WBI15/01 – Practice exam-style question Biology A Level Tutor
Practice exam-style question for Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level
for use with Question 8 – Unit 5, June 2026
In unit 5, the last question (question 8) is based on a pre-released scientific article a total of 30
marks.
In this document, you will find two practice exam-style question sets made to resemble the
structure, wording, and biological application used in Pearson Edexcel International A Level
Biology. The exam sets are connected to the Scientific Article published for question 8 for Biology
IAL (International Advanced Level) WBI15/01 – June 2026.
This document is designed in the same way as Edexcel article questions:
o it uses specific paragraphs and ideas from the article
o it combines information from the passage with your own biological knowledge
o it uses common exam command words such as define, describe, explain, and suggest
o it tests both understanding of the article and core Biology syllabus content
The questions are written to reflect the style of a real article-based synoptic exam question,
where students must apply biological knowledge to unfamiliar material. Topics linked to the
article include:
o ATP and aerobic respiration
o oxygen delivery and blood flow
o the autonomic nervous system
o cytokines and immunity
o brain imaging techniques
o neurones and synapses
o viruses and inflammation
1
, WBI15/01 – Practice exam-style question Biology A Level Tutor
A Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology-style Question 8 – Version 1
Use the information from the scientific article and your own knowledge to answer the
following questions.
a) Give a definition for the term fatigue. (1 Mark)
o A feeling of tiredness / reduced ability or willingness to continue activity
b) Explain what is meant by the body’s internal state. (2 Marks)
o The conditions inside the body
o Includes factors such as energy availability / oxygen level / glucose level /
temperature / pH
c) Explain why ATP is needed for both physical and mental activity. (3 Marks)
o ATP provides immediate energy for metabolic processes
o In physical activity, ATP is needed for muscle contraction
o In mental activity, ATP is needed for active transport / transmission of nerve
impulses / neurotransmitter recycling
d) Describe how fMRI scans could be used to investigate changes in brain activity. (2
Marks)
o fMRI detects changes in blood flow / oxygenation in brain regions
o More active regions receive more oxygenated blood / produce a stronger signal
o Compare scans during rest and during / after the task
e) Explain how aerobic respiration in mitochondria produces ATP. (4 Marks)
o Glucose is broken down in glycolysis
o Pyruvate enters the mitochondrion / Krebs cycle occurs
o Reduced NAD / FAD donate electrons to the electron transport chain
o Energy released is used to pump protons
o Oxygen is the final electron acceptor
o ATP is produced by oxidative phosphorylation / chemiosmosis
f) Explain why oxygen and glucose are both needed for aerobic respiration. (3 Marks)
o Glucose is the respiratory substrate / source of chemical energy
o Oxygen is needed as the final electron acceptor
o This allows complete breakdown of glucose and high ATP yield
g) Describe how the autonomic nervous system can increase oxygen delivery to
muscles during exercise. (4 Marks)
o Increases heart rate
2
Practice exam-style question for Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level
for use with Question 8 – Unit 5, June 2026
In unit 5, the last question (question 8) is based on a pre-released scientific article a total of 30
marks.
In this document, you will find two practice exam-style question sets made to resemble the
structure, wording, and biological application used in Pearson Edexcel International A Level
Biology. The exam sets are connected to the Scientific Article published for question 8 for Biology
IAL (International Advanced Level) WBI15/01 – June 2026.
This document is designed in the same way as Edexcel article questions:
o it uses specific paragraphs and ideas from the article
o it combines information from the passage with your own biological knowledge
o it uses common exam command words such as define, describe, explain, and suggest
o it tests both understanding of the article and core Biology syllabus content
The questions are written to reflect the style of a real article-based synoptic exam question,
where students must apply biological knowledge to unfamiliar material. Topics linked to the
article include:
o ATP and aerobic respiration
o oxygen delivery and blood flow
o the autonomic nervous system
o cytokines and immunity
o brain imaging techniques
o neurones and synapses
o viruses and inflammation
1
, WBI15/01 – Practice exam-style question Biology A Level Tutor
A Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology-style Question 8 – Version 1
Use the information from the scientific article and your own knowledge to answer the
following questions.
a) Give a definition for the term fatigue. (1 Mark)
o A feeling of tiredness / reduced ability or willingness to continue activity
b) Explain what is meant by the body’s internal state. (2 Marks)
o The conditions inside the body
o Includes factors such as energy availability / oxygen level / glucose level /
temperature / pH
c) Explain why ATP is needed for both physical and mental activity. (3 Marks)
o ATP provides immediate energy for metabolic processes
o In physical activity, ATP is needed for muscle contraction
o In mental activity, ATP is needed for active transport / transmission of nerve
impulses / neurotransmitter recycling
d) Describe how fMRI scans could be used to investigate changes in brain activity. (2
Marks)
o fMRI detects changes in blood flow / oxygenation in brain regions
o More active regions receive more oxygenated blood / produce a stronger signal
o Compare scans during rest and during / after the task
e) Explain how aerobic respiration in mitochondria produces ATP. (4 Marks)
o Glucose is broken down in glycolysis
o Pyruvate enters the mitochondrion / Krebs cycle occurs
o Reduced NAD / FAD donate electrons to the electron transport chain
o Energy released is used to pump protons
o Oxygen is the final electron acceptor
o ATP is produced by oxidative phosphorylation / chemiosmosis
f) Explain why oxygen and glucose are both needed for aerobic respiration. (3 Marks)
o Glucose is the respiratory substrate / source of chemical energy
o Oxygen is needed as the final electron acceptor
o This allows complete breakdown of glucose and high ATP yield
g) Describe how the autonomic nervous system can increase oxygen delivery to
muscles during exercise. (4 Marks)
o Increases heart rate
2
