AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), 2023: Question 6
14 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Identify non-communicable diseases, calculate BMI, interpret data on birth mass relative to maternal BMI and smoking, and describe transmission of communicable diseases.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
06 Communicable and non-communicable diseases are major causes of ill health.
06.1 Which disease is a non-communicable disease?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
AIDS
Cancer
Gonorrhoea
Malaria
Obesity is a risk factor for many non-communicable diseases.
06.2 Give one non-communicable disease that obesity is a risk factor for.
Do not refer to the diseases given in Question 06.1 in your answer.
[1 mark]
06.3 National policies are used to help people who are obese to lose weight.
One national policy is to reduce the amount of sugar added to food and drinks.
Suggest one other national policy that could help people to lose weight.
[1 mark]
06.4 Body mass index (BMI) is one measure of obesity.
*28* BMI is calculated using the equation:
body mass in kg
BMI = 2
(height in m)
Table 4 shows how BMI is used to describe an adult’s BMI category.
Table 4
BMI BMI category
<18.5 Underweight
18.5 to 24.9 Healthy weight
25.0 to 29.9 Overweight
>29.9 Obese
A person is 1.64 m tall and has a mass of 69 kg.
Determine the BMI category for this person.
Use the BMI equation and Table 4.
[3 marks]
The person’s BMI category is
Scientists investigated the effect of smoking and of BMI on the birth mass of babies.
Women’s BMI categories were determined before the women became pregnant.
06.5 Suggest why BMI categories were determined before the women became pregnant.
*29* [1 mark]
Figure 9 shows the results.
Figure 9
06.6 Give two conclusions that can be made from Figure 9.
[2 marks]
06.7 Measles is a communicable disease.
A virus causes measles.
Describe how the measles virus is transferred from person to person.
[2 marks]
Athlete’s foot is a communicable disease.
A fungus causes athlete’s foot.
The athlete’s foot fungus infects the skin on feet.
06.8 Scientists estimate that 17% of the UK population have athlete’s foot.
The estimated UK population is 67 961 900
Calculate how many people are estimated to have athlete’s foot.
[2 marks]
Estimated number of people with athlete’s foot =
06.9 Athlete’s foot fungus grows in moist conditions.
Suggest one way a person could reduce their chance of catching athlete’s foot.
[1 mark]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 6
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
06.1 cancer 1 AO1
4.2.2.7
4.2.2.6
AO /
Spec. Ref.
ignore cancer
06.2 any one from: 1 AO1
• (coronary) heart disease / allow atherosclerosis 4.2.2.4
CHD / cardiovascular disease ignore heart attack 4.2.2.5
• diabetes 4.2.2.6
allow high blood pressure
allow stroke / asthma /
depression / gallstones /
(osteo)arthritis
allow sleep apnoea
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.3 any one from: 1 AO3
• taxes on high energy / fat / allow increase the price on high 4.2.2.5
sugar foods energy / fat / sugar foods 4.2.2.6
• education (about diet and
health)
• (government) advertising
• restrict media advertising of
high energy / fat / sugar foods
• information on food labels
• help / advice / groups for
obese people via the NHS
• calorie information on
restaurant / takeaway menus
• regulation of supermarket
offers on high sugar / fat /
energy foods
• regulation of type of foods for
sale near checkouts
• exercise campaigns
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.4 69 69
BMI = 2 allow BMI = 1 AO2
1.64 1.64 × 1.64
allow BMI =
2.6896
BMI = 25.6(5437….) allow 26 or 25.7 1 AO2
(the person’s BMI category is) must be consistent with their 1 AO3
overweight calculated BMI value
4.2.2.5
4.2.2.6
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.5 any one from: 1 AO3
• women will gain mass / allow BMI (of woman) will 4.2.2.5
weight (during pregnancy) increase (during pregnancy) 4.2.2.6
• (developing) baby will
increase mass / weight of
22 woman
AO /
Spec. Ref.
statements must be comparative
06.6 allow converse statements AO3
allow weight for mass 4.2.2.5
any two from: 2 4.2.2.6
• smokers had babies with
lower birth mass
• women / smokers / allow obese women have the
non-smokers with higher BMI heaviest / heavier babies
had heavier babies allow underweight women have
the lightest / lighter babies
• smoking had the greatest
effect on birth mass in
underweight women
• smoking had the least effect
on birth mass in overweight
women
• smoking had less effect on allow there is only a 365 g
birth mass in overweight and difference between the smallest
obese women (than in and largest babies
underweight and healthy
weight women)
AO /
Spec. Ref.
assume ‘it’ refers to the virus
06.7 AO1
coughs / sneezes (spread virus allow breathing out (spreads 1 4.3.1.1
in droplets) virus in droplets) 4.3.1.2
droplets / virus are inhaled allow droplets / virus are 1
breathed in 23
ignore contact with infected
person unqualified
allow touch a contaminated
surface and then touch your
mouth / nose / eyes for 1 mark
if no other marks awarded allow
kissing for 1 mark only
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.8 17 allow 0.17 x 67 961 900 1 AO2
× 67 961 900
100 4.3.1.4
= 11 553 523 allow 11 553 500 1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.9 any one from: 1 AO2
• dry feet thoroughly (after allow use foot powder 4.3.1.1
washing) ignore keep feet dry 4.3.1.4
ignore wash feet regularly
• do not share socks / tights /
shoes / towels
• use a fungicide allow named fungicide
allow wear silver(-impregnated)
socks
• do not walk around barefoot allow wear flip flops in public /
in public / contaminated areas contaminated areas
ignore avoid moist conditions
Total Question 6 14
How to answer it
Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
What this question tests
This question assesses your ability to distinguish between infectious and lifestyle diseases, calculate and interpret Body Mass Index (BMI), analyze data from bar charts, and explain how different pathogens (viruses and fungi) are spread and controlled.
Disease Types and Risk Factors
Correct Answers
- 06.1: Cancer
- 06.2: Type 2 Diabetes OR Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
- 06.3: Sugar tax, exercise campaigns, or calorie labeling on menus.
Key Knowledge
- Non-communicable: Cannot be passed from person to person (e.g., asthma, cancer).
- Communicable: Caused by pathogens and can be spread (e.g., Malaria, AIDS, Gonorrhoea).
Common Errors
In 06.2, do not say "heart attack." The examiner looks for the name of the disease (like CHD), not the event. Also, ensure you don't repeat "Cancer" as it was used in 06.1.
Calculating BMI
Using the formula: BMI = mass / height²
Step-by-Step Calculation
- Square the height: 1.64 × 1.64 = 2.6896
- Divide mass by the result: 69 / 2.6896 = 25.65...
- Identify Category: Look at Table 4. 25.6 falls into the "25.0 to 29.9" range.
Final Answer: 25.6 (Overweight)
Exam Technique
Even if you get the math wrong, you can still get the 3rd mark if your "Category" matches your calculated number. Always write down your working!
Data Analysis: Pregnancy & Smoking
Why measure BMI before?
During pregnancy, a woman's mass increases because of the growing baby and fluid. Measuring BMI during pregnancy would not accurately reflect her health category.
Drawing Conclusions
When asked for "conclusions" from a graph, look for the biggest trends:
- Trend 1: Smokers always have babies with a lower birth mass than non-smokers.
- Trend 2: As BMI increases, the mean birth mass of the baby increases.
Pathogens: Measles & Athlete's Foot
06.7: Measles Transmission
Measles is spread by droplets from coughs or sneezes. These droplets are then inhaled by another person.
Mark 2: Mentioning inhalation/breathing in.
06.8: Percentage Calculation
Calculate 17% of 67,961,900:
- (17 / 100) × 67,961,900
- 0.17 × 67,961,900 = 11,553,523
06.9: Preventing Athlete's Foot
Since fungi love moist conditions, you can reduce the chance of catching it by:
- Drying feet thoroughly after washing.
- Wearing flip-flops in public showers/pools.
- Not sharing towels or socks.
Common Pitfall
Don't just say "wash your feet." You must mention drying them or preventing contact with contaminated surfaces to get the mark.
Topics
Biology · B2: Organisation · B3: Infection and Response
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.