A Level Biology OCR A Questions | Practice Test / Quiz / MCQs

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A Level Biology OCR A Questions

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Avg score: 10% • Most missed: “Draw, label and annotate diagram to show how phloem tissue is specialised for it…”

Overview of A Level in Biology A:

Content is split into six teaching modules:
Module 1 – Development of practical skills in biology
Module 2 – Foundations in biology
Module 3 – Exchange and transport
Module 4 – Biodiversity,evolution and disease
Module 5 – Communication,homeostasis and energy
Module 6 – Genetics,evolution and ecosystems

A Level Biology OCR A Questions

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25 Questions

1. Explain 3 reasons why 1-3% of sunlight producers receive is converted into chemical energy.

Inefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesThymus - thymosin

2. Define partial pressure.

Nasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesThymus - thymosin

3. Describe the structure of the nasal cavity & explain how its structure makes it adapted for its function

Nasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesThymus - thymosinInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gases

4. What hormone does thymus secrete?

Partial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesThymus - thymosinInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactions

5. Define homeostasis.

Homeostasis - maintenance of a constant internal environmentInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfaces

6. Explain the value of the Bohr effect in the transport of oxygen.

Partial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesValue of Bohr effect: In respiring tisssues, O2 unloads more readily so more oxygen delivered (bc high CO2 and therefore high H+)In lungs, haemoglobin is able to become saturated more easily - higher proportion of O2 picked up (bc low CO2 and therefore low H+)Inefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactions

7. Explain the link reaction step by step.

Partial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsLink reaction: Pyruvate enters mitochondrial matrix by active transport via carrier proteinsIt undergoes oxidative decarboxylation (CO2 & H removed)Hydrogen accepted by NAD to form NADHTwo-carbon acetyl group formed binds with coenzyme A to form acetylcoenzyme ANasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfaces

8. State the name of the reaction that joins nucleotides together and the name of the reaction that breaks phosphodiester bonds.

Nasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesJoining nucleotides - condensationBreaking phosphodiester bonds - hydrolysisInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactions

9. What type of pathogen causes athletes foot?

FungusInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gases

10. State the property that each end of the phospholipid has.

Partial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsPhospholipid strucrtue & water

11. Draw, label and annotate diagram to show how phloem tissue is specialised for its function.

12. Describe the purpose of mitotic cell division.

Inefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesPurpose of mitotic cell division: Ensures that both daughter cells produced when a parent cell divides are genetically identicalNecessary when all of the daughter cells have to be identicalPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gases

13. What type of pathogen causes tuberculosis?

BacteriumNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gases

14. Define oncotic pressure.

Partial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesOncotic pressure - osmotic pressure created by proteins which are dissolved in blood plasmaInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactions

15. Describe how presence of cholesterol affects the properties of cell membranes.

16. Define bivalent.

17. Define intraspecific competition.

Partial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesIntraspecific competition - competition between members of the same speciesInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactions

18. Describe the impact local human populations have had on Masai Mara.

Human impact on Masai Mara: Region used to be dominated by acacia bushes which provided habitat for tsetse fly, carrier of sleeping sicknessMajor tracts of acacia were cleared out & animal grazing further reduced the presence of acacia and other woody plantsPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactions

19. Define schwann cell.

Inefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfacesSchwann cell - glial cells that wrap around an axon, forming the myelin sheath

20. Suggest which members of a population are likely to need protection through herd immunity.

Partial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesPeople who need herd immunity - people allergic to the vaccine/people with weakend immune system that maybe take immunosuppressantsInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfaces

21. Define omnivore.

Partial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesOmnivore - animal that eats both plants and other animalsInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfaces

22. Define primary immune response.

23.

24. Define pre-zygotic reproductive barrier.

Pre-zygotic reproductive barrier - prevents fertilisation and formation of a zygoteInefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfaces

25. Name 4 expulsive reflexes and explain their value for protection against pathogens.

Inefficiency of producers: Not all solar energy available is used for photosynthesis - 90% is reflected, some transmitted through leaf and some is of unusable wavelengthOther factors may limit photosynthesisProportion of energy is lost bc it is used for photosynthetic reactionsPartial pressure - pressure exerted by a component in a mixture of gasesExpulsive reflexes: Cough & sneeze - eject pathogen-containing mucus from gas exhange system, rapidly and in large quantityVomiting & diarrhoea - expel contents of gut along with infective pathogens also rapid and large quantityNasal cavity: Main function: allow air to enter lungs at a similar temp and humidity to the air there & prevent dust particles/pathogens from enteringLarge SA with good blood supply, warms air to body temp to help maintain itHairy lining that secretes mucus to trap dust and bacteria protecting lung tissue Moist surfaces increase humidity of incoming air reducing evaporation from exchange surfaces

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25 Questions

❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know? Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson© 2026 Fatskills.com

All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know?
Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
© 2026 Fatskills.com