NCEA Level 1 Science (90948) 2014 — page 1 of 5

Assessment Schedule – 2014

Science: Demonstrate understanding of biological ideas relating to genetic variation (90948)
Evidence Statement

Question Evidence Achievement Merit Excellence

ONE • Labels strand with FOUR correct • Explains relationship

(a) DNA strand TCAG. bases. between gene and allele.
(b) A gene and an allele are both made of DNA. A gene is a length of • Defines an allele (alternative • Explains how 2 alleles • Discussion of inheritable and
DNA that codes for a particular characteristic, whereas an allele is form of a gene / length of DNA). affect phenotype / non-inheritable/environmental
the alternative form of a gene containing a different base • Defines a gene (length of DNA characteristics. factors (with example/s)
sequence. A gene for a characteristic consists of two alleles. The that codes for a particular • Gives an example of an resulting in variation of
(c) dominant allele gives the phenotype of the gene. characteristic). environmental factor and phenotypes / characteristics.
The phenotype is the physical characteristic of the plant. Variation Gives TWO environmental explains how it could affect AND
that is inheritable is due to differences in the alleles (or genetic factors (water / light / nutrients / the phenotype /
The significance of the
material). This comes from meiosis, eg independent assortment / wind / disease / pests etc). characteristics.
variation in terms of survival
gametes with ½ chromosomes so mix of 2 parents. Non inheritable • States that inherited variation is • Explains how inheritable of a plant population in
variation is due to environmental factors. In plants this could be due to genes / can be passed on factors result in variation or changing environmental
plenty of water or sunlight, enabling the plant to grow taller, or a OR non-inheritable due to survival, ie explains how conditions.
lack of water limiting the plant’s growth. It is the combination of environment / cannot be passed meiosis gives variation –
both the inheritable and non-inheritable factors that determines the on. need mix of 2 parents /
phenotype. For example a plant might have two alleles coding for favourable or beneficial
• Gives environmental factor
a tall plant, but if there is a lack of water the plant will not grow to traits passed on.
linked to characteristic (eg water
its genetic potential. Variation is important because if
affects height).
environmental conditions change, some plants may not be suited
to the new conditions and may not survive, but other plants, which • States variation is important, as
are different, may be suited to the new conditions and can survive. survival in a changing
environment is more likely.

Not Achieved Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence

Q1 NØ = no response or no N1 = 1 point from N2 = 2 points A3 = 3 points A4 = 4 points from M5 = 1 point M6 = 2 points E7 = Excellence E8 = Excellence
relevant evidence Achievement from from Achievement Achievement from Merit from Merit point with minor point fully
Achievement omission discussed
 NCEA Level 1 Science (90948) 2014 — page 2 of 5

Question Evidence Achievement Merit Excellence

TWO
(a) A = meiosis • Names processes A (meiosis / • Explains gamete number is • Discusses how the two
B = fertilisation gamete production) and B half the zygote number / brothers could have different
(fertilisation or mitosis). body cell, so that after genotypes – ie that sexual
(b) fertilisation the chromosome reproduction produces a new
egg 23 chromosomes • Identifies egg has 23 chromosomes
adult and zygote 46 chromosomes and zygote and adult have 46. number returns to the full mix of alleles, because
(c) number / 2n OR to stop meiosis gives unique
The egg and the sperm both have the same number of • States sperm and egg have half the
doubling. gametes AND in fertilisation
chromosomes. This is so that when fertilisation occurs, the number of chromosomes of the
• Explains that meiosis it is random chance which
chromosomes can exist as pairs. Chromosomes need to be in pairs zygote OR adult.
produces gametes that are sperm fertilises the egg.
so that they can separate in meiosis. The zygote and the adult cells • States that sperm and egg have the
are both the same, because every cell in the body needs an different due to random
same number of chromosomes OR
identical and full copy of all the genetic information. The number shuffling / independent
zygote and adult have the same
of chromosomes in the gametes is half the number in the body assortment etc.
number of chromosomes.
cells, so that when fertilisation occurs, the chromosome number • Explains that it is random
• Defines the term genotype OR the
returns to its full number. which egg and sperm
term phenotype.
(d)(i) Genotype – The combination of alleles for each trait. fertilise so all offspring have
• Defines meiosis OR fertilisation. different genotypes.
(ii) Phenotype – The physical expression of genotype, alleles (the
• States that brothers have different • Uses inheritance to explain
characteristic that is seen), eg blue eyes or brown eyes.
genotypes because get different how different genotypes can
(iii) The brothers will have inherited half their chromosomes from combinations of parents genes / arise through different
their mother and half from their father. The actual chromosomes parents gametes vary. alleles in parents.
they inherited are due to chance because meiosis (production of
gametes) randomly mixes chromosomes, resulting in a new mix of
genetic information, and therefore different genotypes and
phenotypes. Fertilisation (fusion of parents gametes) is also
random, with more variation occurring, depending on which
sperm fertilises which egg, and because each sperm and egg are
different in terms of which chromosomes are present, more
variation is introduced in terms of each zygote having different
combinations of chromosomes.

Not Achieved Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence

Q2 NØ = no response or no N1 = 1 point from N2 = 2 points A3 = 3 points A4 = 4 points from M5 = 1 point M6 = 2 points from E7 = Excellence E8 = Excellence
relevant evidence Achievement from from Achievement Achievement from Merit Merit point with minor point fully
Achievement omission discussed
 NCEA Level 1 Science (90948) 2014 — page 3 of 5

Question Evidence Achievement Merit Excellence

THREE A white sheep could have genotype AA or Aa, whereas a black

sheep can be only aa. To breed a group of white sheep, a breeder • AA / homozygous dominant • Compares the results of AA • For a test cross, explains that a
should use sheep that are both AA. The breeder can determine if a and Aa / heterozygous= white and Aa when crossed with aa large / reasonable number of
white sheep is AA by crossing a white sheep with a black sheep. If and aa / homozygous by identifying the difference in offspring need to be produced
the white sheep is AA, none of the offspring will be black. The recessive= black. outcome (with or without a to be sure a sheep is AA.
breeder would need to carry out many crosses to show that it was Punnett square).
• Defines pure breeding as AND
not just due to chance that a black sheep had not been produced. If
homozygous. • Explains that a large / Explains that as soon as a
a black offspring is produced, the breeder can be certain the white
• Breed from homozygous reasonable number of black offspring appears, the
parent was Aa. The farmer should breed only with an AA male
dominant AA / sheep with no offspring need to be produced breeder knows the white sheep
and white wool females, as this will ensure that all offspring are
black lambs. to be sure a sheep is AA. is Aa.
white. Ideally, the breeder would breed from AA males and AA
females, as this would remove the recessive allele from the group. • Test cross with homozygous • Explains that as soon as a • Explains that ideally both
recessive aa / black sheep. black offspring appears, the males and females are AA,
breeder knows the white sheep AND explains through crosses
. • Completes 1 correct Punnett
is Aa. with aa (black) sheep how this
square.
• Explains that it is important to can be determined to give a
determine that the male is AA, pure breeding group.
as the offspring will be white
regardless of whether ewes are
AA or Aa.

Not Achieved Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence

Q3 NØ = no response or no N1 = 1 point from N2 = 2 points A3 = 3 points A4 = 4 points M5 = 1 point from M6 = 2 points E7 = 1 point from E8 = 2 points from
relevant evidence Achievement from from Achievement from Achievement Merit from Merit Excellence Excellence
Achievement
 NCEA Level 1 Science (90948) 2014 — page 4 of 5

Question Evidence Achievement Merit Excellence

FOUR Genotype individual 5 = tt • States Individual 5 is tt / • Explains that an • Elaborates that both
(a)(i) homozygous recessive. individual with the individuals 3 and 4 must be
• States individual 5 cannot have dominant characteristic heterozygous, because they
(ii) If a dominant allele was present, then individual 5 would be a tongue roller.
So therefore they must have only both recessive alleles present. a dominant allele / can only be must have a dominant are both tongue rollers,
non-rolling if tt. allele present, and showing they must have a
(b) Individual 6 is a tongue roller, and so must have at least one dominant allele relates it to specific dominant allele, and that they
present for tongue rolling to be expressed. Both of 6’s children are a non- • States individual 6 must have a
individuals. must both have a recessive
tongue rollers, which means they must have both recessive alleles and be tt. dominant allele / is Tt as can
• Explains that an allele, because for individual 8
Because they get one allele from each parent, and individual 5 can pass on roll tongue but child can’t /
only a recessive allele, this means that 6 must have passed on the other individual with the to be non-tongue rolling, each
recessive allele masked.
recessive allele, and so therefore 6 must have one recessive allele. recessive characteristic of the parents must have
• States one allele comes from passed on the recessive allele.
Therefore, because they must have a dominant allele so they can tongue roll must have two recessive
each parent.
and must have a recessive allele to pass on, they must have genotype Tt. alleles, and relates it to AND
(c) Individuals 3 and 4 cannot be tt, as they are both tongue rollers. For them
• States individual 8 / child of 3 specific individuals (5, Uses punnetts or explanations
both to be tongue rollers, each of them must have at least one dominant and 4 must have genotype tt. 8 or 10 / 11). to show why 3 and 4 can’t be
allele, so this precludes tt as a possible genotype. It is not possible for • Draws a correct Punnett square. • Draws a correct Punnett TT or tt.
individuals 3 and 4 to be TT, as one of their offspring is a non-tongue roller. • States how TT or tt are not square that is relevant to
A non-tongue rolling child must have genotype tt, because if they have a possible in (c). the question (and
dominant allele at all, they would be able to tongue roll. One of each allele therefore the individuals
must come from each parent, and so for the child (individual 8) to be tt, a involved) and uses it to
recessive allele must have come from each parent. For this to occur, each
give a correct
parent must have a recessive allele. Because the parents are both tongue
explanation of the
rollers, they must each have a dominant allele, and because they both must
have a recessive allele to pass on, they can only be Tt.
phenotype of one
individual.
Relevant Punnett squares drawn which could be:
• A cross showing the two heterozygous parents.
• A cross showing individual 3 or 4 with genotype TT and therefore
shows that they cannot be TT.

T t T T
T TT Tt T TT TT
t Tt tt t Tt Tt

Not Achieved Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence

Q4 NØ = no response or no N1 = 1 point from N2 = 2 points from A3 = 3 A4 = 4 points from M5 = 1 M6 = 2 points E7 = Excellence E8 = Excellence
relevant evidence Achievement Achievement points from Achievement point from from Merit point with minor point fully
Achievement Merit omission discussed
 NCEA Level 1 Science (90948) 2014 — page 5 of 5

Cut Scores
Not Achieved Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence

Score range 0 – 10 11 – 17 18 – 24 25 – 32