AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 2 (Higher), November 2021: Question 1

13 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer

Identify glands of the endocrine system and evaluate a new male contraceptive injection compared to existing contraceptive methods.

Practise this question

Question

Figure 1 shows an outline of the human torso and head indicating four endocrine glands: A (pituitary gland in the brain), B (thyroid gland in the neck), C (adrenal gland above the kidneys), and D (pancreas). Sub-questions 01.1 through 01.4 ask to identify the organ system, the gland producing insulin, the master gland that stimulates other glands, and the transport medium for hormones. Question 01.5 asks to name two reproductive glands not shown in Figure 1. Question 01.6 asks to select which hormone is detected by ovulation test kits from FSH, LH, oestrogen, and progesterone. Question 01.7 gives information about a new male contraceptive injection lasting up to 13 years and asks for a 6-mark evaluation comparing it with existing contraceptive methods.
Question text

01 Figure 1 shows glands in the human body.

Figure 1

01.1 Which organ system includes the glands shown in Figure 1?

[1 mark]

01.2 Which gland produces insulin?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A B C D

01.3 Which gland produces hormones that stimulate the other glands to

produce hormones?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A B C3 D

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

[1 mark]

01.5 Name two glands involved in human reproduction.

Do not refer to glands shown on Figure 1 in your answer.

[2 marks]

01.6 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 4

01.7 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.

*03* 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: 01.1 requires 'endocrine (system)'; 01.2 accepts 'D'; 01.3 accepts 'A'; 01.4 accepts '(in / through / via) blood' or bloodstream/plasma; 01.5 accepts 'ovary / ovaries' and 'testis / testes'; 01.6 accepts 'luteinising hormone (LH)'. Question 01.7 is marked using a 3-level criterion (Level 3 is 5-6 marks) with indicative content covering advantages (e.g. non-permanent, long-lasting, no memory required) and disadvantages (e.g. no STI protection, delay in reversing, unknown side effects in trials) compared to named existing methods.

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

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

4.5.3.1

01.2 D 1 AO1

4.5.3.1

4.5.3.2

01.3 A 1 AO1

4.5.3.1

01.4 (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

01.5 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

01.6 luteinising hormone (LH) 1 AO2

4.5.3.3

AO /

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref.

01.7 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

Human Endocrine System & Contraception Evaluation

📋 What this question tests

This question assesses your recall of the human endocrine system (identifying glands, hormone transport, and reproductive organs), the hormonal control of the menstrual cycle, and an extended 6-mark evaluation (AO3) comparing a novel male contraceptive injection against existing methods.

Question 01.1

Identifying the organ system

✅ Correct Answer

Endocrine (system)

💡 Key Knowledge

The endocrine system is composed of glands that secrete chemical messengers called hormones directly into the bloodstream to target organs.

❌ Common Errors

Writing "hormonal system" or "nervous system". The mark scheme explicitly states: ignore hormonal (system) .

Award 1 mark for "endocrine".

Questions 01.2 & 01.3

Identifying Glands from the Diagram

Diagram Reference (Figure 1):
• A: Pituitary gland (in the brain)
• B: Thyroid gland (in the neck/throat)
• C: Adrenal glands (on top of kidneys)
• D: Pancreas (below/behind the stomach)

✅ Correct Answers

  • 01.2 (Insulin production): Box D (Pancreas)
  • 01.3 (Master gland that stimulates others): Box A (Pituitary gland)

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Pancreas (D): Monitors and controls blood glucose levels by producing insulin and glucagon.
  • Pituitary Gland (A): Often called the 'master gland' because it secretes several hormones that trigger other glands to release hormones (e.g. TSH, FSH, LH).

🧠 Exam Technique

Always annotate the diagram labels first! Write the actual gland names next to letters A, B, C, and D before answering the tick-box questions.

Award 1 mark for ticking box D (01.2) and 1 mark for ticking box A (01.3).

Question 01.4

Mechanism of Hormone Transport

✅ Correct Answer

(In / through / via the) blood or bloodstream

Also allowed: plasma, blood vessels (or a named blood vessel such as vein/artery/capillary).

❌ Common Errors

Saying hormones travel via "nerves" or "neurones". Nerves transmit electrical impulses; hormones travel chemically via the circulatory system.

Award 1 mark for blood / bloodstream.

Question 01.5

Glands in Human Reproduction

✅ Correct Answer

Any two from:

  • Ovary / ovaries
  • Testis / testes (or testicle/testicles)

Also allowed: placenta (or "gonad(s)" for 1 mark max if no other mark given).

🧠 Exam Technique: Read the Negative Constraint

The prompt says: "Do not refer to glands shown on Figure 1 in your answer."

If you wrote "pituitary gland", you get 0 marks because it was already shown as gland A in Figure 1!

Award 1 mark for each correct gland (Total: 2 marks).

Question 01.6

Hormone Triggering Ovulation

✅ Correct Answer

Tick box 2: Luteinising hormone (LH)

💡 The Menstrual Cycle Hormones

  • FSH: Causes an egg to mature in the ovary.
  • Oestrogen: Thickens uterus lining; stimulates LH release; inhibits FSH.
  • LH (Luteinising Hormone): A sharp spike triggers ovulation (release of the mature egg).
  • Progesterone: Maintains the uterus lining.
Award 1 mark for ticking Luteinising hormone (LH).

Question 01.7 (Extended 6-Mark Evaluation)

Evaluating a New Male Contraceptive Injection

⚖️ Command Word: Evaluate

To score top marks in an evaluate question, you must give both advantages and disadvantages, compare directly to named existing contraceptive methods, and provide a reasoned conclusion / judgement.

👍 Advantages of the New Drug

  • Long-lasting: Effective for up to 13 years, so much longer than condoms, the pill, or diaphragms.
  • Convenient: Single injection means no daily routine (unlike oral contraceptive pills which can be forgotten).
  • Reversible: Not permanent unlike surgical sterilisation (vasectomy).
  • Avoids surgery: Less invasive than sterilisation which carries risks like infection.
  • Shared responsibility: Gives men an active, long-term option other than condoms or vasectomy.

👎 Disadvantages of the New Drug

  • No STI protection: Unlike barrier methods (condoms), it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
  • Long commitment: If a couple changes their mind and wants a baby, waiting up to 13 years is impractical compared to stopping the pill or not using condoms.
  • Still in clinical trials: Unknown long-term side effects or true efficacy compared to well-established methods.
  • Uncertain duration: "Up to 13 years" means it could wear off earlier without warning.
  • Invasive route: Injections carry a small risk of pain or local infection compared to non-invasive oral pills.

🧠 How to Secure Level 3 (5–6 Marks)

Mark Level Requirements
Level 3
(5–6 marks)		 A clear judgement strongly linked and logically supported by a range of points. Must compare the new drug directly to named existing methods (e.g. condom, pill, vasectomy) and include both pros and cons.
Level 2
(3–4 marks)		 Some logically linked points covering both advantages and disadvantages, possibly with a simple conclusion.
Level 1
(1–2 marks)		 Isolated points made without logical links or comparisons to existing methods.

Model Conclusion: "Overall, while the injection provides a highly convenient, long-term reversible option for men without the daily compliance needed for the pill, condoms remain essential for preventing STIs, and its long duration could be a drawback if fertility is desired sooner."

Marked using Level of Response criteria. Maximum: 6 marks.

Topics

Biology · B5: Homeostasis and Response

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