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DNA replication and mutation: Edexcel A‑Level Biology A questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Biology A exam question on DNA replication and mutation (specification points 2.11–2.12), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,749 questions

  1. Q5(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 5(b): Explain why myostatin produced from the mutated gene does not function (Stage 2). (3)

  2. Q1(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    3 marksDNA replication and mutationDNA, RNA and protein synthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 1(b)(ii): Give three differences between the process of DNA replication and the process of DNA transcription. (3) 1 2 3

  3. Q4(a)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    3 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 4(a): Describe how a mutation can change the primary structure of a protein. (3)

  4. Q4(a)

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    1 markDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 4(a): Each body cell contains 6 billion base pairs. The mutation rate for human cells has been estimated to be 2.5 × 10–8 mutations per base pair per cell cycle. Calc

  5. Q4(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    3 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 4(b)(ii): Explain why a change in the DNA sequence can change the phenotype of an organism. (3)

  6. Q5(a)(i)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    2 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 5(a)(i): Describe the function of DNA polymerase in producing a polynucleotide. (2)

  7. Q5(a)(ii)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    4 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 5(a)(ii): Scientists have discovered a property of DNA polymerase that detects and corrects errors in DNA replication. Discuss the possible benefits of this property of D

  8. Q3(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 markDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 3(b)(i): Which of the following is the result of semi-conservative replication? (1) A both DNA molecules are a mixture of original DNA and RNA B both daughter DNA molecu

  9. Q3(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    4 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 3(b)(ii): Describe how DNA is replicated. (4)

  10. Q6(b)(iii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    3 marksProteins and enzymesDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 6(b)(iii): Explain why a change in the base sequence of the gene coding for myoglobin could change its tertiary structure. (3)

  11. Q5(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 5(b)(i): Complete the table to show the expected DNA after E.coli had been grown in 14N, for two possible types of DNA replication. (3) Type of DNA DNA before first DNA

  12. Q5(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 5(b)(ii): This study enabled Meselson and Stahl to show that DNA replication was semi‑conservative rather than conservative. Explain what is meant by the term semi‑conser

  13. Q6(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    1 markDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 6(b)(i): State what is meant by the term gene mutation. (1)

  14. Q1(a)(ii)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    2 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 1(a)(ii): Name two bonds formed between nucleotides in the process of DNA replication. (2) 1 2

  15. Q5(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    4 marksDNA replication and mutationProteins and enzymes
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 5(a): Explain why this mutation may prevent the enzyme involved in the production of haem from functioning correctly. (4)

  16. Q8(d)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    3 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 8(d): “Why is aging, smoking or radiation exposure associated with cancer?” (paragraph 8). Explain why “These things cause mutations”. (3)

  17. Q8(f)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    3 marksDNA replication and mutationMeiosis, mitosis and the cell cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 8(f): Explain how ‘a cancer‑causing mutation’ could increase the rate of division in stem cells (paragraph 14). (3)

  18. Q4(a)

    October 2020 · Paper 1

    1 markDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 1, question 4(a): A gene mutation can be a change in a single base in the (1) A DNA that codes for a different amino acid B DNA that codes for a different monosaccharide C RNA th

  19. Q4(b)

    October 2020 · Paper 1

    3 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 1, question 4(b): One of the most common mutations causing thalassaemia is the substitution of one adenine base with guanine. The diagram shows the location of the mutation in pa

  20. Q2(b)

    October 2020 · AS Paper 1

    2 marksDNA replication and mutation
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 AS Paper 1, question 2(b): Meselson and Stahl carried out an experiment that demonstrated the semiconservative replication of DNA. They grew bacteria in a medium containing heavy nitrogen
All 31 questions on DNA replication and mutation, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q5(b) (3 marks): Explain why myostatin produced from the mutated gene does not function (Stage 2). (3)
  2. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): Give three differences between the process of DNA replication and the process of DNA transcription. (3) 1 2 3
  3. June 2024, Paper 1, Q4(a) (3 marks): Describe how a mutation can change the primary structure of a protein. (3)
  4. June 2024, Paper 2, Q4(a) (1 mark): Each body cell contains 6 billion base pairs. The mutation rate for human cells has been estimated to be 2.5 × 10–8 mutations per base pair per cell cycle. Calc
  5. June 2024, Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why a change in the DNA sequence can change the phenotype of an organism. (3)
  6. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe the function of DNA polymerase in producing a polynucleotide. (2)
  7. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q5(a)(ii) (4 marks): Scientists have discovered a property of DNA polymerase that detects and corrects errors in DNA replication. Discuss the possible benefits of this property of D
  8. June 2023, Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Which of the following is the result of semi-conservative replication? (1) A both DNA molecules are a mixture of original DNA and RNA B both daughter DNA molecu
  9. June 2023, Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (4 marks): Describe how DNA is replicated. (4)
  10. June 2023, Paper 1, Q6(b)(iii) (3 marks): Explain why a change in the base sequence of the gene coding for myoglobin could change its tertiary structure. (3)
  11. June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (3 marks): Complete the table to show the expected DNA after E.coli had been grown in 14N, for two possible types of DNA replication. (3) Type of DNA DNA before first DNA
  12. June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): This study enabled Meselson and Stahl to show that DNA replication was semi‑conservative rather than conservative. Explain what is meant by the term semi‑conser
  13. June 2023, Paper 3, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term gene mutation. (1)
  14. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Name two bonds formed between nucleotides in the process of DNA replication. (2) 1 2
  15. June 2022, Paper 1, Q5(a) (4 marks): Explain why this mutation may prevent the enzyme involved in the production of haem from functioning correctly. (4)
  16. June 2022, Paper 3, Q8(d) (3 marks): “Why is aging, smoking or radiation exposure associated with cancer?” (paragraph 8). Explain why “These things cause mutations”. (3)
  17. June 2022, Paper 3, Q8(f) (3 marks): Explain how ‘a cancer‑causing mutation’ could increase the rate of division in stem cells (paragraph 14). (3)
  18. October 2020, Paper 1, Q4(a) (1 mark): A gene mutation can be a change in a single base in the (1) A DNA that codes for a different amino acid B DNA that codes for a different monosaccharide C RNA th
  19. October 2020, Paper 1, Q4(b) (3 marks): One of the most common mutations causing thalassaemia is the substitution of one adenine base with guanine. The diagram shows the location of the mutation in pa
  20. October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q2(b) (2 marks): Meselson and Stahl carried out an experiment that demonstrated the semiconservative replication of DNA. They grew bacteria in a medium containing heavy nitrogen
  21. October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q2(c) (3 marks): Give three differences between replication of DNA and transcription of DNA. (3) 1 2 3
  22. October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q4(b) (6 marks): Mutations in the gene coding for the prothrombin protein have been identified. These mutations have resulted in different forms of prothrombin being produced. T
  23. June 2019, Paper 1, Q8(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why a mutation in the gene coding for the protein factor V may increase the risk of VTE. (3)
  24. June 2019, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why different mutations in the CFTR gene can lead to differences in the severity of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis. (2)
  25. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q7(c) (4 marks): The synthesis of mRNA occurs in a process called transcription. Compare and contrast the process of transcription with the process of DNA replication. (4)
  26. June 2018, Paper 1, Q4(b) (2 marks): Several mutations of the leptin gene have been identified. All these mutations are frameshift mutations that result in shortened primary structures. A frameshif
  27. June 2018, Paper 2, Q10(c)(i) (3 marks): Explain how a single base mutation can lead to an altered primary structure of enzyme G. (3)
  28. June 2017, Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the fastest rate of uptake of bases by these bacteria. (2) Answer
  29. June 2017, Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Deduce how many times the bacteria in the culture have divided during this experiment. (2)
  30. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q7(b) (4 marks): Different theories for DNA replication have been suggested. Figure 1 illustrates two of these theories. A. Conservative B. Semi-conservative model model Figure
  31. June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q7(c) (4 marks): Mutations to DNA can affect the structure of proteins produced in the cell. Removing one base from a DNA sequence will affect the primary structure of a protein

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