plumiPhotosynthesis: OCR GCSE Biology A questions
Every OCR GCSE Biology A exam question on B1.4 Photosynthesis, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Calculations
Q21(a)
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Q19(a)
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Q20(b)
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Q19(c)(i)
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Q22(a)
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Q18(a)
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All 61 questions on Photosynthesis, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q21(a) (3 marks): Explain how the algae produce sugars for the fungus. [3]
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): The graph shows the rate of photosynthesis and respiration in a plant over 24 hours. Rate of photosynthesis Rate of reaction Rate of plant respiration 00:00 02:
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): Which factor or factors could limit the rate of photosynthesis at X on the graph? X Rate of photosynthesis Light intensity A Carbon dioxide and light intensity
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(a) (3 marks): Describe the process of photosynthesis. [3]
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(b) (2 marks): The diagram shows an experiment to show that carbon dioxide is needed in photosynthesis. After 12 hours leaves Solution X are tested for starch using solution Y
- June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): Which two substances are the products of photosynthesis? A Carbon dioxide and water B Glucose and carbon dioxide C Glucose and oxygen D Oxygen and water Your an
- June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): A student investigates the rate of photosynthesis by counting the number of gas bubbles produced by a plant. The table shows their results. Number of gas bubble
- June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b) (4 marks): Complete these sentences about how the mistletoe feeds. Use words from the list. chlorophyll leaf phloem photosynthesis respiration starch sunlight xylem Mistle
- June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): What is the balanced equation for photosynthesis? A 3CO2 + 3H2O C6H12O6 + 3O2 B 6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 C C6H12O6 + 6O2 6H2O + 6CO2 D 6H2O + 6O2 C6H12O6 + 6CO
- June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): The graph shows the effect of light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and temperature on the rate of photosynthesis. At which point, A, B, C or D is light
- June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why sugar in the mistletoe becomes radioactive. [2]
- June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(c)(ii) (3 marks): Explain the relationship between the chlorophyll content and the percentage of radioactive sugar in each species of mistletoe. [3]
- June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20 (6 marks): 20* A student plans to investigate photosynthesis using this apparatus. Water containing sodium hydrogen carbonate Beaker Pondweed Lamp Ruler Describe how the s
- June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): Single-celled algae found in the ocean absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide. Which process inside the cells of the algae uses this carbon dioxide? A Homeostas
- June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(a) (3 marks): Give three variables that the student must control to ensure that data collected for the two species of plant is valid. 1 2 3 [3]
- June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(b) (1 mark): Explain why the leaf discs rise to the top of the syringes. [1]
- June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q22(c) (3 marks): Describe how the student could change their investigation to find the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis for one type of leaf. [3]
- June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): A student investigates the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis. They count the number of gas bubbles released by a plant under water. The ta
- June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): Which row shows the correct type of reaction for photosynthesis and for respiration? Photosynthesis Respiration Type of A endothermic endothermic Reaction B exo
- June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a) (4 marks): Draw three lines to connect each description to its correct process. Then draw three lines to connect each process to the structure where that process takes pla
- June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(b) (2 marks): Complete the word equation for photosynthesis. carbon dioxide + glucose + [2]
- June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Which row shows the correct type of reaction for photosynthesis and for respiration? Photosynthesis Respiration Type of A endothermic endothermic Reaction B exo
- June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): In experiments about photosynthesis, it is often necessary to compare light intensities. Which equation gives the light intensity at a distance (d) from a light
- November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): A piece of black paper was placed over the leaf of a plant. The plant was kept in the light for 2 days. Four discs were cut from the leaf. B A C Green area Whit
- November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b)(iv) (2 marks): Explain why the plant cells can make food in the form of sugars. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a)(i) (1 mark): Which biological process is affected by the chemical? Tick (3) one box. Diffusion Osmosis Photosynthesis Respiration [1]
- November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(a)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why the moss balls did not rise. [1]
- November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(b)(i) (2 marks): What conclusion can be made from Experiment 1 about the effect of light on the position of the moss ball? [2]
- November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest an explanation for the differences between the two graphs. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q22(c) (3 marks): Light is one environmental factor that affects plants. Explain how increasing the temperature from 15 °C to 40 °C can affect plants. [3]
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a)(iii) (1 mark): What process in algae produces food for the organisms in the river? [1]
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(a) (2 marks): Photosynthesis is controlled by enzymes. Which two statements explain how an acid could affect photosynthesis? Tick (3) two boxes. Acid will decrease the pH and
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(b)(i) (1 mark): The students plotted the rate of photosynthesis as a percentage of the rate in a control experiment. The control experiment involved spraying the leaves with a
- November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): Which description identifies the process of photosynthesis? A It is endothermic because heat energy is absorbed. B It is endothermic because light energy is abs
- November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): In experiments on photosynthesis, it is often necessary to compare different light intensities. A plant 20 cm from a light receives a light intensity of 25 arbi
- November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a)(i) (1 mark): Which biological process is affected by the chemical? Tick (3) one box. Diffusion Osmosis Photosynthesis Respiration [1]
- November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why the moss balls did not rise. [1]
- November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): What conclusion can be made from Experiment 1 about the effect of light on the position of the moss ball? [2]
- November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest an explanation for the differences between the two graphs. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(c) (3 marks): Light is one environmental factor that affects plants. Explain how increasing the temperature from 15 °C to 40 °C can affect plants. [3]
- November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a) (1 mark): The sugar glucose is an important food molecule. Which type of organisms can make their own glucose? [1]
- November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(a) (2 marks): Photosynthesis is controlled by enzymes. Which two statements explain how an acid could affect photosynthesis? Tick (3) two boxes. Acid will decrease the pH and
- November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(b)(i) (1 mark): The students plotted the rate of photosynthesis as a percentage of the rate in a control experiment. The control experiment involved spraying the leaves with a
- November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(a) (1 mark): What is the independent variable in their investigation? [1]
- November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why counting the number of bubbles will not give an accurate measure of the rate of photosynthesis. [2]
- November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how the students could develop their investigation to improve the accuracy of their results. [2]
- November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(c)(i) (4 marks): One student started to draw a graph but did not finish. Complete the graph using the results in the table and draw a curve of best fit. 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 10 20
- November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q18(c)(ii) (2 marks): Write down what the students could conclude from their investigation. Include data from the results table in your answer. [2]
- June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): Pond snails and pondweed are living in water in sealed test tubes. 1 2 3 4 pond water sunlight sunlight sunlight sunlight pond snail pondweed Carbon dioxide dis
- June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): Pond snails and pondweed are living in water in sealed test tubes. 1 2 3 4 pond water sunlight sunlight sunlight sunlight pond snail pondweed Carbon dioxide dis
- June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q20(b)(i) (2 marks): Before they form new plant structures, the explants must take in sugars from the agar jelly. Explain why explants cannot make their own sugars. [2]
- June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): The diagram shows a variegated leaf. Green area of leaf White area of leaf Which diagram shows the correct starch test results for the variegated leaf? A B C D
- June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(c)(i) (2 marks): Complete the chemical equation for photosynthesis. 6CO2 + C6H12O6 + [2]
- June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(c)(ii) (1 mark): Energy is taken in from the surroundings for photosynthesis to take place. What name is used to describe reactions that take in energy? [1]
- June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(d)(i) (1 mark): What is the optimum temperature for photosynthesis in this experiment? [1]
- June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(d)(ii) (2 marks): The rate of photosynthesis was recorded in 5 °C intervals. The experiment could be improved to get a more precise value for the optimum temperature. Explain how
- June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): A light source is placed 0.5 m from a plant. The relative light intensity falling on the plant is 2 units. The light source is moved to 1 m away. What is the re
- June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(a) (1 mark): Photosynthesis involves reactions that are endothermic. What is meant by the term endothermic reaction? [1]
- June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(b) (1 mark): The graph is from an experiment to show the effect of temperature on the rate of photosynthesis. 4 3 Rate of photosynthesis (arbitrary units) 2 1 0 0 10 20 30 4
- June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q21(c) (3 marks): Look at the graph. It shows how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis. The lines show different carbon dioxide concentrations and temperatures. 30
- June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q23(b) (6 marks): The diagram shows the flow of biomass through an agricultural food chain. Cattle Humans Cattle food crop 22 000 kg 2000 kg 200 kg (b)* High levels of light inte
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