Practise 30 exam-style questions on Farming techniques (biology only) for AQA GCSE Biology. Write your answer as you would in the exam and get it marked in seconds against the mark scheme, point by point, with an AI tutor on hand if you get stuck.
30 questions
2–5 marks each
Instant marking
No sign-up needed
20 questions, marked as you go
Sample questions with model answers
Here are 4 of the questions in this topic, each with a model answer, an explanation of why it earns the marks and the mark scheme an examiner would use.
Question 1
2 marks
What is meant by 'biosecurity' on a farm? Give one biological practice that improves biosecurity.
Model answer
Biosecurity = measures to prevent introduction/spread of disease-causing organisms. Practice: disinfection of boots/vehicles, quarantine new animals, control access, vaccination programme.
Explanation
Biosecurity involves reducing disease transmission risk. Simple practices such as footbaths and quarantining new stock reduce pathogen entry and spread.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Definition: measures to prevent introduction/spread of pathogens/disease
1 mark
Example practice (disinfection, quarantine, controlling access, rodent control, footbaths)
Question 2
3 marks
Explain biologically how vaccination of farm animals helps prevent outbreaks of zoonotic food-borne disease.
Model answer
Vaccination stimulates adaptive immune response producing specific antibodies and memory cells; reduces pathogen load in animals, lowering contamination of food products and reducing transmission to humans.
Explanation
A vaccinated animal has immunity that limits infection and shedding of pathogens like Salmonella, decreasing risk of contaminated food and zoonotic transmission.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Vaccination stimulates immune system ? antibodies / memory cells
1 mark
Reduces pathogen load / clinical disease in animals
1 mark
Leads to lower contamination / transmission to humans
Question 3
4 marks
Explain biologically why increasing temperature in a barn can both increase growth rate and increase disease risk.
Model answer
Higher temp reduces energy used for heat production so more energy for growth; but warmer conditions can favour pathogen replication and reduce oxygen solubility in water (if aquatic), and increase ammonia volatilisation reducing air quality, all increasing disease risk.
Explanation
Temperature affects metabolic partitioning of energy and also environmental conditions that influence microbial growth and animal respiratory health.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Higher temperature reduces energy used for thermoregulation
1 mark
More energy available for growth (biomass)
1 mark
Higher temperature can increase pathogen growth/replication
1 mark
Higher temperature may reduce air/water quality (e.g., more ammonia) increasing respiratory / disease risk
Question 4
5 marks
A farmer uses a closed, heated housing system for broiler chickens. Evaluate two biological advantages and two biological disadvantages of this intensive technique.
Model answer
Advantages: (1) Temperature control reduces energy lost to thermoregulation so more feed converts to growth; (2) Biosecurity and controlled conditions reduce disease and predation. Disadvantages: (1) Restricted movement leads to poor welfare and respiratory problems if air quality poor; (2) High stocking density can increase pathogen spread if ventilation fails and increases heat/ humidity stress.
Explanation
Intensive systems improve feed efficiency and reduce external losses, but can create welfare problems and risks (ammonia, disease) that require management. A balanced evaluation weighs increased productivity against health and welfare concerns.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Advantage: temperature control ? less energy used for thermoregulation ? more for growth
