1
AQA GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE PAPER 1
2026/2027 | COMBINED SCIENCE | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES |
PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: BIOLOGY – CELL BIOLOGY AND ORGANISATION – Questions 1–20
Q1: Cell Biology – Cell Structure
Which part of a cell controls the activities of the cell and contains genetic material?
A. Cytoplasm
B. Cell membrane
C. Nucleus
D. Mitochondria
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nucleus contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) and controls all cellular activities,
including growth and reproduction. Cytoplasm is where chemical reactions occur. Mitochondria are
the site of respiration. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Cell Biology – Cell Structure
Which organelle is the site of aerobic respiration?
A. Ribosome
B. Mitochondria
C. Chloroplast
D. Vacuole
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration, where glucose is broken down with
oxygen to release energy. Ribosomes are for protein synthesis. Chloroplasts are for photosynthesis.
[100% CORRECT]
Q3: Cell Biology – Cell Structure
Which of these is found in a plant cell but NOT in an animal cell?
A. Nucleus
B. Cell membrane
C. Chloroplast
D. Mitochondria
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chloroplasts are found in plant cells for photosynthesis. Animal cells do not have
,2
chloroplasts. Both plant and animal cells have a nucleus, cell membrane, and mitochondria. [100%
CORRECT]
Q4: Cell Biology – Microscopy
What is the formula for calculating magnification?
A. Magnification = image size × actual size
B. Magnification = image size ÷ actual size
C. Magnification = actual size ÷ image size
D. Magnification = image size + actual size
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Magnification = image size ÷ actual size. This tells you how many times larger the image is
compared to the real object. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Cell Biology – Cell Division
What type of cell division produces gametes?
A. Mitosis
B. Meiosis
C. Binary fission
D. Cloning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Meiosis produces gametes (sperm and egg cells) with half the normal number of
chromosomes. Mitosis produces identical body cells for growth and repair. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Cell Biology – Cell Division
How many chromosomes does a human body cell contain?
A. 23
B. 46
C. 92
D. 22
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Human body cells contain 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). Gametes contain 23 chromosomes
(half the number). [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Organisation – Digestive System
What is the function of the small intestine?
A. To absorb water
B. To digest food and absorb nutrients
C. To store waste
D. To produce bile
, 3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The small intestine is where most digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs. It has a
large surface area with villi for efficient absorption. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Organisation – Enzymes
What is the function of amylase?
A. Breaks down proteins
B. Breaks down fats
C. Breaks down starch into sugars
D. Breaks down DNA
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Amylase is a carbohydrase enzyme that breaks down starch into simpler sugars like
maltose. Proteases break down proteins. Lipases break down fats. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Organisation – Enzymes
What happens to an enzyme when it is heated above its optimum temperature?
A. It works faster
B. It becomes denatured
C. It becomes more active
D. Nothing happens
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Above the optimum temperature, the enzyme's active site changes shape (denatures), so
the substrate can no longer fit. The enzyme stops working. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Organisation – Blood
Which component of blood carries oxygen?
A. White blood cells
B. Platelets
C. Red blood cells
D. Plasma
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, which binds to oxygen and carries it around the
body. White blood cells fight infection. Platelets help blood clot. [100% CORRECT]
Q11: Organisation – Heart
Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood away from the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Aorta
C. Vena cava
D. Pulmonary vein
AQA GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE PAPER 1
2026/2027 | COMBINED SCIENCE | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES |
PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: BIOLOGY – CELL BIOLOGY AND ORGANISATION – Questions 1–20
Q1: Cell Biology – Cell Structure
Which part of a cell controls the activities of the cell and contains genetic material?
A. Cytoplasm
B. Cell membrane
C. Nucleus
D. Mitochondria
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nucleus contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) and controls all cellular activities,
including growth and reproduction. Cytoplasm is where chemical reactions occur. Mitochondria are
the site of respiration. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Cell Biology – Cell Structure
Which organelle is the site of aerobic respiration?
A. Ribosome
B. Mitochondria
C. Chloroplast
D. Vacuole
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration, where glucose is broken down with
oxygen to release energy. Ribosomes are for protein synthesis. Chloroplasts are for photosynthesis.
[100% CORRECT]
Q3: Cell Biology – Cell Structure
Which of these is found in a plant cell but NOT in an animal cell?
A. Nucleus
B. Cell membrane
C. Chloroplast
D. Mitochondria
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chloroplasts are found in plant cells for photosynthesis. Animal cells do not have
,2
chloroplasts. Both plant and animal cells have a nucleus, cell membrane, and mitochondria. [100%
CORRECT]
Q4: Cell Biology – Microscopy
What is the formula for calculating magnification?
A. Magnification = image size × actual size
B. Magnification = image size ÷ actual size
C. Magnification = actual size ÷ image size
D. Magnification = image size + actual size
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Magnification = image size ÷ actual size. This tells you how many times larger the image is
compared to the real object. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Cell Biology – Cell Division
What type of cell division produces gametes?
A. Mitosis
B. Meiosis
C. Binary fission
D. Cloning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Meiosis produces gametes (sperm and egg cells) with half the normal number of
chromosomes. Mitosis produces identical body cells for growth and repair. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Cell Biology – Cell Division
How many chromosomes does a human body cell contain?
A. 23
B. 46
C. 92
D. 22
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Human body cells contain 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). Gametes contain 23 chromosomes
(half the number). [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Organisation – Digestive System
What is the function of the small intestine?
A. To absorb water
B. To digest food and absorb nutrients
C. To store waste
D. To produce bile
, 3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The small intestine is where most digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs. It has a
large surface area with villi for efficient absorption. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Organisation – Enzymes
What is the function of amylase?
A. Breaks down proteins
B. Breaks down fats
C. Breaks down starch into sugars
D. Breaks down DNA
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Amylase is a carbohydrase enzyme that breaks down starch into simpler sugars like
maltose. Proteases break down proteins. Lipases break down fats. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Organisation – Enzymes
What happens to an enzyme when it is heated above its optimum temperature?
A. It works faster
B. It becomes denatured
C. It becomes more active
D. Nothing happens
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Above the optimum temperature, the enzyme's active site changes shape (denatures), so
the substrate can no longer fit. The enzyme stops working. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Organisation – Blood
Which component of blood carries oxygen?
A. White blood cells
B. Platelets
C. Red blood cells
D. Plasma
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, which binds to oxygen and carries it around the
body. White blood cells fight infection. Platelets help blood clot. [100% CORRECT]
Q11: Organisation – Heart
Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood away from the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Aorta
C. Vena cava
D. Pulmonary vein
