GCSE Biology Evolution questions by topic

Put the natural selection chain in order.

1. (a)Number these 1–4: better-adapted organisms survive and reproduce; a mutation creates variation; the useful allele becomes common; a selection pressure acts on the population.[4]

Sort these four items by matching each to its meaning.

1. (a)Choosing parents with the best traits over generations.[1]
2. (b)Transferring a gene from one organism’s genome to another.[1]
3. (c)The two-part scientific name of a species.[1]
4. (d)The highest division of life, containing Archaea and Bacteria.[1]

Give one advantage and one disadvantage of selective breeding.

1. (a)One advantage.[2]
2. (b)One disadvantage.[2]

Name the classification rank described.

1. (a)The broadest rank in the Linnaean system.[1]
2. (b)The narrowest rank, one breedable population.[1]
3. (c)The rank that comes directly before species.[1]
4. (d)The two-part name written as genus plus species.[1]

Match each natural-selection keyword to its meaning.

1. (a)Variation.[1]
2. (b)Selection pressure.[1]
3. (c)Survival of the fittest.[1]
4. (d)Inheritance of successful traits.[1]

This question is about classifying organisms.

1. (a)Write the classification ranks in order from kingdom to species.[2]
2. (b)Give the binomial name of a human, written correctly.[1]
3. (c)Name the scientist whose system divided life into three domains.[1]

Explain how antibiotic resistance develops in a population of bacteria.

1. (a)Write the full selection chain.[6]

Explain why Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection is now widely accepted.

1. (a)Describe the theory briefly.[2]
2. (b)Explain the two reasons for acceptance.[3]

Describe genetic engineering and give one benefit and one concern.

1. (a)Describe the process with an example.[3]
2. (b)State one benefit and one concern.[2]

Explain how evolutionary trees are used and what the branch points mean.

1. (a)Describe how an evolutionary tree is read.[3]
2. (b)State what evidence decides the branch joins.[2]

Two hospital wards recorded the share of bacterial infections that were antibiotic-resistant over one year.

1. (a)Compare the resistance rates on the two wards.[1]
2. (b)Explain ward B’s higher rate using natural selection.[3]
3. (c)State one change ward B could make.[1]

Compare selective breeding with genetic engineering.

1. (a)Describe how each technique produces an organism with desired characteristics.[2]
2. (b)State which technique is faster and explain why.[2]
3. (c)Give one risk linked to each technique.[2]

(Higher, Biology only) Explain how a new species could evolve from an isolated population.

1. (a)Write the full speciation chain.[6]

Compare Darwin’s theory of natural selection with Lamarck’s theory, and explain why only one survives today.

1. (a)Compare the two theories and explain the verdict.[6]

A plant breeder wants a blight-resistant, high-yield tomato. Compare selective breeding with genetic engineering as routes to that goal.

1. (a)Compare both routes and reach a judgement.[6]

(Biology only) A zoo wants to save an endangered cat species with only a few individuals left. Evaluate cloning as part of the plan.

1. (a)Present benefits, risks and a judgement.[6]

A farmer sprays a wheat field with a new herbicide every year. After ten years, weeds survive the spraying.

1. (a)Explain the change using natural selection.[4]
2. (b)Suggest one way the farmer could slow the change.[2]

(Higher, Biology only) A new river divides one population of birds into two groups that can no longer mix.

1. (a)Name the type of separation and explain why it matters for breeding.[2]
2. (b)Explain how the two populations’ allele frequencies change over a long time.[2]
3. (c)State what would show that the two populations had become separate species if the river dried up.[2]