AQA GCSE Biology Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2023: Question 2

11 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Identify pathogens, body defences, features of cancer, and interpret HPV vaccination data and immune responses.

Practise this question

Question

The question consists of nine parts regarding pathogens, human defences, cancer, and the HPV vaccine. Question 02.1 asks to select the name for disease-causing microorganisms from Pathogens, Predators, or Producers. Question 02.2 is a matching activity linking physical barriers and mucus to body parts (Brain, Heart, Nose, Skin). Question 02.3 asks to complete a sentence about tumours being caused by uncontrolled cell division using a word box. Question 02.4 asks to select two statements that describe malignant tumours. Table 2 provides data showing the percentage of females aged 16 to 18 with HPV from 2010 (8.2%) to 2016 (1.6%). Questions 02.5 and 02.6 ask to describe and explain the trend from Table 2. Questions 02.7, 02.8, and 02.9 ask about the blood component that responds to vaccines (white blood cells), what they produce (antibodies), and reasons why parents might refuse the vaccine.
Question text

02 Viruses cause disease.

02.1 What name is given to microorganisms that cause disease?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Pathogens

Predators

Producers

02.2 The body has defences to stop viruses entering.

Draw one line from each defence to the part of the body that provides the defence.

[2 marks]

Part of the body that

Defence provides the defence

Brain

A physical barrier that

stops viruses entering Heart

Nose

Mucus that traps viruses

7 Skin

Some viruses can cause tumours to develop.

02.3 Complete the sentence.

Choose the answer from the box.

[1 mark]

digestion division metabolism

A tumour can form when changes to cells cause uncontrolled

cell .

02.4 Malignant tumours are cancers.

Which two sentences describe malignant tumours?

[2 marks]

Tick ( ) two es.

Malignant tumours are only found in the reproductive system.

Malignant tumours contain digestive enzymes.

Malignant tumours do not change in size.

Malignant tumours have cells that can spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumours may form secondary tumours.8

HPV is a virus that can cause one type of cancer in females.

In the UK since 2008, most 12 to 13-year-old females have been vaccinated against

HPV.

Scientists investigated the percentage of 16 to 18-year-old females with HPV.

Table 2 shows the results.

Table 2

Percentage (%) of 16 to 18-year-old

Year

females with HPV

*07* 2010 8.2

2012 3.2

2014 2.0

2016 1.6

02.5 What does Table 2 show about the percentage of females with HPV

from 2010 to 2016?

[1 mark]

02.6 Suggest the reason for the change you described in Question 02.5.

[1 mark]

The HPV vaccine contains an inactive form of the virus.

The inactive form of the virus is injected into the body.

02.7 Which part of the blood responds to the inactive virus?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Platelets

Red blood cells

White blood cells

02.8 What is produced by the body in response to the inactive virus?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Antibiotics

Antibodies

Antiseptics

02.9 Suggest one reason why some parents refuse to allow their children to have

the HPV vaccine.

Do not refer to the pain of the injection in your answer.

[1 mark]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for Question 2 with an 11-mark total. 02.1: pathogens (1 mark). 02.2: A physical barrier linked to Skin, Mucus that traps viruses linked to Nose (2 marks). 02.3: division (1 mark). 02.4: malignant tumours have cells that can spread to other parts of the body, malignant tumours may form secondary tumours (2 marks). 02.5: (percentage) decreases (1 mark). 02.6: more females were vaccinated over time (1 mark). 02.7: white blood cells (1 mark). 02.8: antibodies (1 mark). 02.9: fear of side effects/unknown effects, religious/cultural objections, belief that it does not work, or belief that it encourages sexual activity (1 mark).

Question 2

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec Ref.

02.1 pathogens 1 AO1

4.3.1.1

AO /

Question Answers Mark

Spec Ref.

02.2 AO1

4.3.1.6

do not accept more than one line from a box on the left

AO /

Spec Ref.

02.3 division 1 AO1

4.2.2.7

AO /

Spec Ref.

02.4 malignant tumours have cells 1 AO1

that can spread to other parts of 4.2.2.7

the body

malignant tumours may form 1

secondary tumours

AO /

Spec Ref.

02.5 (percentage) decreases 1 AO3

4.2.2.7

4.2.2.5

AO /

Spec Ref.

02.6 more females were vaccinated allow males may also be 1 AO3

(over time) vaccinated 4.2.2.7

4.2.2.5

allow more people were

vaccinated

allow increased use of (named)

barrier methods of contraception

allow more awareness /

education (about HPV)

AO /

Spec Ref.

02.7 white blood cells 1 AO1

4.3.1.7

AO /

Spec Ref.

02.8 antibodies 1 AO1

4.3.1.7

4.3.1.6

AO /

Spec Ref.

02.9 ignore pain of injection AO3

4.3.1.7

any one from: 1

• people are afraid of side / allow there are side effects

unknown effects allow people think they cause

(named) disease

• religious / cultural objections ignore religion unqualified

ignore moral / ethical objections

• (some people) believe they

don’t work

• some people think (HPV)

vaccine encourages sexual

activity

Total Question 2 11

How to answer it

Pathogens, Non-Specific Defences, Cancer & Vaccination

📌 What this question tests

This question assesses core recall and data interpretation from Infection and Response (Topic 3) and Cell Biology / Non-Communicable Diseases (Topic 2):

  • Defining microorganisms that cause disease (pathogens).
  • Identifying non-specific human body defence systems (skin and mucus).
  • Defining tumour formation (uncontrolled cell division) and differences between benign and malignant cancers.
  • Reading and interpreting vaccination trend data from a table.
  • Understanding how vaccines work via white blood cells and antibodies, and reasons for vaccine hesitancy.
Question 02.1 & 02.2

Pathogens & Non-Specific Human Defences

Total marks available: 3 marks

✅ Correct Answers

02.1: [Tick 1st box] Pathogens (1 mark)

02.2: Matching lines:

  • A physical barrier that stops viruses entering → draws line to Skin (1 mark)
  • Mucus that traps viruses → draws line to Nose (1 mark)

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Pathogen: A microorganism that causes communicable (infectious) disease (e.g. viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists).
  • First line of defence:
    • Skin: Acts as a physical barrier and secretes antimicrobial substances.
    • Nose: Contains hairs and mucus to trap particles that could contain pathogens.
    • Trachea and bronchi: Secrete mucus; lined with cilia to waft mucus up to the throat.
    • Stomach: Produces hydrochloric acid to destroy swallowed microorganisms.

🧠 Exam Technique

For matching questions like 02.2, always use a ruler. The mark scheme states: "do not accept more than one line from a box on the left". If you change your mind, clearly cross out the incorrect line completely.

❌ Common Errors

Confusing pathogens with predators (animals that hunt prey) or producers (plants/algae that make food via photosynthesis). These are ecological terms!

Question 02.3 & 02.4

Tumour Formation and Malignant Tumours

Total marks available: 3 marks

✅ Correct Answers

02.3: cell division (1 mark)

02.4: [Tick 4th and 5th boxes] (2 marks)

  • Malignant tumours have cells that can spread to other parts of the body. (1 mark)
  • Malignant tumours may form secondary tumours. (1 mark)

💡 Benign vs Malignant

  • Benign tumours: Growths of abnormal cells contained within a membrane. They do not invade other parts of the body.
  • Malignant tumours (Cancers): Cells break off and spread around the body in the blood, invading neighbouring tissues and forming secondary tumours.
  • Both result from mutations leading to uncontrolled cell division (mitosis).

❌ Common Misconceptions to Avoid

  • "Malignant tumours are only found in the reproductive system" — False. Cancers can develop in almost any tissue in the body.
  • "Malignant tumours do not change in size" — False. They grow rapidly via continuous, uncontrolled division.
  • Only tick two boxes as requested. Ticking more than two results in lost marks.
Question 02.5 & 02.6

Interpreting HPV Vaccination Data

Total marks available: 2 marks

✅ Correct Answers

02.5: The percentage decreases / goes down / falls from 8.2% to 1.6%. (1 mark)

02.6: Any one valid reason (1 mark):

  • More females were vaccinated (over time)
  • More people were vaccinated / herd immunity increased
  • Males were also vaccinated
  • Increased use of barrier contraception (condoms)
  • Greater awareness or education about HPV

🧠 How to Answer Trend & Suggest Questions

  • "What does the table show?" (02.5): Describe the overall trend directly. Mention whether it increases, decreases, or stays the same. You do not need complex math here.
  • "Suggest a reason" (02.6): Use the context provided! The text stated: "since 2008, most 12 to 13-year-old females have been vaccinated". Over time (by 2016), more and more cohorts received the vaccine, reducing the spread.
Question 02.7, 02.8 & 02.9

Immune Response & Society

Total marks available: 3 marks

✅ Correct Answers

02.7: [Tick 3rd box] White blood cells (1 mark)

02.8: [Tick 2nd box] Antibodies (1 mark)

02.9: Any one valid suggestion (1 mark):

  • Fear of side effects / unknown long-term effects
  • Religious or cultural objections
  • Belief that the vaccine is ineffective / doesn't work
  • Concern that vaccination encourages early sexual activity

💡 The Vaccination Mechanism

  1. Vaccines contain dead or inactive forms of a pathogen.
  2. White blood cells (specifically lymphocytes) recognise foreign antigens.
  3. White blood cells produce specific antibodies to bind to the antigens.
  4. Memory cells remain in the blood. If exposed to the live virus later, antibodies are produced quickly and in large quantities, preventing illness.

❌ Common Errors in 02.8 & 02.9

  • Antibiotics vs Antibodies: Antibiotics are medicinal drugs that kill bacteria (they do not affect viruses). Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins made naturally by your white blood cells.
  • Reading the restrictions in 02.9: The prompt explicitly states: Do not refer to the pain of the injection . Any mention of needles hurting or fear of pain scores 0 marks.
  • Vague words like "religion" without qualifying that they have religious beliefs/objections will be ignored by examiners.
Mark Distribution Recap (11 marks total):
  • 02.1: 1 mark (Pathogens)
  • 02.2: 2 marks (Skin + Nose matching)
  • 02.3: 1 mark (Division)
  • 02.4: 2 marks (Malignant spreading + Secondary tumours)
  • 02.5: 1 mark (Decreases)
  • 02.6: 1 mark (More vaccinated)
  • 02.7: 1 mark (White blood cells)
  • 02.8: 1 mark (Antibodies)
  • 02.9: 1 mark (Side effects / cultural reasons)

Topics

Biology · B2: Organisation · B3: Infection and Response

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