plumiThe cellular basis of cancer and treatment: OCR A‑Level Biology B questions
Every OCR A-Level Biology B exam question on 3.3.1 The cellular basis of cancer and treatment, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q7(d)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 2, question 7(d)(ii): Suggest why mutations that affect cell cycle checkpoints can increase the general rate of mutation. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42202-jun25-07-dii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q7(e)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 2, question 7(e): Radiotherapy causes damage to the DNA of cancer cells. Suggest how this process can reduce the size of a tumour. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42202-jun25-07-e-qp.webp?v=3)
Q4(a)
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![June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 3(b)(ii): State what conclusions can be made from the data in this investigation. [4]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h02202-jun25-03-bii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q4(c)(iii)
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Q6(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 6(a)(i): Calculate the percentage increase in the rate of bowel cancer in females from age 50–59 to age 80–89. Percentage increase = % [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h02202-jun24-06-ai-qp.webp?v=3)
Q6(a)(ii)
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Q6(b)(i)
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Q6(b)(ii)
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Q6(b)(iii)
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![June 2023 Paper 1, question 19: Which option is not a risk factor for lung cancer? A Ageing B Asbestos fibres C Ionising radiation D Obesity Your answer [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42201-jun23-19-qp.webp?v=3)
Q1(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2023 Paper 2, question 1(c)(i): Describe how therapeutic mAbs can be used in cancer treatment. [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42202-jun23-01-ci-qp.webp?v=3)
Q1(c)(ii)
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Q1(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2023 Paper 3, question 1(b)(ii): Outline a molecular mechanism that caused the cell to start apoptosis. [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42203-jun23-01-bii-qp.webp?v=3)
All 75 questions on The cellular basis of cancer and treatment, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): A patient is undergoing treatment for a brain tumour. The treatment accurately targeted and destroyed the actively growing cells in the tumour by damaging their
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q7(d)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why mutations that affect cell cycle checkpoints can increase the general rate of mutation. [2]
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q7(e) (2 marks): Radiotherapy causes damage to the DNA of cancer cells. Suggest how this process can reduce the size of a tumour. [2]
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q4(a) (1 mark): The table lists three genes associated with cancer: Myc, p53 and Ras. Complete the table by putting a tick (✓) in the appropriate box or boxes on each line to s
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): A gene was found to be responsible for the expression of other genes in human cells. Changes to the sequence of nucleotides in this gene resulted in the constan
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(a) (4 marks): Cancer can be treated using a number of different methods. Complete the table to show the method of treating cancer and a description of the method. Method of D
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (4 marks): State what conclusions can be made from the data in this investigation. [4]
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(iii) (3 marks): The mean mass of the mice was 25 g. Calculate the mass of imatinib that the scientists used in the investigation. Include units in your answer. Mass of imatinib
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(b)(iv) (2 marks): The scientists used genetic modification to produce tumours in the mice. Suggest one reason for and one reason against using genetic modification to produce tum
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q26 (1 mark): Scientists investigated the effect of daily fibre intake on the relative risk of developing bowel cancer. The relative risk of developing bowel cancer was the d
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q4(c)(iii) (2 marks): Other researchers have proposed that paclitaxel and topotecan could be more effective if they are used at the same time in a combined treatment of advanced canc
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage increase in the rate of bowel cancer in females from age 50–59 to age 80–89. Percentage increase = % [2]
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): 53% of patients survive for ten years after diagnosis. A student stated that, ‘Almost half of all patients die from bowel cancer within ten years’. Give one rea
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): The mortality rate is higher in people suffering from cancer in the proximal colon than in the other regions. Suggest why a patient is at greater risk of death
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): The graph shows the percentage of bowel cancer cases in different regions of the large intestine. The bars show the percentages in different age groups. 60 Key:
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q6(b)(iii) (2 marks): Bowel cancer can be diagnosed using a number of diagnostic techniques. A biopsy or a PET scan are two common techniques. Give two reasons why a doctor may choos
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): Which option is not a risk factor for lung cancer? A Ageing B Asbestos fibres C Ionising radiation D Obesity Your answer [1]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q1(c)(i) (3 marks): Describe how therapeutic mAbs can be used in cancer treatment. [3]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q1(c)(ii) (3 marks): The cost of treating a patient with advanced cancer using therapeutic mAbs can be extremely high. In some cases, the treatment can increase survival time by jus
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): Outline a molecular mechanism that caused the cell to start apoptosis. [1]
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q12 (1 mark): The following scattergram was plotted using a set of data obtained during a practical investigation. Dependent variable Independent variable Which option descri
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q32(c)(iii) (2 marks): The risk of prostate cancer also increases with age. Suggest why national screening programmes for prostate cancer are currently not available in the UK. [2]
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q32(d) (3 marks): The table compares different methods for treating cancer. Complete the table by putting a tick (3) in each box for a statement that applies to each method and a
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): Herceptin is a drug used in immunotherapy to treat breast cancer. Which of the statements about treating cancer with Herceptin is correct? A Chemicals bind to o
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): Which of the statements about a false-negative screening test for breast cancer is correct? A A follow-up biopsy confirms that no cancer is present in the breas
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q23(a)(i) (2 marks): Suggest how a mutation in gene W may result in the formation of an adenoma in the lining of the bowel. [2]
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q23(a)(ii) (1 mark): Gene X is an example of a gene that can initiate apoptosis. Name gene X. [1]
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q23(b) (2 marks): Suggest one similarity and one difference between an adenoma and a carcinoma. Similarity Difference [2]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Outline a method that a doctor could use to confirm that a person with a positive FOBT has CRC. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): The graphs show cumulative mortality rate from CRC and cumulative mortality rate from all causes except CRC in the two groups studied over the 16-year period. C
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q2(a)(iii) (4 marks): An FOBT kit is sent to everyone in England between 60 and 74 years of age. Using your own knowledge and the data in the graphs, evaluate the effectiveness of FO
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q2(b) (6 marks): (b)* CRC is one of more than 100 forms of cancer. Describe, with examples, how mutations in genes that control cell division can lead to cancer. [6] Additional
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q25 (5 marks): The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides information about risk factors to support the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as bo
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q9 (1 mark): Which of the protein types, A to D, could be coded for by a tumour suppressor gene? A a protein activated by a growth factor B a protein that helps prevent apop
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): A population of 1000 cancer cells was growing in culture. The doubling time of the cells was 36 hours. Which of the options, A to D, is the theoretical number o
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q22 (1 mark): Which of the imaging techniques, A to D, uses X-rays to detect cancerous lung tissue? A computed tomography imaging B magnetic resonance imaging C mammography D
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q23 (1 mark): Which of the cancer treatments, A to D, can result in the need for a bone marrow stem cell transplant? A chemotherapy B hormone therapy C immunotherapy D surger
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q2(d)(i) (2 marks): Describe how the researcher could test for correlation between hypertension and type 2 diabetes. [2]
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q2(d)(ii) (2 marks): The researcher found that there was a positive correlation between hypertension and type 2 diabetes. As a result, they concluded that type 2 diabetes was caused
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q12 (1 mark): Which of the options, A to D, can directly cause the production of abnormally high quantities of the growth factors that activate DNA replication genes? A oncog
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): The table shows the features of some of the screening methods used to detect cancer. Uses a radioactive Can produce a 3-D Uses x-rays tracer image A ✗ ✗ 3 B 3 ✗
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): The table shows some of the data for patients with different stages of bowel cancer. The total number of patients diagnosed with bowel cancer was 40 000. Percen
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q22(b) (4 marks): Some of the data from asthmatics in the study are shown in the graph. allergic sensitization 100 90 80 70 percentage of 60 asthmatics 50 showing sensitivity 40
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Using only the data in the table, what conclusions can be made about the link between HPV and the development of cervical cancer? [2]
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): During the study the researchers wanted to use a statistical test to compare two of the strains of HPV and the associated risk of developing cervical cancer. Na
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): A mutation in a gene may cause the protein for which the gene codes to become inactive. Which of the proteins, A to D, would promote the development of cancer i
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): The researchers carried out a statistical test to compare the MMP activity in grade III tumours with the mean activity in all other tumours (benign, grade I and
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): The result of this test gave p < 0.0001. Use the words ‘probability’ and ‘chance’ to describe the conclusion the researchers would make. [1]
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q3(b)(iii) (3 marks): Use the data in Table 3 to evaluate the hypothesis that MMP activity increases the severity of breast cancer. [3]
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q2(a) (1 mark): Name the type of cell division that occurs in a tumour. [1]
- June 2019, Paper 3, Q2(b) (5 marks): The table below contains information about some of the methods used for detecting cancer. Complete the table by inserting the missing information. Method used t
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q25(a)(i) (1 mark): Using Fig. 25, suggest what additional information would be needed to conclude that women are at greater risk than men of developing other cancers linked to HPV
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q25(c) (1 mark): In some areas of the UK, screening tests for HPV were trialled in addition to the normal cervical screening test. Suggest why women in these trials were offered
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Compare the changes in incidence rate for males and females from 1980 to 2000. Use information from Fig. 2 to support your answer. [2]
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): In 2007, a ban on smoking in indoor work and public places was introduced in the UK. Explain what you would expect to happen to the incidence rates of lung canc
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q2(b) (6 marks): Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the UK. Fig. 2 shows the incidence rate of lung cancer in male and female smokers from 1979 to 2007. '
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): 15 cases of thyroid cancer were recorded in Iceland between December 2009 and January 2011. The graph below shows, for each case, the month of diagnosis (▲) and
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): Here are three statements about the BRCA1 gene: 1 Women with mutations in BRCA1 are at increased risk of breast cancer. 2 BRCA1 mutations can be inherited by ma
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): The following information describes a screening technique that can be used for detecting breast cancer: • The patient must first be injected with a radioactive
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q21 (1 mark): Which of the options, A to D, is a cancer therapy that damages only cancer cells? A chemotherapy B immunotherapy C radiotherapy D surgery Your answer [1]
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Screening for other SNPs is used in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. A mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene increases the risk of breast can
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q4(c) (3 marks): Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is a type of bowel cancer caused by a mutation in genes that normally repair DNA. Explain why mutations in DN
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q9 (1 mark): HER-2/neu is a type of gene that produces a protein involved in regulating the normal growth of breast cells. A mutation in the HER-2/neu gene causes large quan
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q1(b) (2 marks): Tobacco smoke is a carcinogen. It can damage the DNA of the cells lining the trachea resulting in the development of a tumour. Explain how damage to DNA can res
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): State two factors that should have been considered when selecting people to participate in this research. Factor 1 Factor 2 [2]
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): Using Fig. 1.2, calculate the percentage increase in the incidence of lung cancer when the number of cigarettes smoked increases from 20 to 40 per day. Give you
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q1(d)(i) (1 mark): Lung cancer can be detected using a technique called endoscopic ultrasound. When using this technique, instead of placing the ultrasound probe on the outside of
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q1(d)(ii) (2 marks): The number of people alive ten years after being diagnosed with a disease is called the ten year survival rate. Lung cancer has one of the lowest ten year survi
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q1(e) (1 mark): Trastuzumad is an immunotherapy drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, but it has proved ineffective in treating lung cancer. Using your knowledge of how
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q1(f) (1 mark): During chemotherapy treatment, the majority of body cells are not affected by the drugs used. However, some cells, such as those in hair follicles and bone marr
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q24(d)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage reduction in blasts for patient G from the day treatment with Imatinib started to the end of the trial. Show your working. Give your an
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q24(d)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why different scales were used on both axes for the two patients. [1]
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(a) (2 marks): The cell cycle is a regulated process. Fig. 5 shows three checkpoints in the cell cycle where mistakes may be corrected. mitotic phase G2 checkpoint M checkpoin
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(b) (3 marks): It is thought that the BRCA1 gene codes for a protein that is responsible for regulating the G2 checkpoint. Breast cancer may be caused by the inheritance of a
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(c) (6 marks): (c)* Some doctors think all babies should be tested for genetic conditions such as inherited forms of breast cancer. Other doctors think the individual should h
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