Question 1a MARKS: 2

Separate: Biology Only

(a)
Human blood contains red blood cells and white blood cells.

The table shows the number of these blood cells in a sample of blood.

Number of cells per

Number of cells per
Type of cell mm3 in standard
mm3
form
Red blood cell 5 000 000 5.0 × 106
White blood cell 6000
(i) Complete the table to give the number of white blood cells per mm 3 in
standard form. (1)
(ii) What is the number of red blood cells in 1000 cm3 of this person's blood?
☐ A 5.0 × 106
☐ B 5.0 × 109
☐ C 5.0 × 1011
☐ D 5.0 × 1012

Question 1b MARKS: 4
(b) The table gives names, descriptions and symptoms of two blood conditions.
Name of condition Description Symptom
Low red blood cell
Anaemia Often tired
count
Low white blood cell
Leukopenia Likely to get infections
count
(i) Explain why a person with anaemia is often tired. (2)
(ii) Explain why a person with leukopenia is more likely to get an infection. (2)
Question 2a MARKS: 1
(a) Cholesterol is needed in the diet for making cell membranes.
State the role of the cell membrane. (1)

Question 2b MARKS: 2
(b) Too much cholesterol is a health risk because fatty deposits build up in arteries.
The lumen of an artery had a diameter of 4.0 mm before the build-up of a fatty
deposit.

The fatty deposit covers 45 % of the original area of the lumen.

Calculate the area in mm2 of the lumen that is available for blood flow.
 [area of the lumen = πr2]

[π = 3.14] (2)

Question 2c MARKS: 8
(c) A scientist tests the blood cholesterol concentration in a sample of men
between 25 and 34 years old.
The scientist groups the men in ranges of blood cholesterol concentration and
counts the number of men in each range.

The table gives the scientist’s results.

Range of blood cholesterol

Number of men in each range
concentration in mg per cm3
80 to 119 13
120 to 159 150
160 to 199 442
200 to 239 299
240 to 279 115
280 to 319 34
320 to 359 9
360 to 399 5
(i) Plot a suitable graph on the grid to show these results.
(5)
(ii) Which range of blood cholesterol levels is the mode for this sample? (1)
☐ A 80 to 119
☐ B 80 to 379
☐ C 160 to 199
☐ D 360 to 399
(iii) A blood cholesterol level greater than 239 mg per 100 cm3 means a person
has a higher risk of heart disease.
Calculate the percentage of men in the sample at a higher risk of heart disease.
(2)

Question 2d MARKS: 4
(d) Statins are drugs that reduce blood cholesterol levels.
A scientist investigates the use of one type of statin on the risk of having a heart
attack.

He gives the statin to one group of people and gives a control substance to
another group of people.

He calculates the percentage of people in each group that have a heart attack
during the next four years.

The table gives the scientist’s results.

 Percentage (%) having
Group
heart attacks
Statin 2.2
Control substance 3.8
A conclusion from this data is that statins reduce the risk of heart attacks.

Discuss this conclusion.(4)

Question 3a MARKS: 2
(a) The diagram shows the human heart with four blood vessels labelled A, B, C and
D.

(i) Which blood vessel brings oxygenated blood to the heart?

(1)

☐ A
☐ B
☐ C
☐ D
(ii) Which blood vessel contains blood at the highest pressure?
(1)

☐ A
 ☐ B
☐ C
☐ D

Question 3b MARKS: 3
(b)

(i) Draw a label line on the diagram to show the position of a semi-lunar valve.
(1)

(ii) Describe the function of the semi-lunar valves.

(2)

Question 3c MARKS: 5
(c) In the heart of a foetus, the two upper chambers (atria) are linked by a hole so that
blood can pass between them.
(i) Explain why this hole is normally closed before the baby is born.
(2)

(ii) Sometimes the hole does not close.

Explain what effect this will have on the baby.

(3)

Question 4a MARKS: 4
(a) Blood consists of cells and plasma.
Plasma transports various substances to and from different parts of the body.

Describe the function of plasma in transporting named substances in the body.

(4)

Question 4b MARKS: 5
(b) The diagram shows a white blood cell called a phagocyte.
 (i) The magnification of the cell is calculated using this formula.

The actual diameter of the cell is 0.013mm.

Calculate the magnification of the cell. A ruler has been added to the diagram to
help your calculations.

(2)

(ii) Name the structure labelled A in the diagram.

(1)

(iii) Describe the function of this cell in defending the body from infection.
(2)

Question 4c MARKS: 1
(c) Other white blood cells produce proteins called antibodies.
State how you could test a sample of plasma for protein.

(1)

Question 5a MARKS: 7
(a) The diagram shows the human circulation system with some blood vessels
labelled A to J. The arrows show the direction of blood flow.
 The table gives some statements about the content of blood vessels in this
circulation system.

(i)
Complete the table by giving the letter of the blood vessel that matches each
statement.

Statement Letter
Contains the least carbon dioxide
Contains the most glucose after a
meal
Contains the least oxygen
Contains the least urea
Contains blood at the highest
pressure
(5)
(ii) State two ways in which the structure of blood vessel A differs from the structure of
blood vessel J.
(2)

Question 5b MARKS: 5
(b) Muscles in the legs contain capillaries.
A scientist investigates how long-term training affects the number of capillaries in
an athlete’s leg muscles.

The scientist determines the mean number of capillaries per mm2 in samples of leg
muscle from the athlete before and after a period of training.

The table shows the scientist’s results.

Mean number of capillaries

Muscle sample
per mm2
Before training 313
After training 349
The scientist concludes that training improves the athletic performance.

Discuss this conclusion.

(5)

Question 6a
MARKS: 4
(a)
Sickle cell anaemia is a condition in which some of the person’s red blood cells
develop abnormally.

The diagram shows red blood cells from a healthy person and red blood cells from
a person with sickle cell anaemia.
 (i) A person with sickle cell anaemia often suffers pain as some of their blood
vessels become blocked by the sickle cells.
Suggest why the person’s blood vessels may become blocked. (1)

(ii) People with sickle cell anaemia have symptoms of tiredness and joint pain
that get worse if they are exposed to cold temperatures and high altitudes.
Suggest why these symptoms get worse. (3)

Question 6b MARKS: 3
(b)
Sickle cell anaemia is caused by a single recessive allele.

(i) State what is meant by the term recessive. (1)

(ii) A man and a woman who are both heterozygous for the sickle cell allele have
a child.
Calculate the probability that the child will be female and not have sickle cell
anaemia. (2)

Question 6c MARKS: 1
(c) Sickle cell anaemia is more common in countries where malaria is found. This is
because having an allele for sickle cell anaemia can reduce the likelihood of
developing malaria.
Which type of organism causes malaria? (1)

☐ A Bacterium
☐ B Fungus
☐ C Plant
☐ D Protoctist

Question 6d MARKS: 1
(d) What is the name of the pigment found in red blood cells?
(1)
☐ A Chlorophyll
☐ B Haemoglobin
☐ C Iron
☐ D Magnesium

Question 6e MARKS: 2
(d) Give two differences in structure between red blood cells and white blood cells.
(2)
Question 7a MARKS: 1
(a) Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own
knowledge to answer the questions that follow.
 César Astudillo from Collado Villalba, Spain, CC BY 2.0
<https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Image
cropped and colour removed.

Blood group Antigens present

A A

B B

AB A and B

O Neither A nor B
Name the type of cell that produces antibodies. (Lines 8 and 9)

(1)

Question 7b MARKS: 2
(b) Human blood groups are controlled by three alleles, I A, IB and IO.
The IA and IB alleles are codominant and the IO allele is recessive
(i) State what is meant by the term codominant.
(1)

(ii) Two parents have genotypes of IAIO and IBIO.

Which of these are all the possible blood groups of their children?

(1)

☐ A A and B

☐ B A, B and O
 ☐ C AB and O

☐ D A, B, AB and O

Question 7c MARKS:
2
(b) Calculate the number of blood donations collected per year from the high‐income
countries. (Lines 14 and 15)
Give your answer in standard form.

(2)

Question 7d MARKS:
3
(e) Some scientists have suggested that spherical artificial red blood cells transport
oxygen less efficiently than normal human red blood cells.
Explain why the shape of the artificial red blood cells reduces the efficiency of
oxygen transport compared to normal human red blood cells. (Lines 18 and 19)

(3)

Question 7e MARKS:
1
(f) Suggest why artificial blood does not clot when stored. (Lines 26 and 27)
(1)
Question 7f MARKS:
2
(f) Explain why the artificial red blood cells are suspended in sodium chloride solution
instead of in water. (Line 20)
(1)

Question 7g MARKS:
4
(g)

(i) Explain why stem cells can be used to make large quantities of red blood cells. (Lines
22 and 23)
(2)
(ii) Suggest why the scientists made red blood cells with blood group O. (Lines 22 and
23)
(2)
Question 7h MARKS:
2
(h) Give two substances found in blood plasma that are not present in the artificial
blood. (Lines 28 and 29)
(2)

Question 8a
MARKS: 2
(a) The diagram shows a cross‐section through a leaf.

(i)
Which layer contains palisade mesophyll cells?

(1)
 ☐ A Layer A

☐ B Layer B

☐ C Layer C

☐ D Layer D

(ii) Which set of environmental conditions would produce the fastest rate of
transpiration from this leaf?
(1)

Humidity Temperature

☐ A High High

☐ B High Low

☐ C Low High

☐ D Low Low

Question 8b
MARKS: 10
(c) Scientists investigate the effect of changing carbon dioxide concentration
on the density of stomata of wheat plants.
They grow wheat plants from seed in different concentrations of carbon
dioxide.

After three weeks, they take a leaf from each plant and calculate the mean
density of stomata.

(i) State the independent variable in this investigation.

(1)

(ii) Give two abiotic variables that the scientists could control.
(2)

(iii) To calculate the mean density of stomata, leaf sections are viewed with a
microscope.
The number of stomata within six circular areas of the leaf are counted.
 The results for one leaf are shown in the table.

Leaf area number Per number of stomata

1 68

2 72

3 66

4 75

5 76

6 63

The radius of each circular area is 0.40 mm.

area of circle = πr2

[π = 3.14]

Calculate the mean density of stomata on the leaf surface. Give your answer in
stomata per mm2.

(3)

(iv) The investigation shows that in increased carbon dioxide concentrations

there is a lower mean density of stomata.
The scientist concludes that in hot dry areas, with increased carbon dioxide
concentrations, it would be an advantage for wheat to have a lower mean
density of stomata.

Discuss the scientist’s conclusion.

(4)

Question 9a
MARKS: 1
(a) Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your
own knowledge to answer the questions that follow.
Schistosomiasis
Which process is affected if kidneys are damaged (line 8)?

(1)

☐ A Digestion

☐ B Mutation

☐ C Ultrafiltration

☐ D Vaccination

Question 9b
MARKS: 3
(b) Suggest three ways to reduce the risk of being infected by schistosomes.
(3)

Question 9c
MARKS: 2
(c) Name two different blood cells that would be found in the urine of infected
people (line 17).
(2)

Question 9d
MARKS: 1
(d) An infected person has a body mass of 120kg. What dose of drugs would be
effective for this person (lines 19 to 20)?
(1)

☐ A 0.04 mg

☐ B 4.8 mg

☐ C 40 mg

☐ D 4 800 mg

Question 9e
MARKS: 2
(e) Using the estimated number of people in the world who have schistosomiasis
(lines 21 to 22), calculate the number of people who die each year from
schistosomiasis.
(2)
Question 9f
MARKS: 1
(f) Which of these is the correct description of a plasmid?
(1)

☐ A A circle of DNA

☐ B A circle of mRNA

☐ C A circle of protein

☐ D A circle of tRNA

Question 9g
MARKS: 3
(g) Explain how a vaccine could protect people from schistosomiasis (lines 24 to
25).
(3)

Question 9h
MARKS: 4
(h)
(i) Suggest what is given to the control group (lines 27 to 29).
(1)

(ii) A scientist claims that the investigation proves the vaccine is effective against
schistosomiasis (lines 27 to 29).
Comment on this claim.

(3)

Question 10a
MARKS: 6
(a) The diagram shows the path that the water takes when it is absorbed from
the soil into the xylem of a plant.
(i) Explain how root hair cells are adapted for efficient absorption of water.
(2)

(ii) Explain how water is transported from the soil to the leaves.
(4)

Question 10b
MARKS: 4
(b) Describe how you could determine the rate of water loss from a leafy shoot.
(4)

Question 11a
MARKS: 1

Separate: Biology Only

(a) Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your
own knowledge to answer the questions that follow.
Suggest why cardiomyopathy can cause heart failure (lines 6 to 7).
 (1)

Question 11b
MARKS: 3
(b) During the transplant procedure the patient’s heart is removed, leaving
behind a section of the right and left atria.
Describe the functions of the atria in the body.

(3)

Question 11c
MARKS: 2
(c) Describe how the blood in the pulmonary artery differs from the blood in the
aorta.
(2)

Question 11d
MARKS: 3
(d) Explain the function of the heart-lung bypass machine (lines 11 to 12).
(3)

Question 11e
MARKS: 2
(e) Explain why the patient needs to be given immunosuppressants (lines 19 to
20).
(2)

Question 11f
MARKS: 2
(f) Explain why patients should not smoke after their heart transplant (lines 28 to
29).
(2)

Question 11g
MARKS: 1
(g) State what is meant by the term balanced diet.
(1)
Question 11h
MARKS: 2
(h) Calculate the number of patients in the United Kingdom who have a heart
transplant in one year that are still alive five years later (lines 2 to 3 and lines 35
to 36).
(2)

Question 11i
MARKS: 1
(i) Suggest why patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities after their heart
transplant (line 24).
(1)

Question 11j
MARKS: 1
(j) Suggest why patients are more likely to be at risk of food poisoning after their
heart transplant (lines 32 to 33).
(1)

Question 12a
MARKS: 4
(a) The diagram shows a magnified image of a root hair cell from a young
plant.

Give the names of structures labelled W, X, Y and Z.

(4)

Question 12b
MARKS: 2
(b) The actual length of the cell, along the line between A and B, is 1000 μm.
 Calculate the magnification of this drawing.

(2)

Question 12c
MARKS: 6
(c)

(i) Explain the role of the root hair cell in absorption of water from the soil.
(3)

(ii) Sometimes gardeners give their plants too much water. The water fills up the
air spaces in the soil around the plant roots. Explain how this can lead to plants
failing to grow properly.

Question 13a
MARKS: 3
(a) Plant root hair cells absorb water from the soil by osmosis.
(i) Explain how the structure of a root hair cell is adapted to absorb water.
(2)

(ii) Give one difference between osmosis and diffusion.

(1)

Question 13b
MARKS: 5
(c) A student investigates the effect of light on the volume of water taken up
and lost by a plant shoot in one hour.
The table shows the student’s results.

Volume of water in cm3

taken up lost

Dark 2.0 1.6

Light 10.2 9.1

(i) Explain these results.

(3)
(ii) Give two abiotic variables the student should control.
(2)

Question 13c
MARKS: 4
(d) Another student uses this apparatus and a stop clock to find the mean
(average) rate of water taken up by a plant shoot.

(i) Name the apparatus used by the student.

(1)

(ii) Describe how the student could use this apparatus to find the mean rate of
water taken up by the plant.
(3)

Question 14a
MARKS: 5
(a) A student investigates the rate of evaporation from a clay pot and the rate
of transpiration by a plant. The clay pot is porous and has small holes that
allow water to evaporate.
The student keeps the clay pot and the plant in the same conditions next to
a closed window. He measures the rates at different times of the day.

The table shows the student’s results.

Rate of evaporation from clay pot in Rate of transpiration from a plant in

Time of day
cm3 per hour cm3 per hour

02 00 to 03 00 0.8 14
 06 00 to 07 00 3.9 93

14 00 to 15 00 9.5 198

22 00 to 23 00 3.4 19

The student uses this apparatus to measure the rate of evaporation from
the clay pot.

(i) Explain the changes in the rate of evaporation from the clay pot.
(2)

(ii) Suggest how the student could measure the rate of evaporation from the clay
pot.
(3)

Question 14b
MARKS: 6
(b)
Text

(i) Explain one factor that affects transpiration from the plant that does not affect
evaporation from the clay pot.
 (2)

(ii) Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus the student could use to determine
the rate of transpiration by a plant.
(4)

Question 15a
MARKS: 1
(a) Plant roots absorb water from soil.
This water is transported to the leaves and then moves into the air.

Which of these processes is used to absorb water from the soil?

(1)

☐ A Active transport

☐ B Diffusion

☐ C Evaporation

☐ D Osmosis

Question 15b
MARKS: 1

(b) Name the tissue that transports water to the leaves.

(1)

Question 15c
MARKS: 1
(c) Name the process that moves water vapour into the air.
(1)

Question 15d
MARKS: 1
(d) Which of these reduces the movement of water from the leaves into the air?
(1)

☐ A High light intensity

 ☐ B Low air humidity

☐ C Low air temperature

☐ D Windy conditions

Question 15e
MARKS: 2
(e) Give two uses of water in a plant.
(2)