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BIOLOGY A

OCR 2024
GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science)
J247/03 (Higher Tier)
With Marking Scheme Merged

Oxford Cambridge and RSA

Friday 10 May 2024 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) Biology A (Gateway Science)
J247/03 (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes

H

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

*

J

2

4

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
...

• 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 monomers is cellulose made
from? A Amino acids
B Fatty acids C
Glycerol
D Simple sugars

Your answer
2

[1]

The diagram shows the structure of the human brain
...

Which row is correct about what is included in the structure of a sensory neurone?
AxonDendron
A

✓

✓

B

✓

✗

C

✗

✓

D

✗

✗

Your answer
4

[1]

Which statement describes how the body responds to cold temperatures?
A Shivering and vasoconstriction
B Shivering and vasodilation
C Sweating and vasoconstriction D
Sweating and vasodilation

Your answer
5

[1]

Which substance in urine does the biuret test identify?
A Glucose
B Ions C
Protein
D Red blood cells

Your answer

© OCR 2024

[1]

Turn over

4
6

A section of DNA is analysed to find the percentage of each of the four bases
present
...

What is the percentage of the other bases in this section of DNA?
A 16% Adenine, 16% Cytosine, 52% Thymine
B 16% Adenine, 34% Cytosine, 34% Thymine C
34% Adenine, 16% Cytosine, 34% Thymine D
34% Adenine, 34% Cytosine, 16% Thymine

Your answer
7

[1]

Which statement about DNA is correct?
A DNA codes for the production of amino acids
...

C DNA is a polymer made of three different nucleotides
...


Your answer
8

[1]

What is the correct sequence of events in one cell cycle?
A Growth of the cell, DNA replication, movement of the chromosomes B
Growth of the cell, movement of the chromosomes, DNA replication C
Movement of the chromosomes, DNA replication, growth of the cell D
Movement of the chromosomes, growth of the cell, DNA replication
Your answer

© OCR 2024

[1]

5
9

Most people have two kidneys
...
How much blood does one kidney filter per
hour? A 0
...
33 litres
C 4170 millilitres D
8333 millilitres

Your answer

[1]

10 Which hormones are used in the female contraceptive pill?
A FSH and LH
B LH only
C Oestrogen only
D Progesterone and oestrogen

Your answer

[1]

11 A person focuses on a distant object
...

Which statement describes the effect on urine from drinking alcohol?
A Concentrated urine with a higher volume
B Concentrated urine with a lower volume C
Diluted urine with a higher volume
D Diluted urine with a lower volume

Your answer

[1]

13 What is the balanced equation for photosynthesis?
A 3CO2 + 3H2O

C6H12O6 + 3O2

B 6CO2 + 6H2O

C6H12O6 + 6O2

C C6H12O6 + 6O2
D 6H2O + 6O2

6H2O + 6CO2
C6H12O6 + 6CO2

Your answer

[1]

14 The graph shows the effect of light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and temperature
on the rate of photosynthesis
...
2% CO2

C
30 °C, 0
...
1% CO2

A
Light intensity

Your answer

© OCR 2024

[1]

7
15 In an experiment to investigate the effect of temperature on transpiration, a student measures the
air temperature with a thermometer
...

The student measures the temperature as 16 °C
...
5°C

B

+/– 1°C

C

+/– 2°C

D

+/– 5°C

Your answer

© OCR 2024

[1]

Turn over

8
Section B
16 A student investigates the effect of different concentrations of sugar solution on cubes
of beetroot
...

Step 2 Place each beetroot cube in a test tube containing a different concentration of sugar
solution
...

Step 4 Remove the beetroot cubes from the sugar solutions
...

They want to use the method above to collect the data they need, but have missed some
steps from the method
...


...


...


...
[3]

(b) State two variables that the student should control in this investigation
...

2
...

Repeatable
...


...


...

[3]
© OCR 2024

9
(d) Two of the beetroot cubes increased in mass
...


...


...
[2]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

10
17 In 2013, scientists researched the use of stem cells to reverse hearing loss
...

•

They used a chemical to cause deafness in one ear of each rodent
...


•

They transferred approximately 50 000 nerve cells into each rodent’s ear
...


(a)
(i) What type of stem cell will the scientists have used?

...

Can differentiate into any type of cell
Can differentiate into some types of cells
Easy to collect
[1]
(b) Results from the research showed that the 18 rodents regained an average of 46% of their
hearing
...

State three reasons why this scientist’s claim is incorrect
...


...


...


...


...
[1]

(c) The scientists discover that a different technique could one day be used to successfully treat
15% of the 10 million people who have hearing loss
...


Number of people =
...

(a) The words in the list are processes and parts of transport systems in animals and plants
...

(i)

Name the blood vessel that transports blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body
...
[1]

(ii) Name the process that plants use to transport sugars to the roots
...
[1]

(iii) Name the blood vessel that transports blood to the right atrium
...
[1]

(b) The substances transported around the organism enter cells either by active transport,
diffusion or osmosis
...
Tick (✓) one box in each row
...
19
...

Fig
...
1
Brain
Nerve

Eye

Nerve
(a) Compare the nervous system of the octopus in Fig
...
1 to that of a human
...


...


...


...
19
...

Fig
...
2

Distant object

Near object

Give two differences, shown on the diagram, between this process in the octopus compared to in
a human
...


...


...


(i)

Species

Eye size
(mm)

Body mass
(g)

Human

24

64 008

Octopus

20

200

Owl

28

784

Eye size : body mass
ratio
1:2667

1:28

Calculate the eye size : body mass ratio for the octopus
...
[2]
(ii) Owls hunt at night
...


...


...

(a) Plant hormones control many processes in plants
...

Each hormone can be used more than once
...
to produce fruits without seeds
...
to make them ripen
...

Selective weedkillers and rooting powders usually contain
...

Describe how cells are produced to allow stems to grow
...


...


...
20
...

Fig
...
1
Apical bud
Lateral bud

The apical bud affects the growth of the lateral buds
...

A scientist investigates how auxin produced in the apical bud prevents the growth of the
lateral buds
...
20
...
20
...

Fig
...
2

The apical bud is cut
off and the plant is left
to grow for two weeks
...
20
...
The plant is left
to grow for two weeks
...


...


...
[2]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

18
21 Yeast is a fungus
...


(i)

Name two sub-cellular structures the yeast cell has in common with both animal and plant cells
...

2
...

Explain why fungi are not classified as plants or as animals
...


...
[1]

© OCR 2024

19
(b) The image is of some yeast cells taken using an electron microscope
...
8 µm
...

Give your answer to 3 significant figures
...
[4]
(c) The cells in the image are baker’s yeast
...
The yeast respires
anaerobically
...
[1]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

20
22 Some people have a condition called varicose veins
...

(a) Describe the effect that this condition will have on blood flow
...


...


...


Age group

Number of
people with
varicose veins

Percentage of people
with varicose veins
who are male (%)

< 30

3 659

37
...
2

40–49

11 343

32
...
6

60–69

5 671

43
...
3

Give two conclusions that can be made from the data in the table
...


...


...

The study recorded how many of 43 724 people with varicose veins had three other
circulatory conditions
...
1
...
1
Circulatory condition

Number of people with varicose veins

Deep vein thrombosis

458

Heart attack

1434

Stroke

1116

The study also recorded how many of 18 491 people without varicose veins had the
three other circulatory conditions
...
2
...
2

(i)

Circulatory condition

Number of people without varicose veins

Deep vein thrombosis

79

Heart attack

638

Stroke

472

The scientists stated this conclusion from the study:
Individuals with varicose veins were at a greater risk of deep vein thrombosis
...

Explain how they came to this conclusion
...
1 and Table 22
...


...


...


...


...
[4]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

22
(ii) The results of this study were published in a peer reviewed journal
...


...


...

The diagram outlines how the release of thyroxine is controlled by the body
...


Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is
released from the pituitary gland when
thyroxine levels are low
...

The more TSH that is released, the
more thyroxine will be released
...


...


...


...
[3]

© OCR 2024

25
(b) This diagram shows the position of different endocrine glands in the body
...


•

the gland that produces thyroxine
...


...


...
[2]

© OCR 2024

Turn over

26
24 Glycogen storage disease is caused by a mutation in the DNA that codes for an enzyme
(a protein) that converts glycogen into glucose
...

(a)* Describe how a change to the triplet codes in the DNA can prevent the enzyme working and how
this can affect the person’s blood glucose level
...


...


...


...


...


...


...

Benedict’s solution is used to detect glucose in the urine
...

Describe how the results of the Benedict’s test can give a measure of the concentration of
glucose in a sample
...


...


...


...
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

J247/03

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
...


Mark Scheme

Annotations available in RM Assessor

Annotation

Meaning
Correct response
Incorrect response
Omission mark
Benefit of doubt given
Contradiction
Rounding error
Error in number of significant figures
Error carried forward
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Benefit of doubt not given
Noted but no credit given
Ignore

6

June 2024

J247/03

Mark Scheme

June 2024

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
...


8

J247/03

Mark Scheme

June 2024

The breakdown of Assessment Objectives for GCSE (9-1) in Biology A:
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
...
g
...

Question

Answer

Marks

AO
element

1

D

1

1
...
1

3

A

1

1
...
1

5

C

1

1
...
2

7

D

1

1
...
1

9

C

1

2
...
1

11

D

1

2
...
1

13

B

1

1
...
1

15

A

1

2
...
3a



ALLOW use scales
ALLOW weight for mass

Measure the mass of the beetroot cube at the start of the
experiment



Measure the mass of the beetroot cube at the end of the
experiment

ALLOW weight for mass





Reference to blotting/drying the outside of the cubes

Guidance


IGNORE any references to measuring
concentrations/volumes or making the cubes the
same mass
ALLOW one mark for simply measuring the
mass/weight of the cubes, if no other mark scored

(b)

Any two from:

2

Beetroot cubes come from the same plant



2 x 2
...
2

Guidance

Maximum two marks awarded in each section

Repeatable:
(The student/they should) repeat the experiment/take
repeat readings



Reproducible:



Use different equipment / use a different method
Another student/person conducts the experiment

ALLOW use a different beetroot

In either section once only:
To see if the results are the same/similar /
make sure there are no anomalies

(d)

IGNORE compare the results
ALLOW reference to small range bars being more
repeatable



Any two from:

2

Water moves in (to the beetroot/cubes/cells)



2 x 2
...
1
2
...
2a ALLOW answers referring to only 46% hearing
restored / 46% is not very high / less than half of
their hearing was regained
DO NOT ALLOW only 46%/less than half have
been cured/regained hearing

These results are only after 10 weeks / may not be a

some may have less than 46% improvement

Guidance

3
...
5 award 2 marks
10 x 0
...
2

ALLOW any correct calculating method



15/100 x 10

=1
...
1

1

1
...
1

3

3 x 1
...
1 Answer must have a combination of
similarities and differences for full marks



Both humans’ and octopuses’ central nervous systems/CNS
have a brain



Both humans and octopuses have eyes which contain receptors


Differences
Octopuses do not have a spinal cord / only humans have a

IGNORE references to synapses

spinal cord

ALLOW spine for spinal cord



All nerves in octopuses connect to the brain / all impulses in
octopuses go via the brain



(Octopus’) lens stays the same/does not get thicker /

(b)



human lens gets thicker

2

2 x 2
...
2



200÷20=10

Ratio = 1:10



ALLOW 20 : 200 for one mark

16

J247/03

Mark Scheme

Question

Answer

June 2024
Marks

(ii) Idea that they have large eyes (compared to body mass ) 

So more light can enter eye (to see in low light levels) 

17

1

1

AO
Guidance
element
2
...
1b

ALLOW they can take in more light
ALLOW they can have more rods/receptors/
larger retina to detect light

J247/03

Mark Scheme

Question
20 (a)

(b)

Answer



Ethene

Gibberellins

Auxin

Meristem (cells)

Auxin

Divide by mitosis

(c)



Marks

AO
element

4

4 x 1
...
1
DO NOT ALLOW meiosis

When the apical bud is cut off, there is no/less auxin and the lateral buds
grow

June 2024



When the apical bud is cut off, but auxin is added, the lateral buds do not



grow

18

2

2 x 3
...
1

Guidance





Ribosomes

Cytoplasm

Mitochondria
Nucleus

ALLOW ER / golgi / nucleolus / storage granules /
chromosomes
(ii)

Fungi have a cell wall/vacuoles, so not an animal
but no chloroplasts, so not a plant

(b)





First check the answer on the answer line
If answer = 11 400 award 4 marks
Measures the line as 3
...
2a

4

3 x 2
...
8µm converted to 0
...
8 = 11 428
...
0028 = 11 428
...
f
...
2

19

ALLOW 1 mark for clear evidence of incorrect
answer correctly rounded to 3 significant figures

J247/03

Mark Scheme

Question

Answer

Marks

June 2024
AO
element

Guidance
ALLOW full marks for correct answers calculations
based on diameters in the range 31 to 33mm eg:

(c)



Carbon dioxide

1

20

1
...
5

32
...
1

1

2
...
2b

Marks







June 2024
Guidance
ALLOW (blood) will be able to flow in both
directions
IGNORE reference to speed of blood flow
ALLOW blood clots / (muscle) cramps /
numbness / itchy skin / painful legs / bulging
veins on legs / tiredness / fatigue
IGNORE reference to breathlessness

Highest incidences of varicose veins appeared in the

ALLOW Most incidences of varicose veins

age group 40-49/between 30 and 59/60

appear after 40





DO NOT ALLOW people aged 40-49 mostly
have varicose veins
Fewest incidences of varicose veins were observed in



those over 70

More females develop varicose veins than males ORA



Males are most likely to develop varicose veins when



they are 60-69 / least likely when they are 30 -39

21

J247/03

Mark Scheme

Question
(d)

(i)

Answer

Marks

With varicose veins:
458

June 2024
AO
element

Guidance

4

× 100 = 1
...
2

Award 1st mark for any correct percentage
calculated

2
...
3%
43724

1116

× 100 = 2
...
g
...
0105

79

× 100 = 0
...
5%
18491

472

× 100 = 2
...
1b



thrombosis was higher if they had varicose veins



a person has varicose veins
IGNORE risk of other conditions is the same or
lower if a person has varicose veins

The percentage of participants with the other two
conditions was the same/lower if they had varicose veins


(ii)

Any two from:
Methods used are checked

2






IGNORE study/experiment checked / content
checked

ALLOW errors/mistakes are eliminated / more
likely to be accurate

Gives greater confidence/reliability (in the findings of the
research)

2 x 2
...
1a Simple repeat of information from the diagram = no
marks
ALLOW detects/measures thyroxine levels to see
if they are too high/too low
IGNORE regulates rather than monitors

normal level

ResponseTSH will act on the thyroid gland to change the release of



thyroxine
Effect-

TSH will bring the thyroxine level back to normal



ALLOW TSH raising/releasing thyroxine if too low
and reducing release/lowers thyroxine if too high
IGNORE TSH regulates thyroxine levels



B

(b)

A

(c)

In the blood/bloodstream/blood vessels
In the plasma





2

2 x 1
...
1

ALLOW named type of blood vessel
In the blood plasma = 2 marks

23

J247/03

Question
24 (a)

Mark Scheme

Answer

Marks

Please refer to the marking instructions on page 4 of this
mark scheme for guidance on how to mark this question
...

AND
Describes the resulting impact on glucose levels in the
blood
...
1 AO1
...
1 understanding of scientific ideas to describe
how a change the triplet code alters protein
formation
...

• Different (sequences of) amino acids result
in a different protein/enzyme being formed
...
The information presented is
relevant and substantiated
...
1 Applies knowledge and understanding
to explain why a change in enzyme structure
alters enzyme function
...

OR
Describes how a change in triplet codes can alter the
formation of an enzyme and identifies the resulting
impact on glucose levels in the blood
...


broken down into glucose because:
• the active site is not complementary to the
substrate/glycogen
...

AO2
...


There is a line of reasoning presented with some
structure
...


• If the person has low blood glucose levels,
they cannot raise this level / blood glucose
levels may be too low/decrease

24

J247/03

Mark Scheme

Question

Answer

Marks

June 2024
AO
element

Guidance
• Glucagon cannot function
...

OR
Identifies the resulting impact on glucose levels in the
blood
...
The information is in the most part relevant
...


(b)

Forms two named colours from red / orange / yellow /

3



green



3 x 1
...




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