Global Warming and Evolution Test

44 marks
 Questions
Q1.
The carbon cycle describes the movement of carbon within an ecosystem.

In this cycle, carbon neutral processes do not change the concentration of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.

The table below shows the main sources and combustion products of some fuels.

(a) Place a cross in the box next to the names of the four fuels, shown in the table, that could be
considered to be biofuels.
(1)
A biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen, methane
B biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen, propane
C biodiesel, ethanol, methane, propane
D biodiesel, hydrogen, methane, propane

*(b) Large areas of land may need to be cleared in order to produce biofuels. This might involve
deforestation.
 Discuss why the production of biofuels may not be carbon neutral.
(5)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(c) Explain how the combustion products, from the burning of fuels, may lead to global warming.
(4)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for Question = 10 marks)

Q2.

Waste plant material from gardens can be turned into a bulk organic fertiliser known
as compost. Compost consists of semi-decomposed material which can add texture
and mineral nutrients to the soil.
The diagram below shows a typical garden compost bin.

(a) Place a cross in the boxes next to the two types of organism that would be able
to decompose organic compounds in waste plant material.
(2)
A algae
B bacteria
C fungi
D viruses

(b) As part of a study of compost formation, a student monitored the temperature in

a compost heap for several weeks. A compost heap was set up using a mixture of
leaves, straw and other plant material.
The student added some nitrate fertiliser and watered the compost heap. The
temperature was measured in the compost heap by inserting a long thermometer
at several points. The temperature readings were repeated for a further 16 weeks.
The graph below shows the results of this part of the study.
The table below shows statements that the student wrote in her report on the
study. Place a tick ( ) in each row to indicate whether the statement is true or
false.
(3)
(c) Describe the changes in temperature shown in the graph.
Suggest explanations for these changes.
(4)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(d) Suggest why the student took temperature measurements by using a long
thermometer at several points.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 12 marks)
Q3.

Grey tree frogs are found in the USA.

The photograph below shows a grey tree frog.

Cope's grey tree frog and the eastern grey tree frog are both found in the USA.
These species of grey tree frog are very similar in appearance, but have different mating calls.
A number of scientists believe that the eastern grey tree frog evolved from Cope's grey tree frog during
the last ice age.
These species have different numbers of chromosomes in their nuclei. Cope's grey tree frog has two
copies of each chromosome. The eastern grey tree frog has four copies of each chromosome. As a
result, the cells of the eastern grey tree frog are larger.
(a) The genetic relationship between these two species of grey tree frog has been studied using DNA
profiling (DNA fingerprinting).
A small sample of DNA was taken from each species of grey tree frog. This DNA was amplified,
fragmented and used to produce a DNA profile (DNA fingerprint) for each species.

*(i) Describe how a DNA profile was produced from this small sample of DNA.
(6)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) Suggest how these DNA profiles were compared.

(3)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(b) Scientists in different parts of the USA are investigating the possibility that the difference in cell size is
responsible for the different mating calls. This is contributing to an understanding of the evolution of grey
tree frogs.
Suggest two ways in which the results of their investigations can be shared.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 11 marks)

Q4.

If a tree trunk is cut across horizontally, growth rings can be seen in the cut surface. The most significant
factor that affects the formation of growth rings is environmental temperature. In regions where there is an
annual cycle of seasonal temperature changes, it is possible to estimate the year in which a particular ring
was formed.
In Nepal, there is an annual seasonal cycle of three distinct periods that is shown in the table below.

Data from growth ring studies and other sources have been used to estimate the changes in
environmental temperature in Nepal during the past 400 years.
The estimated temperatures for the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods are shown in the graphs
below.
 (a) Place a cross in the box next to the term used to describe the scientific study of tree growth rings.
(1)
A climatology
B dendrochronology
C ecology
D ethnobiology

(b) Compare the changes in mean environmental temperature between the pre-monsoon and the post-
monsoon periods from 1600 to 2000.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(c) (i) Suggest how scientists could use these data to predict future climate change.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) Suggest why some scientists may not be convinced that these data can be used to predict future
climate change.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(d) Suggest one source of evidence, apart from growth ring studies, that could be used to estimate
changes in mean environmental temperature in Nepal during the past 400 years.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 11 marks)