AQA A-level Biology – Practice Examination
Paper 2 newest Questions + Examiner-
Approved Solutions | A+ Booster Pack”
Paper 2 – June 2026
Time allowed: 2 hours
Total marks: 91 marks
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Fill in the boxes at the top of your answer booklet.
• Answer all questions.
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided.
• Show all your working where calculation is required.
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want
to be marked.
Section A: Short Answer Questions (Q1–Q10)
(Total: 40 marks)
Q1 (Biological molecules) (4 marks)
(a) Define the term monomer. (1)
Answer: A small, repeating molecule that can join with others to form a
polymer.
,(b) Describe how two amino acids join together. (2)
Answer: They join by a condensation reaction forming a peptide bond with the
release of water.
(c) Suggest why proteins have different functions. (1)
Answer: Because they have different tertiary structures/shapes.
Q2 (Enzymes) (4 marks)
The graph below shows enzyme activity at different temperatures.
(a) Describe the effect of temperature on enzyme activity. (2)
Answer: Activity increases with temperature up to an optimum, then rapidly
decreases.
(b) Explain why activity decreases after the optimum temperature. (2)
Answer: High temperature breaks bonds in enzyme structure, changing active
site shape so substrate no longer fits.
Q3 (Cells) (4 marks)
(a) Name the organelle responsible for ATP production. (1)
Answer: Mitochondrion.
(b) Explain the importance of ATP in cells. (2)
Answer: Provides energy for metabolic processes such as active transport and
synthesis.
(c) Suggest why muscle cells contain many mitochondria. (1)
Answer: High energy demand for contraction.
Q4 (Membranes) (4 marks)
(a) Describe the structure of a phospholipid. (2)
Answer: Hydrophilic phosphate head and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails.
, (b) Explain why the membrane is described as fluid. (2)
Answer: Phospholipids can move laterally and proteins float within the bilayer.
Q5 (Transport) (4 marks)
(a) Define diffusion. (1)
Answer: Net movement of molecules from high to low concentration.
(b) Describe facilitated diffusion. (2)
Answer: Movement down a concentration gradient via channel/carrier proteins.
(c) Suggest one factor affecting diffusion rate. (1)
Answer: Surface area / temperature / concentration gradient.
Q6 (Genetics) (4 marks)
(a) Define allele. (1)
Answer: Alternative form of a gene.
(b) Describe the difference between homozygous and heterozygous. (2)
Answer: Homozygous = same alleles, heterozygous = different alleles.
(c) Suggest why variation is important. (1)
Answer: Allows adaptation and survival in changing environments.
Q7 (Gene expression) (4 marks)
(a) Name the process of copying DNA into RNA. (1)
Answer: Transcription.
(b) Describe translation. (2)
Answer: Ribosomes read mRNA and assemble amino acids into polypeptides.
(c) Suggest one effect of a mutation. (1)
Answer: Change in amino acid sequence.
Paper 2 newest Questions + Examiner-
Approved Solutions | A+ Booster Pack”
Paper 2 – June 2026
Time allowed: 2 hours
Total marks: 91 marks
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Fill in the boxes at the top of your answer booklet.
• Answer all questions.
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided.
• Show all your working where calculation is required.
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want
to be marked.
Section A: Short Answer Questions (Q1–Q10)
(Total: 40 marks)
Q1 (Biological molecules) (4 marks)
(a) Define the term monomer. (1)
Answer: A small, repeating molecule that can join with others to form a
polymer.
,(b) Describe how two amino acids join together. (2)
Answer: They join by a condensation reaction forming a peptide bond with the
release of water.
(c) Suggest why proteins have different functions. (1)
Answer: Because they have different tertiary structures/shapes.
Q2 (Enzymes) (4 marks)
The graph below shows enzyme activity at different temperatures.
(a) Describe the effect of temperature on enzyme activity. (2)
Answer: Activity increases with temperature up to an optimum, then rapidly
decreases.
(b) Explain why activity decreases after the optimum temperature. (2)
Answer: High temperature breaks bonds in enzyme structure, changing active
site shape so substrate no longer fits.
Q3 (Cells) (4 marks)
(a) Name the organelle responsible for ATP production. (1)
Answer: Mitochondrion.
(b) Explain the importance of ATP in cells. (2)
Answer: Provides energy for metabolic processes such as active transport and
synthesis.
(c) Suggest why muscle cells contain many mitochondria. (1)
Answer: High energy demand for contraction.
Q4 (Membranes) (4 marks)
(a) Describe the structure of a phospholipid. (2)
Answer: Hydrophilic phosphate head and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails.
, (b) Explain why the membrane is described as fluid. (2)
Answer: Phospholipids can move laterally and proteins float within the bilayer.
Q5 (Transport) (4 marks)
(a) Define diffusion. (1)
Answer: Net movement of molecules from high to low concentration.
(b) Describe facilitated diffusion. (2)
Answer: Movement down a concentration gradient via channel/carrier proteins.
(c) Suggest one factor affecting diffusion rate. (1)
Answer: Surface area / temperature / concentration gradient.
Q6 (Genetics) (4 marks)
(a) Define allele. (1)
Answer: Alternative form of a gene.
(b) Describe the difference between homozygous and heterozygous. (2)
Answer: Homozygous = same alleles, heterozygous = different alleles.
(c) Suggest why variation is important. (1)
Answer: Allows adaptation and survival in changing environments.
Q7 (Gene expression) (4 marks)
(a) Name the process of copying DNA into RNA. (1)
Answer: Transcription.
(b) Describe translation. (2)
Answer: Ribosomes read mRNA and assemble amino acids into polypeptides.
(c) Suggest one effect of a mutation. (1)
Answer: Change in amino acid sequence.
