plumiLight-independent reactions (Calvin cycle): Edexcel International A Level Biology questions
Edexcel International A Level Biology past-paper questions on 5.1.3 Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle), 2019–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
All papers
All years
Q6(b)(iii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ4(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(b)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ9(b)(iv)
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 PDFQ2(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ4(b)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ9(b)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ6(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ6(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ1(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ7(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ5(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ3(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ7(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ7(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDF
All 19 questions on Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle), as a list
- June 2025, Unit 4, Q6(b)(iii) (4 marks): Describe the roles of the proteins: • RNA polymerase • ribosomal protein • RUBISCO • ATP synthetase. (4)
- January 2025, Unit 4, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Which describes how ATP is generated in the light‑dependent reactions? (1) A by hydrolysis of ADP releasing energy B by hydrolysis of ADP requiring energy C by
- January 2025, Unit 4, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): When one molecule of glucose is made in the light‑independent reactions, the ratio of ATP used to reduced NADP used is 1.5 : 1. Show how this ratio can be calcu
- January 2025, Unit 4, Q4(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why only a small proportion of the GALP produced is used to make the glucose. (2)
- October 2024, Unit 4, Q9(b)(iv) (3 marks): Plants treated with blue light had an increase in photosynthesis caused by an increase in the transcription of some genes in the leaves. Suggest two genes whose
- June 2024, Unit 4, Q7(a) (3 marks): Describe how carbon becomes incorporated into plant biomass. (3)
- June 2024, Unit 4, Q7(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why air temperature affects the CO2 fertilisation effect. (2)
- January 2023, Unit 4, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): Where do the light‑independent reactions take place? (1) A Q B S C T D U
- January 2023, Unit 4, Q4(b) (4 marks): Rubber is synthesised by specialised cells in the trunks of rubber trees. The diagram shows the structure of one molecule that these cells use to synthesise rub
- October 2022, Unit 4, Q9(b) (4 marks): Describe how GALP, produced in the leaves, becomes incorporated into biomass in the roots. (4)
- January 2022, Unit 4, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Products of the light‑independent reactions are used to synthesise amino acids. Describe how plants synthesise amino acids. (2)
- January 2022, Unit 4, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Where in the chloroplast is RUBISCO active? (1) A P B Q C R D S
- January 2022, Unit 4, Q6(a)(iii) (1 mark): Where is GP formed? (1) A P B Q C R D S
- October 2021, Unit 4, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which structure contains GALP? (1) A Q B R C U D V
- June 2021, Unit 4, Q7(b)(ii) (4 marks): Explain how the products of the light-independent reactions become NPP below the ground. (4)
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Which row of the table shows the products of the light-dependent reactions that are used in the light-independent reactions? (1) ATP produced by NADP A cyclic p
- October 2020, Unit 4, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Where in the chloroplasts are these bonds formed? (1) A cytoplasm B matrix C stroma D thylakoid membrane
- January 2020, Unit 4, Q7(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe how GALP, produced in chloroplasts, is converted into protein. (3)
- January 2020, Unit 4, Q7(b)(ii) (6 marks): These seaweeds are considered to be a healthy, environmentally-friendly and economic food source. Comment on this statement. Use the information in the table an
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.