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Title: OCR 2024 GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) J257/03 Breadth in biology (Higher Tier) With Marking Scheme Merged
Description: OCR 2024 GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) J257/03 Breadth in biology (Higher Tier) With Marking Scheme Merged BIOLOGY B Oxford Cambridge and RSA Friday 10 May 2024 – Morning GCSE (9–1) Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) J257/03 Breadth in biology (Higher Tier) Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes You must have: • a ruler (cm/mm) You can use: • an HB pencil • a scientific or graphical calculator * J H 2 5 7 0 3 * Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes. Centre number First name(s) Last name INSTRUCTIONS Candidate number • Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams. • Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use the lined page at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown. • Answer all the questions. • Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong. INFORMATION • The total mark for this paper is 90. • The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ]. • This document has 28 pages. ADVICE • Read each question carefully before you start your answer. 2 1 A student is investigating how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis. (a) (i) Fig. 1.1 shows the equipment the student sets up. Fig. 1.1 Table lamp Bubbles Pondweed Water Describe the method the student will use with the equipment in Fig. 1.1 to find how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis. Include in your answer: • what they will change • what they will keep the same • what data they will record. .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................

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BIOLOGY B

OCR 2024
GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science)
J257/03 Breadth in biology (Higher Tier)
With Marking Scheme Merged

Oxford Cambridge and RSA

Friday 10 May 2024 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) Biology B (Twenty
First Century Science)
J257/03 Breadth in biology (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes

H

You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
• an HB pencil
• a scientific or graphical calculator

*

J

2

5

7

0

3

*

Please write clearly in black ink
...


Centre number

Candidate number

First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink
...

• Write your answer to each question in the space provided
...
The question numbers must be clearly shown
...

• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working
...

INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 90
...

• This document has 28 pages
...


2
1

A student is investigating how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis
...
1
...

Fig
...
1

Table lamp

Bubbles

Pondweed

Water

Describe the method the student will use with the equipment in Fig
...
1 to find how light intensity
affects the rate of photosynthesis
...


...


...


...


...


...
1
...

Fig
...
2

A second student suggests that the equipment shown in Fig
...
2 will improve the investigation
...


...


...


...
[2]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

4
(b) Fig
...
3 shows the effect of changing the light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis
...
1
...
1
...

Section A
Section B
Sections A and B
[1]

© OCR 2024

5
BLANK PAGE

PLEASE DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAGE

Turn over for the next question

© OCR 2024

Turn over

6
2

The diagram shows the feeding relationships of some of the organisms that live in an
Arctic ecosystem
...

A community
A population
An individual
[1]

© OCR 2024

7
(b) Complete each sentence by writing in the correct number
...
producers in the food web
...
herbivores in the food web
...

[3]
(c) A lemming has a mass of 82 g
...
Calculate the percentage mass the arctic fox has consumed
...


Percentage mass consumed =
...

(i)

Eggs contain protein
...
[1]

(ii) The yolk of the egg contains lipids
...

amino acids

fatty acids

glucose

glycerol

[2]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

8
(iii) A student calculates the surface area and volume of an egg
...
5
2
3
cm Volume of the egg = 50 cm

Show that the surface area to volume ratio of the egg is 1
...


[2]

© OCR 2024

9
BLANK PAGE

PLEASE DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAGE

Turn over for the next question

© OCR 2024

Turn over

10
3
(a) Sam is visiting Norway where the average temperature in the winter is –6
...
Sam steps outside the hotel wearing only a jumper
...

Use words from the list
...


in the skin
...
which coordinates a response
...

The body will respond by
...

Method
...


...


...


...


...
[2]

© OCR 2024

11
BLANK PAGE

PLEASE DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAGE

Turn over for the next question

© OCR 2024

Turn over

12
4

A student is investigating the distribution of stomata on leaf
surfaces
...

Leaf 1 – they cover the lower surface of the leaf in waterproof grease
...

Leaf 3 – they cover both surfaces of the leaf in waterproof grease
...

The results of the experiment are shown in the diagram
Leaf 1

Leaf 2

Leaf 3

Leaf 4

Slight wilting

Significant wilting

No sign of wilting

Dry and shrivelled

(a) Explain why applying waterproof grease to both sides of the leaf prevented wilting
...


...


...


...


Explain how the results of the investigation support the student’s conclusion
...


...


...


...
[1]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

14
5

Rats are considered a pest to many farmers as they eat their crops
...

Some rats developed a natural resistance to warfarin
...
[1]

(b) Complete the sentences to explain how more rats developed resistance to warfarin
...

allele

die

genome

respire

ribosome

survive

reproduce

Rats that were resistant to the warfarin were more likely to
...


and
for resistance

to
...


[3]
(c) State the names of the two scientists who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection
...
and
...


...
[1]

© OCR 2024

15
BLANK PAGE

PLEASE DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAGE

Turn over for the next question

© OCR 2024

Turn over

16
6
(a) The human body has two communication systems:



the hormonal system
the nervous system
...

1
...

[2]
(b) ADH is a hormone that controls the water balance in the body
...


Cerebellum
Which structure
releases ADH?

Where does ADH
have its effect?

Kidney tubules

Pancreas

Pituitary gland
[2]
(c) What effect will body fluids that contain too much water have on cells?

...


...


...
[3]

© OCR 2024

17
7

Some babies are born with cataracts
...

What role does the lens have in the functioning of the eye?

...
In
a trial, scientists removed the lens from 12 babies with cataracts but left behind the stem cells
...

(i)

Explain how the new lens grew from the stem cells
...


...


...


...


...
[1]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

18
8

Salmonella is a communicable disease caused by bacteria
...


A doctor sees a patient with symptoms that suggest they have food poisoning caused by
Salmonella bacteria
...

(a) Suggest a suitable sample that could be taken from the patient that can be tested for Salmonella
bacteria
...
[1]

(b) When the sample arrives at the laboratory the scientists first make a culture of the bacteria
...


...


...
[2]

(c) The scientists take a sample from the culture
...
They
use a stain that turns Salmonella bacteria pink
...


...


...


...


...
[3]

© OCR 2024

19
(d) Explain why it is important that aseptic techniques are used at all stages of the procedure
...


...

(i)

State one advantage of asexual reproduction
...


...


...
[1]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

20
9
(a) Monoclonal antibodies can be produced in the laboratory and used to treat disease
...

A Antibody producing cells are removed from the animal
...
C
Cells are cultured to produce clones
...

E White blood cells which produce the antibodies are made by the animal
...

One has been done for you
...

Disease

Pathogen

Athletes foot

Bacteria

HIV

Fungus

Influenza

Protist

Malaria

Virus
[3]

© OCR 2024

21
(c) The United Nations collects data on global diseases
...

Region

(i)

Estimated number of new HIV infections

Asia and the Pacific

3
...
6 × 10

Eastern and Southern Africa

5
...
6 × 10

Latin America

1
...
7 × 10

Western and central Africa

1
...
8 × 10

5
4
5
5
5
4
5
4

Which region had the highest estimated number of new HIV infections in 2022?

...

1
...

[2]
(iii) The data provided by the United Nations is an estimation and is not the actual number of new
HIV infections
...


...


...
[2]

(iv) HIV destroys an important type of white blood cell called CD4
...
One particular person living with HIV has <200 CD4 cells per mm
...


...
[1]
© OCR 2024

Turn over

22
10

Fig
...
1 and Fig
...
2 show the United Nations population projections for the year 2100
...
10
...

Fig
...
2 shows the projections made in 2020
...
10
...
10
...
0
4
...
5
Africa

Populatio
n

Population (billions)

Projections

5
...
0

4
...
5

3
...
0

3
...
5

China and India
Africa

2
...
0

India

2
...
5

China
Latin America

1
...
0

Europe

1
...
5

Asia without
China and India

0
...

1
...

2
...

[2]

© OCR 2024

23
(b) Suggest why the United Nations revises their projections regularly
...


...

Describe two biological factors that affect food security
...


...

2
...


...

Scientists have genetically engineered rice to contain beta carotene, which the body can use to
make vitamin A
...

Gene for beta carotene is
removed from the DNA
of daffodils
...


Plasmid is inserted into bacteria
...
They
‘infect’ the embryos and transfer the
gene
...


© OCR 2024

25
(i)

Explain why it is important that only the gene that is required from the daffodil is removed
from the daffodil DNA
...


...


...


...
[1]

(iii) What vector is used to genetically engineer rice?

...


...
[1]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

26
11 PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) is a genetic condition found in cats
...

(a) Explain why cat breeders will be more concerned about a genetic condition that is caused by
a dominant allele than a recessive allele
...


...


...


...

(i)

Show how these cats could produce kittens that have PKD
...

Use D to represent the dominant allele and d to represent the recessive allele
...

Calculate the probability that both kittens have PKD
...
[2]
© OCR 2024

27
(c) The cat breeder could use genome sequencing to determine which of the kittens has PKD
...

Suggest why the cat breeder decides to spend this money
...


...

How many chromosomes will a cat have in a sperm cell?
Tick (✓) one box
19
38
57
76
[1]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

© OCR 2024

28
EXTRA ANSWER SPACE
If you need extra space use this lined page
...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...



...


...


Higher
GCSE
Biology B Twenty First Century Science
J257/03: Breadth in Biology (Higher Tier)
General Certificate of Secondary Education

Mark Scheme for June 2024

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations

OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of
qualifications to meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities
...


It is also responsible for developing new specifications to meet national requirements and
the needs of students and teachers
...

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements
of the examination
...
It does not
indicate the details of the discussions which took place at an examiners’ meeting before
marking commenced
...

Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the published question papers and the
report on the examination
...


Make sure that you have accessed and completed the relevant training packages for on-screen marking: RM Assessor Online Training; OCR
Essential Guide to Marking
...


Make sure that you have read and understood the mark scheme and the question paper for this unit
...


3
...


MARKING
1
...


2
...


3
...
It is essential that you meet the RM Assessor 50% and 100% (traditional 50% Batch 1 and
100% Batch 2) deadlines
...


4
...


2

J257/03
5
...


where a candidate crosses out an answer and provides an alternative response, the crossed out response is not marked and gains
no marks

b
...


6
...
If
the candidate has continued an answer there then add a tick to confirm that the work has been seen
...


There is a NR (No Response) option
...
g
...
g
...


Note: Award 0 marks – for an attempt that earns no credit (including copying out the question)
...


The RM Assessor comments box is used by your Team Leader to explain the marking of the practice responses
...
Do not use the comments box for any other reason
...


9
...
The report should contain notes on particular strengths displayed as well as common errors or weaknesses
...


3

J257/03
10
...

The indicative scientific content in the Guidance column indicates the expected parameters for candidates’ answers, but be prepared to
recognise and credit unexpected approaches where they show relevance
...

Once the level is located, award the higher or lower mark:
The higher mark should be awarded where the level descriptor has been evidenced and all aspects of the communication statement
(in italics) have been met
...

In summary:
The skills and science content determines the level
...


4

J257/03
11
...


Mark Scheme

Abbreviations, annotations and conventions used in the detailed Mark Scheme (to include abbreviations and subject-specific
conventions)
...


Mark Scheme

June 2024

Subject-specific Marking Instructions

INTRODUCTION
Your first task as an Examiner is to become thoroughly familiar with the material on which the examination depends
...


You should ensure that you have copies of these materials
...
These are set out in the OCR
booklet Instructions for Examiners
...

Please ask for help or guidance whenever you need it
...


7

J257/03

Mark Scheme

June 2024

The breakdown of Assessment Objectives for GCSE (9-1) in Biology B:
Assessment Objective
AO1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and scientific techniques and procedures
...
1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas
...
2
AO2

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific techniques and procedures
...


AO2
...


AO2
...


AO3
AO3
...

Analyse information and ideas to interpret and evaluate
...
1a

Analyse information and ideas to interpret
...
1b

Analyse information and ideas to evaluate
...
2

Analyse information and ideas to make judgements and draw conclusions
...
2a

Analyse information and ideas to make judgements
...
2b

Analyse information and ideas to draw conclusions
...
3

Analyse information and ideas to develop and improve experimental procedures
...
3a

Analyse information and ideas to develop experimental procedures
...
3b

Analyse information and ideas to improve experimental procedures
...
2

(Count) the number of bubbles produced by the plant
over a set/stated period of time

Guidance
ALLOW stated distances
ALLOW change the intensity of the
bulb/lamp/light source
IGNORE amount of light
ALLOW time how long it takes to count stated
number of bubbles
IGNORE ref to rate unqualified
IGNORE record the speed of the bubbles



Any one from
Idea that will control or keep the same:(Piece/type/species/size/length) pondweed




External light sources

Temperature

Carbon dioxide concentration
Volume/stated volume of water

pH of water

(ii)



Any two from
Idea that bubbles/gas/oxygen enters/is collected in the
syringe/equipment OR bubbles/gas/oxygen can’t
escape



2

3
...
1
2
...
1

Guidance

Guidance




2

3

3

1

AO
element
3
...
5% award 3 marks
75 ÷ 82 / 0
...
91463415 x 100 / 91
...
4 (and any correct evaluated
number) for 2 marks
ALLOW if MP1 is not awarded, credit any
number below 1 multiplied by 100
...
5%

(d)


ALLOW an incorrect evaluated number
correctly rounded to 3 sig figs



(i)
(ii)

Biuret

(iii)

Ratio of 67
...
5 ÷ 50 = 1
...
2
1
...
2

ALLOW 50 ÷ 1 = 50
ALLOW 1 x 50 = 50
ALLOW 1
...
5
ALLOW 67
...
35 = 50

10

J257/03

Question
3
(a)

Mark Scheme

(i)

receptors

hypothalamus

muscles

shivering
(b)

Answer



June 2024

Marks
4

AO
1
...
1

Guidance



(Method) Sweating



IGNORE use of water to cool the body
ALLOW idea of making skin wet

(Explanation)
Any two from
(Humid environment) idea that the air is moist/there is
lots of water (vapour)



Less water/sweat will evaporate/won’t evaporate as
fast/will evaporate slower

Less heat from skin (transferred)
(c)

Enzymes

IGNORE no water/sweat will evaporate
ALLOW idea of less diffusion of water into the
surroundings






2

1
...
g respiration,
digestion
ALLOW enzymes work best at 37oC(in the
human body) in place of optimum temperature





(Enzymes) denature at high temperature
(Enzymes) enzymes are less active at low temperature


11

IGNORE enzymes denature at low
temperatures

J257/03

4

Question
(a)

Mark Scheme
Answer
Idea that water leaves through the stomata

June 2024

Marks
2



AO
1 x 1
...
1

ALLOW transpiration

(Applying grease to both sides of the leaf prevents
wilting because it) reduces water loss / less
evaporation/diffusion of water from the leaf

(b)



Any one from

2

3
...
1

IGNORE phloem, stem

J257/03

Question
5
(a)

(b)

Mark Scheme

Answer
Gene mutation/mutation of DNA

survive



reproduce

allele
(c)
(d)



June 2024

Marks
1

AO
1
...
1

1
1

1
...
1





(Charles) Darwin AND (Alfred) Wallace
Any one from
Does not fit with their beliefs





Unaware of/do not understand of the evidence ✓
Interpret the evidence differently

Guidance
ALLOW change in nucleotide/base sequence
(of DNA)
ALLOW genetic mutation
ALLOW reproduce if not used for the second
space
DO NOT ALLOW survive



Idea that they cannot observe (evolution) in real time



13

ALLOW any sensible suggestion

J257/03

Question
6
(a)

Mark Scheme

Answer

June 2024

Marks
2

Any two from
(Hormonal system response is…)

AO
1
...
1

3

1
...
1

2

2
...
1

Guidance
ALLOW fovea
ALLOW converges light



(Divided by) mitosis
(ii)



Any one from
Idea that the initial trial performed only used 12
babies/small sample size

ALLOW any sensible suggestion



Idea that there is no information on how their sight was
after 3 months/longer term



Consequences if procedure doesn’t work long term e
...
1

ALLOW saliva, mucus, (tissue/cell) sample
from the digestive system or named digestive





Any one from
Idea to increase the number of bacteria/ to grow
colonies of bacteria

Guidance

2

1
...
2
1 x 3
...
1

Guidance

To prevent culturing of/contamination (of the sample)

ALLOW only the sample of bacteria you require

by other pathogens/bacteria/microorganisms

is cultured



Idea that it prevents cross contamination between
(patients’) samples



Idea that it will protect those working with the
bacteria/undertaking the procedure



Idea that results/diagnosis will not be affected by



contamination
(e)



(i)

Fast/quick

(ii)

Lack of genetic variation/diversity



17

1

1
...
1

ALLOW Only 1 parent needed / don’t need to
find a mate
ALLOW requires less energy
IGNORE genetically identical unqualified
ALLOW idea that all offspring have
advantageous trait
ALLOW all genetically identical
ALLOW idea that all offspring will be prone to
the same disease
ALLOW idea that all offspring have the same
disadvantageous trait/inherited disease

J257/03

9

Question
(a)

(b)

Mark Scheme
Answer

✓✓✓
(i) B E A D C

(i)

June 2024
Marks
3

AO
1
...
1

Guidance
E directly before A = 1 mark
A directly before D = 1 mark
D directly before C = 1 mark
ALLOW BEDAC for 1 mark
All 4 for 3 marks
3 correct for 2 marks
2/1 correct for 1 mark

✓✓✓
(c)

(i)
(ii)

Eastern and Southern Africa


1
2

Any two from
Less education/awareness on (HIV) transmission/
prevention

2
...
2a

ALLOW any sensible suggestion

3
...
g
...
2b

ALLOW idea of reduced immune
response/develop into AIDS

18

J257/03

10

Question
(a)

Mark Scheme
Answer
Any two from
Africa is now predicted to be higher than in previous
prediction

June 2024
Marks
2

AO
3
...
25
4
...
45
1
...
70
0
...
50
0
...
1+/- for data quotes

Asia (without China and India) was predicted to be highest
in 1975 but now its Africa

1975
2
...
20
1
...
45
1
...
90
0
...
05



Total population projection (for 2100) made in 2020 is
higher than projection made in 1975

(b)



Any one from

1

Development of new monitoring and recording methods
Changes in population data can happen regularly



2
...
1

Population changes

Changing diets

New pest / pest population changes

New disease / disease outbreak / disease control

Change in genetic variation

Change in biodiversity

Guidance

ALLOW invasive species

Resistance/lack of resistance to
insecticides/pesticides/fungicides

(d)

(i)

Genes code for proteins



ALLOW competition
ALLOW selective breeding/artificial selection
IGNORE GM crops


2

2
...
1



ALLOW idea that repeated attempts to insert
the plasmid may be needed





(iii) Plasmid/bacterium
(iv) Idea plant needs to be adapted/survive in the local
environment/conditions

1
1



20

2
...
2a

J257/03

Mark Scheme

Question
11

(a)

(i)

June 2024

Answer

Marks

The idea that (a condition caused by a dominant allele)
will be more common (in population/kittens) / condition
caused by a recessive allele will be less common (in

2

population/kittens)

AO
element
2
...
1
1 x 2
...
5 have PKD (or correct
percentages from their Punnett square)

Indication which of the offspring would have PKD

(ii)

First check the answer in table / on answer line
If answer = 0
...
5 x 0
...
25

If identifies male and female or uses XX and XY
the gametes must be correct
ALLOW another letter in place of D, d

2

2
...



ALLOW correct fractions or 50%


ALLOW any correct fractions or 25%

21

J257/03

Mark Scheme

Question
(c)

Answer

June 2024

Marks

Any one from

1

AO
element
3
...
1


Title: OCR 2024 GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) J257/03 Breadth in biology (Higher Tier) With Marking Scheme Merged
Description: OCR 2024 GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) J257/03 Breadth in biology (Higher Tier) With Marking Scheme Merged BIOLOGY B Oxford Cambridge and RSA Friday 10 May 2024 – Morning GCSE (9–1) Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) J257/03 Breadth in biology (Higher Tier) Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes You must have: • a ruler (cm/mm) You can use: • an HB pencil • a scientific or graphical calculator * J H 2 5 7 0 3 * Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes. Centre number First name(s) Last name INSTRUCTIONS Candidate number • Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams. • Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use the lined page at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown. • Answer all the questions. • Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong. INFORMATION • The total mark for this paper is 90. • The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ]. • This document has 28 pages. ADVICE • Read each question carefully before you start your answer. 2 1 A student is investigating how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis. (a) (i) Fig. 1.1 shows the equipment the student sets up. Fig. 1.1 Table lamp Bubbles Pondweed Water Describe the method the student will use with the equipment in Fig. 1.1 to find how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis. Include in your answer: • what they will change • what they will keep the same • what data they will record. .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................