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Examiners' Report June 2011 GCE Biology 6BI04 01
Examiners' Report June 2011 GCE Biology 6BI04 01
June 2011
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June 2011
On most of the questions where longer answers involving discussion or explanations, the full
range of marks was used. There were very few occasions where available mark points were
never awarded.
An important aspect of this A2 unit is the expectation that knowledge and understanding
from the AS units can be used. Candidates should be reminded of this. It was noticeable
that on some of these questions, where the required answer was straightforward, many
candidates were unable to give precise, accurate answers. This applied equally across the
range of ability. Indeed it hasmeant thatsome of the candidates who performed well on
the more demanding questions have not necessarily achieved an overall mark which reflects
this.
At this level, HSW is an important component of assessment. This means that many
questions will be based on the use of data. It also means that questions will be set where
candidates must evaluate or comment on how scientists use or consider ideas. During
revision, it is advised that candidates use past questions to practise this type of question.
It was noticeable that the use ofvague orinaccurate terminology meant that, on some
questions, credit could not be awarded. In addition to this, many candidates include
repetitive or reworded comments in their answers. Some examples are given in this report
of this type of answer.
In this report comments on the achievement on individual questions have been given
together with examples where appropriate.
Examiner Comments
Examiner Tip
Make sure you concentrate on what the question
requires. Here more credit could have been gained by
describing the axes or suggesting the use of separate
lines for each temperature.
Examiner Comments
The candidate has gained a mark for the reference to the
optimum temperature. However, there is not enough to
credit the idea that this will ensure that they germinate.
The final statement about a control is too vague.
Examiner Tip
Try not to leave answers incomplete or vague. Here it
would be better to give an example of the controlled
variable e.g. time taken for germination.
Examiner Comments
Although this candidate has chosen the sea plantain,
the reference to a wide range of latitudes in the first
sentence is not linked clearly to the idea of different
temperatures in the last sentence. They have also
referred to 'had the highest mass' which needs to be
more specifically linked to rate of growth.
Examiner Comments
This is a good example. The candidate has stated
clearly that metabolic reactions could be affected
and has followed this up with explanations
related to the two temperature extremes.
Examiner Tip
Be careful about attention to detail and the use of precise
terminolgy. Reference to denaturation of enzymes
should only be linked to increasing temperatures. Using
'metabolic' processes rather than 'internal' shows that it is
the cell activity that is affected by enzymes.
Question 2 (b)
The full range of marks was given on this question and every point in the markscheme
was used.It was pleasing to see a large number of candidates who were able to consider
more than one reason why scientists might have doubts about the link between global
warming and the use of fossil fuels. There were some very good answers where the
available evidence from the past and the difficulties of future modellingwere considered.
Sound references to correlation and causal relationships were seen in the answers by many
candidates.
Examiner Comments
After making the first point about pioneer species,
this answer does little more than repeat the idea Examiner Tip
that successive communities are able to eventually
When a questions asks 'why'
colonise as a result of succesful competition. More
something happens, make sure you
detail about the effect that each seral stage are
give detailed explanations rather than
needed. If the reference to soil development had
vague descriptions.
been linked with increase in mineral and humus
content as the lichens and mosses decomposed,
far more credit could have been given.
Examiner Comments
Examiner Comments
A good example where two
distinctions are made clearly.
Examiner Tip
Make sure that your AS knowledge
is sound on the A2 papers.
Examiner Tip
If you are comparing events at different times,
manipulate data to give some indication of the
magnitude of the difference. Here subtracting the
time for full contraction in the jaw muscle from
that in the leg muscle would have gained more
credit. Also use all of the information in the graph,
such as starting time for contraction or jaw muscle
relaxing while leg muscle is still contracting.
Examiner Tip
Examiner Comments Be specific when describing competition between
A very vague reference to competition. organisms. Give examples such as food or space.
Examiner Tip
Examiner Comments
Although the candidate has qualified the idea of Try to give separate and clear ideas when
competition, both statements consider this idea. asked for more than one example.
Examiner Comments
The candidate has recognised that antibiotics are used for bacterial
infection but has not been specific. There needs to be a clearer reference
to the increased likelihood of a bacterial infection. However, the first
sentence does qualify as the equivalent to inhibit bacterial growth.
Examiner Comments
Although the first sentence uses the word 'contribute',
the rest of the answer is clear for full credit.
Examiner Comments
The use of the term 'immunity' and the vague
reference to 'pathogens' do not qualify for any credit.
Examiner Tip
Do not confuse antibiotic resistance in bacteria with
the term immunity. Avoid using vague terms such as
'pathogens' when a more specific reference is needed.
Examiner Comments
Although the candidate seems to know the
procedure, there is a general lack of detail.
Examiner Comments
Although some details are not quite clear, there is enough to
show the candidate has a clear knowledge of the procedure.
Examiner Comments
In part (i), the answer is straightforward and Examiner Tip
just satisfies the maximum mark, it does not
actually state the differences from the table. Refer to the data as much as
Doing this would ensure the marks where possible to guarantee credit.
doubtful descriptions cannot be credited.
In part (ii), there is a clear statement about the
similarity of DNA from closely-related species.
Examiner Comments
The candidate has used the information
to make a comment about the rate of
photosynthesis in each of the seaweeds. There
is also a reference showing understanding of
why a pigment is red or green.
Examiner Comments