GCSE
Biology B
H422/02: Scientific literacy in biology
*1848779725*
A Level
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.
• Use the Advance Notice Article to answer Question 1.
• 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 100.
• 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 2025 [601/4720/9 ] DC (WW/CT) 347451/3
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
1 This question is based on the Advance Notice Article ‘Dormancy in cereals: not too
much, not too little’.
The article describes dormancy in cereal seeds, such as barley.
The diagram shows a drawing of a cross section through a barley seed.
, 2
A
B
C
(a)
(i) State the name of the structure labelled A in the diagram and state its function.
Name ..............................................................................................................................
..................
Function .........................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
(ii) Outline how the structure labelled B is formed and state its function.
Formation .......................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
Function .........................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
[2] (iii) The article describes how the hormones ABA and GA regulate seed
dormancy.
Suggest how removal of the structure labelled C can reduce seed dormancy.
© OCR 2025
, 3
...............................................................................................................................................
........... ...................................................................................................................................
.......................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
............. [2]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
(b)
(i) Outline an experimental plan to investigate the effect of temperature on the germination
of barley seeds.
You do not need to include a risk assessment or details of apparatus in your answer.
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
............. [4]
(ii) State two environmental factors, other than temperature and oxygen concentration,
that affect germination in barley seeds.
1 .....................................................................................................................................
..................
2 .....................................................................................................................................
..................
(iii) Seed dormancy is usually the result of seeds being exposed to a period of cold.
State the name of another process in plants that requires exposure to a period of cold.
........................................................................................................................................
............. [1]
(c) Dormancy in cereal seeds is important in agriculture.
(i) Explain one advantage for farmers of dormancy in cereal seeds.
© OCR 2025
Biology B
H422/02: Scientific literacy in biology
*1848779725*
A Level
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.
• Use the Advance Notice Article to answer Question 1.
• 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 100.
• 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 2025 [601/4720/9 ] DC (WW/CT) 347451/3
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
1 This question is based on the Advance Notice Article ‘Dormancy in cereals: not too
much, not too little’.
The article describes dormancy in cereal seeds, such as barley.
The diagram shows a drawing of a cross section through a barley seed.
, 2
A
B
C
(a)
(i) State the name of the structure labelled A in the diagram and state its function.
Name ..............................................................................................................................
..................
Function .........................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
(ii) Outline how the structure labelled B is formed and state its function.
Formation .......................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
Function .........................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
[2] (iii) The article describes how the hormones ABA and GA regulate seed
dormancy.
Suggest how removal of the structure labelled C can reduce seed dormancy.
© OCR 2025
, 3
...............................................................................................................................................
........... ...................................................................................................................................
.......................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
............. [2]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
(b)
(i) Outline an experimental plan to investigate the effect of temperature on the germination
of barley seeds.
You do not need to include a risk assessment or details of apparatus in your answer.
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
..................
........................................................................................................................................
............. [4]
(ii) State two environmental factors, other than temperature and oxygen concentration,
that affect germination in barley seeds.
1 .....................................................................................................................................
..................
2 .....................................................................................................................................
..................
(iii) Seed dormancy is usually the result of seeds being exposed to a period of cold.
State the name of another process in plants that requires exposure to a period of cold.
........................................................................................................................................
............. [1]
(c) Dormancy in cereal seeds is important in agriculture.
(i) Explain one advantage for farmers of dormancy in cereal seeds.
© OCR 2025
