enty
(9–1)
First
Biology
OCR
Century
GCSE
B (Twenty
Science)
(9–1)
First
J257-02
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)Tier
First
J257-02
–
Century
Depth
Foundation
Science)
in Biology
Tier
J257-02
June
– Depth
2025
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Tier
Complete
June
– Depth
2025
OCRMorning
in Biology
GCSEComplete
Question
June 2025OCR
Paper
Morning
GCSE
with Complete
Full
Question
Marking
OCR
Paper
Scheme
GCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
Official ?OCR
Question
GCSE
Paper
(9?1)
withOfficial
CompleteQuestion
Marking
Paper
Scheme,
with Complete
Answers,
Page
Marking
and1 Step-by-Step
Scheme, Answers,
Solutionsand
for Exam
Step-by-Step
PracticeSolutions
and Revision?
for Exam Pra
2025 OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science)
J257/04 Depth in Biology (Higher Tier)
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme Combined
Monday 9 June 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) Biology B (Twenty First Century Science)
J257/04 Depth in Biology (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
• an HB pencil
• a scientific or graphical calculator
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 90.
• 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 24 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [601/8506/5] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (PQ/CT) 354341/4 Turn over
y(9–1)
First Century
Biology
OCR Science)
GCSE
B (Twenty
(9–1)
J257-02
First
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)
TierFirst
–
J257-02
Depth
Century
Foundation
in Science)
Biology June
Tier
J257-02
–
2025
Depth
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Complete
TierJune
– Depth
OCR
2025 GCSE
Morning
in Biology
Question
Complete
June 2025
Paper
OCR
Morning
with
GCSE
FullComplete
Marking
QuestionScheme.pdf
OCR
PaperGCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
,enty
(9–1)
First
Biology
OCR
Century
GCSE
B (Twenty
Science)
(9–1)
First
J257-02
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)Tier
First
J257-02
–
Century
Depth
Foundation
Science)
in Biology
Tier
J257-02
June
– Depth
2025
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Tier
Complete
June
– Depth
2025
OCRMorning
in Biology
GCSEComplete
Question
June 2025OCR
Paper
Morning
GCSE
with Complete
Full
Question
Marking
OCR
Paper
Scheme
GCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
Official ?OCR
Question
GCSE
Paper
(9?1)
withOfficial
CompleteQuestion
Marking
Paper
Scheme,
with Complete
Answers,
Page
Marking
and2 Step-by-Step
Scheme, Answers,
Solutionsand
for Exam
Step-by-Step
PracticeSolutions
and Revision?
for Exam Pra
2
1 The pupil is part of the human eye.
Pupil
Iris
A student investigates the effect of changing the light level on pupil diameter.
The student uses a lamp with adjustable brightness, measured in lumens.
The maximum brightness of the lamp is 1200 lumens (100%).
Table 1.1 shows the data the student records.
Table 1.1
Light level Light brightness Distance between Pupil diameter
(%) (lumens) lamp and eye (m) (mm)
80 1.5 4
40 480 1.5 6
20 240 1.5 8
(a) Complete Table 1.2 to identify the variables in the investigation.
Put one tick (✓) in each row to show whether the variable is the dependent variable, the
independent variable or neither.
Table 1.2
Dependent Independent Neither
variable variable
Distance between lamp and eye (m)
Light brightness (lumens)
Pupil diameter (mm)
[2]
© OCR 2025
y(9–1)
First Century
Biology
OCR Science)
GCSE
B (Twenty
(9–1)
J257-02
First
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)
TierFirst
–
J257-02
Depth
Century
Foundation
in Science)
Biology June
Tier
J257-02
–
2025
Depth
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Complete
TierJune
– Depth
OCR
2025 GCSE
Morning
in Biology
Question
Complete
June 2025
Paper
OCR
Morning
with
GCSE
FullComplete
Marking
QuestionScheme.pdf
OCR
PaperGCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
,enty
(9–1)
First
Biology
OCR
Century
GCSE
B (Twenty
Science)
(9–1)
First
J257-02
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)Tier
First
J257-02
–
Century
Depth
Foundation
Science)
in Biology
Tier
J257-02
June
– Depth
2025
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Tier
Complete
June
– Depth
2025
OCRMorning
in Biology
GCSEComplete
Question
June 2025OCR
Paper
Morning
GCSE
with Complete
Full
Question
Marking
OCR
Paper
Scheme
GCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
Official ?OCR
Question
GCSE
Paper
(9?1)
withOfficial
CompleteQuestion
Marking
Paper
Scheme,
with Complete
Answers,
Page
Marking
and3 Step-by-Step
Scheme, Answers,
Solutionsand
for Exam
Step-by-Step
PracticeSolutions
and Revision?
for Exam Pra
3
(b) Suggest one other variable not included in Table 1.2 that should be controlled.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) Calculate the number of lumens equivalent to a light level of 80%.
Use the data in Table 1.1.
Number of lumens equivalent to a light level of 80% = ............................................ lumens [2]
(d) The student measures the pupil diameter by holding a ruler against the person’s eye.
Suggest a safer way to measure the pupil diameter.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(e) The student predicts that if a light brightness of 1200 lumens is tested, the pupil diameter will be
approximately 2 mm.
Explain why the student is correct.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [3]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
y(9–1)
First Century
Biology
OCR Science)
GCSE
B (Twenty
(9–1)
J257-02
First
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)
TierFirst
–
J257-02
Depth
Century
Foundation
in Science)
Biology June
Tier
J257-02
–
2025
Depth
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Complete
TierJune
– Depth
OCR
2025 GCSE
Morning
in Biology
Question
Complete
June 2025
Paper
OCR
Morning
with
GCSE
FullComplete
Marking
QuestionScheme.pdf
OCR
PaperGCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
,enty
(9–1)
First
Biology
OCR
Century
GCSE
B (Twenty
Science)
(9–1)
First
J257-02
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)Tier
First
J257-02
–
Century
Depth
Foundation
Science)
in Biology
Tier
J257-02
June
– Depth
2025
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Tier
Complete
June
– Depth
2025
OCRMorning
in Biology
GCSEComplete
Question
June 2025OCR
Paper
Morning
GCSE
with Complete
Full
Question
Marking
OCR
Paper
Scheme
GCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
Official ?OCR
Question
GCSE
Paper
(9?1)
withOfficial
CompleteQuestion
Marking
Paper
Scheme,
with Complete
Answers,
Page
Marking
and4 Step-by-Step
Scheme, Answers,
Solutionsand
for Exam
Step-by-Step
PracticeSolutions
and Revision?
for Exam Pra
4
2 The diagram shows a living plant growing in a bottle garden.
The bottle garden is a small but complete ecosystem.
Bung
Bottle Air
Condensation
Plant leaves
(drops of water)
Plant stem
Plant roots Moist soil
Stones
(a) Which part of the bottle garden ecosystem is biotic?
Tick (✓) one box.
Condensation
Plant
Soil water
Stones
[1]
(b) Explain why the air in the bottle is an abiotic part of the ecosystem.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) The bottle allows light to pass through it.
Explain why this is essential for the plant to survive.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
y(9–1)
First Century
Biology
OCR Science)
GCSE
B (Twenty
(9–1)
J257-02
First
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)
TierFirst
–
J257-02
Depth
Century
Foundation
in Science)
Biology June
Tier
J257-02
–
2025
Depth
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Complete
TierJune
– Depth
OCR
2025 GCSE
Morning
in Biology
Question
Complete
June 2025
Paper
OCR
Morning
with
GCSE
FullComplete
Marking
QuestionScheme.pdf
OCR
PaperGCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
(9–1)
First
Biology
OCR
Century
GCSE
B (Twenty
Science)
(9–1)
First
J257-02
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)Tier
First
J257-02
–
Century
Depth
Foundation
Science)
in Biology
Tier
J257-02
June
– Depth
2025
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Tier
Complete
June
– Depth
2025
OCRMorning
in Biology
GCSEComplete
Question
June 2025OCR
Paper
Morning
GCSE
with Complete
Full
Question
Marking
OCR
Paper
Scheme
GCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
Official ?OCR
Question
GCSE
Paper
(9?1)
withOfficial
CompleteQuestion
Marking
Paper
Scheme,
with Complete
Answers,
Page
Marking
and1 Step-by-Step
Scheme, Answers,
Solutionsand
for Exam
Step-by-Step
PracticeSolutions
and Revision?
for Exam Pra
2025 OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science)
J257/04 Depth in Biology (Higher Tier)
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme Combined
Monday 9 June 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) Biology B (Twenty First Century Science)
J257/04 Depth in Biology (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
• an HB pencil
• a scientific or graphical calculator
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 90.
• 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 24 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [601/8506/5] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (PQ/CT) 354341/4 Turn over
y(9–1)
First Century
Biology
OCR Science)
GCSE
B (Twenty
(9–1)
J257-02
First
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)
TierFirst
–
J257-02
Depth
Century
Foundation
in Science)
Biology June
Tier
J257-02
–
2025
Depth
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Complete
TierJune
– Depth
OCR
2025 GCSE
Morning
in Biology
Question
Complete
June 2025
Paper
OCR
Morning
with
GCSE
FullComplete
Marking
QuestionScheme.pdf
OCR
PaperGCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
,enty
(9–1)
First
Biology
OCR
Century
GCSE
B (Twenty
Science)
(9–1)
First
J257-02
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)Tier
First
J257-02
–
Century
Depth
Foundation
Science)
in Biology
Tier
J257-02
June
– Depth
2025
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Tier
Complete
June
– Depth
2025
OCRMorning
in Biology
GCSEComplete
Question
June 2025OCR
Paper
Morning
GCSE
with Complete
Full
Question
Marking
OCR
Paper
Scheme
GCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
Official ?OCR
Question
GCSE
Paper
(9?1)
withOfficial
CompleteQuestion
Marking
Paper
Scheme,
with Complete
Answers,
Page
Marking
and2 Step-by-Step
Scheme, Answers,
Solutionsand
for Exam
Step-by-Step
PracticeSolutions
and Revision?
for Exam Pra
2
1 The pupil is part of the human eye.
Pupil
Iris
A student investigates the effect of changing the light level on pupil diameter.
The student uses a lamp with adjustable brightness, measured in lumens.
The maximum brightness of the lamp is 1200 lumens (100%).
Table 1.1 shows the data the student records.
Table 1.1
Light level Light brightness Distance between Pupil diameter
(%) (lumens) lamp and eye (m) (mm)
80 1.5 4
40 480 1.5 6
20 240 1.5 8
(a) Complete Table 1.2 to identify the variables in the investigation.
Put one tick (✓) in each row to show whether the variable is the dependent variable, the
independent variable or neither.
Table 1.2
Dependent Independent Neither
variable variable
Distance between lamp and eye (m)
Light brightness (lumens)
Pupil diameter (mm)
[2]
© OCR 2025
y(9–1)
First Century
Biology
OCR Science)
GCSE
B (Twenty
(9–1)
J257-02
First
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)
TierFirst
–
J257-02
Depth
Century
Foundation
in Science)
Biology June
Tier
J257-02
–
2025
Depth
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Complete
TierJune
– Depth
OCR
2025 GCSE
Morning
in Biology
Question
Complete
June 2025
Paper
OCR
Morning
with
GCSE
FullComplete
Marking
QuestionScheme.pdf
OCR
PaperGCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
,enty
(9–1)
First
Biology
OCR
Century
GCSE
B (Twenty
Science)
(9–1)
First
J257-02
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)Tier
First
J257-02
–
Century
Depth
Foundation
Science)
in Biology
Tier
J257-02
June
– Depth
2025
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Tier
Complete
June
– Depth
2025
OCRMorning
in Biology
GCSEComplete
Question
June 2025OCR
Paper
Morning
GCSE
with Complete
Full
Question
Marking
OCR
Paper
Scheme
GCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
Official ?OCR
Question
GCSE
Paper
(9?1)
withOfficial
CompleteQuestion
Marking
Paper
Scheme,
with Complete
Answers,
Page
Marking
and3 Step-by-Step
Scheme, Answers,
Solutionsand
for Exam
Step-by-Step
PracticeSolutions
and Revision?
for Exam Pra
3
(b) Suggest one other variable not included in Table 1.2 that should be controlled.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) Calculate the number of lumens equivalent to a light level of 80%.
Use the data in Table 1.1.
Number of lumens equivalent to a light level of 80% = ............................................ lumens [2]
(d) The student measures the pupil diameter by holding a ruler against the person’s eye.
Suggest a safer way to measure the pupil diameter.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(e) The student predicts that if a light brightness of 1200 lumens is tested, the pupil diameter will be
approximately 2 mm.
Explain why the student is correct.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [3]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
y(9–1)
First Century
Biology
OCR Science)
GCSE
B (Twenty
(9–1)
J257-02
First
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)
TierFirst
–
J257-02
Depth
Century
Foundation
in Science)
Biology June
Tier
J257-02
–
2025
Depth
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Complete
TierJune
– Depth
OCR
2025 GCSE
Morning
in Biology
Question
Complete
June 2025
Paper
OCR
Morning
with
GCSE
FullComplete
Marking
QuestionScheme.pdf
OCR
PaperGCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
,enty
(9–1)
First
Biology
OCR
Century
GCSE
B (Twenty
Science)
(9–1)
First
J257-02
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)Tier
First
J257-02
–
Century
Depth
Foundation
Science)
in Biology
Tier
J257-02
June
– Depth
2025
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Tier
Complete
June
– Depth
2025
OCRMorning
in Biology
GCSEComplete
Question
June 2025OCR
Paper
Morning
GCSE
with Complete
Full
Question
Marking
OCR
Paper
Scheme
GCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
Official ?OCR
Question
GCSE
Paper
(9?1)
withOfficial
CompleteQuestion
Marking
Paper
Scheme,
with Complete
Answers,
Page
Marking
and4 Step-by-Step
Scheme, Answers,
Solutionsand
for Exam
Step-by-Step
PracticeSolutions
and Revision?
for Exam Pra
4
2 The diagram shows a living plant growing in a bottle garden.
The bottle garden is a small but complete ecosystem.
Bung
Bottle Air
Condensation
Plant leaves
(drops of water)
Plant stem
Plant roots Moist soil
Stones
(a) Which part of the bottle garden ecosystem is biotic?
Tick (✓) one box.
Condensation
Plant
Soil water
Stones
[1]
(b) Explain why the air in the bottle is an abiotic part of the ecosystem.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) The bottle allows light to pass through it.
Explain why this is essential for the plant to survive.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
y(9–1)
First Century
Biology
OCR Science)
GCSE
B (Twenty
(9–1)
J257-02
First
Biology
Century
Foundation
B (Twenty
Science)
TierFirst
–
J257-02
Depth
Century
Foundation
in Science)
Biology June
Tier
J257-02
–
2025
Depth
Foundation
Morning
in Biology
Complete
TierJune
– Depth
OCR
2025 GCSE
Morning
in Biology
Question
Complete
June 2025
Paper
OCR
Morning
with
GCSE
FullComplete
Marking
QuestionScheme.pdf
OCR
PaperGCSE
with Full
Questio
Mar
