Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Friday 7 June 2024 – Afternoon
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A
(Gateway Science)
J250/08 Biology (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 10 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
H
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB pencil
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 60.
• 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 20 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this section. Write your
answer to each question in the box provided.
1 Gardeners are changing the way they care for their garden.
Which change would increase biodiversity?
A Adding chemical fertilisers to a grass lawn
B Cutting a grass lawn more often than usual
C Removing a grass lawn area and putting down paving stones
D Replacing a grass lawn area with a wild flower meadow
Your answer [1]
2 Which row is a correct comparison of meiosis and mitosis?
Involves cell Halves the number of Requires DNA
division chromosomes replication
A both meiosis only both
B both both both
C meiosis only both mitosis only
D mitosis only meiosis only mitosis only
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2024
, 3
3 Which statement describes a difference between red blood cells and white blood cells?
A Red blood cells contain enzymes.
B Red blood cells make antibodies.
C White blood cells contain proteins.
D White blood cells respond to antigens.
Your answer [1]
4 Which disease may develop due to an interaction with HPV?
A AIDS
B Cervical cancer
C Tuberculosis
D Type 2 diabetes
Your answer [1]
5 Why does a plant scientist use antibodies specific to a type of antigen?
A To develop new plants using selective breeding
B To find new species of plants growing around the world
C To identify communicable diseases in plants
D To study the evolution of plants
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2024 Turn over
, 4
6 Which row shows the correct order of some processes in the water cycle?
A Condensation evaporation precipitation condensation
B Condensation precipitation evaporation condensation
C Precipitation condensation evaporation precipitation
D Precipitation evaporation condensation evaporation
Your answer [1]
7 The diagram shows a phylogenetic tree for a group of related animals.
Aardwolf
Spotted hyena
Animal X
Brown hyena
Striped hyena
Which statement is correct?
A Aardwolf is not related to the striped hyena.
B Animal X is a common ancestor to all the hyenas.
C Brown hyena and striped hyena are the same species.
D The closest relation to the striped hyena is the spotted hyena.
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2024
Friday 7 June 2024 – Afternoon
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A
(Gateway Science)
J250/08 Biology (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 10 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
H
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB pencil
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 60.
• 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 20 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this section. Write your
answer to each question in the box provided.
1 Gardeners are changing the way they care for their garden.
Which change would increase biodiversity?
A Adding chemical fertilisers to a grass lawn
B Cutting a grass lawn more often than usual
C Removing a grass lawn area and putting down paving stones
D Replacing a grass lawn area with a wild flower meadow
Your answer [1]
2 Which row is a correct comparison of meiosis and mitosis?
Involves cell Halves the number of Requires DNA
division chromosomes replication
A both meiosis only both
B both both both
C meiosis only both mitosis only
D mitosis only meiosis only mitosis only
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2024
, 3
3 Which statement describes a difference between red blood cells and white blood cells?
A Red blood cells contain enzymes.
B Red blood cells make antibodies.
C White blood cells contain proteins.
D White blood cells respond to antigens.
Your answer [1]
4 Which disease may develop due to an interaction with HPV?
A AIDS
B Cervical cancer
C Tuberculosis
D Type 2 diabetes
Your answer [1]
5 Why does a plant scientist use antibodies specific to a type of antigen?
A To develop new plants using selective breeding
B To find new species of plants growing around the world
C To identify communicable diseases in plants
D To study the evolution of plants
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2024 Turn over
, 4
6 Which row shows the correct order of some processes in the water cycle?
A Condensation evaporation precipitation condensation
B Condensation precipitation evaporation condensation
C Precipitation condensation evaporation precipitation
D Precipitation evaporation condensation evaporation
Your answer [1]
7 The diagram shows a phylogenetic tree for a group of related animals.
Aardwolf
Spotted hyena
Animal X
Brown hyena
Striped hyena
Which statement is correct?
A Aardwolf is not related to the striped hyena.
B Animal X is a common ancestor to all the hyenas.
C Brown hyena and striped hyena are the same species.
D The closest relation to the striped hyena is the spotted hyena.
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2024
