Biodiversity, classification and conservation — AS & A Level Biology (9700) questions by topic
Species definitions, conservation techniques and kingdom classification anchor this topic: giving a precise definition of ecosystem, evaluating captive-breeding challenges such as reduced fertility in zoo populations, and outlining shared and distinct features across the kingdoms. Suggest, outline and explain lead the command words, and suggest wants a specific named factor, such as competition for light or space, rather than a general environmental comment.
This set has 19 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers, and marks run from 6 to 14, so definitions sit beside longer conservation-strategy explanations. Practising with instant marking is valuable here, since a vague answer such as simply 'food' when a resource being competed for is asked about is flagged immediately rather than repeated.
What examiners look for
- A recurring gap suggests only that a marker should be used, without the further detail the mark scheme requires.
- The Lincoln Index is sometimes replaced with Simpson's Index or Pearson's coefficient of correlation, which are not appropriate here.
- Competition answers are marked down when the resource being competed for, such as light, space or mineral ions, is not specified.
- Low genetic variation is occasionally, and incorrectly, described as an allele having a low frequency in a population.
- Strong answers suggest non-toxic paint, dye or fur-clipping for marking, note the need to control births and deaths affecting population size, and describe zoos providing veterinary care and raising public awareness of endangered species.
May–June 2025, Paper 41
A species is classified into one of three domains. Two of the domains contain only prokaryotic species. With reference to the two prokaryotic domains, describe the features used…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 42
A lichen describes a mutually beneficial association of a fungus with an organism termed a photobiont. An example of a photobiont is the green alga, Trebouxia sp., which is a…
Answer this question and get it marked →The biodiversity of an area can be assessed using a variety of sampling methods. Outline how a frame quadrat could be used to assess the biodiversity of plants in a field.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 43
The Boelen's python, Simalia boeleni, is a non-venomous snake found only on the island of Papua New Guinea. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not…
Answer this question and get it marked →The golden poison dart frog, Phyllobates terribilis, lives in the Colombian rainforest ecosystem. Define the term ecosystem.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 44
Table 4.1 shows some features of four kingdoms. The features listed are: can be unicellular, have cell walls, can be autotrophic. Complete Table 4.1 by writing yes or no for each…
Answer this question and get it marked →Salamanders are amphibians that live in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. They are found in many different environments. Different populations of salamanders have evolved in…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 41
Bears are several species of mammal in the family Ursidae. Climate change and loss of habitats due to human activity have reduced the size of some bear populations in recent…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 42
The Asian common toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus, arrived accidentally in eastern Madagascar in 2010 on a ship. Fig. 9.1 shows an Asian common toad. The Asian common toad is now…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 42
The red ruffed lemur, Varecia rubra, is a mammal found only in the rainforests of the Masoala region in north east Madagascar. Fig. 9.1 shows a red ruffed lemur. The International…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 43
Lichens are found growing on trees, walls, rocks and soil. Fig. 9.1 shows a lichen of the genus Usnea. Usnea can tolerate only low concentrations of sulfur dioxide and does not…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 53
The ecologists sampled the plant species in peat bog A and peat bog B. The ecologists decided to use two suitable indices of biodiversity: Simpson's index of diversity; Shannon…
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 42
The passage in Fig. 10.1 is about biodiversity. Complete the passage by using the most appropriate scientific terms. 'Biodiversity within an area can be assessed at different…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 41
May–June 2023, Paper 42
Many zoos around the world are involved in captive breeding programmes for endangered species. Outline the role of zoos in the conservation of endangered species, other than…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 43
The moose and the watermilfoil belong to the domain Eukarya, which includes the kingdoms Animalia and Plantae. Describe the main differences between the kingdom Animalia and the…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 41
Biodiversity can be assessed at three different levels. One of these is the genetic variation within each species. Outline two other levels at which biodiversity can be measured.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
Complete the passage by using the most appropriate scientific terms: 'The size of a population of animals can be estimated using the mark-release-recapture method. A sample of…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 43
Biodiversity can be assessed at three different levels. One of these is the genetic variation within each species. Outline two other levels at which biodiversity can be measured.
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Biology topics
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- Practical skills (61)
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