GCSE BIOLOGY, MARK SCHEME 2023

Question 1 Question Answers Extra information Mark AO / Spec Ref. 01.1 a community 1 AO1 4.7.1.1 Question Answers Extra information Mark AO / Spec Ref. 01.2 brambling and chaffinch 1 AO2 4.6.4 Question Answers Extra information Mark AO / Spec Ref. 01.3 the brambling and the bullfinch cannot breed together to give fertile offspring 1 AO1 4.6.2.2 Question Answers Extra information Mark AO / Spec Ref. 01.4 constant (from Jan) to Mar / (mid-)Apr increases (from mid-)Apr to / and May decreases from May / Jun to Dec allow answers in terms of month numbers ignore seasons ignore straight if no other marks awarded allow for 1 mark constant, then increase then decrease 1 1 1 AO3 4.7.1.1 Question Answers Extra information Mark AO / Spec Ref. 01.5 B 1 AO3 4.7.1.1 4.7.1.4 Question Answers Extra information Mark AO / Spec Ref. 01.6 D (because) present only May to Sep allow D (because) present only May to Oct allow D (because) not present Oct to Apr / May allow D (because) present only in summer allow D (because) not present in winter allow D (because) not present for all the year allow D (because) only present for some of the year 1 AO3 4.7.1.1 4.7.1.4 Total Question 1 8 Question 2 Question Answers Extra information Mark AO / Spec Ref. 02.1 accommodation 1 AO1 4.5.2.3 Question Answers Extra information Mark AO / Spec Ref. 02.2 B 1 AO1 4.5.2.3 Question Answers Extra information Mark AO / Spec Ref. 02.3 E 1 AO1 4.5.2.3 Question Answers Extra information Mark AO / Spec Ref. 02.4 becomes fatter / thicker / wider allow more convex / curved / rounded ignore larger / smaller 1 AO1 4.5.2.3 Question Answers Extra information Mark AO / Spec Ref. 02.5 any two from: • (muscles in the iris) contract • reduce size of pupil • reduces (amount of) light entering allow (muscles in the iris) shorten ignore circular / radial muscles ignore (muscles in the iris) relax do not accept ciliary muscles contract allow constrict pupil allow reduce size of aperture / gap / hole allow reduces (amount of) light reaching retina 2 AO1 4.5.2.3 Question Answers Mark AO / Spec Ref. 02.6 Level 2: The method would lead to the production of a valid outcome. The key steps are identified and logically sequenced. 3–4 AO2 Level 1: The method would not necessarily lead to a valid outcome. Most steps are identified, but the method is not fully logically sequenced. 1–2 AO1 No relevant content 0 Indicative content • identification of method eg ruler drop • correct details of method chosen eg hold ruler above thumb • repetitions – at least two more times • repeat with (at least 2 more) other students • tested without coffee and with coffee or with different amounts of coffee • calculate mean value with coffee and without coffee • compare results with and without coffee • correct control variables for method chosen, eg: o same age o sex o BMI o amount of sleep o volume / concentration / type of coffee o time interval between drinking and testing o control variable within method described For level 2 reference to collecting results with and without coffee along with how the investigation is designed to create valid results is required 4.5.2.1 RPA7