Oxford Cambridge and RSA - GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science) Paper 4 (Higher Tier)

Sep 5, 2026

GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science) Paper 4 (Higher Tier) from OCR provides a 1 hour 45 minutes assessment with a total of 90 marks, including questions that test core concepts such as ecosystems and biomass loss through food chains, species abundance methods using lichens, and definitions of genome and genetics fundamentals. The paper also evaluates evolution evidence from fossils, genes and alleles relationships, monoclonal antibody production, conservation decision-making, and cardiovascular disease treatments, including dosage-free blood pressure mechanisms and population Y-chromosome estimation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Section A

Questions 1-13

Oxford Cambridge and RSA Friday 9 June 2023 – Afternoon GCSE (9–1) Biology A (Gateway Science) J247/04 Paper 4 (Higher Tier) Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes You must have: • a ruler (cm/mm) You can use: • a scientific or graphical calculator • an HB pencil H * J 2 4 7 0 4 * | Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes. | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Centre number | | Candidate number | | | First name(s)
Last name | | | | *9129618795* INSTRUCTIONS • Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams. • Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown. • Answer all the questions. • Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be given for using a correct method, even if the answer is wrong. INFORMATION • The total mark for this paper is 90. • The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ] . • Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*) . • This document has 32 pages. ADVICE • Read each question carefully before you start your answer. © OCR 2023 [601/8589/2] DC (ST/SW) 301214/6 OCR is an exempt Charity Turn over 2 Section A You should spend a maximum of 30 minutes on this section. Write your answers to each question in the box provided. 1 Which group will have the most organisms in any ecosystem? A Community B Population C Species D Trophic level Your answer [1] 2 Biomass is lost as it passes through a food chain. Which processes are responsible for this loss in biomass? A Egestion, excretion and respiration B Egestion, transpiration and respiration C Excretion, transpiration and respiration D Photosynthesis, egestion and excretion Your answer [1] 3 3 Lichens grow on trees and can indicate air pollution levels. A student wants to find out the level of pollution in an area by measuring the abundance of a particular species of lichen. Which two tools should the student use to find out the abundance of the lichen in the area? A Key and net B Key and quadrat C Line transect and key D Pooter and quadrat Your answer [1] 4 What is the definition of the genome? A All the alleles that are expressed in the phenotype of an individual. B All the coding DNA that is present in an individual. C All the genetic material that is present in an individual. D All the non-coding DNA that is present in an individual. Your answer [1] 5 Which sentence describes Gregor Mendel’s discovery that helped develop our understanding of genetics? A Characteristics are controlled by DNA found in the nucleus of each cell. B Characteristics are controlled by factors and these factors can be dominant or recessive. C Chromosomes are found in pairs and one from each pair is found in the gamete. D Genes are found on chromosomes and each chromosome is made of DNA. Your answer [1] © OCR 2023 Turn over 4 6 A rare species of animal is found in a less economically developed country. The government of the country want to set up a conservation area. Which of these is unlikely to be a problem for the government? A Making agreements with all the people that own the land. B Persuading conservation organisations that preserving the ecosystem is important. C The cost of the conservation scheme. D The need to allow ecotourism without causing damage. Your answer [1] 7 Studying fossils has provided evidence for the evolution of modern humans (Homo sapiens) . The diagram shows details of four species A–D who were modern humans’ close relatives. It shows where fossils were found and dates of when the organisms were alive. 0 Age (million years ago) 0.8 1.2 0.4 1.6 2.0 Europe Africa Asia America Homo sapiens Homo sapiens Based on this fossil rec

FAQs

What is the total time allowed and total mark for this OCR GCSE Biology paper?

The paper allows 1 hour 45 minutes and has a total of 90 marks.

How is the quality of answers assessed in this paper?

Marks are given for correct methods even if an answer is wrong, and quality of extended response is assessed for questions marked with an asterisk.

Which type of calculations or support is expected in answers?

Where appropriate, answers should be supported with working, and question numbers must be clearly shown in the space provided.

Sep 5, 2026

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