Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Natural and artificial selection

Natural and artificial selection — practice question

Weeds lower crop yields because they compete with crop plants for space, light, water and minerals. Table 4.1 summarises the modes of action of three different herbicide types. Fig. 4.1 shows the cumulative number of weed species that have developed resistance to these three herbicide types since 1960.
(a(i))[3]

Describe how the number of weed species resistant to herbicides has altered since 1960.

(a(ii))[4]

Explain how resistance to a herbicide develops in a weed species.

(b(i))[1]

The gene coding for the ALS polypeptide has no non-coding sections (introns). The first amino acid in the completed polypeptide is methionine. State the number of base pairs in the gene that codes for an ALS polypeptide.

(b(ii))[2]

Explain why resistance to ALS inhibitor herbicide can arise from substitutions of amino acids that are widely separated in the primary sequence.

(c)[4]

Genetic modification is one route used to create herbicide resistance in crop plants. Other routes are: method 1: crossing a crop plant with a herbicide-resistant wild plant from the same genus and then applying the herbicide method 2: inducing mutations in the crop plants and then applying the herbicide. State two advantages of using method 1 and two advantages of using method 2 to develop herbicide resistance in crop plants.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 14-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: At the outset of herbicide use, there was no resistance

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