AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), 2022: Question 4
10 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Analyze cancer development, causes, and data trends related to smoking and skin cancer.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
04 Cigarette smoking is the main cause of cancer in the UK.
04.1 Mutations in cells cause cancer.
Where in a cell do mutations happen?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Nucleus
04.2 Why do some cancers develop into large tumours?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Cells never stop dividing
Cell respiration is slowed down
Enzyme activity is stopped 17
Cigarette smoking has been linked to many different types of cancer.
04.3 Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by smoking.
Suggest one reason why.
[1 mark]
04.4 A person with lung cancer can develop secondary cancers in other parts of the body.
Describe how this can happen.
[1 mark]
04.5 Sometimes a person may need a lung transplant.
The National Health Service (NHS) will not offer a lung transplant to a person
who smokes.
Suggest one reason why.
[1 mark]
Figure 6 shows data about skin cancer in males for different age groups in the UK.
The data shows the number of new cases of skin cancer in one year.
Figure 6
04.6 How many more new cases of skin cancer are there in males aged 40 to 44 than in
males aged 15 to 19?
[1 mark]
Number of new cases =
04.7 There are no new cases of skin cancer diagnosed in males younger than
15 years of age.
Suggest one reason why.
[1 mark]
04.8 Give one conclusion from the data in Figure 6.
[1 mark]
04.9 Survival rates for all types of cancers have improved over the last 20 years.
Suggest two reasons why.
[2 marks]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 4
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
04.1 nucleus 1 AO2
4.1.1.1
4.1.1.2
4.2.2.7
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.2 cells never stop dividing 1 AO1
4.2.2.7
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.3 allow smoke / tar / carcinogens AO2
for chemicals 4.2.2.6
ignore nicotine unqualified 4.2.2.7
any one from: 1
• chemicals enter the lungs
(first)
• chemicals are inhaled
• chemicals are more
concentrated in the lungs– OMBINED SCIENCE: TRILOGY – –
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.4 (cancer cells transported) in the 1 AO2
blood 4.2.2.2
4.2.2.3
4.2.2.7
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.5 any one from: 1 AO3
• (smoking) will damage the allow poor chance of success 4.2.2.6
new lung allow (smoking) will increase the 4.2.2.7
risk of cancer developing in the
new lung
allow wastes a healthy lung
• (NHS has) limited financial
resources
• the lung could be used for allow there is a shortage of
someone else (who does not lungs
smoke)
• illness is self-inflicted
or person is not attempting to
help themselves
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.6 300 answer line takes precedence 1 AO2
4.2.2.6
– OMBINED SCIENCE: TRILOGY – – 4.2.2.7
AO /
Spec. Ref.
ignore references to smoking
04.7 any one from: 1 AO2
• little exposure to ionising allow do not use sunbeds 4.2.2.6
18 radiation 4.2.2.7
• little exposure to the sunlight /
UV (light)
• more use of sunscreen allow better sunscreen
• little exposure to carcinogens allow named carcinogen
• little cell / DNA / gene
damage
allow skin cancer takes a long
time to develop
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.8 any one from: 1 AO3
• most new cases each year 4.2.2.6
are in males / people aged 4.2.2.7
65−69 (years)
• new cases per year increases allow any upper age of 65-69
(from age 15) up to 69 (years)
• new cases per year
decreases from age 69 to 90
(+ years) – OMBINED SCIENCE: TRILOGY – –
AO /
Spec. Ref.
04.9 any two from: 2 AO3
• improved treatment / drugs 4.2.2.6
• earlier diagnosis 4.2.2.7
• improved cancer screening allow improved technology /
machinery
• improved patient / doctor allow improved patient diet /
knowledge (of dangers / lifestyle
treatments)
Total Question 4 10
How to answer it
Cancer, Smoking, and Data Analysis
What this question tests
This question assesses your understanding of cell biology (mutations and the cell cycle), the impact of lifestyle factors (smoking) on health, and your ability to interpret and calculate data from bar charts.
The Biology of Cancer
Correct Answers
- 04.1: Nucleus
- 04.2: Cells never stop dividing
Key Knowledge
Cancer is caused by uncontrolled cell division. This happens because of a mutation (a change in the DNA). Since DNA is stored in the nucleus, that is where the mutation occurs.
Smoking and Metastasis
How cancer starts and spreads
Exam Technique
When asked to "suggest a reason," think logically about the physical process. For 04.3, why the lungs? Because that's where the smoke goes first! For 04.4, how do cells move around the body? They travel in the blood.
Mark Scheme Answers
- 04.3: Smoke/carcinogens enter the lungs first OR chemicals are more concentrated in the lungs.
- 04.4: Cancer cells are transported in the blood (or circulatory system).
Common Errors
In 04.4, many students say "it spreads through the body" without saying how. To get the mark, you must mention the blood or lymphatic system.
Ethics and Health Policy
Why the NHS might refuse a transplant
This is an "AO3" question, testing your ability to form a judgement. The NHS has limited resources, so they must prioritise patients with the highest chance of success.
- Smoking will damage the new lung.
- There is a shortage of donor lungs (limited resources).
- Poor chance of surgery success if the patient continues to smoke.
Data Skills: The Calculation
Comparing age groups in Figure 6
Step-by-Step Calculation
- Identify the 40 to 44 group: Look at the bar chart. The top of the bar aligns with 320.
- Identify the 15 to 19 group: The top of the bar aligns with 20.
- Subtract the values: 320 - 20 = 300.
Mark: 1 mark for the correct final number (300).
Calculation Trap
Always check the scale! On this Y-axis, there are 5 small squares between 0 and 100. This means each small square = 20 units. Misreading this is the most common way to lose marks.
Analyzing Trends
Drawing Conclusions
For 04.8, look for the "peak" or the "overall trend." The highest bar is for the 65-69 age group. This is a perfect conclusion to state.
Correct Answers
- 04.7: Little exposure to UV light/sunlight OR skin cancer takes a long time to develop.
- 04.8: Most new cases are in the 65-69 age group OR cases increase with age up to 69.
Medical Improvements
Why are more people surviving?
Acceptable Reasons (Pick Two)
- Improved treatment: Better drugs, radiotherapy, or surgery techniques.
- Earlier diagnosis: People seeing doctors sooner when they notice symptoms.
- Screening: Checking healthy people for early signs (e.g., mole checks).
- Knowledge: Better awareness of risk factors like UV rays or smoking.
Examiner Insight
Top-level responses used specific terms like "screening" and "early diagnosis." Avoid vague answers like "doctors are better now"—explain how they are better (e.g., better technology or better drugs).
Topics
Biology · B1: Cell Biology · B2: Organisation
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.