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All cells arise from other cells: AQA A‑Level Biology questions

Every AQA A-Level Biology exam question on 3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,383 questions

  1. Q08.5

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    3 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 08.5: A growing population of B. thuringiensis cells includes a: • germination phase • growth phase • dormant phase. A scientist incubated a culture of B. thuringiens

  2. Q01.1

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    3 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 01.1: Describe binary fission in bacteria. [3 marks]

  3. Q05.2

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    4 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 05.2: Use the information in Table 2 to give two similarities and two differences between the eukaryotic cell cycle and binary fission. [4 marks] Similarity 1 Similar

  4. Q05.3

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 05.3: The accuracy of DNA replication is checked in the third phase of interphase. Suggest and explain one advantage of checking the accuracy of DNA replication. [2 m

  5. Q08.2

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 08.2: Suggest one other action the trainee microbiologist took during this method to ensure the technique was aseptic. Justify why this action was needed. Do not refe

  6. Q05.1

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    4 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 05.1: Describe the appearance and behaviour of chromosomes during prophase and during anaphase of mitosis. [4 marks] Prophase Anaphase

  7. Q05.2

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    1 mark3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 05.2: A scientist used an optical microscope to determine the mitotic index in cells at different distances from the tip of onion roots. Figure 4 shows the results. F

  8. Q05.3

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 05.3: The scientist used data from Figure 4 to calculate a correlation coefficient (r). The scientist then used a statistical test to determine the probability (P) as

  9. Q05.4

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    3 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 05.4: What can you conclude about the effect that distance from the root tip has on the proportion of cells in different stages of the cell cycle? Use information in

  10. Q03.4

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    2 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 03.4: Animal cells replicate during the cell cycle. Figure 4 shows one animal cell at a stage of the cell cycle. Figure 4 Identify the stage of the cell cycle shown i

  11. Q06.1

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 06.1: Disinfectants are used to kill microorganisms on non-living surfaces. A student investigated the effect of different concentrations of disinfectant X on the gro

  12. Q06.2

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 06.2: The student used a sterile pipette with 0.1 cm3 graduations to transfer 2 cm3 of B. subtilis into each test tube. What is the uncertainty in measuring 2 cm3 wit

  13. Q06.3

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    4 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 06.3: Use Table 2 to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfectant X at killing microorganisms on non-living surfaces. [4 marks]

  14. Q05.1

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    3 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 05.1: The student added 100 mm3 of each bacterial culture from its glass bottle onto a separate agar plate. She spread each bacterial culture evenly over the agar usi

  15. Q05.2

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 05.2: On each agar plate, the student cut a well (a hole) in the agar. The well had a diameter of 6 mm. The student added 50 mm 3 of cinnamon oil into the well. Calcu

  16. Q05.3

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 05.3: Suggest exactly what the student added to the wells to get the positive control and negative control results. [2 marks]

  17. Q05.4

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 05.4: Complete Table 1 to show the median and mean diameters. [1 mark]

  18. Q05.5

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 05.5: The mean ± 2 standard deviations includes over 95% of the data. Use this information to consider whether the standard deviations suggest the differences in mean

  19. Q08.1

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 08.1: Scientists investigated a drug called MiTMAB as a treatment for cancer. MiTMAB inhibits cytokinesis. Figure 8 shows drawings of cancer cells seen with an optica

  20. Q08.3

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    3 marks3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 08.3: Use all the information given to explain the results shown in Figure 9. [3 marks]
All 82 questions on All cells arise from other cells, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q08.5 (3 marks): A growing population of B. thuringiensis cells includes a: • germination phase • growth phase • dormant phase. A scientist incubated a culture of B. thuringiens
  2. June 2025, Paper 3, Q01.1 (3 marks): Describe binary fission in bacteria. [3 marks]
  3. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q05.2 (4 marks): Use the information in Table 2 to give two similarities and two differences between the eukaryotic cell cycle and binary fission. [4 marks] Similarity 1 Similar
  4. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q05.3 (2 marks): The accuracy of DNA replication is checked in the third phase of interphase. Suggest and explain one advantage of checking the accuracy of DNA replication. [2 m
  5. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q08.2 (2 marks): Suggest one other action the trainee microbiologist took during this method to ensure the technique was aseptic. Justify why this action was needed. Do not refe
  6. June 2024, Paper 1, Q05.1 (4 marks): Describe the appearance and behaviour of chromosomes during prophase and during anaphase of mitosis. [4 marks] Prophase Anaphase
  7. June 2024, Paper 1, Q05.2 (1 mark): A scientist used an optical microscope to determine the mitotic index in cells at different distances from the tip of onion roots. Figure 4 shows the results. F
  8. June 2024, Paper 1, Q05.3 (2 marks): The scientist used data from Figure 4 to calculate a correlation coefficient (r). The scientist then used a statistical test to determine the probability (P) as
  9. June 2024, Paper 1, Q05.4 (3 marks): What can you conclude about the effect that distance from the root tip has on the proportion of cells in different stages of the cell cycle? Use information in
  10. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q03.4 (2 marks): Animal cells replicate during the cell cycle. Figure 4 shows one animal cell at a stage of the cell cycle. Figure 4 Identify the stage of the cell cycle shown i
  11. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q06.1 (1 mark): Disinfectants are used to kill microorganisms on non-living surfaces. A student investigated the effect of different concentrations of disinfectant X on the gro
  12. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q06.2 (2 marks): The student used a sterile pipette with 0.1 cm3 graduations to transfer 2 cm3 of B. subtilis into each test tube. What is the uncertainty in measuring 2 cm3 wit
  13. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q06.3 (4 marks): Use Table 2 to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfectant X at killing microorganisms on non-living surfaces. [4 marks]
  14. June 2023, Paper 1, Q05.1 (3 marks): The student added 100 mm3 of each bacterial culture from its glass bottle onto a separate agar plate. She spread each bacterial culture evenly over the agar usi
  15. June 2023, Paper 1, Q05.2 (2 marks): On each agar plate, the student cut a well (a hole) in the agar. The well had a diameter of 6 mm. The student added 50 mm 3 of cinnamon oil into the well. Calcu
  16. June 2023, Paper 1, Q05.3 (2 marks): Suggest exactly what the student added to the wells to get the positive control and negative control results. [2 marks]
  17. June 2023, Paper 1, Q05.4 (1 mark): Complete Table 1 to show the median and mean diameters. [1 mark]
  18. June 2023, Paper 1, Q05.5 (2 marks): The mean ± 2 standard deviations includes over 95% of the data. Use this information to consider whether the standard deviations suggest the differences in mean
  19. June 2023, Paper 1, Q08.1 (2 marks): Scientists investigated a drug called MiTMAB as a treatment for cancer. MiTMAB inhibits cytokinesis. Figure 8 shows drawings of cancer cells seen with an optica
  20. June 2023, Paper 1, Q08.3 (3 marks): Use all the information given to explain the results shown in Figure 9. [3 marks]
  21. June 2023, Paper 1, Q08.4 (2 marks): 0.01 dm 3 of MiTMAB solution was added to the treated cells. Calculate the increase in mass of MiTMAB (in μg) added to the cells to reduce the cell growth from
  22. June 2023, Paper 3, Q03.2 (2 marks): Calculate the mean number of bacteria in the undiluted bottle of liquid culture containing novobiocin. Give your answer in standard form. Show your working. [2
  23. June 2023, Paper 3, Q03.3 (1 mark): Starting with a single bacterium, calculate how many generations it would take to produce at least the number of bacteria you have calculated for your answer in
  24. June 2023, Paper 3, Q04.2 (4 marks): Using all of the information, suggest explanations for the results for the Control group and the c-KIT– group shown in Figure 6. [4 marks] Control c-KIT–
  25. June 2023, Paper 3, Q04.3 (2 marks): Nine days after transplantation, the c-KIT+ group showed that 68% of infarcted tissue was made up of new cardiomyocytes. The control group had no new cardiomyoc
  26. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q06.3 (1 mark): Human papilloma virus infects cells that are no longer dividing. The human papilloma virus genome contains genes that code for proteins that cause human cells t
  27. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q08.1 (1 mark): A student prepared a plant root to observe cells undergoing mitosis. He put the root in a small bottle of hydrochloric acid in a 40 °C water bath. Why did he pu
  28. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q08.2 (2 marks): State two precautions required when working with hydrochloric acid. [2 marks] 1 2
  29. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q08.3 (2 marks): Scientists determined the mean mitotic index at 50 μm intervals away from the root tip in 10 young plant roots. Figure 7 shows the scientists’ results. Figure 7
  30. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q08.4 (2 marks): The scientists recorded these measurements from the tissue located at 200 μm from the root tip. Area of field of view = 0.2 mm2 Mean area of one cell = 3495 μm2
  31. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q08.5 (2 marks): Another student compares the mitotic index in the roots of two different species. Give two considerations within her method to ensure this comparison is valid.
  32. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q07.1 (3 marks): Figure 4 shows the mass of DNA present in a group of healthy cells. Figure 4 Use your knowledge of the cell cycle to explain the results shown in Figure 4. [3 m
  33. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q07.2 (2 marks): Suggest one way Figure 4 would be different if these cells were tumour cells. Justify your answer. [2 marks]
  34. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q07.3 (2 marks): Describe the behaviour of chromosomes in prophase and metaphase of mitosis. [2 marks] Prophase Metaphase
  35. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q07.4 (2 marks): During anaphase, the spindle exerts 3 × 10–11 N of force on each chromatid. This force generates 6 × 10–19 W of power. Calculate the speed of movement, in nm s–
  36. June 2022, Paper 1, Q02.3 (3 marks): Describe how the scientists could use aseptic techniques to transfer 0.3 cm3 of C. difficile in liquid culture from a bottle onto an agar plate. [3 marks]
  37. June 2022, Paper 1, Q04.2 (2 marks): Complete Table 2 by putting a tick () where the feature is part of a cell cycle involving mitosis or a cell cycle involving binary fission. [2 marks] Table 2 F
  38. June 2022, Paper 3, Q03.1 (2 marks): Suggest why the student soaked the root tips in hydrochloric acid in step 2. [2 marks]
  39. June 2022, Paper 3, Q03.2 (2 marks): Pressing the coverslip downwards enabled the student to observe the stages of mitosis clearly. Explain why. [2 marks]
  40. June 2022, Paper 3, Q03.3 (2 marks): Name the stage of mitosis shown in cell G. Explain the appearance of this cell. [2 marks] Stage of mitosis Explanation
  41. June 2022, Paper 3, Q03.4 (1 mark): Use Figure 6 to calculate a mitotic index for the cells in this field of view. [1 mark] Mitotic index
  42. June 2022, Paper 3, Q03.5 (2 marks): Other students in the class followed the same method, but calculated different mitotic indices. Apart from student errors, suggest two explanations why. [2 mark
  43. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q07.1 (2 marks): What is a tumour? [2 marks]
  44. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q07.2 (3 marks): Describe how you would determine a reliable mitotic index (MI) from tissue observed with an optical microscope. Do not include details of how you would prepare
  45. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q07.3 (4 marks): The scientists concluded that MI > 5 is a reliable indicator of how serious the cancer is in a dog. Use information from Figure 8 and Table 4 to evaluate this c
  46. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q08.1 (2 marks): The student used a sterilised pipette to transfer E. coli into each culture. Suggest why the number of E. coli cells per mm3 in each culture after 24 hours migh
  47. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q08.2 (2 marks): The student diluted 3 cm3 of culture 1 with 12 cm3 of water. She observed a sample of this diluted mixture using an optical microscope and counted 24 cells in 0
  48. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q08.3 (3 marks): After 24 hours, the student compared the number of cells per mm3 in cultures 1, 2 and 3. She found: • substance J killed 80% of the cells • substance J killed t
  49. November 2021, Paper 1, Q06.1 (2 marks): Figure 7 shows the mean distance between centromeres and the poles (ends) of the spindle during mitosis. Figure 7 Calculate the rate of movement of the centrome
  50. November 2021, Paper 1, Q06.2 (5 marks): Name the three phases of mitosis shown by C, D and E on Figure 7. Describe the role of the spindle fibres and the behaviour of the chromosomes during each of th
  51. November 2021, Paper 1, Q09.2 (2 marks): The generation time for a population of bacteria is the time taken for all the bacteria to divide once by binary fission. Use Figure 11 and the following equati
  52. November 2021, Paper 2, Q06.1 (3 marks): For some patients, HSCT is an effective treatment for MDS. Explain how. [3 marks]
  53. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q04.1 (2 marks): Describe and explain the arrangement of the genetic material shown in Figure 4. [2 marks]
  54. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q04.2 (1 mark): The diploid number of chromosomes in the body cell of an insect species is four. Tick () the box next to the diagram A, B, C or D that represents the appearanc
  55. November 2020, Paper 1, Q05.2 (2 marks): It took less time for 25% of cells with cyclin D to be undergoing DNA replication than for 25% of cells without cyclin D. Use Figure 5 to calculate this time di
  56. November 2020, Paper 1, Q05.4 (2 marks): Some tumour cells contain higher than normal concentrations of cyclin D. Use Figure 5 to suggest why higher than normal concentrations of cyclin D could result
  57. November 2020, Paper 2, Q03.5 (2 marks): Chlorella cells can divide rapidly. A culture of 2000 Chlorella cells was set up in a fermenter. The cells divided every 90 minutes. You can assume that there w
  58. November 2020, Paper 2, Q08.3 (4 marks): Using all the information, evaluate the use of stem cells to treat AS in humans. [4 marks] Answer space for this question continues on the next page
  59. November 2020, Paper 2, Q08.4 (2 marks): The scientists carried out further work to investigate how the transplanted stem cells developed after transplantation. • The scientists transplanted stem cells
  60. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q07.1 (3 marks): Describe binary fission in bacteria. [3 marks]
  61. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q07.2 (1 mark): The mass of the bacterial cells was measured in femtograms (fg). 1 fg (femtogram) = 1 × 10−15 g Place a tick () in the box next to the number that is equal to
  62. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q07.3 (2 marks): Use this information and Figure 7 to determine the mass of this cell immediately after binary fission. Show your working. [2 marks] Answer fg
  63. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q07.4 (4 marks): Suggest and explain how two environmental variables could be changed to increase the growth rate of these cells. [4 marks] Suggestion 1 Explanation Suggestion 2
  64. June 2019, Paper 3, Q06.1 (1 mark): Use Figure 7 to calculate the percentage of maximum growth this type of tumour reaches before it can be detected. You will need to use the 10x button on your ca
  65. June 2019, Paper 3, Q06.2 (1 mark): Figure 7 can also be used to calculate the age of this type of tumour. At diagnosis, a patient had a tumour of 3.98 × 1011 cells. Calculate the age of the tumou
  66. June 2019, Paper 3, Q06.4 (2 marks): The scientists measured the percentage change in tumour volume. Suggest why they recorded both percentage change and tumour volume. [2 marks] Percentage change
  67. June 2019, Paper 3, Q06.5 (2 marks): A lung cancer patient received 15 mg of Trexall per week. After treatment, the diameter of his lung tumour was 35.8 mm Assuming the tumour was spherical, use th
  68. June 2019, Paper 3, Q06.6 (2 marks): To reduce the size of tumours, would it be better to use 30 mg of Trexall per week, or 20 mg of Trexall per week? Explain your answer. [2 marks]
  69. June 2019, Paper 3, Q06.7 (1 mark): Apart from age and general health, give two important factors when choosing patients for this investigation. [1 mark] 1 2
  70. June 2019, Paper 3, Q06.8 (3 marks): A student analysed Table 3 and concluded that Trexall was effective in reducing pain in arthritis patients. Evaluate the student’s conclusion. [3 marks] Section
  71. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q06.1 (3 marks): Describe and explain three ways in which the scientist would ensure he used aseptic techniques to move each cube of agar onto a new agar plate. [3 marks] 1 2 3
  72. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q06.2 (2 marks): Give two differences between mitosis and meiosis. [2 marks] 1 2
  73. June 2018, Paper 2, Q02.3 (2 marks): A type of malignant tumour cell divides every 8 hours. Starting with one of these cells, how many tumour cells will be present after 4 weeks? Assume none of the
  74. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q02.1 (2 marks): Explain the purpose of: [2 marks] boiling the agar transferring the same volume of liquid culture onto each agar plate.
  75. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q02.2 (2 marks): The liquid culture the student transferred was diluted by 1 in 10 000 (10–4). Use information in this question to calculate how many bacteria were present in 1
  76. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q02.3 (2 marks): The student concluded that the minimum concentration of propan-2-ol needed to stop the growth of Lactobacillus was 15 units. This conclusion is incorrect. Descr
  77. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q08.1: Explain why there is a clear zone around each paper disc. [1 mar
  78. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q08.2: The student researched information on this disinfectant prior to carrying out his investigation. On the basis of this research, the student used a maximum conce
  79. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q08.3 (2 marks): Suggest two variables the student should control in using the filter paper discs this investigation. [2 marks 1 2
  80. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q08.4 (2 marks): Use the areas of the clear zones in Figure 8 to determine how many times mor effective concentration D is than concentration B. Show your working. [2 marks Answ
  81. Specimen, Paper 1, Q10.1 (1 mark): D
  82. Specimen, Paper 1, Q10.2 (2 marks): Figure 8 shows some cells from an onion root tip at different stages of the cell cycle. 1 0 This source has been removed due to third-party copyright restrictio

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