1. 1
   A botanist surveys a meadow and compares two neighbouring plants: a poppy, with large red petals and scented nectar, and a grass plant growing beside it, which has small, dull green flowers with no scent and long feathery stigmas hanging outside the flower.

   (a)

   The poppy flower has large, brightly coloured petals and produces scented nectar. What is the main purpose of these features?

   [1 mark]

   • ATo attract insects to carry pollen between flowers
   • BTo protect the seeds from being eaten
   • CTo release pollen grains into the wind
   • DTo absorb water for germination

   (b)

   Which feature of the grass plant's flowers shows that it is adapted for wind pollination rather than insect pollination?

   [1 mark]

   • AIts large, brightly coloured petals
   • BIts production of scented nectar
   • CIts feathery stigmas hanging outside the flower
   • DIts small number of pollen grains

   (c)

   Describe two other adaptations, not already mentioned, that help the grass plant achieve successful wind pollination.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A gardener sets up three trays of bean seeds to find out what conditions are needed for germination. Tray 1 has seeds kept moist at room temperature; Tray 2 has dry seeds kept at room temperature; Tray 3 has moist seeds kept in a refrigerator. Only the seeds in Tray 1 germinate and grow into seedlings.

   (a)

   Which combination of conditions must the gardener provide for the bean seeds to germinate successfully?

   [1 mark]

   • AWater, fertile soil and darkness
   • BLight, water and fertile soil
   • CLight, oxygen and a suitable temperature
   • DWater, oxygen and a suitable temperature

   (b)

   Once a bean seedling has germinated, it initially relies on food reserves stored in the seed. What does the seedling use these food reserves for?

   [1 mark]

   • APhotosynthesis, until it develops chlorophyll
   • BGrowth and respiration, until it can photosynthesise
   • CAbsorbing water, until roots develop
   • DProducing pollen, until flowers develop

   (c)

   Explain why the germinating seedling in Tray 1 needs to use its stored food reserves before it can begin photosynthesising.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   Maya uses a fertility-tracking app that records the hormone changes across her 28-day menstrual cycle, showing peaks in different hormones at different times and how these relate to the release of an egg and changes in the lining of her uterus.

   (a)

   Describe the roles of oestrogen and progesterone during the phase of the cycle when the app shows Maya's uterus lining is being maintained.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Describe the roles of FSH and LH in Maya's menstrual cycle, including how they interact with the ovaries.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A strawberry farmer wants two things: first, to quickly produce many new plants identical to her single best-yielding strawberry plant; second, to develop a brand new variety of strawberry by crossing two different strawberry varieties growing in neighbouring rows.

   (a)

   Explain how the farmer could use runners to quickly produce many new strawberry plants that are genetically identical to her best-performing plant, and discuss one advantage and one disadvantage of this method compared with growing new plants from seed.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   Explain the process, from pollination to fertilisation and fruit formation, that would allow the farmer to cross two different strawberry varieties to create a new variety.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions