Action of anticancer drugs: AQA A‑Level Chemistry questions

AQA A-Level Chemistry past-paper questions on 3.3.13.5 Action of anticancer drugs, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.

All 15 questions on Action of anticancer drugs, as a list

June 2025, Paper 3, Q32 (1 mark): Which structure is correct for transplatin? [1 mark] A B C D
June 2023, Paper 3, Q36 (1 mark): Cisplatin has the formula [Pt(NH3)2Cl2] Cisplatin is an anti-cancer drug that prevents replication of DNA. When cisplatin bonds to DNA, which is the correct lig
November 2020, Paper 3, Q04.1 (1 mark): Cisplatin works by causing the death of rapidly dividing cells. Name the process that is prevented by cisplatin during cell division. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 3, Q04.2 (2 marks): Give the equation for this reaction. [2 marks]
November 2020, Paper 3, Q04.3 (2 marks): When the complex ion B reacts with DNA, the water molecule is replaced as a bond forms between platinum and a nitrogen atom in a guanine nucleotide. The remaini
June 2017, Paper 3, Q15 (1 mark): Cisplatin is an anti-cancer drug. Which structure represents a stereoisomer of cisplatin? [1 mark] A B C D
Specimen, Paper 2, Q08.3 (1 mark): Cisplatin works because one of the atoms on guanine can form a co-ordinate bond with platinum, replacing one of the ammonia or chloride ligands. Another atom on
Specimen, Paper 2, Q08.4 (1 mark): An adverse effect of cisplatin is that it also prevents normal healthy cells from replicating. Suggest one way in which cisplatin can be administered so that th
June 2014, CHEM5 (old spec), Q7(c)(i) (3 marks): Draw the displayed structure of cisplatin. On your structure, show the value of one of the bond angles at platinum. State the charge, if any, on the complex. [3
June 2014, CHEM5 (old spec), Q7(c)(ii) (1 mark): When cisplatin is ingested, an initial reaction involves one of the chloride ligands being replaced by water. Write an equation for this reaction. [1 mark]
June 2014, CHEM5 (old spec), Q7(c)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest how the risk associated with the use of this drug can be minimised. [1 mark]
January 2010, CHEM5 (old spec), Q6(a) (2 marks): Write an equation for this substitution reaction to form the complex ion Q. (2 marks)
January 2010, CHEM5 (old spec), Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): The first way involves a hydrogen atom, from one of the ammonia ligands on Q, bonding to an atom in a guanine molecule. State the type of bond formed to guanine
January 2010, CHEM5 (old spec), Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): The second way involves a ligand substitution reaction in which an atom in a guanine molecule bonds to platinum by displacing the water molecule from Q. State t
January 2010, CHEM5 (old spec), Q6(c) (2 marks): State and explain one risk associated with the use of cisplatin as an anticancer drug. Risk Explanation (2 marks)

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