AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), 2021: Question 6

13 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer

Identify endocrine glands and their functions, and evaluate a new male contraceptive drug.

Practise this question

Question

Figure 5 shows a diagram of the human body with four glands labeled: A in the brain, B in the neck, C on top of the kidneys, and D near the stomach. The question consists of seven parts: identifying the organ system, identifying which gland produces insulin, identifying the master gland, describing hormone transport, naming reproductive glands not shown, identifying the ovulation hormone, and evaluating a new male contraceptive drug based on three provided facts.
Question text

06 Figure 5 shows glands in the human body.

Figure 5

06.1 Which organ system includes the glands shown in Figure 5?

[1 mark]

06.2 Which gland produces insulin?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A B C D

06.3 Which gland produces hormones that stimulate the other glands to

produce hormones?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A B 23C D

06.4 How do hormones travel from one gland to another gland?

[1 mark]

06.5 Name two glands involved in human reproduction.

Do not refer to glands shown on Figure 5 in your answer.

[2 marks]

06.6 Ovulation test kits can help women know when they are most fertile.

Ovulation test kits detect the increase in the hormone that stimulates ovulation.

Which hormone is detected by ovulation test kits?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Luteinising hormone (LH)

Oestrogen

Progesterone 24

06.7 A new contraceptive drug for men is being tested.

The drug:

• is given in one injection

• stops sperm being able to fertilise eggs

• is effective for up to 13 years.

*23* Evaluate the use of the new drug compared with existing contraceptive methods.

[6 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme provides answers for questions 06.1 to 06.7. Correct answers include: endocrine system, D (pancreas), A (pituitary), blood, ovaries/testes, and luteinising hormone (LH). For the 6-mark evaluation question 06.7, it provides a level-based grid and indicative content listing advantages like being long-lasting and non-permanent, and disadvantages like lack of STI protection and unknown side effects.

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

06.1 endocrine (system) ignore hormonal (system) 1 AO1

4.5.3.1

06.2 D 1 AO1

4.5.3.1

4.5.3.2

06.3 A 1 AO1

4.5.3.1

06.4 (in / through / via) blood allow (in / through / via) 1 AO1

bloodstream 4.5.3.1

allow (in / through / via) plasma

allow (in / through / via) blood

vessels or named blood vessel

06.5 in either order AO1

ovary / ovaries 1 4.5.3.1

4.5.3.3

testis / testes allow testicle(s) 1

allow placenta

if no other mark awarded allow

gonad(s) for 1 mark

06.6 luteinising hormone (LH) 1 AO2

4.5.3.3

AO /

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref.

06.7 Level 3: A judgement, strongly linked and logically supported by a 5–6 AO3

sufficient range of correct reasons, is given. 4.5.3.4

4.3.1.9

Level 2: Some logically linked reasons are given. There may also 3–4

be a simple judgement.

Level 1: Relevant points are made. They are not logically linked. 1–2

No relevant content 0

Indicative content

Advantages

• non-permanent like condom / diaphragm / IUDs / spermicides /

abstinence or unlike surgical sterilisation

• longer lasting than condom / diaphragm / IUDs / spermicides

• no need to remember unlike oral contraceptive

• one injection rather than surgery for sterilisation

• surgery (for sterilisation) has risks, for example, infection

• no other method of long-lasting contraception (rather than

sterilisation) relies on men

Disadvantages

• no protection from sexually transmitted diseases unlike barrier

methods or named barrier method

• not as long lasting as (surgical) sterilisation

• at clinical / drug trial stage, so unknown side effects

• at clinical / drug trial stage, so unknown efficacy

• do not know how long it will last (as info only states ‘up to 13

years’)

• can stop taking a pill or using a condom if you change your mind

/ want to get pregnant, whereas have to wait 13 years with the

injection

• (minor) risk of infection posed with an injection compared to no

risk with the oral contraceptive

For Level 3 references to advantages and disadvantages of the

new drug compared to named existing methods are required.

Total 13

How to answer it

Hormones and Human Reproduction

What this question tests

This question assesses your ability to identify glands in the endocrine system, understand how hormones are transported, recall specific hormones involved in the menstrual cycle, and evaluate a new contraceptive method by comparing its pros and cons to existing ones.

Parts 06.1, 06.2 & 06.3

Identifying the Endocrine Glands

💡 Key Knowledge

  • A: Pituitary Gland - The "Master Gland".
  • B: Thyroid Gland - Controls metabolism.
  • C: Adrenal Gland - Produces adrenaline.
  • D: Pancreas - Produces insulin.

✅ Correct Answers

  • 06.1: Endocrine (system)
  • 06.2: D (Pancreas)
  • 06.3: A (Pituitary)

🧠 Exam Technique

The Pituitary gland (A) is often called the "Master Gland" because it releases hormones that act on other glands, telling them to release their hormones. This is exactly what question 06.3 is asking for.

Parts 06.4 & 06.5

Hormone Transport and Reproductive Glands

✅ Correct Answers

06.4: Through the blood (or bloodstream/plasma).

06.5: 1. Ovaries and 2. Testes.

❌ Common Errors

  • 06.4: Do not say "through nerves" or "tubes". Hormones are chemical, not electrical.
  • 06.5: Students often lose marks here by naming glands already shown in Figure 5 (like the Pituitary). Read the instruction: "Do not refer to glands shown in Figure 5."
Part 06.6

The Menstrual Cycle

Which hormone stimulates ovulation?

💡 Hormone Functions

  • FSH: Causes the egg to mature.
  • LH: Triggers ovulation (release of the egg).
  • Oestrogen: Thickens the uterus lining.
  • Progesterone: Maintains the uterus lining.

✅ Correct Answer

Luteinising hormone (LH)

1 Mark: Correct box ticked.
Part 06.7

Evaluation: New Male Contraceptive

6-Mark Extended Response

🧠 How to get Level 3 (5-6 Marks)

To reach the top marks, you must provide Advantages AND Disadvantages, compare the drug to named existing methods (like condoms or the pill), and give a clear judgement.

✅ Advantages (Pros)

  • Long-lasting: Lasts 13 years, unlike condoms (one use) or the pill (daily).
  • Convenience: No need to remember a daily pill.
  • Reversible: It is not permanent like a vasectomy (surgery).
  • Lower Risk: Surgery has risks like infection; an injection is safer.

❌ Disadvantages (Cons)

  • No STI Protection: Unlike condoms, this does not stop the spread of diseases.
  • Unknown Side Effects: It is still being tested, so long-term effects aren't known.
  • Inflexibility: If you change your mind after 2 years, you might have to wait a long time for it to wear off.

📝 Example Conclusion

"In conclusion, the drug is a better long-term option than the pill because it removes human error, but it is worse than condoms because it provides no protection against STIs."

Topics

Biology · B5: Homeostasis and Response · B3: Infection and Response

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), 2021. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.