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Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells: Eduqas A‑Level Biology questions

Every Eduqas A-Level Biology exam question on 2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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2,061 questions

  1. Q7

    June 2025 · Component 2

    9 marks2.4 Sexual reproduction in plants2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 2, question 7: Pollen grain formation in flowering plants involves both mitosis and meiosis. Image 7 shows the stages of meiosis in the formation of pollen grains in an anther

  2. Q4(c)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Component 1

    1 mark2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 1, question 4(c)(i): State one way in which the daughter cells produced in meiosis differ from those produced in binary fission and mitosis. [1]

  3. Q4(c)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Component 1

    1 mark2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 1, question 4(c)(ii): Explain why binary fission is not the same as mitosis. [1]

  4. Q4(d)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Component 1

    2 marks2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 1, question 4(d)(i): Conclude when anaphase started in this cell. Explain your answer. [2]

  5. Q4(d)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Component 1

    1 mark2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 1, question 4(d)(ii): Suggest what stage of mitosis is taking place between 20 and 30 minutes. [1]

  6. Q6(a)(i)

    June 2024 · Component 2

    1 mark2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 2, question 6(a)(i): Name the phase of mitosis shown by cell X.  [1]

  7. Q6(a)(ii)

    June 2024 · Component 2

    3 marks2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 2, question 6(a)(ii): Cell Z is in interphase. State three events that must occur during interphase before mitosis can take place. [3]

  8. Q6(b)(i)

    June 2024 · Component 2

    4 marks2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 2, question 6(b)(i): Describe and explain what should have been done when counting cells to make sure that the data obtained for each sample was reliable and accurate.  [4] Reliabl

  9. Q6(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · Component 2

    2 marks2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 2, question 6(b)(ii): Calculate the mitotic index of the tumour sample in Table 6.3 to two decimal places. Show your working.  [2] MI =

  10. Q6(b)(iii)

    June 2024 · Component 2

    1 mark2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 2, question 6(b)(iii): Using the information given, explain why a tissue sample from a grade III MCT would have a higher mitotic index.  [1]

  11. Q6(b)(iv)

    June 2024 · Component 2

    3 marks2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 2, question 6(b)(iv): Apart from the grade of MCT, suggest three other factors that could have led to a variety of survival times for the dogs studied.  [3]

  12. Q6(c)(i)

    June 2024 · Component 2

    2 marks2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 2, question 6(c)(i): To predict the increase in the number of cancer cells over time, the following equation can be used: Nt = Ncert Where: Nt = number of cancer cells after a given

  13. Q6(c)(ii)

    June 2024 · Component 2

    1 mark2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 2, question 6(c)(ii): If the 150 cancer cells were part of a mast cell tumour in a dog rather than on nutrient gel the actual number of cancer cells after 24 hours may be less than p

  14. Q6(d)(i)

    June 2024 · Component 2

    2 marks2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cellsC.5 Nucleic acids and their functions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 2, question 6(d)(i): Use the information given and Table 6.2 to explain why grade II tumours would have a higher level of radioactivity than grade I tumours after being removed from

  15. Q6(e)

    June 2024 · Component 2

    1 mark2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 2, question 6(e): Suggest one reason why the mitotic index method of estimating the rate of mitosis would be preferred by vets rather than the radioactive thymine method.  [1]

  16. Q2(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Component 2

    2 marks2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 2, question 2(b)(i): Explain why the student is told to ‘squash down with strong vertical pressure’ and not to ‘twist or roll the thumb from side to side’. [2] The photograph in Ima

  17. Q2(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Component 2

    1 mark2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 2, question 2(b)(ii): Use Image 2.2 to describe the evidence that interphase is the longest stage of the cell cycle. [1]

  18. Q2(b)(iii)

    June 2023 · Component 2

    1 mark2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 2, question 2(b)(iii): State which of the cells A to F contains spindle fibres that are shortening. Explain your answer. [1]

  19. Q3(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Component 2

    6 marks2.4 Sexual reproduction in plants2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 2, question 3(b)(i): Complete Table 3.3 to state how many chromosomes are present in the following structures shown in Image 3.2 and explain how the structures are formed. [6] Table

  20. Q4(a)(ii)

    June 2023 · Component 2

    3 marks2.3 Sexual reproduction in humans2.2 Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 2, question 4(a)(ii): Explain why both mitosis and meiosis are involved in the production of spermatozoa. [3]
All 82 questions on Genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells, as a list
  1. June 2025, Component 2, Q7 (9 marks): Pollen grain formation in flowering plants involves both mitosis and meiosis. Image 7 shows the stages of meiosis in the formation of pollen grains in an anther
  2. June 2025, AS Component 1, Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): State one way in which the daughter cells produced in meiosis differ from those produced in binary fission and mitosis. [1]
  3. June 2025, AS Component 1, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why binary fission is not the same as mitosis. [1]
  4. June 2025, AS Component 1, Q4(d)(i) (2 marks): Conclude when anaphase started in this cell. Explain your answer. [2]
  5. June 2025, AS Component 1, Q4(d)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest what stage of mitosis is taking place between 20 and 30 minutes. [1]
  6. June 2024, Component 2, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the phase of mitosis shown by cell X.  [1]
  7. June 2024, Component 2, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): Cell Z is in interphase. State three events that must occur during interphase before mitosis can take place. [3]
  8. June 2024, Component 2, Q6(b)(i) (4 marks): Describe and explain what should have been done when counting cells to make sure that the data obtained for each sample was reliable and accurate.  [4] Reliabl
  9. June 2024, Component 2, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the mitotic index of the tumour sample in Table 6.3 to two decimal places. Show your working.  [2] MI =
  10. June 2024, Component 2, Q6(b)(iii) (1 mark): Using the information given, explain why a tissue sample from a grade III MCT would have a higher mitotic index.  [1]
  11. June 2024, Component 2, Q6(b)(iv) (3 marks): Apart from the grade of MCT, suggest three other factors that could have led to a variety of survival times for the dogs studied.  [3]
  12. June 2024, Component 2, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): To predict the increase in the number of cancer cells over time, the following equation can be used: Nt = Ncert Where: Nt = number of cancer cells after a given
  13. June 2024, Component 2, Q6(c)(ii) (1 mark): If the 150 cancer cells were part of a mast cell tumour in a dog rather than on nutrient gel the actual number of cancer cells after 24 hours may be less than p
  14. June 2024, Component 2, Q6(d)(i) (2 marks): Use the information given and Table 6.2 to explain why grade II tumours would have a higher level of radioactivity than grade I tumours after being removed from
  15. June 2024, Component 2, Q6(e) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why the mitotic index method of estimating the rate of mitosis would be preferred by vets rather than the radioactive thymine method.  [1]
  16. June 2023, Component 2, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the student is told to ‘squash down with strong vertical pressure’ and not to ‘twist or roll the thumb from side to side’. [2] The photograph in Ima
  17. June 2023, Component 2, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Use Image 2.2 to describe the evidence that interphase is the longest stage of the cell cycle. [1]
  18. June 2023, Component 2, Q2(b)(iii) (1 mark): State which of the cells A to F contains spindle fibres that are shortening. Explain your answer. [1]
  19. June 2023, Component 2, Q3(b)(i) (6 marks): Complete Table 3.3 to state how many chromosomes are present in the following structures shown in Image 3.2 and explain how the structures are formed. [6] Table
  20. June 2023, Component 2, Q4(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why both mitosis and meiosis are involved in the production of spermatozoa. [3]
  21. June 2023, AS Component 1, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): State what was added to the tissue during preparation and explain why this was necessary. [2]
  22. June 2023, AS Component 1, Q2(a)(ii) (3 marks): Give three reasons why chromosomes cannot be seen in all cells in Image 2.1.  [3]
  23. June 2023, AS Component 1, Q2(a)(iii) (3 marks): Using letters (A–E) from Image 2.1, identify cells that match the descriptions of the stages in Table 2.2. [3] Table 2.2 Description of the stage Letter The chr
  24. June 2023, AS Component 1, Q2(a)(iv) (2 marks): Identify the longest stage of the cell cycle. Use evidence from Image 2.1 and your own knowledge to explain your answer. [2]
  25. June 2023, AS Component 1, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mitotic index for 500 µm from the root tip. Write your answer in Table 2.3. [2] Space for working
  26. June 2023, AS Component 1, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest how you could increase the reliability of the method for calculating the mitotic index of this root tip. [2]
  27. June 2023, AS Component 1, Q2(b)(iii) (3 marks): Explain the significance of mitotic cell division to living organisms. [3]
  28. June 2023, AS Component 1, Q5 (9 marks): Cells within the human male testes produce sperm through the processes of mitosis and meiosis. Graph 5 shows the mass of DNA found in the nucleus of one of thes
  29. June 2022, AS Component 1, Q4(a)(i) (3 marks): Name the stage of meiosis shown in Image 4.1 and give two reasons for your choice. [3] Stage: Reasons:
  30. June 2022, AS Component 1, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): With reference to Image 4.1, explain two ways by which the process of meiosis contributes to genetic variation in an organism. [2]
  31. June 2022, AS Component 1, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): Name one structure in a flower where meiosis occurs. [1]
  32. June 2022, AS Component 1, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): In the nuclei below, draw the chromosomes as they would appear in the body cells of female and male bees. [2] female body cell nucleus male body cell nucleus
  33. June 2022, AS Component 1, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why sperm cells in drones are produced by mitosis and not by meiosis. [2]
  34. June 2022, AS Component 1, Q4(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why male drones would not be clones. [2]
  35. Autumn 2021, Component 2, Q3(a) (3 marks): Using your knowledge of meiosis and pollen grain formation, identify which stage labelled A to K shows the following events: [3] I. the chromosomes from each ho
  36. Autumn 2021, Component 2, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe two ways in which meiosis in an animal is different from meiosis in a plant. [2] I. II.
  37. Autumn 2021, Component 2, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): Name the cells produced in spermatogenesis in a mammal that are at the same stage of meiosis as the following stages in the formation of pollen grains in image
  38. Autumn 2021, Component 2, Q3(b)(iii) (1 mark): In mitosis, the cells formed during cytokinesis would re-enter the cell cycle. Explain why this does not occur following the production of sperm cells. [1]
  39. Autumn 2021, Component 2, Q3(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the number of different gametes that can be produced by Lilium sp. due to different combinations of chromosomes alone. [2] number of gametes =
  40. Autumn 2021, Component 2, Q3(c)(ii) (1 mark): Name the stage(s) of meiosis where independent assortment can occur. [1]
  41. Autumn 2021, AS Component 1, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): Most cells take in glucose for metabolism using glucose transport proteins like those in epithelial cells. Cancer cells have an extremely high requirement for g
  42. Autumn 2021, AS Component 1, Q6 (9 marks): Image 6.1 shows the changes which take place in the mass of DNA within the nucleus of a single cell during one type of cell division. Image 6.1 4 3 Mass of DNA
  43. Autumn 2020, Component 2, Q1(d)(ii) (2 marks): Using your knowledge of meiosis, explain how plants producing purple flowers and round pollen grains could have been produced in this cross. [2]
  44. Autumn 2020, Component 2, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): State the types of cell division involved in the production of the body cells and the gametes. [1] body cells gametes
  45. Autumn 2020, Component 2, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Estimate the minimum number of cell divisions needed to produce the 959 body cells (somatic cells) found in the adult hermaphrodite nematode. [1] Minimum number
  46. Autumn 2020, Component 2, Q2(d)(ii) (2 marks): Nearly all of the body cells are fully differentiated but some remain as stem cells and are responsible for the production of gametes. Conclude why tumours only
  47. Autumn 2020, AS Component 1, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Identify the stages of the cell cycle shown by: [1] P Q R
  48. Autumn 2020, AS Component 1, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the slide shown in image 5.1 was prepared using tissue from a root tip. [2] A student counted the number of cells in each stage of the cell cycle in
  49. Autumn 2020, AS Component 1, Q5(b) (2 marks): With reference to the data in table 5.2, identify which stage of the cell cycle is represented by the letter T in the table. Explain your answer. [2] A group of
  50. Autumn 2020, AS Component 1, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Identify which stage of mitosis would be affected by dinitroaniline. Explain your answer. [2]
  51. Autumn 2020, AS Component 1, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest how the herbicide would affect the growth of a plant. [2] Image 5.3 shows two methods by which strawberry plants reproduce. • Strawberry plants can repr
  52. Autumn 2020, AS Component 1, Q5(d)(i) (1 mark): State how many chromosomes there would be in a root cell in the daughter plant. [1]
  53. Autumn 2020, AS Component 1, Q5(d)(ii) (3 marks): When growing plants for commercial strawberry crops, growers prefer to use runners rather than seeds to produce new plants. Explain why it is an advantage to pr
  54. June 2019, Component 2, Q7(c)(i) (5 marks): Describe the part played by mitosis and meiosis in the formation of the male gametes in flowering plants, explaining the biological significance of each type of
  55. June 2019, AS Component 1, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the number of male and female gametes produced from one cell. [2] Number of female gametes = Number of male gametes =
  56. June 2019, AS Component 1, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why gamete production in F. vesiculosus involves both meiosis and mitosis. [2]
  57. June 2019, AS Component 1, Q5(b)(iii) (3 marks): Explain why new seaweeds produced by sexual reproduction would be genetically different to each other and different to those produced by asexual reproduction. [
  58. June 2018, Component 2, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): In this mammal, how many chromosomes would be present in [1] I. a kidney cell; II. gametes?
  59. June 2018, Component 2, Q2(a)(iv) (2 marks): The circle below represents the outline of the mammal cell at metaphase I of meiosis, and the dotted line the equator of the cell. Complete the drawing to show
  60. June 2018, Component 2, Q2(b) (6 marks): Starfish, Asterias rubens, reproduce sexually by spawning. When starfish spawn, the males release spermatozoa and the females release oocytes in large numbers.
  61. June 2018, Component 2, Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): In humans, before fertilisation the oocytes are suspended in metaphase II. Explain how the ionophore molecules might improve the success rate of ICSI. [2]
  62. June 2018, AS Component 1, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): It was concluded that structure A had just completed meiosis I and structure B had just completed meiosis II. Explain how you would draw these conclusions from
  63. June 2018, AS Component 1, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): The cells labelled C are in interphase. Explain why nuclei are only visible in some cells and, where nuclei are visible, why they appear to be of different size
  64. June 2018, AS Component 1, Q1(b) (3 marks): A drawing was made of an animal cell during anaphase. The diploid number in this cell is eight. Deduce whether this cell is undergoing anaphase of mitosis, anap
  65. June 2017, Component 2, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the type of cell division taking place in this tissue. [1]
  66. June 2017, Component 2, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Count the number of cells in metaphase and anaphase. Enter the values in the table below: [2] % of cell cycle Phase Number of cells Time in minutes (by time) In
  67. June 2017, Component 2, Q1(a)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the time taken for the two phases, using the formula. Time for a particular phase = number of cells in the phase total number of cells counted × total
  68. June 2017, Component 2, Q1(a)(iv) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage time spent in each phase. Enter the values in the table opposite. [2]
  69. June 2017, Component 2, Q1(b) (2 marks): Describe two ways in which the process of cell division shown differs between plant cells and animal cells. [2] In humans, unrestricted cell division can lead t
  70. June 2017, Component 2, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): What term is applied to the formation of malignant growths by unrestricted cell division? [1]
  71. June 2017, AS Component 1, Q3(a) (2 marks): Identify structures A and B labelled on the diagram. [2] A B
  72. June 2017, AS Component 1, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the SRY gene can be transferred from a Y chromosome to an X chromosome. [2]
  73. June 2017, AS Component 1, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how four different haploid sperm are produced at the end of meiosis. [2]
  74. June 2017, AS Component 1, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): The presence of the SRY gene was used to check the gender of athletes competing in the 1996 Olympics. Only eight of 3 387 female athletes (0.23%) possessed the
  75. June 2017, AS Component 1, Q4(a) (1 mark): What must be done to the tissues to enable chromosomes to be seen more clearly? [1]
  76. June 2017, AS Component 1, Q4(b) (3 marks): An investigation was carried out to determine the region of maximum growth in the root tips of garlic (Allium sativum). Longitudinal sections of garlic root tip
  77. June 2017, AS Component 1, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mitotic index for 0.2 mm from the root tip. Write your answer in the table below. [2] distance from root tip /mm 0.2 0.5 0.8 1.3 1.8 Total number
  78. June 2017, AS Component 1, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): With reference to the mitotic index, what conclusion regarding growth rate can be drawn from the data in the table? [2]
  79. June 2017, AS Component 1, Q4(c)(iii) (1 mark): Describe how you could improve the reliability of the data. [1]
  80. June 2017, AS Component 1, Q4(d) (4 marks): The drawings below show the appearance and average length of cells at 0.2 mm and 1.8 mm from the root tip at the same magnification. 0.2 mm 1.8 mm 90 µm 300 µm
  81. June 2017, AS Component 1, Q4(e) (3 marks): A student attempted to find the mitotic index of garlic roots using the root tip squash technique in the school laboratory. An image of the slide is shown below
  82. June 2016, AS Component 1, Q7 (9 marks): In multicellular animals cell division is essential for the survival of an individual and its species. The diagrams below show two types of cell division in the

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