B1.7 Genetic variation and its control
GCSE items that can be used to define successful outcomes for peer and self assessment activities

• Assessment of practical work
Using Exam pro items to support successful outcomes
Learners will be able to test their progress against learning outcomes using questions taken from past AQA GCSE examinations.
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

• B1.7 Genetic variation and its control June 2012
The drawing shows a potato plant producing new tubers
(potatoes). Buds on the stem of the parent plant produce stolons.
The new tubers are formed at the ends of the stolons (stems that grow downwards).
(a) Explain why the new tubers are genetically identical to each other.
(2 marks)
(b) Some of the tubers are used to produce potato plants. These new potato plants will not all grow to the same height
Give one reason why.
(1 mark)
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

• B1.7 Genetic variation and its control June 2012
Mark scheme
(a) grow from parents, by vegetative reproduction/asexual reproduction/ no sexual reproduction for 1 mark each
(2 marks)
(b) e.g. different environmental conditions/named condition or 1 mark
(1 mark)
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

• B1.7 Genetic variation and its control June 2012 BL2HP
The photograph shows some cells in the root of an onion plant.
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

• B1.7 Genetic variation and its control June 2012 BL2HP
( a) Cells X and Y have just been produced by cell division.
4 (a) (i) Name the type of cell division that produced cells X and Y.
...................................................................................................................
(1 mark)
4 (a) (ii) What happens to the genetic material before the cell divides?
...............................................................................................................
(1 mark)
4 (b) A gardener wanted to produce a new variety of onion.
Explain why sexual reproduction could produce a new variety of onion.
....................................................................................................................
........................
(3 marks)
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Mark scheme
• B1.7 Genetic variation and its control June 2012 Mark Scheme
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Exampro Q08W.1H.08
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

(a) (i) The herbicide-resistance gene is obtained from a herbicideresistant plant.
Which structure in a cell carries the genes?
....................................................................................................
...................
(1 mark)
(ii) How is the herbicide-resistance gene cut out of this structure?
....................................................................................................
...................
....................................................................................................
...................
(1 mark)
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

(c) Suggest one advantage to a farmer of growing herbicideresistant crops.
....................................................................................................
...................
....................................................................................................
...................
mark)
(d) Many people are opposed to the growing of herbicideresistant crops produced in this way.
(1
Suggest one reason why.
....................................................................................................
...................
....................................................................................................
...................
(1 mark)
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

• B1.7 Genetic variation and its control June 2012 BL1FP
The photograph shows a zorse.
A zorse is a cross between a male zebra and a female horse.
The zorse has characteristics of both parents.
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

• B1.7 Genetic variation and its control June 2012 BL1FP
(a) The zorse was produced by sexual reproduction
(a) (i) What is sexual reproduction?
.......................................................................................
(1 mark)
(a) (ii) The zorse has characteristics of a zebra and a horse.
Why?
........................................................................................
(2 marks)
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

• B1.7 Genetic variation and its control June 2012 BL1FP
(b) Zorses are not able to breed.
Scientists could produce more zorses from this zorse by adult cell cloning.
The diagram shows how the scientists might clone a zorse.
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

• B1.7 Genetic variation and its control June 2012 BL1FP
In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising information clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate.
Use information from the diagram and your own knowledge to describe how adult cell cloning could be used to clone a zorse.
........................................................................................................
....................
........................................................................................................
....................
........................................................................................................
....................
........................................................................................................
....................
........................................................................................................
....................
........................................................................................................
....................
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
(6 marks)

Mark scheme
B1.7 Genetic variation and its control June 2012 Mark Scheme
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

• B1.7 Genetic variation and its control June 2012 Mark Scheme
Version 2.0 Copyright © AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.