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Climate change: Edexcel A‑Level Biology A questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Biology A exam question on Climate change (specification points 5.12–5.16), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,749 questions

  1. Q2(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    2 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 2(b): Enset is a plant related to the banana plant. It is grown in Ethiopia in Africa, where there is little rainfall and frequent droughts. (Source: © Silarock/Shutt

  2. Q10(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    2 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 10(b)(i): The ratio of spring to autumn germination for Oxyria grown in conditions found at 2500 m decreased from 19.5 : 1 to 0.02 : 1 when temperatures were increased by

  3. Q10(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    2 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 10(b)(ii): During the winter months, the air and soil temperatures fall. Deduce the effect of climate change on the survival of alpine plant species such as Oxyria and Ver

  4. Q10(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    6 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 10(c): The effect of temperature on germinating seeds can be demonstrated by measuring the Q10 value for enzyme activity. When seeds germinate, amylase is produced. Th

  5. Q8(h)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    3 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 8(h): Explain why reducing body temperature from 37.5 °C to 32 °C would reduce metabolic activity (Box “To blearily go”, paragraph C). (3)

  6. Q6(b)(i)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    3 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 6(b)(i): Explain the effect of an increase in temperature on germination of these seeds. (3)

  7. Q6(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    2 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 6(b)(ii): Global warming can result in climate change. Describe how climate change could affect the distribution of plants in woodlands in North America. (2)

  8. Q8(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    3 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 8(c)(i): Explain why the increase in greenhouse gases is leading to a decrease in the growth of seagrass. (3)

  9. Q10(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    2 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 10(a): Many butterfly species depend on oak trees. The larvae feed on the young leaves in spring. The graph shows the date when oak leaves first appeared on one tree b

  10. Q10(b)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    3 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 10(b): Specialist butterfly species feed on only one plant species. Generalist butterfly species feed on a range of plant species. The graph shows the changes in the p

  11. Q10(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    2 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 10(c)(i): Explain why an increase in environmental temperature may lead to a shorter life cycle. (2)

  12. Q10(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    6 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 10(c)(ii): Devise a laboratory investigation to study the effect of temperature on the duration of the larval stage in a specialist butterfly species. (6)

  13. Q2(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 markClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 2(a): How many of the following statements about global warming are correct? (1) • global warming is caused by a reduction in greenhouse gases • deforestation may con

  14. Q3(a)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 markClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 3(a)(i): State how the age of the layers in a peat bog can be determined. (1)

  15. Q1(a)

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    1 markClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 1(a): The main reason that carbon dioxide acts as a greenhouse gas is because it (1) A absorbs infrared radiation reflected by the surface of the Earth B absorbs ultr

  16. Q10(a)

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    2 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 10(a): The World Meteorological Association recorded carbon dioxide levels of 405 ppm in 2017. This is an increase of 46% since 1817. Calculate the level of carbon dio

  17. Q10(b)

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    2 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 10(b): A study has investigated the effect of temperature changes on plants growing in the Arctic. This is an area with cold and short growing seasons. Warming in the

  18. Q10(c)

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    4 marksClimate changePhotosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 10(c): The effect of temperature on the activity of RUBISCO was studied. The results are shown in the graph. 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Temperature / °C Analy

  19. Q10(d)

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    6 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 10(d): The world is divided into climate zones based on temperature and rainfall. Details of some of the climate zones are shown in the table. Mean precipitation Clima

  20. Q4(a)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    3 marksClimate change
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 4(a): The enzyme lipoprotein lipase is involved in the metabolism of lipids in the brain. The effect of temperature on lipid metabolism in the brain tissue of a speci
All 52 questions on Climate change, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q2(b) (2 marks): Enset is a plant related to the banana plant. It is grown in Ethiopia in Africa, where there is little rainfall and frequent droughts. (Source: © Silarock/Shutt
  2. June 2025, Paper 1, Q10(b)(i) (2 marks): The ratio of spring to autumn germination for Oxyria grown in conditions found at 2500 m decreased from 19.5 : 1 to 0.02 : 1 when temperatures were increased by
  3. June 2025, Paper 1, Q10(b)(ii) (2 marks): During the winter months, the air and soil temperatures fall. Deduce the effect of climate change on the survival of alpine plant species such as Oxyria and Ver
  4. June 2025, Paper 1, Q10(c) (6 marks): The effect of temperature on germinating seeds can be demonstrated by measuring the Q10 value for enzyme activity. When seeds germinate, amylase is produced. Th
  5. June 2025, Paper 3, Q8(h) (3 marks): Explain why reducing body temperature from 37.5 °C to 32 °C would reduce metabolic activity (Box “To blearily go”, paragraph C). (3)
  6. June 2024, Paper 1, Q6(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain the effect of an increase in temperature on germination of these seeds. (3)
  7. June 2024, Paper 1, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Global warming can result in climate change. Describe how climate change could affect the distribution of plants in woodlands in North America. (2)
  8. June 2023, Paper 1, Q8(c)(i) (3 marks): Explain why the increase in greenhouse gases is leading to a decrease in the growth of seagrass. (3)
  9. June 2023, Paper 1, Q10(a) (2 marks): Many butterfly species depend on oak trees. The larvae feed on the young leaves in spring. The graph shows the date when oak leaves first appeared on one tree b
  10. June 2023, Paper 1, Q10(b) (3 marks): Specialist butterfly species feed on only one plant species. Generalist butterfly species feed on a range of plant species. The graph shows the changes in the p
  11. June 2023, Paper 1, Q10(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why an increase in environmental temperature may lead to a shorter life cycle. (2)
  12. June 2023, Paper 1, Q10(c)(ii) (6 marks): Devise a laboratory investigation to study the effect of temperature on the duration of the larval stage in a specialist butterfly species. (6)
  13. June 2022, Paper 1, Q2(a) (1 mark): How many of the following statements about global warming are correct? (1) • global warming is caused by a reduction in greenhouse gases • deforestation may con
  14. June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): State how the age of the layers in a peat bog can be determined. (1)
  15. November 2021, Paper 1, Q1(a) (1 mark): The main reason that carbon dioxide acts as a greenhouse gas is because it (1) A absorbs infrared radiation reflected by the surface of the Earth B absorbs ultr
  16. November 2021, Paper 1, Q10(a) (2 marks): The World Meteorological Association recorded carbon dioxide levels of 405 ppm in 2017. This is an increase of 46% since 1817. Calculate the level of carbon dio
  17. November 2021, Paper 1, Q10(b) (2 marks): A study has investigated the effect of temperature changes on plants growing in the Arctic. This is an area with cold and short growing seasons. Warming in the
  18. November 2021, Paper 1, Q10(c) (4 marks): The effect of temperature on the activity of RUBISCO was studied. The results are shown in the graph. 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Temperature / °C Analy
  19. November 2021, Paper 1, Q10(d) (6 marks): The world is divided into climate zones based on temperature and rainfall. Details of some of the climate zones are shown in the table. Mean precipitation Clima
  20. November 2021, Paper 3, Q4(a) (3 marks): The enzyme lipoprotein lipase is involved in the metabolism of lipids in the brain. The effect of temperature on lipid metabolism in the brain tissue of a speci
  21. November 2021, Paper 3, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term Q10 temperature coefficient. (1)
  22. November 2021, Paper 3, Q4(b)(ii) (5 marks): Devise an investigation to determine Q10 for an extract of lipoprotein lipase enzyme. (5)
  23. October 2020, Paper 1, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Which of the following causes global warming? (1) A a decrease in carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere that trap infrared radiation B a decrease in carb
  24. October 2020, Paper 1, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following could provide evidence for climate change? (1) A dendrochronology, peat bog pollen analysis and ice cores B ice cores, classification and
  25. October 2020, Paper 1, Q2(c) (4 marks): Golden snub‑nosed monkeys live in areas with very cold winters. The seeds in their diet contain lipids and carbohydrates. Climate change is reducing seed produc
  26. October 2020, Paper 3, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Give a null hypothesis for this experiment. (1)
  27. October 2020, Paper 3, Q4(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the chi-squared (χ2) value for these results, using the formula provided. (3) − = ∑ 2 (O E) 2 χ E Answer
  28. October 2020, Paper 3, Q4(a)(iii) (2 marks): In a second experiment, using the same three treatments, the chi-squared (χ2) value was found to be 6.635. The table gives the critical values for the chi-squar
  29. June 2019, Paper 1, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the temperature coefficient (Q10) for this reaction between 20 °C and 30 °C. (1) Answer
  30. June 2019, Paper 1, Q9(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain the effects of a temperature increase from 20 °C to 30 °C on the initial rate of activity of catalase in the yeast cells. (3)
  31. June 2019, Paper 1, Q9(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain what happens to the Q10 value between 40 °C and 50 °C. (2)
  32. June 2019, Paper 1, Q9(b) (4 marks): Leaf rust is a disease caused by a species of fungus. Leaf rust affects cereal crops such as wheat. Leaf rust yeast spreads through cereal crops when the humidi
  33. June 2019, Paper 1, Q10(a) (3 marks): Explain why anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are affecting the climate. (3)
  34. June 2019, Paper 1, Q10(b) (6 marks): Pteropods are small free-swimming snails found in oceans throughout the world. They are a food source for a variety of fish including salmon, mackerel and herri
  35. June 2019, Paper 1, Q10(c) (2 marks): Climate change can also affect the life cycle of organisms. The effect of temperature on the lifespan of fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) was investigated.
  36. June 2018, Paper 1, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following could be caused by an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide from 398 ppm to 1080 ppm? (1) A decreased photosynthesis B global warming C
  37. June 2018, Paper 1, Q7(b)(iii) (5 marks): Analyse the data to explain the predicted effect of climate change on the distribution of ash trees. (5)
  38. June 2018, Paper 3, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the data could support a conclusion that climate change is occurring in the Arctic. (2)
  39. June 2018, Paper 3, Q2(a)(ii) (4 marks): Explain why the data may not be useful for predicting future climate change. (4)
  40. June 2018, Paper 3, Q2(b) (1 mark): The scientists also recorded data from west Spitsbergen on polar bear behaviour. The graph shows the number of days polar bears were seen on land. 25 20 15 10 5
  41. June 2018, Paper 3, Q2(c) (4 marks): Birds, such as barnacle geese, use the land on Spitsbergen as nesting sites. Polar bears usually hunt for seals from sea ice. They have also been seen feeding o
  42. June 2018, Paper 3, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): It was observed that all the living larvae in the rhinoceros belonged to species F. The metabolic activity of the larvae of species F increases the temperature
  43. June 2017, Paper 1, Q5(a) (4 marks): Scientists studying climate change have examined peat bogs to observe pollen grains such as those shown in the photograph. Explain how studying pollen grains in
  44. June 2017, Paper 3, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the mean length of shrimp three days after hatching in the 5% salt solution. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. (1) Ans
  45. June 2017, Paper 3, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how these data can be used to show the effect of salt concentration on the rate of growth of brine shrimps. (2)
  46. June 2017, Paper 3, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Draw a line on the graph to show a normal distribution for a population of brine shrimp. (1) Length / mm
  47. June 2017, Paper 3, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): Complete the table by filling in the missing value for specimen 7 and then calculate the value for Ȉx1 2. (1) 3% salt solution 5% salt solution Specimen Length
  48. June 2017, Paper 3, Q4(b)(iii) (2 marks): The variances are used in the calculation of a t-value. The variance for the 3% salt solution S1 2 = 0.0059. Calculate the variance for the 5% salt solution (S2
  49. June 2017, Paper 3, Q4(b)(iv) (3 marks): Calculate the t-value using the formula. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. x − x 1 2 t = 2 2 s s 1 + 2 n n 1 2 (3) t =
  50. June 2017, Paper 3, Q4(b)(v) (2 marks): The calculated t-value is greater than the critical value at p = 0.05. Describe what this result indicates about the effect of salt concentration on the length
  51. June 2017, Paper 3, Q7(a) (3 marks): Explain why the ‘anaerobic oxidation of methane’ could be a ‘key climate regulator’ (paragraph 2). (3)
  52. June 2017, Paper 3, Q7(e) (3 marks): Explain how the unfolding of the enzymes in E. coli makes them ‘become ineffective at 60 °C’ (paragraph 12). (3)

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