AQA GCSE BIOLOGY PAPER 2 MARKING SCHEME FINAL
EXAM 2026/2027 | Higher Tier Complete Mark Scheme with
Verified Answers | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Specification: AQA GCSE Biology (8461) Paper 2 Higher Tier
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Marks: 100
SECTION A
Answer all questions in this section.
Total for this section: 100 marks
Question 1: Homeostasis and Response
01.1 Figure 1 shows the components of a reflex arc. Complete the labels by matching
each structure to its correct function.
Table
Structure Function
Receptor A. Transmits impulses to the effector
Sensory neurone B. Detects the stimulus
Relay neurone C. Coordinates the response
, Motor neurone D. Transmits impulses from the receptor
[2 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
01.1 [2]
● Receptor – B (Detects the stimulus) [1 mark]
● Sensory neurone – D (Transmits impulses from the receptor) [1 mark]
● Relay neurone – C (Coordinates the response) [1 mark]
● Motor neurone – A (Transmits impulses to the effector) [1 mark]
(Maximum 2 marks from 4 correct matches)
(allow "sensory neuron" for sensory neurone, "motor neuron" for motor neurone)
(allow phonetic spellings if meaning is clear)
01.2 Describe the sequence of events in a simple reflex arc when a person touches a
hot object.
[3 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
01.2 [3]
● Receptor detects stimulus / heat / change in temperature [1 mark]
● Sensory neurone transmits impulse to CNS / spinal cord / brain [1 mark]
● Relay neurone passes impulse across synapse [1 mark]
● Motor neurone transmits impulse to effector / muscle [1 mark]
● Effector contracts / muscle contracts to withdraw hand [1 mark]
(Maximum 3 marks – must include receptor detection, transmission via sensory
neurone, and motor response for full credit)
01.3 Explain why reflex actions are important for survival.
[2 marks]
, [MARK SCHEME]
01.3 [2]
● Rapid/automatic/involuntary response (does not require conscious thought) [1
mark]
● Protects body from harm / prevents injury / allows quick response to danger [1
mark]
● Example in context (e.g., withdrawing from heat, blinking, coughing) [1 mark]
(Maximum 2 marks)
Question 2: Required Practical - Reaction Time
02.1 A student investigated reaction time using the ruler drop test. State two control
variables that should be kept constant during this investigation.
[2 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
02.1 [2]
● Same ruler / same distance of ruler fall [1 mark]
● Same hand position / same fingers used [1 mark]
● Same environmental conditions / same time of day / no distractions [1 mark]
● Same person catching (if comparing methods) OR same method (if comparing
people) [1 mark]
(Maximum 2 marks – must be different variables)
02.2 The student recorded the following reaction times in centimetres: 15 cm, 18 cm, 14
cm, 220 cm, 16 cm.
Calculate the mean reaction distance, excluding any anomalous results. Show your
working.
[2 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
EXAM 2026/2027 | Higher Tier Complete Mark Scheme with
Verified Answers | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Specification: AQA GCSE Biology (8461) Paper 2 Higher Tier
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Marks: 100
SECTION A
Answer all questions in this section.
Total for this section: 100 marks
Question 1: Homeostasis and Response
01.1 Figure 1 shows the components of a reflex arc. Complete the labels by matching
each structure to its correct function.
Table
Structure Function
Receptor A. Transmits impulses to the effector
Sensory neurone B. Detects the stimulus
Relay neurone C. Coordinates the response
, Motor neurone D. Transmits impulses from the receptor
[2 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
01.1 [2]
● Receptor – B (Detects the stimulus) [1 mark]
● Sensory neurone – D (Transmits impulses from the receptor) [1 mark]
● Relay neurone – C (Coordinates the response) [1 mark]
● Motor neurone – A (Transmits impulses to the effector) [1 mark]
(Maximum 2 marks from 4 correct matches)
(allow "sensory neuron" for sensory neurone, "motor neuron" for motor neurone)
(allow phonetic spellings if meaning is clear)
01.2 Describe the sequence of events in a simple reflex arc when a person touches a
hot object.
[3 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
01.2 [3]
● Receptor detects stimulus / heat / change in temperature [1 mark]
● Sensory neurone transmits impulse to CNS / spinal cord / brain [1 mark]
● Relay neurone passes impulse across synapse [1 mark]
● Motor neurone transmits impulse to effector / muscle [1 mark]
● Effector contracts / muscle contracts to withdraw hand [1 mark]
(Maximum 3 marks – must include receptor detection, transmission via sensory
neurone, and motor response for full credit)
01.3 Explain why reflex actions are important for survival.
[2 marks]
, [MARK SCHEME]
01.3 [2]
● Rapid/automatic/involuntary response (does not require conscious thought) [1
mark]
● Protects body from harm / prevents injury / allows quick response to danger [1
mark]
● Example in context (e.g., withdrawing from heat, blinking, coughing) [1 mark]
(Maximum 2 marks)
Question 2: Required Practical - Reaction Time
02.1 A student investigated reaction time using the ruler drop test. State two control
variables that should be kept constant during this investigation.
[2 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
02.1 [2]
● Same ruler / same distance of ruler fall [1 mark]
● Same hand position / same fingers used [1 mark]
● Same environmental conditions / same time of day / no distractions [1 mark]
● Same person catching (if comparing methods) OR same method (if comparing
people) [1 mark]
(Maximum 2 marks – must be different variables)
02.2 The student recorded the following reaction times in centimetres: 15 cm, 18 cm, 14
cm, 220 cm, 16 cm.
Calculate the mean reaction distance, excluding any anomalous results. Show your
working.
[2 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
