Feeding the human race: OCR GCSE Biology A questions

Every OCR GCSE Biology A exam question on B6.2 Feeding the human race, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 79 questions on Feeding the human race, as a list

June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(a) (4 marks): Complete these sentences about the supply of food. Being able to get enough food to feed a population is called food . Biotic factors such as can prevent this h
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b)(i) (1 mark): What percentage of surplus food in America is used for food donations? Answer = % [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b)(ii) (2 marks): Two of the methods of food disposal named in the pie chart use microorganisms. Identify these two methods. and [2]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b)(iii) (1 mark): The total mass of surplus food in America is sixty million tonnes a year. Put a ring around this mass correctly expressed in standard form. 6 × 105 tonnes 6 × 1
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b)(iv) (2 marks): Calculate how many millions of tonnes of surplus food are burnt in America each year. Burnt surplus food = million tonnes [2]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): What is the correct definition of hydroponics? A A process for growing plants in a mineral solution B A process in the water cycle C The movement of sweat out o
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a) (1 mark): Give the number of locusts in a swarm in standard form. Number of locusts = [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate how long it would take for a swarm of locusts to eat all the grass in the field. Time taken = hours [3]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one way that the students could improve their method to get a more accurate estimate of the time. [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c) (3 marks): Explain why locusts are a major risk to food security in Africa. Use information from all of question 18. [3]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(d) (6 marks): The diagram shows a food web from a lake in North America. trout shrimp dragonfly carp microscopic animals microscopic plants (d)* Carp embryos develop into mal
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(a) (1 mark): Hydroponics can be used to try and grow more food. What is hydroponics? Tick (3) one box. Growing crops with fertiliser Growing crops with pesticides Growing cr
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(b) (3 marks): The table shows the percentage of people that do not get enough food in four different countries. Country Percentage of people who do not get enough food (%) Ha
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(c) (6 marks): In some countries people do not have food security. This means they do not have enough food to eat. (c)* The table shows some information about food security in
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q24(d)(i) (1 mark): Which term describes this type of pest control? Tick (3) one box. Abiotic control Biological control Chemical control Genetic control [1]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): Lack of food security can lead to people being undernourished. 1 × 109 people in the world are undernourished. The pie chart shows the percentage of undernouris
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q12 (1 mark): Bacteria can be genetically engineered to make human insulin. The diagrams show four stages in this process. Insulin Bacterium P Q gene Plasmid Bacterial plasmi
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(d)(i) (1 mark): Which term describes this type of pest control? Tick (3) one box. Abiotic control Biological control Chemical control Genetic control [1]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(c)(ii) (1 mark): Scientists want to produce a variety of wheat that contains less asparagine. This is done by preventing expression of the gene that codes for asparagine synthet
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b) (2 marks): Weaver birds are a major problem for farmers who grow sorghum. One weaver bird can eat 15 g of sorghum seeds in a day. A large colony of weaver birds has 5 000
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(e)(i) (1 mark): Which area of Africa, west, east or south, has the least number of weaver birds that eat sorghum? [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(e)(ii) (1 mark): Complete the sentence about the graph. Put a ring around the correct option. In the areas with low numbers of weaver birds, farmers choose to grow a lower / a h
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(e)(iii) (1 mark): Give a reason why the farmers make this choice. [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(a) (2 marks): Draw lines to connect each risk with the correct method used to reduce the risk. One line has been drawn for you. Risk Method used to reduce the risk no soil ad
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(i) (1 mark): The total demand for fish is expected to increase from 20 million tonnes in 1950 to 80 / 140 / 220 million tonnes in 2050. [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(ii) (1 mark): In 2050, the percentage of all fish supplied by wild fish is expected to be about 36% / 57% / 64%. [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(c)(i) (3 marks): Describe how scientists can increase the mass of Atlantic salmon using genetic engineering. [3]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(c)(ii) (2 marks): In 2020 some salmon escaped into the sea from a tank used in aquaculture. Suggest why this problem makes some people concerned about producing genetically engin
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): Why are antibiotic markers used in the process of genetic engineering? A To act as a vector allowing the DNA into the cell. B To identify which cells have taken
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(d)(i) (2 marks): genetically engineering buddleia bushes that produce larger seeds [2]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(c) (2 marks): Scientists recorded the types of sorghum grown in different areas of Africa that have higher levels of the bitter chemical. They also recorded the number of bir
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(a) (2 marks): Small fish called wrasse are often kept in the cage with the salmon. The wrasse act as a biological control mechanism. This results in an increased growth rate
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(b) (3 marks): Many people in the world eat fish as their main source of protein. Fish eaten by people can be caught directly from the sea (wild fish) or grown using aquacultu
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(c)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of the enzyme used to cut out the gene from the DNA of the ocean pout? [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(c)(ii) (1 mark): What is the name of the enzyme used to join the gene from the ocean pout into the DNA of the Atlantic salmon? [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(c)(iii) (2 marks): Explain how the addition of the gene from ocean pout can cause the Atlantic salmon to grow faster. [2]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(c)(iv) (3 marks): This diagram shows a genetically engineered salmon and a non-engineered salmon of the same age. The drawings are to the same scale. Genetically engineered salmo
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a) (2 marks): Use data from the table to suggest why the farmers want to start growing GM crops. [2]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b) (1 mark): The wheat has been genetically modified. Which type of chemical is inserted into the wheat cells to genetically modify them? Put a ring around the correct answe
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(c) (2 marks): Some other farmers are concerned about growing GM wheat. They think that some people may not buy it. Suggest two reasons why some people may not want to buy GM
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(c)(i) (1 mark): Why is the use of the fungal spores an example of biological control? [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(c)(ii) (1 mark): How many times more concentrated are the spores in the spray used on the soil compared to the spray used on the tops of the pine trees? Answer [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(c)(iii) (3 marks): Table 20.2 shows the results of the scientists’ spraying in one year. Table 20.2 Caterpillars Site of spraying killed (%) on the tops of the pine trees 86.9 on
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q12 (1 mark): Errors in experiments can be random or systematic. • A student investigates the effect of fertilisers on the dry mass of seedlings. • They use pots of seedlings
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): Genetic engineering involves the use of vectors. Which is an example of a vector? A A set of unpaired bases on the end of a DNA molecule. B A small ring of DNA
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(c)(i) (1 mark): Name this type of control method. [1]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(c)(ii) (1 mark): The concentration of spores used on the larvae is higher than the concentration used on the eggs. By how many orders of magnitude is it higher? [1]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(d)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage increase in the death of larvae on the pine trees compared to in the laboratory for the control treatment. Percentage change = % [2]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(d)(ii) (1 mark): More larvae die in the natural environment of the pine trees than in the laboratory for all treatments. Suggest one reason why. [1]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(d)(iii) (3 marks): Evaluate the use of the two plant oils in the control of the larvae. Use data from the table. [3]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): Gene technology can be used to produce new crop plants. Which is an ethical argument against the use of gene technology? A It can be very expensive. B Only well
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b)(ii) (1 mark): Farmers can spray their sheep to stop them being bitten by insects. Which type of chemical is in the spray? Put a ring around the correct answer. antibiotic ant
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(c)(ii) (1 mark): Scientists are trying to find a way to kill the insects using fungi. Which term describes this type of control? Tick (3) one box. Aseptic control Biological con
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(c)(iii) (2 marks): Another method that scientists are investigating is genetic engineering. They hope to genetically engineer the insects so that they cannot carry the virus. Desc
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20 (6 marks): 20* Many people in China rely on rice for food. Farmers have started to grow new types of rice called hybrid rice. Figs. 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 and 20.4 show informat
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): Genetic engineering involves the use of sticky ends to form plasmids. What is a sticky end? A A length of DNA which is single stranded. B A length of DNA which
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(a) (2 marks): When there was low rainfall, the yield of the inbred rice dropped from 4600 kg / ha to 2100 kg / ha. That is a 54% decrease. Calculate the percentage decrease o
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b) (2 marks): Explain why hybrid rice may be important if global warming causes changes in the climate in China. [2]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): Which of these is an advantage of using hydroponics for crop production? A Fertilisers are not required for crop growth. B The crops can be grown in areas where
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b) (3 marks): The leaves of stevia taste very sweet. People are now trying to grow stevia as a crop. Stevia farmers often add nematode worms to their fields. Explain why farm
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(c)(i) (1 mark): What name is given to the process scientists use to change the genes of an organism? [1]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(c)(ii) (1 mark): Write down one reason why some people disagree with the process given in (c)(i). [1]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Which of these is an advantage of using hydroponics for crop production? A Fertilisers are not required for crop growth. B The crops can be grown in areas where
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): The prickly pear is a cactus plant that was introduced into Australia. The prickly pear cactus spread across the country. To control the spread of the prickly p
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a) (1 mark): Describe why is there an increasing demand for food. [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): What is genetic modification? [2]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b)(ii) (2 marks): Scientists can use GM to alter the features of crops. One feature is crop yield. Suggest two other features of crops they could change. 1 2 [2]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b)(iii) (2 marks): In a recent survey 200 people were asked about GM crops. The people surveyed were shown six statements. Three were negative statements and three were positive s
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): What is the role of antibiotic resistance markers in producing genetically engineered bacteria? A To identify which genes to insert into the bacteria. B To iden
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(d)(i) (1 mark): Name the enzyme used to join two sections of DNA together in genetic engineering. [1]
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(d)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how this method of genetic engineering would rapidly reduce the rat population. You may use a diagram in your answer. [3]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): A gardener releases spiders into a greenhouse. They eat the insects which are eating her plants. What is this an example of? A Biological control B Gene technol
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): Plants can be grown in water. What is the name of this growth method? A Active transport B Germination C Hypothermia D Hydroponics [1] Your answer
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(i) (6 marks): The plants grown for cattle food often have their leaves eaten by insects. Scientists have produced genetically modified (GM) plants that make insecticide in th
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest two reasons why some people are against this type of genetic engineering. 1 2 [2]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): Which of these is used to cut DNA molecules in genetic engineering? A Ligase enzymes B Plasmids C Restriction enzymes D Sticky ends Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): Which is an advantage of growing crop plants by hydroponics? A The plants can be grown where there is poor soil. B The plants can support themselves more secure
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(c)(ii) (2 marks): Scientists have found that the genetically modified plants make 20% more biomass. Use the agricultural food chain on page 21 to calculate the increase in biomas
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(c)(iii) (2 marks): Inserting extra copies of a plant’s gene into a plant is a type of genetic modification (GM). Another example of GM involves inserting a bacterial gene into a p

Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © OCR, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? Every OCR GCSE Biology A paper.

Rather write your answers by hand on iPad? Plumi marks them against the same mark schemes.

1,636 questions