Question 1
Which list shows the levels of organisation in order, from smallest to largest?
- cell, organelle, tissue, organ, system
- organelle, cell, tissue, organ, system
- organelle, tissue, cell, system, organ
- tissue, organelle, cell, organ, system
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Answer: B (1)
Question 2
The stomach is an organ in the digestive system. (a) Explain why the stomach is called an organ. (b) Name one other organ in the digestive system.
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- it is made of several / different tissues (1)
- that work together to perform a specific function / digest food (1)
- (b) any one from: small intestine / large intestine / oesophagus / pancreas / liver (1) allow other correct organs of the system
Question 3
State the function of each of these cell structures. (a) nucleus (b) mitochondria (c) ribosomes (d) cell membrane
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- (a) contains the genetic material / DNA and controls the activities of the cell (1)
- (b) (site of) aerobic respiration / releases energy (1)
- (c) (site of) protein synthesis / where proteins are made (1)
- (d) controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell (1)
Question 4
Name three structures that are found in a palisade mesophyll cell from a leaf but not in a cell from the lining of the human stomach.
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- cell wall (1)
- chloroplasts (1)
- (large / permanent) vacuole (1)
- allow cellulose cell wall; ignore cell sap on its own
Question 5
Biology only (what this means)
Biology only: only in International GCSE Biology. Double Award students can skip it. What the labels meanExplain why cell differentiation is important in the development of a multicellular organism.
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- (differentiation produces) specialised cells / cells with different structures (1)
- each type of cell is adapted to carry out a particular job / function (1)
- specialised cells form tissues / organs that carry out jobs efficiently (1)
Question 6
Biology only (what this means)
Biology only: only in International GCSE Biology. Double Award students can skip it. What the labels meanDiscuss the advantages and disadvantages of using stem cells in medicine.
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| Level | Marks | What the answer does |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5–6 | A detailed discussion giving at least two advantages and two disadvantages, correctly explained, with a balanced overall judgement. The answer is clear and logically structured. |
| 2 | 3–4 | Gives advantages and disadvantages, with some explanation, but the discussion is not fully balanced or detailed. |
| 1 | 1–2 | Gives one or two simple points with little or no explanation. |
Indicative content
- advantage: could replace damaged or diseased cells / tissues
- advantage: could treat conditions that are hard to treat now, such as diabetes or paralysis
- advantage: stem cells can differentiate into many types of cell
- disadvantage: stem cells may divide out of control and form tumours
- disadvantage: viruses in donated cells may be passed to the patient
- disadvantage: the patient's immune system may reject the cells
- disadvantage: ethical or religious objections to using embryos