A2 Biology Exam question links

Topic 5 Exam questions

10 Explain that the numbers and distribution of organisms in a Jan 10 3a (1), Jan 11 5a (2),
habitat are controlled by biotic and abiotic factors. (Activity 5.1 Jan 12 6d (2), Jne 12 1cii,iii
and 5.2) (Checkpoint question 5.4) (5), Jne 12 3bi (3), Jan 13 6c
(3), Jne 13 1 (11)
12 Explain how the concept of niche accounts for distribution and Jne 12 1ab (6)
abundance of organisms in a habitat. (Activity 5.1 and 5.2)
(Checkpoint question 5.1)

11 Describe how to carry out a study on the ecology of a habitat Jan 10 3b (7), Jne 10 7bc
to produce valid and reliable data (including the use of (9), Jan 11 5b (8), Jne 11 7b
quadrats and transects to assess abundance and distribution (6), Jne 12 1ci (1)
of organisms and the measurement of abiotic factors, e.g.
solar energy input, climate, topography, oxygen availability and
edaphic factors). (Activity 5.2)

13 Describe the concept of succession to a climax community. Jne 11 3 (11), Jne 12 3a (3),
(Activity 5.3) (Checkpoint question 5.2) Jan 13 6a (4)
3 Describe the overall reaction of photosynthesis as requiring Jan 10 1a (3), Jan 13 3bi,ii,iii
energy from light to split apart the strong bonds in water (5), Jne 13 2a (4)
molecules, storing the hydrogen in a fuel (glucose) by
combining it with carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the
atmosphere. (Activity 5.4 and 5.5) (Checkpoint question 5.3)

5 Describe how phosphorylation of ADP requires energy and

how hydrolysis of ATP provides an immediate supply of energy
for biological processes. (Activity 5.4 and 5.5)
4 Describe the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis Jne 11 7ai,ii (4)
including how light energy is trapped by exciting electrons in
chlorophyll and the role of these electrons in generating ATP
and reducing NADP in photophosphorylation and producing
oxygen through photolysis of water. (Activity 5.4 and 5.5)

6 Describe the light-independent reactions as reduction of Jan 11 1 (13), Jan 12 2c (5),

carbon dioxide using the products of the light-dependent Jne 12 4a (1) b (11), Jan 13
reactions (carbon fixation in the Calvin cycle, the role of GP, 5a (3), Jne 13 2b (9)
GALP, RuBP and RUBISCO) and describe the products as
simple sugars that are used by plants, animals and other
organisms in respiration and the synthesis of new biological
molecules (including polysaccharides, amino acids, lipids and
nucleic acids). (Activity 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6)

2 Describe the structure of chloroplasts in relation to their role in Jan 10 1b (3), Jne 10 2c (6),
photosynthesis. (Activity 5.4) Jne 11 7ai (2), Jan 12 2b (3)
7 Carry out calculations of net primary productivity and explain Jne 10 2ab (6), Jan 12 6abc
the relationship between gross primary productivity, net (11), Jne 13 4 (10)
primary productivity and plant respiration. (Activity 5.8)
A2 Biology Exam question links

8 Calculate the efficiency of energy transfers between trophic

levels. (Activity 5.8)
18 Analyse and interpret different types of evidence for global Jne 11 2aiii (2), Jan 12 3a
warming and its causes (including records of carbon dioxide (1)
levels, temperature records, pollen in peat bogs and
dendrochronology) recognising correlations and causal
relationships. (Activity 5.9, 5.10 and 5.11)
14 Outline the causes of global warming – including the role of Jan 10 2a (4), Jne 11 2aii
greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane, CH4) in the (3), Jne 12 2bc (10), Jne 13
greenhouse effect. (Activity 5.12 and 5.13) 3c (4)

20 Discuss the way in which scientific conclusions about

controversial issues, such as what actions should be taken to
reduce global warming or the degree to which humans are
affecting global warming, can sometimes depend on who is
reaching the conclusions. (Activity 5.14 and 5.15)

19 Describe how data can be extrapolated to make predictions, Jan 12 3c (6)

that these are used in models of future global warming, and
that these models have limitations. (Activity 5.16)

15 Describe the effects of global warming (rising temperature, Jan 12 4c (5), Jan 13 4a (3)
changing rainfall patterns and changes in seasonal cycles) on b (2) c(2), Jan 13 4e (3)
plants and animals (distribution of species, development and
life cycles). (Activity 5.17 and 5.21) (Checkpoint question 5.5)

16 Explain the effect of increasing temperature on the rate of Jne 11 2ai (2), Jan 13 4biv
enzyme activity in plants, animals and micro-organisms. (4)
(Activity 5.18)
17 Describe how to investigate the effects of temperature on the Jan 10 2b (6), Jne 10 3 (12),
development of organisms (e.g. seedling growth rate, brine Jne 11 1 (12)
shrimp hatch rates). (Activity 5.19 and 5.20)
21 Describe how evolution (a change in the allele frequency) can Jan 11 4b (6), Jan 11 7a (2),
come about through gene mutation and natural selection. Jne 11 8b (2), Jan 13 3c (4)
(Checkpoint question 5.6)
23 Describe the role of the scientific community in validating new Jne 11 6 (12)
evidence (including molecular biology, e.g. DNA, proteomics)
supporting the accepted scientific theory of evolution (scientific
journals, the peer review process, scientific conferences).
(Activity 5.22 and 5.23)
22 Explain how reproductive isolation can lead to speciation. Jne 10 6 (13), Jan 11 7bii
(Activity 5.24) (7), Jan 12 4ab (6), Jne 12
3bii (3), Jan 13 4d (3)
9 Discuss how understanding the carbon cycle can lead to Jne 7a (3), Jan 11 3d (1)
methods to reduce atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide e(5), Jne 11 2b (6), Jne 13
(including the use of biofuels and reforestation). (Activity 5.25) 3ab (6)
(Checkpoint question 5.7)
A2 Biology Exam question links

Topic 6 Exam questions

Describe how DNA can be amplified using the polymerase chain Jan 12 1 (10), Jan 13 3ai
6 reaction (PCR). (Activity 6.4) (4)
Describe how gel electrophoresis can be used to separate DNA
7 fragments of different length. (Activities 6.1 and 6.2) Jan 13 3aii (1)
Describe how DNA profiling is used for identification and
determining genetic relationships between organisms (plants and
animals). (Activities 6.3 and 6.5) (Checkpoint question 6.1)
Jan 10 5 (11), Jan 11 7bi,ii
5 (3)
Describe how to determine the time of death of a mammal by
examining the extent of decomposition, stage of succession,
forensic entomology, body temperature and degree of muscle Jan 10 7 (11), Jne 10 1 (9),
contraction. (Activity 6.5) (Checkpoint question 6.2) Jne 11 4 (9), Jne 12 5a (1)
b c (8), Jne 12 7c (4) d(3),
20 Jan 13 7b (5)
Describe the role of microorganisms in the decomposition of
organic matter and the recycling of carbon. (Checkpoint question Jan 11 3c (3), Jne 12 2a
9 6.2) (2) 7a (2) b (3)
Distinguish between the structure of bacteria and viruses.
Jne 10 8a (3) Jan 11 2a
(Activity 6.6) (Checkpoint question 6.3)
(3), Jan 12 5a (3), Jne 13
8 6a (2)
Describe the non-specific responses of the body to infection, Jne 10 4a (2) b (5) c (3),
including inflammation, lysozyme action, interferon, and Jne 11 5a (3), Jan 12 8b
phagocytosis. (Activity 6.7) (Checkpoint question 6.4) (2), Jan 13 2a (2) 8a (7) b
12 (6)
Explain the roles of antigens and antibodies in the body’s
immune response including the involvement of plasma cells,
macrophages and antigen-presenting cells. (Activity 6.8)
Jne 12 6a (1), Jan 13 2bi
(Checkpoint question 6.5)
13 (2), Jne 13 6bii (4)
Distinguish between the roles of B cells (including B memory and
B effector cells) and T cells (T helper, T killer and T memory
cells) in the body’s immune response. (Activity 6.8) (Checkpoint
Jan 11 8b (4) c (3), Jan 12
question 6.5)
14 8a (4)
Explain how bacterial and viral infectious diseases have a
sequence of symptoms that may result in death, including the Jan 10 6 (12), Jan 11 4a
diseases caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) and (7) b (4), Jne 11 8a (3)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). (Activities 6.9, 6.11 and bii(4), Jan 12 7 (12), Jan
6.17) (Checkpoint question 6.6 13 2bii (5) c(2), Jne 13 6c
11 (4)
Explain the process of protein synthesis (transcription,
translation, messenger RNA, transfer RNA, ribosomes and the
role of start and stop codons) and explain the roles of the
template (antisense) DNA strand in transcription, codons on
messenger RNA, anticodons on transfer RNA. (Activities 6.12 Jan 10 4a (5), Jne 10 5
and 6.13) (10), Jan 11 6c (5), Jne 12
3 8a(3) b(5), Jne 13 5 (13)
Explain the nature of the genetic code (triplet code, non-
overlapping and degenerate). (Activity 6.12)
2 Jne 13 5b (6)
A2 Biology Exam question links

Explain how one gene can give rise to more than one protein
through post-transcriptional changes to messenger RNA. (Activity
4 6.13) Jan 11 6ab (6)
Describe the major routes pathogens may take when entering the
body and explain the role of barriers in protecting the body from
infection, including the roles of skin, stomach acid, gut and skin
flora. (Activity 6.14)
10
Explain how individuals may develop immunity (natural, artificial, Jan 11 8a (2), Jne 12 6b
15 active, passive). (Checkpoint question 6.7) (10), Jne 13 6biii (3)
Describe how to investigate the effect of different antibiotics on Jne 10 8c (4), Jan 13 1b
18 bacteria. (Activity 6.15) (5)
Distinguish between bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics. Jan 10 8a (3), Jne 10 8b
17 (Activity 6.16) (3), Jan 13 1a (4)
Discuss how the theory of an ‘evolutionary race’ between
pathogens and their hosts is supported by the evasion
mechanisms as shown by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). (Activity 6.17)
16
Describe how an understanding of the contributory causes of
hospital acquired infections have led to codes of practice relating
to antibiotic prescription and hospital practice relating to infection Jan 10 8bc (7), Jne 11 5bc
prevention and control. (Activity 6.17) (10), Jan 11 2b (8), Jan 13
19 1c (3)
A2 Biology Exam question links

Topic 7 Exam questions

Recall the way in which muscles, tendons, the skeleton and
ligaments interact to enable movement, including antagonistic
muscle pairs, extensors and flexors. (Activity 7.1) Jne 10 5abc (5), Jan 11
1abc (6), Jan 12 6 (6), Jan
4 13 5ci (2)
Explain the contraction of skeletal muscle in terms of the sliding
filament theory, including the role of actin, myosin, troponin,
tropomyosin, calcium ions (Ca2+), ATP and ATPase. (Activities
7.2 and 7.3) (Checkpoint question 7.1) Jne 10 5d (3) e(5), Jan 11
3 4biii (5), Jne 13 4 (8)
Describe the overall reaction of aerobic respiration as splitting
of the respiratory substrate (e.g. glucose) to release carbon
dioxide as a waste product and reuniting of hydrogen with
atmospheric oxygen with the release of a large amount of
energy. (Activities 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6) Jan 12 2a (6) 3 (9), Jne 13
5 3a (4)
Recall how phosphorylation of ADP requires energy and how
hydrolysis of ATP provides an accessible supply of energy for
biological processes.
7
Describe the roles of glycolysis in aerobic and anaerobic
respiration, including the phosphorylation of hexoses, the
production of ATP, reduced coenzyme and pyruvate acid
(details of intermediate stages and compounds are not
required). (Activities 7.4 and 7.6) (Checkpoint question 7.2)
8 Jan 13 2a (2)
Describe the role of the Krebs cycle in the complete oxidation
of glucose and formation of carbon dioxide (CO2), ATP,
reduced NAD and reduced FAD (names of other compounds
are not required) and that respiration is a many-stepped
process with each step controlled and catalysed by a specific
intracellular enzyme. (Activities 7.4 and 7.6)

9 Jan 13 2bi (2) ii (3)

Describe the synthesis of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation
associated with the electron transport chain in mitochondria,
including the role of chemiosmosis and ATPase. (Activities 7.5
Jne 10 6 (6), Jan 13 2c (3),
and 7.6)
10 Jne 13 3b (6)
Describe how to investigate rate of respiration practically. Jne 10 3 (10), Jan 12 5 (9),
6 (Activity 7.7) Jne 13 3c (13)
Explain the fate of lactate after a period of anaerobic
respiration in animals. (Activity 7.8) (Checkpoint question 7.2)
11 Jan 11 5 (9), Jan 12 2b (6)
Explain how variations in ventilation and cardiac output enable
rapid delivery of oxygen to tissues and the removal of carbon
dioxide from them, including how the heart rate and ventilation
rate are controlled and the roles of the cardiovascular control
centre and the ventilation centre. (Activities 7.9, 7.10 and 7.14)
(Checkpoint question 7.4) Jne 11 3 (9), Jan 12 7 (6),
13 Jan 13 4a (4)
A2 Biology Exam question links

Understand that cardiac muscle is myogenic and describe the

normal electrical activity of the heart, including the roles of the
sinoatrial node (SAN), the atrioventricular node (AVN) and the
bundle of His, and how the use of electrocardiograms (ECGs)
can aid the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and
other heart conditions. (Activities 7.11 and 7.12) (Checkpoint
question 7.3)
Jne 10 4 abc (9), Jan 11 6ab
12 (8)
Describe how to investigate the effects of exercise on tidal
volume and breathing rate using data from spirometer traces. Jne 11 3a (4), Jne 12 4 (14),
14 (Activity 7.13) Jan 13 4bc (6)
Describe the structure of a muscle fibre and explain the
structural and physiological differences between fast and slow Jan 11 4abi, iii (5), Jne 11 5
2 twitch muscle fibres. (Activity 7.15) (10)
Explain the principle of negative feedback in maintaining
15 systems within narrow limits. (Activities 7.16 and 7.17)
Discuss the concept of homeostasis and its importance in
maintaining the body in a state of dynamic equilibrium during
exercise, including the role of the hypothalamus and the
mechanisms of thermoregulation. (Activities 7.16 and 7.17)
16 Jne 11 6 (9), Jan 13 5b (4)
Analyse and interpret data on possible disadvantages of
exercising too much (wear and tear on joints, suppression of
the immune system) and exercising too little (increased risk of
obesity, coronary heart disease (CHD) and diabetes),
recognising correlation and causal relationships. (Activities
7.18 and 7.19)
18
Explain how medical technology, including the use of keyhole
surgery and prostheses, is enabling those with injuries and
disabilities to participate in sports, e.g. cruciate ligaments repair
using keyhole surgery and knee joint replacement using
prosthetics. (Activity 7.20) (Checkpoint question 7.5)

19 Jan 11 1d (3), Jan 13 5cii (2)

Explain how genes can be switched on and off by DNA
transcription factors including hormones. (Activity 7.21)
17 (Checkpoint question 7.6) Jne 13 6b(4)
Outline two ethical positions relating to whether the use of
performance-enhancing substances by athletes is acceptable.
(Activity 7.23) (Checkpoint question 7.7)
20 Jne 10 4d (2)
A2 Biology Exam question links

Topic 8 Exam questions

Describe the structure and function of sensory, relay and motor
neurones including the role of Schwann cells and myelination.
3 (Activities 8.2 and 8.3) (Checkpoint 8.1) Jne 11 1ab (8), Jne 13 5a (2)
Explain how the nervous systems of organisms can cause
effectors to respond as exemplified by pupil dilation and Jne 12 5ab (10, Jne 13 1b
7 contraction. (Activity 8.1) (2)
Describe how a nerve impulse (action potential) is conducted
along an axon including changes in membrane permeability to
sodium and potassium ions and the role of the nodes of
Jne 10 2 (10), Jne 11 1c (3),
Ranvier. (Activities 8.2 and 8.3) (Checkpoint 8.2)
4 Jan 13 1a (4), Jne 13 5bi (2)
Describe the structure and function of synapses, including the
role of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine. (Activity 8.4)
5 (Checkpoint 8.3) Jan 13 1b (5), Jne 13 5bii (6)
Compare mechanisms of coordination in plants and animals,
i.e. nervous and hormonal, including the role of IAA in
phototropism (details of individual mammalian hormones are
not required). (Activity 8.5) (Checkpoint 8.4)
8 Jne 11 2 (9), Jne 13 6 (10)
Describe how the nervous systems of organisms can detect
stimuli with reference to rods in the retina of mammals,
including the roles of rhodopsin, opsin, retinal, sodium ions,
cation channels and hyperpolarisation of rod cells in forming
action potentials in the optic neurones. (Activity 8.7)
(Checkpoint 8.5)
Jan 12 1 (12), Jne 12 5c (3),
6 Jne 13 1a (5)
Describe how plants detect light using photoreceptors and how
they respond to environmental cues. (Activities 8.8 and 8.9) Jan 11 2 (12), Jne 12 6 (4),
2 Jan 13 3 (10)
Locate and state the functions of the regions of the human
brain’s cerebral hemispheres (ability to see, think, learn and
feel emotions), hypothalamus (thermoregulate), cerebellum
(coordinate movement) and medulla oblongata (control the
heartbeat). (Activities 8.10, 8.11 and 8.12 Jne 10 1d (4), Jne 12 1 (6),
9 Jan 13 5a (2)
Describe the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and computed
tomography (CT) scans in medical diagnosis and investigating
brain structure and function. Jne 10 1abc (6), Jne 13 2
10 (12)
Discuss whether there exists a critical ‘window’ within which
humans must be exposed to particular stimuli if they are to
develop their visual capacities to the full. (Activity 8.13)

11
Describe the role animal models have played in developing
explanations of human brain development and function,
including Hübel and Wiesel’s experiments with monkeys and
kittens.
12
Describe how to investigate habituation to a stimulus. (Activity
8.16)
15
A2 Biology Exam question links

Describe how animals, including humans, can learn by

14 habituation. (Activity 8.17) Jne 11 4 (8), Jne 12 3 (10)
Discuss the moral and ethical issues relating to the use of
animals in medical research from two ethical standpoints.
(Activity 8.18)
16
Consider the methods used to compare the contributions of
nature and nurture to brain development, including evidence
from the abilities of newborn babies, animal experiments,
studies of individuals with damaged brain areas, twin studies
and cross-cultural studies. (Activities 8.15 and 8.19)

13
Explain how imbalances in certain, naturally occurring, brain
chemicals can contribute to ill health (e.g. dopamine in
Parkinson’s disease and serotonin in depression) and to the
development of new drugs.
17 Jan 12 4 (6)
Explain the effects of drugs on synaptic transmissions,
including the use of L-Dopa in the treatment of Parkinson’s
disease and the action of MDMA in ecstasy. (Activity 8.20)

18 Jan 11 3 (12)
Discuss how the outcomes of the Human Genome Project are
being used in the development of new drugs and the social,
moral and ethical issues this raises.

19 Jne 12 2a (2)
Describe how drugs can be produced using genetically
modified organisms (plants and animals and microorganisms).
(Activity 8.21) Jne 12 2bc (11), Jan 13 6a
20 (5) bc (4)
Discuss the risks and benefits associated with the use of
21 genetically modified organisms. (Activity 8.22) Jan 13 6d (2)

Pre-release material based questions. When trying these, read the release article first, then attempt Qs:
Jne 10 7 (30): Range of questions including Parkinson’s and depression

Jan 11 7 (30): Genes, genome project, gene therapy, translation, transcription factors, new genes, nature of
genetic code, natural selection. Mostly synoptic.

Jne 11 7 (30): Mostly synoptic. EPO, immune response, gene therapy, atherosclerosis, amino acids,
repolarisation, inheritance.

Jan 12 8 (30): Parkinson’s, L-DOPA, fMRI

Jne 12 7 (30): Challenging Q suggest. Obesity, lipids, brain, gene expression

Jan 13 7 (30): Obesity, glycogen, mitochondira, slow twitch, calcium + muscles, DNA profiling, muscle
function, global warming

Jne 13 7 (30): cellulose vs starch, thermoregulation, breathing, sperm, adaptation.