Download Merit - NZQA

Low Merit
Candidate describes process of physical digestion.
Candidate explains/relates structure and function of physical digestion, eg,
teeth, and how they make chemical digestion more efficient.
Candidate
describes
chemical
digestion.
Candidate explains and gives
example of process of chemical
digestion.
Candidate does not elaborate on how chemical and physical
digestion work together to provide a more efficient means of
digestion. The overall grade for Question one is Merit.
All aspects are correct.
Candidate describes amylases/saliva in mouth breaking
down starch but the explanation is not specific enough
and slightly incorrect.
Candidate
explains
different pH
levels.
Candidate links
part of gut to
pH.
Candidate gives the structure, function, and
example. To gain an Excellence grade, the
candidate needs more than one example (here
is hydrochloric acid). They needed specific
enzymes and substrates.
Candidate identifies nutrients absorbed into the blood.
Candidate correctly identifies
increased surface area.
There is opportunity for additional Achievement and Merit
criteria in this question, but the candidate has covered some
Achievement and Merit from parts (a) and (b) thus there is no
change to the grade.
Candidate identifies energy produced.
Candidate explains life
processes and energy
requirements.
High Merit.
Candidate describes process of physical digestion.
Candidate describes process of physical digestion.
Relates chemical digestion to absorption.
Candidate explains chemical digestion and provides example.
Candidate specifies type
of chemicals, eg, HCI or
enzymes.
This answer is not quite an excellence answer. The candidate did
not elaborate on physical and chemical digestion, eg, does not link
structures such as ‘physical digestion is necessary for chemical
digestion to work efficiently because the teeth grind up the food
making it smaller.
Candidate has not identified amylase as made in the mouth and
the enzyme that breaks down starch.
All aspects are correct.
Most of the candidate’s answer is descriptive. Because no further
explanation is given the grade for Question Two is limited to
Achievement.
Candidate has correctly stated increase in
the surface area.
The candidate gives reason for increased absorption
and efficiency: thin walls and increased surface area.
The candidate identifies and explains two functions of bile;
breakdown fat and lower pH.
Candidate identifies energy
as a product.
Candidate gives respiration
equation.
Candidate explains
process of cellular
respiration.
Candidate links cellular respiration to life processes:
movement and metabolism (liver cells).