Biodiversity MCQs and 6markers

1 The mountain gorilla is an endangered species with as few as 880 individuals surviving in the wild.
Many of the
animals have been ‘habituated’ to human contact. The health of these animals is monitored and medical
assistance is given when necessary. Animals that are not habituated are rarely visited.
(i) Suggest one advantage and one disadvantage of keeping some gorilla families that have not been
habituated.
[2]
(ii) The gorilla population in one area, Virunga, has been regularly monitored (Table 24.1). The data have been
collected by indirect methods such as collecting dung samples at nest sites.
However, DNA analysis of another gorilla population suggests that estimates made by these indirect
methods may be up to 6% inaccurate.
Year Population in Virunga

1981 254
1989 320
2003 380
2010 480
Table 24.1
Calculate the mean annual percentage rate of growth of the gorilla population in Virunga between 1981 and
2010.
Show your working.
Answer _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ % [2]
(iii) In 1993 the Rio Convention on Biodiversity came into force. In 2010, one conservationist commented that the
© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 1 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

Rio Convention had had a real effect on the gorilla population.
Use the information above to evaluate the effect that the Rio Convention on Biodiversity has had on the
gorillas in Virunga.
[3]
2(a) On a biology field trip, some students carried out a survey of butterfly species in two areas of heathland.
One part of the heathland was used regularly by walkers, while the other had been deliberately fenced off by the
National Park Authority in an attempt to promote biodiversity.
Area 1 was the area accessible to walkers.

Area 2 was the fenced off area.
On two different mornings in June the students walked along a transect in each area 4 times, at 30 minute
intervals, and recorded every butterfly sighting.
The aim of the survey was to compare the biodiversity of butterfly species in the two areas.
Suggest how the procedure could be improved so that a valid comparison could be made.
[3]

(b) The students' results are shown in Table 2.1.
Area 1 Area 2
Species of butterfly Number of Number of
individuals (n) individuals (n)
Grayling 2 5
Large heath 16 10
Gatekeeper 9 7
Green hairstreak 3 5
Silver-studded blue 0 2
Small heath 8 11
Simpsons Index 0.7131
Table 2.1
(i) Identify the area with the higher species richness and justify your answer.
Area_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Justification
[1]
(ii) Identify the area with the higher species evenness and justify your answer.
Area_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Justification
[1]
(iii) Using the formula below, the students calculated Simpsons Index of Diversity in Area 1 to be 0.7131.

D = 1−(Σ(n/N)2)
Where N is the total number of individuals of all species.
Simpson's Index of Diversity in Area 2 is greater than in Area 1.
Use the formula to show that this is the case.
You may use the blank spaces in Table 2.1 to assist in your calculations.
Answer_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [4]
(c) * The students concluded that “fencing off the area of heathland has increased the biodiversity of butterflies”.
Evaluate the validity of the students' conclusion using all of the information you have been given, including Table
2.1.
[6]

3 Two different fields, field G and H, were sampled for three common species of wildflower.
The results are shown below.
Number of individuals
Species Field G Field H
Daisy 300 20
Dandelion 335 49
Buttercup 365 931
Total 1000 1000
Which of the options, A to D, is correct?
A Field G will have a greater Simpson's diversity index.

B Field H has greater species evenness.
C Field H will have a greater Simpson's diversity index.
D Field G has greater species richness.
Your answer
[1]

4 Botanic gardens collect plant species from around the world to maintain biodiversity.
(i) State two levels at which biodiversity may be considered.

1
[2]
(ii) State one benefit to human health of maintaining plant biodiversity.
[1]
(iii) Explain the benefits to agriculture of maintaining plant biodiversity.
[3]
5 The genetic diversity of a population can be estimated using the following formula:
In 1992 a study estimated the genetic diversity of four isolated populations of lions. They recorded the number
of gene variants at a selection of gene loci in each population.
Which of the following populations of lions has the greatest proportion of polymorphic gene loci?
A Asiatic Lion: 73 polymorphic loci out of 1927.

B Transvaal Lion: 1110 polymorphic loci out of 2156.
C Masai Lion: 1030 polymorphic loci out of 2315.
D West African Lion: 1004 polymorphic loci out of 2008.

Your answer [1]

6
A group of students found 50 animals in a soil sample collected from Upper End Meadow and identified them as
follows:
• 2 click beetles
• 24 leatherjackets
• 23 meadow ants
• 1 wireworm
What can you conclude about the species evenness shown in the soil sample? Justify your answer.
Conclusion
Justification
[1]

7 During the 20th Century, there was a very large decrease in the size of wild populations of the cheetah, Acinonyx
jubatus. This decrease was largely due to hunting. Recent research shows that wild populations of the cheetah
have a very low number of polymorphic genes.
There are 17 863 gene loci in the genome of the cheetah and now only 10% of these gene loci are polymorphic
in wild populations.
Scientists investigated the genetic biodiversity of cheetah populations in European zoos.
They sampled 256 gene loci and found 18 gene loci to be polymorphic.
(i) Calculate the proportion of polymorphic gene loci in the European zoo population.
Proportion = ...................................................... [2]
(ii) A second group of scientists carried out a separate investigation to calculate the proportion of polymorphic
gene loci of cheetahs in European zoos and found that their results were different. These new results were
accepted as being accurate.
Suggest two reasons why the calculated proportion of polymorphic gene loci in the European zoo population
of cheetahs might have been less accurate in the investigation carried out by the first group of scientists.

2
[2]
(iii) Suggest and explain reasons why, in the 21st Century, only 10% of the gene loci are polymorphic in wild
populations of cheetah.
[3]

8 Simpson’s Index of Diversity (D) can be used to estimate the biodiversity of a habitat.
Scientists calculated D for a grassland habitat. One year later, the scientists calculated D again for the same
habitat.
The number of plants recorded from one of the species increased from 100 to 400. All the other values remained
the same.
What would be the result of this change?
A Species richness would increase.

B The estimate of biodiversity would increase.
C The value of D would decrease.
D The value of N would decrease.
Your answer [1]
END OF QUESTION PAPER

Mark Scheme
Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance
1 i advantage: 2 Must give one advantage and one

exhibit natural behaviour / less likely to disadvantage.
catch disease from humans (1)
disadvantage:
poaching more likely / could be wiped out
by disease / more difficult to count (1)
ii 3.1 (%) (1)(1) 2 ALLOW one mark if calculation correct but

final figure incorrect e.g. (480 – 254) / 254
× 100 / 29 =
ALLOW 3% or 3.07%
iii three from 3

no evidence of causal effect (1)
the data may be inaccurate as a result of,
indirect methods used / unhabituated
animals hard to find (1)
annual growth rate higher after 1993 (1)
3.2% (per year) before 1993 against 3.8%
after 1993 (1)
figures may not be accurate due to
collection technique (1)
Total 7
2 a idea of more transects in different parts of 3

area 1 and 2 (1)
(collect at) different, times of day / times of
year / weather conditions (1)
method of ensuring that individuals not
counted again (1)
(use a method to) capture individuals (1) ALLOW example of appropriate method,
e.g. (butterfly) net
(use a method to) correctly identify species ALLOW e.g. photograph / use of key
(1)
b i (Area) 2 1
(because it) has, more / 6, species (1)
ii (Area) 2 1
idea that the range of n is smaller (1) ALLOW use of figures to exemplify

Mark Scheme
iii 4 Correct answer given to 4 sig. fig. with no

working shown = 4 marks
any successful calculation of (n/N)2 (1)

(Σ(n/N)2 =) 0.2024 (1) ALLOW correct answer with different sig.
(1-Σ(n/N)2 =) 0.7976 (1) figs
answer given to 4 significant figures (1) ALLOW correct answer with different sig.
figs

Mark Scheme
c For answers marked by levels of response:
Read through the whole answer from start

to finish, concentrating on features that
make it a stronger or weaker answer using
the indicative scientific content as
guidance. The indicative scientific content
indicates the expected parameters for
candidates' answers, but be prepared to
recognise and credit unexpected
approaches where they show relevance.
Using a ‘best-fit’ approach based on the

science content of the answer, first decide
which set of level descriptors, Level 1,
Level 2 or Level 3, best describes the
overall quality of the answer using the
guidelines described in the level
descriptors in the mark scheme.
Once the level is located, award the higher

or lower mark.
The higher mark should be awarded where

the level descriptor has been evidenced
and all aspects of the communication
statement (in italics) have been met.
The lower mark should be awarded where

the level descriptor has been evidenced
but aspects of the communication
statement (in italics) are missing.
In summary:
The science content determines the

level.
The communication statement
determines the mark within a level.

Mark Scheme
Level 3 (5–6 marks) 6 Indicative scientific points may include…

Full and detailed evaluation of the
students' conclusion taking into account Evidence to support the conclusion (that
the validity of the method used and the fencing increased biodiversity)
implications of the data collected. Learner
demonstrates a holistic judgement of the
information including evidence for and calculated Simpson's Index of Diversity
against the claim. The candidate makes a is higher in fenced area
judgement that there is not enough high Simpson's Index means high
evidence to support the students' biodiversity
conclusion. greater number of species / higher
species richness in fenced area
There is a well-developed line of reasoning silver-studded blue only occurs in
which is clear and logically structured. The fenced area.
information presented is relevant and
substantiated.

Mark Scheme
Level 2 (3–4 marks) Students' conclusion may be overdrawn

An evaluation of the students' conclusion because…
taking into account the validity of the
method used and / or the implications of
the data collected. Learner demonstrates a difference in Simpson's Index of
holistic judgement of the information Diversity between two areas is small
including evidence for and against the (12%)
claim. The candidate makes a judgement range of number of individuals is
in line with the argument they have greater in Area 1 (0–16) than Area 2
presented. (2–11)
higher number of individuals of ‘Large
There is a line of reasoning presented with heath’ and ‘Gatekeeper’ butterflies
some structure. The information presented sighted in Area 1.
is in the most-part relevant and supported do not know length of time Area 2 has
by some evidence. been fenced off.
Level 1 (1–2 marks) limitations of method

An evaluation of the claim is attempted samples taken on only two days
including discussion of either the validity of samples only taken in one season
the method or the implications of the data. no method to prevent recounting
The answer includes evidence for or observation at a distance might
against the claim. A definitive judgement have led to mis-identification.
may not be present.
A basic structure and some relevant

information is provided, although a clear
line of reasoning may not be present. The
information is supported by limited
evidence and the relationship to the
evidence may not be clear.
0 marks
No response or no response worthy of
credit.
Total 15
3 A 1
Examiner's Comments
Candidates needed to be clear about the

definitions of species richness and species
evenness in order to answer this question.
Option D was a common incorrect
suggestion. Some candidates suggested G
or H, which were not valid options.
Total 1

Mark Scheme
4 i (at the) level / number / range, of species; 2 max ACCEPT amount of species / species
richness
IGNORE species evenness
(at the level of) genetics / genes / gene

pool / DNA;
(at the level of) habitat / ecosystem; ACCEPT e.g. range of habitats
IGNORE area / in a habitat
Examiner's Comments
Performance on this question was

surprisingly poor. The question tested AO1
with wording that matched, almost exactly,
the second learning outcome in the
biodiversity section of the specification.
However, many candidates appeared not
to understand the question. Common
misconceived answers were: local and
global, in situ and ex situ, and species
richness and species evenness.
Serendipitously, ‘species richness’ did
satisfy the requirements of the first marking
point.
ii plants are a source of (new), medicines / 1 IGNORE nutritional / health, benefits

drugs / treatments; IGNORE antibiotics
Examiner's Comments
Most scored a mark here for a potential

medical use of plants. A few discussed
nutrition, or the benefits to health of the
aesthetic aspect of nature or the release of
oxygen, for no credit.

Mark Scheme
iii Any three from: 3 max

1 genetic variation / source of (named) 1 ACCEPT maintaining gene pool / genetic
useful genes; diversity
2 (used for) genetic engineering; 2 ACCEPT description of genetic

engineering
3 (used for) selective breeding / breeding 3 ACCEPT cross as AW for breed

with, cultivated / crop / AW, varieties;
4 variety might be useful in a changing 4 ACCEPT species as AW for variety

climate; 4 ACCEPT examples of features useful in
a different climate, e.g. drought resistance
5 (habitat for) pollinators
6 (habitat for) agents of biological control;
7 source of a new medicine for livestock; 7 IGNORE antibiotics
Examiner's Comments
was not done well. Again, the wording of

the question matched one of the learning
outcomes almost exactly and yet many
candidates did not seem to understand the
question. Many candidates wrote a lot
about the dangers of monoculture and
gained the first marking point but few
achieved marks beyond that. A minority of
candidates discussed selective breeding,
genetic engineering or pollination but other
marking points were rarely seen.
Total 6
5 B✔ 1 Examiner’s Comments
Most candidates answered this correctly,

many with evidence that they had
performed the calculation for each
population.
Total 1

Mark Scheme
6 (species evenness is) low / uneven / not 1

even / poor / not high
AND
many / large, number OR abundance OR ALLOW comparatives e.g. a lot more ants
population of, leather jackets / meadow than wireworms, ants much more common
ants / two species / some species, but, not than click beetles
many / only a few / small number of /
hardly any / small population of, click ALLOW dominated by (mostly)
beetles / wireworms / two species / other leatherjackets and ants / 2 species
species ✓
IGNORE comparative pairs of figures that
lack a qualification like ‘only’ to show which
figure is small(er)
IGNORE percentage figures unqualified by
description
Examiner’s Comments
Most candidates stated that the sample

showed species unevenness and
compared the figures to explain why. An
answer that only restated figures from the
question such as: ‘There were 24
leatherjackets and 2 click beetles’ did not
score. Some evidence of candidate
evaluation was required, like: ‘There were
a large number of leatherjackets but only 2
click beetles’.
Total 1

Mark Scheme
7 i 2 FIRST CHECK THE ANSWER ON

0.07(03125) ✓ ✓ ANSWER LINE
If answer = 0.07(03125) award 2 marks
ALLOW correct answer anywhere in
answer space
ALLOW 7(.03125)% for two marks
If correct answer not given then:

ALLOW one mark for:
number of polymorphic gene loci / total
gene loci
OR
18 / 256
OR
9 / 128
Examiner’s Comments
The majority of candidates were able to

calculate the correct proportion. In
common with other questions of this type,
however, there were a significant number
of candidates who are not confident with
the manipulation of numerical data.
There are still too many candidates who do

not show their working and so potentially
lose a mark if they get the incorrect
answer.

Mark Scheme
ii sample not random ✓ Max 2 ALLOW sample was, biased / less

representative / Unrepresentative
sample not large enough ✓ ALLOW only 256 loci sampled
ALLOW smaller sample
may have sampled different, zoos /
individuals ✓ Examiner’s Comments
may not have sampled the same gene loci Many candidates appreciated that sample
✓ size was important but, in general, this
question has a low performance. Most
candidates attempted a response but,
more often than not, this revealed a lack of
understanding of the topic.
A lot of candidates did not read the

question carefully and thought some of the
cheetahs sampled were in the wild rather
than in zoos. Less able candidates seem to
think that there are lots of different species
of cheetah.
Misconception
Two common misconceptions were seen:

that technology / equipment in the 20th
Century was at a primitive level compared
to now and that natural selection and
evolution has changed the appearance and
genotypes of cheetahs significantly since
the 20th Century.

Mark Scheme
iii the, population / gene pool, has become Max 3 ALLOW ref to bottleneck
(very) small (due to, hunting / habitat ALLOW population / gene pool, has
destruction / disease susceptibility) ✓ become limited
IGNORE population gets smaller
(so) few(er), gene variants / alleels ✓
ALLOW low(er) genetic diversity
(so) inbreeding maintains, the same alleles ALLOW genetic diversity decreased
/ small gene pool ✓
IGNORE inbreeding reduces gene pool
only (rare) mutation can introduce, new /
different, alleles ✓ Examiner’s Comments
The majority of candidates seemed to

interpret the question as ‘give reasons why
the cheetah populations declined’. Those
candidates that ventured into population
genetics revealed a poor understanding.
Few seemed to appreciate that if the
population becomes very small then the
gene pool is small. This means that genetic
diversity is significantly reduced due to the
loss of alleles, and it follows that the
proportion of polymorphic loci would be
lower. Less successful candidates seemed
to think that a polymorphic gene locus was
a type of allele that gave a selective
advantage or disadvantage to the
possessor.
Total 7
8 C✓ 1 Examiner’s Comments
More able candidates achieved the mark

here, understanding that as one species
becomes more dominant the diversity (D)
will decrease. Less able candidates
appeared to guess and a range of incorrect
responses was seen.
Total 1
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Biodiversity MCQs and 6markers

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Biodiversity MCQs and 6markers

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Biodiversity MCQs and 6markers

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1 The mountain gorilla is an endangered species with as few as 880 individuals surviving in the wild.

Year Population in Virunga

Show your working.

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 1 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

Area 1 was the area accessible to walkers.

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 2 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

Simpsons Index 0.7131

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 3 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

Where N is the total number of individuals of all species.

Simpson's Index of Diversity in Area 2 is greater than in Area 1.

Use the formula to show that this is the case.

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 4 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

Which of the options, A to D, is correct?

A Field G will have a greater Simpson's diversity index.

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 5 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

(i) State two levels at which biodiversity may be considered.

(ii) State one benefit to human health of maintaining plant biodiversity.

(iii) Explain the benefits to agriculture of maintaining plant biodiversity.

A Asiatic Lion: 73 polymorphic loci out of 1927.

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 6 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 7 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 8 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

Scientists investigated the genetic biodiversity of cheetah populations in European zoos.

Proportion = ...................................................... [2]

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 9 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 10 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

What would be the result of this change?

A Species richness would increase.

Your answer [1]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 11 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

1 i advantage: 2 Must give one advantage and one

ii 3.1 (%) (1)(1) 2 ALLOW one mark if calculation correct but

iii three from 3

2 a idea of more transects in different parts of 3

(because it) has, more / 6, species (1)

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 12 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

iii 4 Correct answer given to 4 sig. fig. with no

any successful calculation of (n/N)2 (1)

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 13 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

c For answers marked by levels of response:

Read through the whole answer from start

Using a ‘best-fit’ approach based on the

Once the level is located, award the higher

The higher mark should be awarded where

The lower mark should be awarded where

The science content determines the

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 14 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

Level 3 (5–6 marks) 6 Indicative scientific points may include…

© OCR 2024. You may photocopy this page. 15 of 22 Created in ExamBuilder

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

Level 2 (3–4 marks) Students' conclusion may be overdrawn

Level 1 (1–2 marks) limitations of method

A basic structure and some relevant