1. Extended Response
Higher Biology

2. Types of Questions
There are two types of ER questions, structured and unstructured.
On your exam you will be asked to do 1 of each
All questions are worth 10 marks but the different types are assessed differently

3. Strategy Start with a plan
List as many RELEVANT points as you can think of under headings (if given)
Put your points in a sensible order
Write into a coherent paragraph
Check your grammar – if it doesn’t make sense you won’t get the mark even if we ‘know what you mean’
You will be awarded 1 mark for each acceptable point. Aim for 1.5 points per mark – there will be lots of things that aren’t going to be worth a mark

4. Structured
These questions are divided into sections and marks are awarded to each section.
Example: Discuss transport in plants under the following headings:
Transport of food (5)
Transport of water and dissolved minerals (5)
This means that you can get a MAXIMUM of 5 marks per section.
You would aim to give 7 or 8 relevant points for each section.
These need to be written in sentences to form a paragraph.

5. Unstructured
These questions are more open and you will be awarded just 8 marks for the points you make.
Additionally 1 mark will be awarded for relevance.
this means you must not include points that don’t answer the question
To get this mark you need AT LEAST 4 marks from your points
The last mark is for coherence – your answer must be in the form of a sensible paragraph
Example: Discuss transport in plants (10)

6. Tips Make a plan – even if you think you know the answer well
2. Include labelled diagrams wherever possible
3. Writing must be as concise as possible. Avoid trying to say the same thing in different ways.
4. Include as much detail as you can – this is where the marks come from.

7. Discuss transport in plants (10)
Try this one!
Discuss transport in plants (10)

8. Discuss transport in plants (10)
Materials in plants can be transported by phloem or xylem.
Phloem transports dissolved glucose (food).
This food is transported from where it is produced in the leaves all around the plant.
Phloem vessels are made of living cells.

9. Water and dissolved minerals are transported in the xylem
Xylem is made of hollow dead tubes that run from the roots to all parts of the plant
Water can only travel in an upward direction through xylem
Xylem tubes are strengthened by rings of lignin

10. From the 2008 paper
Write notes on:
(i) the control of lactose metabolism in E. coli; (6)
(ii) phenylketonuria in humans. (4)

11. Marking Instructions from the SQA site
1. the regulator gene produces/codes for repressor (molecule/substance/
protein) NOT gene* 1
2. lactose is the inducer 1
3. lactose binds with repressor (molecule/substance/protein) 1
4. in the presence of lactose operator switches on structural gene 1
5. in the presence of lactose/so enzyme/B galactosidase made
OR structural gene codes for enzyme
NOT wrong enzyme 1
6. in absence of lactose repressor (molecule/substance/protein) binds
to operator 1
7. in the absence of lactose/so operator cannot switch on/switches
off structural gene 1
8. in the absence of lactose/so/when structural gene switched off enzyme
not made 1
9. (E. coli) conserves resources/energy OR does not waste energy
NOT only made when required 1
Maximum 6

12. * Note – repressor gene – penalise only once
(ii)
10. phenylalanine is involved in a metabolic pathway 1
OR show in diagram of pathway
11. each step (in a metabolic pathway) is controlled by an enzyme 1
12. PKU is caused by mutation (of a gene)/inborn error of metabolism and
leads to an altered/absent enzyme 1
13. phenylalanine builds up/is not broken down/converted to a toxic
compound/phenylpyruvate 1
14. damage to nervous system development/description, eg brain damage/ 1
mental retardation/learning difficulties
Maximum 4
Total (10)