plumiNon-specific defences and phagocytes: OCR A‑Level Biology A questions
OCR A-Level Biology A past-paper questions on 4.1.1.3 Non-specific defences and phagocytes, 2016–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Q7(b)(ii)
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All 27 questions on Non-specific defences and phagocytes, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q7(b)(ii) (3 marks): The graph shows the change in hydrogen peroxide concentration in a neutrophil during an oxidative burst. 20 15 H2O2 concentration 10 (μmol dm–3) 5 0 0 25 50 75
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q7(b)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest how an oxidative burst helps neutrophils to perform their function. [1]
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q16 (1 mark): Which of these descriptions is not a primary non-specific defence against pathogens? A Blood clotting caused by a damaged blood vessel B Expulsive reflexes caus
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q26(b) (2 marks): A student is studying erythrocytes and neutrophils in a blood sample. They smear a drop of the blood sample across a microscope slide and place it under a light
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q17(a) (3 marks): This is some equipment that could be used when preparing a blood smear. Pipette Glass slide Blood sample Describe how to use the equipment to prepare a blood sm
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q17(b)(i) (1 mark): The cell labelled A is sometimes known as a red blood cell. Name cell A. [1]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q17(b)(ii) (4 marks): In the space below, draw a labelled diagram of cell C. [4]
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q16 (1 mark): The image shows a photomicrograph of a blood smear. X Y Which row in the table below correctly identifies cell X and cell Y? X Y A neutrophil erythrocyte B neut
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q25(c) (2 marks): Phagocytes engulf pathogens during phagocytosis and digest them using enzymes. These enzymes can be found in lysosomes. Explain how the enzymes inside lysosomes
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q19(a) (2 marks): Influenza is a viral disease that is common in winter months. It is transmitted when an uninfected person inhales droplets of moisture that an infected person h
- June 2022, Paper 3, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): The cells labelled X and Y in Fig. 2.1 are two different types of white blood cell. Identify the types of white blood cell labelled X and Y. X Y [2]
- June 2022, Paper 3, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): State the role of lysosomes in white blood cells. [1]
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): Which option describes the correct process of blood clotting? A Platelets convert into insoluble fibrin to trap erythrocytes. B The insoluble plasma protein fib
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Name cell X. [1]
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q4(c) (3 marks): Outline the roles of phagosomes and lysosomes in phagocytosis. [3]
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q4 (1 mark): Questions 4 and 5 refer to the following image of a human blood smear. A E D C 4 Which of the blood components, labelled A to D, shows a lymphocyte? 11] Your an
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q22(a)(i) (1 mark): Which letter or letters indicate cells or structures involved in preventing the entry of pathogens into the body? . [1]
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q22(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which letter or letters indicate cells or structures that act as a physical barrier to the entry of pathogens? [1]
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q22(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which letter or letters indicate cells or structures that are involved in phagocytosis? [1]
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q22(b) (2 marks): Phagocytosis involves cytokines and opsonins. State the role of cytokines and opsonins in phagocytosis. cytokines opsonins [2]
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Cells A, C and D work together to carry out an important function. State the function that cells A, C and D perform. [1]
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q3(b) (4 marks): Epithelial cells in the airways of mammals play an essential role in defences against pathogens. Explain the function of epithelial cells in the airways of mamm
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q3(c)(i) (2 marks): Phagocytes defend the body by engulfing and destroying pathogens in a process called phagocytosis. A student produced a summary of the stages of phagocytosis, w
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q3 (1 mark): The photograph below shows a blood smear. Which row correctly lists the cells that are visible in the smear? erythrocytes lymphocytes monocytes neutrophils A ü
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q10 (1 mark): Which of the options, A to D, is a primary defence against pathogens? A antibody production B inflammation C phagocytosis D T-killer cells Your answer [1]
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): A diagram of a stained blood smear observed under a light microscope is shown below. B C D A Which of the structures labelled A to D in the diagram is a neutrop
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): Which of the following options, A to D, is a primary defence mechanism against pathogens? A neutralisation B agglutination C phagocytosis D blood clotting Your
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