Mark Scheme (Results)
Summer 2024
C
LE
Pearson Edexcel GCE
ST
In Biology A (9BN0 01)
Paper 1: The Natural Environment and Species
BE
Survival
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body. We
provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
programmes for employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites at
www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details
on our contact us page at www.edexcel.com/contactus.
C
LE
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
ST
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone progress
in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of people,
wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years, and by
working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our
BE
commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find out
more about how we can help you and your students at: www.pearson.com/uk
,General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment.
Examiners must mark the first candidate in exactly the
same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates
must be rewarded for what they have shown they can
do rather than penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme
not according to their perception of where the grade
boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the
C
mark scheme should be used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be
LE
awarded. Examiners should always award full marks if
deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark scheme.
Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks
ST
if the candidate’s response is not worthy of credit
according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will
provide the principles by which marks will be awarded
BE
and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application
of the mark scheme to a candidate’s response, the team
leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the
candidate has replaced it with an alternative response.
, Question Answer Mark
Number
1(a) The only correct answer is C a place where an organism lives
A is incorrect because a group of organisms of different species living in the same area is a
community
B is incorrect because a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area is a
population
D is incorrect because the role of an organism is its niche
(1)
C
Question Answer Additional guidance Mark
Number
LE
1(b)(i) A description that makes reference to three of the following
• DNA (from bones) is cut into fragments (1) ALLOW restriction enzymes
used on (DNA sample)
ST
• { radioactive tracers / fluorescent tags} attached to ALLOW stains such as dye
DNA (1) / ethidium bromide
• (fragments of) DNA loaded onto (agarose) gel / ALLOW gel
BE
samples placed in wells (1) IGNORE agar
• electric current passed through (the gel) / potential ALLOW negatively charged
difference set up (through buffer/ across gel) (1) fragments move through the
gel / DNA fragment moves
toward positive electrode
IGNORE references to anode
or cathode (3)
Summer 2024
C
LE
Pearson Edexcel GCE
ST
In Biology A (9BN0 01)
Paper 1: The Natural Environment and Species
BE
Survival
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body. We
provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and specific
programmes for employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites at
www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details
on our contact us page at www.edexcel.com/contactus.
C
LE
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
ST
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone progress
in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of people,
wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years, and by
working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our
BE
commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find out
more about how we can help you and your students at: www.pearson.com/uk
,General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment.
Examiners must mark the first candidate in exactly the
same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates
must be rewarded for what they have shown they can
do rather than penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme
not according to their perception of where the grade
boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the
C
mark scheme should be used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be
LE
awarded. Examiners should always award full marks if
deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark scheme.
Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks
ST
if the candidate’s response is not worthy of credit
according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will
provide the principles by which marks will be awarded
BE
and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application
of the mark scheme to a candidate’s response, the team
leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the
candidate has replaced it with an alternative response.
, Question Answer Mark
Number
1(a) The only correct answer is C a place where an organism lives
A is incorrect because a group of organisms of different species living in the same area is a
community
B is incorrect because a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area is a
population
D is incorrect because the role of an organism is its niche
(1)
C
Question Answer Additional guidance Mark
Number
LE
1(b)(i) A description that makes reference to three of the following
• DNA (from bones) is cut into fragments (1) ALLOW restriction enzymes
used on (DNA sample)
ST
• { radioactive tracers / fluorescent tags} attached to ALLOW stains such as dye
DNA (1) / ethidium bromide
• (fragments of) DNA loaded onto (agarose) gel / ALLOW gel
BE
samples placed in wells (1) IGNORE agar
• electric current passed through (the gel) / potential ALLOW negatively charged
difference set up (through buffer/ across gel) (1) fragments move through the
gel / DNA fragment moves
toward positive electrode
IGNORE references to anode
or cathode (3)
