You're viewing free preview questions — 5 questions previewing here — subscribe to unlock 68 more, plus the Full Question Bank, Mock Papers & Worksheets.Upgrade
Evidence of Evolution — Free MYP4 Biology Practice Questions
1QuestionBiogeography and Species DistributionConcept Practice
2 marks~3 minCriterion A
Marsupials — mammals that raise young in a pouch — are found today on several continents, but one continent hosts by far the greatest diversity and concentration of marsupial species.
a
Identify the continent with the highest concentration of marsupials today. [1]
b
Using the theory of continental drift, explain one reason why marsupials are so highly concentrated on this continent. [1]
Solutions
2QuestionMolecular Evidence and DNA AnalysisAssessment Practice
3 marks~5 minCriterion C
The graph below shows the relationship between the number of DNA sequence differences in a specific gene and estimated divergence time (millions of years ago) for six primate species compared to humans: chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, gibbon, rhesus monkey, and lemur.
a
Describe the trend shown in the graph. [1]
b
Explain what the trend suggests about the evolutionary relationship between chimpanzees and humans compared to lemurs and humans. [1]
c
Analyse one limitation of using DNA sequence differences in a single gene to determine evolutionary relationships among primates. [1]
Solutions
3QuestionFossil Record and Evolutionary HistoryConcept Practice
2 marks~3 minCriterion D
The fossil record is incomplete: most organisms decompose before fossilisation can occur, and preservation strongly favours hard structures such as bones, shells, and teeth. As a result, soft-bodied organisms and transitional forms are rarely preserved, leaving gaps in evolutionary lineages.
a
Identify one specific reason why the fossil record is biased towards certain types of organisms. [1]
b
Explain how gaps in the fossil record could be misrepresented to undermine public confidence in evolutionary theory. [1]
Solutions
4QuestionMolecular Evidence and DNA AnalysisAssessment Practice
4 marks~6 minCriterion D
A wildlife forensics laboratory uses DNA barcoding to identify illegally traded ivory. Mitochondrial DNA sequences from seized samples are compared against a reference database of known African elephant populations, allowing conservation officers to pinpoint the geographic origin of each sample and direct anti-poaching operations accordingly.
a
Discuss one ethical implication of using genetic surveillance on endangered elephant populations. In your response, address both a potential conservation benefit and a specific concern about data privacy or misuse. [2]
b
Discuss one ecological limitation of relying on DNA barcoding for ivory identification. In your response, consider how poaching pressure may reduce the reliability of this forensic method over time. [2]
Solutions
5QuestionBiogeography and Species DistributionAssessment Practice
5 marks~8 minCriterion C
Mesosaurus was a small freshwater reptile whose fossils are found exclusively in eastern South America and western Africa. These two regions align when the continents are repositioned together. Mesosaurus was physiologically incapable of surviving in saltwater and could not have crossed an ocean. The Atlantic Ocean currently separates the two fossil sites. Plate tectonics proposes that lithospheric plates move over geological time, driven by convection currents in the mantle.
a
Explain why the saltwater intolerance of Mesosaurus is significant when interpreting its fossil distribution across two continents. [1]
b
Explain how the fossil distribution of Mesosaurus, combined with the geographical alignment of the two continents, supports the theory of continental drift. [2]
c
Evaluate the strength of Mesosaurus fossil evidence for continental drift when compared with geological evidence such as matching rock formations or glacial deposits. [2]
Solutions
That's every free question here — 5 of 73.
+68 more questions, plus Mock Papers & Worksheets, are waiting in Premium.