Question 1
The diagram shows a root cell from a plant with structures labelled W, X, Y and Z.
(a) (i) Which structure is the nucleus?
A W
B X
C Y
D Z
(ii) Which structure is not found in human white blood cells?
A W
B X
C Y
D Z
(iii) Which molecule is the storage carbohydrate in the root cell?
A glucose
B glycerol
C glycogen
D starch
(b) The actual width of the cell from P to Q is 125μm.
Determine the magnification of the diagram.
[1 mm = 1000μm]
1(a)(i) D is the only correct answer
A is incorrect as it is the vacuole
B is incorrect as it is cytoplasm
C is incorrect as it is the cell membrane
▶️Answer/Explanation
1(a)(ii) A is the only correct answer
B is incorrect as animal cells have cytoplasm
C is incorrect as animal cells have a cell membrane
D is incorrect as animal cells have a nucleus
1 (a)(iii) D (starch) is the only correct answer
A is incorrect as glucose is not a storage molecule
B is incorrect as glycerol is not a carbohydrate
C is incorrect as plant cells do not have glycogen
1 (b) These are calculation steps
• correct measurement of line as 50 mm
• correct conversion of micrometres to millimetres or millimetres to micrometres
• correct division of 50 000 μm by 125 or correct division of 50 mm by 0.125
(×) 400 (3)
Question 2
Yeast cells can be genetically modified to produce the proteins found on the outside of viruses.
(a) (i) Yeast is a single-celled organism.
A yeast cell has a nucleus, and the cell wall is made of chitin.
Which group of organisms does yeast belong to?
A animals
B fungi
C plants
D protoctists
(ii) Give a reason why viruses are not considered to be living organisms.
(b) A species of yeast is genetically modified to produce a protein found on the outside of a hepatitis B virus.
This protein is used to make vaccines to prevent people being infected with hepatitis B.
The gene for this protein is inserted into a plasmid.
This plasmid is then used to modify the yeast cells.
Give the roles of two named enzymes used to produce plasmids containing the gene for the hepatitis B protein.
(c) The diagram shows an industrial fermenter that can be used to grow large quantities of genetically modified yeast.
(i) Explain the function of the temperature monitor and cooling jacket.
(ii) Explain why air is needed in the fermenter.
(iii) Explain why the air is filtered before going into the fermenter.
▶️Answer/Explanation
2 (a)(i) B (fungi) is the only correct answer
A is incorrect as animals are not single celled
C is incorrect as plants do not have chitin or are single celled
D is incorrect as protoctists do not have chitin
2(a)(ii) An answer that makes reference to one of the following:
• (viruses) do not grow (1)
• (viruses) do not respire (1)
• (viruses) are not sensitive / have internal control / eq (1)
• (viruses) do not move (1)
• (viruses) do not excrete (1)
• (viruses) do not reproduce (independently) / need a host to reproduce / eq (1)
• (viruses) do not feed / have a nutritional need / eq (1)
2(b) An answer that makes reference to the following:
• restriction (enzymes) cut DNA /gene / plasmid / open plasmid / remove gene / eq (1)
• ligase joins DNA to plasmid / joins DNA / joins sticky ends / inserts DNA / attaches DNA / eq (1)
2 (c)(i) An explanation that makes reference to three of the following:
• respiration / fermentation / (chemical) reactions, releases heat (energy) (1)
• checks / monitor, temperature and lets (cooling) water in / open valve / water is pumped around / eq (1)
• lowers temperature / removes heat / prevents over heating / stops temperature getting too high (1)
• maintain optimal temperature / optimum temperature (1)
• stop enzymes denaturing / stops enzyme shape changing / eq (1)
2 (c)(ii) An explanation that makes reference to two of the following:
• (provides) oxygen (1)
• for respiration / prevent anaerobic respiration (1)
2 (c)(iii) An explanation that makes reference to two of the following:
• prevent other microbes / bacteria / fungi / pathogens / eq (1)
• prevents contamination / contaminate (of product) / toxins (being released) / competition (for nutrients) / eq (1)
Question 3
The diagram shows part of a food web from an ecosystem in a region of North America.
(a) (i) Which of these organisms in the food web is a primary consumer?
A beaver
B coyote
C grass
D wolf
(ii) State what is meant by the term ecosystem.
(b) Wolves were hunted in this region of North America until they became extinct in 1926.
The extinction of wolves damaged the ecosystem in these ways.
• the population of mice, hawks and beavers decreased
• the population of producer species decreased
Beavers are important in this ecosystem because they cut down old trees and create shelters that other organisms nest in.
Discuss why the extinction of wolves damaged the ecosystem.
(c) In 1995, 14 wolves were reintroduced to this region.
The diagram shows the change in wolf population from 1996 to 2016.
(i) Calculate the percentage change in the wolf population between 1996 and 2004.
percentage change = …………………………………………………….. %
(ii) Suggest why the wolf population changed between 2004 and 2012.
(iii) The reintroduction of wolves caused changes in the populations of some plant species.
Describe how the population size of a plant species in the region could be determined.
3 (a)(i) A (beavers) is the only correct answer
A is incorrect as coyote are secondary consumers
B is incorrect as grass is a producer
C is incorrect as wolf is a secondary and tertiary consumer
▶️Answer/Explanation
3(a)(ii) An answer which makes reference to:
• community and environment / biotic and abiotic parts / all organisms and the environment / all living things and non-living things / the environment and community / eq
3(b) An answer which makes reference to four of the following:
• fewer elk / coyote were consumed / more elk (present) / more coyote (present) (1)
• more consumption of plants / producers (by elk) / fewer producers / less grass / eq (1)
• less food for mice (1)
• more beavers eaten / more mice eaten (by coyotes) / eq (1)
• old trees not removed (1)
• younger trees are shaded / less photosynthesis / less energy fixed / enters ecosystem / eq (1)
• less food for hawk / fewer mice for hawk / eq (1)
• soil erosion (due to loss of plants) (1)
• fewer shelters / habitats / nesting places (for organisms) (1)
3(c)(i)
• 180 – 50 = 130
• (130 ÷ 50) x 100
260 (%) (2)
3 (c)(ii) An answer that makes reference to two of the following:
• food begins to run out / eq (1)
• disease (spread) (1)
• hunting (1)
• new competitors / (high) competition / new predators (1)
• loss of habitat (1)
• migration (1)
3(c)(iii) An description that makes reference to three of the following:
• grid area / quadrat (1)
• random (placement) / eq (1)
• calculate / measure / count plants / eq (1)
• repeat / calculate mean (1)
• scale up for whole area (1)
Question 4
(a) The diagram shows part of a human thorax with structures labelled R and S.
(i) What is the name of structure R?
A bronchiole
B bronchus
C oesophagus
D trachea
(ii) Explain how changes in structure S enable a person to breathe in.
(b) A scientist uses this method to investigate the effect of exercise on the ventilation rate of a person.
Step 1: rest for 10 minutes
Step 2: measure the volume of air in each breath
Step 3: measure the breathing rate
Step 4: ride a bicycle at 15 kilometres per hour for 10 minutes
Step 5: measure the volume of air in each breath
Step 6: measure the breathing rate
The scientist repeats Step 4, Step 5 and Step 6 at increasing cycling speeds.
The table shows some of the results.
(i) State the independent variable in the investigation.
(ii) At a cycling speed of 35km per hour the person has a breathing rate of 25 breaths per minute.
They also have a ventilation rate of 65dm3 per minute.
Calculate the volume of air, in cm3 , in each breath.
[1dm3 = 1000 cm3 ]
volume = …………………………………………………….. cm3
(iii) Comment on the effect of increasing cycling speed on ventilation rate.
Refer to the data in the table in your answer.
(iv) State how the scientist could make the investigation more reliable.
▶️Answer/Explanation
4(a)(i) B (bronchus) is the only correct answer
A is incorrect as bronchioles have no cartilage
B is incorrect as oesophagus leads to stomach
C is incorrect as there is only one trachea
4 (a)(ii) An explanation that makes reference to three of the following:
• (S / (diaphragm)/ it) contracts (1)
• flattens / presses down / moves down / less dome shaped / eq (1)
• increases volume (1)
• decreases pressure / air flows in down pressure gradient / eq (1)
4(b)(i) • (cycling) speed (1)
4(b)(ii) • conversion of dm3 to cm3
(65 000)
• 65 000 ÷ 25
2600 (cm3) (2)
4(b)(iii) An answer that makes reference to four of the
following:
• ventilation (rate) increases (1)
• (take in) more oxygen / eq (1)
• (release) more energy / ATP / high(er) respiration rate (1)
• more / faster muscle contraction (1)
• volume of air breathed per breath increases as speed increases (1)
• breathing rate increases from 20 / 25 km per hour / breathing rate does not increase between 0 – 20 km per hour (1)
• increase in volume of air per breath gets less as cycling speed increases / volume of air per breath stops increasing above 30 km per hour (1)
4 (b)(iv) • repeat / calculate average / mean / more cyclists / more people / eq (1)
Question 5
The photograph shows a variety of chicken called a silkie chicken.
Silkie chickens have feathers that have a fluffy appearance.
Feather structure is controlled by a single gene.
The allele for producing silkie feathers (f) is recessive to the allele for producing normal feathers (F).
(a) (i) State what is meant by the term gene.
(ii) Give the possible genotypes of a chicken with normal feathers.
(b) A scientist investigates the inheritance of feather types in chickens.
The diagram shows a family pedigree for some chickens.
(i) How many chickens in the family pedigree are heterozygous?
A 0
B 3
C 4
D 5
(ii) Use a genetic diagram to determine the probability of one of the offspring of individual 6 and individual 7 being a chicken with silkie feathers.
(iii) The scientist observes that the chickens have either normal feathers or silkie feathers.
However, the chickens have a wide range of different heights.
Explain why there is a wider range of variation in height than in feather type.
▶️Answer/Explanation
5(a)(i) • section / length / part / eq, of DNA / chromosome, that codes for a protein / polypeptide (1)
5(a)(ii) FF and Ff
5(b)(i) C (4) is the only correct answer
A is not correct as 1, 4, 5 and 6 must be heterozygous
B is not correct as 2, 3 and 7 must be homozygous
D because only 2, 3 and 7 are not heterozygous
5(b)(ii) An answer that makes reference to:
• parental genotypes of Ff and ff (1)
• gametes as F + f and f (+ f) (1)
• correct F1 genotypes (Ff, ff) in correct ratio (1)
• 0.5 / 50% / 1⁄2 (1)
5(b)(iii) An answer that makes reference to three from:
• feather is discontinuous / categoric / height is continuous / eq (1)
• height is polygenic (1)
• height depends on the combination of many / several, genes / not just one gene / eq (1)
• height may have environmental effects (1)
• feather structure is due to one gene / monogenic (1)
• height depends on sex (1)
Question 6
(a) The diagram shows the human alimentary canal with structures labelled X, Y and Z.
(i) Which of these structures produce amylase?
A X only
B X and Y
C X and Z
D Y and Z
(ii) Table 1 gives the names of some enzymes, the molecules they digest, and the products formed.
Complete Table 1 by giving the missing information.
(b) Table 2 shows the recommended daily amounts (RDA) of some dietary components for a person.
Table 2 also shows the actual amounts of these dietary components in a person’s diet in one day.
(i) One 100g serving of lentils provides 25g of protein.
Calculate the mass of lentils that contains 46g of protein.
mass of lentils = …………………………………………………….. g
(ii) Discuss the possible long-term effects of this person eating the same diet every day.
(iii) Suggest two reasons why the RDA for energy may not be the actual amount required by this person.
▶️Answer/Explanation
6 (a)(i) C (X and Z) is the only correct answer
A is incorrect because the pancreas also produces amylase
B is incorrect because the stomach does not produce amylase
D is incorrect because the stomach does not produce amylase
6(a)(ii)
6(b)(i) • calculate mass of lentils that has 1 g of protein
100 ÷ 25 = 4 g of lentils has 1 g of protein
• scale up to 46 g of protein 46 x 4
184 (2)
6(b)(ii) An answer that makes reference to five of the following:
• excess energy may lead to obesity / eq (1)
• (excess energy / obesity) increases risk of diabetes / joint damage / heart disease / eq (1)
• enough protein / protein is same as RDA, so growth should be normal (rate) / eq (1)
• enough vitamin A / vitamin A is same as RDA so no risk of night blindness / eye problems / vision is normal / eq (1)
• vitamin C is low so may be at risk of scurvy / eq (1)
• calcium is too low so may be at risk of rickets / osteoporosis / eq (1)
• enough iron / iron is same as RDA so no risk of anaemia / can make red blood cells / haemoglobin / no problems carrying oxygen (1)
• fibre is low so risk of constipation / can’t egest / release faeces / eq (1)
• data does not list other named dietary components / eq (1)
• no mention of activity levels / sex / age / pregnancy / eq of person (1)
6(b)(iii) An answer that makes reference to two of the following:
• activity / exercise / active lifestyle / sport / job (may affect energy need) / eq (1)
• pregnancy (may affect energy need) (1)
• different metabolic rate (1)
• age (may affect energy need) (1)
• sex (may affect energy need) (1)
• body mass / weight / (may affect energy need) (1)
Question 7
The skin is an organ involved in temperature regulation.
(a) State why the skin is described as an organ.
(b) The diagram shows a section of human skin.
(i) Explain how the skin capillaries regulate body temperature when the body temperature increases.
(ii) Some people have suggested that drinking warm drinks may cool the body because it increases the rate of sweat production.
Design an investigation to determine whether drinking warm drinks increases the rate of sweat production.
Include experimental details in your answer and write in full sentences.
▶️Answer/Explanation
7 (a) • different /several group of tissues (1)
7 (b)(i) An explanation that makes reference to three of the following:
• increased blood flow to skin (surface) / increased blood flow through capillaries / eq (1)
• (because) vasodilation occurs (1)
• arteriole / blood vessel widens / expands / eq (1)
• (increased) heat loss (1)
• by radiation / convection (1)
7(b)(ii) An answer that makes reference to six of the following:
C – drinks of different temperatures / warm drink and cold drink / eq (1)
O – people of same age / mass / sex / fitness / body temperature / eq (1)
R – repeats / several people / groups / eq (1)
M1 – mass of sweat / volume of sweat /weigh cotton wool / weigh shirt / area of sweat /colour of cloth on skin / count sweat drops / eq (1)
M2 – over stated time period (1)
S1 – same exercise / food / water / volume of drink / type of drink / same clothes / material / eq (1)
S2 – same room temperature / air conditioned room / humidity / time of day / eq (1)
Question 8
A student uses this method to investigate the effect of fertiliser on the growth of plant seedlings.
• set up two trays with an equal mass of compost in each tray
• plant 100 seeds, equally spaced, in each tray
• place the trays under the same lamp until the seeds start to germinate
• water each tray every day with the same volume of water
• add fertiliser to one of the trays every day
• remove five seedlings from each tray every four days for a period of 20 days
• dry these seedlings in an oven and find their mass The table shows the student’s results.
(a) (i) Give two abiotic variables that the student controls.
(ii) The student dries the seedlings in an oven to find their dry mass.
Suggest why it is important to use dry mass in this investigation.
(b) (i) Plot a line graph to show the dry mass of seedlings without fertiliser and the dry mass of seedlings with fertiliser, from day 4 to day 20.
Use a ruler to join your points with straight lines.
(ii) The fertiliser contains magnesium ions and nitrate ions.
Explain the effect of these two ions on the growth of the seedlings.
▶️Answer/Explanation
8 (a)(i) An answer that makes reference to two of the following:
• light (intensity) / lamp / eq (1)
• water volume / watering frequency (1)
• mass /weight, of compost (1)
8(a)(ii) An answer that makes reference to two of the following:
• water (content) would vary / water increases the mass / adds mass / makes seeds heavier / some seeds would absorb more water than others (1)
• so comparison is valid / fair comparison (1)
• water is not biomass / dry mass is the true biomass / (dry mass is) organic molecules (1)
8(b)(i) S – linear scale that takes up at least half of grid and right way round (1)
L – ruled, straight lines that join points with no extrapolation (1)
A – axes fully labelled with units (1)
P – all points correct (1)
K – key for each line / each line labelled (1)
8 (b)(ii) An answer that makes reference to four of the following:
• magnesium ions (increase) chlorophyll / chloroplasts (1)
• (so more) photosynthesis (1)
• (which produces) carbohydrates / glucose / starch / cellulose / eq (1)
• nitrate ions for amino acids (1)
• (nitrate / amino acid) for protein (synthesis for growth) (1)
Question 9
(a) The diagram shows a pea flower with structures labelled X and Y.
(i) Give the names of structures X and Y.
(ii) Explain how two structures, present in the diagram, show how the flower is pollinated.
(b) A scientist uses this method to compare the carbohydrates present in ungerminated and germinating pea seeds.
• carry out an iodine test and a Benedict’s test on ungerminated seeds
• soak another set of seeds in water and allow them to germinate in unsealed jars
• after three days, carry out an iodine test and a Benedict’s test on the germinating seeds
The table shows the scientist’s results.
(i) State which carbohydrates the scientist identified in the ungerminated seeds
and the germinating seeds.
ungerminated seeds
germinating seeds
(ii) Explain the difference in the carbohydrate composition of the ungerminated seeds and the germinating seeds.
(iii) Explain why the jars used in the investigation are not sealed.
▶️Answer/Explanation
9 (a)(i)
X: stigma (1)
Y: anther (1)
9 (a)(ii) An explanation that makes reference to three of the following:
• insect (pollination) / bee / eq (1)
• (because it has) large petals / eq (1)
• (and) Y / anthers / stamen, within the flower / not hanging out / eq (1)
• (and) X / stigma within the flower / not feathery / not hanging out / eq (1)
9 (b)(i) ungerminated seeds: starch (1)
germinating seeds: starch and, glucose / sugar / maltose (1)
9 (b)(ii) An explanation that makes reference to three of the following:
In ungerminated seeds:
• starch is for (energy) storage (1)
• as it is insoluble / does not affect osmosis / eq (1)
In germinating seeds:
• (water activates) enzymes / amylase / carbohydrase (1)
• digests / converts / breaks down starch into maltose / glucose / sugar (1)
• (glucose is used in) respiration / for energy (1)
9 (b)(iii) An explanation that makes reference to two of the following:
• allows oxygen in (1)
• for germination / respiration / eq (1)
• allows carbon dioxide to escape / eq (1)
Question 10
Red blood cells and white blood cells are two components of blood.
(a) The diagram shows some red blood cells from a fish.
Human red blood cells have a biconcave shape. Fish red blood cells have a more
rounded, sphere-like shape.
(i) Give a difference, other than shape, between the structure of fish red blood cells and human red blood cells.
(ii) Explain why fish red blood cells transport oxygen less efficiently than human red blood cells.
(b) Llamas are large mammals that have evolved to live at high altitude where there is less oxygen in the atmosphere.
The red blood cells of llamas can absorb more oxygen than the red blood cells of animals that live at low altitude.
Explain how llamas have evolved by natural selection to live at high altitude.
(c) Phagocytes are white blood cells that are transported in the blood.
Describe the role of phagocytes in the body.
▶️Answer/Explanation
10 (a)(i)
• nucleus (present) (1)
10 (a)(ii) An explanation that makes reference to two of the following:
• (shape gives) lower surface area (to volume ratio) (1)
• less space / nucleus takes up space (in cell) (1)
• (less space for) haemoglobin (1)
• less diffusion / less oxygen absorbed / less oxygen taken up / eq (1)
10 (b) An explanation that makes reference to four of the following:
• mutation (1)
• variation (in haemoglobin / how much oxygen is absorbed) (1)
• llamas survive / compete better / eq (1)
• reproduce / create offspring / eq (1)
• pass on allele / gene / eq (1)
10 (c) A description that makes reference to three of the following:
• engulf / eq (1)
• microbes / pathogens / bacteria / viruses / eq (1)
• digest / break down (1)
• using enzymes (1)