areas?
[Accept the answer with the same meaning] [2m] Yes, the useful
characteristics of some farm animals are only useful in certain areas. For
example, some sheep breeds have short legs and are farmed in very steep
hilly areas so that they are less likely to fall over when they are climbing over
rocks. Other breeds lose their wool in summer which makes them useful for
farming in hot countries.
4. Are old-fashioned breeds of animals still bred today?
[Accept the answer with the same meaning] [2m] Yes, some old-fashioned
breeds of animals are still bred today, particularly on rare breed farms. These
farms preserve older breeds that are no longer used for farming and are in
danger of dying out. Large workhorses (shire horses), for example, are not
needed anymore because we have tractors and other machinery to do their
work. However, they are still bred today and are a popular attraction at many
rare breed farms.
 9A Selective Breeding Worksheet Activity ANSWERS

9Dc/4 Pesticides 2
1. [Must answer at least one point from below] [1m]Farmers follow guidelines
to minimize the impact of insecticides on the environment and human health.
They use insecticides only when necessary, choose the right insecticide,
follow label instructions, apply insecticides at the right time, and use protective
equipment. By doing so, farmers can protect their crops while minimizing the

👇👇
negative impact of insecticides.
2. [3m; 3 animals from below] Any 3 of the above

3. [1m] [Accept synonym] Decrease

4. [1m] [Accept synonym] Decrease

5.

a. [Reasonable answer] [1m] FOR REFERENCE ONLY One advantage

of leaving a three-metre-wide strip around their fields where chemicals
are not sprayed is that it provides a habitat for wildlife, such as birds,
insects, and small mammals. These animals can use the hedgerows
for nesting, foraging, and shelter, which can help to support biodiversity
on the farm.
b. [Reasonable answer] [1m] FOR REFERENCE ONLY One
disadvantage for the farmer of leaving a three-metre-wide strip around
their fields where chemicals are not sprayed is that it can lead to
reduced crop yields in those areas. Insects and weeds that are not
controlled in the strip can move into the crop area and compete with
the crops for resources, reducing their yield. This can result in a
financial loss for the farmer.