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Figure 1 shows the times when Homo sapiens and some of their ancestral species are thought to have lived - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 1 - 2016 - Paper 1
Question 1
Figure 1 shows the times when Homo sapiens and some of their ancestral species are thought to have lived. (a) (i) Describe the evidence that scientists might have u... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 1 shows the times when Homo sapiens and some of their ancestral species are thought to have lived - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 1 - 2016 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe the evidence that scientists might have used to show that Ardipithecus ramidus inhabited the Earth earlier than Homo habilis.
Answer
Scientists might point to the structural features of the fossil of Ardipithecus ramidus, such as its smaller cranial capacity compared to Homo habilis. Additionally, the fossil remains of Ardipithecus ramidus were found in a rock layer that is deeper than that of Homo habilis, indicating an earlier existence on Earth.
Step 2
Explain which stone tool was most likely to be used by Homo erectus.
Answer
Homo erectus is likely to have used the stone tool identified as tool B in Figure 2, as it is more sophisticated and worked compared to the tool used by Homo habilis. Furthermore, given that Homo erectus lived more recently than Homo habilis, this aligns with the advancements in tool-making associated with their existence.
Step 3
Describe how drought-resistant crop plants can be produced.
Answer
Drought-resistant crop plants can be produced through selective breeding, where plants that exhibit drought resistance are identified and crossed to produce offspring with similar traits. Additionally, genetic modification techniques can be applied to insert specific genes that enable these plants to survive and thrive under drier conditions. This process involves repeated selection and crossing over several generations to enhance drought resistance in the crop plants.