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O-LevelBiologyEcology & Environment5090/22 · Oct/Nov 2018 · Q410 Marks

The graph shows the variation in the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the water of a pond over a period of 24 hours. [Graph showing concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide over 24 hours (night, day, night)]

  1. (a)(i)Explain how plants that live in the water contribute to the changes in concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide shown in the graph.[4]
  2. (a)(ii)Draw a line on the graph above to show how the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the water of the same pond is likely to change over the same period of time.[2]
  3. (b)Carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form an acidic solution. The higher the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide, the lower the pH. Ammonia is a toxic chemical found in ponds, that may harm fish. The graph shows how the concentration of dissolved ammonia in the water of a pond changes as the pH changes. [Graph showing % ammonia vs pH] Use this graph and the graph on page 8 to suggest and explain at which time of day fish that live in the pond are most likely to be affected by the toxic effects of ammonia. Draw a ring around the correct time of day. time of day sunrise midday sunset explanation[4]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [4] carbon dioxide + falls / lower + during day ; carbon dioxide + rises / higher + at night ; respiration + during day and night ; respiration + produces / releases + carbon dioxide ; photosynthesis + during day / not at night ; photosynthesis + uses / absorbs + carbon dioxide ; photosynthesis faster than respiration during day ;
  2. [2] line starts at y-axis + spans all time axis ; any line lower + then rising above + then falling below existing line ;
  3. [4] midday circled ; less / low + carbon dioxide ; pH + increases / high / above 7 OR alkali ; more ammonia AW ;

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About this question

Topic
Ecology & Environment, O-Level Biology (syllabus 5090). Structured question, 10 marks.
Source
O-Level Biology, Oct/Nov 2018 Paper 2 Variant 2, question 4.

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