The development of species: evolution and classification: OCR A‑Level Biology B questions

Every OCR A-Level Biology B exam question on 3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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Q11
June 2025 · Paper 1
1 mark3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q4(a)(i)
June 2025 · Paper 2
3 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
The whole paper ↗
Q4(a)(ii)
June 2025 · Paper 2
1 mark3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q4(a)(iii)
June 2025 · Paper 2
2 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q4(c)
June 2025 · Paper 2
3 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q10
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
1 mark3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q15
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
1 mark3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q20
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
1 mark3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q23(a)(i)
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
2 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q23(a)(ii)
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
2 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q23(b)(i)
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
1 mark3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q23(b)(ii)
June 2025 · AS Paper 1
3 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q32(a)(i)
June 2024 · Paper 1
1 mark3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q32(a)(ii)
June 2024 · Paper 1
2 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q32(b)(i)
June 2024 · Paper 1
2 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q32(b)(ii)
June 2024 · Paper 1
3 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q32(c)
June 2024 · Paper 1
6 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q4(a)(i)
June 2024 · Paper 3
2 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q4(a)(ii)
June 2024 · Paper 3
3 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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Q5(b)(i)
June 2024 · Paper 3
3 marks3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
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All 102 questions on The development of species: evolution and classification, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): Evolutionary relationships between species can be shown using phylogenetic trees. Which statement about phylogenetic trees is correct? A Branches for extant spe
June 2025, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (3 marks): Use the data in the table to calculate D for 2022. 2 - f d n n p Use the formula: D 1 / = N D = [3]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): The scientists concluded that the biodiversity had increased from 2018 to 2022. Explain whether your value for D supports this conclusion. [1]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q4(a)(iii) (2 marks): Suggest what additional information would be needed to increase the confidence in this conclusion. [2]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q4(c) (3 marks): A student stated: ‘The main challenge for agriculture in the future is that climate change will have a worse effect on crop plants than it will on weed species.
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): The prickly pear, Opuntia ficus-indica, is a species of cactus adapted to hot, dry habitats. What is a physiological adaptation for surviving in hot, dry habita
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): The hierarchical classification of Salix alba is shown below. Domain Eukaryota Plantae Tracheophyta Magnoliopsida Malpighiales Salicaceae Salix Species alba Whi
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): Researchers were investigating adaptations and evolution in woodland bird species. They observed the nesting activities of four different bird species, A to D.
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q23(a)(i) (2 marks): State one advantage and one disadvantage of using fossils to study evolution. Advantage Disadvantage [2]
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q23(a)(ii) (2 marks): State one other method used to study language evolution and explain how it provides evidence to support or reject hypotheses. [2]
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q23(b)(i) (1 mark): State the name of this type of diagram used to study evolutionary relationships. [1]
June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q23(b)(ii) (3 marks): The table shows some conclusions that were drawn from the diagram. Conclusions that can be supported by information in the diagram are true and others are false
June 2024, Paper 1, Q32(a)(i) (1 mark): The sound level at 25 m from the loudspeaker was measured at 80 decibels (dB). The researchers estimated that for every doubling of the distance from the loudsp
June 2024, Paper 1, Q32(a)(ii) (2 marks): State one advantage and one disadvantage of completing this study in vivo. Advantage Disadvantage [2]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q32(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage loss in language performance for Species 1 over 100 m. Percentage loss = % [2]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q32(b)(ii) (3 marks): From the data in Fig. 32.2 the researchers concluded: Orangutans are able to communicate with each other over long distances. Discuss the validity of this concl
June 2024, Paper 1, Q32(c) (6 marks): Researchers used orangutans to study human language development because they have a complex and developed language system and are the only ape-like species to u
June 2024, Paper 3, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): The scientists observed more than one allele at 4936 gene loci for the nine aphids from population D. Calculate the percentage of polymorphic loci in population
June 2024, Paper 3, Q4(a)(ii) (3 marks): Evaluate whether the method used by the scientists allows an accurate comparison of genetic diversity in the six populations. [3]
June 2024, Paper 3, Q5(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate Simpson’s Index of Diversity. Use the formula: D = 1 – (Σ( ) N) 2 n n = number of individuals of each species present in the sample N = total number o
June 2024, Paper 3, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): A different group of scientists had sampled the fish species in the same lake 20 years earlier. This group of scientists calculated a D value of 0.709. Using yo
June 2024, Paper 3, Q5(b)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest why the comparison between the two values of D might not be valid. [1]
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): Which option is an example of selection pressure most likely to drive evolution of a species? A Decrease in number of predators B Increase in availability of fo
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q25(a) (3 marks): Complete the table by writing a definition for each level of biodiversity. Level of biodiversity Definition Ecosystem diversity Genetic diversity Species divers
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q25(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the data for the three populations in the table. [2]
June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q25(b)(ii) (2 marks): The scientists calculated the percentage of polymorphic genes for the species S. taishanensis at 74%. Comment on how genetic diversity within the three populati
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): What is meant by the term hierarchy in this context? [1]
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Two concepts used in classifying organisms are the biological species concept and the phylogenetic species concept. Describe the difference between these two co
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): State one other type of molecule, apart from proteins, that can be sequenced in order to classify organisms. [1]
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): The table shows the number of differences in the amino acid sequence of cytochrome c of some animal species compared to humans. Species Number of differences in
June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q4(b)(iii) (2 marks): The scientist also concluded that rabbits and horses are as closely related to each other as humans are to chimpanzees. Explain why this might not be true. [2]
June 2023, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): The table shows the levels of hierarchy for the common fig plant, Ficus carica. Domain Eukaryota Plantae Spermatophyta Dicotyledonae Urticales Moraceae Genus Fi
June 2023, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): State the name given to the study of evolutionary relationships. [1]
June 2023, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how the relationships shown in Fig. 3.2, based on TLRs, could have been worked out. [2]
June 2023, Paper 2, Q3(b)(iii) (3 marks): Camels and ruminants are herbivores and both groups have an even number of toes. This led a student to conclude that camels and ruminants are the most closely r
June 2023, Paper 3, Q4(a) (2 marks): Complete the taxonomic ranks to show the classification of Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus. Domain: Kingdom: Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Lagomorpha
June 2022, Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): The evolution of language in humans is a difficult topic for scientists to study. Which of the statements about the methods used to study language evolution is/
June 2022, Paper 1, Q36(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the Simpson’s index of diversity of the reef. e n 2 m o c Use the formula: D = 1 – / N D = [2]
June 2022, Paper 1, Q36(b)(ii) (2 marks): Due to their proximity to the South American coastline, freshwater run off from the Amazon river reaches the reefs of Tobago. Using your answer to (b)(i), sugge
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): Which of the methods is not used to study the evolution of language? A Comparisons with other species B Computer simulations C DNA bar coding D Mathematical mod
June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): The table shows genetic data from four species of dormouse. Dormouse species Number of polymorphic gene Total number of gene loci loci A 3 19 B 5 27 C 2 19 D 4
November 2021, Paper 1, Q16 (1 mark): The structure and part of the classification of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a single-celled organism, is shown below. flagellum nucleus cell wall thylakoid membr
November 2021, Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): The cytochrome c oxidase gene is a good DNA barcode. Which of the features, A to D, are needed for a good DNA barcode? A low interspecific variation B high intr
November 2021, Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): A phylogenetic tree for five species is shown below. species P species Q species R species S species T distance scale = 0.5 The evolutionary distance between tw
November 2021, Paper 1, Q34(b)(ii) (2 marks): State how the team of ecologists could calculate the biodiversity in each of these habitats and what additional data would be needed for the calculation. [2]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q34(d)(i) (2 marks): Using the data, calculate the percentage of polymorphic genes in the population of each crocodile farm. Farm 1 % Farm 2 % [2]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q34(d)(ii) (2 marks): Using the table and your answers to (d)(i), comment on the suitability of each of these crocodile farms for developing a captive-breeding programme for C.siamen
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): The hierarchical classification from domain to species of the castor oil plant, Ricinus communis, is shown below. Eukaryota Plantae Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida
November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q12 (1 mark): The DNA codon sequence from five different species is shown in the table below. Species DNA codon sequence TTC-ATT-AGT-TGG-CCC-GCC-GTC P TTC-GTC-AGT-TGG-CCC-ATT
November 2020, Paper 1, Q37(a) (1 mark): Scientists have proposed several theories to explain language evolution. Suggest one way in which scientists formally communicate their ideas to other scientist
November 2020, Paper 1, Q37(b) (3 marks): The following text is a description of a theory of language evolution. The Obligatory Reciprocal Altruism Theory (ORAT) The obligatory reciprocal altruism theor
November 2020, Paper 1, Q37(c) (2 marks): Bipedalism in hominids is an example of adaptation. Suggest how bipedalism could have facilitated language evolution. [2]
November 2020, Paper 1, Q37(d) (3 marks): Complete the passage using the most appropriate word(s): Genomes acquire mutations over time. This leads to within a population. In the presence of a particular
November 2020, Paper 3, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete the missing values in Table 2.1 for species A. [2]
November 2020, Paper 3, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rs). 6 ∑ d 2 Use the formula: rs = 1 − n(n2 − 1) rs = [2]
November 2020, Paper 3, Q2(a)(iii) (2 marks): The null hypothesis for this investigation was: ‘There is no significant correlation between leaf width and petiole length.’ Write a conclusion for the results.
November 2020, Paper 3, Q2(b) (3 marks): Xerophytic plants are plants that are adapted to living in very dry conditions. The table below gives a description of some adaptations of xerophytic plants. Co
November 2020, Paper 3, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): Suggest one reason for using a living species of Metasequoia in this investigation. [1]
November 2020, Paper 3, Q2(c)(ii) (6 marks): Plants are usually adapted to living in conditions of different light intensities. The leaf of a plant that is adapted to living in shade will differ from the l
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q6: It is believed that the common ancestor of chimpanzees, gorillas and humans dates back around seven million years ago to a forest-dwelling ape. Fig. 6.1 shows p
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Using Fig. 6.1, state how many species of primates that descended from forest apes are still alive today. [1]
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): Using Fig. 6.1, explain why Homo sapiens are more closely related to Pan paniscus than Gorilla gorilla. [1]
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q7(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe the change in the position of the foramen magnum and explain how this could have affected the behaviour of the primates. [2]
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Scientists claim that Australopithecus species may have been able to use smaller tools and understand a wider range of vocal sounds than a chimpanzee. What evid
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q7(b)(iii) (1 mark): A number of Australopithecus species have been discovered but it has been difficult for scientists to classify them as distinct species due to a lack of genetic
November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q7(c) (3 marks): State the name of three types of monomers or molecules that can be used in the genetic classification of a species. 1 2 3 [3]
June 2019, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): A student investigated biodiversity in adjacent woodland and wetland habitats. The results are summarised in the table below. Species Woodland Wetland P 5 11 Q
June 2019, Paper 3, Q4(d)(i) (1 mark): To which taxonomic rank does Eukaryota belong? [1]
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q16 (1 mark): Living organisms are classified by biologists in hierarchical groupings called taxonomic ranks. After domain and kingdom, which of the options, A to D, is the c
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q21(b)(i) (1 mark): The level of the water table shown in Fig. 21.1 was monitored throughout the investigation. Suggest why. [1]
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q21(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest one advantage and one disadvantage of carrying out this investigation in situ rather than in a laboratory. advantage disadvantage [2] 22
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q21(c)(i) (1 mark): What would be a suitable label for the y-axis of the bar chart shown in Fig. 21.2? [1]
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q21(c)(ii) (2 marks): Using Fig. 21.2, what can you conclude about the results for zones B and C over the period of the investigation? [2]
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q22(a) (2 marks): Using Fig. 22, describe one anatomical adaptation that arose during the evolution of hominids and suggest how this was an advantage to early hominids such as Au
June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q22(b) (3 marks): There are many different theories for the evolution of language in hominids. In the late nineteenth century, the Royal Linguistic Society banned any discussion
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q5(a) (3 marks): Explain how the introduction of a new species would affect biodiversity. [3]
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (3 marks): A national survey was carried out in the UK to track the spread of the harlequin ladybird. A class of students decided to take part in the survey by studying th
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): A national ladybird survey published the data for 2014. The teacher asked the class to use the data to calculate the Simpson’s Diversity Index (D) for ladybirds
June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): In 2004, the Simpson’s Diversity Index for ladybirds in the UK was approximately 0.8. Using the Simpson’s Diversity Index (D) calculated in (b)(ii), suggest wha
June 2018, Paper 1, Q23 (1 mark): Here are three statements about the evolution of language: 1 Sequencing the genome of extinct human ancestors helps to indicate the origins of language. 2 The e
June 2018, Paper 1, Q24 (1 mark): The genetic diversity of monkey populations in a forest ecosystem was studied. The data for one population are shown in the table below. Total genes Genes with
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): Three species, X, Y and Z, all evolved from a common ancestor. Species X and Y were the most closely related and species Z was extinct. Which of the phylogeneti
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q21(a)(i) (2 marks): What is meant by the term species diversity? [2]
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q21(a)(ii) (4 marks): Some geographical regions are threatened with habitat loss and have been prioritised for conservation. Such regions are known as biodiversity hotspots. To be id
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q21(b) (2 marks): The rosy periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus, is one of the plant species found in Madagascar where it has evolved adaptations to survive in the hot and humid clima
June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q21(d) (2 marks): Genetic diversity was investigated in coloured variants of C. roseus. Genetic data from an analysis of 56 genes showed that 10 of these genes were monomorphic.
June 2017, Paper 1, Q30 (1 mark): Scientists can identify an unknown species as follows: • extract DNA from tissue, e.g. skin or hair • amplify a length of DNA, known as a barcode, using the pol
June 2017, Paper 1, Q35(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain what is meant by the term species diversity. [2]
June 2017, Paper 1, Q35(b)(i) (3 marks): Complete Table 35 and use the formula below to calculate the Simpson’s Index of Diversity (D) for field M. D = 1 − (!(n / N)2) Where: n = number of individuals
June 2017, Paper 1, Q35(b)(ii) (1 mark): The Simpson’s Index of Diversity for field R is 0.54. Using this information and your answer to (b)(i), conclude which crop promotes the greater diversity of bi
June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q4 (1 mark): DNA barcodes are sequences of DNA that can be used for identifying species. Which of the statements, A to D, is a property of a DNA barcode that makes it ideal
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q3(a) (1 mark): Using the terms below, complete the sequence of taxonomic ranks in the hierarchy of classification. The last one has been done for you. Genus Phylum Class Famil
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q3(b) (6 marks): Hominids have been classified using taxonomic ranks. (b)* Homo habilis is a species of hominid that lived in central Africa between 2.8 and 1.5 million years ag
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q3(c) (2 marks): Fig. 3.1, on the insert, shows tools used by Homo habilis and Homo neanderthalensis. Explain how different tools, such as those shown in Fig. 3.1, can provide e
June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q3(d) (3 marks): Primate species are known to use physical grooming to maintain social groups. Studying this behaviour in primates has enabled scientists to hypothesise about ho
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): Tardigrades, or ‘water bears’, are a group of animals that live in extreme conditions. In 2014, a new species of tardigrade called Mopsechiniscus franciscae was
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): An ecologist investigated the distribution of wildflowers in four fields, A to D. The data collected was used to calculate Simpson’s Index of Diversity. The res
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): Researchers were studying genetic diversity in the common periwinkle, Littorina littorea. Seven genes from six periwinkles were analysed using gel electrophores
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q22(a)(i) (1 mark): At which point on the phylogenetic tree, R, S or T, would xylem and phloem tissue have appeared? [1]
June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q22(a)(ii) (1 mark): Primitive plants lived in water. As plants evolved they adapted to life on land. Suggest one adaptation that would have enabled primitive plants, such as charop
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q6(c)(i) (1 mark): DNA barcoding is a method of classifying different plant species based on their genes. Some of the genes used in DNA barcoding are found inside the nucleus of t
June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q6(c)(ii) (2 marks): State one advantage and one disadvantage of using DNA barcoding to classify plant species. Advantage Disadvantage [2]

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