AQA biology a-level paper 2
AQA biology a-level paper 2 Exam
Containing 112 Questions with Certified
Solutions 2024-2025.
describe and explain the steps in the light dependent reaction of photosynthesis -
Answer: 1. photoionization: light reaches chlorophyll in PSII, which is absorbed by
an electron, which becomes excited and moves to a higher energy level.
1
, AQA biology a-level paper 2
2. the electron passes to a carrier protein in the thylakoid membrane, and is
passed down a series of carrier molecules called an electron transfer chain.
3. as the electron moves down, energy is lost from the electron and is released as
ATP.
4. the loss of electron from PSII is 'refilled' by an electron produced by photolysis,
which also produces hydrogen and oxygen.
5. the lost electron reaches PSI, which absorbs light energy and boosts another
electron to a higher energy level (excitation).
6. this electron also goes down an electron transport chain.
7. this reaches the final electron acceptor which is a proton. they combine to form
H and reduce NADP to NADPH.
describe and explain the steps in the light independent reaction pf
photosynthesis. - Answer: 1. CO2 diffuses into stroma and combines with ribulose
bisphosphate (RuBP) using the enzyme rubisco.
2. this forms an unstable 6 carbon molecule, which splits into 2 3 carbon
molecules, glyercate-3-phosphate (G3P) .
3. G3P is reduced by NADPH to triose-phosphate (TP), which is aided by ATP for
energy.
4. TP can be converted into useful organic substances.
5. TP can also be reformed into RuBP using ATP.
2
, AQA biology a-level paper 2
describe glycolysis in respiration. give net formation. - Answer: 1. glucose is
converted into phosphorylated glucose by 2ATP. this makes it very reactive, so it
splits into 2 triose phosphate (TP).
2. 2TP is then oxidised by 2NAD and 4 ATP is formed to form pyruvate.
3. NET: 2ATP, 2Pyruvate, 2NADH, 2H+
describe links reaction in respiration. give net formation. - Answer: 1. pyruvate
diffuses into the matrix of mitochondria.
2. pyruvate is oxidised by NAD. CO2 is lost. this forms acetate.
3. acetate and co-enzyme A combine to form acetyl co-enzyme A.
4. NET: CO2, reduced NAD, acetyl co-enzyme A
describe krebs cycle in respiration. give net formation. - Answer: 1. acetyl co-
enzyme A combines with 4 carbon molecule (oxaloacetate) to form 6 carbon citric
acid.
2. CO2 is lost (decarboxylation), molecule is oxidised by NAD and ATP is produce.
this forms 5 carbon compound.
3. it is oxidised by 2NADH and FAD, and is decarboxylated.
4. this forms 4 carbon molecule again.
3
, AQA biology a-level paper 2
describe oxidative phosphorylation in respiration. - Answer: 1. reduced coenzyme
passes its H to a carrier protein in the ETC. this splits into a proton and electron.
2. the protons pass through the space between inner and outer mitochondrial
membrane.
3. electrons pass through proteins on ETC.
4. protons return back via ATP synthase in the membrane, producing ATP.
5. the protons and electrons recombine to form H, which combines with O to form
water.
6. oxygen is the last electron acceptor in the ETC.
define biomass - Answer: the total mass of organisms in a given area
what is the 'gross primary production' - Answer: the chemical energy stored in a
plants biomass
what is the 'net primary production' - Answer: the chemical energy stores in a
plants biomass after respiratory losses have been considered. this energy is
available to consumers.
how can you calculate the net primary production? - Answer: NPP = GPP - R
4
AQA biology a-level paper 2 Exam
Containing 112 Questions with Certified
Solutions 2024-2025.
describe and explain the steps in the light dependent reaction of photosynthesis -
Answer: 1. photoionization: light reaches chlorophyll in PSII, which is absorbed by
an electron, which becomes excited and moves to a higher energy level.
1
, AQA biology a-level paper 2
2. the electron passes to a carrier protein in the thylakoid membrane, and is
passed down a series of carrier molecules called an electron transfer chain.
3. as the electron moves down, energy is lost from the electron and is released as
ATP.
4. the loss of electron from PSII is 'refilled' by an electron produced by photolysis,
which also produces hydrogen and oxygen.
5. the lost electron reaches PSI, which absorbs light energy and boosts another
electron to a higher energy level (excitation).
6. this electron also goes down an electron transport chain.
7. this reaches the final electron acceptor which is a proton. they combine to form
H and reduce NADP to NADPH.
describe and explain the steps in the light independent reaction pf
photosynthesis. - Answer: 1. CO2 diffuses into stroma and combines with ribulose
bisphosphate (RuBP) using the enzyme rubisco.
2. this forms an unstable 6 carbon molecule, which splits into 2 3 carbon
molecules, glyercate-3-phosphate (G3P) .
3. G3P is reduced by NADPH to triose-phosphate (TP), which is aided by ATP for
energy.
4. TP can be converted into useful organic substances.
5. TP can also be reformed into RuBP using ATP.
2
, AQA biology a-level paper 2
describe glycolysis in respiration. give net formation. - Answer: 1. glucose is
converted into phosphorylated glucose by 2ATP. this makes it very reactive, so it
splits into 2 triose phosphate (TP).
2. 2TP is then oxidised by 2NAD and 4 ATP is formed to form pyruvate.
3. NET: 2ATP, 2Pyruvate, 2NADH, 2H+
describe links reaction in respiration. give net formation. - Answer: 1. pyruvate
diffuses into the matrix of mitochondria.
2. pyruvate is oxidised by NAD. CO2 is lost. this forms acetate.
3. acetate and co-enzyme A combine to form acetyl co-enzyme A.
4. NET: CO2, reduced NAD, acetyl co-enzyme A
describe krebs cycle in respiration. give net formation. - Answer: 1. acetyl co-
enzyme A combines with 4 carbon molecule (oxaloacetate) to form 6 carbon citric
acid.
2. CO2 is lost (decarboxylation), molecule is oxidised by NAD and ATP is produce.
this forms 5 carbon compound.
3. it is oxidised by 2NADH and FAD, and is decarboxylated.
4. this forms 4 carbon molecule again.
3
, AQA biology a-level paper 2
describe oxidative phosphorylation in respiration. - Answer: 1. reduced coenzyme
passes its H to a carrier protein in the ETC. this splits into a proton and electron.
2. the protons pass through the space between inner and outer mitochondrial
membrane.
3. electrons pass through proteins on ETC.
4. protons return back via ATP synthase in the membrane, producing ATP.
5. the protons and electrons recombine to form H, which combines with O to form
water.
6. oxygen is the last electron acceptor in the ETC.
define biomass - Answer: the total mass of organisms in a given area
what is the 'gross primary production' - Answer: the chemical energy stored in a
plants biomass
what is the 'net primary production' - Answer: the chemical energy stores in a
plants biomass after respiratory losses have been considered. this energy is
available to consumers.
how can you calculate the net primary production? - Answer: NPP = GPP - R
4
