Version 2
AQA BIOLOGY ESSAY TITLES VERSION 2
Biology essay
titles
This document contains the essay titles and mark schemes used in AQA A-level
Biology examinations since 2007. The specifications these exam questions came
from are no longer in use, but the marking method has largely remained unchanged.
Further guidance on the marking method used with the essay can be found in Paper 3
Essay marking guidance.
Year QuestionTitle
7402/3
2017 7.1 The importance of nitrogen-containing substances in biological
systems
2017 7.2 The importance of diffusion in organisms
BIOL5
2017 10a The importance of the specific shapes of molecules in
organisms.
The importance of transfers of substances within organisms
2017 10b
and between organisms and their environment.
2016 10a The control of processes in cells and the importance of these
controls.
2016 10b The importance of ions in biology.
The importance of responses to changes in the internal and
2015R 10a
external environment of an organism.
The importance to humans of the control of growth,
2015R 10b
reproduction and development of organisms, including
themselves.
The importance of proteins in the control of processes and
2015 10a
responses in organisms.
2015 10b The causes and importance of variation and diversity in
organisms.
Cells and organisms carry out exchanges with their external
2014 10 a
environment to maintain their internal environment.
2014 10 b How energy is transferred within and between organisms.
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered
in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
, The membranes of different types of cells are involved in many
2013 10 a
different functions.
There are many different types of relationships and
2013 10 b
interactions between organisms.
2012 10 a The importance of shapes fitting together in cells and
organisms
2012 10 b How bacteria can affect the lives of humans and other
organisms
2011 10 a Using DNA in science and technology
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered
in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
, A cycle is a biological pathway or process in which the end
2011 10 b product of one cycle becomes the starting point for the next.
Write an essay about cycles in biology
Carbon dioxide may affect organisms directly or indirectly.
2010 10 a
Describe and explain these effects.
2010 10 b The causes of disease in humans
SPEC B
2010 A The movement of substances within living organisms
2010 B Cycles in Biology
2009 A Ions and organisms
2009 B DNA and the transfer of information.
The part played by the movement of substances across cell
2008 A
membranes in the functioning of different organs and organ
systems
The part played by enzymes in the functioning of different cells,
2008 B
tissues and organs.
2007 A Movements inside cells
2007 B Transfers through ecosystems
SPEC A
2010 A Carbon dioxide in organisms and ecosystems.
Why the offspring produced by the same parents are different
2010 B
in appearance
2009 A The uses of water in living organisms.
2009 B The transfer of energy within and between organisms
2008 A Hydrogen bonds and their importance in living organisms.
How nitrogen-containing substances are made available to
2008 B
and are used
2007 A Carbon dioxide in organisms and ecosystems.
Why the offspring produced by the same parents are different
2007 B
in appearance
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in2 of
33 England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
, Mark Schemes:
7402/3
June 2017
7.1 The importance of nitrogen-containing substances in biological systems
Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments
07.1 • 3.1.4 and 3.1.4.2 proteins and enzymes 25
• 3.1.5 nucleic acids
• 3.1.5.2 DNA replication
• 3.1.6 ATP
• 3.2.1.1 ribosomes
• 3.2.2 cell division
• 3.2.3 transport across membranes
• 3.2.4 immune response
• 3.3.3 digestion and absorption
• 3.3.4.1 haemoglobin
• 3.4.1 genes and chromosomes
• 3.4.2 protein synthesis
• 3.4.3 mutation
• 3.4.7 investigating diversity
• 3..5.1 photosynthesis
• 3.5.2 respiration
• 3.5.4 nitrogen cycle
• 3.6.2 nervous coordination
• 3.6.3 muscles
• 3.6.4.2 control of blood glucose
(and peptide/protein hormones)
• 3.7.1 inheritance
• 3.8.1 alteration of DNA sequences
• 3.8.2.2 regulation of transcription
and translation
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in3 of
33 England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
AQA BIOLOGY ESSAY TITLES VERSION 2
Biology essay
titles
This document contains the essay titles and mark schemes used in AQA A-level
Biology examinations since 2007. The specifications these exam questions came
from are no longer in use, but the marking method has largely remained unchanged.
Further guidance on the marking method used with the essay can be found in Paper 3
Essay marking guidance.
Year QuestionTitle
7402/3
2017 7.1 The importance of nitrogen-containing substances in biological
systems
2017 7.2 The importance of diffusion in organisms
BIOL5
2017 10a The importance of the specific shapes of molecules in
organisms.
The importance of transfers of substances within organisms
2017 10b
and between organisms and their environment.
2016 10a The control of processes in cells and the importance of these
controls.
2016 10b The importance of ions in biology.
The importance of responses to changes in the internal and
2015R 10a
external environment of an organism.
The importance to humans of the control of growth,
2015R 10b
reproduction and development of organisms, including
themselves.
The importance of proteins in the control of processes and
2015 10a
responses in organisms.
2015 10b The causes and importance of variation and diversity in
organisms.
Cells and organisms carry out exchanges with their external
2014 10 a
environment to maintain their internal environment.
2014 10 b How energy is transferred within and between organisms.
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered
in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
, The membranes of different types of cells are involved in many
2013 10 a
different functions.
There are many different types of relationships and
2013 10 b
interactions between organisms.
2012 10 a The importance of shapes fitting together in cells and
organisms
2012 10 b How bacteria can affect the lives of humans and other
organisms
2011 10 a Using DNA in science and technology
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered
in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
, A cycle is a biological pathway or process in which the end
2011 10 b product of one cycle becomes the starting point for the next.
Write an essay about cycles in biology
Carbon dioxide may affect organisms directly or indirectly.
2010 10 a
Describe and explain these effects.
2010 10 b The causes of disease in humans
SPEC B
2010 A The movement of substances within living organisms
2010 B Cycles in Biology
2009 A Ions and organisms
2009 B DNA and the transfer of information.
The part played by the movement of substances across cell
2008 A
membranes in the functioning of different organs and organ
systems
The part played by enzymes in the functioning of different cells,
2008 B
tissues and organs.
2007 A Movements inside cells
2007 B Transfers through ecosystems
SPEC A
2010 A Carbon dioxide in organisms and ecosystems.
Why the offspring produced by the same parents are different
2010 B
in appearance
2009 A The uses of water in living organisms.
2009 B The transfer of energy within and between organisms
2008 A Hydrogen bonds and their importance in living organisms.
How nitrogen-containing substances are made available to
2008 B
and are used
2007 A Carbon dioxide in organisms and ecosystems.
Why the offspring produced by the same parents are different
2007 B
in appearance
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in2 of
33 England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
, Mark Schemes:
7402/3
June 2017
7.1 The importance of nitrogen-containing substances in biological systems
Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments
07.1 • 3.1.4 and 3.1.4.2 proteins and enzymes 25
• 3.1.5 nucleic acids
• 3.1.5.2 DNA replication
• 3.1.6 ATP
• 3.2.1.1 ribosomes
• 3.2.2 cell division
• 3.2.3 transport across membranes
• 3.2.4 immune response
• 3.3.3 digestion and absorption
• 3.3.4.1 haemoglobin
• 3.4.1 genes and chromosomes
• 3.4.2 protein synthesis
• 3.4.3 mutation
• 3.4.7 investigating diversity
• 3..5.1 photosynthesis
• 3.5.2 respiration
• 3.5.4 nitrogen cycle
• 3.6.2 nervous coordination
• 3.6.3 muscles
• 3.6.4.2 control of blood glucose
(and peptide/protein hormones)
• 3.7.1 inheritance
• 3.8.1 alteration of DNA sequences
• 3.8.2.2 regulation of transcription
and translation
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in3 of
33 England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
