AQA A-Level Biology Paper 1 Predicted Paper 2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

AQA A-Level Biology Paper 1 Predicted Paper 2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

AQA

A-Level Biology 

Paper 1

Predicted Paper 2026

Name ……………………………………………………………………

Date …………………

2 hours allowed.

You may use a scientific calculator and a ruler with millimetre measurements.

Grade boundaries

These are VERY rough guesses! Getting a B on this paper does not guarantee you the same mark in the exam.

• A* 65%

• A 55%

• B 45%

• C 40%

• D 35%

• E 30%

 

01

To look for the presence of starch in potatoes, a student decided to observe potato cells under a microscope. The image below shows starch grains present in potato cells viewed at a magnification of x400.

a) Describe how the student could have prepared the sample to view under the microscope.

[2 marks]

b) Describe how the student identified that these grains contained starch.

[2 marks]

c) Calculate the actual length in µm of the starch grain between points A and B.

[2 marks]

Actual length = 

 

d) Plants store excess glucose as starch in their cells. Glucose can also be used to make cellulose to make cell walls.

Explain how the structure of cellulose make it adapted for its function.

[3 marks]

 

a) Explain how water assists in metabolic reactions inside cells.

[2 marks]

b) The image below shows a freshwater pond.

State and explain three properties of water that help organisms that live in the pond to survive.

[3 marks]

 

Sugars made in the leaves of plants must be transported to other tissues. One theory states that a pressure gradient is created from the leaves to the roots and that sugars are transported in the phloem under high pressure down the pressure gradient.

a) Describe how high pressure in the phloem of leaves is created.

[3 marks]

Experiments have been carried out to find evidence which supports this hypothesis. A scientist wanted to observe the effect of ringing on the movement of substances in the phloem of apple trees.

An experiment was devised and 10 specimen apple trees were picked by the scientist. She took 3 branches of equal diameter from below the leaves of each of the 10 trees and treated them under the following