plumiFertility and assisted reproduction: OCR A‑Level Biology B questions
Every OCR A-Level Biology B exam question on 4.2.1 Fertility and assisted reproduction, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q5(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 2, question 5(a)(i): State the role of luteinising hormone (LH) in males and in females. Males Females [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42202-jun25-05-ai-qp.webp?v=3)
Q5(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 2, question 5(a)(ii): Explain why follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is often used to treat infertility in women. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42202-jun25-05-aii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q5(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 2, question 5(b)(i): Identify the structures labelled H, J and K. H J K [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42202-jun25-05-bi-qp.webp?v=3)
Q5(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 2, question 5(b)(ii): Outline the formation of secondary oocytes from oogonia. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42202-jun25-05-bii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q34(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 Paper 1, question 34(a)(i): Identify the part of the testis labelled Q. [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42201-jun24-34-ai-qp.webp?v=3)
Q34(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 Paper 1, question 34(a)(iii): State the role of Leydig cells labelled on Fig. 34.1. [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42201-jun24-34-aiii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q34(b)
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Q34(c)
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Q34(d)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 Paper 1, question 34(d): Explain the importance of spermatogenesis to the process of fertilisation. [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42201-jun24-34-d-qp.webp?v=3)
Q2(a)
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Q2(b)
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Q2(c)
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Q5(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2023 Paper 2, question 5(a)(i): The control and test lines also have monoclonal antibodies attached. State what would bind to the antibodies on each line. Control line Test line [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42202-jun23-05-ai-qp.webp?v=3)
Q5(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2023 Paper 2, question 5(a)(ii): Explain why no lines means that the result is not valid. [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42202-jun23-05-aii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q5(b)
The whole paper ↗![June 2023 Paper 2, question 5(b): Describe one cause of infertility in males and one in females. Males Females [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42202-jun23-05-b-qp.webp?v=3)
Q5(c)
The whole paper ↗
All 45 questions on Fertility and assisted reproduction, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): The diagram shows the result of a pregnancy test. The test was carried out using a pregnancy testing kit containing monoclonal antibodies. Control line C Test l
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): State the role of luteinising hormone (LH) in males and in females. Males Females [2]
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is often used to treat infertility in women. [2]
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (3 marks): Identify the structures labelled H, J and K. H J K [3]
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Outline the formation of secondary oocytes from oogonia. [2]
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): Mitosis and meiosis occurs during gametogenesis. Which of the cells produced during gametogenesis is diploid? A Ovum B Secondary oocyte C Spermatid D Spermatogo
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q12 (1 mark): Hormones control events that take place during the human menstrual cycle. Which hormone results in ovulation and stimulates the formation of a corpus luteum? A
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q34(a)(i) (1 mark): Identify the part of the testis labelled Q. [1]
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q34(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the role of Leydig cells labelled on Fig. 34.1. [1]
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q34(b) (3 marks): Fig. 34.2 is a photomicrograph of the same tissues in a testis from a patient with infertility. Fig. 34.2 Leydig cells × 100 Use Fig. 34.1 and Fig. 34.2 to expl
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q34(c) (4 marks): Most forms of infertility can be treated. Describe the most appropriate treatment method that could be used for couples in each of the following cases: The man
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q34(d) (3 marks): Explain the importance of spermatogenesis to the process of fertilisation. [3]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q2(a) (4 marks): Complete the sentences using the most appropriate words or phrases. FSH is secreted by the and transported in the blood to the ovary, where it stimulates follic
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q2(b) (1 mark): During each cycle, FSH stimulates the development of multiple follicles. One of these, known as the dominant follicle, grows faster than the others and produces
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q2(c) (2 marks): Oestrogen also thickens the lining of the uterus in preparation for implantation of the blastocyst after fertilisation by a sperm cell. Describe two functions o
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q30 (1 mark): Which mammalian hormone causes the release of testosterone in males and the release of a secondary oocyte in females? A Follicle-stimulating hormone B Luteinisi
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): The control and test lines also have monoclonal antibodies attached. State what would bind to the antibodies on each line. Control line Test line [2]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why no lines means that the result is not valid. [1]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(b) (2 marks): Describe one cause of infertility in males and one in females. Males Females [2]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(c) (6 marks): Ovulation lateral flow test kits are used by women who are trying to become pregnant. The kits work on the same principle as pregnancy test kits. They show the
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q29 (1 mark): Which option explains why damage or inflammation to the epididymis in the male reproductive system can lead to infertility? A Alkaline fluid to counteract acidi
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q30 (1 mark): The photomicrograph shows human testis tissue. G Which structure is labelled G on the photomicrograph? A Prostate gland B Seminal vesicle C Seminiferous tubule
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q31(a) (3 marks): For each of these sections, describe how its internal structure relates to the function of the spermatozoan. Head Midpiece Tail [3]
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q31(b)(ii) (1 mark): Substituting histone with protamine allows DNA to be more densely packaged. Suggest one advantage of having densely packaged DNA in a sperm nucleus. [1]
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q31(c)(i) (2 marks): The researchers concluded that the ages of the men in the groups would not affect the validity of the results of this investigation. Explain how the researchers
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q31(c)(ii) (1 mark): What is the role of Group 1 in this investigation? [1]
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q31(c)(iii) (4 marks): The results of the investigation are shown in the graph. 80 60 Percentage of sperm cells 40 with protamine deficiency (%) 20 0 Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 U
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q31(d) (6 marks): Spermatogenesis in human males produces haploid gametes, called spermatozoa (sperm cells). The structure of a mature human spermatozoan consists of three sectio
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q31(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the part of the reproductive system in which fertilisation occurs. [1]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q31(a)(ii) (2 marks): Fertilisation in humans involves a series of biological events that result in the formation of a zygote. Some events in fertilisation are summarised in statemen
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q31(b)(ii) (3 marks): The diagram in Fig. 31.1 shows a pregnancy test strip. During the test, urine is deposited onto the sample pad and it migrates along the strip until it passes t
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q22 (1 mark): The tail of a sperm cell generates whipping movements that enable the cell to swim. Which of the options, A to D, is the component that generates movement in th
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q24 (1 mark): The contraceptive pill is used to prevent pregnancy. The pill contains synthetic forms of oestrogen and progesterone. Which of the options, A to D, is a mechani
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q2(d)(i) (2 marks): Suggest why it is thought that the DEFB126 mutation reduces the chance of successful fertilisation. [2]
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): State the null hypothesis for this test. [1]
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q2(c)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the variance, s 2, for these means. variance = [1]
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q2(c)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the t value for the data in Table 2.1. Use the formula: x̅A – x̅B t = s 2 s 2 A B nA + nB Give your answer to three decimal places. t = [3]
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q2(c)(iv) (3 marks): Critical values for degrees of freedom >100 are shown in Table 2.2. Level of probability Degrees of freedom 0.05 0.01 0.001 >100 1.960 2.576 3.291 Table 2.2 Usi
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q2(d) (4 marks): The stages in one type of IVF treatment are shown below: 1. Hormones are used to stimulate several follicles within the ovary to mature at the same time. 2. Fol
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q5(a) (5 marks): Using Fig. 5, complete the table below by identifying the structure or label that best fits the description. Description Structure Label central coiled Supplies
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): Which of the options, A to D, is an action of luteinising hormone (LH) in males? A inhibition of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release B initiation of sper
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q27 (1 mark): In spermatogenesis, crossing over of the chromatids of homologous chromosomes gives rise to genetic variation. Which of the options, A to D, is the cell type in
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the type of nuclear division that results in the production of secondary oocytes from primary oocytes during oogenesis. [1]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the rapid increase in oestrogen production towards the end of the growth phase results in the release of secondary oocytes. [2]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Changes occur to the cells within ovaries over the course of a woman’s lifetime. Use the data in Fig. 2.1 to explain the role of oestrogen production in the cha
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