INTERNATIONAL AS
BIOLOGY (9610)
BL01
Unit 1 The Diversity of Living Organisms
Mark scheme
January 2023
Version: 1.0 Final
*231XBL01/MS*
, MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL AS BIOLOGY – BL01 – JANUARY 2023
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from oxfordaqaexams.org.uk
Copyright information
OxfordAQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for OxfordAQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for
their own internal use, with the following important exception: OxfordAQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is
acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2023 Oxford International AQA Examinations and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
, MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL AS BIOLOGY – BL01 – JANUARY 2023
Question Marking guidance Mark Comments
01.1 Light (rays) have longer wavelengths OR electron (beams) have 1 Must be comparative
shorter wavelengths;
Question Marking guidance Mark Comments
01.2 Any two from: Max 2
• Cannot look at living material OR must be in a vacuum OR
specimen must be dehydrated;
• Specimen must be thin;
• Artefacts may be present;
• Complex staining method OR long preparation time;
• Image not in 3D OR only 2D images produced;
• Image only in black and white OR image not in colour;
Question Marking guidance Mark Comments
01.3 Any two from: Max 2
• Produces mRNA/tRNA;
• Contains the DNA/genetic material of the cell OR contains
chromosomes OR contains the code for proteins/enzymes;
• Makes ribosomal RNA/rRNA/ribosomes;
3
BIOLOGY (9610)
BL01
Unit 1 The Diversity of Living Organisms
Mark scheme
January 2023
Version: 1.0 Final
*231XBL01/MS*
, MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL AS BIOLOGY – BL01 – JANUARY 2023
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from oxfordaqaexams.org.uk
Copyright information
OxfordAQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for OxfordAQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for
their own internal use, with the following important exception: OxfordAQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is
acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2023 Oxford International AQA Examinations and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
, MARK SCHEME – INTERNATIONAL AS BIOLOGY – BL01 – JANUARY 2023
Question Marking guidance Mark Comments
01.1 Light (rays) have longer wavelengths OR electron (beams) have 1 Must be comparative
shorter wavelengths;
Question Marking guidance Mark Comments
01.2 Any two from: Max 2
• Cannot look at living material OR must be in a vacuum OR
specimen must be dehydrated;
• Specimen must be thin;
• Artefacts may be present;
• Complex staining method OR long preparation time;
• Image not in 3D OR only 2D images produced;
• Image only in black and white OR image not in colour;
Question Marking guidance Mark Comments
01.3 Any two from: Max 2
• Produces mRNA/tRNA;
• Contains the DNA/genetic material of the cell OR contains
chromosomes OR contains the code for proteins/enzymes;
• Makes ribosomal RNA/rRNA/ribosomes;
3
