AQA_2024: A-level Biology - Paper 2
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signatu re
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
BIOLOGY
Paper 2
Friday 14 June 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours
Materials
For Examiner’s Use
For this paper you must have:
a ruler with millimetre measurements Question Mark
a scientific calculator. 1
2
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 3
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page. 4
Answer all questions. 5
You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write
outside the box around each page or on blank pages. 6
If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of 7
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). 8
Show all your working.
9
Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want
to be marked. 10
TOTAL
Information
The marks for the questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 91.
,For A-level Biology Paper 2, focus on the following key areas:
1. Cell Recognition and Immune System:
Antigens and Antibodies: Understand how the immune system recognizes foreign antigens and
produces antibodies. Learn about antigen-antibody interactions and their role in defense.
Phagocytosis and the Immune Response: Study the process of phagocytosis and the role of T-cells
(helper, cytotoxic) and B-cells in the immune response.
2. Biodiversity and Ecosystems:
Biodiversity: Understand the importance of biodiversity, factors that threaten it, and methods for its
measurement (e.g., Simpson's index).
Ecological Interactions: Study predator-prey relationships, competition, mutualism, and parasitism.
Understand how these interactions shape populations and communities.
Energy Flow: Understand how energy flows through ecosystems, from producers to consumers. Study
food chains, food webs, and the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels.
3. Genetics, Evolution, and Adaptation:
Genetic Variation: Understand the sources of genetic variation in populations (mutation, recombination,
independent assortment) and the role of natural selection in evolution.
Speciation: Study how speciation occurs, including the role of geographical isolation, reproductive
isolation, and the genetic divergence of populations.
4. Photosynthesis and Respiration:
Photosynthesis:
o Study the light-dependent and light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle), including the role of
pigments like chlorophyll.
o Understand factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis (light intensity, temperature, carbon
dioxide concentration).
Respiration:
o Learn the stages of aerobic and anaerobic respiration: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative
phosphorylation, and fermentation.
o Understand the production of ATP, NADH, and FADH2 in cellular respiration.
o Be familiar with differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration and their efficiency.
5. Transport in Plants and Animals:
Plant Transport:
o Understand the structure and function of xylem and phloem, and the mechanisms of water
movement (transpiration, cohesion-tension theory) and nutrient transport in plants.
Animal Circulatory System:
o Study the structure of the heart, blood vessels, and the composition of blood. Understand the
mechanisms of blood circulation, including the role of the heart and valves in pumping blood.
o Learn about the exchange of gases and nutrients at capillaries, the role of hemoglobin in oxygen
transport, and the significance of the Bohr shift in oxygen affinity.
IB/M/Jun24/G4006/E7 7402/2
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Answer all questions in the spaces provided. box
0 1 Figure 1 shows a drawing of a neuromuscular junction.
Figure 1
0 1 . 1 Name the parts labelled A to D.
[2 marks]
A
B
C
D
IB/M/Jun24/7402/2
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 2 Following the release of acetylcholine into a neuromuscular junction, a muscle box
contraction occurs.
Describe the sequence of events, following the release of acetylcholine, that leads to
stimulation of this contraction.
Do not include in your answer the events following the release of calcium ions in the
myofibril.
[4 marks]
0 1 . 3 Inhibitory synapses cause hyperpolarisation in postsynaptic neurones.
Explain how this inhibits synaptic transmission.
[2 marks]
8
Turn over ►
IB/M/Jun24/7402/2
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signatu re
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
BIOLOGY
Paper 2
Friday 14 June 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours
Materials
For Examiner’s Use
For this paper you must have:
a ruler with millimetre measurements Question Mark
a scientific calculator. 1
2
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 3
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page. 4
Answer all questions. 5
You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write
outside the box around each page or on blank pages. 6
If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of 7
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). 8
Show all your working.
9
Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want
to be marked. 10
TOTAL
Information
The marks for the questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 91.
,For A-level Biology Paper 2, focus on the following key areas:
1. Cell Recognition and Immune System:
Antigens and Antibodies: Understand how the immune system recognizes foreign antigens and
produces antibodies. Learn about antigen-antibody interactions and their role in defense.
Phagocytosis and the Immune Response: Study the process of phagocytosis and the role of T-cells
(helper, cytotoxic) and B-cells in the immune response.
2. Biodiversity and Ecosystems:
Biodiversity: Understand the importance of biodiversity, factors that threaten it, and methods for its
measurement (e.g., Simpson's index).
Ecological Interactions: Study predator-prey relationships, competition, mutualism, and parasitism.
Understand how these interactions shape populations and communities.
Energy Flow: Understand how energy flows through ecosystems, from producers to consumers. Study
food chains, food webs, and the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels.
3. Genetics, Evolution, and Adaptation:
Genetic Variation: Understand the sources of genetic variation in populations (mutation, recombination,
independent assortment) and the role of natural selection in evolution.
Speciation: Study how speciation occurs, including the role of geographical isolation, reproductive
isolation, and the genetic divergence of populations.
4. Photosynthesis and Respiration:
Photosynthesis:
o Study the light-dependent and light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle), including the role of
pigments like chlorophyll.
o Understand factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis (light intensity, temperature, carbon
dioxide concentration).
Respiration:
o Learn the stages of aerobic and anaerobic respiration: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative
phosphorylation, and fermentation.
o Understand the production of ATP, NADH, and FADH2 in cellular respiration.
o Be familiar with differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration and their efficiency.
5. Transport in Plants and Animals:
Plant Transport:
o Understand the structure and function of xylem and phloem, and the mechanisms of water
movement (transpiration, cohesion-tension theory) and nutrient transport in plants.
Animal Circulatory System:
o Study the structure of the heart, blood vessels, and the composition of blood. Understand the
mechanisms of blood circulation, including the role of the heart and valves in pumping blood.
o Learn about the exchange of gases and nutrients at capillaries, the role of hemoglobin in oxygen
transport, and the significance of the Bohr shift in oxygen affinity.
IB/M/Jun24/G4006/E7 7402/2
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Answer all questions in the spaces provided. box
0 1 Figure 1 shows a drawing of a neuromuscular junction.
Figure 1
0 1 . 1 Name the parts labelled A to D.
[2 marks]
A
B
C
D
IB/M/Jun24/7402/2
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 1 . 2 Following the release of acetylcholine into a neuromuscular junction, a muscle box
contraction occurs.
Describe the sequence of events, following the release of acetylcholine, that leads to
stimulation of this contraction.
Do not include in your answer the events following the release of calcium ions in the
myofibril.
[4 marks]
0 1 . 3 Inhibitory synapses cause hyperpolarisation in postsynaptic neurones.
Explain how this inhibits synaptic transmission.
[2 marks]
8
Turn over ►
IB/M/Jun24/7402/2
