plumiGene mutations: OCR A‑Level Biology A questions
OCR A-Level Biology A past-paper questions on 6.1.1.1 Gene mutations, 2016–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Open the full PDFYour answerQ6(a)(i)
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Open the full PDFYour answerQ16(b)(iv)
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All 12 questions on Gene mutations, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q9 (1 mark): Mutations during DNA replication can involve a single nucleotide base being deleted from the genetic code. Which term describes this mutation? A Frameshift muta
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): The diagram on the opposite page is a representation of the genetic code. It shows the amino acid encoded by each mRNA codon. The letters in the centre of the d
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): State and explain the effect of mutation 2 on the structure of the β‑chain of haemoglobin. [1] 19 U G A C C A G U G U U C A C G U A G A C G U C C A C A A U G Cy
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): What is a direct consequence of the genetic code being degenerate? A It is possible that a mutation could change the sequence of amino acids but leave the funct
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q16(b)(iv) (6 marks): Haemoglobin is a globular protein. Fig. 16.1 shows the structure of haemoglobin. X Fig. 16.1 (iv)* In sickle cell disease, the mutated haemoglobin has a reduced
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q16(c)(ii) (1 mark): Non-coding regions of DNA show more variation than coding regions. This makes non-coding regions useful in DNA profiling. Suggest why non-coding regions of DNA
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q9 (1 mark): A student used Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient to test for correlation between radiation dose and cell damage. Which of the following statements, A to D
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): Which of the following statements, A to D, about the graph is correct? A The data for the ‘with extract’ group is more variable than the data for the ‘without e
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q5 (1 mark): Hox genes contain a homeobox sequence of 180 base pairs. Two species have a homeobox sequence of 180 base pairs where 1.7% of the base pairs are different. Whic
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q17(b)(ii) (2 marks): Some attempts at gene therapy have resulted in changes to the functioning of other genes. Explain how inserting a new gene into a chromosome could affect the fu
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q17(c)(i) (6 marks): The yellow colour in peas is the result of an enzyme that breaks down chlorophyll, which is green. • The Y allele codes for the production of an enzyme that bre
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q17(c)(ii) (1 mark): With reference to the proteins coded for by the seed colour gene, explain why the y allele is recessive. [1]
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