OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

Which statement best describes linear systems?

1. They rely on sustainable energy sources

2. They are characterized by the recycling of all materials

3. They consume resources and generate waste without recycling

4. They continuously replenish natural resources

The correct answer is: They consume resources and generate waste without recycling

The choice that states linear systems consume resources and generate waste without recycling is accurate because linear systems operate on a "take-make-dispose" model. In such systems, raw materials are extracted and transformed into products that are eventually discarded as waste once they reach the end of their life cycle. This process does not incorporate the principles of recycling or sustainability, leading to depletion of resources and accumulation of waste in landfills and the environment. Linear systems contrast with circular systems, which are designed to minimize waste and make better use of resources by recycling materials and reusing products. In a linear model, once a product is used, its materials are often lost rather than repurposed or returned to the production cycle, making this choice the best description of a linear system.