Skip to main content
O-LevelBiologyCoordination & Response5090/21 · Oct/Nov 2016 · Q311 Marks

Fig. 3.1a is a diagram of the human skeleton. Fig. 3.1b is an X-ray that shows damage to part of a person's skeleton. [Figure 3.1a] [Figure 3.1b] (b) Fig. 3.2 shows the arrangement of bones and muscles in part of a person's body. [Figure 3.2] (c) Fig. 3.3 shows the approximate percentage of body mass that is due to the skeleton in birds and in humans. [Figure 3.3]

  1. (a)(i)Draw the letter X on Fig. 3.1a to show the location of the damage to the person's skeleton that is shown in Fig. 3.1b.[1]
  2. (a)(ii)Describe the damage to the person's skeleton shown in Fig. 3.1b.[2]
  3. (b)(i)Name the muscle labelled B in Fig. 3.2.[1]
  4. (b)(ii)Draw an arrow on Fig. 3.2 to show the direction of movement that will be caused when the muscle labelled B contracts.[1]
  5. (b)(iii)When the muscle labelled B contracts, the muscle labelled A relaxes. State the term that refers to a pair of muscles that act in this way.[1]
  6. (c)(i)Use the information in Fig. 3.3 to compare the approximate percentage of body mass that is due to the skeleton in birds and in humans.[1]
  7. (c)(ii)One reason for this difference is that the bones of a bird contain air spaces. These air spaces are connected to the lungs of the bird. The blood of birds contains more haemoglobin per unit volume than that of humans. Suggest how these adaptations, and that shown in Fig. 3.3, help a bird to move by flying.[4]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] X drawn on left/right humerus of skeleton ;
  2. [1] humerus/bone/arm;
  3. [1] broken AW;
  4. [1] triceps/extensor ;
  5. [1] arrow down from above/below lower arm bones i.e. to left of elbow ;
  6. [1] antagonistic;
  7. [1] 3x larger + humans/3×smaller+birds/ratio 1:3/ratio 5:15;
  8. [1] reduced weight ;
  9. [1] fly further/faster ;
  10. [1] more energy efficient AW;
  11. [1] more/sufficient oxygen available/carried by the blood/in the bones;
  12. [1] as oxyhaemoglobin ;
  13. [1] (for aerobic) respiration;
  14. [1] (release) more/enough energy (for it to fly);
  15. [1] (to use for) muscle + contraction;

Write your answer and get it marked

On Oracle Prep you can write or photograph your own answer and have it marked by AI against this mark scheme, with feedback on what you missed.

Sign up free →

About this question

Topic
Coordination & Response, O-Level Biology (syllabus 5090). Structured question, 11 marks.
Source
O-Level Biology, Oct/Nov 2016 Paper 2 Variant 1, question 3.

Questions and mark schemes are from past examination papers and remain the copyright of the exam board. How Oracle Prep builds its content

Related Biology questions

© 2026 Oracle Prep