Selection

17.4

What the syllabus asks of you

Describe natural selection with reference to: (a) variation within populations (b) production of many offspring (c) struggle for survival, including competition for resources (d) reproduction by individuals that are better adapted to the environment than others (e) passing on of their alleles to the next generation
Describe how the inherited features of a population can evolve over time as a result of natural selection
Describe the development of strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA, as an example of natural selection
Describe artificial selection (selective breeding) with reference to: (a) selection by humans of animals or plants with desirable features (b) crossing these to produce the next generation (c) selection of offspring showing the desirable features (d) repetition over many generations
Describe the role of artificial selection in the production of economically important plants and animals

Read the notes first

Chapter 17: Selection

Open the notes →

Drill this topic

Every question on Selection, untimed, marked as you go.

Start drill →

Make a worksheet

Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.

Make a worksheet →

5 questions

1Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q40

Show mark scheme →

A1 and 2

B1 and 3

C2 and 4

D4 and 5

Mark scheme

2May / June 2020 · Paper 11 · Q37

Show mark scheme →

Abetter adapted individuals have a greater chance of surviving and breeding: no; survivors may transfer an advantageous feature to their offspring: no

Bbetter adapted individuals have a greater chance of surviving and breeding: no; survivors may transfer an advantageous feature to their offspring: yes

Cbetter adapted individuals have a greater chance of surviving and breeding: yes; survivors may transfer an advantageous feature to their offspring: no

Dbetter adapted individuals have a greater chance of surviving and breeding: yes; survivors may transfer an advantageous feature to their offspring: yes

Mark scheme

3May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q37

Show mark scheme →

Acauses mutations to happen: yes, leads to the evolution of new species: yes, results in existing species becoming extinct: yes

Bcauses mutations to happen: yes, leads to the evolution of new species: yes, results in existing species becoming extinct: no

Ccauses mutations to happen: yes, leads to the evolution of new species: no, results in existing species becoming extinct: yes

Dcauses mutations to happen: no, leads to the evolution of new species: yes, results in existing species becoming extinct: yes

Mark scheme

4Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q38

Show mark scheme →

A1, 2 and 3

B1 and 2 only

C1 only

D2 and 3 only

Mark scheme

5May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q40Also set in May / June 2019 Paper 11

Show mark scheme →

Adiscontinuous variation

Bgene mutation

Cnatural selection

Dsurvival of the fittest

Mark scheme