plumiGametes and fertilisation: Edexcel A‑Level Biology A questions
Every Edexcel A-Level Biology A exam question on Gametes and fertilisation (specification points 3.6–3.7), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q7(a)(i)
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Q7(a)
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Q7(b)
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Q7(c)(i)
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Q7(c)(ii)
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Q6(b)
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Q8(a)(ii)
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Q8(b)(i)
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Q6(b)
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Q6(c)(i)
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Q6(c)(ii)
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Q3(b)
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Q3(c)
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Q3(a)(i)
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Q3(a)(ii)
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Q3(b)(i)
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Q3(b)(ii)
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Q4(a)(i)
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Q2(b)
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Q5(a)(i)
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All 43 questions on Gametes and fertilisation, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q7(a)(i) (3 marks): Describe the events after the fusion of these membranes. (3)
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q7(a) (3 marks): Describe how the structure of the sperm cell allows it to reach the surface membrane of an egg cell. (3)
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q7(b) (3 marks): The effect of the drug sildenafil on sperm cells was investigated. In one investigation, the state of the acrosome was observed after sperm cells were treated w
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q7(c)(i) (4 marks): Plot the data to show the results of this investigation in a suitable graphical form. (4)
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q7(c)(ii) (4 marks): It has been stated that sildenafil improves the functioning of mitochondria. Discuss how these results support this statement. (4)
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q6(b) (3 marks): Explain how a sperm cell is adapted for its role in fertilisation. (3)
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q8(a)(ii) (4 marks): Following the fertilisation of an egg cell, the zygote divides to become an embryo. The embryo develops into a fetus. Compare and contrast the structure of an u
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q8(b)(i) (1 mark): Cells in the umbilical cord are genetically identical to the cells of the fetus. Which of the following explains why the cells in the umbilical cord are genetic
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q6(b) (2 marks): Mitochondrial diseases such as Leigh syndrome are passed on by the mother during fertilisation. Explain why a fertilised egg cell will contain only maternal mit
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the resulting embryo does not develop mitochondrial disease. (2)
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q6(c)(ii) (3 marks): Comment on the inheritance of parental characteristics in offspring produced in this way. (3)
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q3(b) (1 mark): Which of the following are always the same for both mammalian sperm and egg cells of the same species? 1. The total mass of nuclear DNA 2. They both release enz
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q3(c) (1 mark): The diagram shows a mammalian sperm cell. 4 3 1 2 Which of the labelled parts contains enzymes that phosphorylate glucose during respiration? (1) A 1 B 2 C 3 D
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (3 marks): Complete the diagram of the sperm cell and label the acrosome, nucleus and mitochondria. (3)
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following is the role of the acrosome? (1) A to release enzymes to digest the cell membrane of the ovum B to release enzymes to digest the zona pel
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): The type of storage solution affects the percentage of sperm cells with intact acrosomes. Calculate the difference in the mean percentage for the two solutions.
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Deduce why the percentage of sperm cells with intact acrosomes is greater when stored in the buffer solution without calcium ions. (2)
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): After the sperm cell nucleus fuses with the egg cell nucleus, the single fertilised cell is described as a (1) A diploid gamete B diploid zygote C haploid gamet
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): During random fertilisation, only one sperm cell fuses with the cell surface membrane of an egg cell. Vesicles play an important role in this process. Explain h
- October 2020, Paper 1, Q5(a)(i) (3 marks): A sperm cell contains a specialised lysosome called the acrosome. Describe the role of the acrosome in fertilisation. (3)
- October 2020, Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): The diagram shows the structure of a sperm cell. P Q R S © QA International / Science Photo Library Which labelled part of the sperm cell contains mitochondria?
- October 2020, Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): The table shows the effect of different concentrations of PCB on the speed of movement of sperm cells. Mean speed of sperm / μm s–1 PCB concentration / mg dm–3
- October 2020, Paper 1, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): Deduce how PCBs could affect the speed of movement of sperm. (2)
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q4(a) (2 marks): Describe how the acrosome is involved in the digestion of the zona pellucida. (2)
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q4(b) (1 mark): A sperm cell must reach the egg cell membrane for fertilisation to occur. The surface area of an egg cell with a diameter of 120 μm was calculated using the for
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): In the investigation using egg cells without a zona pellucida, 15 egg cells were used for each sperm cell concentration. Calculate how many of these egg cells w
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): Deduce the effect of sperm cell concentration on the chance of polyspermy when the zona pellucida is removed. (1)
- October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q4(c)(iii) (6 marks): During IVF treatment, egg cells are extracted from the ovaries. Large numbers of sperm cells can be added to these egg cells in a Petri dish to increase the cha
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q6(a) (3 marks): Explain why the production of these abnormal sperm cells may reduce fertility. (3)
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q6(b) (3 marks): Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) can be used as a cancer treatment. One side effect associated with MMS is teratozoospermia. Three groups of rats were exposed to t
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q6(c) (6 marks): Discuss the potential use of vitamin E as a fertility treatment for people with teratozoospermia. (6)
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): During fertilisation, only one sperm cell can fertilise an egg cell. Explain why a second sperm cell cannot fertilise the egg cell. (3)
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Which of the following describes the acrosome reaction? (1) A the ovum releases enzymes that digest the egg cell membrane B the ovum releases enzymes that diges
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q1(b) (3 marks): Describe the events of fertilisation that occur after the acrosome reaction. (3)
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q1(a) (1 mark): The purpose of the cortical reaction is to (1) A allow the haploid nuclei to fuse B attract the sperm towards the egg cell C cause the sperm cell membrane to fu
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Which adaptation allows a sperm cell to digest the zona pellucida? (1) A acrosome B flagellum C haploid nucleus D streamlined shape
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give a reason for the high density of mitochondria found in the midpiece of a sperm cell. (1)
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the swimming speed of a sperm cell that is 40 µm long, as predicted by the line shown on the graph. (2) Answer
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the limitations of using the line on the graph to predict the swimming speed of sperm cells. (2)
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(a) (3 marks): The human egg cell and the eel egg cell are approximately spherical. The formula for the volume of a sphere is 4 3 π V = r 3 where V is the volume and r is the
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(b) (2 marks): The eel egg cell is larger than the human egg cell, yet an adult eel is smaller than an adult human. Analyse the data in the table to explain why it is advantag
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): Deduce the relationship between egg cell diameter and the mass of the adult animal shown by the data. (1)
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (4 marks): Criticise this data set as evidence for a relationship between egg cell diameter and the mass of the adult. (4)
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