1. 1
   A biology teacher shows the class a virus particle consisting only of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat, with no cytoplasm, ribosomes or cell membrane.

   (a)

   Based on this description, why are viruses not placed into any of the five kingdoms?

   [1 mark]

   • AThey lack a protein coat
   • BThey are not made of cells
   • CThey cannot be seen under a microscope
   • DThey do not contain genetic material

   (b)

   Which two features together are used to describe the basic structure of a virus, as shown by the teacher?

   [1 mark]

   • AA cell wall and cytoplasm
   • BMitochondria and a nucleus
   • CA cell membrane and ribosomes
   • DA protein coat and genetic material

   (c)

   State two features of true cells (such as bacterial or animal cells) that are absent in the virus particle shown by the teacher.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A student examines a sample of pond water under a microscope and finds a single-celled organism with a distinct nucleus, mitochondria and a flexible cell membrane, but no cell wall.

   (a)

   Into which kingdom is this organism most likely to be placed?

   [1 mark]

   • AProkaryote
   • BFungus
   • CProtoctist
   • DPlant

   (b)

   In a second sample, the student finds a single-celled organism with a cell wall, cell membrane and cytoplasm, but no distinct nucleus, and containing circular DNA. Into which kingdom is this organism placed?

   [1 mark]

   • AProkaryote
   • BProtoctist
   • CAnimal
   • DFungus

   (c)

   State two main features, other than the presence of a nucleus, that are used to place organisms into the animal kingdom rather than the plant kingdom.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A gardener finds mould growing on bread, and separately notices moss growing on a damp wall.

   (a)

   State three features used to distinguish fungi from plants.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   The moss on the wall is later identified as belonging to a group of plants distinct from flowering plants. Explain the main features used to place plants into the two groups: ferns and flowering plants, and name the two subgroups of flowering plants.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A biology class is given four unlabelled samples to classify: a bacterium, a mushroom, an oak tree and a butterfly.

   (a)

   Explain the main distinguishing features that would allow the class to place the bacterium and the mushroom into their correct kingdoms.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   Explain the main distinguishing features that would allow the class to place the oak tree and the butterfly into their correct kingdoms.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions