plumiPCR and gel electrophoresis: Edexcel International A Level Biology questions
Edexcel International A Level Biology past-paper questions on 6.5.2 PCR and gel electrophoresis, 2019–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Q2(a)(i)
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All 16 questions on PCR and gel electrophoresis, as a list
- October 2024, Unit 4, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why PCR was used on the DNA samples. (2)
- October 2024, Unit 4, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Taq (DNA) polymerase is used in PCR. Describe the role of Taq (DNA) polymerase. (2)
- June 2023, Unit 4, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Which two procedures could have been used to analyse the DNA? (1) A electron microscopy followed by PCR B entomology followed by electron microscopy C gel elect
- January 2023, Unit 4, Q7(b)(iv) (2 marks): In a genetic study of these birds, DNA from the developing chick was isolated from the remains of the eggshell and amplified using PCR. To amplify a DNA molecul
- October 2022, Unit 4, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Protein G has a concentration in blood plasma in the range 0.700 g dm–3 to 1.700 g dm–3. Albumin has a concentration in blood plasma in the range 0.525 g dm–3 t
- October 2022, Unit 4, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): Describe the conclusions that can be made about albumin, compared with the other four proteins present in blood plasma. Use the information in the diagram to su
- January 2022, Unit 4, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Name three molecules, other than the mtDNA and water, that would be needed in this process. (2)
- January 2022, Unit 4, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the total length of time, in hours, that this process would take. Give your answer to two decimal places. . (2) Answer hours
- January 2022, Unit 4, Q5(b)(iii) (3 marks): Explain how this process amplifies the DNA. Use information in the diagram to support your answer. (3)
- June 2021, Unit 4, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain the role of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in DNA profiling. (2)
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Which enzyme is used to cut the DNA into fragments? (1) A DNA polymerase B integrase C restriction enzyme D reverse transcriptase
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q7(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why the use of an enzyme to cut the DNA results in fragments, of different lengths, that can be separated by gel electrophoresis. (3)
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q7(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the table using the equation: 1 Mr = log10 MW (2) Molecular weight of DNA Relative rate of movement fragment (MW) (Mr) 100 000 10 000 0.25 0.34
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): The diagram shows the position of a DNA fragment with a MW of 10000, after gel electrophoresis. Complete the diagram to show the position of a DNA fragment with
- January 2021, Unit 4, Q7(c) (1 mark): The fragments move more slowly through a higher concentration of gel. Suggest why the fragments move more slowly through a higher concentration of gel. (1)
- January 2020, Unit 4, Q4(b)(iii) (3 marks): This moth was seen and a specimen collected in 1887. It was not seen again in the rainforests of Malaysia until 2017. The DNA of these recently rediscovered Ori
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