2026 AQA AS BIOLOGY 7401/1 PAPER 1
COMPLETE QUESTION PAPER & MARK
SCHEME (MERGED) – JUNE 2026
EXAM INFORMATION
| Component | Details |
|--||
| Exam Board | AQA |
| Qualification | AS Level |
| Subject | Biology |
| Paper | Paper 1 |
| Code | 7401/1 |
| Date | June 2023 |
| Time | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Total Marks | 75 |
PAPER STRUCTURE
| Section | Question Types | Marks |
||-|-|
| Section A | Multiple choice & short answer | 65-70 marks |
| Section B | Structured questions (with choice in some parts) | 5-10 marks |
SECTION A – QUESTIONS 1-23
,Question 1
Which of the following statements about the light-dependent reaction is
correct?
A) The light-dependent reaction occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast
B) ATP is produced during the light-dependent reaction
C) NADP is reduced to NADPH in the light-dependent reaction using
oxygen
D) The light-dependent reaction requires carbon dioxide
Answer: B) ATP is produced during the light-dependent reaction
Rationale: ATP is produced by photophosphorylation in the light-dependent
reaction. The light-dependent reaction occurs in thylakoid membranes, not
the stroma. NADP is reduced by electrons from photosystem I; oxygen is a
byproduct of water splitting, not the reducing agent. CO₂ is used in the
light-independent reaction.
Question 2
Which of the following is a function of the Golgi apparatus?
A) Synthesis of ATP
B) Protein synthesis
C) Modification and packaging of proteins
D) Hydrolysis of macromolecules
Answer: C) Modification and packaging of proteins
, Rationale: The Golgi apparatus modifies (e.g., adds carbohydrate groups)
and packages proteins into vesicles for transport. ATP is synthesised in
mitochondria/chloroplasts; protein synthesis occurs on ribosomes;
hydrolysis occurs in lysosomes.
Question 3
The diagram shows a phospholipid bilayer. Which of the labelled parts is
hydrophilic?
Answer: The phosphate‑containing head group
Rationale: The phosphate head is polar (hydrophilic); the fatty acid tails are
non‑polar (hydrophobic).
Question 4
Which of the following is a feature of the induced-fit model of enzyme
action?
A) The active site is complementary to the substrate before binding
B) The active site changes shape as the substrate binds
C) The enzyme is used up in the reaction
D) The substrate is permanently changed
Answer: B) The active site changes shape as the substrate binds
Rationale: In the induced‑fit model, the active site is not exactly
complementary until the substrate induces a conformational change. This
contrasts with the lock‑and‑key model, where the active site is already
COMPLETE QUESTION PAPER & MARK
SCHEME (MERGED) – JUNE 2026
EXAM INFORMATION
| Component | Details |
|--||
| Exam Board | AQA |
| Qualification | AS Level |
| Subject | Biology |
| Paper | Paper 1 |
| Code | 7401/1 |
| Date | June 2023 |
| Time | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Total Marks | 75 |
PAPER STRUCTURE
| Section | Question Types | Marks |
||-|-|
| Section A | Multiple choice & short answer | 65-70 marks |
| Section B | Structured questions (with choice in some parts) | 5-10 marks |
SECTION A – QUESTIONS 1-23
,Question 1
Which of the following statements about the light-dependent reaction is
correct?
A) The light-dependent reaction occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast
B) ATP is produced during the light-dependent reaction
C) NADP is reduced to NADPH in the light-dependent reaction using
oxygen
D) The light-dependent reaction requires carbon dioxide
Answer: B) ATP is produced during the light-dependent reaction
Rationale: ATP is produced by photophosphorylation in the light-dependent
reaction. The light-dependent reaction occurs in thylakoid membranes, not
the stroma. NADP is reduced by electrons from photosystem I; oxygen is a
byproduct of water splitting, not the reducing agent. CO₂ is used in the
light-independent reaction.
Question 2
Which of the following is a function of the Golgi apparatus?
A) Synthesis of ATP
B) Protein synthesis
C) Modification and packaging of proteins
D) Hydrolysis of macromolecules
Answer: C) Modification and packaging of proteins
, Rationale: The Golgi apparatus modifies (e.g., adds carbohydrate groups)
and packages proteins into vesicles for transport. ATP is synthesised in
mitochondria/chloroplasts; protein synthesis occurs on ribosomes;
hydrolysis occurs in lysosomes.
Question 3
The diagram shows a phospholipid bilayer. Which of the labelled parts is
hydrophilic?
Answer: The phosphate‑containing head group
Rationale: The phosphate head is polar (hydrophilic); the fatty acid tails are
non‑polar (hydrophobic).
Question 4
Which of the following is a feature of the induced-fit model of enzyme
action?
A) The active site is complementary to the substrate before binding
B) The active site changes shape as the substrate binds
C) The enzyme is used up in the reaction
D) The substrate is permanently changed
Answer: B) The active site changes shape as the substrate binds
Rationale: In the induced‑fit model, the active site is not exactly
complementary until the substrate induces a conformational change. This
contrasts with the lock‑and‑key model, where the active site is already
