REQUIRED PRACTICALS MARK-SCHEMES

MICROSCOPES QUESTIONS

Q1.
(a)     8 (micrometres)
1

(b)     red blood cell(s)

1

white blood cell(s)

accept named cell
eg phagocyte / lymphocyte
1

(plasma)
transports proteins / dissolved substances / food (molecules) / urea / hormones /
blood
cells
1

(c)     any one from:

•        you could lose a lot of blood

•        bleed internally
allow bleeding would not stop
allow could bleed to death
1
[5]

Q2.
(a)     contract / shorten
ignore relax
do not allow expand
1

to churn / move / mix food

accept peristalsis / mechanical digestion
ignore movement unqualified
1

(b)     400
acceptable range 390-410
allow 1 mark for answer in range of 39 to 41
allow 1 mark for answer in range of 3900 to 4100
2

(c)     to transfer energy for use

allow to release / give / supply / provide energy
do not allow to ‘make’ / ߢproduce’ / ‘create’ energy
allow to make ATP

Page 1 of 35
 ignore to store energy
1

by (aerobic) respiration or from glucose

do not allow anaerobic
energy released for respiration = max 1 mark
1

(d)     (i)      to make protein / enzyme

ignore ‘antibody’ or other named protein
1

(ii)     too small / very small

allow light microscope does not have sufficient magnification
/ resolution
allow ribosomes are smaller than mitochondria
ignore not sensitive enough
ignore ribosomes are transparent
1
[8]

Q3.
(a)     root hair
1

(b)     (i)      85
if incorrect unit added = 0
1

(ii)     0.85
ignore working or lack of working
accept correct answer from candidate’s (i) for 2 marks

 with no answer or wrong answer gains 1 mark

 
accept ecf
2

(iii)     absorb more water / ions

allow ‘get / collect / take in / take up / soak up / suck up’ for
absorb
allow ‘lots’ for more
allow ‘moisture’ for water
allow ‘minerals / salts / nutrients’ for ions
do not allow food or named foods
absorb water / ions gains 1 mark

         or          large surface area to absorb water / ions (2)

large surface area linked to incorrect function = 1
ignore small so short diffusion pathway
2
[6]

Page 2 of 35
MICROBIOLOGY QUESTIONS

Q1.
(a)     A (inoculating / wire) loop
1

B Petri dish
allow (agar) plate
ignore ref to culture medium
1

(b)     (i)      to kill (unwanted) bacteria / microorganisms / microbes

allow fungi
ignore viruses / germs
1

(ii)     Using a flame
1

(iii)    any one from:

•        so bacteria / microorganisms / microbes / pathogens / fungi
(growing in dish) do not get out
ignore reference to gases
ignore viruses / germs

•        so bacteria / microorganisms / microbes / pathogens / fungi (from

the air) do not get in.
ignore viruses / germs
1

(c)     25 °C
1
[6]

Q2.

Page 3 of 35
 any box on the left joined to > 1 other box - cancel
[4]

Q3.
(a)     (i)      25°C
1

(ii)     pathogens
1

(b)     D
1

more / most bacteria killed

accept biggest area / ring where no bacteria are growing
1

(c)     viruses live inside cells

1
[5]

Page 4 of 35
OSMOSIS QUESTIONS

Q1.
(a)  any one from:
•   water on potato would increase mass
allow so only the mass of the potato is measured

•   to control amount of water on potato

allow to remove water from outside of potato
allow liquid / solution / sugar solution for water
allow so you get the correct (starting) mass of
the potato
do not accept so that all the pieces of potato
weighed the same
1

(b)  increase in mass
1

increase in length
1
extra ticks negates marks

(c)  osmosis
allow diffusion
1

into
allow inside
do not accept through
1

lower
allow low / more dilute / dilute
1
in this order only

(d)  any one from:

•   the concentration (of sugar solution) in the cells is 0.4 (mol/dm3)
•   the concentration (of sugar solution) in the cells is the same as the
solution (in the tube)
1
allow reference to potato instead of cells

(e)  any two from:

•   has (root) hairs
allow root hair cells

•   large surface / area

allow wide surface area

•   (root) hairs extend into soil

allow (root) hairs are long / widespread

Page 5 of 35
 •   (root) hairs have thin walls
2
ignore references to active transport and mineral
uptake
[9]

Q2.
(a)     0.27 (g)
1

(b)     potato lost mass

allow potato (cells) lost water
1

(c)     all 3 points plotted correctly

allow ecf from art (a)
allow 1 mark for 1 or 2 correct plots
2

suitable line of best fit

allow ecf from their plots
1

(d)     2.6 (arbitrary units)

allow answer from their line
1

(e)     same concentration as inside potato (cells)

1

(so) no (net) movement of water

allow description of this
1

by osmosis
1
[9]

Q3.
(a)  to control for the starting mass (of the pieces of carrot)
allow because the pieces of carrot were not all
the same mass at the start
do not accept were not all the same size
do not accept as a control variable
1

(b)  suitable scale and label for y-axis

allow 5 or 6 per 2 cm
do not accept 5 per 1 cm
1

all points plotted correctly

allow ± ½ a square
allow 1 mark for 4 correct points

Page 6 of 35
 2

line of best fit

 
conc. percentage
… (%) change…

0.0 +24

0.2 +12

0.4 +1

0.6 −8

0.8 −15
1

(c)  value from student’s line of best fit

allow ± ½ a square
1

(d)  mass decreased
1

(due to) loss of water by osmosis

ignore diffusion
1

through a partially / selectively / semi permeable membrane

1
a clear reference to concentration of water or
concentration of sugar is required for the fourth
mark

(as) concentration of sugar solution is greater than concentration of sugar

(solution) inside cells / carrot
allow (as) concentration of sugar solution inside
cells / carrot is lower than the concentration of
sugar solution (in the tube or around the carrot)

or

(as) the concentration of water is less outside the cells / carrot than the
concentration inside the cells / carrot
allow answers in terms of dilute and
concentrated solutions
1

(e)  the (partially permeable / cell) membrane was damaged

allow idea that cell membrane is no longer intact
or is more permeable / leaky
allow the membrane is denatured
ignore cells are dead
1
[11]

Page 7 of 35
FOOD TESTS QUESTIONS

Q1.
(a)     6.1 circled on table (15 °C, test 1)
1

(b)     1.8
do not allow 1.83
1

(c)     16 (minutes)

correct number extrapolated from curve
1

(d)     4.0 min – blue / black / purple

1

7.0 min – yellow / orange / brown

1

(e)     The amylase solution had been prepared with water at 95 °C

1

(f)     Level 3 (5–6 marks):

A clear and coherent method is described using logical steps and demonstrating a
good understanding of how to improve the validity of the method. The method would
lead to
the production of valid results that would give rise to a more valid conclusion.

Level 2 (3–4 marks):

The substantive content of a method is present and demonstrates reasonable
understanding of how to improve the validity but may be missing some detail. The
plan
may not be in a completely logical sequence but leads towards the measurement of
rate of the reaction.

Level 1 (1–2 marks):

Simple relevant statements made, which demonstrate limited understanding of how
to improve the experimental method. The response lacks logical structure and would
not
lead to the production of valid results or a more precise optimum temperature.

0 marks:
No relevant content

Indicative content
•        conduct at a greater range of temperatures
•        use temperatures both above and below 40 °C
•        use smaller temperature intervals to get a more accurate optimum (eg
go
up in 2 °C increments)
•        take samples at smaller time intervals to get a more accurate result for
‘time taken’
•        control the volume of starch used (eg 5 cm3)
•        control the volume of the amylase solution (eg 1 cm3)
•        control the temperature (eg using a water bath)
•        heat the two solutions separately before mixing

Page 8 of 35
 •        control the concentration of the starch solution
•        control the concentration of the amylase solution
6
[13]

Q2.
(a)  (wear safety) goggles
allow (wear) safety glasses
allow (wear) eye protection
allow keep ethanol away from flame or in a water
bath
allow use tweezers or a glass rod to remove leaf
from ethanol / water
ignore gloves
1

(b)  iodine solution
1

(c)  blue-black
1
[3]

Q2.
(a)     biuret
1

(b)     purple
1

(c)     1:1.6
1

(d)     provides amino acids to make new muscle

1

(e)     it has a large surface area

1

it has a thin surface

1

(f)      C
1

lowest sugar (content)

1
[8]

Q3.
(a)     10
for 1 mark
1

(b)     digested / broken down / made soluble by protease / enzyme

Page 9 of 35
 in stomach / in small intestine / from stomach / from pancreas
into amino acids amino acids/smaller molecules/products of digestion absorbed into
blood
any four for 1 mark each
4
[5]

Q4.
(a)     carbon dioxide + water → (glucose) + oxygen
allow reactants in either order
allow correct formulae, balancing not required
1

(b)     chlorophyll
1

(c)     glucose (produced in photosynthesis) is converted into starch

1

(d)     starch could be broken down (into sugar)

1

(e)     so the colour of the iodine solution / result can be seen

1

(f)      any one from:

•        turn off Bunsen / flame before collecting ethanol

•        use a water bath to heat the ethanol

allow idea that there are no naked flames near the ethanol
1

(g)     A orange / brown

1

B black / blue-black
1
[8]

Page 10 of 35
ENZYMES QUESTIONS

Q1.
(a)     6.1 circled on table (15 °C, test 1)
1

(b)     1.8
do not allow 1.83
1

(c)     16 (minutes)

correct number extrapolated from curve
1

(d)     4.0 min – blue / black / purple

1

7.0 min – yellow / orange / brown

1

(e)     The amylase solution had been prepared with water at 95 °C

1

(f)     Level 3 (5–6 marks):

A clear and coherent method is described using logical steps and demonstrating a
good understanding of how to improve the validity of the method. The method would
lead to
the production of valid results that would give rise to a more valid conclusion.

Level 2 (3–4 marks):

The substantive content of a method is present and demonstrates reasonable
understanding of how to improve the validity but may be missing some detail. The
plan
may not be in a completely logical sequence but leads towards the measurement of
rate of the reaction.

Level 1 (1–2 marks):

Simple relevant statements made, which demonstrate limited understanding of how
to improve the experimental method. The response lacks logical structure and would
not
lead to the production of valid results or a more precise optimum temperature.

0 marks:
No relevant content

Indicative content
•        conduct at a greater range of temperatures
•        use temperatures both above and below 40 °C
•        use smaller temperature intervals to get a more accurate optimum (eg
go
up in 2 °C increments)
•        take samples at smaller time intervals to get a more accurate result for
‘time taken’
•        control the volume of starch used (eg 5 cm3)
•        control the volume of the amylase solution (eg 1 cm3)

Page 11 of 35
 •        control the temperature (eg using a water bath)
•        heat the two solutions separately before mixing
•        control the concentration of the starch solution
•        control the concentration of the amylase solution
6
[13]

Q2.
(a)     any two from:

•        same result at pH 7 and 7.5

or
could be any pH between 7 and 7.5
or
not tested at pH 7.25
or
need to test at smaller pH intervals (between 7 and 7.5)
•        accuracy of result only to nearest 0.5 minutes
•        no repeats
•        difficult to determine end point (colour)
2

(b)     2.7 / 5
1

0.54 (units per minute)

allow 0.52 with no working shown for 2 marks
1
allow 1 mark for 0.52 or 0.56

(c)     (after 10 minutes) solution goes black

1

(after 60 minutes) solution stays the same

or
does not go black
or
goes slightly orange
1

(d)     steeper curve

1

levels off at 11.8 units and before 45 minutes

1
[8]

Page 12 of 35
PHOTOSYNTHESIS QUESTIONS

Q1.
(a)    The starch is stored for use later
no mark if more than one box is ticked
1

(b)     (i)      any two from:

do not accept temperature
apply list principle
ignore reference to time

•        carbon dioxide (concentration)

•        light intensity
•        light colour / wavelength
allow 1 mark for light if neither intensity or colour are
awarded

•        pH

•        size / amount of pondweed / plant

•        same / species / type pondweed

•        amount of water in the tube

ignore amount of water alone
2

(ii)     number / amount of bubbles or amount of gas / oxygen

allow volume of bubbles (together)
ignore ‘the bubbles’ unqualified
1

(relevant reference to) time / named time interval

allow how long it bubbles for
do not accept time bubbles start / stop
ignore speed / rate of bubbling
ignore instruments
do not accept other factors eg temperature
accept how many bubbles per minute for 2 marks
1

(c)     (i)      temperature
allow heat / cold / °C
1

(ii)     carbon dioxide / CO2

allow CO2
do not accept CO2
1

Page 13 of 35
 [7]

Q2.
(a)      (i)     colour of light / bulb / lamp
allow wavelength for colour
allow bulb alone
do not accept light / colour unqualified
1

(ii)     any one from eg

•        temperature
allow heat

•        light intensity or distance between lamp and plant / tube

allow amount / brightness of light
ignore light unqualified

•        carbon dioxide
allow symbols

•        other light in room

allow use a dark room

•        mass / size / amount / age / type of pondweed

allow same piece of pondweed
ignore pondweed unqualified

•        volume / amount of water

ignore reference to time
1

(iii)    improved reliability
allow for reliability or less likely to lose count

or

can spot anomalies / changes

allow reference to calculating a mean / average
ignore reference to accuracy / precision / fair
1

(b)     (i)      green
1

(ii)     any two from:

ignore references to colour

•        least / less bubbles / gas / oxygen / mean

reference to least / less needed only once, in context, for 2
marks

•        least / less photosynthesis

Page 14 of 35
 •        least / less glucose / sugar / carbohydrate / food made
only penalise no once, ie
no bubbles = 0 mark
no bubbles so no photosynthesis = 1 mark
allow most / more green light reflected (by chloroplasts)
2
[6]

Q3.
(a)    any one from:
ignore ‘check temperature’

•        add a water bath

•        heat screen

•        use LED

•        low energy bulb / described

1

(b)    (i)      rate / number of bubbles decreases

accept converse with reference to increasing light or shorter
distance

or

less oxygen / gas released

ignore reference to rate of photosynthesis
1

(ii)     temperature / CO2 (concentration)

accept ‘it was too cool’ or not enough CO2
accept number of chloroplasts / amount of chlorophyll
allow heat
allow CO2
do not allow CO2
1

(c)     Marks awarded for this answer will be determined by the Quality of Written
Communication (QWC) as well as the standard of the scientific response.
Examiners should also refer to the information in the Marking guidance, and
apply a ‘best-fit’ approach to the marking.

0 marks
No relevant content.

Level 1 (1-2 marks)

There is a brief description of at least 1 tissue or at least 1 function of an
indicated part of the leaf.

The account lacks clarity or detail.

Level 2 (3-4 marks)

Page 15 of 35
 There is a clear description which includes at least 1 named tissue and at
least 1 correct function described for an indicated part of the leaf.

Level 3 (5-6 marks)

There is a detailed description of most of the structures and their functions.

Examples of responses:

•        epidermis

•        cover the plant

•        mesophyll / palisade

•        photosynthesises

•        phloem

•        xylem

•        transport.

The following points are all acceptable but beyond the scope of the
specification:

•        (waxy) cuticle – reduce water loss

•        epidermis – no chloroplasts so allows light to penetrate

•        stomata / guard cells – allow CO2 in (and O2 out) or controls water

loss

•        palisade (mesophyll) – many chloroplasts to trap light

– near top of leaf for receiving more light

•        spongy (mesophyll) – air spaces for rapid movement of gases

6
[9]

Q4.
(a)     6CO2 + 6H2O   C6H12O6 + 6O2
correct reactants
1
correct products
1

(b)     correct scale and label on x axis

1

all 5 plots correct

tolerance ±½ small square
allow 2 or 3 plots correct for 1 mark
2

Page 16 of 35
 (c)     no
no mark

although as distance increases, rate decreases

1

the line curves or line should be straight

1

suitable data quoted

examples:
•        supports conclusion between 20–40 (cm)
•        does not support conclusion between 10–20 (cm)
1

(d)     volume of 1 bubble = 4 / 3 × 3.14 × (0.1)3

1

= 0.00419
1

at 40 cm there are 7 bubbles

1

vol at 40 cm = 0.02933
allow ecf from incorrect value taken from table
1

Rate per minute = × 2

= 5.86 × 10−2 (cm3 per min)

allow 5.86 × 10−2 with no working shown for 5 marks
1
answer not given in standard form or to incorrect number of
sig. figs max 4 marks
[13]

Q5.
(a)  6CO2 + 6H2O ⟶ C6H12O6 + 6O2
1

(b)  endothermic
1

(c)  measure the volume of gas released

allow use a measuring cylinder / capillary tube /
(gas) syringe
1

increase length of time

allow sensible length of time
allow video the investigation so you could re-
count the bubbles later
allow repeat the measurement at each distance
several times and calculate a mean

Page 17 of 35
 ignore references to using other distances
1

(d)  temperature affects rate of photosynthesis

or
temperature affects rate of bubble production
allow correct description of effect of temperature
on rate
1

(because) reaction / photosynthesis is controlled by enzymes

allow high temperatures denature enzymes
enzymes being denatured must be linked to high
temperature
1

(e)  evidence of squaring for two distances that double:

25 and 100
or
100 and 400
1

calculate 1/d2 for two distances that double:

0.04 and 0.01
or
1/25 and 1/100
or
0.01 and 0.0025
or
1/100 and 1/400
allow 2 marks for these calculations without
working
ignore calculations for a third distance as long as
two where the distance doubles are correct
1

(therefore as distance doubles) light intensity is quartered

1

(f)  2 (bubbles would be produced)

1

(as) very little light / energy for photosynthesis to occur

do not accept no light
1
allow 2 marks for a quarter of the bubbles are
produced as light distance doubles so 2 bubbles
would be expected

(g)  (independent variable)
use different concentrations of sodium hydrogencarbonate solution
allow three concentration values
ignore different concentrations of carbon dioxide
1

(control variables)
max 2 marks for control variables

Page 18 of 35
any two from:
•   distance from light source
allow light intensity
ignore light unqualified
ignore same lamp

•   temperature of solution
•   same plant
allow type / size of plant

•   time for plant to equilibrate

allow time for plant to adjust to different solution
ignore time unqualified
2
[14]

Page 19 of 35
REACTION TIME QUESTIONS

Q1.
(a)     (i)      sensory neurone
1

a synapse
1

(ii)     contract
1

(iii)    not connected to brain / coordinated only by spinal cord

1

(iv)    automatic / rapid (response)

allow no thinking / faster / less time
1

protects body from danger / from damage / from burning

1

(b)     (i)      caffeine decreases reaction time

accept caffeine speeds up / quicker reactions
1

(ii)     the two sets of results overlap (considerably)

allow use of appropriate numbers – eg 5 of the ‘after’ results
overlap with the ‘before’ results
allow ‘wide spread of results’
allow ‘it was just one person’ or ‘it was a small sample’
accept use of one pair of results only – if meaning is clear
accept use of one pair of overlapping results
1

(iii)    any two sensible suggestions: eg

•        more repetitions
•        perform investigation on several other people
•        use other (measured) amounts of coffee
•        use different / more time intervals
•        other suggested measure of reaction time – eg computer-
generated light flash + time measurement
•        use pure caffeine or caffeine tablets
2
[10]

Q2.
(a)  (715.1 − 238.8 = 476.3)

Page 20 of 35
 66.6 (%)
allow correct rounding of 66.60606908
1
an answer of 66.6 (%) scores 2 marks

(b)  hold metre rule above hand of person to be tested so the bottom of the ruler is
level with the top of the hand
allow description of any reasonable method that
would give results
1

drop the rule and the other person catches it

1

record / measure the distance where the rule is caught

1

convert the distance into time using a standard (scale) chart or calculation
1
ignore electronic methods

(c)  any one from:

•   higher resolution
allow measured in milliseconds

•   times are too small (for humans) to measure

ignore human error unqualified

•   random
allow not biased

•   no calculation errors

allow it is quicker
ignore more precise
1

(d)  any two from:

•   used a different person in each test
    or
    different people need different amounts of sleep
    or
    no baseline established (for comparison)
•   only one person was tested for each sleep time
    or
    sample size is too small
•   only did the test on one night
•   as reaction times in ms they need to do (more than three / five) repeats
    or
    there is wide variation in the results
    or
    result for Student C or
    4 hours’ sleep shows a decrease in reaction time
•   don’t know if other factors were controlled
allow correct named example, such as caffeine
consumed, sleep before investigation, age
•   table only shows some of the data
2

Page 21 of 35
 (e)  reasons in support:
•   performance / accuracy decreases with increasing alcohol concentration
    and
    performance / accuracy decreases as lack of sleep increases
•   reduction in performance at the legal alcohol limit / 0.08% (for driving) is
the same as (more than) 24 hours without sleep

reasons against:
•   idea that the statement is sensationalised and does not use
(quantifiable) data
•   the (performance) scales are different, so difficult to make comparison
    or the (performance) scales are different so the data is misleading
•   being tired is subjective / different for everyone
allow idea that lack of sleep does not necessarily
correlate with tiredness

•   there is wide variation in the data

•   (the graph shows that) some people have 16 / 18 hours without sleep
and don’t have a drop in performance
•   at alcohol levels of 0.09% some people have a 14% drop in performance
(which is much higher than lack of sleep)
allow other correct points of comparison

•   (data contradicts the statement because) for some a small amount of

alcohol improves performance
max 3 marks if only reasons in support or
reasons against given
ignore study design
4
[13]

Q3.
(a)

4 correct = 3 marks
3 correct = 2 marks
2 correct = 1 mark
(4-5)
3

(b)     time awake

1

(c)     description of how to do a ‘ruler drop’

1

how to measure length in cm

1

Page 22 of 35
 a control measure taken
or
how to use a conversion chart to get reaction time
1

(d)     any one sensible reason:

for ruler drop test:

•        have lots of equipment
•        inexpensive equipment
•        many students can do it at same time

for computer test:

•        more accurate
•        more repeatable
•        students can cheat on ruler drop test
1

(e)     0.556….. or

(0.44+0.49+0.83+0.27+0.75)/5
1

0.56
an answer of 0.56 scores 2 marks
1

(f)      at first stays same / has slight dip (until 12 hours)

12 hours only needed once
1

increases from 12 hours awake

ignore ‘increases’ alone
1

(g)     either:
does support, because overall goes up
or
does not support, because it goes down / stays the same at first and only goes up
after 12 hours
1

(h)     any two from:

•        use more volunteers
•        make sure they all do the same activities at the same time
•        give them the same food and coffee/tea at the same time
•        control the age / gender of volunteers
•        make sure they all had a good night’s sleep the night before the investigation
began
2
[15]

Page 23 of 35
PLANT RESPONSES QUESTIONS

Q1.
(a)     (i)      3.0
accept 3
1

(ii)     any two from:

•        take in water
•        take in ions / minerals / nutrients
accept salts / named ions
ignore food
•        anchorage / support
2

(iii)    asexual reproduction
1

(b)     (i)      a tropism

1

(ii)     if tip exposed / A – grows / bends towards light

allow tip of A moves towards light
ignore A responds to light
allow remained ‘straight’
1

if tip covered / B – did not grow towards light / remained vertical

ignore B does not respond to light
ignore phototropism
only A grows towards the light = 2 marks
1

(c)     (i)      auxin
1

(ii)     hormone comes from the tip

1

more on shady side / moves away from light

allow reference to right-hand side
1

stimulates growth
1

more growth on shady side (than on light side)

answer must be comparative
ignore phototropism
ignore cell division
1
[12]

Page 24 of 35
Q2.
(a)  to prevent water affecting the direction of root growth
1

(b)  gravity acts evenly on all sides

allow cancel out the effect of gravity
do not accept there is no gravity
1

(c)  (mean) includes the (anomalous) result for seedling 4

allow (mean) includes the (anomalous) result
which only grew 1 mm
1

(d)  calculate (mean) from just seedlings 1, 2, 3 and 5

or
repeat the investigation and recalculate (a new mean)
allow omit seedling 4 from (mean) calculation
1

(e)  uneven distribution of hormone in (root / seedling of) A

allow reference to auxin
allow more hormone at bottom
do not accept more hormone at the top
1

even distribution of hormone in B

allow B does not have an uneven distribution of
hormone
1

(so) top grows fast(er) (than bottom) in (root / seedling of) A (and equal growth
in B)
allow (more) cell elongation or cell division on top
of A
allow converse for lower surface
1

(f)

 
extra line for a hormone cancels mark for that
hormone
1
1
1
[10]

Q3.
(a)     grown down

Page 25 of 35
 allow longer
1

towards gravity / gravitropism

allow geotropism
1

(b)     grow up
1

towards the light

allow phototropism
1

(c)     3
1

(d)     repeat the experiment

1

(e)     seeds germinate sooner so growing season is longer

1
[7]

Q4.
(a)    auxin
accept other named plant hormones
1

(b)     (i)      any three from:

•        no (fusion of) gametes / fertilisation

allow no meiosis or new cells only produced by mitosis

•        only one parent

allow not two parents

•        no mixing of genetic material

•        no genetic variation or genetically identical offspring

allow clones
3

(ii)     more / many offspring / plants (produced from one parent plant)

allow less damage to parent plant
ignore speed / cost
1
[5]

Q5.
(a)  the temperature
1

the volume of water added to the soil

1

Page 26 of 35
(b)  to stop light reaching the shoot
1

(c)  piece of thread (along shoot and mark length)

allow straighten the shoot
1

transfer to ruler / mm-scale

allow use of (flexible) tape measure for 2 marks
1

(d)  tip covered / B / removed / C grows straight up or does not bend (towards

light)
allow tip covered / B / removed / C does not
respond (to light)
1

tip exposed / A / not covered / D bends (towards light)

tip exposed / A / not covered / D does respond
(to light)
allow only the ones with exposed tips or only A
and D bend towards the light for 2 marks
1

(e)

1
[8]

Page 27 of 35
FIELD INVESTIGATIONS QUESTIONS

Q1.
(a)     chose places randomly
1

method of obtaining randomness, e.g. (grid and) random numbers

allow thrown qualified e.g. over shoulder, eyes shut
allow max 1 for mention of a transect with sampling at
regular or random intervals
1

(b)     (i)      7 or 8
allow fractions / decimals between 7 and 8
1

(ii)     count number of whole squares and add estimate of area covered by

part squares
allow reference to counting squares with ½ cover or more
allow clear working on diagram and / or (b)(i)
1

(iii)     28 – 32 (in range)

allow ecf
if answer incorrect allow 1 mark for reasonable reference to
divided by 25 or multiplied by 4
2

(c)     nutrients / minerals / ions / fertiliser / water

allow light / pH / trampling / soil texture / grazing / mowing /
weed killer / where seeds originally fell
ignore pollution / soil / competition if unqualified
ignore temperature / wind
1
[7]

Q2.
(a)    place all the quadrats randomly on the lawn
1

(b)     (i)      1   4

2   2

3   2

4   0
all 4 counts correct
1

Total = 15
total correct for their figures
1

Page 28 of 35
 (ii)     1.5
allow ecf from (b)(i)
1

(iii)    180
correct answer with or without working

if answer incorrect, allow 1 mark for x 120 or 15 x 20

or x 12 x 10
or 1.5 x 12 x 10 or 1.5 x 120
allow ecf from (b)(ii)
allow 1 mark if only 1 error
2

(c)     use a larger sample size / more quadrats

ignore repeats but allow repeat in different places
ignore ‘count them all’

or

use bigger quadrats

1
[7]

Q3.
(a)     any three from:

•        place 30-m tape measure across field / from one wood to the other
•        place quadrat(s) next to the tape
•        count / record the number / amount of dandelions / plants in the quadrat
ignore ‘record the results’
ignore measures / estimates dandelions
•        repeat every 2 metres
allow every metre / at regular intervals
3

(b)     (i)      low light / it is shady

allow no light
ignore sun / rays

or
not enough water / ions / nutrients
accept correct named ion
ignore no water / ions / nutrients

or
wrong pH of soil
accept competition with trees for light / water / ions
ignore competition for space and competition unqualified
accept soil too acidic / too alkaline
ignore temperature
1

Page 29 of 35
 (ii)     sensible suggestion for a small area, eg chance variation / anomaly /
poisoned by animal waste / wrong pH of soil / eaten (by animals) / cut
down / footpath
1

(c)     repeat (transect) / compare with the results of other groups

allow ‘do it in two different locations’ for 2 marks
1

at different / random location(s) / elsewhere (across the field)

do not allow ‘in other fields’
1
[7]

Q4.
(a)     Place more quadrats in the field
1

Place quadrats randomly

1

(b)     26 400

1

(c)     transect
1

(d)     as distance from the path increases the number of (ribwort) plants increases
1

steep rise from 0.5 to 3.0 between 2 and 4 m from path or numbers level off to
about 4 plants from 10 m from the path
1

(e)     The ribwort plants get walked on

1
[7]

Q5.
(a)     36 (%)
36 (%) gains two marks
accept answers in range 32 (%)–42 (%)
if answer incorrect give 1 mark for evidence of estimating
number of squares as being 8–10.5
2

(b)     (i)      Greater plantain most abundant on path / walked area

for 2 marks a correct statement must be made for each
plant.
1

Ribwort plantain most abundant away from path / on the field / grass /
on area not walked on
accept answers in terms of quadrat number / start and finish
accept for 1 mark where number of one plant high, number

Page 30 of 35
 of other plant low
ignore figures
1

(ii)               if no position given max 1 mark

for Greater plantain numbers higher on path

accept converse statements

Greater plantain grows flatter / lower to ground / is shorter

ignore surface area
1

(so) will be damaged less by trampling /will not be pulled out

or
for Ribwort plantain numbers higher in field

Ribwort plantain has tall leaves or is taller

allow tall stems

to obtain more light

or for photosynthesis
ignore Sun
ignore references to nutrients
ignore competition unless qualified
1

(c)                        answers must refer to named plantain(s) to gain credit

Greater plantain would grow better on football pitch / area 1

accept converse argument
1

(since) more trampling on pitch

if no other marks gained, allow 1 mark for more plantains in
area 2 because they will not be affected by human activity /
example
1
[8]

Page 31 of 35
DECAY QUESTIONS

Q1.
(a)     to kill microorganisms on / in the flask
or
so only microorganisms in the milk caused the results
allow bacteria / fungi / microbes
do not accept viruses
ignore germs
1

(b)     heating
1

to over 100 °C
allow place in oven / pressure cooker
do not accept disinfectant
allow other suitable method – e.g. use of UV
1

(c)     to prevent microorganisms entering from the air

allow bacteria / fungi / microbes for microorganisms
do not accept viruses
ignore germs
1

(d) 
0 olive-green 7

1 olive-green 7

2 olive-green 7

3 orange-green 6
all correct for 1 mark
1

(e)     (pH meter) – more accurate / more precise

allow more exact
allow can measure to 0.1 pH unit
or to smaller intervals of pH
1

(leaving…6 days) – obtain greater pH change

or
because there was (very) little change in 3 days
allow more acid will be made
1

(f)      scale > of x-axis

and
x-axis labelled (time in) days
1

Page 32 of 35
 points plotted correctly
all 7 correct = 2 marks
5 or 6 correct = 1 mark
2

line of best fit = smooth curve through points

do not accept ruled point-to-point
1

(g)     (1st day) too few bacteria

1

(after day 1 more bacteria so more) acid made

1

(days 5-6) sugar / food used up

or
low pH denatures enzymes
or
low pH kills bacteria
allow enzymes do not work
do not accept enzymes killed
1

(h)     (similarity) – same start pH /

pH7 and end pH / pH4.5
or
same pH change / change = 2.5
1
(difference) – faster
1
[16]

Q2.
(a)  (for calcium)

allow any correct rounding to minimum 3

significant figures
allow alternative route with correct rounding
1

(for vitamin B-12)

allow alternative route with correct rounding

1

560 / 559.8 / 559.78 / 559 (cm3)

allow only correct answer based on values given
for vitamin B-12 and calcium
1
an answer of 560 / 559.8 / 559.78 / 559 (cm ) 3

Page 33 of 35
 scores 3 marks
an incorrect answer for one step does not
prevent allocation of marks for subsequent steps

(b)  Level 2: Scientifically relevant facts, events or processes are identified and

given in detail to form an accurate account.
4−6

Level 1: Facts, events or processes are identified and simply stated but their
relevance is not clear.
1−3

No relevant content
0

Indicative content

•   Biuret reagent (allow CuSO4 and NaOH) tests for protein

•   add Biuret reagent to milk
•   solution will turn (from blue) to lilac if positive

•   iodine solution tests for starch (ignore iodine unqualified)

•   add iodine solution to milk
•   solution will turn (from orange / brown) to blue / black if positive

•   Benedict’s reagent tests for sugars

•   add Benedict’s reagent to milk and boil / heat (allow any temperature above
60 °C)
•   solution will turn (from blue) to (brick) red / brown / orange / yellow / green if
positive

for level 2, reference to all three food tests is required

(c)  lipase breaks down fat into fatty acids (and glycerol)

do not accept if ‘glycerol’ is contradicted
1

(and) fatty acids lower the pH

1

(and when) fatty acids cause the pH to be below 10 (the indicator becomes
colourless)
1

(d)  observation of colour change is subjective / based on opinion

ignore human error unqualified
ignore experimental error or examples of this
1

(e)  bile emulsifies fats

allow a correct description of emulsification (i.e.
breaks fat from large droplets into smaller
droplets)
do not accept a description of chemical
breakdown
1

creates a larger surface area (of fat)

Page 34 of 35
 1

(so) lipase can break down fat (to produce fatty acids) more quickly /
effectively
allow fatty acids produced by action of lipase
more quickly
1
[16]

Q3.
(a)     (i)      amino acid(s)
accept peptide(s)
do not allow polypeptide(s)
1

(ii)     protease
1

(b)     (i)      2
1

(ii)     repeat
do not allow other enzyme / substrate
1

using smaller pH intervals between pH1 and pH3

allow smaller intervals on both sides of / around pH2
allow smaller intervals on both sides of / around answer to
(b)(i)
1

(iii)    enzyme / pepsin denatured / shape changed

do not allow enzyme killed
allow enzyme ‘destroyed’
1

enzyme / pepsin no longer fits (substrate)

allow enzyme / pepsin does not work
1

(c)     hydrochloric (acid)

allow phonetic spelling
accept HCl
allow HCL
ignore hcl
do not allow incorrect formula –e.g. H2Cl / HCl2
1
[8]

Page 35 of 35