plumiDNA and protein synthesis: Edexcel GCSE Combined Science questions
Every Edexcel GCSE Combined Science exam question on DNA and protein synthesis (specification points 3.4–3.6), 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q6(c)
The whole paper ↗Q2(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ2(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q3(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q3(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q3(c)
The whole paper ↗Q3(d)
The whole paper ↗Q2(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q2(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q2(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ2(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ2(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q2(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ1(a)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ1(b)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ1(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q1(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q3(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗
All 46 questions on DNA and protein synthesis, as a list
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q6(c) (6 marks): Explain how DNA is extracted from strawberries. Include in your answer: • the reasons for each stage of the extraction process • the structure of a DNA molecule
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): Which type of large molecule is DNA? (1) A monomer B protein C polymer D starch
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how the bases of a DNA molecule are held together. (2)
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(c)(i) (2 marks): State the purpose of both step 1 and step 2. (2) step 1 step 2
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(c)(ii) (1 mark): State why the cold ethanol was added in step 3. (1)
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q3(c) (3 marks): DNA can be extracted from human cells in a similar way to the method used to extract DNA from fruits. Describe the stages of the method used to extract DNA from
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q3(d) (2 marks): The Human Genome Project sequenced the order of the bases in the human genome. Give two other outcomes from the Human Genome Project. (2) 1 2
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete the sentences using words from the box. (2) indicator membranes salt substrates sugar vacuoles Crushed strawberries are mixed with washing up liquid an
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the method shown in stage 2. (2)
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): What is the colour of the DNA precipitate? (1) A blue B orange C white D red
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): The range is the difference between the largest value and smallest value in a set of numbers. Which is the range of these results? (1) A 13.2 B 10.4 C 5.9 D 5.3
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the mean mass of DNA. (1) mean mass of DNA = ng
- June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Scientists have analysed the genomes of domestic animals. Which is the definition of a genome? (1) A all the cells of an organism B all the enzymes of an organi
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(a) (2 marks): DNA molecules contain base pairs. Describe how the base pairs are bonded together in a DNA molecule. (2)
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Write the code for the complementary DNA strand in Figure 1. (2)
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): Three bases code for each amino acid. Which is the maximum number of amino acids coded for by this strand of DNA? (1) A 3 B 4 C 6 D 12
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): What is the shape of a DNA molecule? (1) A triple stranded B single stranded C single helix D double helix
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the enzyme protease was added to the mixture. (2)
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(c)(ii) (1 mark): The mixture was then heated and filtered. Finally, the student poured the filtrate into a test tube and ice cold ethanol was poured down the side of the test tu
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): State where genes are found in cells. (1)
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a) (2 marks): DNA molecules contain base pairs. Describe how the base pairs are bonded together in a DNA molecule. (2)
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Write the code for the complementary DNA strand in Figure 9. (2)
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Three bases code for each amino acid. Which is the maximum number of amino acids coded for by this strand of DNA? (1) A 3 B 4 C 6 D 12
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(b)(iii) (1 mark): What is the shape of a DNA molecule? (1) A triple stranded B single stranded C single helix D double helix
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the enzyme protease was added to the mixture. (2)
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(c)(ii) (1 mark): The mixture was then heated and filtered. Finally, the student poured the filtrate into a test tube and ice‑cold ethanol was poured down the side of the test tu
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(c)(iii) (2 marks): The student wanted to compare the mass of DNA found in fresh peas with the mass of DNA found in fresh beans. Give two variables the student would need to contro
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Give the complementary strand sequence for this DNA template. (1) A T G T T A C G T
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which statement correctly describes a DNA molecule? (1) A two strands joined together by strong bonds to form a double helix B two complementary bases twisted i
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): What is the correct definition of a genome? (1) A all the cells of an organism B all the enzymes of an organism C all the genetic material of an organism D all
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): A new project called the Earth BioGenome Project aims to discover the sequence of bases in the DNA for all plants and animals. State two benefits of discovering
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(c) (6 marks): DNA is found in the nucleus of cells. Describe the structure of DNA and how it can be extracted from plant cells. (6)
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): State why ethanol is used. (1)
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): State two variables the student needs to control when using this method to compare the mass of DNA from these two fruits. (2) 1 2
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): The student repeated the experiment. Give one reason why. (1)
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Which statement about DNA is correct? (1) A each pair of bases is joined by hydrogen bonds B phosphate groups are joined by hydrogen bonds C nucleotides consist
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): Figure 6 shows the percentage of each base in human DNA. 35 30 25 20 percentage in human 15 DNA (%) 10 5 0 A G T C DNA base Figure 6 Describe how this data prov
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): State why ethanol is used. (1)
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): State two variables the student needs to control when using this method to compare the mass of DNA from these two fruits. (2) 1 2
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(c)(iii) (1 mark): The student repeated the experiment. Give one reason why. (1)
- June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Structure A is a (1) A base B phosphate C sugar D polymer
- June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the shape of a DNA molecule? (1) A single helix B double helix C complementary helix D triple helix
- June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which molecules are present in the DNA backbone? (1) A sugars and phosphates B amino acids and bases C sugars and bases D amino acids and phosphates
- June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the type of bond that joins the bases together in the DNA molecule. (1)
- June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(b) (2 marks): DNA can be extracted from fruit. Describe how cells are broken down to release DNA. (2)
- June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(c) (2 marks): In 2003, scientists finished sequencing the 3 billion base pairs in the human genome. State two benefits that the Human Genome Project could have for medicine.
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