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O-LevelBiologyEcology & Environment5090/21 · May/June 2014 · Q510 Marks

Fig. 5.1 shows a food chain. tree caterpillar bird [Figure 5.1]

  1. (a)(i)Name the trophic level of each of the following organisms in the food chain shown in Fig. 5.1. tree caterpillar.[2]
  2. (a)(ii)In the space below, draw a pyramid of biomass for the food chain shown in Fig. 5.1. Label each of the trophic levels.[2]
  3. (a)(iii)Describe how the pyramid of numbers for the food chain shown in Fig. 5.1 would differ from the pyramid of biomass. Give an explanation for your answer.[2]
  4. (b)Some farmers keep animals that they will sell for people to eat. Suggest why these farmers may restrict the activity of these animals and keep the surrounding temperature close to the body temperature of the animals.[4]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2014). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [2] tree: producer/1st/1;
  2. caterpillar: (primary/1st order) consumer/herbivore/2nd/2;
  3. [2] correct shape;
  4. correctly labelled with names of organisms/trophic levels ;
  5. [2] base (of pyramid) narrower/correct shape drawn ;
  6. ref. relative numbers of consumers ;
  7. one tree;
  8. [4] Accept reverse arguments for marking points.
  9. less energy required ;
  10. to raise body temperature/keep body warm/thermoregulation ;
  11. ref. movement;
  12. ref. less muscle activity/use ;
  13. ref. respiration ;
  14. more energy available + increase biomass/grow ;
  15. (farmer) increased productivity/profit/lower feeding costs/(consumer) lower cost to buy ;

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About this question

Topic
Ecology & Environment, O-Level Biology (syllabus 5090). Structured question, 10 marks.
Source
O-Level Biology, May/June 2014 Paper 2 Variant 1, question 5.

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