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Sexual reproduction in humans: WJEC A‑Level Biology questions

Every WJEC A-Level Biology exam question on 4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,223 questions

  1. Q6

    Summer 2025 · Unit 4

    9 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 Unit 4, question 6: The human placenta is formed from the tissues of two genetically different individuals. It is the site of exchange of respiratory gases, nutrients and excretory

  2. Q1(a)

    Summer 2024 · Unit 4

    5 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 Unit 4, question 1(a): Using the numbers in Image 1.1, identify the following structures and briefly describe one function for each structure. [5] Number Structure Function from Image

  3. Q1(b)

    Summer 2024 · Unit 4

    2 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 Unit 4, question 1(b): Compare the function of the urethra in males and females. [2] Image 1.2 shows the process of spermatogenesis. Image 1.2 re-enter cell cycle Type I spermatogonia

  4. Q1(c)(i)

    Summer 2024 · Unit 4

    2 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 Unit 4, question 1(c)(i): Name the cells A, B, C and D in Image 1.2. [2] Cells Name A B C D

  5. Q1(c)(ii)

    Summer 2024 · Unit 4

    2 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 Unit 4, question 1(c)(ii): High numbers of spermatozoa must be constantly produced to ensure fertility. Use your knowledge of cell division to explain why it is important that all type I

  6. Q1(a)(i)

    Summer 2023 · Unit 4

    2 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 Unit 4, question 1(a)(i): Name structure A and state its function. [2]

  7. Q1(a)(ii)

    Summer 2023 · Unit 4

    1 mark4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 Unit 4, question 1(a)(ii): Suggest one reason why it is important that the number of blood vessels in the ovary increase after ovulation. [1] Image 1.2 shows a single human spermatozoon.

  8. Q1(b)(i)

    Summer 2023 · Unit 4

    2 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 Unit 4, question 1(b)(i): Calculate the actual length of the spermatozoon shown in Image 1.2. Give your answer in mm. [2] Length = mm

  9. Q1(b)(ii)

    Summer 2023 · Unit 4

    1 mark4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 Unit 4, question 1(b)(ii): Structure A in Image 1.1 has a mean diameter of 16 mm. Calculate the number of times larger structure A is than the human spermatozoon. [1] Structure A is times

  10. Q1(c)(i)

    Summer 2023 · Unit 4

    3 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 Unit 4, question 1(c)(i): Complete Table 1.3 by identifying structures X, Y and Z on Image 1.2, describing their function during fertilisation. [3] Table 1.3 Letter Name of structure Fun

  11. Q1(c)(ii)

    Summer 2023 · Unit 4

    2 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 Unit 4, question 1(c)(ii): Humans normally have a diploid number 2n = 46 Occasionally a secondary oocyte is fertilised by two sperm. The embryo formed develops abnormally and will not sur

  12. Q1(d)

    Summer 2023 · Unit 4

    2 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 Unit 4, question 1(d): Use Image 1.4 to state two features of a placenta and describe how they are important to the survival of the embryo. [2]

  13. Q1(a)(i)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 4

    1 mark4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 4, question 1(a)(i): State the process which has recently occurred in the ovary in Image 1.1. [1] Process

  14. Q1(a)(ii)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 4

    4 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 4, question 1(a)(ii): Briefly describe the process of fertilisation in humans. [4]

  15. Q1(a)(iii)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 4

    1 mark4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 4, question 1(a)(iii): State the type of cell division involved in the production of structure B and the term given to the events shown at A. [1] Type of cell division Term given to e

  16. Q1(b)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 4

    3 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 4, question 1(b): Explain why ciliated epithelium is important in the sequence of events shown in Image 1.1. [3]

  17. Q1(c)(i)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 4

    2 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 4, question 1(c)(i): Using the data shown in Table 1.3, explain why having a seasonal oestrous cycle is the best way to ensure offspring survival for animals such as sheep and horse

  18. Q1(c)(ii)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 4

    2 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 4, question 1(c)(ii): Explain why ovulation in the three species shown in Table 1.3 occurs towards the end of oestrus (when the female is receptive to the male). [2]

  19. Q2(a)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 4

    2 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 4, question 2(a): With reference to Graph 2.1, explain why hCG levels are used in pregnancy tests to determine if a woman is pregnant. [2]

  20. Q2(b)(i)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 4

    3 marks4.1 Sexual reproduction in humans
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 4, question 2(b)(i): One type of pregnancy test uses mobile proteins, called antibodies, which attach to hCG. These in turn are attached to an enzyme that changes the colour of a dy
All 42 questions on Sexual reproduction in humans, as a list
  1. Summer 2025, Unit 4, Q6 (9 marks): The human placenta is formed from the tissues of two genetically different individuals. It is the site of exchange of respiratory gases, nutrients and excretory
  2. Summer 2024, Unit 4, Q1(a) (5 marks): Using the numbers in Image 1.1, identify the following structures and briefly describe one function for each structure. [5] Number Structure Function from Image
  3. Summer 2024, Unit 4, Q1(b) (2 marks): Compare the function of the urethra in males and females. [2] Image 1.2 shows the process of spermatogenesis. Image 1.2 re-enter cell cycle Type I spermatogonia
  4. Summer 2024, Unit 4, Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): Name the cells A, B, C and D in Image 1.2. [2] Cells Name A B C D
  5. Summer 2024, Unit 4, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): High numbers of spermatozoa must be constantly produced to ensure fertility. Use your knowledge of cell division to explain why it is important that all type I
  6. Summer 2023, Unit 4, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Name structure A and state its function. [2]
  7. Summer 2023, Unit 4, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why it is important that the number of blood vessels in the ovary increase after ovulation. [1] Image 1.2 shows a single human spermatozoon.
  8. Summer 2023, Unit 4, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the actual length of the spermatozoon shown in Image 1.2. Give your answer in mm. [2] Length = mm
  9. Summer 2023, Unit 4, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): Structure A in Image 1.1 has a mean diameter of 16 mm. Calculate the number of times larger structure A is than the human spermatozoon. [1] Structure A is times
  10. Summer 2023, Unit 4, Q1(c)(i) (3 marks): Complete Table 1.3 by identifying structures X, Y and Z on Image 1.2, describing their function during fertilisation. [3] Table 1.3 Letter Name of structure Fun
  11. Summer 2023, Unit 4, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): Humans normally have a diploid number 2n = 46 Occasionally a secondary oocyte is fertilised by two sperm. The embryo formed develops abnormally and will not sur
  12. Summer 2023, Unit 4, Q1(d) (2 marks): Use Image 1.4 to state two features of a placenta and describe how they are important to the survival of the embryo. [2]
  13. Summer 2022, Unit 4, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): State the process which has recently occurred in the ovary in Image 1.1. [1] Process
  14. Summer 2022, Unit 4, Q1(a)(ii) (4 marks): Briefly describe the process of fertilisation in humans. [4]
  15. Summer 2022, Unit 4, Q1(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the type of cell division involved in the production of structure B and the term given to the events shown at A. [1] Type of cell division Term given to e
  16. Summer 2022, Unit 4, Q1(b) (3 marks): Explain why ciliated epithelium is important in the sequence of events shown in Image 1.1. [3]
  17. Summer 2022, Unit 4, Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): Using the data shown in Table 1.3, explain why having a seasonal oestrous cycle is the best way to ensure offspring survival for animals such as sheep and horse
  18. Summer 2022, Unit 4, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why ovulation in the three species shown in Table 1.3 occurs towards the end of oestrus (when the female is receptive to the male). [2]
  19. Summer 2022, Unit 4, Q2(a) (2 marks): With reference to Graph 2.1, explain why hCG levels are used in pregnancy tests to determine if a woman is pregnant. [2]
  20. Summer 2022, Unit 4, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): One type of pregnancy test uses mobile proteins, called antibodies, which attach to hCG. These in turn are attached to an enzyme that changes the colour of a dy
  21. Summer 2022, Unit 4, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why both of tests C are invalid. [2]
  22. Summer 2022, Unit 4, Q2(c) (3 marks): State the function of hCG in pregnancy and what happens if levels of hCG fall or are too low at the start of the pregnancy. [3]
  23. Summer 2022, Unit 4, Q2(e) (4 marks): With reference to Graph 2.1, explain the functions of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone during pregnancy. [4]
  24. Summer 2019, Unit 4, Q6(a) (2 marks): Clomifene is a medication used to treat some forms of infertility. It leads to increased release of FSH and LH. Suggest how clomifene increases the chance of co
  25. Summer 2019, Unit 4, Q6(b)(i) (3 marks): Prolactin concentrations stay higher in women who are breastfeeding. Prolactin inhibits the production of FSH. Describe the role of prolactin in women who are b
  26. Summer 2019, Unit 4, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why oxytocin production during birth is an example of positive feedback. [3]
  27. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Name the structures A and B. [2] A B
  28. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q1(a)(ii) (3 marks): Graafian follicle is 4.19 × 103 mm3. By how many times is the volume of the Graafian follicle bigger than the volume of the primary follicle? Express your answe
  29. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q1(b) (1 mark): Structure X contains the secondary oocyte. Name the two outer layers of structure X. [1] The scanning electron micrograph shows a sperm penetrating the surface
  30. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q1(c) (2 marks): Describe how the sperm is able to penetrate the outer layers of this structure. [2]
  31. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q1(d)(i) (2 marks): There is a risk that during fertilisation more than one sperm enters the secondary oocyte. The risk is increased if the secondary oocyte is not fully mature. Th
  32. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q1(d)(ii) (3 marks): The developing embryo is not transferred into the uterus until three days after IVF. Using your knowledge of fertilisation and implantation explain why this del
  33. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q4(a) (2 marks): State four differences between the composition of the blood in the umbilical arteries and the umbilical vein. [2]
  34. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q4(b) (2 marks): Give two reasons why there must be a barrier between foetal and maternal blood systems. [2]
  35. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): intervillus space is exchanged three times per minute. [1]
  36. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): The pressure in the uterine arteries is ten times greater than the pressure in the intervillus space. [1]
  37. Summer 2018, Unit 4, Q4(c)(iii) (1 mark): The length of the capillaries in the placenta is about 320 km. [1]
  38. Summer 2017, Unit 4, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the actual length of the sperm cell. [2] µm
  39. Summer 2017, Unit 4, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): The mitochondria in the sperm do not enter the secondary oocyte at fertilisation. What does this suggest about the origin of all mitochondria in an organism? [1
  40. Summer 2017, Unit 4, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Explain why this technique is not suitable for counting live sperm. [1]
  41. Summer 2017, Unit 4, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): The number of sperm cells in the diluted sample in the counting area was 40 The counting area is 1 mm2 with a depth of 0.1 mm. Calculate the number of mm3 in 1
  42. Summer 2017, Unit 4, Q6 (9 marks): Mammals have evolved different patterns of ovulation which are controlled by changes in hormone concentrations and affected by copulation (sexual intercourse).

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