Oxford Cambridge and RSA
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B (Twenty
First Century Science)
J260/01 Biology (Foundation 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
* J 2 6 0 0 1 *
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
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 your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 95.
• 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 Combined Science B (Twenty First
Century Science) Biology (Foundation
Tier) (J260/01) Question Paper and
Mark Scheme 2026
, 2
1 The health of most organisms is affected by disease.
(a) Complete the sentences to describe the relationship between health and disease.
Use words from the list.
absence cause communicable genetic presence
Good health is the........................................................ of disease.
All.................................................... diseases are spread by pathogens.
Some non- ..................................................... diseases are due to inherited genes.
[3]
(b) Common human infections are caused by pathogens.
Complete the table to describe which type of pathogen causes each infection. Tick (✓)
one box in each row.
Infection Type of pathogen
Bacterium Fungus Protist Virus
Athlete’s foot
Influenza
Malaria
Salmonella
[4]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(c) Plant infections are caused by pathogens.
(i) What infection does fungus cause?
Tick (✓) one box.
Ash dieback
Crown gall
Tobacco Mosaic
[1]
(ii) How is fungus spread between plants?
Tick (✓) one box.
By sexual intercourse
In contaminated food
Spores carried by the wind
[1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
2
(a) Complete the sentences to describe the role of hormones in the human endocrine system.
Put a ring around each correct option.
Hormones are secreted by glands / neurons / the blood.
Hormones are transported by glands / neurons / the blood.
Responses provided by the endocrine system are
faster / slower / the same speed compared to the nervous system.
Responses provided by the endocrine system are
longer lasting / shorter lasting / the same length of time compared to the nervous system.
[4]
(b) Statements A to D explain how blood sugar level is controlled in the human body.
The statements are not in the correct order.
A Blood sugar level increases after eating a sugary meal.
B Blood sugar level falls.
C Sugar is absorbed from the blood.
D The pancreas secretes insulin.
Write the letters in the boxes to show the correct order of the statements.
[3]
© OCR 2025
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B (Twenty
First Century Science)
J260/01 Biology (Foundation 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
* J 2 6 0 0 1 *
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
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 your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 95.
• 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 Combined Science B (Twenty First
Century Science) Biology (Foundation
Tier) (J260/01) Question Paper and
Mark Scheme 2026
, 2
1 The health of most organisms is affected by disease.
(a) Complete the sentences to describe the relationship between health and disease.
Use words from the list.
absence cause communicable genetic presence
Good health is the........................................................ of disease.
All.................................................... diseases are spread by pathogens.
Some non- ..................................................... diseases are due to inherited genes.
[3]
(b) Common human infections are caused by pathogens.
Complete the table to describe which type of pathogen causes each infection. Tick (✓)
one box in each row.
Infection Type of pathogen
Bacterium Fungus Protist Virus
Athlete’s foot
Influenza
Malaria
Salmonella
[4]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(c) Plant infections are caused by pathogens.
(i) What infection does fungus cause?
Tick (✓) one box.
Ash dieback
Crown gall
Tobacco Mosaic
[1]
(ii) How is fungus spread between plants?
Tick (✓) one box.
By sexual intercourse
In contaminated food
Spores carried by the wind
[1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
2
(a) Complete the sentences to describe the role of hormones in the human endocrine system.
Put a ring around each correct option.
Hormones are secreted by glands / neurons / the blood.
Hormones are transported by glands / neurons / the blood.
Responses provided by the endocrine system are
faster / slower / the same speed compared to the nervous system.
Responses provided by the endocrine system are
longer lasting / shorter lasting / the same length of time compared to the nervous system.
[4]
(b) Statements A to D explain how blood sugar level is controlled in the human body.
The statements are not in the correct order.
A Blood sugar level increases after eating a sugary meal.
B Blood sugar level falls.
C Sugar is absorbed from the blood.
D The pancreas secretes insulin.
Write the letters in the boxes to show the correct order of the statements.
[3]
© OCR 2025
