Mark scheme instructions to examiners
1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answ
...
Mark scheme instructions to examiners
1. General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
• Extra information to help the examiner make his or her judgement and help to delineate what
is acceptable or not worthy of credit or, in discursive answers, to give an overview of the area
in which a mark or marks may be awarded.
The extra information in the ‘Comments’ column is aligned to the appropriate answer in the lefthand part of the mark scheme and should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.
At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where
consequential marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the
diagram or at a different place on the script.
In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which
confuse the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is
straightforward and consistent.
2. Emboldening
2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is
used, with the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a
potential mark.
2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the
mark.
2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for the same mark are indicated by the use of OR.
Different terms in the mark scheme are shown by a/; eg allow smooth/free movement.
3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists
This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which students
have provided extra responses. The general principle to be followed in such a situation is
that ‘right + wrong = wrong’.
Each error/contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of
errors/contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question,
no marks can be awarded.
However, responses considered to be neutral (often prefaced by ‘Ignore’ in the
‘Comments’ column of the mark scheme) are not penalised.
MARK SCHEME – AS BIOLOGY – 7401/2 – JUNE 2021
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3.2 Marking procedure for calculations
Full marks can be given for a correct numerical answer, without any working shown.
However, if the answer is incorrect, mark(s) can usually be gained by correct
substitution/working and this is shown in the ‘Comments’ column or by each stage of a
longer calculation.
3.3 Interpretation of ‘it’
Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers to the
correct subject.
3.4 Errors carried forward, consequential marking and arithmetic errors
Allowances for errors carried forward are most likely to be restricted to calculation
questions and should be shown by the abbreviation ECF or consequential in the mark
scheme.
An arithmetic error should be penalised for one mark only unless otherwise amplified in
the mark scheme. Arithmetic errors may arise from a slip in a calculation or from an
incorrect transfer of a numerical value from data given in a question.
3.5 Phonetic spelling
The phonetic spelling of correct scientific terminology should be credited unless there is a
possible confusion with another technical term.
3.6 Brackets
(…..) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be awarded
but is included to help the examiner identify the sense of the answer required.
3.7 Ignore/Insufficient/Do not allow
Ignore or insufficient is used when the information given is irrelevant to the question or not
enough to gain the marking point. Any further correct amplification could gain the marking
point.
Do not allow means that this is a wrong answer which, even if the correct answer is
given, will still mean that the mark is not awarded.
MARK SCHEME – AS BIOLOGY – 7401/2 – JUNE 2021
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Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments
01.1 Carboxyl; 1 Accept carboxylic acid
Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments
01.2 Type of R group
1. Unsaturated (fatty acid/hydrocarbon);
Explanation
2. Double bond (between carbons);
2
1. Accept alkene
2. Accept for ‘double bond’,
C=C
Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments
01.3 1. Add ethanol/alcohol then add water and
shake/mix
OR
Add ethanol/alcohol and shake/mix then
pour into/add water;
2. White/milky (emulsion)
OR
(emulsion) test turns white/milky;
2
1. Reject heating the emulsion
test
1. Accept ‘Add Sudan III and
mix’
1. Ignore a second shake
2. Ignore cloudy
2. Reject precipitate
2. Accept (for Sudan III) top
(layer) red
MARK SCHEME – AS BIOLOGY – 7401/2 – JUNE 2021
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Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments
01.4 (Similarity)
1. Both have a phospholipid bilayer
OR
Both have fatty acid/hydrophobic tails pointing
in/face each other
OR
Both have phosphate/polar/hydrophilic heads
pointing out
OR
Both have protein;
(Differences)
2. No channel/carrier proteins, whereas fluid
mosaic does
OR
Protein layer outside (phospholipids), fluid mosaic
is 'dotted';
3. Cholesterol is not present whereas it is present
in fluid mosaic;
4. Glycoprotein is not present whereas it is present
in fluid mosaic;
5. Glycolipid is not present whereas it is present in
fluid mosaic;
3 max
Accept 2 marks max if
1. is not achieved
2., 3., 4., and 5.
accept first answer
refers to 1935 model
unless otherwise
stated
2. Accept for ‘no
channel/carrier’, no
intrinsic
2. Accept only one
type of protein
whereas fluid
mosaic has many
(types)
TOTAL 8
MARK SCHEME – AS BIOLOGY – 7401/2 – JUNE 2021
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Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments
02.1 Mark in pairs: 1 and 2 OR 3 and 4
1. Flattened cells
OR
Single layer of cells;
2. Reduces diffusion distance/pathway;
3. Permeable;
4. Allows diffusion of oxygen/carbon dioxide;
2
1. Reject thin cell
wall/membrane
1. Accept thin cells
1. Accept ‘one cell
thick’
4. Ignore gas
exchange
Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments
02.2 Correct answer for 2 marks = 1.10–1.15;;
Accept for 1 mark,
0.6(1) : 1 (correct FEV1 : FEC ratio)
2
Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments
02.3 1. Less carbon dioxide exhaled/moves out (of lung)
OR
More carbon dioxide remains (in lung);
2. (So) reduced diffusion/concentration gradient
(between blood and alveoli);
3. Less/slower movement of carbon dioxide out of
blood
OR
More carbon dioxide stays in blood;
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