Edexcel Level 3 QUESTIONS GCE
Advanced 2023
Biology A
Paper 3: General and Practical Applications in Biology
Time: 2 hours
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Write your centre number, candidate number,
surname, other names and your signature in the
boxes below. Check that you have the correct
question paper.
Centre No.
Candidate No.
Surname
Other names
Signature
Paper Reference 9 B N 0 0 3
X52290A (Turn over)
, 2
● Use BLACK ink or ball‑ point pen.
● Answer ALL questions.
● Show your working in any calculation questions and
include units in your answer where appropriate.
● Answer the questions in the spaces provided – there
may be more space than you need.
● You may use a scientific calculator.
● In questions marked with an ASTERISK (*), marks
will be awarded for your ability to structure your
answer logically, showing how the points that you
make are related or follow on from each other where
appropriate.
MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR EXAMINATION
Calculator, HB pencil, ruler
ITEMS INCLUDED WITH QUESTION PAPERS
Scientific article for use with Question 7
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
● The total mark for this paper is 100.
● The marks for EACH question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend
on each question.
ADVICE TO CANDIDATES
● Read each question carefully before you start to
answer it.
● Try to answer every question.
● Check your answers if you have time at the end.
(Turn over)
, 3
Answer ALL questions.
Write your answers in the spaces provided.
1 A deer was found dead on National Trust land. Some
people thought that the wounds that led to the deer’s
death could have been caused by a big cat such as a
black panther.
(a) Samples of DNA from the wounds of this deer were
collected.
Investigators used the polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) to increase the quantity of DNA in the samples.
(i) Describe how one PCR cycle would increase the
quantity of DNA present. (3 marks)
(Continue your answer on next page)
(Turn over)
, 4
(ii) One PCR cycle takes two minutes.
Show that the quantity of DNA would have
been amplified over one million times after
40 minutes. (2 marks)
(Question continues on next page)
(Turn over)
Advanced 2023
Biology A
Paper 3: General and Practical Applications in Biology
Time: 2 hours
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Write your centre number, candidate number,
surname, other names and your signature in the
boxes below. Check that you have the correct
question paper.
Centre No.
Candidate No.
Surname
Other names
Signature
Paper Reference 9 B N 0 0 3
X52290A (Turn over)
, 2
● Use BLACK ink or ball‑ point pen.
● Answer ALL questions.
● Show your working in any calculation questions and
include units in your answer where appropriate.
● Answer the questions in the spaces provided – there
may be more space than you need.
● You may use a scientific calculator.
● In questions marked with an ASTERISK (*), marks
will be awarded for your ability to structure your
answer logically, showing how the points that you
make are related or follow on from each other where
appropriate.
MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR EXAMINATION
Calculator, HB pencil, ruler
ITEMS INCLUDED WITH QUESTION PAPERS
Scientific article for use with Question 7
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
● The total mark for this paper is 100.
● The marks for EACH question are shown in brackets
– use this as a guide as to how much time to spend
on each question.
ADVICE TO CANDIDATES
● Read each question carefully before you start to
answer it.
● Try to answer every question.
● Check your answers if you have time at the end.
(Turn over)
, 3
Answer ALL questions.
Write your answers in the spaces provided.
1 A deer was found dead on National Trust land. Some
people thought that the wounds that led to the deer’s
death could have been caused by a big cat such as a
black panther.
(a) Samples of DNA from the wounds of this deer were
collected.
Investigators used the polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) to increase the quantity of DNA in the samples.
(i) Describe how one PCR cycle would increase the
quantity of DNA present. (3 marks)
(Continue your answer on next page)
(Turn over)
, 4
(ii) One PCR cycle takes two minutes.
Show that the quantity of DNA would have
been amplified over one million times after
40 minutes. (2 marks)
(Question continues on next page)
(Turn over)
