AQA A-Level Biology paper 1 Predictions 2026 🧬🔮

If you are reading this, you are likely gearing up for the 2026 exam season. I know this time of year can feel like a mountain to climb, but I want to remind you of something important: you are capable, you are prepared, and you have got this. 💪

Before we dive into the science, let’s take a collective deep breath. 🧘‍♀️ Revision is important, but so is your mental health. A burnt-out brain can't absorb information effectively. Make sure you are balancing your hard work with self-care—drink water, get some sleep, and be kind to yourself. You are more than just a grade on a piece of paper! ❤️

⚠️ Important Reminder: Read the Full Specification

We have poured our expertise into these predictions, but please remember: we don't have a crystal ball. 🔮 While we study trends and past papers meticulously, the examiners can (and do!) ask anything from the specification.

These predictions are a tool to help focus your revision, not a replacement for covering the whole course. Always double-check the full AQA A-Level Biology Specification to ensure you haven't missed any niche topics.

Why Use Predicted Papers? 📉

You might be wondering, "Why bother with predicted papers?"

Practising with unseen questions is one of the best ways to test your actual understanding (rather than just your memory of past mark schemes!).

• Curious about our accuracy? Read our blog post here: How Accurate Are Predicted Papers? 🎯

• Want to know the method behind the magic? Check out: How do we write our Predicted Papers? ✍️

🚀 Your Revision Toolkit

We have everything you need to smash these exams:

• 📥 Download our 2026 Predicted Papers: The ultimate practice tool.

• 📚 Unlimited Free Notes: Concise and clear summaries for every topic.

• 🧠Free Retrieval Quizzes: Test your active recall (the gold standard of revision!).

✨ Free Video Walkthroughs Included

Every predicted paper comes with a free video walkthrough. I don't just give you the answers; I show you how to interpret the question and layout your answer to hit those specific marking points examiners love. ✅

🧬 2026 Revision Guide: AQA Paper 1 & Paper 3 Focus

Based on our analysis, we expect the following topics to feature heavily in Paper 1 (Topics 1-4) and potentially the Synoptic Paper 3.

Here is a brief breakdown of the key points you need to revise for each:

⚡ ATP

• Structure: A nucleotide derivative formed from Ribose, Adenine, and three Phosphate groups.

• Function: An immediate energy source, not a long-term store.

• Reactions:

  • Hydrolysis: ATP → ADP + Pi (catalysed by ATP hydrolase). Releases energy for coupled reactions.

  • Condensation: ADP + Pi → ATP (catalysed by ATP synthase). Occurs during respiration/photosynthesis.

🍞 Carbohydrate Structure

• Monosaccharides: Glucose (alpha and beta isomers), Galactose, Fructose.

• Disaccharides: Formed by condensation reactions (releasing water, forming a glycosidic bond). Maltose, Sucrose, Lactose.

• Polysaccharides:

  • Starch (Plants): Amylose (coiled) + Amylopectin (branched). Compact energy store.

  • Glycogen (Animals): Highly branched for rapid hydrolysis. Stored in liver/muscles.

  • Cellulose (Plants): Beta-glucose chains, hydrogen bonds form strong microfibrils for cell walls.

🔬 Electron Microscopes

• TEM (Transmission): Electrons pass through thin specimen. 2D image. Highest resolution (can see internal organelles).

• SEM (Scanning): Electrons bounce off surface. 3D image. Lower resolution than TEM.

• Key Concepts: Resolution (minimum distance to distinguish two points) vs. Magnification.

🦠 Cell & Organelle Structure

• Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic: Prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; have circular DNA and 70S ribosomes.

• Specialised Adaptations: Look for lots of mitochondria (active transport/movement), lots of RER/Golgi (protein synthesis/secretion), or microvilli (increased SA for absorption).

• Cell Fractionation: Homogenisation (to breaks cells open) then ultracentrifugation (spin at increasing speeds to separate organelles by density).

🚚 Cell Transport (Including Osmosis Practical)

• Simple Diffusion: Passive, net movement down a concentration gradient.

• Facilitated Diffusion: Uses channel/carrier proteins for charged/large molecules.

• Active Transport: Uses carrier proteins and ATP to move against gradient.

• Co-transport: Sodium-glucose co-transport in the ileum.

• Osmosis: Movement of water from high (less negative) to low (more negative) water potential across a semi-permeable membrane.

• Practical: Calibration curves to find the concentration where no mass change occurs (isotonic point).

🛡️ Membrane Structure & Permeability

• Fluid Mosaic Model: Phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins, cholesterol (stability), and glycolipids/proteins (receptors).

• Permeability Factors: Temperature (denatures proteins/increases kinetic energy) and Solvents (dissolve lipids).

• Practical: Often involves beetroot pigment leakage at different temperatures.

📏 Surface Area to Volume Ratio (SA:V)

• The Rule: As size increases, SA:V decreases.

• Implication: Larger organisms cannot rely on simple diffusion; they need specialised exchange surfaces and transport systems.

• Heat Loss: Smaller organisms lose heat faster (higher metabolic rate often needed).

🐟 Gas Exchange (Focus on Fish)

• Anatomy: Gills made of filaments covered in lamellae (huge Surface Area).

• Counter-Current Flow: Water and blood flow in opposite directions.

• Why? Ensures a concentration gradient is maintained across the entire length of the gill. Blood always meets water with a higher oxygen concentration.

💧 Tissue Fluid Formation

• Arteriole End: High hydrostatic pressure forces water/small molecules out (Ultrafiltration).

• Venule End: Low water potential in capillary (due to large plasma proteins remaining) causes water to re-enter via osmosis.

• Lymph: Excess tissue fluid drains into the lymphatic system.

🩸 Blood Vessels

• Arteries: Thick muscle (constriction) and elastic layer (stretch/recoil to maintain pressure).

• Veins: Wide lumen, valves to prevent backflow.

• Capillaries: One cell thick (short diffusion distance).

❤️ Heart Structure & Disease

• Cardiac Cycle: Diastole (filling) → Atrial Systole → Ventricular Systole.

• Pressure: Valves open/close based on pressure differences (Atrioventricular vs Semi-lunar).

• Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): Atheroma formation (fatty streak) →Thrombosis (clot) → Aneurysm (burst) or Myocardial Infarction (heart attack).

🌳 Phloem Transport

• Mass Flow Hypothesis: Active transport of sucrose from source to phloem lowers water potential → Water enters (osmosis) → High hydrostatic pressure pushes sap to sink.

• Evidence: Tracer experiments (radioactive C¹⁴) and Ringing experiments (bulge formation).

🦠 HIV

• Structure: RNA, Reverse Transcriptase, Capsid, Lipid Envelope, Attachment proteins.

• Replication: Attaches to Helper T-cells. Reverse transcriptase converts RNA to DNA. Virus DNA inserts into host DNA. New viral proteins transcribed and translated. Virus particles produced and burst out of T-cell.

• AIDS: Occurs when T-cell count drops too low for an effective immune response.

💉 Immune Response & ELISA

• Phagocytosis: Non-specific engulfing of pathogens.

• Cellular Response: T-cells (Helper T activates B-cells/Cytotoxic T kills infected cells).

• Humoral Response: B-cells differentiate into Plasma Cells (secrete antibodies) and Memory Cells.

• ELISA Test: Uses monoclonal antibodies to detect the presence of a specific protein (antigen or antibody) via an enzyme reaction that causes a colour change.

🧬 Meiosis

• Outcome: Produces 4 genetically different haploid daughter cells (gametes).

• Variation Sources:

  1. Crossing Over: Exchange of alleles between homologous chromosomes (Prophase I).

  2. Independent Segregation: Random alignment of homologous pairs (Metaphase I).

🦁 Classification & Phylogenetics

• Hierarchy: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species (Delicious King Prawn Curry Or Fat Greasy Sausages).

• Binomial System: Genus species (e.g., Homo sapiens).

• Courtship Behaviour: Essential for species recognition and successful mating.

🦒 Natural Selection

• Process: Variation exists → Mutation → Advantageous allele → Differential survival/reproduction → Allele frequency increases over generations.

• Types:

  • Directional: Selection for one extreme trait (e.g., antibiotic resistance).

  • Stabilising: Selection for the mean trait (e.g., human birth weight).

🌿 Biodiversity

• Index of Diversity: Better measure than just species richness as it accounts for population sizes.

• Farming Impacts: Monocultures, hedge removal, and pesticides reduce biodiversity.

📝 The Exam Structure

Knowing the battlefield is half the victory! Here is how your A-Level Biology exams break down:

Paper 1

• Content: Topics 1–4 (Biological Molecules, Cells, Exchange, Genetics).

• Marks: 91 marks.

• Duration: 2 hours.

• Style: Short & long answer questions, plus extended response (15 marks).

Paper 2

• Content: Topics 5–8 (Energy Transfers, Response, Genetics/Populations, Control of Gene Expression).

• Marks: 91 marks.

• Duration: 2 hours.

• Style: Short & long answer questions, plus comprehension (15 marks).

Paper 3 (The Synoptic One)

• Content: Topics 1–8 (Everything!).

• Marks: 78 marks.

• Duration: 2 hours.

• Style: Structured questions, practical techniques, critical analysis, and The Essay (25 marks).

Good luck, keep smiling, and remember: small steps every day lead to big results! 🌟