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Muscles and movement: Edexcel A‑Level Biology A questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Biology A exam question on Muscles and movement (specification points 7.1–7.2), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,749 questions

  1. Q6(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 markMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 6(a): State the type of muscle that works antagonistically with a flexor muscle. (1)

  2. Q6(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marksMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 6(b): The difference in the mean response time for the 25% contraction and the 50% contraction was significant at the 0.05 level. Explain what is meant by this differ

  3. Q6(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 markMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 6(c): Which is the relationship between the percentage muscle contraction needed to hold down the pedal and the response time? (1) A exponential B linear C logarithmi

  4. Q6(d)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    6 marksNeurones and nerve impulsesMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 6(d): When the investigation was carried out, it took time between the athlete seeing the light switch off and the flexor muscle being fully relaxed. Explain why ther

  5. Q8(g)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    2 marksMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 8(g): Explain why the bones and muscles of astronauts on long missions will waste away (Box “To blearily go” paragraph B). (2)

  6. Q8(h)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    3 marksMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 8(h): Sloths spend a lot of time hanging upside down – ‘constant grip is made possible by a lattice of tendons in the hands and feet that draw the digits closed’ (par

  7. Q3(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 markMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 3(a): Which of the following describes the structure and function of a ligament? (1) A elastic and attaches bone to bone B elastic and attaches muscle to bone C non-e

  8. Q8(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marksMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 8(b)(i): Explain how the myosin head could move mitochondria along the axon. (3)

  9. Q10(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marksMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 10(a): Explain one way in which cartilage at the ends of the bones in the knee joint reduces wear and tear. (2)

  10. Q7(a)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 markMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 7(a)(ii): Muscles can be extensors or flexors. Which of the following correctly describes the state of the muscles described? (1) When the lower leg is When the arm is be

  11. Q7(b)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 markMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 7(b)(i): Which of the following identifies the structures that join bones to bones in an elbow joint? (1) A ligaments only B ligaments and tendons C tendons only D neith

  12. Q9(a)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 markMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 9(a): State why data were collected for Group 2 as well as for Group 1. (1)

  13. Q9(b)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marksMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 9(b)(i): Explain what is meant by no significant difference at the 0.05 probability level for the rate of breakdown of protein. (2)

  14. Q9(b)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    3 marksProteins and enzymesMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 9(b)(ii): Some of the myosin in the muscle cells was broken down. Describe how the tertiary structure of myosin is related to its function. (3)

  15. Q9(c)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    6 marksMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 9(c): Data for the rate of protein synthesis were collected for the groups of muscle cells as shown in the table. Mean rate of Group of muscle cells protein synthesis

  16. Q5(a)

    June 2019 · Paper 2

    1 markMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 2, question 5(a): The myosin binding site is found on (1) A actin B sarcoplasmic reticulum C tropomyosin D troponin

  17. Q5(c)(i)

    June 2019 · Paper 2

    2 marksMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 2, question 5(c)(i): Describe the interaction between P and Q that allows muscle contraction. (2)

  18. Q3(c)(i)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    2 marksMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 3(c)(i): Explain how the extensor and flexor muscles bring about movement of the lower leg. (2)

  19. Q5(a)

    June 2018 · Paper 3

    3 marksMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 3, question 5(a): Describe the role of calcium ions in the contraction of muscle fibres. (3)

  20. Q5(b)(i)

    June 2018 · Paper 3

    2 marksMuscles and movement
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 3, question 5(b)(i): Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using muscle fibres from the same sample of muscle. (2) Advantage: Disadvantage:
All 25 questions on Muscles and movement, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q6(a) (1 mark): State the type of muscle that works antagonistically with a flexor muscle. (1)
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q6(b) (2 marks): The difference in the mean response time for the 25% contraction and the 50% contraction was significant at the 0.05 level. Explain what is meant by this differ
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q6(c) (1 mark): Which is the relationship between the percentage muscle contraction needed to hold down the pedal and the response time? (1) A exponential B linear C logarithmi
  4. June 2025, Paper 2, Q6(d) (6 marks): When the investigation was carried out, it took time between the athlete seeing the light switch off and the flexor muscle being fully relaxed. Explain why ther
  5. June 2025, Paper 3, Q8(g) (2 marks): Explain why the bones and muscles of astronauts on long missions will waste away (Box “To blearily go” paragraph B). (2)
  6. June 2024, Paper 3, Q8(h) (3 marks): Sloths spend a lot of time hanging upside down – ‘constant grip is made possible by a lattice of tendons in the hands and feet that draw the digits closed’ (par
  7. June 2023, Paper 2, Q3(a) (1 mark): Which of the following describes the structure and function of a ligament? (1) A elastic and attaches bone to bone B elastic and attaches muscle to bone C non-e
  8. June 2023, Paper 2, Q8(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain how the myosin head could move mitochondria along the axon. (3)
  9. June 2022, Paper 2, Q10(a) (2 marks): Explain one way in which cartilage at the ends of the bones in the knee joint reduces wear and tear. (2)
  10. November 2021, Paper 2, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): Muscles can be extensors or flexors. Which of the following correctly describes the state of the muscles described? (1) When the lower leg is When the arm is be
  11. November 2021, Paper 2, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): Which of the following identifies the structures that join bones to bones in an elbow joint? (1) A ligaments only B ligaments and tendons C tendons only D neith
  12. November 2021, Paper 2, Q9(a) (1 mark): State why data were collected for Group 2 as well as for Group 1. (1)
  13. November 2021, Paper 2, Q9(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain what is meant by no significant difference at the 0.05 probability level for the rate of breakdown of protein. (2)
  14. November 2021, Paper 2, Q9(b)(ii) (3 marks): Some of the myosin in the muscle cells was broken down. Describe how the tertiary structure of myosin is related to its function. (3)
  15. November 2021, Paper 2, Q9(c) (6 marks): Data for the rate of protein synthesis were collected for the groups of muscle cells as shown in the table. Mean rate of Group of muscle cells protein synthesis
  16. June 2019, Paper 2, Q5(a) (1 mark): The myosin binding site is found on (1) A actin B sarcoplasmic reticulum C tropomyosin D troponin
  17. June 2019, Paper 2, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Describe the interaction between P and Q that allows muscle contraction. (2)
  18. June 2018, Paper 2, Q3(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the extensor and flexor muscles bring about movement of the lower leg. (2)
  19. June 2018, Paper 3, Q5(a) (3 marks): Describe the role of calcium ions in the contraction of muscle fibres. (3)
  20. June 2018, Paper 3, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using muscle fibres from the same sample of muscle. (2) Advantage: Disadvantage:
  21. June 2018, Paper 3, Q5(b)(ii) (4 marks): The results are shown in the graph. 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0 0 1 2 3 4 Calcium ion concentration / a.u. Explain the effect of increasing calcium ion concentratio
  22. June 2017, Paper 2, Q7(a) (1 mark): Which of the following is molecule S? (1) A actin B myosin C tropomyosin D troponin
  23. June 2017, Paper 2, Q7(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe the changes caused when calcium ions bind to the molecules shown in the diagram. (2)
  24. June 2017, Paper 2, Q7(b)(ii) (4 marks): Explain how these changes cause muscles to contract. (4)
  25. June 2017, Paper 2, Q7(c) (3 marks): Describe how the concentration of calcium ions around the myofibrils is controlled. (3)

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