Oxford Cambridge and RSA
A Level Biology B (Advancing Biology)
H422/03 Practical skills in biology
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use the lined
pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be given
for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 20 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR A Level Biology B (Advancing Biology) Practical skills
in biology (H422/03) Question Paper and Mark Scheme
2026
,© OCR 2025 [601/4720/9] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (DE/JG) 346850/3 Turn over
,
, 2
1 Two functions of the roots of plants are to take up water from the soil and to store starch.
(a) The photomicrograph shows a transverse section of a root in a monocotyledonous plant.
A
C
B
×20
(i) The cells labelled A and B are two different types of cell in the vascular tissue of the root.
Identify the types of cell labelled A and B.
A .......................................................................................................................................................
B .......................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(ii) The diameter of one region of the root is represented by the line C in the image.
The magnification used to produce the image was × 20. Calculate the
actual diameter of C.
Give your answer in mm.
Diameter =............................................................. mm [2]
(iii) One risk when dissecting plant tissues, such as roots, is the potential for injury when using sharp
instruments.
State one other health and safety risk that should be considered before dissecting plant tissues.
© OCR 2025
A Level Biology B (Advancing Biology)
H422/03 Practical skills in biology
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use the lined
pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be given
for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 20 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR A Level Biology B (Advancing Biology) Practical skills
in biology (H422/03) Question Paper and Mark Scheme
2026
,© OCR 2025 [601/4720/9] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (DE/JG) 346850/3 Turn over
,
, 2
1 Two functions of the roots of plants are to take up water from the soil and to store starch.
(a) The photomicrograph shows a transverse section of a root in a monocotyledonous plant.
A
C
B
×20
(i) The cells labelled A and B are two different types of cell in the vascular tissue of the root.
Identify the types of cell labelled A and B.
A .......................................................................................................................................................
B .......................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(ii) The diameter of one region of the root is represented by the line C in the image.
The magnification used to produce the image was × 20. Calculate the
actual diameter of C.
Give your answer in mm.
Diameter =............................................................. mm [2]
(iii) One risk when dissecting plant tissues, such as roots, is the potential for injury when using sharp
instruments.
State one other health and safety risk that should be considered before dissecting plant tissues.
© OCR 2025
