GCSE BIOLOGY (9–1): HIGHER TIER
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ [B4.1] Eukaryote vs prokaryote.
Answer: Eukaryotes (animal/plant) have a *nucleus. Prokaryotes (bacteria)
have no nucleus; DNA is a single circular loop. Prokaryotes are smaller and
simpler*.
◍ [B4.1] Animal cell organelles.
Answer: *Nucleus (genes), cytoplasm (reactions), cell membrane (controls
entry/exit), mitochondria (respiration), ribosomes* (protein).
◍ [B4.1] Plant cell extras.
Answer: *Cell wall (cellulose, strength), chloroplasts (photosynthesis),
vacuole* (sap; keeps cell turgid).
◍ [B4.1] Bacterial cells.
Answer: No nucleus; DNA on a *circular chromosome + plasmids. Cell
wall* (not cellulose). May have flagellum.
◍ Homeostasis.
Answer: The regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism in
response to internal or external changes. E.g. the control of: blood glucose
concentration, body temperature, water and ion levels, etc.
◍ [B4.1] Microscopy magnification.
Answer: *Magnification = Image size ÷ Real size*. Units: mm → µm
(×1000), µm → nm (×1000).
◍ [B4.1] Cell differentiation.
Answer: Cells become *specialised. Animals: mostly in embryo. Plants:
, many cells can differentiate through life*.
◍ [B4.1] Mitosis (purpose).
Answer: For *growth, repair, asexual reproduction. Produces 2 identical
diploid* cells.
◍ [B4.1] Stem cells (HT).
Answer: *Embryonic: can become most cells. Adult: limited types. Uses:
treat disease. Risks: rejection, tumours, ethical issues*.
◍ [B4.1] Diffusion.
Answer: Net movement of particles from *high to low concentration.
Examples: O₂ into blood, CO₂* out of cells.
◍ Negative Feedback.
Answer: This is a type of control mechanism:1) a receptor detects a change
in a stimulus.2) the coordination centre compares the stimulus to a set
point.3) an effector then produces a response to correct any difference from
the set point.
◍ [B4.1] Osmosis.
Answer: Movement of *water through a partially permeable membrane from
dilute to concentrated* solution.
◍ The Thermoregulatory Centre.
Answer: This is in the brain and it monitors and controls body temperature,
blood temperature via impulses from temperature receptors.
◍ Effects when Body Temperature is too High.
Answer: - Vasodilation.- Swear more.- Transfer of energy form the skin to
the environment.
◍ Effects when Body Temperature is too Low.
Answer: - Vasoconstriction- Stop sweating- Piloerection - Shiver
◍ The Nervous System.
Answer: This enables humans to react to their surroundings and coordinate
their behaviour. It stimulates a reflex arc.
, ◍ [B4.1] Active transport.
Answer: Movement *against a concentration gradient using energy (ATP).
Examples: root hair cells (minerals), gut* (glucose).
◍ Types of Neurones.
Answer: Sensory Neurone, Motor Neurone, Relay Neurone.
◍ Reflex Arc.
Answer: 1) the pain stimulus is detected by receptors.2) impulses from the
receptor pass along a sensory Neurone to the CNS.3) an impulse then passed
through a relay Neurone.4) a motor neurone carries an impulse to the
effector.5) the effector (muscle or gland) responds
◍ Synapse.
Answer: The connection between neurones. When an electrical impulse
reaches this, a chemical is released that diffused across the gap. This causes
an electrical impulse to be generated in the second one.
◍ Human Reaction Time Required Practical.
Answer: 1) the experimenter holds a meter rule from the end.2) the subject
had their finger and thumb a small distant apart either side of the ruler on the
50cm line.3) the experimenter lets go of the ruler and the subject has to trap
it.4) the distance the ruler travels from the 50cm line is noted.5) the
experiment is repeated on the subjects that have just drunk coffee and the
subjects that have not.
◍ Parts of the brain.
Answer: - Medulla- Cerebellum- Cerebral Cortex
◍ Medulla.
Answer: controls automatic actions such as heartbeat and breathing.
◍ Cerebellum.
Answer: coordinates movement and balance
◍ [B4.1] Surface area to volume.
Answer: Smaller organisms have higher *SA:V, faster exchange.
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ [B4.1] Eukaryote vs prokaryote.
Answer: Eukaryotes (animal/plant) have a *nucleus. Prokaryotes (bacteria)
have no nucleus; DNA is a single circular loop. Prokaryotes are smaller and
simpler*.
◍ [B4.1] Animal cell organelles.
Answer: *Nucleus (genes), cytoplasm (reactions), cell membrane (controls
entry/exit), mitochondria (respiration), ribosomes* (protein).
◍ [B4.1] Plant cell extras.
Answer: *Cell wall (cellulose, strength), chloroplasts (photosynthesis),
vacuole* (sap; keeps cell turgid).
◍ [B4.1] Bacterial cells.
Answer: No nucleus; DNA on a *circular chromosome + plasmids. Cell
wall* (not cellulose). May have flagellum.
◍ Homeostasis.
Answer: The regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism in
response to internal or external changes. E.g. the control of: blood glucose
concentration, body temperature, water and ion levels, etc.
◍ [B4.1] Microscopy magnification.
Answer: *Magnification = Image size ÷ Real size*. Units: mm → µm
(×1000), µm → nm (×1000).
◍ [B4.1] Cell differentiation.
Answer: Cells become *specialised. Animals: mostly in embryo. Plants:
, many cells can differentiate through life*.
◍ [B4.1] Mitosis (purpose).
Answer: For *growth, repair, asexual reproduction. Produces 2 identical
diploid* cells.
◍ [B4.1] Stem cells (HT).
Answer: *Embryonic: can become most cells. Adult: limited types. Uses:
treat disease. Risks: rejection, tumours, ethical issues*.
◍ [B4.1] Diffusion.
Answer: Net movement of particles from *high to low concentration.
Examples: O₂ into blood, CO₂* out of cells.
◍ Negative Feedback.
Answer: This is a type of control mechanism:1) a receptor detects a change
in a stimulus.2) the coordination centre compares the stimulus to a set
point.3) an effector then produces a response to correct any difference from
the set point.
◍ [B4.1] Osmosis.
Answer: Movement of *water through a partially permeable membrane from
dilute to concentrated* solution.
◍ The Thermoregulatory Centre.
Answer: This is in the brain and it monitors and controls body temperature,
blood temperature via impulses from temperature receptors.
◍ Effects when Body Temperature is too High.
Answer: - Vasodilation.- Swear more.- Transfer of energy form the skin to
the environment.
◍ Effects when Body Temperature is too Low.
Answer: - Vasoconstriction- Stop sweating- Piloerection - Shiver
◍ The Nervous System.
Answer: This enables humans to react to their surroundings and coordinate
their behaviour. It stimulates a reflex arc.
, ◍ [B4.1] Active transport.
Answer: Movement *against a concentration gradient using energy (ATP).
Examples: root hair cells (minerals), gut* (glucose).
◍ Types of Neurones.
Answer: Sensory Neurone, Motor Neurone, Relay Neurone.
◍ Reflex Arc.
Answer: 1) the pain stimulus is detected by receptors.2) impulses from the
receptor pass along a sensory Neurone to the CNS.3) an impulse then passed
through a relay Neurone.4) a motor neurone carries an impulse to the
effector.5) the effector (muscle or gland) responds
◍ Synapse.
Answer: The connection between neurones. When an electrical impulse
reaches this, a chemical is released that diffused across the gap. This causes
an electrical impulse to be generated in the second one.
◍ Human Reaction Time Required Practical.
Answer: 1) the experimenter holds a meter rule from the end.2) the subject
had their finger and thumb a small distant apart either side of the ruler on the
50cm line.3) the experimenter lets go of the ruler and the subject has to trap
it.4) the distance the ruler travels from the 50cm line is noted.5) the
experiment is repeated on the subjects that have just drunk coffee and the
subjects that have not.
◍ Parts of the brain.
Answer: - Medulla- Cerebellum- Cerebral Cortex
◍ Medulla.
Answer: controls automatic actions such as heartbeat and breathing.
◍ Cerebellum.
Answer: coordinates movement and balance
◍ [B4.1] Surface area to volume.
Answer: Smaller organisms have higher *SA:V, faster exchange.
