1. 1
   A gardener takes a small cutting from a strawberry plant's runner and plants it in a new pot. The cutting grows into a new strawberry plant that is genetically identical to the parent plant, without any gametes being involved.

   (a)

   Which type of reproduction does this represent?

   [1 mark]

   • ASexual reproduction
   • BAsexual reproduction
   • CFertilisation
   • DPollination

   (b)

   Which statement correctly describes the genetic relationship between the new strawberry plant and its single parent plant?

   [1 mark]

   • AThe new plant is genetically different from the parent because two gametes have fused
   • BThe new plant is genetically identical to the parent
   • CThe new plant has half the genetic information of the parent
   • DThe new plant has twice the genetic information of the parent

   (c)

   Describe what is meant by asexual reproduction.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A crop farmer plants an entire field using cuttings taken from a single high-yielding parent plant, so that every plant in the field is genetically identical. Several years later, a new fungal disease sweeps through the region, and the farmer must decide whether to continue this planting method.

   (a)

   A crop farmer plants an entire field with cuttings taken from a single high-yielding parent plant, so that every plant in the field is genetically identical. Several years later, a new fungal disease sweeps through the region. What is a likely disadvantage of the farmer's approach in this situation?

   [1 mark]

   • AThe plants will automatically develop resistance to any new disease
   • BThe plants will be unable to grow because they are genetically identical
   • CAll the plants are likely to be equally susceptible to the disease, so the whole crop could be lost
   • DGenetically identical plants always produce fewer offspring than genetically varied plants

   (b)

   Which of the following is an advantage of asexual reproduction for crop production, as used by the farmer?

   [1 mark]

   • AIt produces genetic variation, helping crops survive changing conditions
   • BIt allows rapid production of many plants with the same desirable characteristics as the parent
   • CIt always increases resistance to disease
   • DIt requires pollinators such as insects to be successful

   (c)

   Discuss one advantage and one disadvantage of using asexual reproduction to produce an entire field of crop plants.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A wild population of a plant species reproduces entirely asexually by spreading runners across its habitat, and scientists compare this population to a nearby population of a related species that reproduces sexually, to investigate how each population responds to a prolonged drought.

   (a)

   A wild population of a plant species reproduces only asexually, spreading by runners across a habitat. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction for this wild population if the environment were to change significantly, for example due to a prolonged drought.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   The nearby population of a related species reproduces sexually and survives the drought better than the asexually reproducing population, with some individuals surviving while others die. Explain, in terms of genetic variation, why sexual reproduction might give this population a greater chance of surviving the drought.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A commercial fruit grower currently propagates all of their apple trees asexually by grafting cuttings from a single high-yielding parent tree, and a plant breeder suggests growing some trees from seed (sexual reproduction) alongside the grafted trees, prompting a discussion about a mixed-reproduction strategy for the orchard.

   (a)

   Evaluate this suggestion, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual reproduction for a commercial fruit grower.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   The plant breeder further explains that, over many generations, relying only on asexual reproduction could make it harder for the grower's apple variety to keep up with new pests or diseases compared to varieties that are regularly bred sexually. Explain, using ideas about genetic variation and adaptation, why a population that reproduces only asexually over many generations might struggle more than a sexually reproducing population to cope with new pests and diseases in the long term.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions