EXAM QUESTIONS

AQA TRILOGY

HOMEOSTASIS AND
RESPONSE

Q1-6 FOUNDATON

Q3-9 HIGHER

MARK SCHEME AT THE END OF

ALL THE QUESTIONS

Page 1 of 30
Q1.
This question is about coordination in the human body.

Figure 1 shows a sensory neurone (nerve cell).

Figure 1

(a)  Which label is the cell nucleus?

Tick one box.

A B C D

(1)

(b)  Which label is the receptor?

Tick one box.

A B C D

(1)

(c)  Figure 2 shows the nerve pathway when a person touches a sharp pin.

Figure 2

Name structures A and B on Figure 2

Page 2 of 30
 (2)

(d)  When the finger touches the sharp pin, the muscle in the arm contracts to pull the
arm away.

What type of action is this?

Tick two boxes

A conscious action

A delayed action

A reflex action

(1)

(e)  Doctors tested people of different ages to time how long it took between touching a
sharp pin and the arm muscle contracting.

At each age they tested five men and calculated a mean value for the time.

The table below shows the results.

Mean time for

muscle to
Age in years
contract in
milliseconds

20 18

40 20

60 23

80 30

How much longer does it take for the muscle to contract at 80 years of age
compared to at 20 years of age?

Give your answer in seconds.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Time = ______________________ s
(2)

(f)  Figure 3 shows the position of some of the glands which release hormones.

Figure 3

Page 3 of 30
 Which label on Figure 3 shows the position of the pituitary gland?

Tick one box.

A B C D

(1)

(g)  Luteinising hormone (LH) is a hormone released by the pituitary gland.

What is the function of LH?

Tick one box.

Controls blood glucose concentration

Controls the formation of sperm

Controls the growth of muscles

Controls the release of an egg

(1)

(h)  How does LH travel from the pituitary gland to its target organ?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(i)  Figure 4 shows the relative levels of sex hormones of three young people over 30
days.

Page 4 of 30
 One person is an 8-year-old girl, one is an 18-year-old boy and the other is an 18-
year-old girl.

Figure 4

Which person is the 18-year-old boy?

Give one reason for your answer.

Person ____________________________________________________________

Reason ____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

Q2.
In 2017 more than 420 million people worldwide had diabetes.

The table below shows how the percentage of the population with diabetes has changed.

Percentage of population with diabetes

Year Low-income High-income
World
countries countries

1986 3.5 5.5 5.1

1992 4.4 5.9 5.8

1998 5.2 6.2 6.6

2004 6.0 6.5 7.2

2010 6.9 6.9 8.0

(a)  Use data from the table above to complete the graph in the graph below.

Page 5 of 30
 You should:
•   plot the data for the low-income countries
•   draw a line of best fit for the low-income countries.

The lines for high-income countries and the world have been drawn for you.

(3)

(b)  Predict the percentage of the world population with diabetes in 2022 if the current
pattern were to continue.

You should extend the line of best fit for the world on the graph above.

Percentage = _______________ %
(2)

(c)  The trend may not continue in the same pattern after 2010.

Suggest one reason why the trend may change.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d)  Give two conclusions from the data shown in the graph above.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

Page 6 of 30
 ___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e)  The table above shows that the percentage of people with diabetes in the world has
changed.

What are two possible reasons for this change?

Tick two boxes.

People are becoming more obese

People are doing more exercise

People are eating less salt

People are eating more sugar

People are smoking less

(2)
(Total 10 marks)

Q3.
Contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy.

(a) Draw one line from each contraceptive to the method of preventing pregnancy.

Contraceptive device Method of preventing pregnancy

Contains hormones to stop eggs

maturing

Prevents the sperm reaching the

egg

Kills sperm

Slows down sperm production

Page 7 of 30
 Stops an embryo implanting in the
uterus

(3)

The pie chart shows the percentages of people who used different types of contraception
in the UK in 2016.

The people are aged 16‒49 years.

(b) Determine the percentage of people who used no contraception.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Percentage of people = ____________________ %

(2)

(c) Suggest two reasons why a person aged 16–49 years might not be using
contraception.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

The table shows some information about three methods of contraception.

Page 8 of 30
 Method Effectiveness Other information

•   Must be taken every day

•   Free from your GP or
Combined pill 99.5%
sexual health clinic
•   May cause headaches

•   May split or leak

•   Only used when you have
sexual intercourse
Male condom 98.0%
•   Inexpensive in
supermarkets or free from
a sexual health clinic

•   Needs an operation in
hospital
Sterilisation 100.0%
•   Usually cannot be
reversed

(d) A man and a woman plan to start a family in 5 years’ time.

Compare the risks and benefits for this couple of the three methods of
contraception.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 11 marks)

Q4.
Neurones pass information around the body.

(a) Why are reflex reactions important?

Page 9 of 30
 ___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Caffeine is a drug found in coffee.

After a person drinks coffee information passes through neurones in the nervous
system more quickly.

Suggest a hypothesis for the effect of caffeine concentration on reaction time.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Two students investigated the effect of caffeine concentration on reaction time.

This is the method used.

1. Student A drinks a cup of coffee.

2. Student B holds a ruler above Student A’s hand.

3. Student B drops the ruler.

4. Student A catches the ruler as quickly as she can.

5. The distance the ruler falls is recorded.

Suggest how this method could be improved to produce valid results.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(6)
(Total 8 marks)

Q5.
This question is about the nervous system.

Page 10 of 30
(a) Describe the difference between the function of a receptor and the function of an
effector.

In your answer you should give one example of a receptor and one example of an
effector.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(b) Synapses are important in the nervous system.

(i) What is a synapse?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) Describe how information passes across a synapse.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Reflexes may be co-ordinated by the brain or by the spinal cord.

(i) The reflexes from sense organs in the head are co-ordinated by the brain.

Name a sense organ involved in a reflex co-ordinated by the spinal cord.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) The table shows information about reflexes co-ordinated by the brain and
reflexes co-ordinated by the spinal cord.

Page 11 of 30
 Organ co- Mean length Mean time Mean speed
ordinating the of neurones taken for of impulse in
reflex involved in reflex in cm per
cm milliseconds millisecond

Brain 12 4 3

Spinal cord 80 50

Calculate the mean speed of the impulse for the reflex co-ordinated by the
spinal cord.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Mean speed = ________ cm per millisecond

(1)

(iii) In reflexes co-ordinated by the brain there are no relay neurones.

Suggest why there is a difference in the mean speed of the impulse for the two
reflexes.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

Q6.
(a) Control systems help to keep conditions in the human body relatively constant.

What is the general name for the processes that keep body conditions relatively
constant?

Draw a ring around the correct answer.

eutrophication homeostasis hydrotropism

(1)

(b) The concentration of glucose in the blood is controlled by hormones.

Use the correct answer from the box to complete each sentence.

glucagon glycerol glycogen

kidney liver pancreas

Page 12 of 30
 When the blood glucose concentration increases, an organ called

the ______________________ releases the hormone insulin.

Insulin causes glucose to move from the blood into the cells of the muscles

and the ______________________ .

Inside these organs, the glucose is changed into a carbohydrate called

______________________ , which can be stored.

When the blood glucose concentration falls, another hormone is released,

which causes the storage carbohydrate to break down into glucose again.

This hormone is called ______________________ .

(4)

(c) A person with Type 1 diabetes does not make enough insulin.

The person needs to test their blood at intervals throughout the day.

If the concentration of glucose in their blood is too high, the diabetic person needs to
inject insulin.

(i) Insulin is a protein.

It must be injected and cannot be taken by mouth.

Explain why.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) Apart from injecting insulin, give one other way that a diabetic person
could help to control the concentration of glucose in their blood.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(d) Pet dogs have been trained to detect if the concentration of glucose in the blood of
their diabetic owners is outside the normal healthy range. These dogs are called
‘medical response dogs’.
The dogs respond in different ways. They may bark, jump up, or stare at their
owners. They may even fetch a blood-testing kit.

(i) Suggest what stimulus the dogs might be responding to when they
behave like this.

Page 13 of 30
 ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Table 1 shows how the concentration of glucose varied in blood samples
from five diabetic people. Measurements were made both before and
after getting a medical response dog.

Table 1

Mean percentage of blood samples with

different concentrations of glucose from
the five diabetic people

Number of Within
blood normal High
Low glucose
samples range of glucose
measured glucose

Before getting a dog 1704 32.6 54.8 12.6

After getting a dog 1724 18.6 61.6 19.8

A survey was made of the effect of a medical response dog on the lives of 16
diabetic people.

Table 2 shows how well these diabetic people agreed with each statement in
the survey.

Table 2
Neither
Statement in Totally Somewhat agree Somewhat Totally
survey agree agree nor disagree disagree
disagree
I am more
independent since 12 2 2 0 0
getting my dog.

There are
disadvantages to
0 0 4 4 8
having a medical
response dog.

I trust my dog to
alert me when my 11 3 1 0 1
sugar levels are low.

I trust my dog to
alert me when my
6 7 0 1 2
sugar levels are
high.

Evaluate how useful medical response dogs are for warning diabetic people
that the concentration of glucose in their blood is outside the normal range.

Page 14 of 30
 Use information from Tables 1 and 2.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(5)

(e) Table 3 shows the concentrations of some substances in the urine of a non-diabetic
person and in the urine of a diabetic person.

Table 3

Concentration of substance in urine in g per

dm3

Substance Non-diabetic person Diabetic person

Protein 0 0

Glucose 0 2.0

Urea 20.0 19.5

Sodium ions 6.0 5.8

Compare the results for the non-diabetic person and the diabetic person.
Give reasons for any differences.

Use your knowledge of how the kidney works.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Page 15 of 30
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(5)
(Total 19 marks)

Q7.
In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising information
clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate.

Homeostasis keeps conditions in the body relatively constant.

The amount of water in the body is controlled by homeostasis.

Kidney function is controlled by a gland in the brain.

Describe how the water content of the blood is controlled.

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Page 16 of 30
 _______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 6 marks)

Q8.
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited condition. PKU makes people ill.

(a) PKU is caused by a recessive allele.

(i) What is an allele?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) What is meant by recessive?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) The diagram below shows the inheritance of PKU in one family.

(i) Give one piece of evidence from the diagram that PKU is caused by a
recessive allele.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Persons 6 and 7 are planning to have another child.

Use a genetic diagram to find the probability that the new child will have PKU.

Use the following symbols in your answer:

N = the dominant allele for not having PKU

n = the recessive allele for PKU.

Page 17 of 30
 Probability = _________________________
(4)

(c) Persons 6 and 7 wish to avoid having another child with PKU.

A genetic counsellor advises that they could produce several embryos by IVF
treatment.

(i) During IVF treatment, each fertilised egg cell forms an embryo by cell division.

Name this type of cell division.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) An embryo screening technique could be used to find the genotype of each
embryo.

An unaffected embryo could then be placed in person 7’s uterus.

The screening technique is carried out on a cell from an embryo after just
three cell divisions of the fertilised egg.

How many cells will there be in an embryo after the fertilised egg has

divided three times?

(1)

(iii) During embryo screening, a technician tests the genetic material of the
embryo to find out which alleles are present.

The genetic material is made up of large molecules of a chemical substance.

Name this chemical substance.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(d) Some people have ethical objections to embryo screening.

(i) Give one ethical objection to embryo screening.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Give one reason in favour of embryo screening.

______________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 12 marks)

Q9.
Control of blood glucose concentration is an important aspect of homeostasis.

Page 18 of 30
When the blood glucose concentration is too high the hormone insulin is released.

(a) Name the hormone released when the blood glucose concentration is too low.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Explain how the two hormones keep the blood glucose concentration at the correct
level in a healthy human body.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(5)

The two hormones which control blood glucose concentration are proteins.

Proteins are made according to information stored in the DNA structure of genes.

(c) Describe the structure of DNA.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Describe how DNA controls the structure of a protein.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) Polydactyly and cystic fibrosis are both inherited disorders caused by faulty DNA.

Page 19 of 30
• Polydactyly is caused by a dominant allele.
• Cystic fibrosis is caused by a recessive allele.

Mother A has polydactyly.

Mother B has cystic fibrosis.

Mother A is more likely to have a child with polydactyly than Mother B having a child

with cystic fibrosis.

Explain why.

Assume the fathers of the children have no alleles for polydactyly or cystic fibrosis.

You may use genetic diagrams in your answer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 13 marks)

Page 20 of 30
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a)  A
1

(b)  D
1

(c)  A = synapse
1

B = motor (neurone)
1
in this order only

(d)  a reflex action

1

(e)  12 (ms)
1

0.012 (s)
1
an answer of 0.012 (s) scores 2 marks

(f)  A
1

(g)  controls the release of an egg

1

(h)  in the blood(stream)

allow in the plasma / blood vessels
do not accept in blood cells / platelets
1

(i)  (person) C
1

any one from:

•   the testosterone level is high(er)
allow testosterone is the main male (sex)
hormone

•   the oestrogen and / or progesterone levels are low

•   the oestrogen and progesterone levels do not rise and fall as they do in
a menstrual cycle
allow there is no menstrual cycle
1
no marks if A or B given
[12]

Q2.

Page 21 of 30
 (a)  all points plotted accurately
allow ± 0.5 small square tolerance
allow 1 mark for 3 or 4 points plotted accurately
2

line of best fit drawn

1

(b)  extrapolation on graph

1

9.5 (%)
allow value in range 9.4−9.6
allow correct reading from incorrect extrapolation
1

(c)  any one from:

•   eating habits may change
•   people are more informed about the causes of diabetes
•   change in exercise patterns
allow new cure
1

(d)  any two from:

•   diabetes (in the world) is increasing
allow low / high income countries are increasing

•   diabetes in low-income countries is rising faster (than high-income /

world)
•   high-income countries and low-income countries were the same in 2010
•   high-income countries have been higher than low-income but now /
2018 the situation is reversed
•   diabetes in high-income countries was higher than the world total (from
1986 − 1993) but is now lower
allow correct use of data
2

(e)  people are becoming more obese

1

people are eating more sugar

1
[10]

Q3.
(a)

1
1
1

Page 22 of 30
 (b) 23%
allow 1 mark for evidence of pill + condom = 180°/50%
2

(c) any two from:

• want to have a baby
• not having sex
• past the menopause
• pregnant
allow any sensible reason
2

(d)
Level 2: Scientifically relevant features are
identified; the way(s) in which they are
similar/different is made clear and (where 3-4
appropriate) the magnitude of the
similarity/difference is noted.

Level 1: Relevant features are identified and

1-2
differences noted.

No relevant content 0

Indicative content
combined pill
•   A – easy to take, very effective and free
on NHS, but
•   D – it can cause headaches/side effects,
must remember to take it every day
condom
•   A – only need it when you have sex, no
side effects, very inexpensive, but
•   D – it is not as reliable, more difficult to
use
sterilisation
•   A – 100% effective but
•   D – probably will not be able to have a
family, risks of surgery
4
[11]

Q4.
(a) fast reaction to reduce / protect from harm
allow named examples
1

(b) higher caffeine concentration causes shorter reaction time.

allow converse

Page 23 of 30
 ignore ‘faster / slower reaction time’
1

(c) Level 3 (5–6 marks):

A coherent method is described with relevant detail, which demonstrates a broad
understanding of the relevant scientific techniques and procedures. The steps in the
method are logically ordered. The method would lead to the collection of valid
results.

Level 2 (3–4 marks):

The bulk of a method is described with mostly relevant detail, which demonstrates a
reasonable understanding of the relevant techniques and procedures. The method
may
not be in a completely logical sequence and may be missing some detail.

Level 1 (1–2 marks):

Discrete relevant points are made which demonstrate some understanding of the
relevant scientific techniques and procedures. They may lack a logical structure and
would not
lead to the production of valid results.

0 marks:
No relevant content.

Indicative content
• use decaffeinated coffee as control
• control volume of coffee
• blind trial or do not tell students which coffee they are drinking
• left for standard time between drink and test
• at least 10 minutes
• control start position of ruler
• control other factors such as light in the room
• same person for different concentrations
• repeat for each caffeine concentration
• use a range of caffeine concentrations
• start with lowest concentration of caffeine
• use caffeine solution instead of coffee to control for other ingredients
• repeat investigation with more people and calculate means
6
[8]

Q5.
(a) receptors detect / sense stimuli / change in surroundings or convert stimulus into an
impulse
ignore send impulses to brain / spinal cord
1

example of a receptor
allow any appropriate organ or part of an organ, eg eye /
retina or named type of receptor eg light receptor
1

effectors allow / make response or convert an impulse to an action

ignore receive impulses from brain / spinal cord
1

Page 24 of 30
 (effector) muscle / gland
allow an example
ignore eg arm / leg
1

(b) (i) junction

allow idea of a (small) gap / space
do not allow if implication is that the neurones move
1

between neuron(e)s
allow named types of neurones
1

(ii) chemical
allow answers in terms of specific types of neurone
allow neurotransmitter / named neurotransmitter released
1

any one from:

• (chemical released) from one neurone
ignore produced
• (chemical) passes (across synapse) to next neurone to stimulate / cause
(electrical) impulse
allow diffuses for passes (across)
1

(c) (i) skin

ignore hand / leg
1

(ii) 1.6 (cm per millisecond)

allow 2 if evidence of rounding up of 1.6
1

(iii) any two from:

ignore length of neurones
• synapses slow down transmission / impulse
allow idea of movement of chemical being slower than
electrical impulse
• fewer synapses (via brain)
allow one synapse compared to two or only one synapse
• (therefore) fewer delays
allow impulse travels more slowly in relay neurones
2
[12]

Q6.
(a) homeostasis
1

(b) in sequence:

pancreas
1

Page 25 of 30
 liver
1

glycogen
correct spelling only
1

glucagon
correct spelling only
1

(c) (i) broken down / digested

1

further detail eg into amino acids / by enzymes / by proteases

1

(ii) diet / eating less sugar / less fat

ignore balanced diet
or
ignore ‘dieting’ / slimming diet

exercise
accept pancreas transplant
1

(d) (i) sensible suggestion

eg (owner’s) smell / sweating / change in owner’s behaviour / dizziness /
tiredness
1

(ii) any five from:

allow 1 mark for justified conclusion
do not allow full marks unless at least 1 pro and 1 con.

Pro:
• % below normal decreases
• % in normal increases
• reliable / repeatable / valid data as large number of samples
do not allow accurate / precise
• patients express satisfaction.

Con:
• may not be reliable as blood glucose measurements for only 5
patients / survey of only 16 (dog owners)
• % above normal increases / dogs are less good at detecting high
glucose.
5

(e) glucose in urine of diabetic (and not in the non-diabetic)

1

urea and Na+ ions are similar in each / slightly lower in diabetic
1

+ any three from:

• no protein in either urine sample because protein too large / does not
pass through filter

Page 26 of 30
 • glucose passes through filter in kidney
ignore glucose is reabsorbed
• non-diabetic: the / all glucose is reabsorbed / taken back into blood
• diabetic: (too much glucose so) cannot all be reabsorbed
• because diabetic has high concentration of glucose in blood
• urea and Na+ lower in diabetic because less water is reabsorbed (due to
extra glucose in filtrate).
3
[19]

Q7.
Marks awarded for this answer will be determined by the Quality of Communication (QC)
as well as the standard of the scientific response. Examiners should also refer to the
information on page 5, and apply a ‘best-fit’ approach to the marking.

0 marks
No relevant content.

Level 1 (1 – 2 marks)
There is a brief description of kidney function including a mention of pituitary gland
or hormones but roles may be confused.

Level 2 (3 – 4 marks)
There is a clear description of kidney function in relation to fluctuations in blood
water levels and the roles of the pituitary gland or hormone is mentioned with
correct role.

Level 3 (5 – 6 marks)
There is a clear and detailed scientific description of kidney function in relation to
fluctuations in blood water levels and of the roles of the pituitary gland and ADH.

examples of biology points made in the response:

• if water content too low, ADH released

• from pituitary gland
• into the blood
• (causing) kidney reabsorbs more water
• more concentrated / small volume urine produced
• if water content too high, ADH lowered / not produced
• less water reabsorbed by kidney
• more dilute / larger volume urine produced
full marks may be awarded for detailed description of either
water loss or gain
[6]

Q8.
(a) (i) one form of a / one gene
do not allow ‘a type of gene’
allow a mutation of a gene
1

(ii) not expressed if dominant / other allele is present / if heterozygous

or

Page 27 of 30
 only expressed if dominant allele not present / or no other allele present
allow need two copies to be expressed / not expressed if
only one copy / only expressed if homozygous
1

(b) (i) two parents without PKU produce a child with PKU / 6 and 7 → 10
allow ‘it skips a generation’
1

(ii) genetic diagram including:

accept alternative symbols if defined

Parental gametes:

6: N and n
and 7: N and n
1

derivation of offspring genotypes:

NN Nn Nn nn
allow genotypes correctly derived from student’s parental
gametes
1

identification: NN and Nn as non-PKU

OR nn as PKU
allow correct identification of student’s offspring genotypes
1

correct probability only: 0.25 / ¼ / 1 in 4 / 25% / 1 : 3

do not allow 3 : 1 / 1 : 4
do not allow if extra incorrect probabilities given
1

(c) (i) mitosis

correct spelling only
1

(ii) 8
1

(iii) DNA
allow deoxyribonucleic acid
do not allow RNA / ribonucleic acid
1

(d) (i) may lead to damage to embryo / may destroy embryos / embryo cannot
give consent
allow avoid abortion
allow emotive terms – eg murder religious argument must be
qualified
allow ref to miscarriage
allow idea of avoiding prejudice against disabled people
allow idea of not producing designer babies

Page 28 of 30
 1

(ii) any one from:

• prevent having child with the disorder / prevent future suffering /

reduce incidence of the disease
ignore ref to having a healthy child
ignore ref to selection of gender
• embryo cells could be used in stem cell treatment
allow ref to long term cost of treating a child (with a disorder)
allow ref to time for parents to become prepared
1
[12]

Q9.
(a) glucagon
correct spelling only
1

(b) if glucose too high (insulin causes) glucose to enter liver / muscle cells
or
glucose to be converted to glycogen
1

so blood glucose levels fall

1

when glucose gets too low (glucagon causes) glycogen breakdown in liver / muscle
cells
allow ecf from part (a)
1

so glucose enters blood and raises level again

1

this is called negative feedback

1

(c) any two from:

• polymer
• made of two strands
• (twisted) in a double helix
allow:
• backbone of strands contains sugar and phosphate
groups
• (cross) linked by pairs of bases
• correct names of four bases or base pairs
2

(d) contains a code

1

for a sequence of amino acids which forms a specific protein

1

(e) mother A (polydactyly)

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50% / half of children will have polydactyly if parent is heterozygous as it only takes
one allele to show the disorder and half the sperm / ova / gametes will have faulty
allele.
1

(and) all / 100% will have polydactyly if parent is homozygous as faulty gene will
always be passed on
1

(but) for mother B (cystic fibrosis) none / 0% of children will have cystic fibrosis as it
would need a second allele from the other parent before the disorder would be
present
allow genetic diagram(s) if correct and offspring ratio clearly
indicated.
1
[13]

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