Career upgrade: Learn practical AI skills for better jobs and higher pay.
Level up
PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

100+ Free A-Level Biology Practice Questions

Pass your A-Level Biology exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
100+ Questions
100% Free
1 / 100
Question 1
Score: 0/0

Pluripotent stem cells can:

A
B
C
D
to track
Same family resources

Explore More UK A-Level

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

A-Level Business Studies

Practice Questions

A-Level Chemistry

Practice Questions

A-Level Computer Science

Practice Questions

A-Level Economics

Practice Questions

A-Level English Language

Practice Questions

A-Level English Literature

Practice Questions
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: A-Level Biology Exam

A*-E

Grading scale

Ofqual

May-June

Exam series

AQA, Edexcel, OCR timetable

3 boards

Specifications available

AQA, Edexcel, OCR

100

Free practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

AQA, Edexcel, OCR A-Level Biology is assessed through linear end-of-course exam papers (Year 13). Coverage spans biological molecules, cells, exchange and transport, and grading uses the A*-E scale on 2026 specifications.

Sample A-Level Biology Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your A-Level Biology exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which type of reaction joins two monosaccharides to form a disaccharide?
A.Hydrolysis
B.Condensation
C.Oxidation
D.Reduction
Explanation: A condensation reaction joins two monomers by forming a chemical bond and releasing a water molecule. Two monosaccharides join via a glycosidic bond in a condensation reaction.
2What is the difference between alpha-glucose and beta-glucose?
A.Different molecular formula
B.Position of the hydroxyl group on carbon 1
C.Different number of carbons
D.Beta-glucose has more oxygen atoms
Explanation: Alpha- and beta-glucose are isomers with the same molecular formula (C6H12O6) but differ in the orientation of the OH group on carbon 1. In alpha-glucose the OH is below the ring; in beta-glucose it is above.
3Which polysaccharide is made of beta-glucose and forms straight chains with hydrogen bonds between adjacent chains?
A.Glycogen
B.Amylose
C.Cellulose
D.Amylopectin
Explanation: Cellulose is composed of beta-glucose monomers joined by 1,4-glycosidic bonds, with alternate molecules flipped 180 degrees. Adjacent chains form hydrogen bonds, creating microfibrils that provide strength to plant cell walls.
4A triglyceride is formed from one glycerol and three fatty acids. What type of bond is formed in this reaction?
A.Glycosidic bond
B.Peptide bond
C.Ester bond
D.Hydrogen bond
Explanation: Each fatty acid joins to a hydroxyl group on glycerol by a condensation reaction, forming an ester bond and releasing a water molecule. Three ester bonds are formed in total per triglyceride.
5Which feature distinguishes a phospholipid from a triglyceride?
A.Phospholipids contain glycerol
B.Phospholipids have a hydrophilic phosphate-containing head
C.Phospholipids contain only saturated fatty acids
D.Phospholipids are not lipids
Explanation: A phospholipid has one fatty acid replaced by a polar phosphate-containing group, giving it a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails. This amphipathic nature allows phospholipids to form bilayers in cell membranes.
6Which level of protein structure describes the sequence of amino acids?
A.Primary
B.Secondary
C.Tertiary
D.Quaternary
Explanation: The primary structure of a protein is the specific sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain, held together by peptide bonds. This sequence determines all higher levels of protein structure.
7Which types of bonds maintain the tertiary structure of a protein?
A.Only peptide bonds
B.Only hydrogen bonds
C.Hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, disulfide bridges and hydrophobic interactions
D.Glycosidic bonds and ester bonds
Explanation: Tertiary structure is stabilised by interactions between R groups of amino acids — hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, disulfide bridges (between cysteine residues), and hydrophobic interactions. These determine the protein's precise 3D shape and function.
8According to the induced-fit model of enzyme action, what happens when a substrate binds?
A.The substrate changes shape to fit the active site
B.The active site is initially complementary to the substrate
C.The active site changes shape slightly to mould around the substrate
D.The enzyme is destroyed after the reaction
Explanation: In the induced-fit model, the active site is not initially complementary but moulds around the substrate when it binds. This conformational change places stress on the substrate bonds, lowering activation energy.
9A non-competitive inhibitor of an enzyme binds to which site?
A.The active site
B.An allosteric site away from the active site
C.The substrate binding pocket
D.The peptide backbone exclusively
Explanation: Non-competitive inhibitors bind to an allosteric site, distinct from the active site. This causes the active site to change shape so the substrate can no longer bind effectively, reducing the maximum reaction rate.
10Which base pairs with adenine in DNA?
A.Uracil
B.Guanine
C.Cytosine
D.Thymine
Explanation: In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine through two hydrogen bonds. Guanine pairs with cytosine through three hydrogen bonds. This complementary base pairing is the basis of DNA structure and replication.

About the A-Level Biology Exam

A-Level Biology is offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR as part of the UK A-Level qualification framework. The course covers biological molecules, cells, exchange and transport, genetics and evolution and is assessed primarily through written exam papers at the end of the two-year course.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

5-7 hours total across multiple papers

Passing Score

Grade E is the minimum pass, Grades A*-E count as a pass (A*-A-B-C-D-E)

Exam Fee

£75-£130 per subject (school-set entry fee) (AQA, Edexcel, OCR)

A-Level Biology Exam Content Outline

Core

Biological Molecules

Monomers and polymers, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, water, inorganic ions

Core

Cells

Cell structure, organelles, mitosis, transport across membranes, cell recognition and immunity

Core

Exchange and Transport

Surface area to volume, gas exchange, mass transport in animals (heart, blood) and plants (xylem, phloem)

Core

Genetic Information

DNA structure, replication, protein synthesis, mutations, meiosis, genetic diversity

Core

Energy Transfers

Photosynthesis (light-dependent and light-independent reactions), respiration (glycolysis, link reaction, Krebs, ETC)

Core

Responding to Internal and External Environments

Survival, nervous coordination, muscles, homeostasis (blood glucose, water)

Core

Genetics, Populations, Evolution

Inheritance, Hardy-Weinberg, selection, speciation, ecosystems, populations

Core

Gene Expression

Stem cells, regulation of transcription/translation, epigenetics, gene technology, recombinant DNA, PCR, genome sequencing

How to Pass the A-Level Biology Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade E is the minimum pass, Grades A*-E count as a pass (A*-A-B-C-D-E)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 5-7 hours total across multiple papers
  • Exam fee: £75-£130 per subject (school-set entry fee)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

A-Level Biology Study Tips from Top Performers

1Use past papers from your specific exam board — questions follow the same style year on year
2Time yourself on full papers to build pacing for the long extended-response questions
3Build a clear understanding of mark schemes — examiners reward specific assessment objectives
4Review examiner reports each summer; common errors repeat

Frequently Asked Questions

What exam boards offer A-Level Biology?

A-Level Biology is offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR. All boards follow Ofqual subject content but vary in the choice of set texts, optional topics, and paper structure.

When is the A-Level Biology exam taken?

Exams are written in the May-June series at the end of the two-year linear A-Level course. Most students sit the papers in Year 13.

How is A-Level Biology graded?

A-Levels are graded A*-E. A* is the highest grade and E is the minimum pass. UCAS tariff points are awarded for A-Level grades on most university applications.

How many papers does A-Level Biology have?

Most A-Level subjects have 3 written papers. The exact number, timing, and weighting depend on the chosen exam board. Some subjects also include a non-examined assessment (NEA) coursework component.