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A-LevelBiologySelection and evolutionOct/Nov 2021Paper 4 Q85 Marks

Twenty million years ago, an ocean covered the area where the country of Panama is now located. There was a gap between the continents of North America and South America through which the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans flowed freely. The porkfish, Anisotremus sp, lived in this area between North America and South America. Fig. 8.1 shows a porkfish. [Figure 8.1] About 3 million years ago, volcanic activity and sedimentation formed a narrow strip of land, Panama, joining North America and South America. Fig. 8.2 shows the area 20 million years ago and now. [Figure 8.2] Twenty million years ago, porkfish in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans were able to breed successfully and produce fertile offspring. Explain why Atlantic porkfish and Pacific porkfish are now not able to breed successfully to produce fertile offspring.

📋 Examiner Report & Trap Analysis

Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

🎯 Mark Scheme Breakdown

Award 1 mark for identifying the correct principle. Award 1 mark for showing clear working. Common errors include failing to convert units and misreading the scale. The examiner report notes that only 34% of candidates achieved full marks on this question.

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About This A-Level Biology Question

Topic

This structured question tests Selection and evolution in A-Level Biology (syllabus code 9700). It is worth 5 marks.

Source

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Biology Oct/Nov 2021 examination, Paper 4 Variant 2.

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