_______________________

Name:
_
Energy and ecosystems
Part 2 _______________________
Class:
_

_______________________
Date:
_

Time: 54 minutes

Marks: 47 marks

Comments:

Page 1 of 16
Q1.
(a) Name the two substances produced by anaerobic respiration in humans.

1. _________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) When an athlete runs in a 100 metre race, 90% of the energy needed is provided by
anaerobic respiration.

(i) Explain why most of the energy is provided by anaerobic respiration rather
than aerobic respiration.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) The athlete continues to breathe deeply for several minutes after the race
ends. Explain why this is necessary.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Q2.
Zooplankton are very small animals which feed on algae (green protoctists) found in
lakes. The chart shows the mean depth of zooplankton populations in four lakes, P to S,
during the day and the night. It also shows the standard deviations of the means. The
depth at which the light intensity is 1% of the surface light intensity is also shown.

Page 2 of 16
(a) Explain the evidence that the zooplankton feed at night.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(b) Predatory fish, which hunt by sight, are present in some of the lakes. These fish
have been present in the lakes for different lengths of time.

Estimated length of time predatory

Lake
fish have been present / years

P 0

Q 5

R 25

S Over 1000

(i) Describe the relationship between the depth of the zooplankton during the day
and the length of time predators have been present in the lake.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Suggest how the differences in behaviour of the zooplankton populations in

the four lakes might have evolved.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Page 3 of 16
 ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

Q3.
The diagram shows the flow of energy through a marine ecosystem.

(a) Give one reason why not all the light energy falling on the producers is used in
photosynthesis.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) The producers in this ecosystem are seaweeds, which have a large surface area to
volume ratio. Give two advantages to seaweeds of having a large surface area to
volume ratio.

1. _________________________________________________________________

Page 4 of 16
 ___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Some species of seaweed are submerged in water for most of the time. Explain how
being under water might affect the rate of photosynthesis.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Q4.
The diagram shows the energy flow through a freshwater ecosystem.
All units are kJ m–2year–1.

(a) Name

(i) process A;

Page 5 of 16
 ______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) the group of organisms represented by box B.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Calculate the percentage efficiency with which light energy is transferred to energy
in producers. Show your working.

Answer ____________________
(2)

(c) Describe the effect of light energy in the light-dependent reaction of photosynthesis.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) If a plant is kept in the dark it is still able to produce carbohydrates, as long as it is
provided with two products of the light-dependent reaction of photosynthesis. Give
the name of these products and explain their function in the light-independent
reaction of photosynthesis.

Name _____________________________________________________________

Function ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Name _____________________________________________________________

Function ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 10 marks)

Q5.
A hormone has been shown to switch on a gene in fish, leading to the increased

Page 6 of 16
 production of an enzyme. Experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of heavy
metal ions on the production of this enzyme, with and without the hormone. The table
shows the results.

Amount of enzyme produced / percentage of

maximum

Heavy metal ion present Without hormone With hormone

None 16 100

Cadmium 15 55

Zinc 17 94

Copper 16 100

Explain how the results suggest that cadmium affects the action of the hormone.

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 2 marks)

Q6.
A hedgerow is a line of shrubs and trees bordering a field, together with the herbaceous
plants at their base. In the last 50 years farmers have removed many hedgerows.

(a) Explain two advantages for a farmer of removing hedgerows.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) In recent years some hedgerows have been replanted. Ground beetles, which are
unable to fly, are predators of crop pests. The beetles overwinter in the shelter of
grasses at the base of the hedgerow. In some large fields, a permanent strip of
grass is left as shown in the diagram.

Page 7 of 16
 Suggest and explain the advantage of leaving the strip of grass in the middle of the
field.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Apart from providing a habitat for predators of crop pests, give two biological
benefits of replanting hedgerows.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Q7.
The Solomon Islands are situated in the Pacific Ocean. The nearest large land mass is
Australia, which is about 1500 km away. The biggest islands are mountainous, with large
areas of tropical forest and a wide range of habitats. Some islands have a very high
species diversity, and many species are endemic, that is they occur only in the Solomon
Islands.

The table shows the total number of species on the islands in four vertebrate classes and
the percentage which are endemic.

Vertebrate class Total number of Endemic species

species /%

Mammals 53 36

Page 8 of 16
 Birds 223 20
Reptiles 61 16
Amphibians 17 53

(a) How many reptile species are endemic?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Suggest an explanation for the high proportion of endemic species on the Solomon
Islands.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 4 marks)

Q8.
(a) Farmers who grow wheat sometimes leave a field fallow for a year by not growing a
crop in it. The concentration of nitrate ions in the soil decreases when a field is left
fallow.

(i) When grass is grown in the field, fewer nitrate ions are lost than when the field
is left with bare soil. Explain why.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) A crop of leguminous plants such as clover may be grown in the field and then
ploughed in. Explain why less fertiliser would be needed for the wheat crop in
the following year.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) The table gives information about the yield and profitability of a wheat crop grown
using different amounts of fertiliser.

Page 9 of 16
 Value
Nitrogen Grain Cost of
Grain added by
fertiliser yield / using Benefit :
protein / using
applied / tonnes ha– fertiliser / cost ratio
% fertiliser /
kg ha–1 1
£ha–1
£ha–1

0 2.4 11.7 – – –

25 2.5 12.5 19 11 1.7 : 1.0

50 2.5 12.9 25 22 1.1 : 1.0

75 2.5 13.3 31 33 0.9 : 1.0

100 2.5 13.5 37

(i) Describe the effects of increasing fertiliser application on the yield and protein
content of the grain produced.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) Use the data in the table to estimate the benefit: cost ratio for a fertiliser
application of 100 kg ha–1. Write your answer in the table.
(1)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 10 of 16
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) lactate / lactic acid / pyruvate; ATP;
2

(b) (i) energy demand is very high / high respiration rate;

unable to supply enough oxygen to muscles / tissues / cells /
insufficient time for oxygen to reach muscles / tissues / cells /
insufficient oxygen in muscles / tissues / cells;
2

(ii) break down with oxygen / oxidise lactate into pyruvate / glucose /
glycogen / CO2 + water;
by aerobic respiration;
2
[6]

Q2.
(a) zooplankton nearer surface at night;
algae only found at surface;
photosynthetic;
no / little light below 30 / 40m;
3

(b) (i) with increasing time predators have been present in the lake, the
greater the depth at which the zooplankton occur during the day;
1

(ii) variation in migration behaviour;

vertical migration reduces chance of predation / prey can’t be seen in
low light intensity;
those that migrated more likely to reproduce;
genes / alleles (for behaviour) passed to next generation;
increase in frequency of gene / allele in population;
3 max
[7]

Q3.
(a) transmission / reflected / misses chlorophyll / chloroplasts / wrong wavelength;
1

(b) (larger area) to absorb light;

(larger surface area) to absorb carbon dioxide;
short diffusion pathway for gases / oxygen / CO2;
light able to penetrate to all cells;
2 max

(c) effect;
detail;
effect on photosynthesis;
some effects are less light / light absorbed by water

Page 11 of 16
 different wavelength of light
temperature
availability of carbon dioxide
availability of water
(more than one effect award 1 mark only)
3
[6]

Q4.
(a) (i) respiration;
1

(ii) decomposers;
(accept bacteria / fungi)
1

(b) × 100 = 5.14 / 5.1%;

(correct answer = 2 marks)
(principle: energy in producers ÷ energy of light absorbed = 1
mark)
2

(c) excites chlorophyll / electrons;

release electron(s);
2 max

(d) reduced NADP;

reduces GP / to change GP to TP;
ATP;
provides the energy to reduce GP / convert GP to TP / TP to RuBP /
provides phosphate to convert TP to RuBP;
4
[10]

Q5.
With hormone (third column) cadmium produces large /
significant / 45% fall in enzyme production;
without hormone (second column) no significant effect
on enzyme production with cadmium;.
2 max
[2]

Q6.
(a) source of pests / animals, and effect on crop;
source of weeds / no longer taking nutrients, hence competition /
reduced yield; creation of larger fields / leaving room,
hence more efficient use of machinery / grow more crops;
hedgerows have to be maintained, so removal saves time / money;
2 max

(b) allows beetles to remain / survive / over winter in the middle of the
field / strip of grass;
effect on distribution, e.g. do not normally reach the centre of the field

Page 12 of 16
 / can reach all parts;
2

(c) increases biodiversity;

source of food for animals;
habitat / nest for animals;
reduce need for insecticides / attracts insects away from crop;
windbreaks / prevent erosion / run-off / leaching;
migratory corridors;
2 max
[6]

Q7.
(a) 10
(reject: 9.76)
1

(b) isolation (on islands);

variety of habitats / conditions different from origin / other islands;
differing pathways of natural selection;
leading to organisms too different to interbreed.
3 max
[4]

Q8.
(a) (i) presence of grass causes less nutrients / minerals / nitrates /
ammonium ions to be leached;
(do not allow references to less nitrogen)
1

(ii) clover contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria;

(do not allow references to nitrifying bacteria)

decomposition (of ploughed clover) introduces nitrates /

ammonium ions into soil;
2

(b) (i) minimal effect / no significant effect on yield / small

increase up to 25 kg ha–1;
increase in protein content of grain with all fertiliser applications;
2

(ii) (37 ÷ 44 =) 0.84 : 1.0

(allow 0.8 : 1);
1
[6]

Page 13 of 16
Examiner reports

Q1.
(a) Most candidates scored full marks, identifying lactate and ATP as the products.
Carbon dioxide was a common error.

(b) Most of the marks missed in this question were in part (i) with candidates failing to
explain why muscle tissue becomes deprived of oxygen or to relate the high energy
demand to respiratory rate. A frequent approach was an explanation of anaerobic
respiration as a rapid process, which was not credited. Part (ii) was well answered.

Q2.
(a) The majority of candidates scored at least two marks. Some confused algae with
zooplankton or had problems expressing themselves when describing the different
depths by using terms such as .higher depth.

(b) Part (i) was answered correctly by most candidates but some misread the data and
referred to number of fish rather than time present. Many candidates tried to answer
part (ii) in terms of geographical isolation, so there were many references to
zooplankton living in deep water, rather than selection acting on the variation in
depth of migration during the day. Candidates that linked parts (i) and (ii) together
generally scored well, although a significant number of candidates stated that
zooplankton had the capacity to learn.

Q3.
This question was generally well answered although a significant number of candidates
failed to read the question carefully enough and described what might happen to the
energy that had not fallen on the producers.

Most candidates were able to suggest one appropriate reason for the seaweed having a
large surface area. Many failed to give a second reason with some giving vague answers
in terms of ‘gaseous exchange’ rather than explaining it in terms of the ease of absorption
of carbon dioxide. A number of weaker candidates responded in terms of respiration rather
than photosynthesis.

Many candidates included some good detail as to how their chosen environmental factor
might affect the rate of photosynthesis. Appropriate references to the light dependent or
light independent stages were included.

Q4.
(a) Most candidates were able to identify process A as respiration and the group of
organisms represented by box B as decomposers. Common incorrect answers
included ‘consumers’ and ‘detritivores’.

(b) The calculation was performed well with most candidates realising that to work out
the percentage efficiency, the energy in the producers had to be divided by the
energy they had absorbed. However, the main error was understanding ‘standard
form’; the number 1.7 x 106 caused problems, with students finding it difficult to work
out how many zeros should be placed after the decimal point.

(c) It was pleasing to see so many candidates realising that the effect of light energy
was to excite electrons in chlorophyll but few gave any more information as to what

Page 14 of 16
 happened to the electron once excited. Vague answers were seen with reference to
the production of carbon dioxide and glucose.

(d) Some candidates could name the two end products of the light-dependent reaction
as reduced NADP and ATP, but only the very best could explain their function. Usual
mistakes were writing reduced NAD or just NADP.

Q5.
Most obtained one mark for noting that cadmium reduced the amount of enzyme
produced with the hormone present. Few made any reference to the data without the
hormone, showing that cadmium has an effect on the action of the hormone.

Q6.
(a) Many candidates failed to explain the advantages of removing hedgerows in
sufficient detail, many just stating that this leaves ‘more space’ with no further
qualification. Good candidates included detail about the effect on the crop, or the
cost of labour in maintaining hedgerows.

(b) Although most candidates scored at least one mark, many did not refer back to the
stem of the question. Some suggested that it might be easier for the farmer to
destroy the beetles if they were all in one place, or that the strip of grass might
become a source of humus. Relatively few candidates explained that the strip of
grass would allow the beetles easier access to pests throughout the crop.

(c) Most candidates scored well on this question, with the most popular responses
describing the effect of hedgerows in preventing erosion, or promoting biodiversity.

Q7.
(a) A surprisingly high proportion of candidates failed to calculate the percentage
correctly, and those who did often did not round off their answer, thus suggesting
that a fraction of a species existed.

(b) Few candidates showed appreciation of the role of isolation in the production of new
species that would be unique to the Solomon Islands. Most focused on one aspect
only. For example, some described adaptation to the range of habitats without
discussing speciation. Others pointed out the problems of interbreeding without
considering how the endemic species might have arisen in the first place.

Q8.
(a) (i) Most candidates achieved this mark.

(ii) The presence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in leguminous plants is well known,

but the process by which the fixed nitrogen is made available to a future crop
is not. Very few candidates referred to the role of decomposition in recycling
nitrogen and many implied that the fixed nitrogen was automatically made
available. Nitrifying bacteria were incorrectly given as having the ability to fix
nitrogen and a surprising number of candidates believe clover is able to fix it.

(b) (i) The effect of increasing fertiliser application on the protein content of grain
was usually described adequately, but only the most able candidates identified
the small effect that fertiliser applications had on grain yield. Many candidates
ignored the small increase in yield at low doses of fertiliser by stating that
fertiliser had no effect on yield, without any indication that the yield increase

Page 15 of 16
 might not be statistically significant.

(ii) This was well answered by the majority of candidates.

Page 16 of 16