Monitoring and maintaining health: OCR GCSE Biology A questions

Every OCR GCSE Biology A exam question on B6.3 Monitoring and maintaining health, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 207 questions on Monitoring and maintaining health, as a list

June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Which type of microorganism causes AIDS? A Bacterium B Fungus C Protist D Virus Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): Tomato plants are attacked by insects. The plants have features that help protect them from the insects. Which of these features is a chemical defence? A A waxy
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): New medicines are often tested on animals before being given to humans. What is a reason for testing human medicines on animals? A Animals do not get the same d
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): People can be vaccinated against HPV. Which graph shows the correct link between the number of people vaccinated and the number of people with cervical cancer?
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a) (2 marks): Draw three lines to connect each disease to the organ whose damage has resulted in the disease. Disease Organ bronchitis liver cirrhosis lungs type 1 diabetes p
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(i) (1 mark): Draw a curve of best fit. [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): Estimate the resting heart rate of a person who takes 3000 steps per day. Use Fig. 16.1. Resting heart rate = beats per minute [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(iii) (1 mark): Scientists think that resting heart rate can show how much exercise a person does. What relationship shown in the graph supports this idea? [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(c)(i) (2 marks): Suggest two conclusions the doctors could make from their results. 1 2 [2]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(c)(ii) (2 marks): The doctors are planning an improved study. They will make sure that the females and males in the new study are all non-smokers. Complete the two sentences abou
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(d)(i) (1 mark): What is unusual about the life expectancy of humans compared to the other animals shown in Fig. 16.2? [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(d)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest a reason for this difference. [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): After a kidney transplant the person needs to take drugs to make their immune system less active. Tick (3) two boxes which explain why this is necessary. Antise
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b)(ii) (2 marks): In 2023, a patient with SIOD received stem cell treatment before a transplant. Six weeks before their transplant, the patient received stem cells from the kidne
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(a) (1 mark): Suggest why farmers are trying to kill these bacteria with the antibiotics. [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe how you would use this equipment to test if bacteria are killed by an antibiotic. Petri dish with Laboratory incubator Filter paper discs Antibiotic ba
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b)(ii) (2 marks): The scientists’ tests were done in 2019, 2020 and 2021 on four types of farm animals. The bar chart shows the percentage of bacteria from the animals that were
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b)(iii) (2 marks): Many people say that giving antibiotics to farm animals produces populations of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Farmers have therefore agreed to use less antibio
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(c) (3 marks): Complete the sentences about how bacterial populations can develop antibiotic resistance. Use words from the list. change die gene technology mitosis mutation n
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(a) (1 mark): Put a ring around the communicable disease in this list that is also caused by bacteria. barley mildew crown gall disease tobacco mosaic disease [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(i) (1 mark): How does cucumber wilt spread from plant to plant? [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how infection with the bacteria causes the appearance of the plant to change. [3]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(iii) (1 mark): Explain why spraying cucumber plants with chemical pesticide can prevent the spread of the disease. [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(iv) (1 mark): Scientists are trying to find another way of controlling the disease. They plan to use a living organism to kill the bacteria. What is the name of this type of
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(a) (1 mark): State the name given to any organism that causes disease. [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(i) (4 marks): The boxes contain descriptions used by the doctor and some biological terms. Draw four lines to connect each description to its correct biological term. Descrip
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(ii) (2 marks): The doctor would change the type of medicine given to the patient if the disease was caused by a virus. State the change the doctor would make. Give a reason fo
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): People can be vaccinated against HPV. Which graph shows the correct link between the number of people vaccinated and the number of people with cervical cancer?
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): What is an adaptation of white blood cells? A They can change shape to squeeze out of blood vessels into tissues. B They have many ribosomes to produce antibiot
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): Which of these diseases is caused by a bacterium? A AIDS B Barley powdery mildew C Crown gall disease D Tobacco mosaic disease Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): Clinical testing is used for new medicines. What is a feature of clinical testing? A Uses animals B Uses cell cultures C Uses computer models D Uses placebos Yo
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): What is not a proven use for monoclonal antibodies? A Gene therapy B Pregnancy tests C Targeting cancer cells D Testing for cancer Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(a) (1 mark): State the name given to any organism that causes disease. [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(i) (4 marks): The boxes contain descriptions used by the doctor and some biological terms. Draw four lines to connect each description to its correct biological term. Descrip
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(ii) (2 marks): The doctor would change the type of medicine given to the patient if the disease was caused by a virus. State the change the doctor would make. Give a reason fo
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(c)(i) (2 marks): After receiving a kidney transplant from a donor, a person needs to take drugs to reduce the activity of their immune system. Explain why it is necessary to red
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(c)(ii) (1 mark): Give a possible disadvantage of having to take drugs to reduce the activity of the immune system. [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(c)(iv) (1 mark): Six months later, the person received a kidney transplant from the same donor. Why would this person not need to take drugs to reduce the activity of their immu
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(c) (2 marks): Test E can test for a cancerous tumour. Describe how cancerous tumours form. [2]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(a) (1 mark): Suggest why harmless bacteria living in the digestive system of animals could decrease the growth rate of the animals. [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe how bacteria can be tested in the laboratory to see if they are killed by an antibiotic. [3]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b)(ii) (3 marks): The scientists’ tests were done in 2019, 2020 and 2021 on three types of farm animals. The bar chart shows the percentage of bacteria from the animals that were
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(c) (3 marks): A student writes three sentences about how antibiotic resistance might occur: 1. ‘Bacteria mutate when the DNA in their nucleus changes.’ 2. ‘Antibiotics cause
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(a) (4 marks): Explain how a beetle feeding on a cucumber plant causes the leaves of the plant to wilt from this disease. [4]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(b) (1 mark): Spraying the surface of the plant with chemicals that kill bacteria does not prevent the disease spreading. Suggest a reason why. [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(c)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of this type of control method? [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(c)(iii) (2 marks): The scientists added the virus to the bacteria and measured how effective it was at killing the bacteria. They did this at different temperatures. Their results
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): Which of these is a communicable disease? A Cirrhosis of the liver B Coronary heart disease C Diabetes D Tuberculosis Your answer [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q11 (1 mark): What is the link between HIV and tuberculosis? A Both HIV and tuberculosis increase the risk of cervical cancer. B HIV infection increases the risk of getting t
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): Scientists studied groups of people that have diabetes, heart disease or neither condition. They measured whether these people slept for less or more than 6 hou
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a) (3 marks): Draw lines to join each type of cell to its correct function. Type of cell Function produce antibodies to kill Cells in the stomach lining pathogens clot the bl
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b) (2 marks): Vaccinations are used to protect us from diseases. Complete this sentence about vaccinations. Vaccinations help the body protect itself because they contain or
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(a) (2 marks): Which type of pathogen causes each of these diseases? Use words from the list. Bacteria Fungi Protists Virus Tobacco mosaic disease: Crown gall disease: [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b)(i) (2 marks): Rainy weather in the spring causes more barley plants to be infected with powdery mildew. Suggest two reasons why. Use the diagram. 1 2 [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b)(iii) (2 marks): Farmers make sure that they clear all the dead barley plants from their fields in the autumn. Explain why. [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(c)(ii) (1 mark): Researchers tested this treatment on animals first. Suggest one reason why they did this. [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q25(a) (1 mark): Which is a correct statement about antiseptics and antibiotics? Tick (3) one box. Antibiotics are not used inside the body, but antiseptics are. Antibiotics are
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q25(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe how the students should spread bacteria on the surface of the agar. [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q25(b)(ii) (2 marks): The students’ teacher told them not to seal the lid on the Petri dishes all the way round with tape. Explain why. [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q25(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain two conclusions the students can make about disinfectants B, C and D from these results. 1 2 [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q25(c)(ii) (2 marks): One of the students said that disinfectant A is equally effective at killing bacteria as disinfectant B. Explain how the students could improve their experiment
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): The diagram shows a labelled plant cell. A B C D Which part of the plant cell gives physical protection against disease? [1] Your answer
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): All types of white blood cell contain a nucleus. Which function of white blood cells does not require a nucleus? A Changing shape to squeeze out of capillaries
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): The diagram shows how monoclonal antibodies (MCA) are used in a test to detect pathogens. Drop containing MCA with Test line Control line sample coloured marker
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): The diagram shows how lymphocytes in the immune system respond to antigens. Lymphocytes Antigens Divide to produce plasma cells Antibodies secreted Antigens des
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(a) (1 mark): Which is a correct statement about antiseptics and antibiotics? Tick (3) one box. Antibiotics are not used inside the body, but antiseptics are. Antibiotics are
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe how the students should spread bacteria on the surface of the agar. [2]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(b)(ii) (2 marks): The students’ teacher told them not to seal the lid on the Petri dishes all the way round with tape. Explain why. [2]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain two conclusions the students can make about disinfectants B, C and D from these results. 1 2 [2]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(c)(ii) (2 marks): One of the students said that disinfectant A is equally effective at killing bacteria as disinfectant B. Explain how the students could improve their experiment
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe the effects of cancer on cells. [2]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(a)(ii) (1 mark): Some scientists concluded that, ‘acrylamide could also cause cancer in humans’. Other scientists are not sure about the effect of acrylamide on humans, despite
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(b)(i) (2 marks): Give two conclusions that the scientists could make from their investigation. 1 2 [2]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(b)(ii) (3 marks): The daily recommended maximum intake for acrylamide is 195 mg. A slice of toast has a mass of 50 g. A person eats toast that is dark and made from potato bread.
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(b)(iii) (1 mark): Give one reason why another group of scientists would find it difficult to replicate the experiment using just the information in the graph. [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): What does the lining of the trachea (windpipe) produce to defend the body against pathogens? A Acid B Antigen C Enzymes D Mucus Your answer [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): When a drug is developed to treat a disease, the drug is tested. What is the final stage in this testing? A Testing on animals to see if it is safe. B Testing o
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q11 (1 mark): The cuticle on plant leaves helps to prevent pathogens entering the plant. Which statement describes how the cuticle does this? A Acts as a physical barrier B E
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): Antibiotics can be tested on bacteria growing on a Petri dish. The clear area around an antibiotic disc gives information about how effective the antibiotic is.
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a)(iv) (2 marks): Mole rats actually live much longer than predicted by the graph. Scientists think that one reason for this is that their cells do not divide in an uncontrolled
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): List all the types of hepatitis that can be treated using antiviral tablets. [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which type of hepatitis can be prevented by regular hand washing? [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which type of hepatitis is a non-communicable disease? [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(a)(iv) (1 mark): Which type of hepatitis involves interaction between two different diseases? [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b) (2 marks): Explain why hepatitis A cannot be treated using antibiotics. Use information from the table. [2]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(c) (4 marks): Complete each sentence to explain why a person cannot develop hepatitis A or B twice. Use the words from the list. antibiotics antibodies antigens immune red bl
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): Different cells are used in the production of monoclonal antibodies. Which cells produce the monoclonal antibodies? A Hybridoma cells B Plasma cells C Tumour ce
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): The table shows some different treatments for cardiovascular disease. Which treatments for cardiovascular disease work by directly reducing blood pressure? Trea
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a) (2 marks): Describe two ways that the body’s immune system destroys invading cells. 1 2 [2]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(b) (2 marks): Suggest two reasons why multiple sclerosis is so difficult to treat. [2]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(d) (2 marks): Mole rats rarely develop cancer. One theory to explain this involves two ‘over-crowding’ genes. These genes slow down the cell cycle when cells come into contac
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Which row in the table gives correct descriptions of physical and chemical plant defence responses to disease? Description of a physical response Description of
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): Which disease is classed as a communicable disease? A Cirrhosis of the liver B Tuberculosis C Type 1 diabetes D Type 2 diabetes Your answer [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): A student is inoculating a sterile agar plate with bacteria from a loop. Why does the student keep the lid of the Petri dish at an angle? A To prevent condensat
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q11 (1 mark): Which is a description of an antibiotic? A A chemical group on the surface of a pathogen. B A chemical that kills bacteria or stops them dividing. C A drug that
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a) (3 marks): Complete each sentence below about the diagram. Use words from the list. attack carbon dioxide fat fibre infection nitrogen oxygen water Heart disease is caused
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b) (1 mark): Which factors can increase the risk of a person getting heart disease? Tick (✓) two boxes. eating vegetables inheriting certain genes regular exercise smoking c
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(c) (2 marks): This diagram shows the heart after a type of operation called a bypass. A bypass is when a blood vessel from another part of the body is transplanted into the b
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(d)(i) (2 marks): In 1990, the population of the USA was 250 million. Calculate the number of people that had a bypass operation in the USA in 1990. Number of people = [2]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(d)(ii) (2 marks): Use the graph to suggest two reasons why the number of bypass operations decreased from 2006 to 2015. 1 2 [2]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b) (3 marks): In 1637, tulip growers found that a small number of their tulip plants produced flowers with different coloured stripes. The growers did not know what was causi
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(d) (6 marks): The diagram shows a tulip plant. Many gardeners like to grow tulip plants. (d)* This virus is spread by insects that feed on the tulips. Although infected bulbs
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(a) (1 mark): Most people recover well from measles but often get other diseases afterwards. Doctors think that this is because the measles virus weakens the immune system. N
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(i) (1 mark): Describe one way that a person who has measles can try and reduce the chance of passing it on to another person. [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe one way that the natural defence mechanisms of the human body may prevent the virus from entering the lungs. [2]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(c) (1 mark): A vaccine is available to protect people against measles. What does the measles vaccine contain to provide this protection? [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(d)(i) (2 marks): In 1968, vaccinations against measles started for children. Explain the effect that this had on the number of measles cases. [2]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(d)(ii) (2 marks): In 1998, a report claimed a link between the measles vaccine and an increased risk of a disorder called autism. Explain the effect that this had on the number o
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Which of these is a use of monoclonal antibodies? A Detecting antigens in pregnancy testing. B Removing cholesterol from blocked arteries. C Sterilising instrum
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): Which is a description of an antigen? A A chemical group on the surface of a pathogen. B A chemical that kills bacteria or stops them dividing. C A drug that is
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): Which statement is correct about HIV/AIDS? A AIDS is a virus that weakens the immune system. B HIV and AIDS are alternative names for the same disease. C HIV is
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): New medicines can be tested in different ways. Which is the main reason for testing a new medicine using tissue culture? A To predict the effects on body system
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): A scientist inoculates an agar plate with bacteria. The plate is now ready to be incubated. Why do they seal the lid with two strips of tape, rather than sealin
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c)(i) (2 marks): 2.0 × 109 tulips are grown in the Netherlands every year. This uses 14 200 hectares of land. 1.5% of all the tulips grown are infected. Calculate how many infec
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c)(ii) (6 marks): Growers need to identify infected tulips as soon as possible. This allows them to only spray a small area with insecticide. Scientists have developed a machine
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(a) (3 marks): Explain how vaccinations can protect people against diseases such as measles. [3]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(b)(i) (2 marks): The measles vaccine was given as a triple vaccine called MMR. This was more convenient because MMR vaccinated children for three diseases at the same time. Year
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(b)(ii) (2 marks): A report claiming a link between the MMR vaccine and an increased risk of the disorder called autism. Year Reason [2]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(c) (2 marks): A study looked at how measles infections can affect the number of antibodies for other pathogens in a person’s body. The study included three groups of children
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): Scientists studied how the mass of alcohol drunk per day affects the relative risk of getting heart disease. The graph shows the results of their study. A relat
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): Some diseases can be caused by the action of different risk factors. Which row in the table gives a correct risk factor for the disease? Risk factor Disease A H
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): What is the best definition of an antiseptic? A A chemical that destroys bacteria on the outside of the body. B A chemical that destroys viruses inside the body
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(c) (3 marks): After the fly has finished feeding, the person has an immune response against the proteins. The list shows some stages in the immune response. A Antibodies are
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b)(i) (1 mark): Write down the reason why the virus is described as a pathogen. [1]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(c)(i) (2 marks): Scientists think climate change could result in more sheep being infected with the bluetongue virus. Explain why more sheep could be infected. [2]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(a) (1 mark): What effect does cancer have on cells? Tick (3) one box. Causes them to divide uncontrollably Makes them produce antibodies Makes them start producing hormones
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(c)(i) (3 marks): There are 30 000 000 females in the UK and 1 in 400 of them has a mutation in their BRCA gene. • 60% of women with this mutation could develop breast cancer. •
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(c)(ii) (2 marks): Scientists can now test for the mutated BRCA gene in women. This means they can give women the option of having their ovaries removed before breast cancer may s
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(b) (2 marks): Scientists have produced a drug that will hopefully stop CJD developing. Before they inject this drug into people they will test it on animals. Give two reasons
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): The diagram shows colonies of bacteria growing on two agar plates. 2 cm 6 cm Bacterium A Bacterium B What is the ratio of the area covered by bacterium A compar
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): Before surgery, a doctor will wipe the skin of the patient with a chemical to kill bacteria. Which type of chemical is the doctor likely to use? A Antibiotic B
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): Which of these is a step in the process used to make monoclonal antibodies? A Fusing hybridoma cells with lymphocytes (plasma cells). B Fusing tumour cells with
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): What is the purpose of a placebo in a clinical trial? A To calculate the lowest effective dose of the medicine. B To make sure the results of the trial are repr
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q12 (1 mark): Scientists studied how the mass of alcohol drunk per day affects the relative risk of getting heart disease. The graph shows the results of their study. relativ
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a) (3 marks): Plant diseases can be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. Complete the table by choosing words from this list to identify the cause of each of the diseases. Y
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(b) (2 marks): Tomatoes are an important food crop. They can be infected by a number of different pathogens. It is important that farmers can identify which pathogen is infect
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c)(i) (1 mark): Give one reason why the new method may be an improvement on the current method. [1]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c)(ii) (2 marks): The diagram shows the results of scanning three different tomato leaves. One leaf has early blight, one has late blight and the other is healthy. Key: healthy e
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(a) (2 marks): Describe the effects that cancer has on cells. [2]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(b)(i) (3 marks): There are 3 × 107 females in the UK and 1 in 400 of them has a mutation in their BRCA gene. 60% of women with this mutation are likely to develop breast cancer.
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(b)(ii) (2 marks): Cancer can occur in the cells of the breast. This type of cancer is often caused by breast cells being stimulated by the hormone oestrogen. Use this information
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(c) (2 marks): Cancer can also occur in the brain. The diagram shows the position of a tumour in the brain. Position of tumour Explain why operating to remove this tumour coul
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(c) (2 marks): After the fly has finished eating, the person has an immune response against the proteins. Antibodies are produced. Describe how antibodies would help the body
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(d)(ii) (2 marks): The scientists have developed a poison that becomes active in low pH. Explain why this poison could kill the Blandford fly but not harm other types of fly. [2]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(b) (1 mark): This type of CJD, caused by a dominant allele, is called genetic CJD. There is another type of CJD called sporadic CJD. Scientists think that sporadic CJD can j
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the body will not make its own antibodies against the CJD protein. [2]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(c)(ii) (2 marks): The artificial antibodies have been tested on mice. Suggest two reasons why some people argue against the testing of medicines on animals. 1 2 [2]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): The graph shows the number of reported cases of measles in England and Wales between 1940 and 2010. 900 000 800 000 700 000 600 000 Number of reported 500 000 c
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): The drawing shows a leaf from a tobacco plant that has tobacco mosaic disease. What type of pathogen causes tobacco mosaic disease in plants? A Bacterium B Fung
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a) (1 mark): Which type of cancer has the largest difference between the percentage of total deaths and the percentage of money spent on research? Tick (3) one box. Lung Bow
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(d) (6 marks): Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is caused by a dominant allele on chromosome 19. This allele has mutations which cause a change in the order of DNA nucleotides. (d)*
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(c) (4 marks): Scientists investigate antibiotic pollution in two different lakes. They collect samples of water from the two lakes. The scientists then use aseptic techniques
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(d) (2 marks): The scientists also counted how many species of bacteria were resistant to antibiotics and how many species of bacteria were killed by antibiotics. The scientis
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): The table shows estimated data about the global population and the number of deaths from HIV and tuberculosis (TB). Year 2000 2017 Total population in millions
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): When a person has measles they are unlikely to be ill again with the disease for many years. What is the reason for this? A Antigens from the pathogen remain in
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(c) (4 marks): Scientists investigate antibiotic pollution in two different lakes. They collect samples of water from the two lakes. The scientists then use aseptic techniques
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(d) (2 marks): The scientists also counted how many species of bacteria were resistant to antibiotics and how many species of bacteria were killed by antibiotics. The scientis
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(a) (2 marks): Explain why a different antibody molecule is needed for each antigen. [2]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(b)(i) (2 marks): Give two uses of monoclonal antibodies. 1 2 [2]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(b)(ii) (1 mark): Why are tumour cells used in this process? [1]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(c)(i) (4 marks): Describe how scientists could use the antibody gene to genetically engineer bacteria to make many copies of the antibody. [4]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(c)(ii) (2 marks): Many people would prefer to use antibodies made using bacteria and viruses, rather than the method shown in Fig. 20.2. Suggest an explanation for this. [2]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(c)(iii) (2 marks): In 2018, the scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work. Explain why their work had to be peer reviewed before they were awarded the prize. [2]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(e) (6 marks): Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is the result of a mutation in the genome. It is caused by a dominant allele on chromosome 19. The mutation involved causes a change i
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(f) (3 marks): A drug is being developed that might help protect people from heart disease. To test the drug patients were divided into three groups. Each group was given a di
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): Which statement about health is true? A Health is the absence of disease. B A person who is free from disease must be healthy. C A person can have a serious dis
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): Which of these gives a correct risk factor for the named disease? Disease Risk factor A bronchitis exercise B cardiovascular disease diet rich in saturated fat
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): What do most vaccines contain? A Antivirals B Dead or weakened pathogens C Specific antibiotics D White blood cells Your answer [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(a) (2 marks): Complete these sentences to describe how antibodies are made in the body. Use words from the list. Each word can be used once, more than once, or not at all. an
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b)(i) (1 mark): The placebo group does not receive the antibody. Suggest why this group is included in the study. [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b)(ii) (2 marks): The total number of migraine days for the patients on the placebo after treatment was 480. The mean number of migraine days per patient after treatment was 6.4.
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(c) (2 marks): Explain why it is important that a second group of doctors should repeat this test. [2]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(c)(iii) (2 marks): Their teacher said that they should take care as there may be harmful bacteria in the salt marsh. State two things that the students could do to reduce the risk
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(a) (3 marks): Look at the list of four diseases. AIDS Type 2 diabetes Crown gall disease Barley powdery mildew Write each disease in the correct column of this table. Communi
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(i) (2 marks): Doctors only give antibiotics to patients with these symptoms if they are sure their illness is caused by bacteria. Write down two reasons why. 1 2 [2]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(ii) (2 marks): Look at the graph. It shows the length of time that patients show symptoms of sinusitis. Viral sinusitis 100 Bacterial sinusitis 80 Percentage 60 of patients sh
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Many human diseases are caused by risk factors. Food and drink can be major risk factors. Which disease does not have food or drink as a major risk factor? A Ty
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): A student places an antibiotic disc onto the surface of agar that is covered in bacteria. She calculates the area around the disc that is free from bacteria. b
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): Which row on the table is correct for HIV? Destroyed by antibiotics Causes cervical cancer Sexually transmitted A X X  B X X  C X   D    Your answer [1]
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): Which is a definition of cancer? A An infection of foreign cells which divide uncontrollably. B Body cells that divide uncontrollably many times. C Body cells t
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): What does a vaccine contain that protects a person from infection? A Antibiotics that will attach to antigens. B Antigens that will stimulate antibody productio
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q12 (1 mark): New drugs are tested using preclinical trials. Which statement describes a preclinical trial? A One group of volunteers are given a placebo, another group the d
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a) (3 marks): Powdery mildew is caused by a fungus. Describe how fungal infections can spread and how they enter plant leaves. [3]
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(b)(i) (1 mark): Explain how burning plants after the barley has been harvested can protect the crops. [1]
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how growing barley in the fields one year, then wheat the next year can protect the crops. [2]
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c) (2 marks): The farmers test two different fungicides. They each grow barley in one of their fields. Each farmer sprays a different fungicide on their field. They then comp
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(a) (2 marks): Describe how antibodies are usually made in the human body. [2]
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain why a placebo group is used in drug testing. [3]
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the percentage decrease in migraine days in the patients that had the antibody injection. Give your answer to 1 decimal place. Percentage decrease = %
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(c) (2 marks): The antibodies used in the investigation were monoclonal antibodies. They can be made by injecting CGRP protein into a mouse. The diagram shows this process. In
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): Tears and stomach juices are important in the body’s response to pathogens. Tears Stomach juices A Acid Antibiotics B Antibiotics Antibodies C Antibodies Lysozy
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): Which statement describes how vaccines work? A Cause the body to produce antibodies. B Cause the release of antigens. C Contain antiviral drugs. D Make platelet
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): Which is a chemical defence of plants? A Antimicrobial substances B Cell walls C Leaf cuticles D Thorns [1] Your answer SECTION B Answer all the questions.
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(d)(ii) (2 marks): Write down two reasons why medical treatments are tested on animals first. [2]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(i) (1 mark): How many points are scored by smoking 20 cigarettes a day? [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(ii) (1 mark): What is the effect of age on the chance of getting CHD? [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(iii) (3 marks): Here is some information about two people. Person A Person B 25 years old 19 years old Non-smoker Smokes 20 cigarettes a day Low blood cholesterol level Low blo
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(c)(i) (2 marks): Look at the diagram. Why does using a stent help treat CHD? [2]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(c)(ii) (2 marks): Taking a drug called statins is a treatment for CHD. The drug is taken every day and lowers the level of cholesterol in a person’s blood. Suggest one advantage
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Which is a chemical defence of plants? A Antimicrobial substances B Cell walls C Leaf cuticles D Thorns Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): Which is the most effective treatment for HIV? A Antibiotics B Antigens C Antiseptics D Antivirals Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): Heart disease kills thousands of people in Britain every year. Why is it difficult to decide why a person gets heart disease? A Heart disease is caused by the i
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): Which of these is an adaptation of white blood cells? A The ability to make clotting enzymes. B They can change their shape to pass out of capillaries. C They c
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): Females aged between 12 and 13 are offered a vaccination for the human papilloma virus (HPV). Which statement describes the reason for offering this vaccine? A
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(a) (2 marks): What is an antibody? [2]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b) (4 marks): As the human body does not naturally make antibodies against methamphetamine, scientists are using mice to make antibodies. Describe how large amounts of the an
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(c) (2 marks): These antibodies would not work against other drugs. Explain why. [2]

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