AQA AS-Level Biology Paper 2 Predicted Paper 2023 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

AQA

AS-Level Biology 

Paper 2

Predicted Paper 2023

Name ……………………………………………………………………

Date …………………

1 hour 30 minutes allowed.

You may use a scientific calculator and a ruler with millimetre measurements.

Grade boundaries

These are VERY rough guesses! Getting a B on this paper does not guarantee you the same mark in the exam.

• A 60%

• B 50%

• C 40%

• D 35%

• E 30

01

a) Explain what is meant by the following terms:

i. A species

[2 marks]

ii. A hierarchy

[2 marks]

Giant pandas and red pandas are both mammals found in China. Red pandas were once thought to be close evolutionary relatives of the giant panda because of their shared habitats, bamboo diets and the similar morphology of the bones in their hands.

Using genetic analysis techniques, the following phylogenetic tree was produced.

b) Using evidence from the diagram, state the closest relative of the polar bear.

[1 mark]

c) Does the phylogenetic tree support the earlier conclusion that the giant panda and the red panda are closely related?

Explain your answer.

[3 marks]

02

Organisms and their interactions with their habitats depends a lot on the size and surface area they occupy.

a) Describe the relationship between size and surface area to volume ratio.

[1 mark]

b) Size is generally proportional to the mass (kg) of an organism. The range of sizes of land mammals and marine mammals is shown on the graph below:

i. Using the graph, compare the size distributions of the two groups of mammals.

[2 marks]

ii. Use your knowledge of surface area to volume ratio and temperature to explain (in detail) one reason why the average marine mammal size is different to land mammals.

[3 marks]

c) A new study indicates that there has been a large decrease in the mean and maximum land mammal size since the late Pleistocene era (125,000 years ago).

This decrease was found together with the increased geographical spread of humans around the world.

Suggest a reason for this decrease.