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COMBINED SCIENCE A

OCR 2024
GCSE Combined Science A
(Gateway Science)
J250/01 Biology (Foundation Tier)
With Marking Scheme Merged

Oxford Cambridge and RSA

Friday 10 May 2024 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A
(Gateway Science)
J250/01 Biology (Foundation Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 10 minutes

F

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

*

J

2

5

0

0

1

*

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 60
...

• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*)
...

ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer
...

Write your answer to each question in the box provided
...

Which type of substance is used to colour the cells?
A Acid
B Hormone C
Lipid
D Stain
Your answer

2

[1]

The total magnification of an image viewed using a light microscope is calculated using a
formula
...

Which row describes where plasmids are found?
Where they are found

Type of cell

A

cytoplasm

eukaryotic

B

cytoplasm

prokaryotic

C

nucleus

eukaryotic

D

nucleus

prokaryotic

Your answer
© OCR 2024

[1]

3
4

The graph shows the effect of pH on the activity of two enzymes
...


Enzyme activity

2

A

pH 4

B

pH 6

C

pH 8

D

pH 10

4

6

8 10 12 14
pH

Your answer

© OCR 2024

[1]

Turn over

4
5

The model represents a molecule found inside human cells
...


Which term describes this hypothesis?
A

Active site

B

Denaturing

C

Enzyme specificity

D

Lock and key

Your answer

© OCR 2024

[1]

5
7

The table shows information about transport of substances
...

Which graph shows the correct effect of increased air movement on the rate of water uptake?
A

B

Rate of water
uptake

Rate of water
uptake
Air movement

Air movement

C

D

Rate of water
uptake

Rate of water
uptake
Air movement

Air movement

Your answer

© OCR 2024

[1]

Turn over

6
9

The table shows some information about insulin in the body
...
3
µm
...
3 × 10
–3
B 5
...
3 × 10 D
6
5
...


(a) Complete the sentences about red blood cells
...

biconcave

chlorophyll

haemoglobin

nitrogen

oxygen

water

helix

Red blood cells are adapted to transport
...


around the body
...


Another adaptation is their
...

[3]
(b) Bone marrow cells inside human bones differentiate to form red blood cells
...
[1]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

8
(c) This diagram shows the human heart
...

Use the diagram to complete the table
...

prevents backflow of blood

B

...



...

The graph shows the changes that occur to female hormone concentrations in the blood during
the menstrual cycle
...
[1]

(ii) Draw a line from each hormone to its correct name
...

(a) Oxygen is a product of photosynthesis
...

2
...

True

False

Carbohydrates are produced in photosynthesis
...

Photosynthesis is a two-stage process
...

[2]
(c) The diagram shows apparatus used to investigate photosynthesis
...

(i)

A student counts the number of oxygen bubbles released from the
pondweed
...

Calculate the rate of photosynthesis
...


Rate =
...

Describe how they should develop their investigation
...



...


...


...
[3]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

12
13
(a) Doctors can test your eye reflexes by touching the eye to make you blink
...

Face muscles

Eye
Part of the
brain
Brush
Spinal cord

Complete the sentences to describe the reflex arc
...

The stimulus is the brush
...

The stimulus is detected by
...

Nerve impulses are sent along the sensory neurone to the
...

[4]

© OCR 2024

13
(b) A study recorded the reaction time of people of different ages
...


(i)

Age group
(years)

Mean reaction time
(seconds)

25 – 34

0
...
210

45 – 54

0
...
230

65+

0
...
[1]

(ii) Calculate the percentage increase from the 25–34 age group’s mean reaction time and the
65+ age group
...


Percentage increase =
...
12
s
...

Which age group has a mean reaction time closest to this 25 year old driver?

...
They use agar jelly stained red with a pH
indicator
...


•

Place each agar cube into a different boiling tube
...


•

Record the time taken for each agar cube to turn yellow
...


Dilute hydrochloric acid

Red agar

Yellow agar

The table shows their results
...

1
...

Write your answer in the table
...
The result for their first
attempt was 122 seconds
...


...


•
•
•

They feed by absorbing nutrients directly from their animal host
...

The tapeworm has a surface area to volume ratio similar to agar cube A
...

Use data from the table
...


...


...


...


...


...


...
15
...
15
...

Fig
...
1

Fig
...
2

Xylem vessels

Phloem vessels

(a) The arrows show direction of movement inside the vessels
...
15
...

1
...

2
...

[2]
(b) Compare the type of substances transported in xylem and phloem vessels
...


...
[2]

(c) Explain how the transport of substances through xylem changes on a warm day compared with a
cold day
...


...
[2]

© OCR 2024

17
16 A teacher investigates the effect of different enzymes on starch
...

This is the method they use:
•
•
•
•
•

3
3
Add 1 cm of an enzyme to 5 cm of starch solution in a boiling tube
...

Add Benedict’s solution to the mixture
...

Record the colour of the Benedict’s solution after heating
...

Fig
...
1 shows how the teacher tested for the presence of sugar in the mixture
...
16
...

(i)

Identify the dependent variable in this investigation
...
[1]

(ii) Suggest one hazard in this investigation and the precaution the teacher should take
...

Precaution
...

[1]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

18
(b) Fig
...
2 is a chart that shows the colour of Benedict’s solution after heating in
different concentrations of sugar solution
...
16
...
0

Yellow

Green
0
...
0

1
...
0

Brick-red

Orange
2
...
0

>3
...

Mixture of
enzyme
and starch

Colour of the
Benedict’s solution
after heating

A

brick-red

B

blue

C

orange

D

yellow

Sugar concentration
in mixture
(%)

...

2
...
5


...

(ii) The concentration of sugar in mixture C stated in the table is not an accurate value
...
[1]

© OCR 2024

[1]

19
(c) The amount of light absorbed by different colours can be measured
...
1
...
2
1
...
8
Absorbance
0
...
4
0
...
0

0

1

2

3

4

5

Sugar concentration (%)
(i)

The teacher investigates the light absorbed by the different coloured
mixtures
...
2 for mixture C
...


Sugar concentration =
...

Suggest how the student could improve their method to find out how precise their
measurement is for mixture C
...


...
You must write the question numbers clearly
in the margin
...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...


...
OCR qualifications include
AS/A Levels, Diplomas, GCSEs, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, Functional Skills,
Key Skills, Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in areas such as IT,
business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills
...
OCR is a not-for-profit organisation; any surplus made
is invested back into the establishment to help towards the development of qualifications and
support, which keep pace with the changing needs of today’s society
...
It shows the basis on which marks were awarded by examiners
...

All examiners are instructed that alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches
in candidates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and
skills demonstrated
...

© OCR 2024

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations

J250/01

Mark Scheme

June 2024

MARKING INSTRUCTIONS
PREPARATION FOR MARKING
RM ASSESSOR
1
...


2
...
These are available in RM Assessor
...


Log-in to RM Assessor and mark the required number of practice responses (“scripts”) and the required number of
standardisation responses
...


Mark strictly to the mark scheme
...


Marks awarded must relate directly to the marking criteria
...


The schedule of dates is very important
...
If you experience problems, you must contact your Team Leader (Supervisor) without delay
...


If you are in any doubt about applying the mark scheme, consult your Team Leader by telephone, email or via the RM Assessor
messaging system
...


Mark Scheme

June 2024

Crossed Out Responses
Where a candidate has crossed out a response and provided a clear alternative then the crossed out response is not marked
...

Rubric Error Responses – Optional Questions
Where candidates have a choice of question across a whole paper or a whole section and have provided more answers than required, then
all responses are marked and the highest mark allowable within the rubric is given
...
(The underlying assumption is that the candidate has penalised themselves
by attempting more questions than necessary in the time allowed
...

When a question requires candidates to select more than one option/multiple options, then local marking arrangements need to ensure
consistency of approach
...

Short Answer Questions (requiring only a list by way of a response, usually worth only one mark per response)
Where candidates are required to provide a set number of short answer responses then only the set number of responses should be marked
...
The remaining responses should not then be marked
...
(The underlying assumption is that the candidate
is attempting to hedge their bets and therefore getting undue benefit rather than engaging with the question and giving the most
relevant/correct responses
...
)
Longer Answer Questions (requiring a developed response)
Where candidates have provided two (or more) responses to a medium or high tariff question which only required a single (developed) response
and not crossed out the first response, then only the first response should be marked
...

6
...
If
the candidate has continued an answer there then add the annotation ‘SEEN’ to confirm that the work has been seen
...


Award No Response (NR) if:
•

there is nothing written in the answer space

Award Zero ‘0’ if:
• anything is written in the answer space and is not worthy of credit (this includes text and symbols)
...

8
...
Please refer to
these comments when checking your practice responses
...

If you have any questions or comments for your Team Leader, use the phone, the RM Assessor messaging system, or email
...


Assistant Examiners will send a brief report on the performance of candidates to their Team Leader (Supervisor) via email by the end of the
marking period
...
Constructive
criticism of the question paper/mark scheme is also appreciated
...


Mark Scheme

June 2024

For answers marked by levels of response:
Read through the whole answer from start to finish, using the Level descriptors to help you decide whether it is a strong or weak answer
...
Using a ‘best-fit’ approach based on the skills and science content evidenced within the
answer, first decide which set of level descriptors, Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3, best describes the overall quality of the answer
...

The lower mark should be awarded where the level descriptor has been evidenced but aspects of the communication statement (in
italics) are missing
...

The communication statement determines the mark within a

level
...


5

J250/01

11
...

Annotation

Meaning

/

alternative and acceptable answers for the same marking point



Separates marking points

DO NOT ALLOW

Answers which are not worthy of credit

IGNORE

Statements which are irrelevant

ALLOW

Answers that can be accepted

()

Words which are not essential to gain credit

__

Underlined words must be present in answer to score a mark

ECF

Error carried forward

AW

Alternative wording

ORA

Or reverse argument

7

J250/01
12
...
This material includes:
•

the specification, especially the assessment objectives

•

the question paper

•

the mark scheme
...

You should ensure also that you are familiar with the administrative procedures related to the marking process
...
If you are examining for the first time, please read carefully Appendix 5 Introduction to Script Marking:
Notes for New Examiners
...
Your first point of contact is your Team Leader
...


AO1
...


AO1
...

Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures
...
1

Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas
...
2

Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures
...
1

Analyse information and ideas to interpret and evaluate, make judgements and draw conclusions and develop and improve
experimental procedures
...


AO3
...


AO3
...


AO3
...


AO3
...


AO3
...


AO3
...


AO3
...


AO3
...


9

J250/01

Mark Scheme

June 2024

For answers to Section A if an answer box is blank ALLOW correct indication of answer e
...
, circled or underlined
...
2

2

A

1

1
...
1

4

C

1

2
...
1

6

D

1

1
...
1

8

C

1

2
...
1

10

B

1

1
...
1

1

1
...
1

Guidance

✓

✓

✓

✓
✓

✓

Lumen
(d)

Marks

✓

Haemoglobin

June 2024

✓
ALLOW hole/centre

✓

(i)

11

(ii)

Hormone X – oestrogen

1

2
...
1

✓

Hormone Y – progesterone

✓

11

J250/01

Mark Scheme

Question

Answer

Marks

12 (a)

2
Carbon dioxide
Water

June 2024
AO
Guidance
element
2 x 1
...


All four correct
= 2 marks
Two or three correct = 1 mark
One correct
= 0 marks

✓

Photosynthesis is an exothermic reaction
...
1

False

✓

Photosynthesis takes place in the
mitochondria
...
7/7
...
6……

2


ALLOW evidence of correct rounding of incorrect



=8

2 x 2
...
2

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

AW e
...
, brushing, poking, stroking
ALLOW in the eye
DO NOT ALLOW into the eye

1
...
1

DO NOT ALLOW neurone
ALLOW CNS / relay neurone / inter-neurone
DO NOT ALLOW spinal cord

2
...
4 (%) award 3 marks
If correct answer is given to a different number of
significant figures award two marks
...
g
...
432
(%)

1
3

2
...
2



(0
...
185) = 0
...
06 ÷ 0
...
g
...
324324 x100] or

ECF for incorrect substitution from MP1

✓

e
...
, 32
...
4 (%) (3 s
...
)

ALLOW evidence of correct rounding of incorrect
answer from MP2 to 3 s
...
for one mark
(iii) 65+

✓
1

14

3
...
2



quick/was quicker than A

AO
element

2

=2:1
(ii)

June 2024

2
...
1b

ALLOW 6:3 or other correct ratio for one mark as
alternative to [54 ÷ 27] if no calculation stated
DO NOT ALLOW: 54:27

AW

J250/01
(b)

Mark Scheme
(i)

Please refer to the marking instructions on page 4 of this
mark scheme for guidance on how to mark this question
...
1
2 x 3
...
2b

AO2
...
1a Analyse information and ideas to
interpret the data

There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is
clear and logically structured
...


•

•
Level 2 (3–4 marks)
Clear interpretation of data
AND
Clear explanation of an advantage

cube A has the largest surface area to volume
ratio and the fastest time to turn yellow
diffusion rate of A is the fastest

AO3
...
The information presented is relevant
and supported by some evidence
...
The information is in the most part relevant
...


16

tapeworm will have a large surface area to
volume ratio so can absorb more nutrients/
quickly/more efficiently
tapeworm will not need a transport
system because they have a large
surface area to volume ratio
tapeworm will not need an exchange
systems/lungs/digestive system because they
have a large surface area to volume ratio
tapeworm will not need a excretory
systems because they have a large surface
area to volume ratio

J250/01

Mark Scheme

Question
15 (a)

Answer
Any two from:
Movement in both directions

Marks
2



June 2024
AO
Guidance
element
2 x 2
...
g
...
1

✓

Xylem transports mineral ions

✓

Phloem transports (dissolved) sugar

ALLOW xylem transports minerals
IGNORE just ‘ions’ / nutrients / food
DO NOT ALLOW incorrect substances e
...
sugar

✓
ALLOW sucrose for sugar / amino acids
IGNORE (dissolved) food / nutrients
DO NOT ALLOW glucose / minerals
IGNORE any reference to direction as this is
assessed in (a)

17

J250/01

Mark Scheme

Question

Answer

Marks

(c)

June 2024
AO
element

2
Increases (transport)

Guidance
Assume answer refers to a warm day unless
otherwise stated

✓
2
...
1
ALLOW more evaporation from leaves

✓

ALLOW more water evaporates through the
stomata / more water vapour escapes through the
stomata

18

J250/01

Mark Scheme

Question
16 (a) (i)

Answer
Colour of (Benedict’s) solution at the end

Marks

✓

1

June 2024
AO
element
2
...
1b

Hazard must link to precaution
ALLOW do not touch / wear (heatproof) gloves
ALLOW use a water bath instead
ALLOW flame so tie hair back
ALLOW risk burning, keep Bunsen burner on
safety flame when not in use
ALLOW keep flammable objects away from
fire/flame
IGNORE hazard “Bunsen burner” / heat (needs
risk of fire / burning)
IGNORE precaution “put on heat proof mat”
IGNORE stay away from the fire / flame

Or
Liquid may spit out of tube
and wear eye protection

ALLOW safety glasses / goggles / plastic or glass
shield
IGNORE just ‘glasses’
ALLOW eye irritations from chemical / Benedict’s
and wear goggles
ALLOW point test tube away from face when
heating

✓

IGNORE references to glassware breaking

19

J250/01

Mark Scheme

Question
(b)

(i)

Answer

Marks
1

percentage concentration of
sugar in mixture

June 2024
AO
element
3
...
5 +
ALLOW ≥ 3
...
5 <

>3
...
0 - 0
...
5

(2
...
5)
1
...
5

(c)

✓

(ii)

Not a single value / range of values

(i)
(ii)

2
...
1b

1
1

2
...
3b

ALLOW idea colour change is subjective / colours
can be perceived differently / orange can be
mistaken for yellow
ALLOW it is a large interval
ALLOW values overlap

✓

Repeat (method for mixture C) and find a mean

✓

20

ALLOW repeat until they have no anomalous
values



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