GCSE BIOLOGY B (TWENTY FIRST CENTURY SCIENCE) — Actual May 2025 PAST
PAPER: Breadth in Biology (Foundation Tier). All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR
J257/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) May 2025 Foundation Tier Paper (OCR
J257/01) integrates the full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a clear and
comprehensive revision resource. This paper assesses foundational biological knowledge across a broad
range of topics, including cell biology, human biology, ecology, health and disease, and genetics, with an
emphasis on contemporary scientific contexts. Students are expected to apply knowledge to practical and
theoretical scenarios, interpret data, and demonstrate clear understanding using appropriate scientific
terminology. By presenting each question alongside its marking criteria, this merged resource clarifies
examiner expectations, highlights the level of detail and reasoning required for higher marks, and guides
learners in producing accurate, well-structured answers. The integrated format supports effective revision,
strengthens exam technique, and prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Biology B
(Twenty First Century Science) Foundation Tier examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 This question is about health.
(a) Which statements about health and disease are true and which are false?
Tick (✓) one box in each row.
True False
A healthy person has good mental and physical health.
An unhealthy person always shows symptoms of disease.
An unhealthy person is more likely to get other diseases.
Only pathogens cause disease.
[3]
(b) Draw lines to connect each treatment to the correct named disease it is used to treat.
Treatment Named disease
Cardiovascular
disease
Antibiotics HIV
Insulin Salmonella
Type 1 diabetes
[2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(c) Which two of these diseases are communicable?
Tick (✓) two boxes.
Cardiovascular disease
HIV
Salmonella
Type 1 diabetes
[2]
(d)
(i) Complete the sentences to describe the cause and transmission of malaria.
Use words from the list.
bacteria blood mosquito
protist urine virus
Malaria is caused by a type of pathogen called a ........................................................ .
It is transmitted when an infected person is bitten by a ........................................................ .
The organism sucks ....................................................... from the infected person and passes the
pathogen to another person when it bites them.
[3]
(ii) Suggest one way that the transmission of malaria can be prevented.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
2 Fig. 2.1 shows part of a food web for a marine ecosystem.
Fig. 2.1
Marlin
Shark
Tuna
Mackerel
Shrimp
Copepod
Phytoplankton
© OCR 2025
PAPER: Breadth in Biology (Foundation Tier). All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR
J257/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Biology B (Twenty First Century Science) May 2025 Foundation Tier Paper (OCR
J257/01) integrates the full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a clear and
comprehensive revision resource. This paper assesses foundational biological knowledge across a broad
range of topics, including cell biology, human biology, ecology, health and disease, and genetics, with an
emphasis on contemporary scientific contexts. Students are expected to apply knowledge to practical and
theoretical scenarios, interpret data, and demonstrate clear understanding using appropriate scientific
terminology. By presenting each question alongside its marking criteria, this merged resource clarifies
examiner expectations, highlights the level of detail and reasoning required for higher marks, and guides
learners in producing accurate, well-structured answers. The integrated format supports effective revision,
strengthens exam technique, and prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Biology B
(Twenty First Century Science) Foundation Tier examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
1 This question is about health.
(a) Which statements about health and disease are true and which are false?
Tick (✓) one box in each row.
True False
A healthy person has good mental and physical health.
An unhealthy person always shows symptoms of disease.
An unhealthy person is more likely to get other diseases.
Only pathogens cause disease.
[3]
(b) Draw lines to connect each treatment to the correct named disease it is used to treat.
Treatment Named disease
Cardiovascular
disease
Antibiotics HIV
Insulin Salmonella
Type 1 diabetes
[2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(c) Which two of these diseases are communicable?
Tick (✓) two boxes.
Cardiovascular disease
HIV
Salmonella
Type 1 diabetes
[2]
(d)
(i) Complete the sentences to describe the cause and transmission of malaria.
Use words from the list.
bacteria blood mosquito
protist urine virus
Malaria is caused by a type of pathogen called a ........................................................ .
It is transmitted when an infected person is bitten by a ........................................................ .
The organism sucks ....................................................... from the infected person and passes the
pathogen to another person when it bites them.
[3]
(ii) Suggest one way that the transmission of malaria can be prevented.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
2 Fig. 2.1 shows part of a food web for a marine ecosystem.
Fig. 2.1
Marlin
Shark
Tuna
Mackerel
Shrimp
Copepod
Phytoplankton
© OCR 2025
