Oxford Cambridge and RSA GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science) J260/01 Biology - Foundation Tier - Sample Question Paper

Sep 5, 2026

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This sample question paper for GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science) assesses foundation tier Biology knowledge across multiple genetics, cells and disease contexts. It includes tasks using key genetic terms, understanding mitochondrial inheritance and mitochondrial disease in a family scenario, and applying new-life-technology ethics and benefits. Other questions cover plant and animal pathogens, body defences, and interpreting Ebola signs, spread pathways, and transmission compared with a common infection.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages60

Reading Time2 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Instructions and information

Question marks and assessment

Genetics and inheritance

Key terms for genetics and DNA

Mitochondrial inheritance and disease in a family tree

Preventing transmission and describing three parents

Benefits with practical and ethical considerations

Pathogens and human defences

Non-infectious organism selection

Linking defences to descriptions

Ebola and infectious disease

Identifying signs of infection

Explaining person-to-person spread

Comparing with another common infection

* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 * Oxford Cambridge and RSA GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science) J260/01 Biology (Foundation Tier) Sample Question Paper F Date – Morning/Afternoon Version 2.2 Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes * 0 0 0 0 0 0 * You may use: • a scientific or graphical calculator | First name | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Last name | | | | | | | | | | | | | Centre number | | | | | | | Candidate number | | | | | INSTRUCTIONS • Use black ink. HB pencil may be used for graphs and diagrams only. • Complete the boxes above with your name, centre number and candidate number. • Answer all the questions. • Write your answer to each question in the space provided. • Additional paper may be used if required but you must clearly show your candidate number, centre number and question number(s) . • Do not write in the bar codes. INFORMATION • The total mark for this paper is 95. • The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ] . • Quality of extended response will be assessed in the question marked with an asterisk (*) . • This document consists of 32 pages. © OCR 2021 J260/01 [601/8690/2] D10046/2 .2 Turn over Answer all the questions. 1 (a) Scientists use key terms to explain genetics. Use words from the list to complete the sentences about genetics. You may use each word, once, more than once or not at all. alleles chromosomes genes genome nucleotides The molecule which carries the genetic information is DNA. DNA is a polymer made up of…………………… Sections of DNA which code for a particular protein are called …………………… [2] (b) Mitochondria are sub-cellular structures inside nearly every cell of the body. They have a small amount of their own DNA. Mitochondria are inherited only from the mother. Mitochondria are inherited in the cytoplasm of the egg. Some faulty mitochondria cause Mitochondrial Disease (MD) . Symptoms can be brain damage, muscle wasting, heart failure and blindness. Look at the family tree. Mia has Mitochondrial Disease (MD) . Name the four other people in Mia’s family tree who will definitely have Mitochondrial Disease. 1......................... 2......................... 3......................... 4......................... [2] (c) (i) In February 2015 the UK became the first country in the world to approve laws to allow the creation of babies with genetic material from three people. The new laws were passed to help develop treatments for Mitochondrial Disease. The diagram shows one way in which passing on Mitochondrial Disease might be prevented. Explain why the embryo at the end of the process can be described as having three parents. ........................................................................................................................ .................................................................................................................. [2] (ii) State two possible benefits of this new technique. Include practical and ethical considerations. 1 ...................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................ 2 ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ [2] 2 (a) Communicable diseases in plants and animals can be caused by microorganisms called pathogens. Put a tick (✓) in the box next to the type of organism that does not cause infectious disease. Type of organism Bacteria Fungi Insects Protists [1] (b) Our bodies have defences that make it difficult for pathogens to enter. Use lines to

FAQs

What exam skills does this Biology foundation tier paper test?

It tests understanding of key genetics terms, mitochondrial inheritance, disease transmission prevention and benefits, and knowledge of pathogens, body defences, and infectious disease spread through scenario and data questions.

How are marks for questions presented in the paper?

The paper states that the total mark is 95 and that marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ]. Quality of extended response is assessed for the question marked with an asterisk (*).

What does the paper ask about Ebola specifically?

It asks for signs of Ebola from the article, an explanation of how Ebola spreads from person to person, and a description of how a common infection studied is spread from person to person.

Sep 5, 2026

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