AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2025: Question 6
9 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer
Describe reproductive hormones, the advantages of barrier contraception, and how hormones are used in different methods of contraception.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
06 This question is about the hormones involved in reproduction.
06.1 Name one hormone produced in the ovaries.
[1 mark]
06.2 Give one function of the hormone that is produced in the testes.
[1 mark]
Different methods of contraception can involve:
• barriers
• hormones.
06.3 Condoms are a barrier method of contraception.
Give one advantage of condoms as a method of contraception compared with
hormonal methods of contraception.
Do not refer to cost in your answer.
[1 mark]
06.4 Describe how hormones are used in different methods of contraception.
[6 marks]
Extra space
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 6
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
06.1 oestrogen allow phonetic spelling 1 AO1
4.5.3.3
allow other correct named
hormone eg progesterone
do not accept FSH / LH
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.2 any one from: 1 AO1
4.5.3.3
• (stimulates / causes) sperm
production
• (stimulates / causes male) allow (stimulates / causes)
secondary sexual puberty
characteristics allow (stimulates / causes)
named male secondary sexual
characteristic(s) eg muscle
growth
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.3 allow converse if clearly
referring to hormonal methods
any one from: 1 AO3
4.5.3.4
• protection / prevention against allow protects / prevents against
sexual transmitted STD(s) / STI(s)
diseases(s) allow protects / prevents against
named STD / STI
• fewer / no side effects allow do not affect menstrual
cycle
allow fewer / no named
(possible) side effects of
hormonal contraceptives eg
fewer / no headaches / nausea /
acne
ignore do not affect hormones
ignore safer
• immediate allow quicker to use 25
ignore temporary
• (may) contain a chemical to allow (may) contain spermicide
kill sperm
• (more) easily accessible
• described disadvantage of
hormonal method(s) eg
(contraceptive) pill could be
forgotten
AO /
Question Answers Mark
Spec. Ref.
06.4 Level 2: Scientifically relevant facts, events or processes are 4–6 AO1
identified and given in detail to form an accurate account. 4.5.3.3
4.5.3.4
Level 1: Facts, events or processes are identified and simply 1–3
stated but their relevance is not clear.
No relevant content 0
Indicative content
Method
• oral contraceptive or pill
Detail of how the contraception is used
o taken daily or taken every 21/28 days or taken in a monthly cycle
o containing progesterone
o containing oestrogen
o (hormones) absorbed into the blood
Method
• injection
• patch
• implant
• intrauterine system / device or IUD or IUS or coil
Detail of how the contraception is used
o last several weeks / months
o containing progesterone
o slow release of progesterone / hormone
o into blood
Detail (that can apply to all hormonal contraceptive methods)
o to inhibit / reduce / prevent FSH (release)
o (lack of FSH) so no eggs mature / develop
o to inhibit / reduce / prevent LH (release)
o (lack of LH) so no eggs released (from ovary)
or so prevents ovulation
o (progesterone) thickens (cervical) mucus
o (mucus) prevents / reduces sperm movement (to uterus)
o (oestrogen / progesterone) changes the thickness of the
uterus lining
o (uterus lining thickening / thinning) makes implantation less likely
For Level 2, answers must give details for the method(s) described.
Total Question 6 9
How to answer it
Hormones in Human Reproduction & Contraception
This question assesses knowledge from AQA Specification 4.5.3 (Hormonal coordination in humans):
- Recalling the sites of production and functions of male and female sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone).
- Evaluating non-hormonal barrier methods (condoms) vs hormonal methods.
- Structuring an extended 6-mark response describing various hormonal delivery methods (pill, patch, implant, injection, IUD) and explaining their biological mechanisms (inhibition of FSH/LH, thickening of mucus, prevention of implantation).
Question 06.1
Name one hormone produced in the ovaries [1 mark]
✅ Acceptable Answers
Either of the following:
- Oestrogen (phonetic spelling accepted)
- Progesterone
❌ Common Errors
- Writing FSH or LH — these hormones are released by the pituitary gland in the brain, not the ovaries!
- Writing testosterone — primarily produced in the testes.
Question 06.2
Give one function of the hormone that is produced in the testes [1 mark]
💡 Key Knowledge
The hormone produced in the testes is testosterone. It controls male pubertal changes and reproductive function.
✅ Acceptable Answers (Any one)
- Stimulates / causes sperm production.
- Stimulates / triggers male secondary sexual characteristics (or causes puberty).
- Specific named secondary characteristics: voice deepening, growth of facial/body hair, or increased muscle development.
Question 06.3
Give one advantage of condoms as a method of contraception compared with hormonal methods. Do not refer to cost. [1 mark]
✅ Acceptable Answers (Any one)
- Protects against STIs / STDs (sexually transmitted infections/diseases).
- No hormonal side effects (e.g., does not cause mood changes, nausea, headaches, or acne; does not disrupt natural menstrual cycle).
- Immediate to use / does not require advance preparation or medical appointments.
- Cannot be forgotten on a daily basis (unlike remembering to take the pill each day).
- May contain spermicide.
🧠 Exam Technique
Always read constraints carefully! The question explicitly stated: Do not refer to cost . Mentioning "cheap" or "free from a clinic" automatically scores 0 marks.
❌ Common Errors
- Saying condoms are simply "safer" (too vague — specify STIs).
- Saying "they are 100% effective" (scientifically incorrect).
- Mentioning cost or being readily available in shops without linking to clinical accessibility.
Question 06.4
Describe how hormones are used in different methods of contraception [6 marks]
🧠 Level of Response Mark Scheme & Strategy
This is a 6-mark banded response. To secure Level 2 (4–6 marks), you must include both:
- Different delivery methods (e.g. oral pill, implant, injection, patch, hormonal IUD).
- Biological mechanisms (how the hormones actually prevent pregnancy inside the body).
💡 Part 1: Methods & Administration
- Oral contraceptive pill: Taken daily; combined pill contains oestrogen and progesterone; mini-pill contains progesterone only. Hormones are absorbed through the digestive tract into the bloodstream.
- Contraceptive skin patch: Stuck onto the skin; slowly releases oestrogen and progesterone directly through the skin into the blood (replaced weekly).
- Contraceptive implant: Inserted under the skin of the arm; continuously releases progesterone slowly over several years (up to 3 years).
- Contraceptive injection: Intramuscular injection containing progesterone; lasts 8 to 13 weeks.
- Intrauterine system (IUS / hormonal coil): Inserted into the uterus; releases progesterone locally for several years (3–5 years).
✅ Part 2: Biological Action of the Hormones
- Inhibiting FSH: High progesterone/oestrogen inhibits the release of FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) from the pituitary gland, preventing eggs from maturing in the ovary.
- Inhibiting LH: Prevents the release of LH (Luteinising Hormone), stopping ovulation (no mature egg is released).
- Thickening cervical mucus: Progesterone stimulates the production of thick mucus at the cervix, blocking sperm from entering the uterus and reaching an egg.
- Thinning the uterus lining: Alters the endometrium, making it unsuitable for a fertilised embryo to successfully implant.
📐 Structuring a 6/6 Model Answer
Paragraph 1 (Methods & Administration):
"Hormonal contraception can be administered in several ways. The oral contraceptive pill is taken daily and contains progesterone (or progesterone and oestrogen). Longer-acting methods include the patch (applied to skin weekly), the injection (effective for up to 12 weeks), and the subdermal implant or intrauterine system (IUS), both of which release a continuous low dose of progesterone over several years directly into the bloodstream."
Paragraph 2 (How the hormones prevent conception):
"These hormones prevent pregnancy through three main biological mechanisms: First, elevated levels of progesterone and oestrogen inhibit the secretion of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland. Without FSH, no eggs mature in the ovaries, and without LH, ovulation cannot occur. Second, progesterone causes the cervical mucus to thicken, creating a barrier that prevents sperm swimming through the cervix. Third, it alters and thins the lining of the uterus, preventing a fertilised egg from implanting."
❌ Common Misconceptions & Lost Marks
- Listing methods without explaining the science: Just listing "pill, injection, coil" without naming hormones or biological effects limits you to Level 1 (max 2-3 marks).
- Confusing hormones: Writing that the pill contains FSH or LH is incorrect. Hormonal contraceptives contain progesterone and/or oestrogen to stop FSH and LH release.
- Saying "kills sperm": Hormones do not act as spermicides; they thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm transit or stop ovulation entirely.
Level 1 (1–3 marks): Basic statements listing contraceptive methods or isolated facts without detailed biological mechanism.
Topics
Biology · B5: Homeostasis and Response
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.