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Skills Assessment Bundle

Critical Analysis

Marks 138

Time 188 minutes

Questions 15

Q1.
(a) Describe and explain the mechanism that causes lungs to fill with air.

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(3)

A scientist observed sections of lung tissue using an optical microscope.

The image below shows one of these sections.

K is an air-filled tube and L is a blood vessel.

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(b) Identify the structures labelled K and L.

K ____________________

L ____________________
(1)

(c) Two solutions often used to stain tissues are haematoxylin solution and iodine
solution.

• Haematoxylin solution stains DNA a blue colour.

• Iodine solution stains starch a blue-black colour.

The scientist used haematoxylin solution and not iodine solution to stain the lung
tissue.

Suggest why.

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(2)

(d) Scientists investigated the link between the lung disease asthma and three risk
factors. They studied a large number of people. They recorded if the people had
asthma and if they:

• were obese
• burned wood indoors as a fuel
• lived in a house with a cat or dog.

The scientists used a statistical test to calculate the probability of the link between
asthma and each risk factor being due to chance.

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 The table below shows their results.

Risk Factor Probability (P value)

Obese < 0.001

Burned wood indoors = 0.06

Lived with a cat or dog < 0.05

A student who looked at these results concluded that all three risk factors are linked
with asthma. Evaluate this conclusion.

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(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q2.
Farmers use artificial fertilisers to maintain or increase yield from grain-producing crop
plants such as wheat.

(a) Artificial fertiliser is used to replace mineral ions removed from the land when crops
are harvested. One of the mineral ions is nitrate.

Give two examples of biological molecules containing nitrogen that would be

removed when a crop is harvested.

1. _________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Scientists investigated changes in the use of artificial fertiliser in India between 1970
and 2005. They also investigated changes in the fertiliser response ratio. This

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 ratio shows how many kg of grain are produced for each kg of fertiliser used.

The graph shows their results in the form the scientists presented them. (A hectare
is a unit of area commonly used in agriculture)

Use these data to calculate the difference in the mass of grain produced per hectare
in 1970 compared with 2005.

Show your working.

Difference ____________________ kg hectare−1

(2)

(c) Use the data in the graph above to evaluate the use of artificial fertilisers on grain-
producing crops in India.

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(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Q3.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a small circular DNA molecule located in mitochondria. It is
16 569 nucleotides long and contains 37 genes and a control region.

Sports scientists investigated whether a mutation in the control region of mtDNA in human
males was related to an ability to exercise for longer.

• The males in Group T had thymine at nucleotide position 16 519

• The males in Group C had a mutation resulting in cytosine at nucleotide position 16
519

(a) The control regions of Group T and Group C were the same length.

Name the type of gene mutation that is most likely to have occurred at nucleotide
position 16 519

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(1)

Group T and Group C completed the same 8-week training programme. The following
measurements were taken at the start of the 8-week programme, and again at the end.

1. VO2 max (a measure of maximal oxygen uptake).

2. Citrate synthase (CS) activity (CS is an enzyme involved in the Krebs cycle).

The scientists then calculated the percentage increase in each measurement in both
groups.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 show their results.

(b) A student concluded from Figure 1 and Figure 2 that training has a positive effect
on VO2 max and CS activity.

Evaluate the student’s conclusion.

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(3)

(c) The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region is an area of mtDNA that is non-
coding. This region stimulates the synthesis of both mtDNA and mitochondrial
messenger RNA.

Use this information to suggest two reasons why the mutation at nucleotide position
16 519 could lead to the differences seen in Figure 2.

1 _________________________________________________________________

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2 _________________________________________________________________

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(2)

The sports scientists investigated whether there was a correlation between the
percentage change in VO2 max and percentage change in CS activity in Group T.

Figure 3 shows their results.

Figure 3

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 (d) ‘Having thymine at nucleotide position 16 519 in Group T causes an increase in
ability to exercise for longer.’

Evaluate this conclusion.

Use all the data in this question.

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(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q4.
Bacteriophages are viruses that kill bacteria.

The diagram below shows drawings of a bacteriophage and a bacterium.

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(a) Using the diagram and your own knowledge, put a tick (✔ ) in the box next to the
only correct statement about the structures of the bacteriophage and the bacterium

Both have ribosomes.

Both have a cell-surface membrane.

The bacteriophage has a capsid and

the bacterium has a cell-surface
membrane.

The bacteriophage has a cell wall and

the bacterium has a capsid.
(1)

(b) Using the scales in the diagram above, calculate how many times longer the
bacterium is than the bacteriophage.

Use the distance between the points labelled A and B on each drawing in your
calculations. Show your working.

The bacterium is ____________________ times longer

(2)

(c) Scientists investigated the use of bacteriophages to treat lung infections caused by

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 bacteria. They infected the lungs of mice with a pathogenic species of bacterium.
The mice were then divided into two groups, A and B.

• The mice in group A were not treated with bacteriophage.

• The mice in group B were treated by breathing in a spray containing
bacteriophage particles.

After 3 days, the scientists killed the mice and removed their lungs. They washed
out each set of lungs with a set volume of liquid. The scientists determined the
number of live bacteria in the liquid.

The graph below shows the scientists’ results. The graph shows the mean and the
range of the data about the mean for each group. Standard deviations of the means
are not shown.

What would the scientists’ null hypothesis be for this investigation?

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(1)

(d) With some samples, the scientists decided they needed to carry out a series of
dilutions of the sample before counting the bacteria.

Use evidence from the graph above to explain why dilutions were necessary for
some samples but not for others.

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(2)

(e) Using only the graph above, what can you conclude from these data about the
effectiveness of the bacteriophage in treating this lung infection in mice?

Do not consider statistical analyses in your answer.

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(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q5.
Scientists investigated the effect of a heat treatment on mass transport in barley plants.

• They applied steam to one short section of a leaf of the heat-treated plants. This
area is shown by the arrows in Figure 1.
• They did not apply steam to the leaves of control plants.
• They then supplied carbon dioxide containing radioactively-labelled carbon to each
plant in the area shown by the rectangular boxes in Figure 1.
• After 4 hours, they:
◦ found the position of the radioactively-labelled carbon in each plant. These
results are shown in Figure 1.
◦ recorded the water content of the parts of the leaf that were supplied with
radioactively-labelled carbon dioxide. These results are shown in the table.

Figure 1

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 Plant from which the Water content of leaf / % of maximum
leaf was taken (± 2 standard deviations)

Heat-treated Plant 84.6

A (±11.3)

Control Plant, not

92.8
heat treated
(±8.6)
B

(a) The scientists concluded that this heat treatment damaged the phloem.

Explain how the results in Figure 1 support this conclusion.

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(2)

(b) The scientists also concluded that this heat treatment did not affect the xylem.

Explain how the results in the table support this conclusion.

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(2)

(c) The scientists then investigated the movement of iron ions (Fe3+) from the soil to old
and young leaves of heat-treated barley plants and to leaves of plants that were not
heat treated. Heat treatment was applied half way up the leaves. The scientists
determined the concentration of Fe3+ in the top and lower halves of the leaves of
each plant.

Their results are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

What can you conclude about the movement of Fe3+ in barley plants?

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 Use all the information provided.

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(4)
(Total 8 marks)

Q6.
(a) Describe the role of two named enzymes in the process of semi-conservative
replication of DNA.

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(3)

(b) Scientists investigated the function of a eukaryotic cell protein called cyclin A. This
protein is thought to be involved with the binding of one of the enzymes required at
the start of DNA replication.

The scientists treated cultures of cells in the following ways.

C – Control cells, untreated
D – Added antibody that binds specifically to cyclin A
E – Added RNA that prevents translation of cyclin A
F – Added RNA that prevents translation of cyclin A and added cyclin A protein

They then determined the percentage of cells in each culture in which DNA was
replicating.

Their results are shown in the table.

Percentage of cells where

Cell treatment
DNA was replicating

C
91
Control

D
Antibody that binds 11
specifically to cyclin A

E
RNA that prevents translation 10
of cyclin A

F
RNA that prevents translation
92
of cyclin A and added cyclin
A protein

Suggest explanations for the results in the table.

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(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Q7.
Uncontrolled cell division can cause tumours to form.

Figure 1 shows the growth pattern followed by a type of tumour.

Figure 1

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(a) Use Figure 1 to calculate the percentage of maximum growth this type of tumour
reaches before it can be detected.

You will need to use the 10x button on your calculator.

Answer = _________________________%
(1)

(b) Figure 1 can also be used to calculate the age of this type of tumour.

At diagnosis, a patient had a tumour of 3.98 × 1011 cells.

Calculate the age of the tumour.

You will need to use the log10 button on your calculator.

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 Answer = _________________________ years
(1)

Trexall is a drug that can be used to slow the development of various forms of cancer.

Trexall slows cell division by interacting with an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase
(DR).

DR is involved in making nucleotides; the substrate for DR is folic acid.

Figure 2 shows the chemical structure of Trexall.

Figure 3 shows the chemical structure of folic acid.

Figure 2

Figure 3

(c) Use the information provided to suggest how Trexall slows cell division.

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(3)

Doctors investigated how the concentration of Trexall given to patients affected the growth
of lung tumours. The doctors measured the volume of tumours at the beginning of the
study and after 8 months.

Figure 4 shows the results of this investigation. The bars represent ± 2 standard
deviations. A value of ± 2 standard deviations from the mean includes over 95% of the
data.

Figure 4

(d) The scientists measured the percentage change in tumour volume.

Suggest why they recorded both percentage change and tumour volume.

Percentage change ___________________________________________________

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Tumour volume ______________________________________________________

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 (2)

(e) A lung cancer patient received 15 mg of Trexall per week. After treatment, the
diameter of his lung tumour was 35.8 mm

Assuming the tumour was spherical, use the mean percentage change in tumour
volume shown in Figure 4 to calculate the volume of the patient’s tumour before
treatment with Trexall.

The formula for the volume of a sphere is where π = 3.14

Answer = _________________________ mm3

(2)

(f) To reduce the size of tumours, would it be better to use 30 mg of Trexall per week,
or 20 mg of Trexall per week?

Explain your answer.

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(2)

Trexall can also be used to slow the development of rheumatoid arthritis (a pain-causing
joint disease).

Scientists investigated the effectiveness of Trexall as a pain relief treatment in 12

rheumatoid arthritis patients. All of the patients were female. They randomly divided the
patients into two groups:

• Group R received Trexall tablets for 35 days

• Group S was a control group.

They asked both groups to rate their pain on a scale of 0–10 (0 being no pain and 10

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 being the worst pain possible) at the start and then every 7 days for 35 days. They
calculated mean scores for each group.

Their results can be seen in the table.

Number of Mean score for severity of

days of pain (scale 0–10)
treatment Group R Group S
0 9.7 9.8
7 8.2 9.1
14 8.4 8.6
21 7.6 7.2
28 6.3 7.5
35 5.1 7.8

(g) Apart from age and general health, give two important factors when choosing
patients for this investigation.

1 _________________________________________________________________

2 _________________________________________________________________
(1)

(h) A student analysed the table above and concluded that Trexall was effective in
reducing pain in arthritis patients.

Evaluate the student’s conclusion.

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(3)
(Total 15 marks)

Q8.

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Scientists investigated the species of insects found in a wood and in a nearby wheat field.
The scientists collected insects by placing traps at sites chosen at random both in the
wood and in the wheat field.

The table shows the data collected in the wood and in the wheat field.

Number of organisms of each species

Species of insect
Wood Wheat field

Bird-cherry oat aphid 0 216

Beech aphid 563 0

Large white butterfly 20 0

Lacewing 12 3

7-spot ladybird 36 0

2-spot ladybird 9 1

Total number of organisms of all

640 220
species

(a) The scientists collected insects at sites chosen at random. Explain the importance of
the sites being chosen at random.

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(1)

(b) (i) Use the formula

to calculate the index of diversity for the insects caught in the wood, where

d = index of diversity
N = total number of organisms of all species
n = total number of organisms of each species

Show your working.

Answer ____________________
(2)

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 (ii) Without carrying out any further calculations, estimate whether the index of
diversity for the wheat field would be higher or lower than the index of diversity
for the wood.

Explain how you arrived at your answer.

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(2)

(c) A journalist concluded that this investigation showed that farming reduces species
diversity.
Evaluate this conclusion.

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(2)

(d) Farmers were offered grants by the government to plant hedges around their fields.
Explain the effect planting hedges could have on the index of diversity for animals.

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(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Q9.
The crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) is one of the main causes of the decline of the
world’s coral reefs.

Marine biologists used a choice chamber to investigate the effects of flashing and
constant light on the behaviour of COTS.

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Table 1 shows their results as they presented them. The P values show results from a
statistical test.

Table 1

Type of light used in choice

Behaviour of COTS chamber

Flashing Constant

COTS moving towards the stimulus 22 12

COTS moving away from the

28 38
stimulus

P value 0.69 0.02

(a) State a null hypothesis the marine biologists tested in this investigation.

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(1)

(b) The natural habitat of COTS is coral reefs of tropical oceans.

Suggest two factors that should be kept constant in the choice chambers so that
COTS display normal behaviour.

1 _________________________________________________________________

2 _________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) A journalist studying Table 1 suggested that either type of light could be used to
cause COTS to move away from coral reefs.

Evaluate the journalist’s suggestion.

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(3)

(d) One of the reasons COTS can destroy coral reefs in a short time is because COTS
move quickly, allowing them to move from one reef to another.

Table 2 shows the maximum speeds recorded of COTS in constant light.

Table 2

Response to light Maximum speed / mm min−1

COTS moving towards constant light 259

COTS moving away from constant light 264

Calculate the shortest time one COTS would take to move up a coral reef from 66 m
under water to 18 m under water in hours of daylight.

Give your answer to the nearest hour.

Answer = _______________________ hours

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q10.
The ‘placebo effect’ describes the improvement in patients’ symptoms due to
psychological effects. Scientists investigated the placebo effect in patients with asthma.
They divided a large number of asthma patients into three groups, 1, 2 and 3.

• Group 1 inhaled a spray containing albuterol every day. Albuterol is a drug used to
treat asthma.

• Group 2 inhaled a placebo spray every day. This was identical to the spray given to
group 1 but it did not contain albuterol.

• Group 3 did not receive any spray treatment.

(a) Describe one way the scientists could have allocated the patients to each group.

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(2)

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The scientists measured the forced expiratory volume (FEV ) of each patient at regular
1

intervals. The forced expiratory volume (FEV ) is the volume of air forced out of the lungs
1

in the first second when breathing out. The scientists recorded each patient’s FEV before
1

treatment started and after 60 days of treatment. They then calculated the mean increase
in FEV for each group. Their results are shown in the graph. The bars show the standard
1

deviation.

Patient group

(b) What do the standard deviation bars suggest about the difference in the mean
increase in FEV between Group 1 and the other groups? Explain your answer.
1

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(2)

(c) What do the data suggest about the ‘placebo effect’ in this investigation? Explain
your answer.

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 (2)

(d) On each occasion that a patient’s FEV was measured, a doctor repeated the
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measurement several times. Explain why.

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(2)

(e) All the patients continued with their normal treatment for asthma. The normal
treatment was the same for all patients and its effects were short-lived. The patients
were told to stop this treatment 24 hours before FEV measurements were taken.
1

(i) Suggest why all the patients were allowed to continue with their normal
asthma treatment in this investigation.

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(1)

(ii) Suggest why the patients were told to stop their normal asthma treatment 24
hours before their FEV measurements were taken.
1

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(2)

(f) After 60 days, the patients in each group were asked to give themselves an
Improvement Score from 0-10 to show how much they felt their symptoms had
improved. This was done before their FEV was measured. The scientists calculated
1

the mean Improvement Score for each group.

(i) The scientists concluded that the data obtained for the Improvement Scores
were less reliable than the data obtained measuring FEV . Suggest why they
1

concluded this.

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(2)

(ii) Group 3 reported the lowest mean Improvement Score. Suggest one
explanation for this.

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(2)
(Total 15 marks)

Q11.
In northern India, there is a conflict of interests between farmers of livestock (eg cows)
and people trying to conserve ibex (a type of wild goat).

When livestock are given extra food, their populations can grow too large and compete
with ibex.

(a) Name the type of competition between livestock and ibex.

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(1)

Livestock will outcompete ibex if they:

• are in the same habitat

• eat a similar diet.

Scientists investigated this conflict of interests.

The table below summarises some of the scientists’ findings.

Difference between Difference between

Type of
livestock food and livestock habitat and
livestock
ibex food* ibex habitat*

Cow 1.0 1.5

Horse 0.5 0.0

Yak 0.0 2.0

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 * A score of 0.0 indicates that the food or habitat is the same.

(b) There must be a balance between the need for conservation of the ibex and the
need for farmers to keep livestock.

Using all the information, suggest and explain three actions that the farmers could
take to achieve this balance.

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(3)
(Total 4 marks)

Q12.
A scientist investigated birth mass in a population of babies. She determined the birth
mass (b) of babies and grouped this information into different ranges of birth mass.

Her results are shown in the table below.

Birth mass b / kg Range of mass / kg Frequency density

0.0 < b ⩽ 2.0 2.0 5 000

2.0 < b ⩽ 2.5 0.5 20 000

2.5 < b ⩽ 3.0 0.5 90 000

3.0 < b ⩽ 3.5 0.5 260 000

3.5 < b ⩽ 4.5 1.0 200 000

4.5 < b ⩽ 5.5 1.0 20 000

Frequency density is calculated using this equation

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(a) Draw, on Figure 1, a suitable chart to show the distribution of birth mass for this
population of babies.

Figure 1

(4)

(b) Babies with birth mass less than 2.5 kg are classified as low birth mass.

Use information in the table above and the equation to calculate the number of
babies born with low birth mass in this population.

Show your working.

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 Answer _______________
(2)

The scientist also measured the relationship between birth mass and babies
surviving less than 4 weeks. She determined if the mothers of these babies smoked
cigarettes during pregnancy. Her results are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

(c) State three conclusions that can be drawn from the data in Figure 2.

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3. ________________________________________________________________

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(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q13.
Guppies are small fish. Female guppies are dull in colour. Male guppies can be bright or
dull in colour.

Scientists investigated the effect of female brain size on choosing a mate. They used
laboratory-bred female guppies with large brains and with small brains.

They set up a fish tank as shown in the diagram below.

They observed each female for 10 minutes and recorded which male they were attracted
towards. They repeated this with 45 large-brained females and 45 small-brained females.

(a) Suggest three possible limitations of this investigation.

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(3)

Guppies with large brains are better at identifying predators.

The scientists found that only female guppies with large brains were attracted to male
guppies bright in colour.

(b) Suggest and explain the advantage of this behaviour to the population of guppies.

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(3)

(c) Describe how the behaviour of female guppies could result in sympatric speciation.

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(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q14.
Scientists investigated the control of blood glucose concentration in mice. They kept a
group of normal mice without food for 48 hours. After 48 hours, the blood glucose
concentrations of the mice were the same as at the start of the experiment.

(a) Explain how the normal mice prevented their blood glucose concentration falling
when they had not eaten for 48 hours.

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(3)

The scientists then investigated mice with a mutation that prevents their liver cells making
glucose. They kept a group of these mice without food for 48 hours. After 48 hours, the
mean blood glucose concentrations of the mutant mice and the normal mice were the
same.

The scientists investigated how blood glucose concentration is controlled in these mutant
mice. An enzyme required for synthesis of glucose is coded for by a gene called PCK1.
The scientists measured the mean amount of mRNA produced from this gene in cells from
the kidneys and intestines of normal mice and mutant mice. They did this with mice that
had previously been without food for 48 hours.

The scientists’ results are shown in the graph.

(b) Use information from the graph to suggest how blood glucose concentration is
controlled in the mutant mice, compared with the normal mice.

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(3)

(c) The scientists performed statistical tests on the data shown in the graph, to see
whether the differences in the amount of mRNA in cells from normal and mutant
mice were significant. Both the probability values they obtained were p<0.01.

Explain what this means about the differences in the amounts of mRNA produced.

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q15.
Algae are photosynthesising organisms. Some grow on rocky shores. Scientists
investigated the abundance of different species of algae at two sites, A and B, on a rocky
shore. Site A was on the upper shore and site B was on the lower shore. The diagram
shows the location of sites A and B on the rocky shore.

Table 1 shows some of the results the scientists obtained.

Table 1

Site A Site B
Upper shore Lower shore

Species of Gigartina spinosa

Gigartina leptorhynchos
algae with
Rhodoglossum affine
percentage Gigartina canaliculata
cover more Laurencia pacifica
than 1% Gelidium coulteri
Gastroclonium coulteri
Rhodoglossum affine
Centroceros clavulatum
Gigartina canaliculata
Corallina
vancouveriensis

(a) The scientists recorded data from 40 large rocks at each site.

Describe one method that the scientists could have used to ensure that the large
rocks were chosen without bias.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Page 35 of 54
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) The scientists used percentage cover rather than frequency to record the
abundance of algae present

Suggest why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Apart from availability of water, describe and explain how two abiotic factors may
have caused differences in the species of algae growing at sites A and B.

Factor 1 ____________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Factor 2 ____________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Use the information provided in Table 1 to explain why the diversity of consumers
will be greater at site B.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) The scientists also investigated the algae eaten by two consumers found on the
rocky shore, the sea slug and the shore crab. The scientists carried out their
investigation in a laboratory.

• They put each consumer into a separate tank through which aerated seawater
flowed slowly.
• Each tank contained 5 grams of one species of alga.
• After 50 hours, they measured the mass of the alga remaining in each tank.
• They repeated this procedure several times using a different sea slug and a
different shore crab each time.

The scientists then calculated the mean mass of each species of alga eaten by the
consumers. They used a statistical test to determine the P value.

Table 2 shows some of the results they obtained.

Page 36 of 54
 Table 2
Mean mass eaten / g
Species of alga P value
Sea slug Shore crab
Laurencia pacifica 4.42 0.22 <0.01

Egregia leavigata 0.12 0.08 >0.05

Microcystis pyrifera 0.19 0.14 >0.05

Cystoseira
0.17 0.04 <0.05
osmondacea

(i) The consumers were starved for 5 days before the investigation.

Explain why.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) The data in Table 2 for the mean mass of alga eaten were adjusted for loss of
mass by the alga due to respiration.

Suggest how the scientists were able to determine the loss of mass due to
respiration of a sample of alga.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(iii) Suggest what conclusions the scientists could have made from this
investigation when using the probability values in Table 2.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Page 37 of 54
______________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 15 marks)

Page 38 of 54
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) 1. Diaphragm (muscle) contracts and external intercostal muscles contract;
Ignore ribs move up and out

2. (Causes volume increase and) pressure decrease;

3. Air moves down a pressure gradient

Ignore along

OR

Air enters from higher atmospheric pressure;

3

(b) K = Bronchiole and

L = artery/arteriole/vein/venule;
Reject capillary
Ignore pulmonary
1

(c) 1. This/animal/lung tissue does not contain starch;

Accept cell(s) for ‘tissue’

2. (Makes) nucleus visible;

OR

Nucleus contains DNA;

2

(d) In support

1. (Link/risk with asthma and) living with cat or dog is (statistically) significant;

2. (Link with) obesity is most/highly significant;

Reject ‘results are significant’

Not supported

3. (Link/risk with asthma and) burned wood (indoors) is not (statistically)

significant;
Accept ‘due to chance’ for ‘not significant’ and converse
3
[9]

Q2.
(a) Two suitable examples;
Examples
1. amino acid / protein / polypeptide / peptide;
2. nucleic acid / nucleotide / base;

Page 39 of 54
 3. DNA;
4. RNA;
5. ATP / ADP;
6. NAD / NADP (reduced or not);
7. Cyclic AMP / cAMP;
8. Chlorophyll;
List rule applies
Reject for either point nitrates / nitrites / ammonia /
ammonium / urea
4. Accept pre-mRNA / mRNA / rRNA / tRNA
2 max

(b) Correct answer in the range 90 to 133.2 scores 2 marks;

1 mark for answers where yield calculated correctly for 1970 OR 2005;
(1970 in range) 170.8 to 176.4
OR
(2005 in range) 266.4 to 304.0;
Accept positive or negative values
2

(c) 1. Using more but getting less response over time;

2. The graph shows correlation but doesn’t prove changes in yield due to
fertiliser / but there could be other factors;
3. Becomes less cost effective with time;
Idea of over time is important
1. accept fertiliser becomes less effective over time
1. Accept use of figures from graph
1. Accept the idea of less grain / crop over time
2. Ignore whether correlation is positive or negative
2 max
[6]

Q3.
(a) Substitution;
Accept inversion or translocation
Ignore ‘point mutation’
1

(b)
Max 2 marks for mark points 2, 3 and 4

1. (VO2 max and CS activity) increased for both groups;

2. No statistical test, so do not know if differences are significant

OR
No statistical test, so differences could be due to chance;
Ignore standard deviation
Accept correct named statistical test eg t-test

3. Only 8 weeks training

OR
Training did not last long;

Page 40 of 54
 4. Might not be true for all types of training/exercise/females;
3 max

(c) In Group C:

1. Less mitochondrial replication/production;

1. and 2. Accept converse for Group T

2. Less transcription (of genes) for mitochondrial proteins/CS

OR
Less translation of (mRNA into) mitochondrial proteins;
Accept less CS/enzyme is produced
2

(d)
Max 2 marks for mark points 3, 4 and 5
Ignore any answers relating to sample size or duration of
investigation
Ignore ‘correlation does not mean causation’ unless qualified

For (no mark)

1. (From Figure 2 Group T have) increased CS activity for Krebs cycle;

2. (from Figure 1 Group T have) increased VO2 max so more oxygen

(available)
OR
(from Figure 1 Group T have) increased VO2 max so more aerobic
respiration
OR
(from Figure 1 Group T have) increased VO2 max so delayed anaerobic
respiration;
Accept ‘less lactate’ for delayed anaerobic respiration

Against (no mark)

3. No correlation between (percentage change in) VO2 max and CS activity

OR
No correlation on Figure 3;

4. It might not be thymine causing the increase

OR
There may be other differences in the control region (of Group T) that
cause the increase;
Ignore ‘could be due to lifestyle/diet changes’

5. VO2 max/CS activity not the only measures of ability to exercise for longer;
Accept ideas that they did not measure ability to exercise for
longer
3 max
[9]

Q4.
(a)

Page 41 of 54
 The bacteriophage has a capsid and the
bacterium has a cell-surface membrane;
Third box down
Reject if more than one box with tick. Ignore crossed-out ticks
Accept tick to right or left of correct box
1

(b) Correct number of times between

13.0 / 12.96 and 13.9 / 13.92 scores 2 marks;
One mark if correct sizes in ranges of
150.7nm to 154.4nm / 0.151μm to 0.154μm
and 1953.5nm to 2097.6nm / 1.954μm to 2.098μm;
Both lengths required for 1 mark credit
Accept refs to 150 / 0.15 and 2000 / 2
Ignore number of sig fig
2

(c) The bacteriophage makes no difference to the number of (living) bacteria /

there will be no difference in the number of (live) bacteria in treated and
untreated mice / there will be no difference in the number of (live) bacteria in A
and B;
Ignore no difference between mice
1

(d) 1. Log scale (on graph) shows big range in number of bacteria
OR
Use of suitable data from log scale to give the range in number of
bacteria;
2. Some samples too many to count (so dilute) but some
countable (so don’t dilute)
OR
Use of figures from graph relating to ease (or otherwise) of counting
Example. 631 000 000 bacteria would be too big to count (without serial
dilution), 100 000 bacteria is small enough to count;
1 and 2 Do not accept simple statements of log10 values
from graph
Look for answers in standard form
Group A
Mean between 79 million and 100 million
Range 4 million to 631 million
Group B
Mean between 100 thousand and 126 thousand
Range 3.98/4 up to 251 thousand
2

(e) 1. (Bacteriophage) reduces number of bacteria;

2. (In all cases / mice because) ranges don’t overlap;
3. But big range of effect/some mice a big reduction/a few
mice with big falls in number
OR
Doesn’t bring bacteria down to 0 in any / works for some (mice) but not
for all;
Do not accept just quotes of log10 figures direct from graph

Page 42 of 54
 Ignore refs to significance
Range 3.98/4 up to 251 thousand
2. Reject ref to SD / SE
3
[9]

Q5.
(a) EITHER

1. The radioactively labelled carbon is converted into sugar/organic substances

during photosynthesis;
For ‘organic substance’ accept named organic substance, eg
glucose, sucrose, amino acid.

2. Mass flow/translocation in the phloem throughout the plant only in plants that
were untreated/B/control
OR
Movement of sugar/organic substances in the phloem throughout the plant
only in plants that were untreated/B/control;
Accept ‘translocation/mass transport in the phloem past the
heat treatment only in the untreated plant/B/control’.
Accept converse for heat-treated plant/A ie Movement of
sugar/organic substances/mass flow/translocation in the
phloem stops (beyond the heat treatment) in treated
plants/A.

OR

3. Movement in phloem requires living cells/respiration/active transport/ATP;

4. Heat treatment damages living cells so transport in the phloem throughout the
plant only in plants that were untreated/B/control
OR
Heat treatment stops respiration/active transport/ATP production so transport
in the phloem throughout the plant only in plants that were untreated/B/control;
Do not mix and match – award either mp1 and mp2 or mp3
and mp4.
2

(b) 1. (The water content of the leaves was) not different because (means ± 2)
standard deviations overlap;
For ‘not different’ accept ‘difference is not significant’ or
‘difference due to chance’.

2. Water is (therefore) still being transported in the xylem (to the leaf)
OR
Movement in xylem is passive so unaffected by heat treatment;
2

(c) 1. Heat treatment has a greater effect on young leaves than old;
Accept description of no/little/(slight) increase effect in old
leaves and change in young leaves.

2. Heat treatment damages the phloem;

Page 43 of 54
 3. Fe3+ moves up the leaf/plant;

4. (Suggests) Fe3+ is transported in the xylem in older leaf;

5. In young leaf, some in xylem, as some still reaches top part of leaf;

6. (Suggests) Fe3+ is (mostly) transported in phloem in young leaf

OR
Xylem is damaged in young leaf
OR
Xylem is alive in young leaf;

7. Higher ratio of Fe3+ in (all/untreated) old leaves than (all/untreated) young;

Accept ‘more at the top’ for ‘higher ratio’.

8. All ratios show there is less Fe3+ in the top than the lower part of leaves;

9. (But) no statistical test to show if the difference(s) is significant;

Accept ‘(But) no standard deviations to show if the
difference(s) is significant’.
4 max
[8]

Q6.
(a) 1. (DNA) helicase causes breaking of hydrogen/H bonds (between DNA strands);
Reject ‘helicase hydrolyses hydrogen bonds’.

2. DNA polymerase joins the (DNA) nucleotides;

Reject if suggestion that DNA polymerase joins the
complementary nucleotides or forms H bonds.
Reject if joining RNA nucleotides or forming RNA.

3. Forming phosphodiester bonds;

3

(b) 1. (Treatment D Antibody binds to cyclin A so) it cannot bind to

DNA/enzyme/initiate DNA replication;
For ‘bind to enzyme’ accept ‘activate’.
Idea of ‘initiate DNA replication’ must be linked to start not
just less replication.
For ‘enzyme’ accept named enzyme.

2. (Treatment E) RNA interferes with mRNA/tRNA/ribosome/polypeptide

formation (so cyclin A not made);

3. In Treatment F added cyclin A can bind to DNA/enzyme (to initiate DNA

replication)
OR
Treatment F shows that it is the cyclin A that is being affected in the other
treatments
OR
Treatment F shows that cyclin A allows the enzyme to bind (to DNA)
OR
(Some cells in D or E) can continue with DNA replication because they have a
different cyclin A allele

Page 44 of 54
 OR
(Some cells in D or E) can continue with DNA replication because the
antibody/RNA has not bound to all the cyclin A protein/mRNA
OR
(Some cells in E) can continue with DNA replication because they contain
previously translated cyclin A;
Context needed for Treatment F but it does not need to be
named.
For ‘enzyme’ accept named enzyme.
3
[6]

Q7.
(a) 0.1;
1

(b) Accept answer in the range of 4.7 to 4.9;

1

(c) 1. (Trexall acts as a) competitive inhibitor

OR
(Trexall) competes (with folic acid/substrate) for/is able
to fit into/binds at active site (on dihydrofolate
reductase / enzyme);
Reject Trexall and folic acid have the same shape

2. Less folic acid/substrate attaches

OR
Fewer enzyme-substrate complexes;
Accept folic acid/substrate is prevented from binding

3. Fewer/not enough nucleotides available for DNA replication;

Accept fewer/not enough nucleotides available during
interphase/for semi-conservative replication/to add to (all) template
strands/for transcription
3

(d) Percentage change

1. To allow comparison as tumours may differ in volume/size (at the start

of the investigation);

Tumour volume

2. (As) tumours may differ in length/width/shape

OR
(As) volume is (best) indication of the number of cells in tumour;
Accept ‘as tumours are three dimensional’
Ignore answers relating to density/thickness
2

(e) Answer in the range 32 015.93682 to 32 045 = 2 marks

OR
3.20 × 104 = 2 marks;;

Page 45 of 54
 Allow 1 mark for correct calculation of volume after treatment in range of
24 011.95261 to 24 034/2.40 × 104

Allow 1 mark if student uses diameter throughout instead of radius, in range of

256 127 to 256 361/2.56 × 105
Accept any suitable rounding
2 max

(f)
Accept converse arguments for all mark points.

For (the use of 30 mg)

1. There is a significantly greater reduction (in tumour size with 30 mg), as

SD (bars) do not overlap;
Accept ‘significant difference’ for ‘significantly greater reduction’

2. In some cases (with 30 mg) there was a 100% reduction in size/tumours

would have been eradicated;

Against (the use of 30 mg)

3. There is too much/a lot of variation in effectiveness with 30 mg (in

contrast with 20 mg);
Ignore 30 mg has a lot of deviation/large standard deviation’
unqualified

4. (No idea of) extra cost of providing 30 mg per week;

5. (Increased risk of) side effects with higher doses;

2 max

(h) Accept any two suitable suggestions for one mark, eg;

Severity/duration of arthritis

Current/other medication

Type of arthritis

Weight/body mass

Ethnicity
Reject age/health as they are directly in the stem
Ignore gender/sex
Ignore general answers such as diet/activity/lifestyle
1 max

(g)
2 max for answer only giving reasons against

For

1. Pain decreases more with Trexall/Group R compared with the control

group/Group S
OR
Pain decreases by 4.6 with Trexall/Group R and by 2 with the control

Page 46 of 54
 group/Group S;
Ignore numbers stated from the table, eg 9.7 to 5.1 and 9.8 to 7.8

Against

2. Small sample size/only 12 people/only studied females / effects in males

could be different;

3. (Mean score for severity of) pain in control group/Group S is (also)

lower;
Could be subsumed within MP1

4. No statistical testing, so do not know if decrease/difference is significant;

Ignore ‘do not know if results are significant’

5. Pain is (a) subjective (measurement);

Accept ‘patients might lie about pain’
3 max
[15]

Q8.
(a) Removes bias;
1

(b) (i) 1. 1.28 / 1.29 / 1.285 / 1.3

1. Ignore more than 3dp

2. Answer incorrect but shows clear understanding of Σ

2. Σ = 318250. Allow mark if denominator written out.
Incorrect denominator but evidence of understanding gains
mark
2

(ii) Diversity index would be lower (NO MARK)

Assume wheat field if site unspecified

1. Fewer species / Beech aphid / Large white butterfly / 7-spot

ladybird absent / only three species / species diversity lower /
mostly one species / mostly bird-cherry aphid;
1. Allow species richness in context of few species

2. Fewer plant species;

2. Allow one type of food source if clearly plant
2

(c) For:

1. Data support the claim / evidence supports claim;

1. Ignore reference to correlation / causation

Against:

2. Only wheat field / only comparing with wood / one type of habitat / only
insects considered;
2 max

Page 47 of 54
 (d) 1. Greater variety of plants;

2. Another habitat / more habitats / places to live / niches / another food

source / more food types;
2. Answers referring to ‘more food’ should not be credited.
Allow reference to either animal or plant as foods
2
[9]

Q9.
(a) Accept suitable null hypothesis that includes type of light and behaviour, eg

The type of light has no effect on the behaviour/movement of COTS

OR
There is no difference in behaviour/movement with constant/flashing light;
Ignore general null hypotheses, or example ‘there is no difference
between observed and expected’
1

(b) Accept any two factors for one mark from the list below;

Salinity / salt concentration of the water

Temperature (of the water)

Amount / distribution of food

pH (of the water)

Oxygen/carbon dioxide concentration

Intensity/wavelength of (constant and flashing) light

List rule applies
Ignore humidity
Ignore type of coral
Ignore depth of water
1 max

(c) Yes (no mark)

1. Movement is away from either type/both types of light

OR
Negative (photo) taxis to both types/either types of light;

2. Significant movement away from constant light as

p = 0.02 / < 0.05 / = 2% / < 5%
OR
Movement away from constant light is not due to
chance as p = 0.02 / 0.05 / = 2% / < 5%;
Ignore ‘results’ in the context of significance or chance

No (no mark)

3. Movement away from flashing light is not significant as

p = 0.69 / > 0.05 / = 69% / > 5%

Page 48 of 54
 OR
Movement away from flashing light is due to chance as
p = 0.69 / > 0.05 / = 69%/> 5%;
Ignore ‘results’ in the context of significance or chance
3

(d) Correct answer of 3 hours = 2 marks;;

Allow 1 mark for distance of 48 000 mm in working

1 max for answer of 185 minutes/3 hours and 5 minutes/3.09 hours

1 max for answer of 1 hour (ie answers that use 564 in their calculation);
2 max
[7]

Q10.
(a) 1. Random;
Random number generator = 2 marks

2. Method e.g. number generator / number out of a hat;

Same age = 2 marks

OR

3. Matched / all the same;

4. For e.g. age / sex;

2 max

(b) 1. (Differences) are real / significant / not due to chance;

It = the difference

2. (As) bars / SDs do not overlap;

2. Accept: ‘standard errors do not overlap’ as told ‘standard
deviation’ in the question stem
2

(c) 1. No / slight (placebo) effect;

2. Group 2 and 3 results are similar / the same / SDs / bars overlap;
2. Accept: other descriptions of Groups 2 and 3
2. Accept: that Groups 2 and 3 are not significantly different
2

(d) 1. (Allows) anomalies to be identified / ignored / effect of anomalies to be

reduced / effect of variation in data to be minimised / concordant results;
Accept: ‘outliers’ instead of anomalies
1. Reject: idea of not recording anomalies / preventing
anomalies from occurring
1. Accept: ‘cancels out anomalies’ as bottom line response

2. (Makes) average / mean (more) reliable;

2. Q Neutral: makes the average / mean more accurate

Page 49 of 54
 2. Ignore: ‘more reliable’ alone
2

(e) (i) 1. Unethical / unfair not to treat patients;

2. Dangerous / could cause an asthma attack;

1 max

(ii) 1. Ensures normal treatment does not affect results / improvements

are only due to the spray;

2. (As) normal treatment is short-lived / effective for less than 24

hours / (24h) is long enough for normal treatment to wear off;
2

(f) (i) 1. (Improvement scores) are qualitative / subjective / rely on own

judgement / different patients may assess symptoms differently;
Accept: converse arguments for measuring FEV1 e.g.
quantitative / objective patients cannot lie

2. Some patients may lie / exaggerate / want to please doctors;

1. Neutral: empirical evidence
2

(ii) 1. Not blind / patients knew they were not receiving treatment /
patients did not receive treatment;

2. (So) more likely to underestimate / give lower scores / did not

expect to improve / less improvement;
2
[15]

Q11.
(a) Interspecific (competition);
1

(b) 1. Do not provide the livestock/cows/horses/yaks with extra food, as their

populations will not grow large enough to cause competition

OR

Keep small numbers of livestock/cow/horse/yak, so their populations will not

grow large enough to cause competition;
Requires suggestion and explanation for each mark

2. Do not farm horse/choose animals other than horse to farm, as they have the
same habitat and (very) similar food to the ibex;
Accept farm fewer horses as they have the same habitat
and (very) similar food to the ibex

3. Keep horses (but) in enclosed/separate areas, as they occupy the same

habitats as ibex;
Accept descriptions of enclosed areas, eg fenced areas or
accept do not let horses out

4. Farm cows, as they have the least similar food and (one of the least similar)

Page 50 of 54
 habitat (to that of the ibex);

5. Farm yaks, as despite eating the same food, they live in a very different
habitat;

6. (Only) grow crops, so no competition;

Accept examples of crops
3 max
[4]

Q12.
(a) Histogram

1. Linear scale for y axis;

2. Linear scale for x axis;

3. Correct bar widths and touching;

4. All bar heights plotted accurately;

OR

Bar chart accept for 3 marks,

5. Linear scale for y axis;

6. Labelled bars of equal width and not touching;

7. All bar heights plotted accurately;

OR

Graph accept for 2 marks,

8. Linear scale for y axis;

9. All co-ordinates plotted accurately for frequency density;

Reject answers where data for frequency density and birth
mass not used
4

(b) Correct answer for 2 marks = 20 000;;

Accept for 1 mark, rearranged equation (eg number of babies = frequency density ×
range of mass)
2

(c) 1. Survival increases as the birth mass increases;

2. Survival decreases with smoking;

3. Effect of smoking (on number) similar at all birth masses;

3
[9]

Page 51 of 54
Q13.
(a) 1. Laboratory-raised female (guppies) might not react/behave/choose in the
same way (as wild guppies);
Ignore answers relating to sample size
Accept laboratory-raised female (guppies) might not be
representative of wild females

2. (Transparent) barrier might not allow for normal (courtship)

behaviour/interaction;
Accept choice might involve chemical/ mechanical
signals/interaction
Accept colour might not be the only thing females are
attracted to

3. Do not know if (guppies) have been used in previous experiments;

4. 10 minutes might not be long enough for females to make a (final) choice

OR

Not enough time for females to make a (final) choice;

Accept descriptions of a choice eg ‘show attraction’
3 max

(b) 1. (Females with large brains) will mate with males bright in colour;
Accept answers that include references to alleles

2. Their (male) offspring would be (more likely to be) bright in colour;

3. (Bright in colour male) offspring could attract larger brained females;

4. The population/offspring could (evolve to) have larger brains;

Ignore answers relating to females only

5. The population/offspring are better at identifying/avoiding predators;

Ignore answers relating to females only
3 max

(c) 1. Not geographically isolated;

Accept are in the same area

2. (Leading to) reproductive isolation

OR

Gene pools kept separate;

Accept large brained females will only mate with males bright
in colour and small brained females will only mate with males
dull in colour

3. Changes in allele frequencies;

Reject gene frequencies

4. Cannot breed/mate to produce fertile offspring;

Reject inbreeding

Page 52 of 54
 3 max
[9]

Q14.
(a) 1. Release of glucagon;
2. Leads to formation of glucose in liver (cells);
Reject: glucagon breaks down glycogen, or any other
biological molecule

3. From non-carbohydrates / amino acids / fatty acids.

Accept: gluconeogenesis / references to glycogen as source
of glucose
3

(b) 1. Mutant mice (mRNA suggests) make a lot of (the) enzyme;

Accept: PCK1 made (for enzyme made)

2. Mutant mice use kidney / intestine (cells) to make glucose;

Accept: use other organ (than liver)

3. Normal mice do this much less / normal mice use liver cells.
3

(c) 1. Differences significant;

Reject: references to results being significant once

2. Probability of difference being due to chance less than 0.01 / 1% / 1 in

100 / probability of difference not being due to chance more than 0.99 /
99% / 99 in 100.
Ignore: references to 0.05 / 5% / 5 in 100
2
[8]

Q15.
(a) 1. (Use) coordinates / number the rocks/sites/squares;
Ignore: references to grid, tape measures, metre rulers etc.
2. Method of generating/finding random numbers e.g.
calculator/computer/random number generator/random
numbers table;
Accept: numbers out of a hat / use of dice.
2

(b) Difficult/too many to count / individual organisms not

identifiable / too small to identify/count / grows in clumps;
Ignore: easier/quicker/representative/ more accurate, unless
qualified.
1

(c) Any suitable factor with valid explanation = 1 mark

1. Wave action - firmer grip on rock is necessary (at either site);
2. Wind/air movement/less humid - more evaporation at site A /
more (physical) damage;
3. Light – (linked to) photosynthesis (at either site);
4. Temperature – (linked to)

Page 53 of 54
 photosynthesis/respiration/enzymes/ evaporation (at either
site);
5. pH – (linked to) enzymes/proteins;
Note: other common factors include salt (salinity) linked to
water potential / named nutrient e.g. nitrate linked to
protein/DNA.
Ignore: carbon
dioxide/oxygen/pollution/rainfall/food/nutrients.
Reject: biotic factors e.g. predation.
2 max

(d) 1. Greater variety of food / more food sources;

Ignore: more food.
2. More/variety of habitats/niches;
Ignore: homes/shelters.
Accept: different habitats.
2

(e) (i) 1. (So they were) hungry/not full;

Accept: description of hunger e.g. appetite / ‘empty
stomach’/’so they eat’.
2. (Allows) comparison;
2

(ii) 1. Alga without consumer/named consumer/animal;

Accept: repeat experiment without consumer.
Accept: in separate tank / in tank where not eaten.
2. (Find change in mass) in dark;
3. For 50 hours;
Accept: ‘same time as in experiment’.
Accept: For lower time period then scaled up to 50.
3

(iii) 1. For Laurencia pacifica and Cystoseira

osmondacea (difference in results) significant
/reject null hypothesis / not due to chance / less
than 5%/0.05 probability due to chance;
Accept: for Laurencia pacifica ‘less than 1%/0.01 probability’.
2. For Egregia leavigata and Microcystis pyrifera no
significant (difference in results)/accept null
hypothesis / is due to chance/more than 5%/0.05
probability due to chance;
Accept: ‘insignificant’ for ‘no significant difference’.
3. (Difference in results) for Laurencia pacifica is the most
significant;
Note: reference to probabilities on their own is not sufficient.
1, 2 and 3. Accept: abbreviations for all species.
3
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