AQA Biology Paper 1 - Exam
Questions and Answers 100%
PASS
Name part A on the microscope [1]—ANSWER-eyepiece/lens
Red blood cells are specialised animal cells. Compare the structure of a red
blood cell with the structure of a plant cell [6]
You must state both similarities and differences in order to attain full
marks—ANSWER-Differences:
• red blood cell has no nucleus or plant cell has a nucleus
• red blood cell has no cell wall or plant cell has a cell wall
• red blood cell is a biconcave disc or there are many different shapes of
plant cell
,• red blood cell contains haemoglobin or plant cells do not contain
haemoglobin
• red blood cells do not contain chlorophyll or plant cells (may) contain
chlorophyll
• red blood cell has no chloroplasts or plant cell has chloroplasts
• red blood cell has no (permanent) vacuole or plant cell has (permanent)
vacuole
• red blood cells are (much) smaller than plant cells
Similarities:
both have:
• cytoplasm
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protected by copyright law, Copyrighted By Katelyn Whitman
,• cell membrane
• pigments (although they are different)
When placed into a beaker of water:
• a red blood cell bursts
• a plant cell does not burst.
Explain why the red blood cell bursts but the plant cell does not burst. [2]—
ANSWER-- Water enters the plant cell via osmosis and it is absorbed
- The cell wall of a plant cell keeps the cell from bursting - a red blood cell
does not have a cell wall so will burst
A student investigated the effectiveness of three different antibiotics. The
student used aseptic techniques to make sure that only one type of
bacterium was growing on the agar.
Describe two aseptic techniques the student should have used. [2]—
ANSWER-any two from:
- Only lift lid of Petri dish a little when setting up plate
, - Secure lid of petri dish with adhesive tape
- Use sterilised agar
- Disinfect any equipment/surfaces
Scientists think there is a link between BMI and life expectancy. Table 2 on
the other side shows information about predicted life expectancy of men
after the age of 50.
Describe two patterns shown in table two about the effects of BMI category
[2]—ANSWER-any two from:
- The higher the BMI, the lower the number of years living in good health
- The higher the BMI, the higher the number of years living in bad health
- The higher the BMI, the lower the total life expectancy
A person who is obese is more at risk of arthritis.
© 2026 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. This document is
protected by copyright law, Copyrighted By Katelyn Whitman
Questions and Answers 100%
PASS
Name part A on the microscope [1]—ANSWER-eyepiece/lens
Red blood cells are specialised animal cells. Compare the structure of a red
blood cell with the structure of a plant cell [6]
You must state both similarities and differences in order to attain full
marks—ANSWER-Differences:
• red blood cell has no nucleus or plant cell has a nucleus
• red blood cell has no cell wall or plant cell has a cell wall
• red blood cell is a biconcave disc or there are many different shapes of
plant cell
,• red blood cell contains haemoglobin or plant cells do not contain
haemoglobin
• red blood cells do not contain chlorophyll or plant cells (may) contain
chlorophyll
• red blood cell has no chloroplasts or plant cell has chloroplasts
• red blood cell has no (permanent) vacuole or plant cell has (permanent)
vacuole
• red blood cells are (much) smaller than plant cells
Similarities:
both have:
• cytoplasm
© 2026 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. This document is
protected by copyright law, Copyrighted By Katelyn Whitman
,• cell membrane
• pigments (although they are different)
When placed into a beaker of water:
• a red blood cell bursts
• a plant cell does not burst.
Explain why the red blood cell bursts but the plant cell does not burst. [2]—
ANSWER-- Water enters the plant cell via osmosis and it is absorbed
- The cell wall of a plant cell keeps the cell from bursting - a red blood cell
does not have a cell wall so will burst
A student investigated the effectiveness of three different antibiotics. The
student used aseptic techniques to make sure that only one type of
bacterium was growing on the agar.
Describe two aseptic techniques the student should have used. [2]—
ANSWER-any two from:
- Only lift lid of Petri dish a little when setting up plate
, - Secure lid of petri dish with adhesive tape
- Use sterilised agar
- Disinfect any equipment/surfaces
Scientists think there is a link between BMI and life expectancy. Table 2 on
the other side shows information about predicted life expectancy of men
after the age of 50.
Describe two patterns shown in table two about the effects of BMI category
[2]—ANSWER-any two from:
- The higher the BMI, the lower the number of years living in good health
- The higher the BMI, the higher the number of years living in bad health
- The higher the BMI, the lower the total life expectancy
A person who is obese is more at risk of arthritis.
© 2026 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. This document is
protected by copyright law, Copyrighted By Katelyn Whitman
