plumiNon-specific responses: Edexcel International A Level Biology questions
Edexcel International A Level Biology past-paper questions on 6.3.2 Non-specific responses, 2019–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Q4(c)
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All 19 questions on Non-specific responses, as a list
- June 2025, Unit 5, Q4(c) (6 marks): Ageing affects different organ systems. Three systems affected by ageing are the: • cardiovascular system • breathing and gas exchange system • brain and nervou
- October 2024, Unit 5, Q8(i) (2 marks): Swelling is a symptom of inflammation. Explain why lecanemab may result in ‘brain swelling’ (Paragraph 35). (2)
- October 2023, Unit 4, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the two other characteristics of inflammation. (1)
- October 2023, Unit 4, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how heat helps the body respond to infection. (2)
- October 2023, Unit 4, Q2(b) (2 marks): Describe how interferon helps the body respond to infection. (2)
- October 2023, Unit 5, Q8(d) (3 marks): Explain how inflammation in the fascia is caused (paragraphs 8 and 9). (3)
- June 2022, Unit 4, Q3(c)(i) (2 marks): Describe the role of macrophages in the non‑specific response of the body to these bacteria. (2)
- June 2022, Unit 5, Q8(h) (3 marks): Explain how the interaction of microbial and other factors could result in gastrointestinal inflammation such as IBD (Box 2). (3)
- October 2021, Unit 4, Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe the role of macrophages in the development of natural active immunity to a virus, following infection. (3)
- October 2021, Unit 5, Q8(c) (4 marks): Suggest how the amyloid protein may prevent bacterial infection in the brain (paragraphs 7 and 22). (4)
- October 2021, Unit 5, Q8(d) (4 marks): Explain how the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis that causes gum disease may invade the brain and cause inflammation in brain regions affected by Alzheimer’s
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete the diagram to show the four characteristics of inflammation. (2) swelling Characteristics of inflammation
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Inflammation occurs following a cut to the skin. Describe the role of two of these characteristics of inflammation in response to a cut to the skin. (2)
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): The graph shows the effect of treating inflammation with curcumin extract and an anti-inflammatory drug, drug A. inflammation with no treatment Inflammation Key d
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): Many treatments use 1 g curcumin extract. A sample of turmeric contains 3 % curcumin. Which is the mass of turmeric for one treatment? (1) A 0.03 g B 3.33 g C 3
- October 2020, Unit 4, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Give one piece of evidence, shown in the photographs, that rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition. (1)
- October 2020, Unit 4, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give two other signs of inflammation that are experienced in the hand of a person with rheumatoid arthritis. (1)
- October 2020, Unit 4, Q4(b)(iii) (4 marks): Patients being treated with antibodies to TNF are more susceptible to tuberculosis (TB), which can be fatal. Explain why patients being treated with antibodies
- January 2020, Unit 4, Q5(d) (2 marks): The protein VP35 inhibits the production of interferon by host cells. Explain why the structure of the Ebola virus includes VP35. (2)
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