Tuesday 13 May 2025 – Afternoon
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B
(Twenty First Century Science)
J260/05 Biology (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB pencil
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 95.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 28 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science)
J260/05 Biology (Higher Tier) QP and MS summer 2025
, 2
BLANK PAGE
DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAGE
© OCR 2025
, 3
1 There are two types of cell division, meiosis and mitosis.
(a) Complete the table to show which type of cell division is described by each statement.
Tick (✓) one box in each row.
Statement Both types Meiosis only Mitosis only Neither
of cell type of cell
division division
It involves two divisions to
produce four new cells.
It makes new cells for growth
and repair of tissues in adults.
It produces cells with half the
number of chromosomes.
It produces gametes.
[4]
(b) Cancer is the result of changes in cells.
(i) In which part of a cell do these changes occur?
Tick (✓) one box.
Cell membrane
Cell wall
Cytoplasm
DNA
[1]
(ii) Describe how the changes lead to a single cell forming a tumour.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
2 A student investigates the effect of sugar concentration on osmosis.
They use potato cylinders placed in sugar solutions of different concentrations.
Sugar solution
Potato cylinder
V W X Y Z
(a) Statements A to E describe how the student does the investigation.
The statements are not in the correct order.
A Cut five potato cylinders.
B Calculate the change in mass.
C Measure the starting mass of the potato cylinders.
D Place the potato cylinders into each of the different sugar solutions for 24 hours.
E Remove and dry the potato cylinders, and measure their mass.
Write the letters in the boxes to show the correct order.
One has been done for you.
A
[3]
(b)
(i) State one variable that the student should control in this investigation.
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Suggest why the student dries the potato cylinders before measuring their final mass.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B
(Twenty First Century Science)
J260/05 Biology (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB pencil
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 95.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 28 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science)
J260/05 Biology (Higher Tier) QP and MS summer 2025
, 2
BLANK PAGE
DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAGE
© OCR 2025
, 3
1 There are two types of cell division, meiosis and mitosis.
(a) Complete the table to show which type of cell division is described by each statement.
Tick (✓) one box in each row.
Statement Both types Meiosis only Mitosis only Neither
of cell type of cell
division division
It involves two divisions to
produce four new cells.
It makes new cells for growth
and repair of tissues in adults.
It produces cells with half the
number of chromosomes.
It produces gametes.
[4]
(b) Cancer is the result of changes in cells.
(i) In which part of a cell do these changes occur?
Tick (✓) one box.
Cell membrane
Cell wall
Cytoplasm
DNA
[1]
(ii) Describe how the changes lead to a single cell forming a tumour.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
2 A student investigates the effect of sugar concentration on osmosis.
They use potato cylinders placed in sugar solutions of different concentrations.
Sugar solution
Potato cylinder
V W X Y Z
(a) Statements A to E describe how the student does the investigation.
The statements are not in the correct order.
A Cut five potato cylinders.
B Calculate the change in mass.
C Measure the starting mass of the potato cylinders.
D Place the potato cylinders into each of the different sugar solutions for 24 hours.
E Remove and dry the potato cylinders, and measure their mass.
Write the letters in the boxes to show the correct order.
One has been done for you.
A
[3]
(b)
(i) State one variable that the student should control in this investigation.
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Suggest why the student dries the potato cylinders before measuring their final mass.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
