Free Practice Questions for CAPE Biology Unit 2

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Key Facts: CAPE Biology Unit 2 Exam

45 items

Compulsory multiple-choice questions on Paper 01 (15 per Module)

CXC CAPE Biology Syllabus, Outline of Assessment

90 minutes

Time allowed for Paper 01 examination

CXC CAPE Biology Syllabus, Paper 01

40%

Contribution of Paper 01 to the final Unit 2 grade

CXC CAPE Biology Syllabus, Outline of Assessment

3 Modules

Bioenergetics and Conservation, Biosystems Maintenance, and Applications of Biology

CXC CAPE Biology Syllabus, Structure of the Syllabus

Grades I–VII

Seven overall grades used to report CAPE performance

CXC CAPE grading guidance

BBD$69.50

CXC CAPE Unit fee from May–June 2026; candidate entry and local charges are additional

CXC Scale Of Examination Fees, effective May–June 2026

CAPE Biology Unit 2 (Bioenergetics, Biosystems and Applications) is set by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) for sixth-form students across the Caribbean. Paper 01 consists of 45 compulsory multiple-choice items—15 per Module—administered in 1 hour 30 minutes and weighted at 40% of the final Unit grade. Results are reported as seven overall grades, I–VII. This 92-question practice bank provides comprehensive, independent multiple-choice preparation covering photosynthesis, cellular respiration, ecology, plant and mammalian transport, kidney function, coordination, immunology, and pharmacology.

Sample CAPE Biology Unit 2 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CAPE Biology Unit 2 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 92+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following photosynthetic pigments has an absorption spectrum characterized by peak absorption in the blue-violet (around 430 nm) and red (around 660 nm) regions of the visible spectrum?

A.Carotenoids

B.Chlorophyll a

C.Phycobilin

D.Chlorophyll b

Explanation: Chlorophyll a is the primary photosynthetic pigment in higher plants and exhibits distinct absorption peaks in the blue-violet region (approximately 430 nm) and the red region (approximately 660 nm).

2During non-cyclic photophosphorylation in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts, the primary source of replacement electrons for photosystem II (P680) is:

A.The oxidation of reduced NADP

B.The photolysis of water molecules

C.The cyclical transfer of electrons from photosystem I

D.The breakdown of triose phosphate in the stroma

Explanation: Photosystem II contains an oxygen-evolving complex that catalyzes the photolysis of water ($2H_2O \rightarrow O_2 + 4H^+ + 4e^-$). The electrons released replace those excited and lost from the P680 reaction center.

3Which of the following is the only product generated by cyclic photophosphorylation?

A.Oxygen gas ($O_2$)

B.Reduced NADP (NADPH)

C.Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

D.Glycerate-3-phosphate (GP)

Explanation: Cyclic photophosphorylation involves only Photosystem I (P700). Excited electrons pass through electron carriers back to P700, driving proton translocation and generating ATP via chemiosmosis without producing NADPH or $O_2$.

4According to the chemiosmotic hypothesis, how is ATP synthesized during the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis?

A.Protons are pumped from the thylakoid lumen into the stroma by substrate-level phosphorylation

B.Protons diffuse down their electrochemical gradient from the thylakoid lumen into the stroma through ATP synthase

C.Electrons pass directly into the active site of ATP synthase to activate phosphorylation of ADP

D.Protons diffuse from the stroma into the thylakoid lumen through ATP synthase complexes

Explanation: Electron transport drives protons ($H^+$) into the thylakoid lumen, creating a high proton concentration. As protons diffuse down their electrochemical gradient back into the stroma through ATP synthase channels, the proton motive force drives the phosphorylation of ADP to ATP.

5In the stroma of chloroplasts, the enzyme ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (RuBisCO) catalyzes the reaction between:

A.Carbon dioxide and glycerate-3-phosphate (GP)

B.Carbon dioxide and ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP)

C.Oxygen and triose phosphate (TP)

D.Ribulose bisphosphate and reduced NADP

Explanation: RuBisCO catalyzes the carboxylation of the 5-carbon acceptor ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) using carbon dioxide, yielding an unstable 6-carbon intermediate that immediately splits into two molecules of glycerate-3-phosphate (GP).

6How many molecules of triose phosphate (TP) must exit the Calvin cycle as net gain to produce one molecule of glucose, and how many are recycled to regenerate ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP)?

A.1 net gain exits; 5 recycled

B.2 net gain exit; 10 recycled

C.6 net gain exit; 6 recycled

D.3 net gain exit; 9 recycled

Explanation: For every 6 turns of the Calvin cycle, 6 molecules of $CO_2$ combine with 6 RuBP to form 12 molecules of GP, which are reduced to 12 molecules of TP. 2 TP molecules exit to synthesize one 6-carbon hexose (glucose), while the remaining 10 TP molecules are rearranged to regenerate 6 molecules of RuBP.

7A plant is kept in an enclosed chamber with constant high light intensity and optimal moisture. When atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is increased from 0.04% to 0.10% at 20°C, the rate of photosynthesis increases significantly. What was the limiting factor prior to this increase?

A.Light intensity

B.Temperature

C.Carbon dioxide concentration

D.Water availability

Explanation: According to the principle of limiting factors, if an increase in a specific environmental factor causes an increase in the rate of a physiological process, that specific factor was limiting the rate. Here, increasing $CO_2$ elevated the rate, confirming $CO_2$ was the limiting factor.

8In an experiment investigating the Hill reaction, isolated chloroplasts are illuminated in the presence of DCPIP (2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol). What observation confirms that the light-dependent reaction has occurred, and what role does DCPIP play?

A.DCPIP turns from colorless to dark blue as it is oxidized by photosystem I

B.DCPIP turns from dark blue to colorless as it accepts electrons and is reduced

C.DCPIP precipitates out of solution as it donates electrons to photosystem II

D.DCPIP stays dark blue because it cannot accept electrons from chloroplasts

Explanation: DCPIP is an artificial electron acceptor that substitutes for $NADP^+$ in the Hill reaction. In its oxidized state, DCPIP is dark blue; upon accepting electrons released by illuminated chloroplasts, it is reduced to a colorless form (DCPIPH2).

9Why is adenosine triphosphate (ATP) universally referred to as the 'energy currency' of living cells?

A.It stores more chemical energy per gram than triglycerides and glycogen

B.It hydrolyzes in a single-step reaction to release a manageable quantity of immediate energy

C.It forms permanent covalent bonds with target molecules to increase their stability

D.It is synthesized exclusively inside the mitochondrial matrix

Explanation: ATP releases approximately 30.5 kJ/mol of energy when hydrolyzed into ADP and inorganic phosphate in a rapid, single-step reaction, providing an easily accessible and manageable packet of energy for immediate cellular work.

10During the glycolytic pathway occurring in the cytosol, what is the net yield of ATP and reduced NAD per molecule of glucose oxidized to pyruvate?

A.4 ATP and 2 reduced NAD

B.2 ATP and 2 reduced NAD

C.2 ATP and 4 reduced NAD

D.32 ATP and 10 reduced NAD

Explanation: Glycolysis consumes 2 ATP molecules during the initial phosphorylation of glucose and generates 4 ATP molecules via substrate-level phosphorylation, giving a net yield of 2 ATP along with 2 molecules of reduced NAD (NADH) per glucose.

About the CAPE Biology Unit 2 Exam

CAPE Biology Unit 2, titled Bioenergetics, Biosystems and Applications, is the second discrete certifiable Unit of the Caribbean Examinations Council's Advanced Proficiency Examination in Biology. It encompasses three core Modules: Module 1 (Bioenergetics and Conservation), Module 2 (Biosystems Maintenance), and Module 3 (Applications of Biology). The examination comprises Paper 01 (45 multiple-choice questions, 40% of the overall grade), Paper 02 (structured and extended-response questions, 40%), and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 (20%). Pitched at the post-16 GCE A-Level standard, this qualification provides foundational preparation for university programs in medicine, biochemistry, pharmacology, ecology, and agricultural science.

Exam sponsor: Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Paper 01: 45 compulsory MCQs, 15 per Module (40%). Paper 02: three compulsory structured essay questions, one per Module (40%). SBA: practical laboratory exercises and an investigative project (20%); private candidates instead take Paper 032 with a practical task, data analysis and planning/design (20%).

Time Limit

Paper 01: 1 hour 30 minutes. Paper 02: 2 hours 30 minutes. Private-candidate Paper 032: 2 hours.

Passing Score

CXC does not publish numerical grade boundaries. Results use seven overall grades, I–VII. Paper 01 contributes 40%, Paper 02 contributes 40%, and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 contributes 20%.

Exam / Certification Fees

From May–June 2026, CXC lists BBD$69.50 per CAPE Unit plus BBD$48.50 candidate entry for member territories; local fees may apply. Confirm the total with your Local Registrar.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

33%

Module 1: Bioenergetics and Conservation

Paper 01 draws 15 items here. Topics include light absorption and chlorophyll pigments; light-dependent reactions and non-cyclic and cyclic photophosphorylation; the Calvin cycle, RuBisCO, and synthesis of triose phosphate; limiting factors of photosynthesis; glycolysis, the link reaction, Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation; ATP yield and the chemiosmotic hypothesis; respiratory substrates and respiratory quotient (RQ); energy flow through trophic levels; biogeochemical carbon and nitrogen cycles; and biodiversity measurement and conservation strategies.

33%

Module 2: Biosystems Maintenance

Paper 01 draws 15 items here. Topics include the structure of dicotyledonous roots and stems; uptake of water and mineral ions via apoplast, symplast, and vacuolar pathways; the Casparian strip and root pressure; transpiration, stomatal mechanism, and the cohesion-tension theory; phloem structure and mass flow translocation; the mammalian heart, cardiac cycle, and electrical conduction (SAN, AVN, Purkyne tissue); blood vessels and tissue fluid formation; hemoglobin oxygen dissociation, the Bohr effect, and carbon dioxide transport; homeostasis principles and blood glucose regulation by insulin and glucagon; nephron histology, ultrafiltration, selective reabsorption, the countercurrent multiplier, and ADH osmoregulation; and resting potential, action potential generation and propagation, myelination, saltatory conduction, and cholinergic synapses.

34%

Module 3: Applications of Biology

Paper 01 draws 15 items here. Topics include the biological concepts of health and disease; infectious versus non-infectious conditions; transmission routes and life cycle of disease vectors such as Aedes aegypti; non-specific physical and chemical defenses; phagocytosis and the inflammatory response; B-lymphocytes, plasma cells, and humoral immunity; T-lymphocytes and cell-mediated immunity; antibody structure, antigen-antibody interactions, and monoclonal antibodies; active versus passive and natural versus artificial immunity; vaccination principles and herd immunity; epidemiology, incidence, and prevalence; lifestyle conditions including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes; and the physiological, psychological, and social effects of substance abuse involving tobacco smoke components (nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide), alcohol, and psychoactive drugs.

Preparing for the CAPE Biology Unit 2 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: CXC does not publish numerical grade boundaries. Results use seven overall grades, I–VII. Paper 01 contributes 40%, Paper 02 contributes 40%, and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 contributes 20%.
Assessment: Paper 01: 45 compulsory MCQs, 15 per Module (40%). Paper 02: three compulsory structured essay questions, one per Module (40%). SBA: practical laboratory exercises and an investigative project (20%); private candidates instead take Paper 032 with a practical task, data analysis and planning/design (20%).
Time limit: Paper 01: 1 hour 30 minutes. Paper 02: 2 hours 30 minutes. Private-candidate Paper 032: 2 hours.
Exam / certification fees: From May–June 2026, CXC lists BBD$69.50 per CAPE Unit plus BBD$48.50 candidate entry for member territories; local fees may apply. Confirm the total with your Local Registrar. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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CAPE Biology Unit 2: Suggested Study Strategy

1Allocate equal revision time to all three Modules, as Paper 01 guarantees exactly 15 questions from Bioenergetics and Conservation, 15 from Biosystems Maintenance, and 15 from Applications of Biology.

2Master biochemical pathways by drawing step-by-step flowcharts for the Calvin cycle, glycolysis, and the Krebs cycle, tracking carbon counts and reduced coenzymes at each step.

3Understand the physical principles behind physiological mechanisms: the chemiosmotic gradient in ATP synthesis, the cohesion-tension theory in xylem transport, and the countercurrent multiplier in the loop of Henle.

4Be proficient in quantitative calculations commonly assessed on Paper 01, including respiratory quotients (RQ), cardiac output, Simpson's diversity index, and net primary production.

5Carefully differentiate between active and passive immunity, natural and artificial immunity, and the distinct roles of B-lymphocytes versus cytotoxic T-cells in Module 3.

6Pace yourself during Paper 01: 45 questions in 90 minutes gives an average of two minutes per item, leaving time to review complex data interpretation questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on CAPE Biology Unit 2 Paper 01?

Paper 01 contains 45 compulsory multiple-choice items, with 15 questions drawn from each of the three Modules. Each question carries 1 mark for a total of 45 marks.

How long is CAPE Biology Unit 2 Paper 01?

Paper 01 has a duration of 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes). Paper 02 is a separate structured and essay examination lasting 2 hours 30 minutes.

What core topics are covered in CAPE Biology Unit 2?

Unit 2 covers three Modules: Module 1 (Bioenergetics and Conservation), Module 2 (Biosystems Maintenance), and Module 3 (Applications of Biology). All three Modules are compulsory on Paper 01.

How is CAPE Biology Unit 2 graded?

Results are reported as seven overall grades, I–VII. Paper 01 contributes 40% of the overall Unit grade, Paper 02 contributes 40%, and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 contributes 20%. CXC does not publish numerical grade boundaries.

Are calculators allowed on CAPE Biology Unit 2 Paper 01?

Yes. Candidates are permitted to bring and use silent, non-programmable electronic calculators during the examination. S.I. units are standard throughout.

Are these official CXC practice questions?

This is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation by OpenExamPrep for CAPE Biology Unit 2. It is not an official translation or full-format simulation and does not replace structured writing, laboratory practice or the required practical/project assessment. Official syllabuses and past papers are published by CXC.