plumiCholesterol, HDLs and LDLs: Edexcel International A Level Biology questions
Edexcel International A Level Biology past-paper questions on 1.4.3 Cholesterol, HDLs and LDLs, 2019–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
All papers
All years
Q6(a)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ6(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ6(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ6(a)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ6(d)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ7(b)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ7(a)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ7(b)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ7(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ7(c)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ5(c)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ7(a)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ7(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ5(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ8(b)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ8(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ8(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(b)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDF
All 19 questions on Cholesterol, HDLs and LDLs, as a list
- January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q6(a) (2 marks): The graph shows the relationship between blood cholesterol levels and the coronary heart disease death rate in men in four parts of the world. Key: Northern Eur
- January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Liver cells take up cholesterol by endocytosis. Explain how an increase in these LDL receptors will help to reduce blood cholesterol levels. (2)
- January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): In the UK, approximately 270 000 people have FH. The disorder affects 1 in 250 people in the UK. Calculate the population size of the UK. Express your answer in
- October 2024, AS Unit 1, Q6(a) (3 marks): Eating soybeans may reduce cholesterol and low‑density lipoproteins (LDLs) in the blood. Explain why eating soybeans may reduce the risk of heart disease. (3)
- October 2024, AS Unit 1, Q6(d) (3 marks): The soybean peptides, at different concentrations, were incubated with the liver cells growing in culture. The enzyme HMGCR is involved in the synthesis of chol
- June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q7(b) (6 marks): Scientists have studied the effects of RYR on lipid levels. The table shows the results of four studies on the effects of eating RYR on lipid levels. Percentage
- October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(a) (2 marks): In one investigation, scientists measured the blood cholesterol level in a group of people and monitored the development of heart disease in the following 10 ye
- October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(b) (3 marks): Other investigations have shown that the levels of high‑density lipoproteins (HDLs) and low‑density lipoproteins (LDLs) are significant in determining the risk
- October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(c)(i) (3 marks): Explain how the LDL‑R is involved in endocytosis of LDLs. (3)
- October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(c)(iii) (3 marks): Mutations in the gene coding for the LDL‑R can result in an increased risk of CVD. Explain why mutations in this gene can increase the risk of CVD. (3)
- January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q5(c) (3 marks): Explain why a diet that is low in saturated fat is likely to reduce the risk of CVD. (3)
- October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q7(a) (6 marks): The graph shows the effects of HDL levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the blood on the risk of men developing heart disease. HDL = 24.4 mmol dm−
- October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q7(b)(i) (3 marks): Compare and contrast the structure of HDL with altered HDL. (3)
- October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Very low‑carbohydrate diets may increase cardiovascular risk factors. Give two factors, other than weight loss, that should have been monitored in this study. (
- October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q8(b) (3 marks): Explain why the properties of LDLs enable cholesterol to be transported in the blood. (3)
- October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q8(c)(i) (3 marks): Complete the table by calculating the volume of LDL and the ratio of LDL volume to cholesterol volume. Use the formula v = 4 3 πr3 (3)
- October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q8(c)(ii) (6 marks): The graph shows the relationship between LDLs, high‑density lipoproteins (HDLs) and the risk of CVD. Level of HDL in blood = 0.65 a.u. Level of HDL in blood = 1
- June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q2(a)(iii) (2 marks): The table gives some information about four fatty acids. Number of double bonds Fatty acid Number of carbon atoms between carbon atoms butyric 0 4 stearic 0 18
- January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q2(b) (2 marks): Explain why the risk calculator takes into account total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels. (2)
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © Pearson Edexcel, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? Edexcel International A Level Biology past papers.
The Plumi iPad app also offers exam-style questions with AI feedback on your handwritten working.