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IGCSE · Cambridge (CIE) · 0610

Compare crop-establishment data and weigh both population contexts

Calculate success fractions and give a conditional wild-and-crop discussion.

Section 16.1 · Asexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction pathway · 16.1

Extended only (Supplement); Biology 0610, 2026–2028. Use the stated specimen features and evidence. Diagrams are schematic. Written practice is self-checked

Before you begin

  • Recall cells, DNA, inherited characteristics and the distinction between growth of an organism and production of offspring.

Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.

Quick readiness check

What is the difference between 75% and 60%?

What you will learn

  • Keep establishment percentages separate from genotype and yield
  • Use advantages and disadvantages in both required contexts

Compare crop-establishment data and weigh both population contexts

Invented nursery outcome: 30/40 cuttings = 75%; 24/40 seedlings = 60%. Difference 15 percentage points; relative increase from 60% is 25%. Establishment is not final yield or a genotype test. Original teaching model.

Invented establishment counts — roots plus a new shoot by the stated time
GroupStarting totalEstablished
Cuttings4030
Seedlings4024
Asexual reproduction model reference
FeatureMeaning
Cuttings30 established; 10 not yet established
Seedlings24 established; 16 not yet established
Comparisons15 percentage points; 25% relative increase
DiscussionSeparate wild-population and crop benefits and risks

Keep establishment percentages separate from genotype and yield

An invented nursery comparison starts with 40 cuttings and 40 seedlings under its stated conditions. At the same observation time, 30 cuttings and 24 seedlings meet the defined establishment criterion of roots and a new shoot. The success percentages are 30/40 × 100 = 75% and 24/40 × 100 = 60%. The cutting group is 15 percentage points higher in this record.

The relative increase from the seedling group’s 60% is 15/60 × 100 = 25%, which is different from a 15-percentage-point difference. State which comparison is asked for. The 10 non-established cuttings and 16 non-established seedlings are not automatically dead; the criterion and observation time only establish whether each has met the supplied outcome.

Use advantages and disadvantages in both required contexts

This comparison measures establishment, not identical genotype, disease freedom, final yield or the best method for every crop. The copying history supplies expected genotype retention for the cuttings; the counts do not prove it. Repeated comparisons, comparable stock and control of environmental differences would be needed for broader performance conclusions. A single invented record is not universal experimental proof.

A complete discussion addresses both syllabus contexts. In the wild, no mate requirement and retaining a suitable genotype can help establishment, while limited lineage diversity and some local competition create risks. In crops, retaining selected inherited traits and predictable crop type can help production, while shared susceptibility, infected donor material and establishment costs matter. The final judgment depends on the stated goal and conditions rather than one numerical success fraction alone.

Pause and explain

What does this record directly measure?

Put the idea to work

Worked example

Calculate establishment percentages from 30/40 cuttings and 24/40 seedlings.

Show the worked solution
  1. 30/40×100 = 75%.
  2. 24/40×100 = 60%; subtract.

Answer Cuttings 75%; seedlings 60%; difference 15 percentage points.

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From guided practice to a new situation

Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.

1 · Guided

Calculate establishment percentages and the percentage-point difference.

Give me a hint

Use each original group of 40.

Compare my reasoning
  1. 30/40 = 75%.
  2. 24/40 = 60%; 75−60 = 15.

Cuttings 75%; seedlings 60%; difference 15 percentage points.

Look for these in your work

  • Use original denominators
  • State percentage points
2 · Independent

Find the relative increase from the seedling establishment percentage and the non-established counts.

Give me a hint

Use 60% as relative baseline; subtract counts from 40.

Compare my reasoning
  1. 15/60×100 = 25%.
  2. 40−30 = 10; 40−24 = 16.

Relative increase 25%; non-established cuttings 10 and seedlings 16. These counts do not establish that those plants are dead.

Look for these in your work

  • Use relative baseline
  • Do not infer death from an unmet criterion
3 · Transfer

Discuss one advantage and one disadvantage in the wild and in crop production, then qualify the nursery result.

Give me a hint

Address both contexts and match the claim to measured establishment.

Compare my reasoning
  1. Wild: no mate or suitable trait retention versus shared risk or crowding.
  2. Crops: selected-genotype retention versus shared susceptibility or infected material.

Wild populations can reproduce without a mate but a uniform lineage can share vulnerability. Crops can retain selected traits but share susceptibility or carry donor infection. The nursery record measures establishment only and does not prove universal superiority, identical yield or disease freedom.

Look for these in your work

  • Address both contexts
  • Give a conditional data conclusion

Common mistakes

  • Calling 15 percentage points a 15% relative increase.
  • Equating non-established with dead without evidence.
Recall without your notes

What can you explain now?

What does this record directly measure?

Compare with the explanation

Establishment by a defined observation time

It does not directly measure final yield or genotype.

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Make it stick

Calculate absolute and relative percentage comparisons, then discuss benefits and risks in both required contexts.

If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.

Keep learning Biology

Course scope and assessment

780 sequenced lessons provide 2340 guided, independent and application problems in characteristics, classification, cells, organisation, specimen size, membrane transport, biological molecules, enzymes, plant and human nutrition, plant transport, circulatory systems, the heart, blood vessels, blood, disease transmission, body defences, immunity, gas exchange in humans, respiration energy uses and investigations, aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration and recovery, excretion in humans, coordination and response, sense organs, hormones, homeostasis, tropic responses, drugs, asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction, sexual reproduction in plants, sexual reproduction in humans, sex hormones in humans, sexually transmitted infections, chromosomes, genes and proteins, mitosis, meiosis, monohybrid inheritance, variation, adaptive features, selection, energy flow, food chains and webs, nutrient cycles, population, community, ecosystem, population-growth phases, food supply, habitat destruction, pollution, conservation, biotechnology and genetic modification. 61 of 61 syllabus sections have linked teaching and staged practice. The earlier inheritance overview remains introductory, and the monohybrid pathway develops the relevant Core and Supplement requirements. This is not full programme completion or guaranteed exam readiness. Written practice is self-checked.

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