AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), 2023: Question 1

8 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Analyze the impact of human activities on peat bogs, the process of decay, and perform a percentage calculation related to land area.

Practise this question

Question

The image shows a multi-part GCSE biology question about peat bogs. It starts with Figure 1, a black and white photo of a peat bog with large chunks of peat removed. Questions follow about the purpose of peat removal, the organisms responsible for decay, the gases involved in respiration during decay, a calculation for the area of frozen peat bogs based on a percentage, and human activities that reduce land availability.
Question text

01 Figure 1 shows a place where peat is being removed from a peat bog.

Figure 1

01.1 Why is peat removed from peat bogs?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

To increase biodiversity

To produce garden compost

To protect rare habitats 3

01.2 Peat can decay.

Name one type of organism that causes decay.

[1 mark]

01.3 Complete the sentences.

*02* Choose answers from the box.

[2 marks]

carbon dioxide nitrogen oxygen sulfur dioxide

The organisms that cause decay respire.

The gas used for respiration is .

The gas produced by respiration is 4 .

01.4 Peat bogs cover a total area of 3 700 000 km2.

In 2020, 46% of peat bogs were frozen.

How can the area of peat bogs that were frozen be calculated?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

3 700 000 ×

× 100

3 700 000

3 700 000

× 100

01.5 The percentage of peat bogs that are frozen decreases each year.

Suggest why the percentage of peat bogs that are frozen is decreasing.

[1 mark]

01.6 Which two human activities decrease the area of land available for other animals

and plants?

[2 marks]

Tick ( ) two boxes.

Building factories

Recycling plastics

Replanting hedgerows

Reusing glass bottles

Quarrying rocks

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme for Question 1 provides the following answers: 01.1 is 'to produce garden compost'; 01.2 accepts 'microorganism', 'bacteria', or 'fungi'; 01.3 requires 'oxygen' then 'carbon dioxide'; 01.4 is the calculation '3,700,000 times 46 divided by 100'; 01.5 accepts 'climate change' or 'global warming'; 01.6 requires 'building factories' and 'quarrying rocks'. Total marks for the question is 8.

Question 1

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.1 to produce garden compost 1 AO1

4.7.3.3

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.2 microorganism(s) / bacteria / allow decomposer(s) / 1 AO1

fungi microbe(s) 4.7.2.2

allow mould / mushrooms 4.7.3.3

ignore worm(s) / germ(s) 4.6.3.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

must be in this order only

01.3 oxygen 1 AO1

4.7.2.2

carbon dioxide 1 4.7.3.3

4.6.3.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.4 46

3 700 000 × 1 AO2

4.7.3.3

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.5 any one from: 1 AO2

• climate change 4.7.3.3

• global warming allow it is getting warmer 4.7.3.5

AO /

Spec. Ref.

01.6 building factories 1 AO1

4.7.3.3

quarrying rocks 1 7

Total Question 1 8

How to answer it

Peat Bogs, Decay, and Human Impact

What this question tests

This question assesses your understanding of ecology and human impact on the environment. Specifically, it covers the uses of peat, the process of decay (respiration in decomposers), basic percentage calculations, and how human activities like construction and global warming affect biodiversity and land use.

Part 01.1

Uses of Peat

Correct Answer

  • To produce garden compost

Key Knowledge

Peat is partially decayed plant matter. It is harvested for compost (to help plants grow) and sometimes burned as a fuel. Removing it actually decreases biodiversity.

1 Mark: Awarded for identifying the correct use of peat.
Part 01.2

Organisms of Decay

Correct Answer

Any one of:

  • Bacteria
  • Fungi
  • Microorganisms / Decomposers

Exam Technique

Always use precise biological terms. While "mould" or "mushrooms" are accepted here, bacteria and fungi are the standard scientific answers for decomposers.

Common Errors

Do not use the word "germs". This is considered non-scientific and will not score marks in a GCSE Biology exam.

Part 01.3

The Process of Respiration

Correct Answers

  • Gas used: Oxygen
  • Gas produced: Carbon dioxide

Key Knowledge

Decomposers are living things. Like us, they perform aerobic respiration to release energy:

Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water

2 Marks: 1 mark for each correct gas in the correct order.
Part 01.4

Calculating Area

Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Identify the total area: 3,700,000 km²
  2. Identify the percentage: 46%
  3. To find a percentage, divide by 100 and multiply by the total.

Correct Selection

3,700,000 × 46/100

Part 01.5

Environmental Change

Correct Answer

  • Global warming
  • Climate change

Examiner Insight

The question asks why the percentage of frozen bogs is decreasing. This implies the Earth is getting warmer. Mentioning "it is getting warmer" is acceptable, but "Global warming" is the preferred term.

Part 01.6

Human Activities and Land Use

Correct Answers

  • Building factories
  • Quarrying rocks

Key Knowledge

Human land use reduces the space available for other organisms. This includes:

  • Building (houses, factories, roads)
  • Quarrying (digging for minerals/rocks)
  • Farming
  • Dumping waste (landfill)

Common Errors

Students often confuse "human activities" with "conservation". Recycling and replanting are positive activities that help biodiversity, not decrease available land.

2 Marks: 1 mark for each correct box ticked.

Topics

Biology · B7: Ecology · B4: Bioenergetics

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.