OCR SUMMER 2026
PREDICTED PAPER
GCSE (9–1) Biology B
(Twenty First Century Science)
J257/04 Depth in Biology (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
• an HB pencil
a scientific or graphical calculator
H
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 90.
• 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 23 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Turn over
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 2
1. Cheetahs live in the wild in sub-Saharan Africa. Some cheetahs inherit an allele that
causes them to have a rare golden coat instead of the typical spotted coat.
The golden coat allele (g) is recessive. The typical spotted coat allele (G) is dominant.
(a) A cheetah breeder records data on the cheetah population over 10 years.
Total number of cheetahs Percentage with golden coat
allele (%)
Start of study 1840 12.4
End of study 460 31.7
Calculate the percentage decrease in the total number of cheetahs from the start to the
end of the study.
Give your answer to 1 decimal place.
Percentage decrease = ................................................ % [3]
(b) Two cheetahs that are heterozygous for coat colour have offspring.
(i) Complete the Punnett square to show the possible genotypes of the offspring.
G g
G
g
[2]
(ii) What is the probability that an offspring will display the golden coat phenotype?
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 3
(c)* Researchers found that cheetahs with golden coats have lower survival rates than
spotted cheetahs in the wild.
Explain, using your knowledge of natural selection, why the golden coat allele remains rare
in the wild population but does not disappear entirely.
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.............................................................................................................................................. [6]
for more: tyrionpapers.com
PREDICTED PAPER
GCSE (9–1) Biology B
(Twenty First Century Science)
J257/04 Depth in Biology (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
• an HB pencil
a scientific or graphical calculator
H
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 90.
• 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 23 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Turn over
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 2
1. Cheetahs live in the wild in sub-Saharan Africa. Some cheetahs inherit an allele that
causes them to have a rare golden coat instead of the typical spotted coat.
The golden coat allele (g) is recessive. The typical spotted coat allele (G) is dominant.
(a) A cheetah breeder records data on the cheetah population over 10 years.
Total number of cheetahs Percentage with golden coat
allele (%)
Start of study 1840 12.4
End of study 460 31.7
Calculate the percentage decrease in the total number of cheetahs from the start to the
end of the study.
Give your answer to 1 decimal place.
Percentage decrease = ................................................ % [3]
(b) Two cheetahs that are heterozygous for coat colour have offspring.
(i) Complete the Punnett square to show the possible genotypes of the offspring.
G g
G
g
[2]
(ii) What is the probability that an offspring will display the golden coat phenotype?
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 3
(c)* Researchers found that cheetahs with golden coats have lower survival rates than
spotted cheetahs in the wild.
Explain, using your knowledge of natural selection, why the golden coat allele remains rare
in the wild population but does not disappear entirely.
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.............................................................................................................................................. [6]
for more: tyrionpapers.com
