AQA GCSE BIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALE 2027 Q&A| INSTANT DOWNLOAD] – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains
Cell Biology
Organisation and the Digestive System
Infection and Response
Bioenergetics
Homeostasis and Response
Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Ecology and Ecosystems
Practical Skills and Scientific Investigation
Introduction
This assessment is designed to evaluate the breadth and depth of knowledge required for success
in AQA GCSE Biology. It assesses foundational theory, applied understanding, and the ability to
interpret data and make informed judgments in scientific and real-world contexts. The
examination consists of multiple-choice questions, including direct knowledge recall and
scenario-based problems that demand critical thinking, analysis, and professional decision-
making. Emphasis is placed on practical application and the responsible use of scientific
knowledge.
SECTION ONE – QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which organelle is the site of aerobic respiration in a eukaryotic cell?
A. Nucleus
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondrion
,D. Chloroplast
🟢 C. Mitochondrion
🔴 Explanation: Mitochondria are the organelles where aerobic respiration takes place,
producing ATP for the cell.
Question 2
What is the function of the cell wall in a plant cell?
A. To control the movement of substances into and out of the cell
B. To provide structural support and protection
C. To contain the genetic material
D. To synthesize proteins
🟢 B. To provide structural support and protection
🔴 Explanation: The plant cell wall is made of cellulose and provides strength and support to
the cell.
Question 3
A student observes a cell under a microscope. It has a cell membrane, cytoplasm, and a
nucleus, but no cell wall or chloroplasts. What type of cell is it most likely to be?
A. A plant cell
B. A bacterial cell
C. An animal cell
D. A fungal cell
🟢 C. An animal cell
🔴 Explanation: Animal cells lack a cell wall and chloroplasts, possessing only a cell membrane,
cytoplasm, and nucleus.
Question 4
Which process is used to move substances against a concentration gradient, requiring energy
from ATP?
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Active transport
D. Facilitated diffusion
🟢 C. Active transport
🔴 Explanation: Active transport requires carrier proteins and energy from ATP to move
substances against a concentration gradient.
,Question 5
What is the name of the process by which a cell divides to produce two genetically identical
daughter cells?
A. Meiosis
B. Mitosis
C. Binary fission
D. Fertilisation
🟢 B. Mitosis
🔴 Explanation: Mitosis is cell division that produces two genetically identical diploid cells for
growth and repair.
Question 6
A scientist places a plant cell in a solution with a very high water potential. What will happen to
the cell?
A. It will become turgid.
B. It will become plasmolysed.
C. It will shrink.
D. It will burst.
🟢 A. It will become turgid.
🔴 Explanation: Water will enter the cell by osmosis, increasing turgor pressure and making the
cell turgid.
Question 7
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?
A. Respiration
B. Excretion
C. Crystallisation
D. Reproduction
🟢 C. Crystallisation
🔴 Explanation: Crystallisation is a physical process, not a life process like respiration,
excretion, or reproduction.
Question 8
What is the main function of the digestive system?
A. To pump blood around the body
B. To exchange gases with the environment
, C. To break down food into smaller, absorbable molecules
D. To filter waste products from the blood
🟢 C. To break down food into smaller, absorbable molecules
🔴 Explanation: The digestive system breaks down food mechanically and chemically for
absorption into the blood.
Question 9
Which enzyme breaks down starch into maltose?
A. Protease
B. Lipase
C. Amylase
D. Catalase
🟢 C. Amylase
🔴 Explanation: Amylase is a carbohydrase enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of starch into
maltose.
Question 10
Where in the human body is bile produced?
A. The stomach
B. The liver
C. The pancreas
D. The small intestine
🟢 B. The liver
🔴 Explanation: Bile is produced by the liver, stored in the gall bladder, and released into the
small intestine.
Question 11
What is the role of bile in digestion?
A. To break down proteins into amino acids
B. To emulsify fats and neutralise stomach acid
C. To break down carbohydrates into glucose
D. To absorb water from undigested food
🟢 B. To emulsify fats and neutralise stomach acid
🔴 Explanation: Bile emulsifies fats to increase surface area for lipase and neutralises acidic
chyme from the stomach.
PLUS RATIONALE 2027 Q&A| INSTANT DOWNLOAD] – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains
Cell Biology
Organisation and the Digestive System
Infection and Response
Bioenergetics
Homeostasis and Response
Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Ecology and Ecosystems
Practical Skills and Scientific Investigation
Introduction
This assessment is designed to evaluate the breadth and depth of knowledge required for success
in AQA GCSE Biology. It assesses foundational theory, applied understanding, and the ability to
interpret data and make informed judgments in scientific and real-world contexts. The
examination consists of multiple-choice questions, including direct knowledge recall and
scenario-based problems that demand critical thinking, analysis, and professional decision-
making. Emphasis is placed on practical application and the responsible use of scientific
knowledge.
SECTION ONE – QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which organelle is the site of aerobic respiration in a eukaryotic cell?
A. Nucleus
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondrion
,D. Chloroplast
🟢 C. Mitochondrion
🔴 Explanation: Mitochondria are the organelles where aerobic respiration takes place,
producing ATP for the cell.
Question 2
What is the function of the cell wall in a plant cell?
A. To control the movement of substances into and out of the cell
B. To provide structural support and protection
C. To contain the genetic material
D. To synthesize proteins
🟢 B. To provide structural support and protection
🔴 Explanation: The plant cell wall is made of cellulose and provides strength and support to
the cell.
Question 3
A student observes a cell under a microscope. It has a cell membrane, cytoplasm, and a
nucleus, but no cell wall or chloroplasts. What type of cell is it most likely to be?
A. A plant cell
B. A bacterial cell
C. An animal cell
D. A fungal cell
🟢 C. An animal cell
🔴 Explanation: Animal cells lack a cell wall and chloroplasts, possessing only a cell membrane,
cytoplasm, and nucleus.
Question 4
Which process is used to move substances against a concentration gradient, requiring energy
from ATP?
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Active transport
D. Facilitated diffusion
🟢 C. Active transport
🔴 Explanation: Active transport requires carrier proteins and energy from ATP to move
substances against a concentration gradient.
,Question 5
What is the name of the process by which a cell divides to produce two genetically identical
daughter cells?
A. Meiosis
B. Mitosis
C. Binary fission
D. Fertilisation
🟢 B. Mitosis
🔴 Explanation: Mitosis is cell division that produces two genetically identical diploid cells for
growth and repair.
Question 6
A scientist places a plant cell in a solution with a very high water potential. What will happen to
the cell?
A. It will become turgid.
B. It will become plasmolysed.
C. It will shrink.
D. It will burst.
🟢 A. It will become turgid.
🔴 Explanation: Water will enter the cell by osmosis, increasing turgor pressure and making the
cell turgid.
Question 7
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?
A. Respiration
B. Excretion
C. Crystallisation
D. Reproduction
🟢 C. Crystallisation
🔴 Explanation: Crystallisation is a physical process, not a life process like respiration,
excretion, or reproduction.
Question 8
What is the main function of the digestive system?
A. To pump blood around the body
B. To exchange gases with the environment
, C. To break down food into smaller, absorbable molecules
D. To filter waste products from the blood
🟢 C. To break down food into smaller, absorbable molecules
🔴 Explanation: The digestive system breaks down food mechanically and chemically for
absorption into the blood.
Question 9
Which enzyme breaks down starch into maltose?
A. Protease
B. Lipase
C. Amylase
D. Catalase
🟢 C. Amylase
🔴 Explanation: Amylase is a carbohydrase enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of starch into
maltose.
Question 10
Where in the human body is bile produced?
A. The stomach
B. The liver
C. The pancreas
D. The small intestine
🟢 B. The liver
🔴 Explanation: Bile is produced by the liver, stored in the gall bladder, and released into the
small intestine.
Question 11
What is the role of bile in digestion?
A. To break down proteins into amino acids
B. To emulsify fats and neutralise stomach acid
C. To break down carbohydrates into glucose
D. To absorb water from undigested food
🟢 B. To emulsify fats and neutralise stomach acid
🔴 Explanation: Bile emulsifies fats to increase surface area for lipase and neutralises acidic
chyme from the stomach.
