A Level Biology A
H420/03 Unified biology
Practice paper – Set 1
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You may use:
• a scientific calculator
• a ruler (cm/mm)
First name
Last name
Centre Candidate
number number
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. HB pencil may be used for graphs and diagrams only.
• Complete the boxes above with your name, centre number and candidate number.
• Answer all the questions.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If additional space is
required, use the lined page(s) at the end of this booklet. The question number(s)
must be clearly shown.
• Do not write in the barcodes.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 70.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended responses will be assessed in questions marked with an
asterisk (*).
• This document consists of 20 pages.
© OCR 2016 PRACTICE PAPER OCR is an exempt Charity
H42003/8.1 Turn over
, 2
Answer all the questions.
1 Banana plants, Musa spp., first underwent artificial selection thousands of years ago. Early
human populations discovered mutant banana plants that produced seedless, soft fruit. This
mutation prevented pollen and seeds from developing.
Early human populations planted cuttings of these mutant plants. The bananas that are eaten
today are descended from these cultivations.
(a) Some scientists claim that banana crops will be extinct within a few years.
Use the information above to justify the scientists’ claim.
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(b) The apple tree, Malus domestica, is another species that humans have selectively bred.
Circumference and seed production, listed in Table 1.1, are two features of apple tree
fruit that vary between individuals.
Complete Table 1.1 by writing the correct word or phrase in each box to describe the
type of variation shown by each feature.
Cause of Number of Type of graph used to
Feature
feature genes involved present data
Circumference
(mm)
Seed-containing
/ seedless
Table 1.1
[3]
© OCR 2016 PRACTICE PAPER H420/03
, 3
(c)* The orange tree, Citrus sinensis, is another important crop plant.
Scientists applied the following treatments to commercial orange trees:
Gibberellins were applied at various stages of development.
Auxins were applied during development and to mature orange trees.
The treated orange trees were compared to untreated orange trees. Scientists observed
that the treated trees:
had slightly shorter roots
grew taller
all began to grow within two days of each other
had fewer and shorter side branches
retained their fruit and leaves for longer.
Suggest explanations for each of these observations.
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....................................................................................................................................... [6]
© OCR 2016 PRACTICE PAPER H420/03 Turn over
H420/03 Unified biology
Practice paper – Set 1
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You may use:
• a scientific calculator
• a ruler (cm/mm)
First name
Last name
Centre Candidate
number number
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. HB pencil may be used for graphs and diagrams only.
• Complete the boxes above with your name, centre number and candidate number.
• Answer all the questions.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If additional space is
required, use the lined page(s) at the end of this booklet. The question number(s)
must be clearly shown.
• Do not write in the barcodes.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 70.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended responses will be assessed in questions marked with an
asterisk (*).
• This document consists of 20 pages.
© OCR 2016 PRACTICE PAPER OCR is an exempt Charity
H42003/8.1 Turn over
, 2
Answer all the questions.
1 Banana plants, Musa spp., first underwent artificial selection thousands of years ago. Early
human populations discovered mutant banana plants that produced seedless, soft fruit. This
mutation prevented pollen and seeds from developing.
Early human populations planted cuttings of these mutant plants. The bananas that are eaten
today are descended from these cultivations.
(a) Some scientists claim that banana crops will be extinct within a few years.
Use the information above to justify the scientists’ claim.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [3]
(b) The apple tree, Malus domestica, is another species that humans have selectively bred.
Circumference and seed production, listed in Table 1.1, are two features of apple tree
fruit that vary between individuals.
Complete Table 1.1 by writing the correct word or phrase in each box to describe the
type of variation shown by each feature.
Cause of Number of Type of graph used to
Feature
feature genes involved present data
Circumference
(mm)
Seed-containing
/ seedless
Table 1.1
[3]
© OCR 2016 PRACTICE PAPER H420/03
, 3
(c)* The orange tree, Citrus sinensis, is another important crop plant.
Scientists applied the following treatments to commercial orange trees:
Gibberellins were applied at various stages of development.
Auxins were applied during development and to mature orange trees.
The treated orange trees were compared to untreated orange trees. Scientists observed
that the treated trees:
had slightly shorter roots
grew taller
all began to grow within two days of each other
had fewer and shorter side branches
retained their fruit and leaves for longer.
Suggest explanations for each of these observations.
.................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
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....................................................................................................................................... [6]
© OCR 2016 PRACTICE PAPER H420/03 Turn over
