plumiBiodiversity, adaptation and natural selection: Edexcel A‑Level Biology A questions
Every Edexcel A-Level Biology A exam question on Biodiversity, adaptation and natural selection (specification points 4.1–4.4), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q6(a)(i)
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Q7(b)(ii)
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Q7(c)
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Q8(g)
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Q5(b)(i)
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Q8(a)
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Q8(b)
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Q8(d)(i)
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Q8(d)(ii)
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Q2(a)
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Q2(b)(i)
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Q6(a)
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All 61 questions on Biodiversity, adaptation and natural selection, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term endemic. (1)
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Which of the following is the correct definition of the term endemic? (1) A found in only one type of habitat B found in only one geographical location C lives
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Which adaptations from the list are all anatomical adaptations? (1) A 1, 2 and 3 B 1, 3 and 4 C 2, 3 and 4 D 3, 4 and 5
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (5 marks): The Pyrenean desman is thought to have evolved from a land‑living animal similar to a mole. Explain how the Pyrenean desman could have evolved by natural select
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): One measure of biodiversity is species richness. Describe how species richness can be used to compare the biodiversity of two habitats. (2)
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Biodiversity can also be measured using an index of diversity. The table shows data collected from one rockpool. Number of individuals Species of seaweed n(n –
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why an index of diversity is more useful than species richness for determining biodiversity. (2)
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): It may be beneficial for a population to contain a higher percentage of heterozygote individuals. Which of the following statements correctly explain why this i
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q7(c) (4 marks): A study has shown that grazing by deer reduces plant biodiversity in an area. An area with a large population of deer was compared with an area from which deer
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q8(g) (1 mark): Sloths can warm up by climbing higher up into the canopy (paragraph 9). State the type of adaptation that this represents. (1)
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): State the term used to describe the role of an organism in its environment. (1)
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q8(a) (2 marks): State two methods for measuring biodiversity in a habitat. (2) 1 2
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q8(b) (1 mark): Monoculture can result in an increase in pest species that damage crops. The photograph shows aphids, a pest species that damages plants grown for pasture and a
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q8(d)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage change in the total number of Diptera insects found in agroforest compared with the monocultural pasture. Give your answer to 3 signifi
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q8(d)(ii) (6 marks): Another study in Brazil recorded which mammal species farmers had observed. The study involved 75 farms using agroforestry and 64 farms using conventional farmi
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q2(a) (1 mark): Which of the following describes biodiversity within a habitat? (1) A the number of different alleles and the number of the same species B the number of differe
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Complete the table for pond A giving the value for n(n–1) for Ranunculus circinatus and give the totals. (1)
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the index of diversity for pond B using the formula N N ( 1 ) D n n ( 1 ) (2) Answer
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q2(b)(iii) (3 marks): Pond B is close to a farm and some houses. Chemicals and waste from the farm and houses have increased the levels of pollutants in pond B. The biodiversity inde
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q6(a) (1 mark): Members of this group of mammals occupy a variety of niches. Which of the following describes a niche? (1) A the environment of an organism B the habitat of an
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q8(a) (1 mark): Which of the following describes an endemic species? (1) A found in many geographical areas B found in only one geographical area C a hybrid between two species
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): Before the 1960s, all of the hedgehogs on this island were dark coloured. It has been suggested that the blonde hedgehogs are less likely to be killed by cars a
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term niche. (1)
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(a) (1 mark): Biodiversity can be measured by the number of (1) A different genes in a population. B different species in a habitat. C homozygotes in a habitat. D individuals
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(b) (2 marks): Biodiversity hotspots have at least 1500 endemic plant species. These hotspots have lost at least 70% of their natural vegetation. Explain how protection of the
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(c)(i) (1 mark): The null hypothesis for this investigation is (1) A the allele richness in the population from Finland is higher than the USA. B the allele richness in the popu
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(c)(ii) (3 marks): The values from the population in the USA can be taken as the expected values and a χ2 test can be carried out. Allele richness Allele richness (Finland (USA Ge
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(c)(iii) (3 marks): The table shows the critical values of chi-squared at different levels of probability. Probability Degrees of freedom p=0.10 p=0.05 1 2.706 3.841 2 4.605 5.991
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(d) (4 marks): The table shows the heterozygosity index for each population of white‑tailed deer. Heterozygosity index for Heterozygosity index for Finland population North Am
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q8(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why the area covered by Pando shows less biodiversity than a similar area of mixed forest. (3)
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q8(b)(i) (1 mark): Which row of the table shows the correct classification of these adaptations? (1) Phenolic glycosides Ramets A anatomical behavioural B anatomical physiological
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q8(b)(ii) (4 marks): The Pando colony is decreasing in size. Scientists have suggested this may be caused by grazing, disease and environmental factors such as reduced rainfall. Exp
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (4 marks): To decide which of the two link roads should be built, studies of the biodiversity of woodlands P and Q need to be carried out. Discuss what information needs t
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q8(k) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term endemic (paragraph 35). (1)
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q8(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the index of diversity for lawn A. (3) Answer
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q8(a)(ii) (2 marks): Herbicides are sprayed on lawns to kill unwanted plants. Explain how the calculated value would change if a herbicide was used on this lawn. (2)
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q8(b) (1 mark): The bee orchid, Ophrys apifera, is pollinated by a species of bee, Eucera longicornis, that is found in parts of the UK. Males of this species of bee mistake th
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q8(c) (6 marks): The graph shows the changes in the relative abundance of pollinating wild bee species in the UK. The original sample in 1980 represents a value of 100%. 110 100
- October 2020, Paper 1, Q2(a) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term endemic. (1)
- October 2020, Paper 1, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Complete the table to show n(n – 1) for each species of plant. (1)
- October 2020, Paper 1, Q7(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the diversity index (D) using the data in the table. N(N − 1) D = Σ − n(n 1) (2) Answer
- October 2020, Paper 1, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): Species richness is the number of (1) A different alleles in one species B different species in one area C individuals of one species in one area D individuals
- October 2020, Paper 1, Q7(b)(ii) (5 marks): Devise an investigation to compare species richness of the plants growing under the trees in a deciduous woodland with that of a coniferous woodland. (5)
- October 2020, Paper 2, Q6(a) (2 marks): Complete the table by giving the name of the type of adaptation. (2) Description of adaptation Type of adaptation shown by the wasp knocking its body to signal
- October 2020, Paper 3, Q2(c)(i) (3 marks): Explain the importance of the different shell patterns in these two habitats. (3)
- October 2020, Paper 3, Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how a statistical test could be used to determine if the number of shells with zero bands is significantly different in these two habitats. (2)
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): These red squirrels are not classed as endemic to Brownsea Island because they (1) A are also found in other locations B are not at risk of extinction C are not
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q4(d) (2 marks): Scientists measure biodiversity using both species richness and the heterozygosity index. State what is meant by the following terms: (2) species richness heter
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q8(c) (3 marks): Trypsin molecules from vertebrates, but not other animals, have a calcium ion binding site. Explain how this calcium ion binding site could have evolved in vert
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q9(c)(i) (2 marks): Describe what needs to be measured in order to compare the biodiversity of two rainforests. (2)
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q9(c)(ii) (3 marks): The biodiversity of the land area of Earth has been estimated. The table shows information on the number of species of plants and vertebrate animals in the rain
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q7(a) (1 mark): Which combination of adaptations shown by the arctic ground squirrel have been described? (1) A anatomical and behavioural only B anatomical and physiological o
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q8(a) (3 marks): Sloths are slow moving and use their hooked claws to hold onto branches. They sleep for over 15 hours a day. During this time, their slow metabolism processes t
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q8(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following describes the term niche with reference to C. hoffmanni? (1) A the area where C. hoffmanni is found B the preferred diet of C. hoffmanni
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q8(c) (6 marks): The map shows the distribution of two species of sloth. There are currently two major populations of C. hoffmanni in South America. B. pygmaeus is restricted to
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): State why the Scottish wildcat has been described as endemic. (1)
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): The Scottish wildcat can interbreed successfully with domestic cats. Explain the effect this could have on the genetic diversity of the Scottish wildcat. (2)
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(iii) (6 marks): Individuals who are heterozygous for this condition are resistant to a severe form of malaria, called cerebral malaria, that affects the brain. Individuals who
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q7(a) (1 mark): The production of anti-freeze proteins is an example of (1) A anatomical adaptation B change in allele frequency C physiological adaptation D reproductive isola
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q7(d)(i) (1 mark): At which time does the diagram show a major loss of biodiversity? (1) A 65 million years ago B 252 million years ago C 359 million years ago D 419 million years
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q7(d)(ii) (3 marks): Many different types of anti-freeze protein are produced by ray-fin fishes. Analyse the data to explain when these ray-fin fish are likely to have evolved the a
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