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 and
2017 10b
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 external
2015R 10a
environment of an organism.
The importance to humans of the control of growth, reproduction and
2015R 10b
development of organisms, including themselves.
The importance of proteins in the control of processes and responses in
2015 10a
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.
The membranes of different types of cells are involved in many different
2013 10 a
functions.
There are many different types of relationships and interactions
2013 10 b
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 product of
2011 10 b one cycle becomes the starting point for the next. Write an essay about
cycles in biology
Carbon dioxide may affect organisms directly or indirectly. Describe and
2010 10 a
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, tissues
2008 B
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 in
2010 B
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 and are
2008 B
used
2007 A Carbon dioxide in organisms and ecosystems.
Why the offspring produced by the same parents are different in
2007 B
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.
, June 2017
7.2 The importance of diffusion in organisms
Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments
07.2 3.1.7 and 3.1.8 water and inorganic ions 25
• 3.2.3 transport across membranes
• 3.3.2 gas exchange
• 3.3.3 digestion and absorption
• 3.3.4.1 mass transport in animals
• 3.3.4.2 mass transport in plants
• 3.4.2 DNA and protein synthesis
• 3.5.1 photosynthesis
• 3.5.2 respiration
• 3.5.4 nutrient cycles
• 3.6.1.1 plant responses to stimuli
• 3.6.1.2 receptors
• 3.6.2.1 nerve impulses
• 3.6.2.2 synaptic transmission
• 3.6.3 muscle contraction
• 3.6.4.1 and 4.2 control of blood glucose
concentration
• 3.6.4.3 control of blood water potential
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in4 of 33
England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
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 and
2017 10b
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 external
2015R 10a
environment of an organism.
The importance to humans of the control of growth, reproduction and
2015R 10b
development of organisms, including themselves.
The importance of proteins in the control of processes and responses in
2015 10a
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.
The membranes of different types of cells are involved in many different
2013 10 a
functions.
There are many different types of relationships and interactions
2013 10 b
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 product of
2011 10 b one cycle becomes the starting point for the next. Write an essay about
cycles in biology
Carbon dioxide may affect organisms directly or indirectly. Describe and
2010 10 a
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, tissues
2008 B
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 in
2010 B
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 and are
2008 B
used
2007 A Carbon dioxide in organisms and ecosystems.
Why the offspring produced by the same parents are different in
2007 B
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.
, June 2017
7.2 The importance of diffusion in organisms
Question Marking Guidance Mark Comments
07.2 3.1.7 and 3.1.8 water and inorganic ions 25
• 3.2.3 transport across membranes
• 3.3.2 gas exchange
• 3.3.3 digestion and absorption
• 3.3.4.1 mass transport in animals
• 3.3.4.2 mass transport in plants
• 3.4.2 DNA and protein synthesis
• 3.5.1 photosynthesis
• 3.5.2 respiration
• 3.5.4 nutrient cycles
• 3.6.1.1 plant responses to stimuli
• 3.6.1.2 receptors
• 3.6.2.1 nerve impulses
• 3.6.2.2 synaptic transmission
• 3.6.3 muscle contraction
• 3.6.4.1 and 4.2 control of blood glucose
concentration
• 3.6.4.3 control of blood water potential
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in4 of 33
England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
