GCSE BIOLOGY B (TWENTY FIRST CENTURY SCIENCE) — Actual May 2025 PAST
PAPER: Breadth in Biology (Higher Tier). All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR
J257/03]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) May 2025 Higher Tier Paper (OCR J257/03)
integrates the full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a comprehensive and
exam-focused revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of a wide range of
biological concepts including cell biology, physiology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and human health,
with an emphasis on applying knowledge to unfamiliar contexts and solving complex problems.
Candidates are required to analyse data, interpret experimental evidence, evaluate scientific information,
and construct well-reasoned answers with accurate use of scientific terminology. By presenting each
question alongside its marking guidance, this merged resource clarifies examiner expectations,
demonstrates the analytical depth and evaluative skills required for top marks, and guides students in
producing structured, high-quality responses. This integrated format supports targeted revision,
strengthens exam technique, and prepares learners thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Biology B
(Twenty First Century Science) Higher Tier Breadth in Biology examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 There are approximately 350 000 African savannah elephants.
(a) 130 000 of these elephants live in Botswana, a country in southern Africa.
Which of these is the closest approximation to the fraction of African savannah elephants that live
in Botswana?
Tick (✓) one box.
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
[1]
(b) The African savannah elephant is an endangered species.
Conservation efforts have been successful in increasing the number of elephants.
Suggest one method that may have been used to help conserve this species.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(c) In May 2020, many elephants were found dead in a region of Botswana.
Scientists discovered that their death was caused by a bacterium that only causes disease once
in the blood of an elephant.
The bacterium usually lives in the nose of some elephants where it does not cause disease.
Scientists think a rise in environmental temperature caused the bacteria to enter the blood of
these elephants.
(i) Suggest why the scientists may be concerned about this bacterium.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Which of these will ingest and digest the bacterium?
Tick (✓) one box.
Antibodies
Platelets
Red blood cells
White blood cells
[1]
(iii) Which of these will tag the bacterium for attack?
Tick (✓) one box.
Antibodies
Platelets
Red blood cells
White blood cells
[1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
(d) To identify the type of bacterium responsible for the death of the elephants, the scientists cultured
the bacteria.
They poured some of the bacteria onto agar jelly in a Petri dish and spread it with a glass
spreader.
Then they incubated the Petri dish.
The diagram shows the equipment they used.
Glass bottle containing Petri dish containing Glass spreader
the sample of bacteria agar jelly
Suggest two ways the scientists could improve their method to make sure the technique was
aseptic.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(e) Some bacteria have evolved to become resistant to antibiotics.
The statements describe the steps in this process.
They are not in the correct order.
A Bacterium survives.
B Bacterium has a selective advantage.
C Bacterium passes resistance gene to offspring.
D Bacterium reproduces.
E Mutation occurs in the DNA of a bacterium creating a gene for antibiotic resistance.
Write the letters in the boxes to show the correct order of the steps.
One of the steps has been done for you.
A
[2]
© OCR 2025
PAPER: Breadth in Biology (Higher Tier). All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR
J257/03]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) May 2025 Higher Tier Paper (OCR J257/03)
integrates the full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a comprehensive and
exam-focused revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of a wide range of
biological concepts including cell biology, physiology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and human health,
with an emphasis on applying knowledge to unfamiliar contexts and solving complex problems.
Candidates are required to analyse data, interpret experimental evidence, evaluate scientific information,
and construct well-reasoned answers with accurate use of scientific terminology. By presenting each
question alongside its marking guidance, this merged resource clarifies examiner expectations,
demonstrates the analytical depth and evaluative skills required for top marks, and guides students in
producing structured, high-quality responses. This integrated format supports targeted revision,
strengthens exam technique, and prepares learners thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Biology B
(Twenty First Century Science) Higher Tier Breadth in Biology examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 There are approximately 350 000 African savannah elephants.
(a) 130 000 of these elephants live in Botswana, a country in southern Africa.
Which of these is the closest approximation to the fraction of African savannah elephants that live
in Botswana?
Tick (✓) one box.
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
[1]
(b) The African savannah elephant is an endangered species.
Conservation efforts have been successful in increasing the number of elephants.
Suggest one method that may have been used to help conserve this species.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(c) In May 2020, many elephants were found dead in a region of Botswana.
Scientists discovered that their death was caused by a bacterium that only causes disease once
in the blood of an elephant.
The bacterium usually lives in the nose of some elephants where it does not cause disease.
Scientists think a rise in environmental temperature caused the bacteria to enter the blood of
these elephants.
(i) Suggest why the scientists may be concerned about this bacterium.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Which of these will ingest and digest the bacterium?
Tick (✓) one box.
Antibodies
Platelets
Red blood cells
White blood cells
[1]
(iii) Which of these will tag the bacterium for attack?
Tick (✓) one box.
Antibodies
Platelets
Red blood cells
White blood cells
[1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
(d) To identify the type of bacterium responsible for the death of the elephants, the scientists cultured
the bacteria.
They poured some of the bacteria onto agar jelly in a Petri dish and spread it with a glass
spreader.
Then they incubated the Petri dish.
The diagram shows the equipment they used.
Glass bottle containing Petri dish containing Glass spreader
the sample of bacteria agar jelly
Suggest two ways the scientists could improve their method to make sure the technique was
aseptic.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(e) Some bacteria have evolved to become resistant to antibiotics.
The statements describe the steps in this process.
They are not in the correct order.
A Bacterium survives.
B Bacterium has a selective advantage.
C Bacterium passes resistance gene to offspring.
D Bacterium reproduces.
E Mutation occurs in the DNA of a bacterium creating a gene for antibiotic resistance.
Write the letters in the boxes to show the correct order of the steps.
One of the steps has been done for you.
A
[2]
© OCR 2025
