Biology Higher Paper 1 MS
Biology Higher Paper 1 MS
Biology Higher Paper 1 MS
BIOLOGY
8461/1H - PAPER 1 HIGHER TIER
Mark scheme
8461
June 2018
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
Information to Examiners
1. General
The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the mark scheme and
should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where consequential
marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the diagram or at a different
place on the script.
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which confuse
the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is straightforward and
consistent.
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is used, with
the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a
potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or. Different terms in the
mark scheme are shown by a / ; eg allow smooth / free movement.
2.4 Any wording that is underlined is essential for the marking point to be awarded.
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
3. Marking points
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which students have
provided extra responses. The general principle to be followed in such a situation is that ‘right +
wrong = wrong’.
Each error / contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of error /
contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no marks can be
awarded.
If a student writes a chemical symbol / formula instead of a required chemical name, full credit can
be given if the symbol / formula is correct and if, in the context of the question, such action is
appropriate.
Marks should be awarded for each stage of the calculation completed correctly, as students are
instructed to show their working. Full marks can, however, be given for a correct numerical
answer, without any working shown.
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers to the correct
subject.
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
Any error in the answers to a structured question should be penalised once only.
Papers should be constructed in such a way that the number of times errors can be carried forward
is kept to a minimum. Allowances for errors carried forward are most likely to be restricted to
calculation questions and should be shown by the abbreviation ecf in the marking scheme.
The phonetic spelling of correct scientific terminology should be credited unless there is a possible
confusion with another technical term.
3.7 Brackets
(…..) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be awarded but is
included to help the examiner identify the sense of the answer required.
3.8 Allow
3.9 Ignore
Ignore is used when the information given is irrelevant to the question or not enough to gain the
marking point. Any further correct amplification could gain the marking point.
Do not accept means that this is a wrong answer which, even if the correct answer is given as
well, will still mean that the mark is not awarded.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer, read through the answer and annotate it
(as instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets
the descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be
seen in the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and
decide if it meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the
answer.
When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer. Do not look to penalise
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest.
If the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best
fit approach for defining the level.
Use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within the level, ie if the response is
predominantly level 2 with a small amount of level 3 material it would be placed in level 2 but be
awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 3 content.
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to
allocate marks can help with this.
The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. There will be an answer in the
standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This answer will
have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer with the
example to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then
use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points
and assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points
mentioned in the indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.
You should ignore any irrelevant points made. However, full marks can be awarded only if there are
no incorrect statements that contradict a correct response.
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
01.7 radius (of area with no bacteria allow diameter (of the area with 1 AO2
growing) no bacteria growing) 4.1.1.6
ignore πr2 unqualified
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
01.8 repeat and look to see if results ignore repeat unqualified 1 AO3
are similar 4.1.1.6
allow repeat and look to see if
results are different
Total 11
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
54 1
132 - 78 allow
12
12
allow sequential deductions of
12 four or five times
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Mark
Spec. Ref.
02.7 Level 3: The method would lead to the production of a valid 5–6 AO3
outcome. All key steps are identified and logically sequenced. 4.4.2.2
Level 1: The method would not lead to a valid outcome. Some 1–2
relevant steps are identified, but links are not made clear.
No relevant content 0
Indicative content
Total 20
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
03.4 B 1 AO1
4.2.2.2
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
Total 13
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
from a dilute solution in the allow from an area of high water 1 AO2
beaker to a more concentrated concentration in the beaker to 4.1.3.2
solution in the egg (cell) an area of low water
concentration in the egg (cell)
allow ref to water potential
allow ref to ‘strong’ and ‘weak’
solutions
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
04.4 use five (or more) different allow any number of 1 AO3
concentrations of salt / sugar concentrations provided it is 4.1.3.2
solution (in beakers) more than four
04.5 (ions are moved) from an area allow against the concentration 1 AO2
of low concentration to high gradient 4.1.3.3
concentration allow in terms of solution
do not accept molecules
Total 12
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
Total 10
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
06.3 Level 3: Relevant points (reasons / causes) are identified, given in 5–6 AO2
detail and logically linked to form a clear account. 4.2.2.1
4.2.2.2
Level 2: Relevant points (reasons / causes) are identified, and 3–4 4.4.2.1
there are attempts at logical linking. The resulting account is not
fully clear.
Level 1: Points are identified and stated simply, but their relevance 1–2
is not clear and there is no attempt at logical linking.
No relevant content 0
Indicative content
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
98
allow × 10 800 1
0.98 × 10 800 100
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
06.8 idea of ethical / religious allow idea that embryo cannot 1 AO3
concerns about use of embryos give consent 4.1.2.3
such as loss of (potential)
human life ignore idea of against human
rights of embryo unqualified
ignore religious / ethical reasons
unqualified
Total 18
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
560 / 559.8 / 559.78 / 559 (cm3) allow only correct answer based 1
on values given for vitamin B-12
and calcium
07.2 Level 2: Scientifically relevant facts, events or processes are 4–6 AO1
identified and given in detail to form an accurate account. 4.2.2.1
No relevant content 0
Indicative content
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/1H – JUNE 2018
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
07.3 lipase breaks down fat into fatty do not accept if ‘glycerol’ is 1 AO2
acids (and glycerol) contradicted 4.2.2.1
(so) lipase can break down fat allow fatty acids produced by 1 AO3
(to produce fatty acids) more action of lipase more quickly 4.2.2.1
quickly / effectively
Total 16
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