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Photosynthesis: Edexcel A‑Level Biology B questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Biology B exam question on 5.7 Photosynthesis, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,826 questions

  1. Q6(a)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 6(a)(i): Which membrane is shown in this diagram? (1) A crista B inner C outer D thylakoid

  2. Q6(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 6(a)(ii): Name reaction A. (1)

  3. Q6(a)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 6(a)(iii): What occurs in reaction B? (1) A reduced NADP is broken down by gaining an electron B reduced NADP is broken down by losing an electron C reduced NADP is produc

  4. Q6(a)(iv)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 6(a)(iv): Write the equation for reaction C. (1)

  5. Q6(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    2 marks5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 6(b)(i): The mean growth rate for Chlorella grown in natural light during the fourteen- day period was 1.04 × 106 cells per day. Calculate how many times faster Chlorell

  6. Q8(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    6 marks5.7 Photosynthesis4.3 Gas exchange
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 8(b)(ii): The table shows some effects on the characteristics of leaves when plants are grown in low, moderate and high levels of nitrogen gas. Effect compared with plant

  7. Q4(a)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    2 marks5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 4(a): Glucose consists of the elements of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Name the inorganic molecules that supply these elements for photosynthesis. (2) Carbon . Hydrog

  8. Q4(b)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 4(b): Light is essential for photosynthesis. It is needed for photolysis and for the excitation of electrons in the photosystems. Which row in the table shows where p

  9. Q4(c)(i)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    3 marks5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 4(c)(i): Explain why these plants were able to grow in the dark. (3)

  10. Q4(c)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 4(c)(ii): The scientists hope that this technique will be able to produce plant‑based food. State one advantage of using this method. Give a reason for your answer. (1)

  11. Q6(a)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    2 marks5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 6(a)(ii): The shortest time for the number of plants to double was more than 3 days. Give two ways of reducing the time taken for the number of plants to double. (2) 1 2

  12. Q6(a)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    3 marks5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 6(a)(i): Draw and label three other structures found in a chloroplast. (3)

  13. Q6(b)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    4 marks5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 6(b): Explain the importance of the thylakoid membranes in the light‑dependent stage of photosynthesis. (4)

  14. Q6(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 6(c)(i): Name the enzyme that fixes carbon dioxide in the light‑independent stage of photosynthesis. (1)

  15. Q6(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    2 marks5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 6(c)(ii): Explain why it is necessary to keep the thylakoids and enzymes together within droplets. (2)

  16. Q5(a)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 5(a)(i): Where does the light‑dependent stage take place? (1) A Q B T C V D X

  17. Q5(a)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 5(a)(ii): The light‑dependent stage produces hydrogen ions. Where do these hydrogen ions accumulate? (1) A Q B R C S D W

  18. Q5(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 5(b)(i): Which units are suitable for measuring the rate of photosynthesis in leaves? (1) A µmol m–1 sec–1 B µmol m–1 sec–2 C µmol m–2 sec–1 D µmol m–2 sec–2

  19. Q5(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    3 marks5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 5(b)(ii): Analyse the data to identify three conclusions that can be made from this graph. (3)

  20. Q5(b)(iii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    4 marks5.7 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 5(b)(iii): Explain the effects of carbon dioxide concentration and temperature on the rate of formation of GALP. (4)
All 35 questions on Photosynthesis, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Which membrane is shown in this diagram? (1) A crista B inner C outer D thylakoid
  2. June 2025, Paper 1, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name reaction A. (1)
  3. June 2025, Paper 1, Q6(a)(iii) (1 mark): What occurs in reaction B? (1) A reduced NADP is broken down by gaining an electron B reduced NADP is broken down by losing an electron C reduced NADP is produc
  4. June 2025, Paper 1, Q6(a)(iv) (1 mark): Write the equation for reaction C. (1)
  5. June 2025, Paper 1, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): The mean growth rate for Chlorella grown in natural light during the fourteen- day period was 1.04 × 106 cells per day. Calculate how many times faster Chlorell
  6. June 2025, Paper 1, Q8(b)(ii) (6 marks): The table shows some effects on the characteristics of leaves when plants are grown in low, moderate and high levels of nitrogen gas. Effect compared with plant
  7. June 2024, Paper 1, Q4(a) (2 marks): Glucose consists of the elements of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Name the inorganic molecules that supply these elements for photosynthesis. (2) Carbon . Hydrog
  8. June 2024, Paper 1, Q4(b) (1 mark): Light is essential for photosynthesis. It is needed for photolysis and for the excitation of electrons in the photosystems. Which row in the table shows where p
  9. June 2024, Paper 1, Q4(c)(i) (3 marks): Explain why these plants were able to grow in the dark. (3)
  10. June 2024, Paper 1, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): The scientists hope that this technique will be able to produce plant‑based food. State one advantage of using this method. Give a reason for your answer. (1)
  11. June 2024, Paper 3, Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): The shortest time for the number of plants to double was more than 3 days. Give two ways of reducing the time taken for the number of plants to double. (2) 1 2
  12. June 2023, Paper 1, Q6(a)(i) (3 marks): Draw and label three other structures found in a chloroplast. (3)
  13. June 2023, Paper 1, Q6(b) (4 marks): Explain the importance of the thylakoid membranes in the light‑dependent stage of photosynthesis. (4)
  14. June 2023, Paper 1, Q6(c)(i) (1 mark): Name the enzyme that fixes carbon dioxide in the light‑independent stage of photosynthesis. (1)
  15. June 2023, Paper 1, Q6(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why it is necessary to keep the thylakoids and enzymes together within droplets. (2)
  16. June 2022, Paper 1, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Where does the light‑dependent stage take place? (1) A Q B T C V D X
  17. June 2022, Paper 1, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): The light‑dependent stage produces hydrogen ions. Where do these hydrogen ions accumulate? (1) A Q B R C S D W
  18. June 2022, Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Which units are suitable for measuring the rate of photosynthesis in leaves? (1) A µmol m–1 sec–1 B µmol m–1 sec–2 C µmol m–2 sec–1 D µmol m–2 sec–2
  19. June 2022, Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): Analyse the data to identify three conclusions that can be made from this graph. (3)
  20. June 2022, Paper 1, Q5(b)(iii) (4 marks): Explain the effects of carbon dioxide concentration and temperature on the rate of formation of GALP. (4)
  21. June 2022, Paper 3, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe two control tubes that should be used in this investigation. (2)
  22. June 2022, Paper 3, Q3(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain the changes in colour of the hydrogencarbonate indicator in this investigation. (3)
  23. June 2022, Paper 3, Q3(b) (3 marks): The colour of the indicator and the position of the beads can be used to give a quantitative measure of the effect of light intensity. Describe how the method c
  24. October 2020, Paper 1, Q9(a) (5 marks): Explain why drought affects the quality and quantity of the food of wombats. (5)
  25. June 2019, Paper 1, Q8(b)(i) (3 marks): The rate of photosynthesis is expressed as ȝmol m−2 s−1. Describe what was measured to find the rate of photosynthesis. (3)
  26. June 2019, Paper 1, Q8(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain the results of this investigation. (3)
  27. June 2019, Paper 1, Q8(c) (3 marks): Explain why the wider stomata in GM crop plants could increase their yield. (3)
  28. June 2018, Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (5 marks): The soil in Londrina is more fertile than the soil in Ponta Grossa. Londrina has higher temperatures and rainfall during the growing season. Explain the differe
  29. June 2018, Paper 3, Q6(d)(iii) (3 marks): Analyse the data to explain how fewer stomata might affect the growth of coffee plants. (3)
  30. June 2018, Paper 3, Q9(b)(i) (4 marks): Explain how the student used this me
  31. June 2018, Paper 3, Q9(b)(ii) (4 marks): Analyse the data to explain the effect of this herbicide on the growth of weeds. (4)
  32. June 2017, Paper 1, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the number of photons of light needed to fix enough carbon to form one cyanobacterial cell. (1)
  33. June 2017, Paper 1, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the value calculated in (b)(i) is likely to be an underestimate. (2)
  34. June 2017, Paper 1, Q6(b)(iii) (3 marks): Describe how carbon fixation takes place in chloroplasts. (3)
  35. June 2017, Paper 1, Q8(a) (1 mark): What is the name of the part of the chloroplast labelled Y? (1) A cytoplasm B matrix C nucleoplasm D stroma

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