AQA · GCSE · BIOLOGY
Paper 1 Complete Q&A
Verified Flashcards · Study Guide
BOARD LEVEL S TAT U S YEAR
AQA GCSE Verified 2026
Comprehensive Q&A study guide for AQA GCSE Biology Paper 1.
All questions and answers reproduced exactly as written.
,📋 Questions & Answers
110+ Verified Terms AQA GCSE Biology · Paper 1
What does a nucleus do? What does cytoplasm do?
It contains genetic material and It's a gel-like substance where most of
controls the activities of the cell the chemical reactions happen. It
contains enzymes that control these
chemical reactions
What does a cell membrane do? What do mitochondria do?
It holds the cell together and controls These are where most of the reactions
what goes in and out for aerobic respiration occur.
Respiration transfers energy that the
cell needs to work
What do ribosomes do? What is mitosis?
This is where protein synthesis takes The stage of the cell cycle where the
place - where proteins are made in the cell divides
cell
,What do multicellular organisms Describe each stage of mitosis
use mitosis for?
Prophase - The chromosomes shorten
To grow or replace cells that have and duplicate
been damaged
Metaphase - The chromosomes line up on
the equator of the cell
Anaphase - The chromosomes are pulled
to the opposite ends of the cell. The
chromatids are now known as daughter
cells.
Telophase - New membranes form around
the daughter nuclei which becomes the
nuclei of the two new cells - the nucleus
has divided. The cytoplasm and cell
membrane divide to create two daughter
cells.
What are stem cells? Where are stem cells found?
They are undifferentiated cells that In early human embryos or the bone
divide to produce lots more marrow of adults
undifferentiated cells. They then
differentiate into different types of cell
What do embryonic stem cells do? Where are stem cells found in
plants?
1) Used to replace faulty cells in sick
people - insulin-producing cells for Meristems
diabetes and nerve cells for paralysed
spinal injuries
2) Used to replace faulty blood cells
, What is diffusion? Name the substances that can
diffuse through cell membranes
Diffusion is the movement of particles
from an area of high concentration to Glucose, water, oxygen and amino
an area of low concentration acids
Name two substances that can't What is osmosis?
diffuse through cell membranes
Osmosis is the passive movement of
Protein and starch water molecules through a partially
permeable cell membrane from an
area of high water concentration to an
area of low water concentration
What are the two main differences Adaptations of Exchange Surfaces
between active transport and
diffusion?
1) Large surface area - lots of
substances can diffuse at once
Active transport uses energy whereas
2) Lots of blood vessels - to get stuff into
diffusion doesn't. Active transport
and out of the blood quickly
goes against the concentration
gradient whereas diffusion goes along 3) Thin membrane - short distance for
it substances to diffuse
4) Often ventilated - air moves in & out
Paper 1 Complete Q&A
Verified Flashcards · Study Guide
BOARD LEVEL S TAT U S YEAR
AQA GCSE Verified 2026
Comprehensive Q&A study guide for AQA GCSE Biology Paper 1.
All questions and answers reproduced exactly as written.
,📋 Questions & Answers
110+ Verified Terms AQA GCSE Biology · Paper 1
What does a nucleus do? What does cytoplasm do?
It contains genetic material and It's a gel-like substance where most of
controls the activities of the cell the chemical reactions happen. It
contains enzymes that control these
chemical reactions
What does a cell membrane do? What do mitochondria do?
It holds the cell together and controls These are where most of the reactions
what goes in and out for aerobic respiration occur.
Respiration transfers energy that the
cell needs to work
What do ribosomes do? What is mitosis?
This is where protein synthesis takes The stage of the cell cycle where the
place - where proteins are made in the cell divides
cell
,What do multicellular organisms Describe each stage of mitosis
use mitosis for?
Prophase - The chromosomes shorten
To grow or replace cells that have and duplicate
been damaged
Metaphase - The chromosomes line up on
the equator of the cell
Anaphase - The chromosomes are pulled
to the opposite ends of the cell. The
chromatids are now known as daughter
cells.
Telophase - New membranes form around
the daughter nuclei which becomes the
nuclei of the two new cells - the nucleus
has divided. The cytoplasm and cell
membrane divide to create two daughter
cells.
What are stem cells? Where are stem cells found?
They are undifferentiated cells that In early human embryos or the bone
divide to produce lots more marrow of adults
undifferentiated cells. They then
differentiate into different types of cell
What do embryonic stem cells do? Where are stem cells found in
plants?
1) Used to replace faulty cells in sick
people - insulin-producing cells for Meristems
diabetes and nerve cells for paralysed
spinal injuries
2) Used to replace faulty blood cells
, What is diffusion? Name the substances that can
diffuse through cell membranes
Diffusion is the movement of particles
from an area of high concentration to Glucose, water, oxygen and amino
an area of low concentration acids
Name two substances that can't What is osmosis?
diffuse through cell membranes
Osmosis is the passive movement of
Protein and starch water molecules through a partially
permeable cell membrane from an
area of high water concentration to an
area of low water concentration
What are the two main differences Adaptations of Exchange Surfaces
between active transport and
diffusion?
1) Large surface area - lots of
substances can diffuse at once
Active transport uses energy whereas
2) Lots of blood vessels - to get stuff into
diffusion doesn't. Active transport
and out of the blood quickly
goes against the concentration
gradient whereas diffusion goes along 3) Thin membrane - short distance for
it substances to diffuse
4) Often ventilated - air moves in & out
