Question 1
Paper 2Medium6 marksA nursery propagates a plant cultivar from stem cuttings, which reproduce asexually, and from seeds produced by sexual reproduction. Groups of 40 plants from each method were grown under two sets of conditions. The number of plants that met the nursery’s marketability standard is shown.
| Growing conditions | Cuttings (asexual), out of 40 | Seedlings (sexual), out of 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Stable | 36 | 28 |
| Hotter and drier | 8 | 25 |
(a)[1]
Calculate the difference between the proportions of marketable cuttings and seedlings in the hotter and drier conditions. Give your answer as a proportion or in percentage points.
(b)[2]
If conditions remain stable and the cultivar is already suited to them, recommend a propagation method. Explain why it may be advantageous.
(c)[3]
Explain how sexual reproduction could produce offspring better suited to hotter and drier conditions.