AQA AS Level Biology Paper 1, June 2023: Question 6

9 marks · Medium difficulty · Extended Answer

Evaluate whether 10- to 12-year-old boys should be given the HPV vaccine, following questions on human papillomavirus structure, DNA replication enzymes, and cancer development.

Practise this question

Question

A four-part exam question about the human papillomavirus (HPV). Part 06.1 asks to identify components of HPV from a multiple-choice list. Part 06.2 asks to name two DNA replication enzymes and describe their roles. Part 06.3 asks to explain why viral proteins causing cells to restart their cell cycle can cause cancer. Part 06.4 asks to evaluate whether 10- to 12-year-old boys should be given the HPV vaccine based on provided context about transmission, cervical cancer, and herd immunity.
Question text

06 The human papilloma virus contains a double-stranded DNA genome.

06.1 Which components are found in a human papilloma virus?

Tick ( ) one box.

[1 mark]

Capsid and attachment protein

Capsid, attachment protein and reverse transcriptase

Capsule and attachment protein

Cell-surface membrane and attachment protein

06.2 The DNA-replication enzymes of a human cell make copies of the human papilloma

virus genome.

Name two enzymes that are involved in replicating the DNA of the human papilloma

virus and describe their roles in the replication process.

[3 marks]

Name of enzyme 1

Role of enzyme 1

Name of enzyme 2

Role of enzyme 2

06.3 Human papilloma virus infects cells that are no longer dividing. The human papilloma

virus genome contains genes that code for proteins that cause human cells to restart

their cell cycles.

Human papilloma virus infection can cause cancer.

Explain why.

[1 mark]

06.4 Human papilloma virus (HPV) is transmitted through sexual contact.

More than 95% of cervical cancers (which only affect females) are due to HPV

infection. HPV infection of other tissues increases the risk of cancer but this is rare

compared with cervical infection.

A vaccine is available that is over 80% effective at preventing HPV infection, if given

before the person has been exposed to HPV. There is evidence of herd immunity

when more than 50% of the population have been vaccinated.

Evaluate whether 10- to 12-year-old boys should be given the HPV vaccine.

[4 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme provides answers for questions 06.1 through 06.4. Part 06.1 accepts 'Capsid and attachment protein'. Part 06.2 accepts DNA helicase and DNA polymerase with their respective roles in breaking hydrogen bonds and joining nucleotides. Part 06.3 accepts 'Uncontrolled cell cycle/division/mitosis'. Part 06.4 lists points for and against vaccinating boys, including early administration, reducing transmission, herd immunity, and cancer risk considerations.

Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments

06.1 Capsid and attachment protein;

(AO1)

1. Accept (DNA)

1. (DNA) helicase and (DNA) polymerase;

ligase for either

enzyme.

2. (Helicase) breaks hydrogen bonds (to unwind 2. Reject ‘hydrolyse

DNA); hydrogen bonds’

3. (Polymerase) condensation reactions to join Reject mp3 if

(adjacent) nucleotides polymerase forming

hydrogen bonds or

06.2 OR (3 x

joining

AO1)

complementary base

(Polymerase) forms phosphodiester bonds pairs

between (adjacent) nucleotides;

3. Accept (DNA)

ligase joins DNA

fragments.

Note: Incorrect/no

enzymes named but

both roles outlined = 1

mark

Reject meiosis

(AO2)

06.3 Uncontrolled cell cycle/division/mitosis; Ignore growth

– LOGY – – JUNE 2023

For: Max 3 for mark points

1-5

1. Needs to be given early (age 10-12) before

exposure to HPV; 1. Accept ‘Needs to

be given before

2. Will reduce transmission to girls (for when they

sexual activity’

are older);

2. Accept ‘spread’ for

3. Boys can be infected with HPV

‘transmission’

OR

(Vaccination) prevents HPV infection;

4. (Need boys) to ensure herd immunity

12 OR 4 max

06.4 (4 x

(Need boys) to be above 50% vaccinated;

AO3)

5. Boys can have increased risk of cancer (from

HPV infection);

Against:

6. Boys at less risk of cancer (from HPV infection)

than females

OR

Cervical cancer only affects females;

7. May be side effects from vaccine;

How to answer it

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and DNA Replication

What this question tests

This exam question assesses your understanding of viral structure, DNA replication enzymes (helicase, polymerase, ligase), the link between viral cell-cycle interference and cancer, and the data-evaluation skills required to assess vaccination programmes (herd immunity, transmission risks).

Question 06.1

Components of Human Papilloma Virus

✅ Correct Answer

Capsid and attachment protein (First tick box)

1 mark [AO1]

💡 Key Knowledge

  • HPV is a non-enveloped DNA virus possessing a protein coat (capsid) and surface attachment proteins.
  • It does not contain reverse transcriptase (that is characteristic of retroviruses like HIV).
  • It does not have a capsule (capsules are found in certain bacteria) or a cell-surface membrane of its own.
Question 06.2

DNA Replication Enzymes and Roles

✅ Correct Answer

Enzyme 1: (DNA) helicase
Role 1: Breaks hydrogen bonds to unwind DNA.
Enzyme 2: (DNA) polymerase (or DNA ligase)
Role 2: Condensation reactions to join adjacent nucleotides / forms phosphodiester bonds (or joins DNA fragments for ligase).

3 marks [AO1]

❌ Common Errors

  • Saying helicase "hydrolyses" or "breaks" covalent bonds instead of hydrogen bonds.
  • Stating that DNA polymerase forms hydrogen bonds or joins complementary base pairs (it joins the sugar-phosphate backbone nucleotides together).
  • Failing to name matching enzymes and roles; if names are wrong/absent, max 1 mark can be salvaged if roles describe valid enzymatic actions.
Question 06.3

Viral Proteins and Cancer

✅ Correct Answer

Uncontrolled cell cycle / division / mitosis.

1 mark [AO2]

🧠 Exam Technique

Keep your answer concise. The mark scheme explicitly rejects "meiosis" (since somatic cells divide by mitosis) and ignores vague terms like "growth" on their own without linking to the cell cycle or division.

Question 06.4

Evaluating the HPV Vaccine for Boys

✅ Correct Answer (Max 3 marks from For or Against points)

For:

  • Must be given early (age 10-12) before exposure/sexual activity.
  • Reduces transmission to girls.
  • Boys can be infected with HPV / prevents infection in boys.
  • Ensures herd immunity / pushes population coverage above the 50% threshold.
  • Protects boys from rare HPV-related cancers.

Against:

  • Boys are at a lower risk of cancer from HPV compared to females (cervical cancer affects females only).
  • Potential side effects from the vaccine.

Note: Maximum 3 marks can be awarded from points 1–5 (the "For" arguments).

4 marks max [AO3]

🧠 Exam Technique & Balance

To score full marks on an "Evaluate" question, you must give a balanced argument considering both sides (reasons for and against vaccinating boys) and use the stimulus text provided (e.g., citing the 50% herd immunity threshold or transmission rates).

Topics

Biology · 3.1 Biological molecules · 3.2 Cells · 3.4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

Question and mark scheme from the AQA AS Level Biology examination, Paper 1, June 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.