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Biology B (21st Century) · OCR J257 · Breadth in Biology · Foundation · June 2024

OCR GCSE Biology B (21st Century) Breadth in Biology Foundation June 2024 question paper J257/01

1h 45m 90 marks

OCR J257 · Paper 1

11 questions
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Question 1

(a)

Draw lines to connect each organ system to its function.

Figure for question 1

[3]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 1(a)
(b)

Which structure is the smallest ?

Tick (✓) one box.

Question 1, shown as an image

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 1(b)
(c)

Which structure is the smallest ?

Tick (✓) one box.

Question 1, shown as an image

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 1(c)

Question 2

The pie charts show data about the cause of death for men and women in the UK in 2012.

Figure for question 2
(a)

Which statements about the causes of death in men and women are true and which are false

Tick (✓) one box in each row.

Figure for question 2

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 2(a)
(b)

State two lifestyle factors that increase a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 2(b)
(c)

Complete the sentences to describe the circulatory system.

Use words from the list.

alveoli blood capillaries

impulses nerves valves

The job of the human circulatory system is to transport........ around the body. It is made up of the heart and blood vessels.

There are 3 types of blood vessels: arteries, veins and........

The heart contains........ to make sure the blood flows in the correct direction.

[3]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 2(c)
(d)

Which two substances do the kidneys filter from the blood to form urine?

Tick (✓) two boxes.

Question 2, shown as an image

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 2(d)

Question 3

A student is investigating the distribution of stomata on leaf surfaces.

The student removes 3 leaves from the same plant. Leaf 1 – they cover the lower surface of the leaf in waterproof grease. Leaf 2 – they cover the upper surface of the leaf in waterproof grease. Leaf 3 – they cover both surfaces of the leaf in waterproof grease.

The results of the experiment are shown in the diagram.

Figure for question 3
(a)

Which conclusion can be made from the results of the investigation?

Tick (✓) one box.

Question 3, shown as an image

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 3(a)
(b)

Explain why leaf 3 did not wilt.

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 3(b)
(c)

Describe a control experiment you could perform alongside this experiment.

Method........

Expected result........

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 3(c)
(d)

Which statements about stomata are true and which are false ?

Tick (✓) one box in each row.

Figure for question 3

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 3(d)
(e)

Which process in plants uses water as a reactant?

Tick (✓) one box.

Question 3, shown as an image

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 3(e)
(f)

Which structure transports water up the plant?

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 3(f)

Question 4

(a)

Which scientists developed the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Tick (✓) one box.

Question 4, shown as an image

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 4(a)
(b)

Rats are considered a pest to many farmers as they eat their crops.

A chemical called warfarin can be used to kill rats.

Put statements A to E in the correct order to describe why many rats are no longer killed by warfarin.

A A mutation gave some rats resistance to warfarin.

B More rats became resistant to warfarin over time.

C Resistant rats were more likely to reproduce.

D Resistant rats were more likely to survive.

E The allele for resistance was passed to offspring.

Write one letter in each box.

Figure for question 4

[4]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 4(b)
(c)

Warfarin prevents blood clotting.

What is the role of red blood cells?

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 4(c)

Question 5

Sex determination in birds is controlled by two chromosomes:

• chromosome Z

• chromosome W.

Male birds have two Z chromosomes. Female birds have one Z chromosome and one W chromosome.

(a)

Complete the Punnett square to show that a bird breeder has a 0.5 probability of each offspring being male or female.

Question 5, shown as an image
Figure for question 5

[3]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 5(a)
(b)

Complete the table to compare sex determination in birds and humans.

Tick (✓) one box in each row.

Figure for question 5

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 5(b)
(c)

Describe how a human male baby develops male characteristics.

........

[3]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 5(c)
(d)

The diagram shows the structure of DNA.

Figure for question 5

What are the two components of the part labelled A on the diagram?

1........

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 5(d)

Question 6

The diagram shows the human eye.

Figure for question 6
(a)

Which letter shows the retina?........

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 6(a)
(b)

Which letter shows the iris?........

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 6(b)
(c)

What role does the optic nerve have in the functioning of the eye?

Tick (✓) one box.

Question 6, shown as an image

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 6(c)
(d)

Some babies are born with cataracts.

Cataracts affect the lens.

Explain how cataracts would affect a baby’s vision.

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 6(d)
(e)

Surgical removal of cataracts in babies can be done, but there may be problems after surgery.

In a study, scientists removed the lens from 12 babies with cataracts but left behind the stem cells.

All the babies grew a new lens within 3 months.

Should more babies with cataracts be offered this treatment? Explain your answer.

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 6(e)

Question 7

Foot and Mouth is a disease found in cattle, sheep and pigs.

It is caused by a virus.

(a)

Name another type of organism that causes disease.

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 7(a)
(b)

Foot and Mouth is spread between animals directly by contact and indirectly through transmission on equipment and people.

In 2001 there was an outbreak of Foot and Mouth in the UK. The virus spread across the country very rapidly. The government made the decision to destroy animals that had the disease.

Suggest why the government decided to take this approach.

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 7(b)
(c)
(c)(i)

Other than destroying their animals, suggest how farmers can prevent the spread of the disease between two animals on their farms.

State two ways.

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 7(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

Suggest how vets visiting many farms can prevent spreading the disease to animals on different farms.

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 7(c)(ii)
(d)

Animals can be vaccinated against Foot and Mouth.

Describe how a vaccination against Foot and Mouth would provide immunity.

[3]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 7(d)
(e)

Suggest why vaccinating animals when the outbreak happened was not a solution to the problem.

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 7(e)

Question 8

(a)

Cells can divide by meiosis or mitosis.

Tick (✓) one box in each row to show whether the statement describes meiosis or mitosis.

Figure for question 8

[3]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 8(a)
(b)

Sperm cells are adapted to allow them to swim.

Suggest why sperm cells need a lot of mitochondria.

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 8(b)
(c)

Different species of squirrels can be found on either side of Arizona’s Grand Canyon. A canyon is a deep, narrow valley with steep sides.

When the Grand Canyon formed, the squirrels that lived on either side of the canyon evolved to become two different species.

Explain how the formation of these two new species happened.

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 8(c)
(d)

Squirrels that inhabit Canada are starting to emerge from hibernation early.

These squirrels are producing sperm that cannot swim.

What effect will this have on the squirrel population in Canada?

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 8(d)

Question 9

The normal range for a dog’s body temperature is between 38.3 maths symbolC and 39.2 maths symbolC.

Vets suggest that owners measure their dog’s temperature so that they are aware of their dog’s normal body temperature.

(a)

Why would it be helpful to know what their dog’s normal body temperature is?

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 9(a)
(b)
(b)(i)

An owner measures their dog’s temperature 3 times.

Temperature (C)
138.7
238.9
338.7

Calculate the mean body temperature.

Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

[3]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 9(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Why is it sensible to measure the dog’s temperature a few times and then calculate the mean?

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 9(b)(ii)
(c)

Dog owners are advised to take their dog to the vet if its temperature is consistently over 40 maths symbolC.

A different owner is worried about their dog.

They measure their dog’s temperature every hour for 7 hours.

Hour1234567
Temperature (C)39.039.239.440.140.039.439.0

Should the owner take the dog to the vet? Explain your answer.

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 9(c)
(d)

In hot weather dogs find it difficult to cool down.

Explain why this could be harmful to the dog’s health.

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 9(d)

Question 10

A student is investigating how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis.

(a)
(a)(i)
Figure for question 10

[3]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 10(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Fig. 10.2 shows a different set of equipment that can be used.

Fig. 10.2

Figure for question 10

A second student suggests that the equipment shown in Fig. 10.2 will improve the investigation.

Explain why.

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 10(a)(ii)
(b)

Fig. 10.3 shows the effect of changing the light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis.

Fig. 10.3

Figure for question 10

Which section or sections of the graph in Fig. 10.3 show the relationship y = mx + c ?

Tick (✓) one box.

Question 10, shown as an image

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 10(b)

Question 11

The diagram shows the feeding relationships of some of the organisms that live in an Arctic ecosystem.

Figure for question 11
Question 11, shown as an image
Figure for question 11
(a)

What does each picture in the food web represent?

Tick (✓) one box.

Question 11, shown as an image

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 11(a)
(b)

Complete each sentence by writing in the correct number.

There are........ producers in the food web.

There are........ herbivores in the food web.

The arctic fox is in trophic level........

[3]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 11(b)
(c)

A lemming has a mass of 82 g. An arctic fox eats the lemming, but only consumes 75 g of the lemming.

Calculate the percentage mass the arctic fox has consumed.

Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

[3]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 11(c)
(d)

When lemmings are in short supply, the arctic fox will eat eggs.

(d)(i)

Eggs contain protein.

Which reagent is used to test for protein?

[1]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 11(d)(i)
(d)(ii)
Figure for question 11

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 11(d)(ii)
(d)(iii)

A student calculates the surface area and volume of an egg.

Surface area of the egg = 67.5 cm2

Volume of the egg = 50 cm3

Show that the surface area to volume ratio of the egg is 1.35: 1.

[2]

Answer
Mark scheme for question 11(d)(iii)

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