O-LevelBiologyEcology & Environment5090/21 · May/June 2018 · Q311 Marks

The diagram shows the fruit of a plant.

(a)Suggest why this fruit is most likely to be wind-dispersed.[3]
(b)(i)An investigation was carried out to find the time taken for several of these fruits to reach the ground when dropped from the same height. The horizontal distance travelled by each fruit in that time was also measured. The results of the investigation are shown in the graph. [Graph showing distance travelled by fruit /cm versus time taken for fruit to reach ground/s, with scattered data points][1]
(b)(ii)State the number of fruits in the investigation that took between 4 and 10 seconds to reach the ground.[1]
(b)(iii)Suggest and explain advantages to the plant of its fruits taking a longer time to reach the ground.[4]
(c)When a fruit of the plant reaches the ground, the process of germination to form a new plant may take place. State one environmental condition that affects germination and explain the importance of this condition. environmental condition explanation[2]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

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

[3] reference to structures on top of fruit ; increases surface area; delays descent / wind catches beneath structures / floats AW ;
[1] time taken increases + distance travelled increases OR proportional;
[1] 6;
[4] (fruits / seeds) will travel further ; away from plant ; away from other fruit / seeds / scattered; colonise other areas; reduced competition / prevent overcrowding; competition for light/water/ nutrients ; increased chance of + new plant/ reproduction / germination AW ;
[2] environmental condition temperature / water / oxygen ; explanation; (temperature) reference to enzyme activity (water) reference to solution / softening / rupture of testa / enzyme activity/transport (oxygen) reference to respiration

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