Mark Scheme (Results)

January 2023

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE

In Biology (4BI1)
Paper 2B
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January 2023
Question Paper Log Number P72473A
Publications Code 4BI1_2B_MS_2301
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2023
General Marking Guidance

 All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must

mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the
last.
 Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be
rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather than
penalised for omissions.
 Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according
to their perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
 There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme
should be used appropriately.
 All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded.
Examiners should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the
answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should also be
prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is not
worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
 Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the
principles by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may
be limited.
 When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark
scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be
consulted.
 Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has
replaced it with an alternative response.
Question Answer Additional guidance Mark
Number
1(a)
9.5 ×108 (2) Allow 9.48 ×108 2

Allow 950 000 000 or 948 000

000 or 9.50 / 9.48 with wrong
power for standard form for
one mark e.g. 95 x 107

correct answer gains full credit

Question Answer Additional Mark

Number guidance
1 (b) carbon dioxide / CO2 / water (vapour) / H2O (1)
1
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
1 (c) An explanation that makes reference to four mark in
from: pairs 4

 40 oC (temperature) (1) Allow warm /

body
 more particle movement / more (kinetic) temperature
energy / faster diffusion / eq (1)

OR

 long tubing / coiled tubing / eq (1) Allow large

surface area
 to increase / large surface area / eq (1) (1)
for (fast)
OR diffusion (1)

 thin wall / thin membrane / eq (1) Allow short

distance
 to decrease diffusion path / short diffusion through
distance / eq (1) membrane for
diffusion =
OR two marks

 circulating / moving dialysis fluid / eq (1) Allow fluid is

pumped
 to maintain diffusion gradient /
concentration gradient / eq (1)

OR

 no urea (in dialysis fluid) (1)

 (so there is a) concentration / diffusion Allow high to

gradient / eq (1) low
concentration
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
1 (d)(i) A (Bowman’s capsule) is the only correct
answer 1

B is incorrect as ultrafiltration does not occur

at the collecting duct

C is incorrect as ultrafiltration does not occur

at the distal convoluted tubule

D is incorrect as ultrafiltration does not occur

at the loop of Henle

Question Answer Additional Mark

Number guidance
1(d)(ii) A description that makes reference to two of the
following: 2

 selective reabsorption (1)

 in proximal (convoluted) tubule / PCT (1)

 active transport / uses energy / uses ATP (1)

 against (concentration) gradient (1)

Question Answer Additional Mark

Number guidance
1(d) (iii) A (renal artery / ureter) is the only correct
answer 1

B is incorrect because the urethra does not exit

the kidney

C is incorrect because the renal vein does not

bring blood into the kidney

D is incorrect because the renal vein does not

bring blood into the kidney
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
1 (e) An explanation that makes reference to three of
the following: 3

 osmoreceptors / hypothalamus, detects Allow lower

high salt concentration in blood / lower water
water potential in blood / eq (1) concentration

 (pituitary) releases (more) ADH (1)

 (nephron) cells / collecting duct more

permeable (1)

 (more) water is reabsorbed / (more) water

absorbed into blood /eq (1)

 urine becomes more concentrated / lower

volume of urine / eq (1)

Total 14 marks
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
2(a)(i) C is the only correct answer
1
A is incorrect because it is the retina

B is incorrect because it is the conjunctiva

D is incorrect because it is the lens

Question Answer Additional Mark

Number guidance
2 (a)(ii) An explanation that makes reference to two of
the following: 2

 circular muscles contract (1) Ignore

ciliary
 radial muscles relax (1)

 (so) pupil narrows / gets smaller /

constricts / iris widens / eq (1)

Question Answer Additional Mark

Number guidance
2 (b)(i)  using one eye or both eyes / amount of
eyes / number of eyes / eq (1) 1
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
2 (b)(ii) An answer that makes reference one of: 1

 light intensity / lighting / eq (1)

 distance (from block) / eq (1)

 size of pins / shape of pins / colour of

pins / sideways distance between pins /
number of pins / eq (1)

 size of block / shape of block / angle of

the block / size of grid / eq (1)

Question Answer Additional Mark

Number guidance
2 (b)(iii) Number of correctly identified
pins 2
Using one eye Using both eyes two
marks
Mode 3 6 for all
four
Median 2 6
correct

Allow
one
mark for
any two
correct
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
2 An explanation that makes reference to
(b)(iv) three of: 3

 better distance judgement (with two Allow more pins

eyes) / better depth perception / were correct when
poorer distance judgement with one using two eyes /
eye / eq (1) higher mode /
median when
using two eyes /
eq

 large area seen by both eyes / large Allow converse

overlapping visual field / eq (1) for one eye
Ignore larger
field of view
unqualified

 to locate prey / catch prey / chase Ignore food

prey / see prey / eq (1) Allow animal for
prey

 do not need wide field of view as

not preyed upon / do not need to
see behind as not preyed on
/ eq (1)

Total 10 marks
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
3 (a)
 a section / length of DNA that codes for a 1
protein / polypeptide / chain of amino
acids / eq (1)

Question Answer Additional Mark

Number guidance
3 (b)(i) Cattle colour Genotype Allow
RR, WW, 1
red CRCR WR
white CWCW Allow rr,
ww, rw
roan CWCR / CRCW

Question Answer Additional guidance Mark

Number
3 An answer that includes the following: 4
(b)(ii)
 parental genotypes of CWCR and Allow WR and WR
CWCR (1) Allow Cc and Cc

 parental gametes of CW or CR (and Allow W or R

CW or CR) (1) Allow C or c

 offspring as 1 CRCR 2 CWCR 1 CWCW Allow 1 RR, 2 WR,

(1) 1 WW
Allow 1 CC (red)
and 1 cc (white) 2
Cc (roan)

Allow different
letters

 probability calculated as 0.25 / ¼ / ECF for wrong

25% (1) parental genotypes
for MP2 and MP3
only
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
3 (c)(i) An answer that makes reference to two of
the following: 2

 height is polygenic (1) Allow hair colour

is monogenic

 so multiple / many / more than one Allow only one

gene / different genes control gene for hair
height / eq (1) colour
Ignore multiple
alleles

 animals may get a mixture of

dominant and recessive alleles for
different genes / eq (1)

 environment / nutrition may affect Allow coat colour

height / eq (1) has no
environmental
effect / is entirely
genetic

Question Answer Additional guidance Mark

Number
3 (c)(ii) A description that makes reference to
two of the following: 2

 select cattle that are taller and

mate them / eq (1)

 select offspring (that are taller)

and mate them / eq (1)

 repeat (through generations) /

eq (1)

Total 10 marks
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
4 (a) An explanation that makes reference to two of
the following: 2

 plants will be genetically identical / same Allow no

genes / will all have the gene / same DNA genetic
/ eq (1) variation
Allow they
are clones
 all have same (saturated) fat / all have
less (saturated) fat / eq (1)

 (only one plant was made) and there were

no others to breed with / eq (1)

 no need to repeat genetic modification / eq

(1)

 fast method (to produce many) / can be

produced any time of year / eq (1)

Question Answer Additional Mark

Number guidance
4(b)(i) A description that makes reference to four of 4
the following:

 weigh beans / same mass of beans / Ignore

(calculate) per gram of food / eq (1) amount

 same volume of water / measure volume Ignore

/ same mass of water / stated volume of amount
water / eq (1)

 ignite bean / set fire, and hold under test Allow hold
tube / water / heat water / eq (1) bean at same
distance from
test tube
 keep igniting until will no longer burn /
burnt completely / eq (1)

 measure temperature rise / start and

end temp / start and highest temp / If formula
change in temp / eq (1) given, allow
mp1, mp2
 repeats (1) and mp5
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
4 (b)(ii) An explanation that makes reference to one of
the following: 1

 wear eye protection / gloves / eq (1)

 wear lab coat / tie back long hair / eq (1)

 use a heat proof tile / place on safety

flame when not using / use tongs / clamp
test tube in stand / eq (1)
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
4 (b)(iii) An explanation that makes reference to four of Mark in
the following: pairs 4

 oxygen supply / oxygen gas inlet (1) Allow

 to ensure complete combustion / so burns energy
fully / eq (1) loss for
heat loss
OR throughout

 insulated coat / lid / insulation / eq (1)

insulated
 to prevent heat loss / keep heat in / not
coat and
affected by outside temp / eq (1) ignition
coil in
OR equipment
reduces
 stirrer / eq (1) heat loss
 to provide even temperature / spreads = 4 marks
heat around / eq (1)

OR

 large(r) volume of water / smaller surface

area : volume ratio of water (1)
 so less heat loss / eq (1)

OR

 burnt using ignition coil / ignition in the Allow lit

equipment / no need to move the burning inside the
bean / no need to relight / eq (1) container
 so less heat is lost / eq (1)

OR

 placed inside a steel container (1)

 conducts / transfers heat to water / eq (1)

OR

 sample is surrounded by the water (1)

 so more heat transferred to water / less
heat lost / eq (1)

Total 11 marks
Question Answer Additional guidance Mark
Number
5 (a)(i)  48 (2) One mark for division by 25 or 2
41200  40000 or 1200

correct answer gains full credit

Question Answer Additional Mark

Number guidance
5 An explanation that makes reference to three of the
(a)(ii) following: 3

 carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas / causes

greenhouse effect / increased reflection of
radiation / global warming / increased
temperature / heat trapped / eq (1)

 ice cap melting / glacier melting / sea level

rise / flooding / habitat loss / eq (1)

 climate change / weather pattern changes /

droughts / storms / extreme weather /
desertification / eq (1)

 extinctions / change in distribution of

organisms / migration / pest spread / food
chains affected / ecosystem loss / eq (1)

 ocean acidification / coral reef bleaching / eq

(1)
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
5 (b)(i) An explanation that makes reference to three
of the following: 3

 decomposition / decomposers / eq (1) Ignore

breakdown

 (decomposer) bacteria / fungi (1) Allow

decomposer
bacteria for 2
marks

 (organic waste) to ammonia / Allow ammonia

ammonification (1)

 ammonium to nitrite / nitrite converted Ignore

to nitrate (1) ammonium to
nitrate

 nitrification / nitrifying bacteria

(convert ammonium to nitrite / nitrite
to nitrate / ammonium to nitrate) (1)

Question Answer Additional Mark

Number guidance
5 (b)(ii) An explanation that makes reference to one of the
following: 1

 does not consider plants / bacteria / fungi /

protoctists / eq (1)

 does not take into account the population

sizes / numbers of organisms / abundance /
some species may have different numbers /
eq (1)

 some species may be seasonal / migrate (1)

Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
5 (b) An explanation that makes reference to four of
(iii) the following: 4

 as nitrate increases, diversity decreases / Allow

deforestation reduces biodiversity /eq (1) converse

 soil erosion / run off / leaching of minerals Allow

/ leaching of nitrates / release of organic leaching
waste into river / eq (1) occurs
Ignore
nutrients
 eutrophication occurs / algae grow /
(river) plants grow / eq (1)

 less light penetration / eq (1)

 death of plants / less photosynthesis (1)

 (dead algae / organic waste) decomposes

(1)

 less oxygen / eq (1)

 due to (bacterial) respiration (1)

 fish / animal species die (1)

 loss of food / disruption of food chains /

loss of nesting sites / habitat / eq (1)

Total 13 marks
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
6 (a) B (bacteria, fungi, and protoctists) is the only
correct answer 1

A is incorrect because protoctists also has

pathogens

C is incorrect because fungi also has pathogens

D is incorrect because bacteria also has

pathogens

Question Answer Additional Mark

Number guidance
6(b)(i) An explanation that makes reference to three of
the following: 3

 weak(er) / inactivated virus / inactive Ignore

pathogen / microbe / eq (1) small
amount /
 antigens (in vaccine) (1) dead virus

 lymphocytes (recognise antigens) (1) Allow wbc

Ignore
phagocyte

 memory cells (1)

 faster / sooner / larger number of

antibodies made (when virus encountered
again) / secondary immune response
occurs (if virus encountered again) (1)
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
6 An answer that makes reference to four of
(b)(ii) the following: 4

 rabies cases are high before Allow for

vaccination / before 1947 / eq (1) human or dog

 (continuous) fall in cases after Allow for

vaccination / after 1940s / after 1950s human or dog
(1)

 cases of rabies, plateau / level off Allow for

(from 1950s / 1960s) (1) human or dog

 correlation between rabies cases in Allow cases in

dogs and humans / rabies cases in dogs and
dogs and humans fall at same times / humans both
eq (1) fall after
vaccination = 2
marks

 human rabies cases fluctuate / there

are still some cases of human rabies /
human rabies has not been eradicated
/ eq (1)

 (most) human rabies must have been Allow fewer

from dogs / vaccinated dogs do not dogs can pass
pass rabies on to humans / eq (1) on rabies to
humans /
vaccination
means fewer
hosts for virus /
virus can’t
reproduce in
vaccinated dogs
 some human rabies cases from other
animal species / wild dogs / wild
animals / eq (1)

 data is reliable as it is for a long time /

large area / whole country / eq (1)
Question Answer Additional Mark
Number guidance
6 (b)(iii) A description that makes reference to four of
the following points: Allow mRNA 4
for the
 ribosomes (bind to RNA) (1) vaccine RNA

 translation occurs (1)

 triplet / codon on RNA codes for an

amino acid / eq (1)

 tRNA binds to RNA / anticodon binds to

codon / eq (1)

 tRNA brings amino acids / eq (1)

 amino acids are joined together (to Ignore to

make protein) / forms a chain of make protein
amino acids / peptide bonds form / unqualified
polypeptide forms / eq (1)

Total 12 marks
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