Variation and selection — IGCSE Biology (0610) questions by topic

Humans produce two types of ear wax, either wet or dry. Which row describes the variation in human ear wax? type of variation controlled by --- --- --- A continuous genes and…

Giraffes are mammals that have long necks. This enables them to eat leaves from tall trees. One theory to explain how giraffes developed long necks is natural selection. Which…

Which characteristic is an example of continuous variation? A ABO blood groups in humans B body mass in cats C seed colour in pea plants D seed shape in pea plants

The photograph shows the butterfly Caligo martia. The butterfly has large wings with a mottled brown pattern, and there are two prominent dark circular markings on the lower wings…

What is a feature of natural selection? A genetic variation within populations B plenty of resources C production of genetically identical offspring D selection by humans

The table shows some features of leaves. Which leaf is adapted to survive in hot, dry habitats? number of stomata thickness of waxy cuticle surface area of leaf --- --- --- --- A…

Which row correctly describes a type of selection? type of selection humans involved example --- --- --- --- A artificial no production of farmed animals that produce lots of milk…

Clostridium difficile is a species of bacterium that is resistant to many antibiotics. From 2002 to 2006, the number of people in one country infected with Clostridium difficile…

What is a way in which new alleles are formed? A artificial selection B mutation C natural selection D sexual reproduction

How does artificial selection differ from natural selection? A Artificial selection changes the characteristics of living things. B Artificial selection is based on genetic…

Which diagram of a xerophyte is labelled correctly? Four diagrams of a cactus each carry two labels. A 'waxy layer to stop water evaporation' and 'extensive root systems to…

Which row describes continuous and discontinuous variation? continuous variation discontinuous variation --- --- --- A body mass in animals is an example caused by genes and the…

Which statements describe an adaptive feature in an organism? 1 It helps an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment. 2 It always shows continuous variation. 3 It is…

The graph shows the change in the percentage of bacteria resistant to antibiotic X. [Graph: y-axis is "percentage of bacteria resistant to antibiotic X", x-axis is "time". The…

The list shows some statements about variation. Place ticks (✓) in the boxes to show which statements are correct. - Variation is discontinuous if there are a limited number of…

Organisms can be classified by their features and by studying the sequence of bases in their DNA. Fig. 5.1 is a diagram showing the evolutionary relationships between some…

Scientists developed genetically modified (GM) maize. Fig. 3.1 shows the mass of GM maize grown in one country from 2000 to 2015. The bar chart shows mass of GM maize (in million…

Characteristics of plants are controlled by genes. Alleles are alternative forms of a gene. Explain how new alleles are formed.

ABO blood groups are an example of one type of variation. What is the cause of this type of variation? A environment only B genes only C genes and environment D mutation and…

Which statement is an example of natural selection? A choosing donkeys with desirable characteristics to breed B choosing to cross-pollinate wheat plants with the highest yields C…

What is a description of an adaptive feature? A an inherited characteristic that helps an organism to survive and reproduce B the differences between individuals of the same…

The graph shows changes in the resistance of the bacterium Escherichia coli to two different antibiotics (antibiotic 1 and antibiotic 2) between 2005 and 2023. Which statement…

The graph shows the percentage of a population with different phenotypes (1, 2, 3, 4) for the same characteristic X. Which characteristic in humans is represented by X? A ABO…

Plants are adapted to survive in different environments. What are features of xerophytes? (columns: cuticle; number of stomata) A thick; few B thick; many C thin; few D thin; many

Bacteria such as MRSA are resistant to antibiotics. These processes can occur in bacteria: 1 artificial selection; 2 genetic variation; 3 mutation; 4 natural selection. Which…

Which statement about gene mutations is correct? A A mutation is a change in the amino acid sequence of DNA. B Mutations are a source of genetic variation. C Mutations are caused…

Which row shows the adaptive features of a xerophyte? (columns: deep roots; leaves with small surface area; many stomata on leaves; thin leaf cuticle) A yes; yes; no; no B yes;…

State the meaning of the term variation.

Feather colour in some breeds of chicken is an example of codominance in birds. In this example, a chicken with white feathers and a chicken with black feathers can breed to…

Which term is a genetic change? A allele B genotype C mutation D phenotype

Which statement about genetic modification is correct? A It involves choosing which individual organisms are used for breeding. B It is always done using genes from the same…

Which definition of continuous variation is correct? A variation that results in a limited number of phenotypes between two extremes B variation that results in a limited number…

The graph shows the frequency of a human characteristic, X, plotted against the value of the characteristic. The distribution is bell-shaped (a normal distribution / continuous…

Which row shows some of the features involved in natural selection? Columns: many offspring are produced; humans choose desirable features; alleles are passed onto offspring (key:…

What is an example of a characteristic that shows discontinuous variation in humans? A body mass B height C ABO blood groups D width of hand

What is a correct statement about antibiotics? A Bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics as a result of artificial selection. B Bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics…

Which term is a genetic change? A allele B genotype C mutation D phenotype

Which statement about genetic modification is correct? A It involves choosing which individual organisms are used for breeding. B It is always done using genes from the same…

Which types of variation can be inherited? Columns: variation caused by genes; variation caused by the environment (key: ✓ = yes, blank = no). Which row A–D is correct? A B C D

Which row shows some of the features involved in natural selection? Columns: many offspring are produced; humans choose desirable features; alleles are passed onto offspring (key:…

What is a definition of variation? A having two identical alleles of a particular gene B individuals of the same species in one area C differences between individuals of the same…

A farmer wanted to use selective breeding to produce goats with a high milk yield. Fig. 7.1 shows a goat being milked. Describe the stages in selective breeding to develop goats…

The graph shows the heights of students in a class (number of students against height / cm in 5 cm bands from 140–144 to 180–184). What is a correct statement for these data? A…

Some phenotypes are listed. 1 blood group 2 body mass 3 height 4 seed colour in peas Which phenotypes are examples of continuous variation? A 1, 2 and 3 B 2 and 3 only C 2 and 4 D…

Tusks are modified teeth. In one part of the world, most elephants used to be born with tusks. Over the last 50 years, more female elephants have been born without tusks, and…

Some statements about mutations are given. 1 A random change in the amino acid sequence in DNA causes gene mutation. 2 A mutation is a genetic change. 3 Ionising radiation…

What are sources of genetic variation in populations? 1 meiosis 2 random mating 3 random fertilisation A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

A student investigated variation in flower colour in pea plants. The student counted the number of pea plants that had purple flowers and the number that had white flowers. Fig.…

Fig. 2.1 is a photograph of some leaves of a water lily, which is a hydrophyte. The water lily has adaptive features that are found in many different hydrophytes. Describe what is…

Xerophytes are plants that are adapted for an environment which has very little available water. Describe the meaning of adaptation.