AQA - GCSE Combined Science Biology - Higher - Paper 1 - 2024 Predicted Paper 2

GCSE Combined Science
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2024 Predicted Paper
Paper 1: Higher Tier
Biology
Name:.............................................................................................
Date:...............................................................................................
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Possible Marks
Question
Marks Gained
Rough Grade Boundaries 1 5
These do not guarantee you 2 10
the same mark in the exam. 3 11
4 8
9-9 - 70% 5 10
8-8 - 60% 6 11
7-7 - 50% 7 8
6-6 - 45% 8 7
5-5 - 35% Total 70
4-4 - 30%
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01 Red blood cells are highly specialised cells.
a) Describe what a specialised cell is.

[1 mark]
Specialised cells are cells have adapted to

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
carry out a specific role function in the

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b)
body
Give one feature of a red blood cell and explain how it helps it to
carry out its function.
[2 marks]
concave shape no nucleus

Feature:…………………………………………………………………………………………………
large surface area for diffusion

Explanation:…………………………………………………………………………………………
of oxygen more haemoglobin to

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
bind to oxygen
The figure below shows some red blood cells in a capillary, taken
using a microscope.
µm
A
c) The actual diameter of the red blood cell marked A is 8µm.

Calculate the magnification of the image.
[2 marks]
1mm 1000micro metres

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
mm 10 10000
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
um
10000 8
0
125
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
02 The top layer of your skin cells constantly shed as new cells from
below grow and replace them.
a) Describe the process that produces new skin cells.

[4 marks]
Process
of mitosis
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
SI DNA replicates to form two copies of

each
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
chromosome
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Cell grows duplicates each cell structure egribosome

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
52 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
one set chromosomes pulled to each
side of cell of nucleus divides mitoticspindle
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
53 Cytoplasm membrane divide forming

2 identical
The chart shows the stages ofcells
the cell cycle that skin cells go through.
Stage
3
Stage
2
Stage
1
A skin cell cycle typically takes 48 hours in total.
b) Describe one change that occurs in the cell during Stage 1 of

the cycle.
[1 mark]
DNA replicates
forming two sets of
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
each chromosome
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c) Calculate the length of time a skin cell spends in Stage 2 of the
cycle.
Give your answer correct to 2 significant figures.

[3 marks]
18h 4 8h
4 8 60 288
290
Time in Stage 2 = ………………………………… minutes
d) Sometimes problems with the cell cycle can lead to cancer.
i) Define cancer.
[1 mark]
uncontrollable cell division

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii) State a risk factor for developing skin cancer.

[1 mark]
UV rays from sun

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
03 A student wanted to investigate how different concentrations of salt
solution affected the mass of parsnip tissue.
They set up the experiment as shown in the diagram below, with each
parsnip cylinder in a different concentration of salt solution.
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.8

0.6
mol/dm3 mol/dm3 mol/dm3 mol/dm3
mol/dm3
(water)
a) The student used a scalpel to cut the parsnip cylinders.

Give one safety precaution that the student should have taken when
using the scalpel.
[1 mark]
cut away
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… not
from yourself
in hand
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
your
b) State two variables that need to be controlled in this investigation.
[2 marks]
volume
of parsnip
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Volume
of salt solution
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c) The mass of each parsnip cylinder was recorded before it was placed
in the salt solution.
When the chips were removed from the salt solution, the student
blotted each cylinder before weighing it again.
Explain why.
[1 mark]
Remove excess liquid that could effect

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
mass
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The student recorded the masses in a results table shown below.
Solution
concentration 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
(mol / dm3)
Initial Mass (g) 10.0 10.6 10.0 10.1 10.4
Final Mass (g) 13.0 12.2 9.0 7.9 7.3
Change in Mass
+30.0 -10.0 -29.8
(%)
………… …………
d) Calculate the percentage change in mass for the cylinders in 0.2 and
0.6 mol / dm3.
[2 marks]
10.6 R 12.2
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
K 1.1509 15.091 Δ
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10.1 1 7.9
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
x 0.782 21.8 Δ
e) Explain the percentage change in the parsnip cylinder in the
0.8 mol / dm3 solution.
[3 marks]
Through the process osmosis

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
of
some water inside the parsnip cylinder
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
moved from inside the parsnip into the

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
salt solution as one concentration

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
of
water in the salt solution was that
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
inside the parsnip
f) The student repeated the experiment but used a crinkle cutter to cut
the chips instead.
A crinkle cut chip can be seen in the image below.
Explain why these chips showed greater changes in mass than the
cylinders.
[2 marks]
Crinkle cut has a greater surface area than

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
the smooth cut More water moves

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
out the cylinders

of
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
04 Communicable diseases can be caused by viruses.
HIV is a virus that can result in the condition known as AIDS if left
untreated.
a) Name the type of drugs that can be used to treat HIV infections to
prevent AIDS developing.
[1 mark]
Antiretroviral drugs
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) Patients diagnosed with AIDS usually die from a different type of

infection, such as bacterial infections.
Explain why.
[2 marks]
Al Ds anis
autoimmune disease meaning
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
the commune system is damaged weakened

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
therefore WBC cannot kill pathogens effectively

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c) The graph shows the number of new HIV diagnoses each year in
England since 2013.
i) Describe the pattern the graph shows.

[3 marks]
Increased 2200 people diagnosed

from
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
in 2013 to 2950 in 2014

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Decreased from 2014 to 700 in

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2022
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii) Suggest two reasons that could explain the change in the number of
people diagnosed with HIV since 2014.
[2 marks]
Better education on preventative measures

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
New drugs to
prevent infection
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
spread
05 Students wanted to investigate the rate of uptake of water from a
plant shoot in different conditions.
A potometer is a piece of apparatus that can measure the uptake of
water by a plant shoot.
The students set up a potometer like the one shown in the image
below.
• They measured the water taken up by the shoot in normal

classroom conditions.
• As the water was taken up by the shoot the air bubble moved to
the left.
• The students recorded the distance moved by the bubble in mm
at 4-minute intervals for 20 minutes.
Their results are shown in the table below:
Time Distance moved by Rate of water

(mins) air bubble (mm) uptake (mm / min)
0 0.00
0
……………………
4 2.10
0.525
……………………
8 5.00
0.625
……………………
12 7.90
0.658
……………………
16 11.10
0.694
……………………
20 14.20
0.71
……………………
a) Calculate the rate of water uptake to complete the table.

Round your answers to the correct number of decimal places.
[2 marks]
b) Plot a graph showing the rate of water uptake using the data in the
table.
You should:
• Label the axes
• Use a suitable scale for the y axis
• Plot the data from the table
• Draw a line of best fit
[4 marks]
0.8
a
0.7
0.6
0.4
0.7
0.2
0.1
c) The students repeated the experiment with a fan placed next to the
plant shoot so that air was blowing over it.
i) Suggest a difference you would expect to see in the results with the
fan in place.
Explain your answer.
[3 marks]
Increased rate
uptake due to more
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
of
evaporation because wind increases
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
the
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
diffusiongradient
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii) Sketch a line onto the graph to show the results you would expect
with the fan.
Label this line “With fan”.
[1 mark]
06 A student wanted to show whether there was more carbon dioxide in
inhaled air or exhaled air.
They set up a basic respirometer with one way air flow like the
diagram below.
When the mouse breathes in air from the atmosphere is pulled in
through tube x and moves through flask A. When the mouse breathes
out the air flows out through flask C and out through tube Y.
a) Explain what you would you expect the limewater to look like in flasks
A and C after 30 minutes.
[4 marks]
In A the limewater
would
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
remain colourless due to minimal

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
CO2 inhaled air

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
from
in C the unrewater would
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
be cloudy as in CO2
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… exhale
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) Suggest how this experiment could be changed so that the rate of
respiration could be calculated.
Include any extra apparatus you would need to use.
[2 marks]
Connect
cylinder
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
measuring
and collect CO2 time
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
experiment
volume time
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c) The students repeated the experiment without the mouse.

Describe what would you expect to see in flask A and C after 10
minutes.
[1 mark]
Innervate would be colorless in

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
both
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
There are two types of respiration, aerobic and anaerobic.
d) Complete the word equations for the two types of anaerobic

respiration.
[2 marks]
In animal cells:
lactic
Glucose  ……………………………………… acid
In plant cells:
Co2
Glucose  ………………………………………+ ………………………………………ethanol
e) Anaerobic respiration can only sustain exercise for a short time.
Explain why.
[2 marks]
Anaerobic does not

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… release
enough muscles
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
become energy
fatigued
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
07 A group of students investigated the digestion of fats in milk by the
enzyme lipase.
The students set up their
equipment as shown in the
diagram.
• A small beaker containing
milk at 10˚C was set up
• Lipase solution was added to

the beaker to form the
reaction mixture
• The students measured the

pH of the reaction mixture
using a pH probe attached to
a pH meter.
• The pH was measured again

after 30 minutes.
• They repeated the experiment at the following temperatures: 20, 30,

40, 50 and 60 ˚C
a) Give the independent and dependent variable in this experiment:

[2 marks]
Temperature
Independent:………………………………………………………………………………………..
pH level
Dependent:……………………………………………………………………………………………
b) Name the piece of equipment the students could have used to keep
the beakers of reaction mixture at the correct temperature for 30
minutes.
[1 mark]
water bath
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The students’ results are shown in the table below:
Temperature pH of the mixture pH of the mixture

(°C) at the start after 30 minutes
10 6.8 5.2
20 6.8 4.4
30 6.8 3.6
40 6.8 2.8
50 6.8 6.5
60 6.8 6.8pH
c) Explain why the pH decreased when the lipase solution was added to
the milk.
[1 mark]
production of fatty acids when

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
lipase is added
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d) Using information from the table:
i) Explain the effect of temperature on the activity of the lipase enzyme

from 10-40°C.
[2 marks]
Increase in Temp increases rov due to

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
molecules moving faster enzyme

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
optimum being reached

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii) Explain the results when the temperature was increased above 40°C.
[2 marks]
eg lipase
Denatered enzymes post 40C
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
changes shape of active site cannot

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
bind to substrate
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Leg fat
08 New drugs are being developed from chemicals in plants.
These new drugs must be tested before they can be used more widely
on patients.
In one of the stages of the preclinical trials, the drugs are tested on
human cells.
a) A new cancer drug extracted from plants has passed the preclinical
stages.
Describe how the clinical trials for this drug should now be carried
out.
[6 marks]
Given to healthy volunteers in low

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
doses
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
then 4 so
onlydrugimpacts health β
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
for safety
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Given to patients with the disease

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
to test dosage
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
monitoring constantly for side

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
effects
Double blind inal neither
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
doctor whether
patient
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
now know
is a or not
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
placebo
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) The results of the clinical trial must be reviewed by other scientists
before they can be published. This process is known as peer review.
Give one reason why it is important that other scientists review the
results of the clinical trial.
[1 mark]
Prevent bias from doctor

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
make sure results

are reliable
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
END OF QUESTIONS
MARKING GUIDANCE
Question Answer Additional Guidance Marks

01a A cell that is adapted AO1 1
to carry out a particular function (accept: has differentiated for adapted)
01b Feature Explanation AO2 2

No nucleus More space for 1 mark for each correct feature.
haemoglobin/more space 1 mark for the explanation only if it matches
to bind oxygen the feature given
Contains To bind/carry oxygen
haemoglobin
Bi concave To create large surface
shape area for oxygen diffusion
01c 10mm = 10,000μm AO2 maths skills 2
Magnification = 10,000/8 = 1,250 1 mark for converting mm to μm/ μm to mm
1 mark for correct calculation
OR
Answer is based on printing onto
8 μm = 0.008mm standard UK sized A4 paper, answers will
Magnification = 10/0.008 = 1,250 vary depending on screen/ paper size.
TOTAL 5
02a Any four from: AO1 – describe 4
• By mitosis Should be in logical order
• DNA/ chromosomes is
replicated/duplicated / copied
• chromosomes separate, one set of
chromosomes is pulled / moved to each
end of the cell
• the cytoplasm and cell membrane
divides/cytokinesis
• forming two genetically identical daughter
cells
02b Any one from: AO1 1
• Increase in cell size Accept cell elongation
• Organelle replication Do not accept growth
• DNA replication Accept increasing numbers of and named
• Protein synthesis organelle e.g. ribosomes or mitochondria
02c 1/10 x 48 = 4.8 hours AO2 maths high demand 3
4.8 x 60 = 288 1 mark for either conversion (x60) if answer
290 to 2 sig fig incorrect
1 mark for correct sig fig
02d Uncontrollable cell division AO1 1
02e (exposure to) UV rays (from sunlight) AO1 1
Accept: CT scans/X-Rays/ Nuclear Radiation
TOTAL 10
03a Any one from: AO2 1
• Cut in a direction away from yourself Allow idea of keeping fingers away from the
• Cut on a cutting board not in your hand sharp edge/blade
03b Any two from: 2
• Temperature
• Age/type potato Allow take chips from the same potato
• Size, volume, length, width, or surface
area of chip
• Volume of solution
• Time left in solution
03c So that changes in mass are only due to Ignore “so it doesn’t affect results” unqualified 1
cells/tissue not external liquid
OR
To remove excess liquid that could

affect/change/add to the mass.
03d 0.2: 12.2-10.6 = 1.6 1 mark for correctly calculating differences 2
0.6: 7.9-10.1 = -2.2

1 mark for each correct % calculation
(1.6/10.6)x100 = 15.1%
(-2.2/10.1)X100 = -21.8%
03e 1. There is a higher concentration of sodium AO2 3
chloride outside the cell than inside the
cell
OR
there is a higher concentration of water
molecules inside the cell than outside
2. So water moves out of the cell/cylinders

(into the solution)
3. By osmosis
03f 1. (Crinkle cut chip) has a greater surface AO3 2
area
2. So more water moved into/ out of the
cells/cylinder/solution Accept water moved faster
TOTAL 11
04a Antiretroviral Ignore antiviral 1
Do not accept antibiotics
04b 1. immune system is damaged / weakened Allow immunocompromised 2
or immune system doesn’t function Allow lack of / no white blood cells
properly, so
2. white blood cells cannot kill bacteria/ Allow no / fewer antibodies so bacteria not
pathogens (as effectively) killed or less phagocytosis so bacteria not
killed or no / fewer antitoxins to counter toxins
04ci 1. increased from 2013-2014 3
2. Then decreased from 2014 to 2022
3. Any data point from graph to support
point
04cii Any two from: Allow increased awareness about HIV 2
• better education (into prevention of
spread of HIV)
• condoms more widely available or Ignore contraception / protection unqualified
condoms easier to source or condoms
cheaper
• new / better drugs (to prevent HIV Allow PrEP / anti-retrovirals stop the virus
infection / spread) being passed on
• better / more testing / identification (of Ignore new treatments
people with HIV) Do not accept antibiotics
Ignore vaccination
TOTAL 8
05a 0 1 mark for all correct 2
0.53 1 mark for correct rounding
0.63
0.66
0.69
0.71
05b 1 mark for correct scale and axes labelled with 4
correct units
2 marks for all points plotted correctly
Allow ecf from 06e
Allow a tolerance of ± ½ small square

Allow 4 or 5 correct plots for 1 mark
1 mark for suitable curved line of best fit
Ignore line joined point to point with straight

lines
05ci 1. Increased rate of uptake Ignore any references to osmosis 3
2. Due to more transpiration/evaporation
3. Because
• air movement increases/maintains the
concentration/diffusion gradient
OR
• Air movement lowers the concentration
of water outside of the plant/leaf
05cii Similar shaped line above original plotted 1
line
TOTAL 10
06a 1. Flask A colourless Accept flask C more cloudy than A for 2 marks 4
2. Very less carbon dioxide in
inhaled/atmospheric air, does not turn
limewater milky/limewater remains clear
3. Flask C cloudy
4. More carbon dioxide exhaled by mouse
turns flask C lime water cloudy
06b 1. collect the CO2 / exhaled gas with a 2
measuring cylinder / gas syringe
2. (volume collected) in a certain time using
a timer / watch
06c In both flasks, limewater remains colourless 1
06d 1. Lactic acid 2
2. Carbon dioxide + ethanol Yeast words can be in either order
06e 1. muscles become fatigued / stop 2
contracting
2. because they do not have enough
energy/not enough energy is released
TOTAL 11
07a Independent = Temperature 2
Dependent = pH or change in pH
07b A water bath 1
07c Fatty acids are produced 1
07di Any 2 from: 2
• increase in temperature increases rate /
speed of reaction
• reference to molecules moving faster /
colliding faster / harder / more collisions
• enzyme optimum / works best at 40°C
07dii • (increasing the temperature above 40 Do not allow enzyme ‘killed’ 2
degrees) denatures the enzyme OR
changes the shape of the active site
Allow enzyme substrate complexes cannot
• So enzyme can no longer bind to the
form
substrate
TOTAL 8
08a Indicative content: Level 3 (4-6 marks): 6
Initial Testing: • Identification of scientifically relevant facts,
• Administered to healthy volunteers. events, or processes.
• Using very low doses. • Presentation of these details in a
• To assess safety, detect toxicity, and comprehensive and precise manner,
identify potential side effects. resulting in an accurate account.
Trials on Affected Individuals: Level 2 (1-3 marks)

• Conducted on patients with the disease. • Identification of facts, events, or processes
• Determining the appropriate and most but limited to simple statements.
effective dosage. • However, there is a lack of clear relevance
• Continuously monitoring for side effects. to the scientific context.
• Evaluating its efficacy.
• Utilising a double-blind trial design. Level 1 (0 marks)
• Ensuring both patients and doctors are • No relevant content
unaware of who has the drug or placebo • Incorrect facts
Additional Considerations:
• Makes reference to larger-scale trials.
• Assessing long-term effects.
• Controlling for relevant variables.
08b Any one from: 1
• Ensure repeatability
• Prevent bias from doctors
• Make sure no false claims are being
made/ results are reliable
TOTAL 7

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GCSE Combined Science

AQA Scan me for

1 hour 15 minutes allowed

You may use a calculator

• 2024 predicted paper video walkthroughs

... and so much more, please e-mail [email protected] and

Achieve more, stress less!

a) Describe what a specialised cell is.

Specialised cells are cells have adapted to

carry out a specific role function in the

concave shape no nucleus

large surface area for diffusion

of oxygen more haemoglobin to

c) The actual diameter of the red blood cell marked A is 8µm.

1mm 1000micro metres

a) Describe the process that produces new skin cells.

SI DNA replicates to form two copies of

Cell grows duplicates each cell structure egribosome

53 Cytoplasm membrane divide forming

A skin cell cycle typically takes 48 hours in total.

b) Describe one change that occurs in the cell during Stage 1 of

Give your answer correct to 2 significant figures.

d) Sometimes problems with the cell cycle can lead to cancer.

uncontrollable cell division

ii) State a risk factor for developing skin cancer.

UV rays from sun

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.8

a) The student used a scalpel to cut the parsnip cylinders.

Remove excess liquid that could effect

The student recorded the masses in a results table shown below.

Final Mass (g) 13.0 12.2 9.0 7.9 7.3

Through the process osmosis

moved from inside the parsnip into the

salt solution as one concentration

inside the parsnip

Crinkle cut has a greater surface area than

the smooth cut More water moves

out the cylinders

b) Patients diagnosed with AIDS usually die from a different type of

the commune system is damaged weakened

therefore WBC cannot kill pathogens effectively

i) Describe the pattern the graph shows.

Increased 2200 people diagnosed

in 2013 to 2950 in 2014

Decreased from 2014 to 700 in

Better education on preventative measures

• They measured the water taken up by the shoot in normal

Time Distance moved by Rate of water

a) Calculate the rate of water uptake to complete the table.

remain colourless due to minimal

CO2 inhaled air

c) The students repeated the experiment without the mouse.

Innervate would be colorless in

There are two types of respiration, aerobic and anaerobic.

d) Complete the word equations for the two types of anaerobic

Anaerobic does not

• Lipase solution was added to

• The students measured the

• The pH was measured again

• They repeated the experiment at the following temperatures: 20, 30,