AQA GCSE Biology Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2022: Question 8
12 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer
Identify cell structures, fungal diseases, cell division rates, digestive enzymes, food tests, and evaluate the nutritional value of meat versus meat-free burgers.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
08 Plant cells and fungal cells are similar in structure.
Figure 10 shows a fungal cell.
Figure 10
08.1 Name one structure in Figure 10 which is present in both plant cells and fungal cells
but not in animal cells.
[1 mark]
08.2 Which disease is caused by a fungus?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Gonorrhoea
Malaria
Measles
Rose black spot 34
08.3 A fungal cell divides once every 90 minutes.
How many times would this fungal cell divide in 24 hours?
[2 marks]
Number of times cell divides in 24 hours =
Some types of fungal cell are grown to produce high-protein food.
The high-protein food can be used to make meat-free burgers.
08.4 Where is protein digested in the human digestive system?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Large intestine
Liver
Salivary glands
Stomach
08.5 Which chemical could be used to test if the burgers contain protein?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Benedict’s reagent
Biuret reagent
Ethanol
*34* Iodine solution 36
08.6 Table 7 shows some information about burgers made from meat and
meat-free burgers.
Table 7
Mass per 100 g of burger
Burgers made Meat-free
from meat burgers
Protein in g 14.0 9.0
*35* Fibre in g 0.9 5.5
Fat in g 16.0 5.2
Carbohydrate in g 15.5 15.1
Cholesterol in mg 120.0 0.0
Evaluate the use of burgers made from meat compared with meat-free burgers in
providing humans with a healthy, balanced diet.
Use information from Table 7 and your own knowledge.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 8
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
08.1 (cell) wall ignore cellulose 1 AO3
4.1.1.1
or 4.1.1.2
(large / permanent) vacuole
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.2 rose black spot 1 AO1
4.3.1.4
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.3 24 × 60 1440 1 AO2
allow
90 90 4.1.1.6
4.1.1.1
or
1.5
16 do not accept if a unit is given 1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.4 stomach 1 AO1
4.2.2.1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
08.5 biuret reagent 1 AO1
4.2.2.1
RPA4
AO /
Question Answers Mark
Spec. Ref.
08.6 Level 3: A judgement, strongly linked and logically supported by a 5−6 AO3
sufficient range of correct reasons, is given.
Level 2: Some logically linked reasons are given. There may also 3−4 AO2
be a simple judgement.
Level 1: Relevant points are made. They are not logically linked. 1−2 AO1
No relevant content. 0 4.2.2.1
4.2.2.4
Indicative content 4.2.2.5
4.2.2.6
• meat-free burgers contain more fibre
• aids digestion or prevents constipation
• meat burgers contain more protein
• for growth
• meat burgers contain more fat
• can cause CHD or heart attack or narrowing of arteries
• may lead to needing a stent
• may lead to obesity
• obesity is a risk factor for (type 2) diabetes
• meat burgers contain more cholesterol
• can cause narrowing of arteries or CHD or heart attack
• may lead to needing a stent
• may need to take statins
• both burgers have similar amounts of carbohydrate
• good for providing energy
• no information on vitamins / minerals provided for either burger
• meat burgers require animals to be farmed
• increase in methane in atmosphere
• (methane) contributes to global warming
• meat burgers require animals to be slaughtered
• ethical issues
• some people won’t eat meat-free burgers
• (because) some people don’t like the idea of eating fungus
• (because) some people prefer the taste of meat
For Level 2, comparisons and linked reasons using own knowledge
are required.
Total Question 8 12
How to answer it
Fungal Cells, Digestion & Evaluating Diet Choices
This question assesses your ability to compare eukaryotic cell structures (plant, animal, and fungal), recall communicable fungal diseases, perform a cell division rate calculation, recall key sites of chemical digestion and food testing reagents (Required Practical 4), and construct a balanced 6-mark evaluation linking nutritional data to health risks such as coronary heart disease (CHD), obesity, and diabetes.
Cell Ultrastructure Comparison
Identify an organelle found in both plant and fungal cells, but absent in animal cells
✅ Accepted Answers
- (Cell) wall
- (Large / permanent) vacuole
💡 Key Knowledge
Both plant cells and fungal cells have an outer protective cell wall and a large central vacuole containing cell sap. Animal cells have neither.
❌ Common Errors & Examiner Insight
Do not write "cellulose": Fungal cell walls are made of chitin, not cellulose. The mark scheme explicitly notes "ignore cellulose". Also, avoid mentioning chloroplasts—fungal cells never possess chloroplasts.
Pathogens & Communicable Disease
Identify the disease caused by a fungal pathogen
✅ Correct Answer
Rose black spot [✔]
💡 Pathogen Recall Check
- Gonorrhoea: Caused by a bacterium (STD).
- Malaria: Caused by a protist (vector: mosquito).
- Measles: Caused by a virus (spread by droplets).
- Rose black spot: Caused by a fungus (causes purple/black spots on leaves).
🧠 Exam Technique
Only tick one box. Ticking more than one box cancels out your mark unless you clearly cross out the incorrect tick.
Cell Division Rate Calculation
A fungal cell divides once every 90 minutes. Calculate how many times it divides in 24 hours.
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Step 1: Convert units so time matches
Convert 24 hours into minutes:
24 hours × 60 minutes = 1440 minutes
(Alternative: convert 90 minutes to hours: 90 ÷ 60 = 1.5 hours ) - Step 2: Calculate the number of divisions
1440 minutes ÷ 90 minutes = 16
(Or: 24 ÷ 1.5 = 16 )
✅ Correct Answer
16
❌ Common Errors
- Do NOT include units: The mark scheme states explicitly: "do not accept if a unit is given" (e.g. writing "16 times" or "16 hours" loses the final mark).
- Confusing number of divisions with number of cells: The question asks for the number of times it divides, NOT the final cell count (which would be 2¹⁶). Keep it simple!
Digestive System Organs
Where is protein digested in the human digestive system?
✅ Correct Answer
Stomach [✔]
💡 Digestive System Recall
- Stomach: Produces pepsin (a protease enzyme) and hydrochloric acid; digests proteins into amino acids.
- Salivary glands: Produce amylase (digests starch into sugars).
- Liver: Produces bile (neutralises acid, emulsifies lipids; no enzymes).
- Large intestine: Absorbs water from undigested food; no chemical digestion takes place here.
Food Tests (Required Practical 4)
Which chemical could be used to test if the burgers contain protein?
✅ Correct Answer
Biuret reagent [✔]
💡 Food Test Reagent Summary
- Biuret reagent: Tests for protein (turns from blue to purple/lilac).
- Benedict's reagent: Tests for reducing sugars (requires heating; turns green/yellow/brick-red).
- Iodine solution: Tests for starch (turns from brown-orange to blue-black).
- Ethanol: Tests for lipids (forms a cloudy white emulsion).
Extended Evaluation: Meat vs. Meat-Free Burgers
Evaluate the use of burgers made from meat compared with meat-free burgers in providing humans with a healthy, balanced diet. Use Table 7 and your own knowledge.
| Nutrient (per 100 g) | Meat Burgers | Meat-Free Burgers |
|---|---|---|
| Protein (g) | 14.0 | 9.0 |
| Fibre (g) | 0.9 | 5.5 |
| Fat (g) | 16.0 | 5.2 |
| Carbohydrate (g) | 15.5 | 15.1 |
| Cholesterol (mg) | 120.0 | 0.0 |
🧠 How to Score Level 3 (5–6 Marks)
- Compare both sides: You must state points in favour of meat burgers AND points in favour of meat-free burgers.
- Always link data to biological function: Do not just quote numbers—explain the health consequences (e.g. fat/cholesterol → CHD; fibre → prevents constipation).
- Add own knowledge: Mention biological mechanisms or broader points not directly in the table (e.g. statins, stents, environmental/ethical factors).
- Give a supported conclusion: State which burger is healthier overall and summarise your key supporting argument.
❌ Common Misconceptions & Mark Traps
- Data repeating without explanation: Writing "Meat has 16 g of fat and meat-free has 5.2 g" scores no marks unless you link it to health risks (obesity, blocked arteries, CHD).
- One-sided answers: Discussing only meat-free burgers caps your score at Level 2 (maximum 4 marks).
- Forgetting the conclusion: Level 3 requires a justified final judgement.
💡 Model Response Plan (Indicative Content)
- Arguments in favour of meat burgers:
• Higher protein content (14.0 g vs 9.0 g), which is essential for growth and tissue repair. - Arguments in favour of meat-free burgers:
• Much higher dietary fibre (5.5 g vs 0.9 g), which aids digestion and prevents constipation.
• Significantly lower in fat (5.2 g vs 16.0 g). High fat intake increases the risk of obesity, which is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
• Contains zero cholesterol (0.0 mg vs 120.0 mg). High cholesterol leads to fatty deposits narrowing coronary arteries, causing coronary heart disease (CHD) or heart attacks, which may require treatments like statins or stents. - Similarities & Limitations:
• Both have very similar carbohydrate levels (~15 g) which provide energy.
• The table gives no data on essential vitamins and minerals (e.g. iron), making a full nutritional comparison difficult. - Wider impacts (own knowledge bonus points):
• Meat-free options avoid animal farming, which produces methane contributing to global warming, and avoids ethical issues with slaughter. - Justified Conclusion:
• Overall, meat-free burgers provide a healthier, more balanced diet because the lower fat and zero cholesterol greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, while still offering adequate protein and beneficial fibre.
• Level 3 (5–6 marks): Logically structured, compares both types of burgers, links nutrient data to biological functions/health effects, and provides a supported final judgement.
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Gives comparisons with some linked explanations using own knowledge; may include an unsupported judgement.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Simple statements or data quotes without clear logical links to health.
Topics
Biology · Required Practicals · B1: Cell Biology · B2: Organisation · B3: Infection and Response · Required Practicals
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Biology examination, Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.