Lesson 3.4.7.1

3.4.7.1 Investigating diversity and sampling Quiz: AQA Biology, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.4.7.1, Investigating diversity and sampling: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Biology (7402), Unit 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which methods can be used to compare genetic diversity within or between species?

    • Recording the number of predators in a habitat
    • Counting the number of quadrats in a field
    • Measuring the height of a tree canopy
    • Comparing the frequency of measurable or observable characteristics

  2. Which of the following can be compared to investigate genetic diversity between species?

    • The rainfall total over a year
    • The number of cars passing a field each day
    • The average daily temperature of a habitat
    • The amino acid sequence of the proteins encoded by DNA

  3. Why is random sampling used in a quantitative investigation of variation within a species?

    • It ensures the sample is representative and avoids bias from the investigator's choice
    • It makes the standard deviation equal to zero
    • It guarantees that every individual is measured
    • It removes the need to calculate a mean

  4. A student measures leaf length in a random sample of 40 leaves. What should they calculate to describe the central value?

    • The total number of leaves
    • The highest value only
    • The mode only
    • The mean value of the collected data

  5. What does the standard deviation of a mean value describe?

    • The number of samples taken from the population
    • The exact value of the population mean
    • How spread out the individual values are around the mean, indicating the variation in the data
    • The difference between the largest and smallest sample

  6. Students have sampled a population but do not have the right data to calculate standard deviations. What does the specification say about standard deviations in written papers?

    • Standard deviations are only used in practical reports
    • Students will not be required to calculate standard deviations in written papers
    • Students will be required to calculate standard deviations in written papers
    • Students must calculate standard deviations from memory only

  7. Random samples were used to investigate the effect of position on the growth of leaves. Which statement describes the purpose of random sampling here?

    • To select leaves that look the same
    • To make all leaves grow at the same rate
    • To reduce the number of leaves measured to one
    • To avoid choosing leaves in a biased way so that results reflect the whole population

  8. Which is a change in methods of investigating genetic diversity caused by gene technology?

    • Inferring DNA differences from measurable characteristics has been replaced by direct investigation of DNA sequences
    • Measurable characteristics are now the only method used
    • Protein sequences can no longer be compared
    • DNA sequences are no longer used in classification

  9. Which statement about gene technologies is correct for this topic?

    • Students must know how to edit genes using enzymes
    • Knowledge of gene technologies will not be tested
    • Detailed knowledge of gene technologies will be tested
    • Students must know the chemical steps of DNA sequencing

  10. Interpreting DNA base sequence data from two organisms shows many matching bases. What can this suggest?

    • The organisms cannot be compared using DNA
    • The organisms may be closely related
    • The organisms are definitely in different species
    • The sequences are random and unrelated

  11. Two protein amino acid sequences differ at 2 of 100 positions. Another pair differs at 30 of 100. Which pair is more closely related?

    • The pair differing at 30 of 100 positions
    • The pair differing at 2 of 100 positions
    • Both pairs are equally related
    • Neither pair, because amino acids cannot be compared

  12. Which is a quantitative investigation of variation within a species?

    • Collecting data from random samples and calculating a mean with its standard deviation
    • Naming the species using a binomial only
    • Recording the presence or absence of a species in a habitat
    • Describing the colour of one individual in words only

  13. Students want to test whether leaf growth depends on position on a plant. Which approach best ensures random sampling within one population?

    • Measuring only leaves near the top of the plant
    • Choosing only the largest leaves to measure
    • Using a random method, such as a random number table, to select leaves
    • Measuring leaves that are easy to reach

  14. Mean values of two samples are similar, but one sample has a much larger standard deviation. What does this suggest?

    • The first sample was collected incorrectly
    • The second sample has no variation
    • The values in the second sample are more spread out around the mean
    • The samples are identical in every way

  15. A researcher wants to show that two groups differ genetically. Which is the most appropriate evidence to collect?

    • The average daily temperature at the study site
    • The total number of organisms in the environment
    • A single observation of colour in one individual
    • Base sequences of DNA or amino acid sequences of proteins from each group

  16. Why might a researcher prefer DNA sequence data to observable characteristics when investigating genetic diversity?

    • DNA sequences cannot show differences within a species
    • Observable characteristics are always more accurate than DNA
    • Observable characteristics are never affected by genes
    • Observable characteristics can be affected by the environment, whereas DNA sequences directly show genetic differences

  17. Why is a standard deviation reported together with a mean?

    • It shows the number of samples taken
    • It converts the mean into a percentage
    • It shows which sampling method was used
    • It shows how variable the data are around the mean

  18. Which method ensures random sampling of quadrat positions in a field?

    • Using the first ten plants seen on a walk across the field
    • Placing quadrats along the edge of the field only
    • Using a random number table to choose grid coordinates for placing quadrats
    • Choosing quadrats where the plants look most dense

  19. What does interpreting DNA base sequences from two organisms allow a student to do?

    • Suggest relationships between organisms within a species or between species
    • Calculate the index of diversity directly from the sequences
    • Measure the total population of each species
    • Identify the kingdom to which each organism belongs

  20. Which of these is a quantitative measure of variation within a species?

    • The index of diversity for a community
    • The number of species present in a habitat
    • Species richness of a habitat
    • The standard deviation of the mean of a random sample

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