8 (a) Apple trees show genetic variation:
(i) State one possible cause of genetic variation in apple trees - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 8 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 8
8 (a) Apple trees show genetic variation:
(i) State one possible cause of genetic variation in apple trees.
(ii) The colour of an apple is an observable characteri... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:8 (a) Apple trees show genetic variation:
(i) State one possible cause of genetic variation in apple trees - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 8 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
State one possible cause of genetic variation in apple trees.
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Answer
One possible cause of genetic variation in apple trees is mutation, which can lead to changes in the genetic material affecting trait expression.
Step 2
The colour of an apple is an observable characteristic.
Which is the term for an observable characteristic?
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Answer
D phenotype
Step 3
Name the type of reproduction that produces genetically identical organisms.
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Answer
Asexual reproduction
Step 4
Grafting can be used to produce apple trees that are genetically identical.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of growing genetically identical apple trees.
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Answer
One advantage of growing genetically identical apple trees is that they will have uniform traits, making them easier to manage in terms of cultivation and harvesting. A disadvantage is that if a disease affects one tree, it may affect all the trees, leading to a total loss.
Step 5
Devise a method to find the optimum pH of an enzyme that breaks down starch.
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To determine the optimum pH for the enzyme, set up several test tubes, each containing starch solution and a different pH buffer solution. Add a fixed amount of enzyme solution to each test tube and incubate for a set period. After incubation, add iodine solution to each test tube to check for the presence of starch. The test tube with the least blue/black coloration indicates the optimum pH, as it shows the highest enzyme activity.
Step 6
Explain why this enzyme would not work at pH 10.
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The enzyme would not work at pH 10 because enzymes are proteins that have an optimum pH range. At pH 10, the enzyme’s active site could be denatured or altered, preventing substrate binding and reducing activity.
