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Plant disease: AQA GCSE Biology questions

Every AQA GCSE Biology exam question on 4.3.3 Plant disease, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,505 questions

  1. Q04.6

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 04.6: Describe two ways the gardener could identify a plant disease. [2 marks] 1 2

  2. Q04.7

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 04.7: One of the plants had purple spots on its leaves and the leaves fell off. What disease is the plant most likely to have? [1 mark]

  3. Q04.8

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks4.3.1 Communicable diseases4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 04.8: A different plant had yellow leaves, but no spots. Explain why plants may develop yellow leaves. [2 marks]

  4. Q05.1

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.1: Draw one line from each adaptation of seagrass to how the adaptation helps the seagrass survive. [2 marks]

  5. Q07.4

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1 Higher, question 07.4: Which ion is deficient in a plant with yellow leaves? [1 mark]

  6. Q07.5

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1 Higher, question 07.5: Give the scientific term that describes the yellow colour of the leaves. [1 mark]

  7. Q01.5

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    4 marks4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 01.5: Calculate the mass of chemical A in 200 g of the leaves with chlorosis. Give your answer in mg. [4 marks] Mass of chemical A = mg

  8. Q01.6

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease4.3.1 Communicable diseases
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 01.6: Suggest one reason why the leaves of the deadly nightshade plant have chlorosis. [1 mark]

  9. Q06.5

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation

    4 marks4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Foundation, question 06.5: Calculate the mass of chemical A in 200 g of the leaves with chlorosis. Give your answer in mg. [4 marks] Mass of chemical A = mg

  10. Q06.6

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease4.3.1 Communicable diseases
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Foundation, question 06.6: Suggest one reason why the leaves of the deadly nightshade plant have chlorosis. [1 mark]

  11. Q04.1

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Higher, question 04.1: Table 5 shows some plant defences. Identify whether each defence is a chemical response or a physical response. [2 marks] Tick () one box in each row. Table 5

  12. Q04.2

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Higher, question 04.2: Hornets are insects that sting other animals and cause pain. Hornet moths do not sting other animals. Suggest how mimicry helps the hornet moth survive. [1 mark

  13. Q05.7

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.7: Some plants have adaptations that help them survive. Figure 6 shows part of a gorse plant. Figure 6 How will the sharp spines help the gorse plant survive? [1 m

  14. Q05.8

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.8: Animals also have adaptations to help them survive. Figure 7 shows two insects. Figure 7 Hornet Hornet Moth Hornets are insects that sting other animals and cau

  15. Q03.1

    November 2021 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.1: Give one adaptation shown in Figure 6 that helps to prevent the cactus from being eaten by animals. [1 mark]

  16. Q03.2

    November 2021 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.2: A plant may produce poisons that make animals unwell. What is this type of defence mechanism? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Chemical Mechanical Physical

  17. Q05.1

    November 2020 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1 Higher, question 05.1: The gorse plant has evolved to have sharp thorns. What type of defence response are thorns? [1 mark]

  18. Q05.2

    November 2020 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1 Higher, question 05.2: How do thorns defend the gorse plant? [1 mark]

  19. Q05.3

    November 2020 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1 Higher, question 05.3: The deadly nightshade plant has poisonous berries. What type of defence response are poisonous berries? [1 mark]

  20. Q05.4

    November 2020 · Paper 1 Higher

    5 marks4.3.3 Plant disease
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1 Higher, question 05.4: A scientist noticed that in one area the gorse plants had yellow leaves and had stunted growth. One reason for yellow leaves and stunted growth is a deficiency
All 38 questions on Plant disease, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q04.6 (2 marks): Describe two ways the gardener could identify a plant disease. [2 marks] 1 2
  2. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q04.7 (1 mark): One of the plants had purple spots on its leaves and the leaves fell off. What disease is the plant most likely to have? [1 mark]
  3. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q04.8 (2 marks): A different plant had yellow leaves, but no spots. Explain why plants may develop yellow leaves. [2 marks]
  4. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.1 (2 marks): Draw one line from each adaptation of seagrass to how the adaptation helps the seagrass survive. [2 marks]
  5. June 2024, Paper 1 Higher, Q07.4 (1 mark): Which ion is deficient in a plant with yellow leaves? [1 mark]
  6. June 2024, Paper 1 Higher, Q07.5 (1 mark): Give the scientific term that describes the yellow colour of the leaves. [1 mark]
  7. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q01.5 (4 marks): Calculate the mass of chemical A in 200 g of the leaves with chlorosis. Give your answer in mg. [4 marks] Mass of chemical A = mg
  8. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q01.6 (1 mark): Suggest one reason why the leaves of the deadly nightshade plant have chlorosis. [1 mark]
  9. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.5 (4 marks): Calculate the mass of chemical A in 200 g of the leaves with chlorosis. Give your answer in mg. [4 marks] Mass of chemical A = mg
  10. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.6 (1 mark): Suggest one reason why the leaves of the deadly nightshade plant have chlorosis. [1 mark]
  11. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q04.1 (2 marks): Table 5 shows some plant defences. Identify whether each defence is a chemical response or a physical response. [2 marks] Tick () one box in each row. Table 5
  12. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q04.2 (1 mark): Hornets are insects that sting other animals and cause pain. Hornet moths do not sting other animals. Suggest how mimicry helps the hornet moth survive. [1 mark
  13. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.7 (1 mark): Some plants have adaptations that help them survive. Figure 6 shows part of a gorse plant. Figure 6 How will the sharp spines help the gorse plant survive? [1 m
  14. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.8 (2 marks): Animals also have adaptations to help them survive. Figure 7 shows two insects. Figure 7 Hornet Hornet Moth Hornets are insects that sting other animals and cau
  15. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.1 (1 mark): Give one adaptation shown in Figure 6 that helps to prevent the cactus from being eaten by animals. [1 mark]
  16. November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.2 (1 mark): A plant may produce poisons that make animals unwell. What is this type of defence mechanism? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Chemical Mechanical Physical
  17. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q05.1 (1 mark): The gorse plant has evolved to have sharp thorns. What type of defence response are thorns? [1 mark]
  18. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q05.2 (1 mark): How do thorns defend the gorse plant? [1 mark]
  19. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q05.3 (1 mark): The deadly nightshade plant has poisonous berries. What type of defence response are poisonous berries? [1 mark]
  20. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q05.4 (5 marks): A scientist noticed that in one area the gorse plants had yellow leaves and had stunted growth. One reason for yellow leaves and stunted growth is a deficiency
  21. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.1 (1 mark): How will the poisonous berries help the deadly nightshade plant to survive? [1 mark]
  22. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.2 (1 mark): Which type of defence mechanism are the berries? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Chemical Mechanical Physical
  23. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.3 (1 mark): Suggest how the gorse plant is adapted to defend itself. [1 mark]
  24. June 2018, Paper 1 Higher, Q05.2 (5 marks): Plants infected with aphids may show symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency symptoms include: • yellow leaves • stunted growth. Explain how a de
  25. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q02.1: All tools should be washed in disinfectant after using them on plants infected with TMV. Suggest why. [1 ma
  26. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q02.4 (4 marks): TMV can cause plants to produce less chlorophyll. This causes leaf discoloration. Explain why plants with TMV have stunted growth. [4 marks 8
  27. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q07.1: Some of the plants have a disease. Give two ways the gardener could identify the pathogen infecting the plants. [2 mar 1 2
  28. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q07.2: Plants can become unhealthy if they do not have essential mineral ions. Describe the appearance of plants with: • nitrate deficiency • magnesium deficiency. [2
  29. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q07.3 (4 marks): Plants need other mineral ions. • Potassium ions are needed for healthy root growth. • Phosphate ions are needed for healthy flowers and fruits. The gardener ma
  30. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.1 (3 marks): Explain how the nettle is adapted for defence and protection. [3 marks
  31. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.2: Which plant oil is the most effective at preventing the growth of bacteria? Give a reason for your answer. [2 mar Oil Reason 5
  32. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.3 (1 mark): The student tested tea tree oil using the same method. The results showed tea tree oil was the most effective at preventing bacterial growth. The student conclu
  33. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.1: Which plant was grown with no nitrate? [1 ma Tick one box. A B C D
  34. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.2: Which plant was grown with no magnesium? [1 ma Tick one box. A B C D 3
  35. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.3 (1 mark): Give one variable that was kept constant in this experiment. [1 mark
  36. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q08.4 (2 marks): Plants need other minerals for healthy growth such as potassium ions and phosphate ions. A farmer wanted to compare the percentage of minerals in two types of m
  37. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10.1: All tools should be washed in disinfectant after using them on plants infected with TMV. Suggest why. [1 ma
  38. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10.4 (4 marks): TMV can cause plants to produce less chlorophyll. This causes leaf discoloration. Explain why plants with TMV have stunted growth. [4 marks 38

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