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Name: ________________________________

SB2 | Cells and Control

Higher Tier Triple

Marks Available: 51 marks

Total Marks: ____/51 - _____% - Grade _____

- You may use a calculator.

- You may need a ruler and a pencil.
- You have 45 minutes to complete this practise paper.
- Topics in the practise paper: Brain and the Eye, Cell Division,
Specialised Cells, The Nervous System

Questions

Edexcel GCSE Biology 9-1 | SB2 Mixed AGW

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Q1.

Figure 8 shows a diagram of the human eye.

( a ) ( i ) Which structure of the eye contains the light receptor cells. Circle the letter of the
correct answer.
(1)

A iris
B lens
C cornea
D retina

( ii ) The optic nerve transfers electrical signals from the eye to the central nervous system.
Circle the letter of the correct answer. The optic nerve is a:
(1)

A relay neurone
B motor neurone
C sensory neurone
D reflex neurone

( iii ) Name the region of the central nervous system responsible for vision.
(1)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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( b ) Macular degeneration is a defect of the eye that occurs when some cells of the
retina begin to break down. Embryonic stem cell therapy has been used to improve the vision
of some patients with macular degeneration.

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Explain how embryonic stem cells could be used to treat macular degeneration.
(2)

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( c ) Some research has shown that increased use of computers and other digital
media can affect eyesight and reaction times. A scientist wanted to test if prolonged use of a
computer affected reaction time. The scientist tested the reaction times of 10 people under the
same environmental conditions. These people then used a computer for three hours. The
scientist tested their reaction time again.

Give three ways that the scientist could improve this method to determine if
prolonged use of a computer affects reaction time.
(3)

1…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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2…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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3…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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( d ) Figure 9 shows the reaction times of five people.

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( i ) Calculate the mean reaction time in milliseconds.

(2)

mean reaction time = …………………………ms

( ii ) Give the name of the mathematical term which is used to describe the reaction time
value of person 1.
(1)

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(Total for Question 1 = 11 marks)

(____/11 marks)

Q2.

The diagram below shows neurones from part of the nervous system.

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( a ) ( i ) Name structures A and B.

(2)

Structure A = …………………………………………………………………………………

Structure B = …………………………………………………………………………………

( ii ) Complete the sentence by circling the letter of the correct answer. The axon carries
information along the neurone as…
(1)

A chemical messages
B electrical impulses
C neurotransmitters
D hormonal responses

( iii ) Describe the role of the myelin sheath surrounding the axon.
(2)

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( iv ) There is a gap between neurones. State the name for this gap between neurones.
(1)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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( b ) Humans have reflexes. Describe the route of an impulse through a reflex arc.
(4)

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(Total for Question 2 = 10 marks)

(____/10 marks)

Q3.

There are many different types of cell in the human body.

( a ) Complete the sentence by circling the letter of the correct answer. An embryonic stem
cell can…
(1)

A differentiate into any type of cell

B differentiate into only one type of cell
C only be obtained from embryos
D only produce haploid cells

( b ) Describe how the structure of a red blood cell is related to its function.
(3)

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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( c ) Describe the function of platelets.

(2)

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( d ) Mitosis and meiosis are types of cell division. Compare these two types.
(6)

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(Total for Question 3 = 12 marks)

(____/12 marks)

Q4.

Corals are animals that live on the sea bed. The photograph shows some species of coral.

( a ) Corals can reproduce sexually, releasing sperm cells into the water. The mass of DNA in
one sperm cell from a species of coral is 0.5 picogram.

( i ) Suggest the mass of DNA that would be present in an unfertilised egg cell of the same
species.
(1)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

( ii ) Complete the sentence by circling the letter of the correct answer. The term used to
describe the number of chromosomes in an egg or sperm cell is…
(1)
A diploid
B gamete
C haploid
D zygote

( ii ) Complete the sentence by circling the letter of the correct answer. The base pairs in
DNA are…
(1)
A thymine with adenine, cytosine with guanine
B thymine with guanine, adenine with cytosine
C uracil with adenine, guanine with cytosine
D uracil with thymine, guanine with cytosine

( iv ) Name the bond that joins the base pairs together.

(1)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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( b ) After fertilisation, mitosis takes place to form an embryo. The embryo develops into new
coral.

( i ) Describe mitosis.
(3)

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( ii ) Describe how the embryo develops into new coral.

(3)

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(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)

(____/10 marks)

Q5.

The diagram shows a human sperm cell.

( a ) ( i ) Structure X on the diagram contains DNA. Name structure X.

(1)

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………

( ii ) Circle the letter of the correct answer. Which statement is true for DNA?
(1)
A DNA is made up of amino acids and bases
B DNA is made up of amino acids which give instructions to make proteins
C in DNA, the bases A and T are complementary
D every gene in a DNA molecule contains only three bases

( b ) Sperm cells are involved in fertilisation. Define fertilisation.

(2)

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( c ) ( i ) Describe the function of mitochondria.

(2)

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( ii ) Gene mutations in DNA can produce abnormal mitochondria. Explain how a gene
mutation can produce a different protein.
(2)

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(Total for Question 5 = 8 marks)

(____/8 marks)

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END OF QUESTIONS FOR SB2 PRACTICE QUESTIONS

GRADE BOUNDARIES (2023 SERIES) FOUND ON MARK SCHEME

Edexcel GCSE Biology 9-1 | SB2 Mixed AGW