Biology-TRIPLE-SCIENCE - MS Exxam Questions

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GCSE BIOLOGY
PREDICTED
INDIVIDUAL SCIENCE
PAPER 2
2023
MARK SCHEME
Time: 1 hour 45 Minutes
Total marks: 100 Marks
HIGHER TIER
100
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1.1) The human nervous system is comprised of the Central Nervous System
and Peripheral Nervous System.
State two adaptations of the nervous system and explain how they
benefit the nervous system.
[4 marks]
The nerve cells are long which means they can carry around electrical impulses further
around the body.
There is a large network of neurones such as sensory neurones and motor neurones
which span across the whole body so can reach everywhere.
Neurones are insulated with fatty myelin sheath which speeds up the electrical
impulses.
1.2) What is the name of the gap which appears between two neurones?
[1 mark]
Synapse
1.3) Describe how an electrical impulse in transmitted from one neurone to

another. [3 marks]
When an electrical impulse arrives at the end of an axon, chemicals called
neurotransmitters are released from vesicles.
These then diffuse across the synapse and stimulate the next neurone to generate an
electrical impulse.
1.4) Define homeostasis.

[2 marks]
Homeostasis is the regulation of internal and external conditions to maintain a stable
environment in the body.
1.5) The human endocrine system is also vital in communicating with

different parts of the human body.
Name the hormones produced by the following parts of the endocrine

system:
[3 marks]
Adrenal gland produces: ____________________

Ovaries produce: ____________________
Testes produce: ____________________
1.6) Compare the human body’s nervous response with a hormonal

(endocrine) response.
[4 marks]
Hormonal responses are chemical whereas nervous impulses are electrical.
This means that nervous responses are faster than hormonal responses.
Nervous response usually is short-acting and specific whereas hormonal response
can last a long time and can affect larger parts of the body.
1.7) Describe the interactions of hormones which control the menstrual

cycle.
[6 marks]
The pituitary gland produces FSH which stimulates the development of a follicle in ovary
An egg matures inside the follicle and the follicle produces the hormone oestrogen.
Oestrogen causes growth and repair of the lining of the uterus wall and inhibits the production of FSH.
When oestrogen rises to a high enough level it stimulates the release of LH from the pituitary gland which causes
ovulation (usually around day 14 of the cycle)
The follicle becomes a corpus luteum and starts producing progesterone
Progesterone maintains the uterus lining (the thickness of the uterus wall)
If the egg is not fertilised, the corpus luteum breaks down and progesterone levels drop
This causes menstruation – commonly known as having a period
If fertilisation does occur the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone, preventing the uterus lining from
breaking down (breakdown of the lining would prevent a pregnancy)
(Total marks for question 1 = 23 marks)

2.1) Explain the difference in mitosis and meiosis.
[3 marks]
Mitosis consists of one division whereas meiosis consists of two divisions.
Mitosis produces diploid cells (46 chromosomes) whereas meiosis produces
haploid cells (23 chromosomes).
Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells whereas meiosis produces four
genetically different daughter cells.
2.2) Sexual reproduction is a process which involves the fusion of nuclei of two
gametes.
What is the name given to the fertilised egg cell that is produces as a result of
this?
[1 mark]
2.3) Describe how asexual reproduction is different to sexual reproduction.

[2 marks]
In sexual reproduction, an organism combines the genetic information
from each of its parents and is genetically unique.
In asexual reproduction, one parent copies itself to form a genetically
identical offspring.
2.4) Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is the molecule which contains instructions

for the growth and development of humans.
Describe the structure of DNA.
[2 marks]
Double helix structure made up of many nucleotide monomers which
contain the four bases A, T, G, and C.
2.5) What is a gene?

[1 mark]
A gene is a small section of DNA on a chromosome, that codes for a
particular sequence of amino acids, to make a specific protein
2.6) Some disorders can be inherited from parents.

Explain what will happen to someone who inherits Cystic Fibrosis.
[2 marks]
Lungs become clogged with lots of thick, sticky mucus as too much is produced.
Over many years, the lungs become increasingly damaged and may eventually
stop working properly.

2.7) Polydactyly is another genetic disorder which causes someone to be born

with additional fingers or toes.
Polydactyly is caused by a dominant allele, D.
Draw a punnet square and work out the probability of a child inheriting
polydactyly from a mother homozygous recessive for polydactyly and a father
who is heterozygous for the disorder.
[4 marks]
______________________ %
2.8) Describe two ways in which genetic variation can arise and explain how
this is advantageous.
[3 marks]
Genetic variations can arise from mutations or from meiosis which
produces genetic different daughter cells.
Genetic variation is advantageous to a population because it enables
some individuals to adapt to the environment while maintaining the
survival of the population.

3.1) Discuss the ever-growing problem how resistant bacteria and how these
resistant bacteria come about.
[4 marks]
A random mutation occurs in the DNA of individual bacterial cells. The
mutation protects the bacterial cell from the effects of the antibiotic - it
becomes antibiotic resistant. Bacteria without the mutation die when
the antibiotic is present.

This is a problem as it can result in the increase of resistant bacteria
such as MRSA which are resistant to many antibiotics and are
therefore more difficult to treat.
3.2) The classification system used today was developed by a scientist named
Linnaeus.
Scientists commonly refer to a specific animal by their binomial name.
Which two parts of the classification system make up the binomial name?
[1 mark]
3.3) Due to chemical analysis, a three Domain system was developed by Carl
Woese in 1990 and this is also used today.
What are the three domains? [2 marks]
OR EUKARYA

4.1) What is meant by the terms interspecific competition and intraspecific

competition?
[2 marks]
Intraspecific competition is the competition of individuals within a species
for a resource. Interspecific competition occurs between different species.
4.2) Plants have to compete with each other.

Discuss at least three resources that plant must compete with each other for.
[3 marks]
Light - plants need light for photosynthesis in order to produce glucose
which provides energy for growth.
Space - plants require space above soil for leaves to absorb as much
light as possible and below soil so roots can absorb water and ions.
Water - water is essential for photosynthesis and therefore growth
Mineral Ions - plants require ions such as nitrate for proteins and
magnesium ions needed for photosynthesis.
4.3) In a food web, it is commonly said that organisms are interdependent.

What does this mean and what would happen if a population of a specific
organism was to decrease?
[3 marks]
Within a community, each species depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination,
seed dispersal etc.
If one species decreases in number, it can cause other species which depended on this
species for food to decrease in number too.

4.4) Giving examples of each, describe how abiotic and biotic factors affect a
community.
[3 marks]
Light intensity is abiotic - light is needed by plants for photosynthesis. More light leads to an
increase in rate of photosynthesis and increase in growth.
New pathogens is biotic - if a new pathogen enters an ecosystem, the populations living there
will have no immunity or resistance to it and the population may decline or be wiped out.
4.5) Name a behavioural adaptation of a specific organism and explain why this
adaptation is advantageous.
[2 marks]
Cold-blooded reptiles will lay in the sun to absorb heat as they cannot heat
themselves which allows them to keep their internal temperature at an optimum.
4.6) The water cycle provides fresh water for plants and animals.
What are the three of the main processes that occur in the water cycle causing
it to be recycled?
[3 marks]
Water continuously evaporates, condenses and precipitates. It evaporates from bodies
of water due to the surrounding heat, condenses when there is a change in temperature
in the clouds, and precipitates as rain or snow.
(transpiration also gain mark)

4.7) Design a practical experiment that could be used to measure the

population size of a common species in a habitat.
Include a sampling technique to investigate the effect of a factor on the
distribution of this species.
[6 marks]
1. Write down a hypothesis of the effect of a change in an abiotic factor (eg. light intensity) on
the distribution of the plant species.
2. Lay down a tape measure from the base of a tree to an open area of ground/ along a
location with an ecological gradient.
3. Place the quadrat along the ‘0’ end of the tape measure, with one corner touching the ‘0’
mark.
4. Count the number of plants and record it in a table as seen below.
5. Place the quadrat 5 m up the tape measure and repeat step 3.
6. Repeat step 4 at 5 m intervals until you reach the end of the transect line.
7. Gather data from your class to find the mean number of plants at each point along the
transect.
8. Plot a graph of ‘number of plants’ against the ecological gradient that is observed as the
distance along the transect line increases. Compare your results to your hypothesis.
Additional details that would score marks:
1. Use a random number generator to obtain 2 numbers, which are to be used as coordinates
to find a location on the 2 tape measures set up.
2. Set down the quadrat at the coordinates.
3. Count and record the number of the required plant species in the quadrat.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 to take 9 more samples.
5. Estimate the population size using this formula:
area sampled / total area x number of plant species counted
(QUESTION 5 IS ON THE NEXT PAGE)

5.1) Samantha is doing jumping jacks whilst singing along to her favourite song.
Whilst she does this, different parts of her brain are at work.
Name the structures of the brain and explain their role whilst she does this
activity and sings.
[5 marks]
Medulla - controls her breathing and heart rate.
Cerebral Cortex - allows her to sing her song from memory.
Cerebellum - helps her move and carry out jumping jacks.
5.2) What type of medical scan involves electrically stimulating the brain to
map out regions of the brain?
[1 mark]
MRI
5.3) Describe how the eyes accommodate to objects which are far away.
[3 marks]
Ciliary Muscles: Relax
Suspensory Ligaments: Pull tight
Lens: thinner
5.4) Name two ways in which myopia or hyperopia can be treated.

[2 marks]
Contact lenses
Laser eye surgery
5.5) Discuss the mechanisms involved in controlling body temperature.

[4 marks]
If the body is too hot, sweat glands are stimulated to secrete sweat which carries thermal
energy away when it evaporates.
When cold, the body shivers - this is the contraction and relaxation of muscles to
generate heat energy.
Vasodilation - the capillaries dilate so that the warm blood passes closer to the surface
of the skin so heat can dissipate from blood.
Vasoconstriction - the capillaries constrict so that the blood flows further away from the
cold outside and the heat is retained.
6.1) Draw the structure of an amino acid.

[3 marks]
6.2) What is the hormone secreted by the pituitary gland which is involved in
osmoregulation?
[1 mark]
ADH (Anti-diuretic Hormone)
6.3) Discuss the structures of the kidneys and how they are involved in the
functioning of kidneys.
[5 marks]
The kidneys help to control the water content of the body and the concentrations of substances (such as sodium
and potassium ions) dissolved in the fluids of the body.
The kidney contains highly branched capillary networks that form filters which contain pores.
When blood passes through the kidneys, the pressure it is under increases as it is pushed into the filters.
This high-pressure mass flow forces molecules that are small enough to pass through the pores out of the
bloodstream – this is called filtration
Substances forced out of the blood include glucose, urea and water with ions dissolved in it. The liquid formed is
called filtrate
6.4) Name the hormones responsible for the following:

[3 marks]
Giberellins
Increase fruit size: ____________________
Auxins
Selective weed killing: ____________________
Control ripening of fruit: ____________________
Ethene
6.5) In humans, infertility occurs when a couple finds it difficult to conceive

naturally.
Briefly discuss ways in which infertility can be treated.
[3 marks]
IVF - a mother is given FSH and LH to develop and release eggs. These are then
fertilised outside of the body and embedded into the uterus wall for development.
Hormonal treatments- e.g. giving women who lack FSH and LG these hormones to cause
eggs to mature and be released for fertilisation.

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Total marks: 100 Marks

around the body.

which span across the whole body so can reach everywhere.

1.3) Describe how an electrical impulse in transmitted from one neurone to

When an electrical impulse arrives at the end of an axon, chemicals called

neurotransmitters are released from vesicles.

1.4) Define homeostasis.

Homeostasis is the regulation of internal and external conditions to maintain a stable

environment in the body.

1.5) The human endocrine system is also vital in communicating with

Name the hormones produced by the following parts of the endocrine

Adrenal gland produces: ____________________

1.6) Compare the human body’s nervous response with a hormonal

Hormonal responses are chemical whereas nervous impulses are electrical.

Nervous response usually is short-acting and specific whereas hormonal response

1.7) Describe the interactions of hormones which control the menstrual

(Total marks for question 1 = 23 marks)

Mitosis consists of one division whereas meiosis consists of two divisions.

Mitosis produces diploid cells (46 chromosomes) whereas meiosis produces

haploid cells (23 chromosomes).

genetically different daughter cells.

2.3) Describe how asexual reproduction is different to sexual reproduction.

In sexual reproduction, an organism combines the genetic information

from each of its parents and is genetically unique.

In asexual reproduction, one parent copies itself to form a genetically

2.4) Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is the molecule which contains instructions

Double helix structure made up of many nucleotide monomers which

contain the four bases A, T, G, and C.

2.5) What is a gene?

particular sequence of amino acids, to make a specific protein

2.6) Some disorders can be inherited from parents.

stop working properly.

2.7) Polydactyly is another genetic disorder which causes someone to be born

Genetic variations can arise from mutations or from meiosis which

produces genetic different daughter cells.

Genetic variation is advantageous to a population because it enables

some individuals to adapt to the environment while maintaining the

survival of the population.

(Total marks for question 2 = 18 marks)

A random mutation occurs in the DNA of individual bacterial cells. The

becomes antibiotic resistant. Bacteria without the mutation die when

the antibiotic is present.

such as MRSA which are resistant to many antibiotics and are

therefore more difficult to treat.

(Total marks for question 3 = 7 marks)

4.1) What is meant by the terms interspecific competition and intraspecific

for a resource. Interspecific competition occurs between different species.

4.2) Plants have to compete with each other.

Light - plants need light for photosynthesis in order to produce glucose

which provides energy for growth.

Water - water is essential for photosynthesis and therefore growth

magnesium ions needed for photosynthesis.

4.3) In a food web, it is commonly said that organisms are interdependent.

seed dispersal etc.

species for food to decrease in number too.

increase in rate of photosynthesis and increase in growth.

themselves which allows them to keep their internal temperature at an optimum.

Water continuously evaporates, condenses and precipitates. It evaporates from bodies

in the clouds, and precipitates as rain or snow.

(transpiration also gain mark)

4.7) Design a practical experiment that could be used to measure the

Additional details that would score marks: