Classification and Evolution | OCR A-Level Biology A (H420)
Classification and Evolution
- 52 questions
- 5 subtopics
- Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease
- Component 02 and Component 03
Classification and evolution closes Module 4.
It covers the taxonomic hierarchy and binomial naming, the five kingdoms and the three domains, phylogeny and the evidence that supports evolution, the sources of variation and the kinds of adaptation, and natural selection.
Sample questions from Classification and Evolution
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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The taxonomic hierarchy and binomial naming
What taxonomic rank falls between phylum and order?
Show the answer
Class -
The taxonomic hierarchy and binomial naming
What is the lowest (most specific) level in the taxonomic hierarchy?
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Species -
The five kingdoms and the three domains
State three features that define Kingdom Animalia.
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Multicellular eukaryotes with no cell walls, heterotrophic nutrition, and nervous coordination. -
The five kingdoms and the three domains
Name the domain that contains prokaryotes often found in extreme environments.
Show the answer
Archaea -
Phylogeny and the evidence for evolution
How does fossil evidence support the theory of evolution?
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Fossils show a sequence of organisms changing over time, with transitional forms linking different groups. -
Phylogeny and the evidence for evolution
How does comparative anatomy provide evidence for evolution?
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Homologous structures such as the pentadactyl limb share a common plan despite different functions, which points to descent from a common ancestor. -
Variation and adaptation
Describe the characteristics of discontinuous variation.
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Shows distinct categories with no intermediates, typically controlled by one or few genes, with little environmental influence. -
Variation and adaptation
Define physiological adaptation and give an example.
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A biochemical or metabolic feature that increases survival, such as producing toxins or antifreeze proteins.
The 5 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| The taxonomic hierarchy and binomial naming | Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species in order, and how the binomial system names an organism and why it helps. | 10 |
| The five kingdoms and the three domains | The defining features of Prokaryotae, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia, and why molecular evidence replaced them with Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya. | 14 |
| Phylogeny and the evidence for evolution | What phylogeny means and how classification reflects it, and the fossil, DNA and other molecular evidence that supports evolution. | 10 |
| Variation and adaptation | Intraspecific and interspecific variation, continuous and discontinuous variation with their genetic and environmental causes, and anatomical, physiological and behavioural adaptation. | 10 |
| Natural selection and resistance | What natural selection requires, selection pressure and the resulting change in allele frequency, and how pesticide and antibiotic resistance evolve. | 8 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby sections
OCR A-Level Biology A Active Recall Guide
Every section, not just this one. 1,833 questions with their answers.