plumiHow do organisms grow and develop?: OCR GCSE Biology B questions
Every OCR GCSE Biology B exam question on B4.3 How do organisms grow and develop?, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q5(a)(ii)
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Q5(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Q5(a)(iv)
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Q5(b)
The whole paper ↗Q5(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q5(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q5(d)
The whole paper ↗Q5(e)
The whole paper ↗Q7(a)(i)
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Q7(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q7(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q7(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q7(b)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Q7(b)(iv)
The whole paper ↗Q7(c)
The whole paper ↗Q7(a)
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Q7(b)
The whole paper ↗Q7(c)
The whole paper ↗Q8(a)
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All 68 questions on How do organisms grow and develop?, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): There are 39 chromosomes in the gametes of a dog. How many chromosomes are in the body cells of a dog? Tick (✓) one box. 156 78 46 39 [1]
- June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a)(iii) (1 mark): When two dogs are mated a zygote will form. The zygote will divide to form an embryo. What type of cell division will produce the cells of the embryo? [1]
- June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a)(iv) (1 mark): The cells of the embryo will become specialised and form tissues with particular functions. What causes the cells to become specialised? [1]
- June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(a) (2 marks): Cats reproduce sexually. The gametes are made by meiosis, starting with one of the cat’s cells. Complete the diagram to show the number of chromosomes found in
- June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(b) (1 mark): How many chromosomes will be present in a cat’s zygote after fertilisation? Number of chromosomes in cat’s zygote = chromosomes [1]
- June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(c)(i) (3 marks): Write one letter in each box to show the correct order of the steps. One of the steps has been done for you. C [3]
- June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(c)(ii) (1 mark): The cell cycle is divided into two parts called interphase and mitosis. Tick (3) two boxes to show the steps that take place during interphase. Interphase The c
- June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(d) (1 mark): Complete the sentence about mitosis. Use a word from the list. different fertilised gametes identical The cells produced by mitosis are genetically . [1]
- June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(e) (2 marks): Describe how cancer can sometimes result from mitosis. [2]
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q7(a)(i) (3 marks): An intestinal cell takes 11 hours to complete the cell cycle. Calculate the length of time that this cell is in interphase. Give your answer: • in minutes • to
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): Describe what happens in a cell that is in interphase. [1]
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q7(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mitotic index for tissue sample D. Use the equation: mitotic index = number of cells in mitosis ÷ total number of cells Give your answer to 3 deci
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q7(b)(ii) (2 marks): Mitotic index can be used to identify tumours. Tissue samples with a high mitotic index are more likely to be tumours. Explain why mitotic index is used to iden
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q7(b)(iii) (1 mark): Which tissue sample in Table 7.2, A, B, C or D is most likely to be a tumour? [1]
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q7(b)(iv) (2 marks): Samples taken from the centre of tumours sometimes have a lower mitotic index, whereas samples taken from the outside of tumours have a higher mitotic index. A
- June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q7(c) (1 mark): Some tumours are harmful but some are not. Harmful tumours usually have a higher mitotic index. A scientist took a large number of samples from harmful tumours.
- June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(a) (1 mark): Which cells in the tree stump can turn into all the other cells and tissues needed by the regrowing tree? Tick (3) one box. Meristem cells Phloem cells Root hai
- June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(b) (3 marks): Explain how these cells can make all the other cells and tissues needed by the regrowing tree. [3]
- June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(c) (6 marks): A famous sycamore tree grew in a gap between two hills in the North of England. The tree was cut down without permission in 2023, leaving just the tree stump at
- June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8(a) (3 marks): Cells can divide by meiosis or mitosis. Tick (✓) one box in each row to show whether the statement describes meiosis or mitosis. Describes Describes meiosis mit
- June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(c) (3 marks): The student cuts the tip off one of the plant’s roots. This removes a tissue called meristem. Explain why this root will not be able to grow or produce any more
- June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q11(d) (1 mark): Cats have 38 chromosomes in a body cell. How many chromosomes will a cat have in a sperm cell? Tick (✓) one box 19 38 57 76 [1]
- June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9 (4 marks): Complete the sentences about meiosis. Use words from the list. double gametes growth half interphase one three two Meiosis is a type of cell division that produ
- June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10(c) (3 marks): Cancer is a different type of disease. Which statements about cancer are true, and which are false? Tick (3) one box in each row. True False Cancer is a communi
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(a) (1 mark): Draw lines to connect the description of each tissue with its correct name. One has been done for you. Description Name Tissue A Capillary transports water from
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(c)(i) (1 mark): The chromosomes in the labelled dividing cell are clearly visible and appear dark. Describe what the scientist added to the slide to make the chromosomes clearl
- June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q4(a) (2 marks): Which statements about cell division are true, and which are false? Tick (3) one box in each row. Statement True False During interphase the number of chromosom
- June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q4(b) (1 mark): Why is it important that the number of chromosomes halves when gametes are formed? [1]
- June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q4(c) (2 marks): Describe how a cancer tumour forms. [2]
- June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q1(a) (1 mark): Draw lines to connect the description of each tissue with its correct name. One has been done for you. Description Name Tissue A Capillary transports water from
- June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): The chromosomes in the labelled dividing cell are clearly visible and appear dark. Describe what the scientist added to the slide to make the chromosomes clearl
- June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13(a) (4 marks): There are 22 chromosomes in all of the cells in this cactus apart from the gamete cells. Complete the table to identify how many chromosomes are present during
- June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(c) (4 marks): Although the cutting had no roots at first, it could grow new roots because it has meristem cells. Explain what the meristem cells did to make roots. [4]
- June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q2(a) (4 marks): There are 22 chromosomes in all of the cells in this cactus apart from the gamete cells. Complete the table to identify how many chromosomes are present during
- June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): From which type of cell must the slug’s new tissues and organs grow? Put a ring around the correct answer. Gametes Meristem Nerve cells Stem cells [1]
- June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q2(b)(ii) (4 marks): Explain how these cells make tissues and organs for the slug’s new body. [4]
- November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(d) (1 mark): Unspecialised plant cells. [1]
- November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(e) (1 mark): Cell division that results in the formation of gametes. [1]
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): How many chromosomes would you expect to find in one of Ben’s sperm cells? Number of chromosomes = [1]
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): How many chromosomes would you expect to find in one of Sarah’s egg cells if it was fertilised by one of Ben’s sperm cells? Number of chromosomes = [1]
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(a) (5 marks): Cells A, B, C and D illustrate different stages and events during the cell cycle. Complete the information in the table, using the photograph. Cell that Name of
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(b) (2 marks): The photograph shows cells from the tip of a plant’s root. Suggest why cells in the root tip are dividing. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): At the start of interphase a human cell has 46 chromosomes. The cell goes through interphase and meiosis to make gametes. Complete the information in the table
- November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why the number of chromosomes in each gamete is important during fertilisation. [1]
- November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a) (2 marks): Draw lines to connect each specialised cell with its function. Specialised cell Function Red blood cell Conduction of impulses Nerve cell Transport of oxygen Wh
- November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b) (1 mark): When do cells in embryos start to become specialised? Tick (✓) one box. When the egg is fertilised Before the eight-cell stage After the eight-cell stage [1]
- November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a) (1 mark): An adult male chicken has 78 chromosomes in a body cell. The adult male chicken makes sperm cells. How many chromosomes will there be in one sperm cell? [1]
- November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(b) (1 mark): As a chick grows, the number of cells that make up its body increases. What is the name given to the type of cell division involved in growth? Tick (v) one box.
- November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(a) (1 mark): Human female gametes are called egg cells. What is the name of the human male gametes? [1]
- November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(b) (1 mark): How many gametes are required to make a new human life during sexual reproduction? [1]
- November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(e) (2 marks): Gametes are made by a type of cell division called meiosis. Meiosis in monkeys is shown in the diagram and it starts with a body cell. In monkeys, each body cel
- November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q4(a) (2 marks): The statements in the table describe events in the cell cycle. For each statement tick (✓) one box to show which phase of the cell cycle is being described. Eve
- November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q4(b) (3 marks): Amir is observing the stages of mitosis in cells found in the root tips of garlic. To prepare his slide he follows this method. 1. Cut a thin section of the roo
- November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q4(c) (1 mark): When Amir looks at the slide using a light microscope, the chromosomes are still not clear. Suggest one improvement he could make when preparing his slide that
- June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(b) (1 mark): When blackworms reproduce asexually they split into two pieces. The pieces grow a new head and a new tail. What type of cells must be present to allow the piece
- June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(a) (1 mark): How is the number of chromosomes found in body cells in the queen bee different to those in the male drones? [1]
- June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(b) (1 mark): The female queen bee produces eggs. Which type of cell division makes eggs? [1]
- June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(c) (4 marks): Fertilised and unfertilised eggs can both become offspring. The sex of the offspring is determined by whether or not the egg was fertilised. Complete the table.
- June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q10(c)(iii) (1 mark): The farmers will collect the eggs from the cow and fertilise them with sperm from a bull. A fertilised egg (zygote) divides to form an embryo. What name is give
- June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q10(d)(ii) (1 mark): Why are the embryos split at this early stage rather than at a later stage? [1]
- June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q5(b) (3 marks): Cigarette smoke contains carcinogens. Carcinogens are substances that can cause mutations in a cell’s DNA. Explain how this can lead to cancer. [3]
- June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(a)(i) (3 marks): A stem cell divides by mitosis to make red blood cells. Mitosis is one stage of the cell cycle. The other stage is interphase. Complete the table to describe th
- June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how a stem cell is able to become a different type of cell. [3] Sickle-cell disease affects the shape of red blood cells.
- June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a) (4 marks): Complete the following sentences about cancer. Put a ring around the correct option in each sentence. Cancer is a communicable / non-communicable / sexually-tra
- June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain what a stem cell is and why they are used in medicine. [2]
- June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a)(iii) (2 marks): Which of the following are also sources of stem cells? Tick (3) two boxes. Bone marrow Embryos Hair Nerve cells Red blood cells [2]
- June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(b) (2 marks): Dogs have 78 chromosomes. Complete the table to show the number of chromosomes in different cells of a dog. Number of Cell chromosomes Nerve 78 Skin Sperm [2]
- June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe what causes cancer. [2]
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