Question 22M.2.SL.TZ2.1a.iv
| Date | May 2022 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 1] | Reference code | 22M.2.SL.TZ2.1a.iv |
| Level | SL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | TZ2 |
| Command term | Suggest | Question number | a.iv | Adapted from | N/A |
There is growing evidence of a decrease in bee populations. This decrease is a serious problem because of their valuable role as pollinators in the ecosystems where they live. Neonicotinoid pesticides have been implicated in this decrease because they have been found at trace levels in the nectar and pollen of crop plants and in the bee colonies.
Scientists placed colonies of a species of bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, in the laboratory to test the effects of different levels of a neonicotinoid on their development. They divided the colonies into three groups:
- The control colonies were given a solution of water and sugar that resembled nectar produced by flowers.
- A second group of colonies was given the same sugar solution containing a neonicotinoid dissolved in it at low concentrations, similar to those found in nature.
- A third group of colonies was given the same sugar solution containing a neonicotinoid dissolved in it at high concentrations, similar to those found in nature.
After two weeks, all colonies were placed in the field to allow the bumblebees to feed naturally.
The mass of the colonies, including adult bumblebees, wax, honey and larvae, was recorded every week. The cumulative increase in mass was calculated and is shown on the graph.
[Source: Adapted from Whitehorn, P.R., O’Connor, S., Wackers, F.L. and Goulson, D., 2012.
Bumble Bee Colony Growth and Queen Production. Science, [e-journal] 336(6079), pp. 351–352.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1215025.]
Suggest a reason for the changes in mass in the colonies between weeks 6 and 8.
[1]
- less production of honey/wax;
- fewer bees/dispersal of bees/queens;
- bad weather/environmental change/predators/disease/pests;
