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O-LevelBiologyEcology & Environment5090/21 · May/June 2021 · Q58 Marks

A farmer is using a tool, called a mattock, to weed her crop. right arm

  1. (a)Explain how the muscles and bones in her right arm help her to lift the tool.[4]
  2. (b)The farmer has not used any insecticides or artificial fertilisers on the crop. Explain ways in which this may help the local environment.[4]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] named bone(s) + location ;
  2. [1] antagonistic muscles ;
  3. [1] biceps contract ;
  4. [1] become shorter / radius or ulna is moved towards humerus ;
  5. [1] triceps relax;
  6. [1] hinge joint;
  7. [1] no leaching / run-off into water / water pollution ;
  8. [1] so insecticides not ingested by aquatic insects ;
  9. [1] no bioaccumulation AW ;
  10. [1] (so fertilisers) don't cause algal bloom / eutrophication ;
  11. [1] eutrophication detail e.g. decomposition of algae / lack of oxygen / increase in bacteria;
  12. [1] pollinators / insects that eat pests can still function ;
  13. [1] increase biodiversity ;
  14. [1] greater variety of food sources for consumers ;
  15. [1] if artificial fertilisers replaced with organic then soil structure maintained AW ;

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About this question

Topic
Ecology & Environment, O-Level Biology (syllabus 5090). Structured question, 8 marks.
Source
O-Level Biology, May/June 2021 Paper 2 Variant 1, question 5.

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