2025 OCR GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A (Gateway Science) J250/01 Biology (Foundation Tier)
Combined Question Paper & Final Marking Scheme
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Tuesday 13 May 2025 – Afternoon
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A
(Gateway Science)
J250/01 Biology (Foundation Tier)
*1860881393*
Time allowed: 1 hour 10 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
F
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB pencil
* J 2 5 0 0 1 *
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 2025 [601/8687/2] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (DE/SG) 354406/6 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 Which chamber of the heart pumps blood to the kidneys?
A Left atrium
B Left ventricle
C Right atrium
D Right ventricle
Your answer [1]
2 What is the shape of a red blood cell?
A Biconcave
B Cuboidal
C Cylindrical
D Spherical
Your answer [1]
3 Which statement is correct about anaerobic respiration in plants?
A It produces glucose.
B It produces carbon dioxide.
C It produces lactic acid.
D It produces oxygen.
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
4 What are proteins made up of?
A Amino acids
B Fatty acids
C Glycerol
D Sugars
Your answer [1]
5 Which statement describes the relationship between insulin and blood sugar levels?
A Insulin decreases blood sugar levels.
B Insulin has no effect on blood sugar levels.
C Insulin increases blood sugar levels.
D Insulin only effects blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes.
Your answer [1]
6 What is the role of mitosis in a multicellular organism such as a human?
A To make gametes
B To make genetically different cells
C To make genetically identical cells
D To make stem cells from body cells
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
7 Which label is pointing to the left ventricle?
A C
D
B
Your answer [1]
8 Four students measure their reactions by dropping a ruler and measuring the distance the ruler
falls before they catch it.
Each student does this five times.
The table shows their results.
Distances the ruler falls
Student
(cm)
A 4 4 5 6 8
B 3 5 6 6 9
C 5 7 9 10 10
D 4 4 5 7 9
Which student has results where the median and the mode are equal?
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
Combined Question Paper & Final Marking Scheme
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Tuesday 13 May 2025 – Afternoon
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A
(Gateway Science)
J250/01 Biology (Foundation Tier)
*1860881393*
Time allowed: 1 hour 10 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
F
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB pencil
* J 2 5 0 0 1 *
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 2025 [601/8687/2] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (DE/SG) 354406/6 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 Which chamber of the heart pumps blood to the kidneys?
A Left atrium
B Left ventricle
C Right atrium
D Right ventricle
Your answer [1]
2 What is the shape of a red blood cell?
A Biconcave
B Cuboidal
C Cylindrical
D Spherical
Your answer [1]
3 Which statement is correct about anaerobic respiration in plants?
A It produces glucose.
B It produces carbon dioxide.
C It produces lactic acid.
D It produces oxygen.
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
4 What are proteins made up of?
A Amino acids
B Fatty acids
C Glycerol
D Sugars
Your answer [1]
5 Which statement describes the relationship between insulin and blood sugar levels?
A Insulin decreases blood sugar levels.
B Insulin has no effect on blood sugar levels.
C Insulin increases blood sugar levels.
D Insulin only effects blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes.
Your answer [1]
6 What is the role of mitosis in a multicellular organism such as a human?
A To make gametes
B To make genetically different cells
C To make genetically identical cells
D To make stem cells from body cells
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
7 Which label is pointing to the left ventricle?
A C
D
B
Your answer [1]
8 Four students measure their reactions by dropping a ruler and measuring the distance the ruler
falls before they catch it.
Each student does this five times.
The table shows their results.
Distances the ruler falls
Student
(cm)
A 4 4 5 6 8
B 3 5 6 6 9
C 5 7 9 10 10
D 4 4 5 7 9
Which student has results where the median and the mode are equal?
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
