Mark Scheme (Results)

Summer 2025

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE

In Human Biology (4HB1) Paper 02R
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Summer 2025
Question paper log number P74632A
Publications Code 4HB1_02R_2506_MS
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© Pearson Education Ltd 2025
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Subject specific marking guidance
Symbols, terms used in the mark scheme

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marking point but are not required to award the point
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(separated by obliques), where necessary, to avoid confusion
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Question
Answer Notes Marks
number

1 (a) (i) long (bone) 1

(ii)
Function

Part reduces produces provides

friction red strength
blood
cells

compact

bone
3
spongy

bone

cartilage 

(iii) • provides nutrients/named nutrient/oxygen;

• removes waste/named waste

(b) (i) In the following order:

• tendons;
• contracts; 4
• relaxes;
• pulls;

(ii) 0.5 x 125; 2

62.5 (J); Accept 63 (J)
Total for Question 1 = 12 marks
 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number

2 (a) C (endoplasmic reticulum)

The answer is not

A as the cell membrane transports substance into
and out of the cell
B cytoplasm as this is a base for chemical reactions 1
D as ribosomes provide sites for protein synthesis

(b) (i) Z Y W X; 1

(ii) growth/repair; Ignore repair of body 1

cells

(c) Any two from

• mitosis produces diploid cells/46

chromosomes, meiosis produces haploid
cells/23 chromosomes;
• mitosis produces 2 (daughter) cells, meiosis
produces 4 cells/gametes;
• (daughter) cells from mitosis are genetically 2
identical, (daughter) cells from meiosis
show variation;

Total for Question 2 = 5 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number

3 (a) (i) 1 mark

for
diagram
3 marks
for labels

(ii) • transmits electrical/nerve impulses; 2

• from CNS/brain/spinal cord/relay neurone, to effector
organs/named effector organ;

(b) (i) Any six from

1 (student X) holds up the ruler between the thumb and

forefinger (of other student);
2 then drops/releases the ruler;
3 (other) student catches the ruler;
4 record the reading on the ruler/distance fallen when caught;
5 repeat for this student;
6 using the same distance between thumb and forefinger;
7 find mean/average value of reading on ruler; 6
8 calculate reaction time (using formula);
9 repeat with other students;

(ii) the reading on the ruler/ reaction time; 1

(iii) independent variable not continuous/is discrete; 1

(iv) reaction time = √(0.15 ÷ 5); 2

reaction time = 0.17 (s); accept
0.173(2)
Total for Question 3 = 16 marks
 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number

4 (a) (i) • decreases; 2

• from 82% to 72%/by 10%

(ii) 79:21; accept 3.7612:1 2

3.76:1; accept 3.762:1
accept 3.8/4:1
(iii) any two from

• passive smoking/ex- smokers already have

damaged lungs;
• (air) pollution; 2
• genetics/heredity;

(iv) tar; 1

(b) (i) bronchiole; 1

(ii) alveolus; 1

(iii) any four from

• damaged alveoli/alveoli walls broken;

• less surface area (for gas exchange);
• difficulty breathing/shortness of breath;
• less oxygen passing into the blood/ less
carbon dioxide removed from blood/less
gaseous exchange; 4
• reduced (aerobic) respiration;
• fatigue/less energy/not very active;

Total for Question 4 = 13 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number

5 (a) • greater concentration gradient/high allow reverse argument

concentration in small intestine;
• (more) glucose collides/in contact with, 3
wall/epithelium, of small intestine;
• faster rate of diffusion;

(b) (i) Benedict’s (solution); 1

1
(ii) (heated) water bath/Bunsen burner/measuring
cylinder;

(iii) • diagram; 1 mark for each set of

• labels;; two correct labels.

ignore any inclusion of

a water bath in diagram

accept sugar solution

and glucose/sugar 3
solution

(c)` (i) villus/villi 1

(ii) any three from

• many/large number of villi/have microvilli; explanation must be

• increase surface area; linked to feature
• thin walls;
• for shorter diffusion distance;
• capillaries;
• to maintain diffusion/concentration gradient; 3

Total for Question 5 = 12 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number

6 (a) An observable characteristic/trait of an individual 1

(b) (i) any two from

• caused by a mutation;
• (giving a) recessive allele; 2
• both/two alleles need to be present/homozygous recessive
genotype;

(ii) any four from

• produces/build up of (thick sticky) mucus (on membranes);

• in lungs/small intestine/pancreas/sperm ducts;
• coughing/difficulty breathing/less gas exchange/oxygen 4
absorbed;
• reduced (aerobic) respiration/less energy;
• reduced digestion/ absorption of nutrients;
• infertility in males;
2
(iii)
• some people are carriers/have a heterozygous genotype;
• one allele passed on from each parent;

Total for Question 6 = 9 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number

7 (a) amylase; 1

(b) Any two from

• enzymes are immobilised on testing strip;

• react with/breaks down glucose (in urine); 2
• (catalyse a chemical reaction that) causes a colour change
(in strip);

(c) pancreas; 1

(d) • rejection/immune response/allergies; 2

• (immune system) recognised it as foreign/antigen;

(e) any two from

• use restriction enzymes;

• cut out insulin gene from human DNA;
• insert human insulin gene into yeast 2
genome/plasmid/genetic material;

Total for Question 7 = 8 marks

 Question
Answer Notes Marks
number

8 (a) (i) cilia/skin/mucus allow other 1

suitable answers

(ii) kills/inhibits growth of pathogens/damage cell membranes; 1

(iii) • (phagocytes) engulf pathogens/microorganisms /

bacteria; 2
• digest/breakdown pathogens/microorganisms /
bacteria;

(iv) antigen/immunogen; 1

(v) • antibodies have a particular shape /are complementary

(to antigen); 2
• only recognise/attach/bind to, one particular/specific
pathogen / antigen/receptor;

(vi) • natural passive immunity the body receives antibodies accept through
naturally; breast
milk/placenta

• artificial passive immunity are when antibodies are accept e.g. to

injected into the body; give immediate
protection 2
against a
disease;

(b) (i) 360 ÷ 30 = 12; 3

108 ÷ 12;
9;

(ii) reduce the risk of disease transmission/infection; 1

(iii) any two from

• improper/overuse of antibiotics/over prescribed; 2

• bacterial DNA mutates/bacteria adapt;
• some survive and reproduce
Total for Question 8 = 15 marks
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