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ScotlandBiology

Area 2: Organisms and Evolution

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What processes change the genetic make-up of populations over time?

Evolution: sources of genetic variation, sexual versus asexual reproduction and the costs of sex, natural and sexual selection, genetic drift, the bottleneck and founder effects, the Hardy-Weinberg principle, co-evolution and hybridisation.
An SQA Advanced Higher Biology answer on evolution, covering sources of genetic variation, sexual versus asexual reproduction and the costs of sex, natural and sexual selection, genetic drift with the bottleneck and founder effects, the Hardy-Weinberg principle, co-evolution and hybridisation.
12 min answer →

How do biologists sample populations and classify organisms in the field?

Field techniques for biologists: managing hazards in fieldwork, representative sampling with quadrats, transects and point counts, mark-recapture, taxonomy and phylogenetics, model organisms, and indicator species for monitoring.
An SQA Advanced Higher Biology answer on field techniques, covering hazards and safety in fieldwork, representative sampling with quadrats, transects and point counts, the mark-recapture method and its assumptions, taxonomy and phylogenetics, model organisms, and indicator species for environmental monitoring.
11 min answer →

How do parasites exploit their hosts and how is their spread controlled?

Parasitism: the spectrum of symbiosis, parasite life cycles and transmission, definitive, intermediate and vector hosts, immune evasion, behavioural manipulation, social parasitism, epidemiology and the control of parasites.
An SQA Advanced Higher Biology answer on parasitism, covering the spectrum of symbiosis from mutualism to parasitism, parasite life cycles and transmission routes, definitive, intermediate and vector hosts, immune evasion, behavioural manipulation, social parasitism, epidemiology and the control of parasites.
12 min answer →

How do reproductive strategies and sexual selection shape animal behaviour?

Sex and behaviour: r and K reproductive strategies, parental investment, mating systems, intra- and inter-sexual selection, mate choice and courtship, sexual dimorphism, and alternative reproductive behaviours.
An SQA Advanced Higher Biology answer on sex and behaviour, covering r and K reproductive strategies, parental investment, mating systems, intra- and inter-sexual selection, mate choice and courtship, sexual dimorphism, and alternative reproductive behaviours such as sneaker males.
11 min answer →