Organisation of an ecosystem: AQA GCSE Combined Science questions

Every AQA GCSE Combined Science exam question on 4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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3,069 questions

Q03.1
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher
1 mark4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q03.2
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher
3 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q03.3
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher
2 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q03.4
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher
4 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q03.5
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher
2 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q03.6
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher
3 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q04.3
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher
2 marks4.7.1 Adaptations, interdependence and competition 4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q04.5
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher
2 marks4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems 4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q02.2
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
1 mark4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q02.3
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
2 marks4.7.1 Adaptations, interdependence and competition 4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q02.6
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
2 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q02.7
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
2 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem 4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
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Q02.8
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
2 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem 4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
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Q03.1
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
1 mark4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q03.2
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
2 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
Mark scheme (PDF)
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Q03.3
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
1 mark4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q03.4
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
1 mark4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q03.5
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
2 marks4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q03.6
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
1 mark4.7.1 Adaptations, interdependence and competition 4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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Q03.7
June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Foundation
2 marks4.7.1 Adaptations, interdependence and competition 4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem
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All 83 questions on Organisation of an ecosystem, as a list

June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.1 (1 mark): What was the independent variable in this investigation? [1 mark]
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.2 (3 marks): Students counted every small square in the quadrat that was at least half covered by buttercup plants. Determine the percentage cover of buttercup plants 10 met
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.3 (2 marks): The students placed: • several quadrats 1 metre away from the tree • several quadrats 10 metres away from the tree. Give two factors the students should conside
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.4 (4 marks): Figure 3 shows two different quadrats. Figure 3 Explain two advantages of using quadrat B instead of quadrat A in the investigation. You should include calculat
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.5 (2 marks): What are two advantages of using a point quadrat compared with using a square quadrat? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. With a point quadrat, a plant that is small
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.6 (3 marks): The percentage cover of buttercup plants can be estimated using the equation: percentage cover = number of times a pin touched a buttercup plant total number of
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.3 (2 marks): Increasing the number of bees and other insects increases crop yield. Suggest two reasons why increasing the number of insects can increase crop yield. [2 marks
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.5 (2 marks): Some farmland contains areas of peat. When peat is dug up: • the oxygen levels in the peat increase • the peat decays quickly. Explain why increasing the level
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.2 (1 mark): Figure 1 shows a food chain for a farmer’s field. Figure 1 Which is the secondary consumer in the food chain? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Seeds Mice Owls
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.3 (2 marks): Bees are insects that live in hives. The bees fly in and out of the hives. Figure 2 shows a crop growing in a field. The farmer has added bee hives to increase
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.6 (2 marks): Name process A and process B. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] condensation photosynthesis respiration transpiration Process A Process B
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.7 (2 marks): Peat contains carbon compounds. Explain why burning peat contributes to climate change. [2 marks]
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.8 (2 marks): Decay is an important process in the carbon cycle. Which two types of organism cause decay? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Algae Animals Bacteria Fungi Plants
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.1 (1 mark): What is the scientific name of the equipment shown in Figure 4? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Grid Quadrat Transect
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.2 (2 marks): Each small square on Figure 4 represents a percentage cover of 4%. The student counted every small square that was at least half covered by buttercup plants. At
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.3 (1 mark): What is the independent variable in the investigation? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Distance from the tree Number of species Time of year
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.4 (1 mark): What is an advantage of calculating percentage cover instead of counting the number of buttercup plants in an area? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Percentage cover
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.5 (2 marks): Calculate mean value X in Table 2. [2 marks] X = %
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.6 (1 mark): Give one conclusion about the effect of distance from the tree on the percentage cover of buttercup plants. Use Table 2. [1 mark]
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.7 (2 marks): Give two other factors that affect the percentage cover of buttercup plants around the tree. Do not refer to distance from the tree. [2 marks] 1 2
June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.8 (2 marks): Table 2 shows the results of the investigation. Suggest two improvements to the investigation. [2 marks] 1 2
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.1 (1 mark): Limpets eat algae. Limpets are prey for crabs. Give the food chain for algae, crabs and limpets. [1 mark]
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.2 (2 marks): Calculate the area of the quadrat in m2. [2 marks] Area of quadrat = m2
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.3 (2 marks): The total area of the sea shore was 1800 m2. The students sampled 2% of the total area of the sea shore. Calculate the number of times the students needed to us
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.4 (2 marks): Explain why throwing a quadrat is not a random method to estimate population size. Do not refer to safety in your answer. [2 marks]
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.5 (2 marks): Describe one method the students could use to plan where the quadrat should be randomly placed each time. [2 marks]
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.6 (1 mark): Suggest one hazard the students should be aware of when collecting data on the sea shore. Do not refer to throwing quadrats in your answer. [1 mark]
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.2 (2 marks): Otters are an important species for the stability of the river community. Describe two ways animal species may be important for the stability of a whole communi
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.1 (1 mark): Limpets eat algae. Limpets are prey for crabs. Give the food chain for algae, crabs and limpets. [1 mark]
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.2 (2 marks): Calculate the area of the quadrat in m2. [2 marks] Area of quadrat = m2
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.3 (2 marks): The total area of the sea shore was 1800 m2. The students sampled 2% of the total area of the sea shore. Calculate the number of times the students needed to us
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.4 (2 marks): Explain why throwing a quadrat is not a random method to estimate population size. Do not refer to safety in your answer. [2 marks]
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.5 (2 marks): Describe one method the students could use to plan where the quadrat should be randomly placed each time. [2 marks]
June 2024, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.6 (1 mark): Suggest one hazard the students should be aware of when collecting data on the sea shore. Do not refer to throwing quadrats in your answer. [1 mark]
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.1 (4 marks): Describe a method to investigate how the distance from the river affects the number of different plant species in the field. You should explain how to use a tra
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.2 (1 mark): Students used a valid method to investigate how the distance from the river affects the number of different plant species in the field. Figure 2 shows the resul
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q01.2 (1 mark): Peat can decay. Name one type of organism that causes decay. [1 mark]
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q01.3 (2 marks): Complete the sentences. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] carbon dioxide nitrogen oxygen sulfur dioxide The organisms that cause decay respire. The gas use
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.1 (1 mark): A, B and C show the positions of three transects. Where should the student position another transect for this investigation? Draw the extra transect line on Fig
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.2 (1 mark): The student recorded the number of different plant species at 1 m intervals along each transect. Which piece of equipment should be used at 1 m intervals along
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.3 (1 mark): What was the mean number of different plant species 5 m from the river? [1 mark] Mean =
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.4 (1 mark): What is the effect of increasing distance from the river on the mean number of different plant species? [1 mark]
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.5 (1 mark): The minimum and maximum values on Figure 4 show the range of results at each distance from the river. Why is it useful to know the range of results? [1 mark] Ti
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.7 (2 marks): Explain why a decrease in the number of plants across the world increases global warming. [2 marks]
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.2 (1 mark): Which food chain represents the salmon, sea lice and soya plants? [1 mark] Tick () one box. salmon → sea lice → soya plants sea lice → soya plants → salmon soy
June 2023, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.3 (1 mark): What do the arrows in a food chain represent? [1 mark] Tick () one box. The different numbers in the food chain The predators in the food chain The producers i
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.2 (5 marks): Name the processes 1 to 5 shown on Figure 1. [5 marks] 1 2 3 4 5
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.3 (3 marks): In 2007 the population of the world was 6 000 000 000 A study found that 4.5% of the population had severe water shortage. Calculate how many people had severe
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.4 (2 marks): Why do more people have severe water shortage now than in 2007? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Climate change has increased the area of deserts. Each person drin
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.5 (4 marks): Microorganisms in the soil recycle carbon from the leaves so that the carbon is used for new plant growth. Explain how. [4 marks]
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.6 (1 mark): What is one benefit of fallen leaves for living plants? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Energy is released for living plants. Insect pests in the soil are killed. Ni
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q03.2 (6 marks): Describe a method to investigate if the amount of water in the soil affects the number of buttercups in the field. [6 marks]
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.1 (2 marks): Give two variables the scientists should have controlled in this investigation. [2 marks] 1 2
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.2 (4 marks): Complete Figure 3. You should: • label the y-axis • use a suitable scale for the y-axis • plot the data from Table 1 • draw a line of best fit. [4 marks] Figure
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.1 (4 marks): Describe how a quadrat can be used to measure the size of the buttercup population on the wet soil area. [4 marks]
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q02.5 (1 mark): Calculate the area of the quadrat. [1 mark] Area of the quadrat = m2
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.2 (5 marks): Name the processes 1 to 5 shown on Figure 7. [5 marks] 1 2 3 4 5
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.3 (3 marks): In 2007 the population of the world was 6 000 000 000 A study found that 4.5% of the population had severe water shortage. Calculate how many people had severe
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.4 (2 marks): Why do more people have severe water shortage now than in 2007? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Climate change has increased the area of deserts. Each person drin
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.5 (4 marks): Microorganisms in the soil recycle carbon from the leaves so that the carbon is used for new plant growth. Explain how. [4 marks]
June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.6 (1 mark): What is one benefit of fallen leaves for living plants? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Energy is released for living plants. Insect pests in the soil are killed. Ni
November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.1 (2 marks): Give the food chain for the birds, cats and nuts. [2 marks]
November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.2 (1 mark): Which organism in the food chain you gave in Question 03.1 is the primary consumer? [1 mark]
November 2021, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.3 (2 marks): Meat is produced for humans to eat. Give two ways the production of meat releases carbon dioxide. [2 marks] 1 2
November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.1 (1 mark): Plants take in nitrate ions dissolved in water. Which part of a plant takes in nitrate ions? [1 mark]
November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.2 (2 marks): Name two chemicals that are cycled between plants, the soil and the air. Do not refer to nitrogen or nitrates in your answer. [2 marks] 1 2
November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.3 (6 marks): All the chemicals in a plant are recycled when the plant dies. Describe how: • microorganisms recycle chemicals • the chemicals are used again by new plants. [6
November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.2 (1 mark): Suggest one improvement the students could make to their method. [1 mark]
November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.3 (2 marks): The students made this prediction: ‘There will be more invertebrate species living in the area where there are trees.’ Explain why the students’ prediction may
November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.4 (1 mark): The students decided that one result was anomalous. Draw a ring around the anomalous result in Table 1. [1 mark]
November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.5 (1 mark): How does removing trees affect the number of invertebrate species living among the dead leaves on the ground? Use Table 1. [1 mark]
June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.3 (6 marks): Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Figure 2 shows part of the carbon cycle. Figure 2 Describe how carbon from the atmosphere is cycled through l
June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.1 (2 marks): Which two improvements would increase the validity of this method? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. Do not put any quadrats near trees. Repeat for another ten quad
June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.2 (5 marks): With an improved method the students calculated the mean number of daisy plants to be 7.65 per quadrat. The students used a quadrat measuring 50 cm × 50 cm Figu
June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q05.3 (6 marks): The students noticed a very uneven distribution of daisy plants in the field. Explain how different biotic factors and abiotic factors could have caused an unev
June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.2 (3 marks): Explain why the students thought their hypothesis would be correct. [3 marks]
June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.3 (2 marks): The students used two pieces of equipment. Give the scientific name of each piece of equipment. [2 marks] A square frame measuring 0.5 m × 0.5 m An electronic d
June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.4 (1 mark): Calculate the total area sampled. [1 mark] Total area sampled = m2
June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.5 (1 mark): The whole investigation was done as quickly as possible on the same day. Suggest one reason why. [1 mark]
June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.6 (1 mark): Give one way the investigation could be improved. [1 mark] Table 2 shows the results. Table 2 Distance from tree in metres 0 2 4 6 8 10 Percentage cover of gras
June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.7 (1 mark): Which plant species in Table 2 will only grow at high light intensity? [1 mark]
June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.8 (2 marks): What conclusion can be made about the relationship between light intensity and the total percentage cover of plants? Use data from Table 2 in your answer. [2 ma
June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.9 (2 marks): Light intensity might not be the cause of this pattern of plant distribution. Suggest one different factor that may cause these results. Give one reason for you

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