AQA GCSE Biology Paper 1 - Specimen paper
with mark scheme correct answers 2026\2027
A+ Grade
1.1 Plants move mineral ions:
• from a low concentration in the soil
• to a high concentration in the root cells.
What process do plants use to move these minerals ions into root cells?
[1 mark]
Tick one box.
Active transport
Diffusion
Evaporation
Osmosis
- correct answer Active Transport
1.2 Describe how water moves from roots to the leaves
- correct answer by transpiration stream / pull
in xylem
1.3 Plants lose water through the stomata in the leaves.
The epidermis can be peeled from a leaf.
The stomata can be seen using a light microscope.
Table 1 shows the data a student collected from five areas on one leaf.
,Describe how the student might have collected the data in Table 1.
- correct answer any three in the correct order
from:
• mount epidermis on a slide
• count stomata in one area
• repeat in four more areas
• repeat method on other
surface of leaf
• calculate mean
1.4 What is the median number of stomata on the upper surface of the leaf?
- correct answer 1
1.5 Calculate the value of X in Table 1.
Give your answer to 2 significant figures.
[2 marks]
- correct answer (44 + 41 + 40 + 42 + 39) / 5
= 41.2
41
1.6 The plant used in this investigation has very few stomata on the upper surface of the leaf.
Explain why this is an advantage to the plant.
[2 marks]
- correct answer less water lost
so it does not wilt
2.1 All tools should be washed in disinfectant after using them on plants infected with TMV.
Suggest why.
, [1 mark]
- correct answer to kill virus
or
to prevent virus spreading
2.2 Scientists produced a single plant that contained a TMV-resistant gene.
Suggest how scientists can use this plant to produce many plants with the TMV-resistant gene. [1 mark]
- correct answer take (stem) cells from meristem
or
tissue culture
2.3 Some plants produce fruits which contain glucose.
Describe how you would test for the presence of glucose in fruit.
[2 marks]
- correct answer heat mixture and add a few
drops of Benedict's solution
glucose turns solution blue to
orange
TMV can cause plants to produce less chlorophyll.
This causes leaf discoloration.
Explain why plants with TMV have stunted growth.
[4 marks]
- correct answer • less photosynthesis because of lack of chlorophyll
• therefore less glucose made
so
with mark scheme correct answers 2026\2027
A+ Grade
1.1 Plants move mineral ions:
• from a low concentration in the soil
• to a high concentration in the root cells.
What process do plants use to move these minerals ions into root cells?
[1 mark]
Tick one box.
Active transport
Diffusion
Evaporation
Osmosis
- correct answer Active Transport
1.2 Describe how water moves from roots to the leaves
- correct answer by transpiration stream / pull
in xylem
1.3 Plants lose water through the stomata in the leaves.
The epidermis can be peeled from a leaf.
The stomata can be seen using a light microscope.
Table 1 shows the data a student collected from five areas on one leaf.
,Describe how the student might have collected the data in Table 1.
- correct answer any three in the correct order
from:
• mount epidermis on a slide
• count stomata in one area
• repeat in four more areas
• repeat method on other
surface of leaf
• calculate mean
1.4 What is the median number of stomata on the upper surface of the leaf?
- correct answer 1
1.5 Calculate the value of X in Table 1.
Give your answer to 2 significant figures.
[2 marks]
- correct answer (44 + 41 + 40 + 42 + 39) / 5
= 41.2
41
1.6 The plant used in this investigation has very few stomata on the upper surface of the leaf.
Explain why this is an advantage to the plant.
[2 marks]
- correct answer less water lost
so it does not wilt
2.1 All tools should be washed in disinfectant after using them on plants infected with TMV.
Suggest why.
, [1 mark]
- correct answer to kill virus
or
to prevent virus spreading
2.2 Scientists produced a single plant that contained a TMV-resistant gene.
Suggest how scientists can use this plant to produce many plants with the TMV-resistant gene. [1 mark]
- correct answer take (stem) cells from meristem
or
tissue culture
2.3 Some plants produce fruits which contain glucose.
Describe how you would test for the presence of glucose in fruit.
[2 marks]
- correct answer heat mixture and add a few
drops of Benedict's solution
glucose turns solution blue to
orange
TMV can cause plants to produce less chlorophyll.
This causes leaf discoloration.
Explain why plants with TMV have stunted growth.
[4 marks]
- correct answer • less photosynthesis because of lack of chlorophyll
• therefore less glucose made
so
