CIE IGCSE Biology

Topic Questions

20.1 Human Impact: Biodiversity, Pollution & Conservation

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Which of the following would be a negative feature of monoculture crops on an ecosystem?

  • Monoculture crops produce more food.

  • Monoculture crops produce less food.

  • The genetic variation of organisms is reduced.

  • Crops need harvesting at the same time.

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2
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Which of the following effects is least likely to be as a result of deforestation?

  • A greater risk of flooding.

  • An increase in biodiversity.

  • An increase in soil erosion.

  • An increase in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

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3
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A large quantity of non-selective herbicide is spread over a field. However, some of the herbicide washes into a nearby stream.

What is the effect of the herbicide on the weeds in the field and on the plants in the stream?

  weeds in field plants in stream
A more growth less growth
B less growth more growth
C less growth less growth
D more growth more growth

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4
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To increase a farmer’s yield, low concentrations of Insecticides can be sprayed onto their crops, but insecticides may also be harmful to wildlife.

Which of these statements correctly explains why?

  • Insecticides kill other plants.

  • Insecticides cause acid rain.

  • Insecticides enter the food chain.

  • Insecticides increase the nitrates in the soil.

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5
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The image below shows the results of a study on the types of animals found along a stretch of stream near to a factory.

image-2-2

Which animal will live in the most polluted water?

  • Shrimp

  • Sludge worm

  • Leech

  • Snail

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The levels of dissolved oxygen were measured in a river, the results were plotted on a graph, this is shown below. 

At which point does raw sewage enter the river?

image-1-2

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2
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Which of these describe the effect of nuclear fall-out pollution?

  • Acid rain

  • Deforestation

  • Global warming

  • Increased mutation rate

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3
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Extended only

Rapid growth of algae on the surface of the water can occur as a result of nitrates entering a reservoir of water.

This causes the following changes in the reservoir:

  1. An increase in aerobic respiration by decomposers.
  2. A decrease in the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the water.
  3. Fish and other aquatic animals die.
  4. Producers die and decomposition increases.

In which order do these changes occur?

  • 1 → 2 → 4 → 3

  • 3 → 1 → 2 → 4

  • 4 → 1 → 2 → 3

  • 4 → 3 → 1 → 2

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4
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Which of the following is the correct definition for a sustainable resource?

  • A resource that can be replaced.

  • A resource that is running out.

  • Making sure that needs are met for future generations.

  • A resource that can be replenished as quickly as it is used.

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The graph shows the relationship between the number of lichens and the levels of sulfur dioxide pollution.

jp85qfh8_image-3

Which of these statements best describe the graph?

  • Sulfur dioxide levels do not affect lichen growth.

  • As sulfur dioxide levels increase, the number of lichen decreases.

  • Lichens cannot survive if there is sulfur dioxide present.

  • As sulfur dioxide levels increase, so does the number of lichen.

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2
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The following statements refer to plastic pollution.

  1. Animals will often try to eat the plastic or become entangled in it
  2. It breaks down into micro particles that wash away into nearby rivers
  3. As plastic breaks down, it releases toxins into the surrounding environment
  4. It enters the food chain when filter feeders such as mussels ingest micro particles

Which of these statements applies to both marine and terrestrial (land) habitats?

  • 1, 2 and 3

  • 2 and 4 only

  • 1 and 3 only

  • 3 only

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3
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Which of these agricultural practices may cause the most pollution?

  • Cutting down trees to create space for crops.

  • Adding fertilisers to the soil.

  • Digging plant material into the crop.

  • Growing high yield crops.

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4
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Which of these two gases both contribute to climate change?

  • Oxygen and methane

  • Sulfur dioxide and methane

  • Carbon dioxide and methane

  • Carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide

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5
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Which of these describe a reason for conserving plant species?

  • To obtain drugs for medicinal use.

  • To decrease rainfall.

  • To absorb oxygen from the air.

  • To release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

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