plumiEpigenetics: Edexcel International A Level Biology questions
Edexcel International A Level Biology past-paper questions on 3.6.2 Epigenetics, 2019–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Q8(b)
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All 16 questions on Epigenetics, as a list
- June 2025, Unit 4, Q8(b) (4 marks): The embryos in newly-laid eggs have immature reproductive organs that can develop into either male reproductive organs or female reproductive organs. In turtles
- June 2025, Unit 5, Q8(h) (2 marks): Explain how epigenetic changes could ensure that the ‘gene output’ from the X chromosomes in females is the same as in males (paragraph 19). (2)
- January 2025, AS Unit 2, Q7(c)(i) (2 marks): Suggest the role of the enzyme DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) in the process of DNA methylation. (2)
- January 2025, AS Unit 2, Q7(c)(ii) (6 marks): Some cancers can be caused by the methylation of a tumour suppressor gene called RASSF1. Tumour suppressor genes can slow down cell division or cause cell death
- January 2025, Unit 4, Q9(b) (3 marks): One group of ERVs code for viral envelope proteins. In normal cells, these proteins are not synthesised due to epigenetic regulation. Explain how epigenetic reg
- October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q6(d)(i) (2 marks): Explain how DNA methylation can alter the expression of some genes. (2)
- October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q6(d)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why epigenetic changes to genes, such as DNA methylation, are passed on by mitosis. (2)
- June 2024, AS Unit 2, Q5(c) (5 marks): Histone modification can affect gene expression, as shown in the diagram. Key Me Me Me Me Histone methylation Histones Me Gene switched off Histone acetylation A
- January 2024, Unit 5, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Which is the role of histones in the cell? (1) A act as a transcription factor B form pores in the nuclear membrane C give structural support for DNA molecules
- January 2024, Unit 5, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which is the process that regulates gene expression? (1) A crossing over B epigenetic changes C post‑transcriptional changes D post‑translational changes
- January 2024, Unit 5, Q5(c)(i) (3 marks): Explain why these changes in the chromosome of this individual would cause Prader–Willi syndrome. (3)
- June 2023, AS Unit 2, Q4(c) (5 marks): Structure B contains pluripotent stem cells. Histone modification and DNA methylation are processes that occur when totipotent stem cells develop into pluripote
- January 2023, Unit 5, Q4(b) (1 mark): How many of the following statements about epigenetic modification are correct? (1) • It can result in a change in the base sequence of a gene • It can involve
- January 2023, Unit 5, Q4(d) (2 marks): The expression of genes in cancer cells can be regulated by histone modification. DNA that is not being transcribed is tightly wrapped around histone proteins.
- October 2022, AS Unit 2, Q8(b) (4 marks): Uncontrolled cell division can result in the formation of a tumour. The RB gene is a tumour suppressor gene. The RB protein produced from this gene inhibits tum
- October 2021, AS Unit 2, Q7(b) (5 marks): In nematodes, histone modification can be passed onto embryos. Enzyme M causes this modification. The diagram shows two experiments that demonstrated this. Expe
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