Name: _______________________________________________

B2 6 mark questions practice

Date:

Time: 30 minutes
Total marks available: 30
Total marks achieved: ______

Questions
Q1.
* Mitosis and meiosis are types of cell division.
Compare these two types of cell division.
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Q2.
* Describe the structure of DNA, including the roles of the scientists involved in its discovery.
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Q3.
The diagram shows three duckweed plants in a beaker of distilled water.

* Explain how water, glucose and mineral salts are transported through a plant.
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Q4.
* The diagram shows some of the stages that occur in the formation of a human fetus.

Using the diagram and your own knowledge, describe the processes that take place in the formation of
the fetus from a sperm cell and an egg cell.
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Q5.
* Describe the roles of the enzymes involved in digestion.
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Examiner's Report
Q1.
Very few blank responses were seen for this question. Some candidates wrote two descriptions, one for
mitosis and one for meiosis, but examiners credited this by picking out the comparative points. More able
students did write actual comparisons and there were some very clear comparisons made in a table
format.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

For a level 3 response, examiners were looking for at least two correct comparisons. This
response is a very good level 3 response. The use of bullet points aids the clarity and is
perfectly acceptable, provided more than just key words are listed.

Results Plus: Examiner Tip

You do not have to write large amounts to score well. Short snappy sentences, each
containing one piece of information expressed using scientific terms, is a very
clear way of expressing yourself.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

This is another example of some of the high quality answers that we saw.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

Although this candidate has muddled up most of mitosis and meiosis, they have made
one correct comparative statement about the two processes which makes this a level 2
response.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

For a level 1 response we were looking for at least two correct statements about cell
division. Wrong explanations were ignored.

Results Plus: Examiner Tip

Even if you know very little about the answer to a question, always write what you do
know. You are guaranteed zero marks for a blank response but you might pick up
marks if you write something.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

This is an example where the candidate also confused mitosis and meiosis but did not
make any correct comments.

Q2.
Many candidates coped very well with this question. Some candidates wrote all sorts of detail
about this part of the specification; it has clearly been thoroughly learnt and understood.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

This candidate gave a succinct answer and was awarded full marks.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

This is a typical Level 2 response where both parts of the question have been
addressed but in insufficient detail. Four marks were awarded here.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

Although this is a good account of the contribution of scientists, the account does not
address both parts of the question in sufficient detail to score more than a Level 1
mark. Two marks were awarded.

Q3.
Most candidates were able to access this question at level 1 and 2 and the better candidates
managed level 3 consistently. There was some confusion between the vessels that carry the
substances around the plant with many candidates believing glucose is absorbed through the
roots rather than being made in the leaves through photosynthesis. It was pleasing to note that
several candidates were able to identify that the glucose is converted to sucrose to be
transported in the phloem and there were some excellent explanations of the transpiration
stream when talking about water movement through the plant.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

Although this candidate is a little muddled there is sufficient information that is correct
to enable the candidate to get into band 2. They have correctly stated movement of
water into and through the plant in the xylem and have correctly identified glucose
(sucrose) moving through the phloem although they have the mineral ions a little
confused and also that the glucose is taken in through the roots. There is still enough
for band 2 and 4 marks awarded.

Results Plus: Examiner Tip

For a question like this which is in 3 parts it may be worth writing 3 headings and
placing the information about the three different substances under the relevant
headings.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

This candidate has attained level 3 and 6 marks they have correctly identified where
glucose is made and how it is transported around the plant in the phloem as sucrose.
They have also correctly identified the movement of water and minerals through the
plant in the xylem. Clearly written and a good level of QWC.

Q4.
This 6-mark question did cause more problems than the previous one. This was not surprising as
the question content is more challenging and this topic was not addressed to any extent in the
June paper. The candidates were required to talk about all three processes (fertilisation, division
and differentiation) to be at a level 3, any two processes for a level 2 and just one process for a
level 1.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

A good response addressing all three processes, so level 3. The response is clear and
the spelling is good.

Results Plus: Examiner Tip

To access full marks candidates must answer all aspects of a question.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

This candidate has given us relevant information about fertilisation and division, so this
is a level 2 response.

Q5.
Candidates on the whole coped well with this question; they had clearly been taught the specific
examples given on the specification and many just listed these verbatim. The spelling of the
names of the enzymes, substrates and products was surprisingly good. The better candidates
extended their answers and gave details of enzyme action, such as enzymes being catalysts and
the importance of the active site. Weaker candidates made mistakes in matching the enzyme
with their correct substrate and product(s), but we marked positively and picked out as many
correct points as we could. The poorest scoring responses were those that either discussed
enzymes in general without making any reference to digestion or those that gave a vague
overview of the digestive system.

Results Plus: Examiner Comments

This is an example of an excellent response to this question, gaining all six marks
available.

Results Plus: Examiner Tip

Always use your specification when you are preparing for an exam. It will tell you
exactly what you need to know and the specific examples that you need to learn.

Mark Scheme
Q1.

QWC

Level
1

Indicative Content
A comparison between mitosis and meiosis including Mitosis
(genetically) identical cells produced
two daughter cells
one division
diploid daughter cells
identical set of chromosomes
occurs in the formation of body cells
for growth and repair (of body tissues)Meiosis
(genetically) non-identical cells
four daughter cells
2 divisions
haploid daughter cells
half the number of chromosomes
occurs in the formation of gametes
for sexual reproduction
results in genetic variation
No rewardable content

Mark

(6)
0
12 a limited description including two points on either meiosis or mitosis
there maybe confusion between the two but this does not negate the level
the answer communicates ideas using simple language and uses limited
scientific terminology
spelling, punctuation and grammar are used with limited accuracy
34 a simple description including one comparison of meiosis and mitosis or a
detailed description of either mitosis or meiosis
the answer communicates ideas showing some evidence of clarity and
organisation and uses scientific terminology appropriately
spelling, punctuation and grammar are used with some accuracy
56 a detailed comparison of both meiosis and mitosis at least two correct
comparisons made
the answer communicates ideas clearly and coherently uses a range of
scientific terminology accurately
spelling, punctuation and grammar are used with few errors

Q2.
Indicative Content
QWC *

Level
1

Mark

A description including some of the following points in a

logical sequence Points relating to DNA structural
features:
two strands
double helix
(contains) bases
A, T, C, G
adenine / A paired with thymine / T
guanine / G paired with cytosine / C
hydrogen / H bonds joining basesContributions from
Scientists:
X-ray (crystallography) being used
to show helical structure
to show diameter of molecule
how base pairs are arranged was shown
how strands are arranged was shown
modelling
reference to using other people's ideas
(6)
No rewardable content

0
12 a limited description that includes either: at least three DNA features OR
one contribution
the answer communicates ideas using simple language and uses limited
scientific terminology
spelling, punctuation and grammar are used with limited accuracy
34 a simple description that includes at least three features of DNA and at least
one contribution OR two features of DNA and two contributions.
the answer communicates ideas showing some evidence of clarity and
organisation and uses scientific terminology appropriately
spelling, punctuation and grammar are used with some accuracy

56 a detailed description of the structure of DNA that includes at least three

features and two contributions.
the answer communicates ideas clearly and coherently uses a range of
scientific terminology accurately
spelling, punctuation and grammar are used with few errors

Q3.
Indicative Content
QWC

*(ii)

Level
1

0
1-2

Mark

An explanation
including some of the
following points: water
through the xylem
capillary action
osmosis into cells
in the leaf
evaporation from
leaves
transpiration
stream
diffusion into the
atmosphere
through stomata
glucose
converted to
sucrose
dissolved in water
through the phloem
bidirectionalmineral
salts
dissolved in water
through the xylem
from root to tip
(6)
No rewardable content
a limited explanation of the transport of
one molecule e.g. water moves from roots to
leaves
the answer communicates ideas using
simple language and uses limited scientific
terminology
spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with limited accuracy

3-4
a simple explanation of the transport of
two molecules including correct reference to at
least one of the vessels phloem or xylem.
the answer communicates ideas showing
some evidence of clarity and organisation and
uses scientific terminology appropriately
spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with some accuracy

5-6
a detailed explanation of the transport of
all three molecules with correct reference to
movement through phloem and xylem
the answer communicates ideas clearly
and coherently uses a range of scientific
terminology accurately
spelling, punctuation and grammar are

used with few errors

Q4.
Indicative Content
*

Level
1

0
1-2

Mark

A description including
fertilisation of egg
by sperm
ref to fusion of
nuclei
forming diploid cell
ref to zygote
(zygote) divides by
mitosis
to form identical
cells
several mitotic
divisions
growth of foetus
examples of how
fetus grows eg in
height, mass
stem cells in
embryo
specialisation /
differentiation of (stem)
cells into different cell
types
examples of
different cell types eg
neurones, skin cells
development of
fetus
No rewardable content

(6)

a limited description including 2 or more

comments about one process
the answer communicates ideas using
simple language and uses limited scientific
terminology
spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with limited accuracy
2

3-4
a simple description including 2 or more
comments on 2 processes
the answer communicates ideas showing
some evidence of clarity and organisation and
uses scientific terminology appropriately
spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with some accuracy

5-6

 a detailed description including 2 or more

comments on all 3 processes
the answer communicates ideas clearly
and coherently uses a range of scientific
terminology accurately
spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with few errors

Q5.
Indicative Content
QWC

Level
1

0
1-2

Mark

A description including
some of the following
points in a logical
sequence Names of
enzymes:
carbohydrases
named
carbohydrase eg
amylase
proteases
named protease eg
pepsin
lipases
named
lipaseGeneral points
about enzyme action:
breakdown of large
/ insoluble / named
molecules into small /
soluble / named
molecules
for absorption
catalysts
speeds up
reactions
active sites that
bind to substrate
idea of
specificitySpecific
points:
carbohydrates/
starch are broken
down
into sugars /
glucose
proteins /named
protein are broken
down
into amino acids
fats / oils / lipids /
named lipid are broken
down
into fatty acids
/glycerol
(6)
No rewardable content
a limited description of enzyme action that
includes at least three points
the answer communicates ideas using
simple language and uses limited scientific
terminology
spelling, punctuation and grammar are

used with limited accuracy

2

3-4
a simple description of enzyme action that
includes at least six points
the answer communicates ideas showing
some evidence of clarity and organisation and
uses scientific terminology appropriately
spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with some accuracy

5-6
a detailed description of at least nine
points
the answer communicates ideas clearly
and coherently uses a range of scientific
terminology accurately
spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with few errors