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OCR-A A-Level Biology Predicted Papers! 🧬📘
A* example answers and expert analysis in a free video walkthrough
Jen - Primrose Kitten
April 26, 2025
Get ready to boost your confidence with our OCR-A A-Level Biology Predicted Papers! 🧬📘
These are designed to help you sharpen your exam skills with A* example answers and expert analysis in a free video walkthrough, showing you exactly how to interpret questions and structure your answers for top marks 🧠📝.
They're brilliant for practice – but don’t forget, they’re just predictions, so make sure you revise everything! 📚💡
And above all, look after your mental health – you're working hard, and that absolutely counts 💛🌿.
Table of Contents
Any Paper
These predicted topics that can appear across any paper (including Paper 3!) – perfect for making sure your core understanding is rock solid 🧬💪
Cell Structure of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
🔬
Eukaryotes: membrane-bound organelles (e.g., nucleus, mitochondria, rough ER).
Prokaryotes: no nucleus, smaller ribosomes (70S), circular DNA, plasmids, cell wall (not cellulose).
Be able to compare structures clearly in table or diagram form.
Microscopy
🔍
Know the differences between Confocal laser, TEM, and SEM: magnification, resolution, 3D image ertc.
Calculate magnification using the equation, and make sure you can convert between units.
Revise how to prepare and stain slides (PAG 1), and focus on calibration using eyepiece graticules.
Membranes and PAG 8 (Osmosis)
💧
Structure = fluid mosaic model: phospholipid bilayer, proteins, cholesterol, glycoproteins and glycolipids.
Osmosis = diffusion of water from high to low water potential through a semi-permeable membrane.
IFor PAG 8, remember: plant tissue in different concentrated solutions or artificial cells made with Visking tubing, measure % change in mass, plot a graph to find isotonic point.
Meiosis and Life Cycles
🔁
Meiosis = two divisions producing 4 genetically unique haploid cells.
Key stages: crossing over (prophase I), independent assortment (metaphase I).
Understand how meiosis introduces genetic variation and links to gamete formation and fertilisation.
Carbohydrates
🍞
Monosaccharides: glucose, fructose, galactose
Disaccharides: maltose, sucrose, lactose
Polysaccharides: starch (amylose + amylopectin), glycogen, cellulose
Know bonding (glycosidic bonds via condensation) and tests (e.g., Benedict’s for reducing sugars).
Enzymes and Rates of Reaction (PAG 4)
⚗️
Enzymes = biological catalysts. Affected by temp, pH, substrate/enzyme conc.
Know lock and key vs induced fit models.
PAG 4: Measure rate using colour change (e.g., starch + amylase), gas produced, or pH change over a set amount of time. Graphs can be used to calculate rate including with a tangent to a curve.
Use a line graph to display rate over time.
Protein Structure
🧬
Primary = amino acid sequence
Secondary = alpha-helix or beta-pleated sheet (H bonds)
Tertiary = 3D folding (H bonds, ionic, disulfide bridges, hydrophobic interactions)
Quaternary = multiple polypeptide chains (e.g., haemoglobin)
Link structure to function (e.g., enzymes, antibodies, hormones).
Mutations
🧬⚠️
Gene (point) mutations: substitution, deletion, insertion
Silent, missense, nonsense – be able to explain outcomes on proteins
Can be caused by mutagens (e.g., radiation, chemicals)
Link to cancer, genetic variation, and evolution.
OCR-A A-Level Biology Paper 1
Biological Processes
📘
What it covers:
Module 1: Development of Practical Skills
Module 2: Foundations in Biology
Module 3: Exchange and Transport
Module 5: Communication, Homeostasis and Energy
Total marks: 100
Exam duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Weighting: 37% of the full A-Level
Types of Questions
Multiple choice (around 15–20 marks)
1 mark each
Usually at the beginning of the paper
🔍 Focus on definitions, core concepts, and practical knowledge
Short answer and structured questions
Typically 2–4 marks per question
Cover processes, calculations, and data analysis
Include diagrams, graphs, and application questions
📝 Use precise scientific terminology and show working for calculations
Extended response questions (5-6 marks)
Require a detailed description, explanation or comparison
✨ Structure your answers clearly in a logical order and use correctly spelt terminology
Levelled questions (6 marks+)
Marked using levelled criteria (not just right/wrong)
Often include application to unfamiliar contexts
Assess depth, scientific understanding, and application. Often evaluate
🌟 Structure your answers clearly with logical points and evidence to support arguments, make your conclusion clear
Time Management Tips
🕰️ Total time: 135 minutes
Spend 15 minutes on multiple choice
Allocate 1 minute per mark for structured/longer questions
Leave 10–15 minutes at the end for checking and improving longer responses
Top Tips:
✅ Use clear scientific terms
✅ Include units and show your working in calculations
✅ Label diagrams if you draw them
✅ Link answers to the question and context given
✅ Don’t panic on application questions – use what you do know!
Mixed MCQs from across the spec
❓✅
These will test a range of modules (especially 2, 3, and 5).
Revise core definitions, practical skills, enzyme action, and graph interpretation.
Time tip: aim to spend no more than 15–20 minutes on these at the start!
Heart, Blood Vessels, The Cardiac Cycle and Heart Rate
❤️🩸
Know the structure of arteries, veins, capillaries and how they relate to function.
Understand the cardiac cycle, including systole and diastole.
Be able to explain how nervous and hormonal control regulates heart rate (e.g., adrenaline, medulla oblongata).
PAG 5 and PAG 9, Benedict’s Test and Kidney Function
🔬👩🔬
PAG 5 is using a Colourimeter or Potometer
PAG 9 is Qualitative Testing
Benedict’s test for reducing and non-reducing sugars
Kidney: Understand ultrafiltration, selective reabsorption, and roles of ADH in osmoregulation.
Respiration, Exercise and Muscles
🏃♂️💥
Aerobic vs anaerobic respiration: location, inputs, outputs (ATP yield!)
Muscle structure: actin, myosin, sarcomeres
Sliding filament theory – be ready to explain how muscles contract using ATP, Ca²⁺, and troponin/tropomyosin.
Gas Exchange (focus on insects)
🪲💨
Insects use a tracheal system: spiracles → tracheae → tracheoles → cells.
Ventilation via abdominal movement and oxygen diffuses directly to cells.
Know adaptations of the structures for diffusion and be able to compare to mammal and fish systems.
Haemoglobin + Bohr Shift
🩸🧪
Haemoglobin structure: 4 subunits, each binds 1 O₂ molecule.
Oxygen dissociation curve: S-shape due to cooperative binding.
Bohr shift: High CO₂ = lower affinity = O₂ released to tissues. Key in active tissues!
Transport in Plants (focus on phloem)
🌿🍬
Phloem: translocation of sucrose via companion cells and sieve tube elements.
Mass flow hypothesis: active loading at source, unloading at sink.
Compare with xylem (transpiration stream, cohesion-tension theory).
Respiration and ATP Synthesis
🔋⚡
Stages of aerobic respiration: glycolysis → link reaction → Krebs → oxidative phosphorylation.
Know the inputs and outputs at each stage (including CO₂ and NADH/FADH₂).
ATP synthesis via chemiosmosis: H⁺ gradient + ATP synthase = energy magic!
Synapses and Neuromuscular Junctions
🧠➡️💪
Synapse: presynaptic vesicles release neurotransmitters (e.g., ACh), bind to receptors, trigger AP.
Neuromuscular junction: ACh causes Ca²⁺ influx and contraction – always excitatory.
Understand summation, inhibition, and drug effects on transmission.
OCR-A A-Level Biology Paper 2
Biological Diversity
🌿🦠
What it covers:
Module 1: Development of Practical Skills
Module 2: Foundations in Biology
Module 4: Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease
Module 6: Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems
Total marks: 100
Exam duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Weighting: 37% of the full A-Level
Types of Questions
Multiple Choice
Usually 15–20 questions at the start
Each worth 1 mark
🧠 Focus on precise knowledge and quick recall
Short Answer and Structured Questions
2 to 6 marks
Test your understanding of key processes and terminology
Often include graphs, data interpretation, and experimental design
✍️ Use specific language and labelled diagrams when needed
Extended Response Questions
6 marks or more
Require detailed explanations, often in unfamiliar or applied contexts
🌟 Include examples, logical structure, and a clear conclusion
Levelled Questions (6–9 marks)
Marked using level descriptors
Focus on scientific understanding, application, and depth
🔍 Show off your reasoning, knowledge, and ability to link ideas
Time Management Tips
🕰️ Total time: 135 minutes
Multiple choice: ~15 minutes
Structured and extended answers: ~1 minute per mark
Reserve final 10–15 minutes for review, checking calculations, and adding detail to longer answers
Top Tips:
✅ Use correct biological terms – definitions matter!
✅ Show full working in calculations
✅ Annotate graphs and diagrams clearly
✅ Make sure your explanations match what the question asks
✅ Don’t let applied questions throw you – think it through step-by-step
Mixed MCQs from across the spec
❓📚
Expect questions from Modules 2, 4, and 6.
Revise key definitions, enzyme pathways, immunity, and genetic terms.
Watch for data interpretation and experimental context questions!
Biodiversity Including Human Impact and Measuring
🌱📉
Biodiversity: species richness, genetic diversity, ecosystem diversity.
Human impacts: habitat destruction, pollution, climate change.
Measuring: Simpson’s Index of Diversity, quadrats, transects.
Sampling strategies: random vs systematic, repeat for reliability.
Plant and Human Defences Against Disease
🦠🌿🧍♀️
Plants: physical barriers (waxy cuticle), chemical defences (antimicrobial compounds).
Humans: skin, lysozymes, blood clotting, inflammation, phagocytosis.
Understand primary vs secondary immune response.
Carrying Capacity and Factors Affecting Population Size
📈🌍
Carrying capacity: maximum sustainable population in an environment.
Biotic factors: predation, disease, competition.
Abiotic factors: temperature, pH, water.
Use of population graphs and lag, log, stationary, death phases.
Types of Immunity, Antibodies, and Vaccination
💉🛡️
Active vs passive immunity; natural vs artificial.
Structure and function of antibodies (Y-shaped, specificity).
Vaccines: stimulate memory cell production.
Herd immunity and booster doses.
Hardy-Weinberg and Allele Frequencies in Populations
🔢🧬
Formula: p² + 2pq + q² = 1 and p + q = 1.
Used to calculate genotype and allele frequencies.
Assumptions: no mutation, random mating, large population, no selection/migration.
Aseptic Technique, Bacterial Resistance, PAG 7
🧫🧼
Aseptic technique: sterilisation, flaming tools, avoiding contamination.
PAG 7: culturing microorganisms, antibiotic disc testing.
Understand zones of inhibition, resistant strains (e.g., MRSA), and mutation spread.
Transcription Factors and Cellular Control
🧠💡
Transcription factors bind to DNA to activate/inhibit transcription.
In eukaryotes: complex regulation of gene expression.
Cellular control includes the secondary messenger model, homeobox genes, apoptosis, and development.
Animal Cloning
🐑🧪
Natural cloning: identical twins, budding.
Artificial cloning: embryo splitting, somatic cell nuclear transfer (e.g., Dolly the sheep).
Pros and cons: conservation, research, ethics.
Genetic Fingerprinting
🔬🧬
Based on short tandem repeats (STRs) in non-coding DNA.
Use gel electrophoresis to compare DNA samples.
Applications: paternity tests, forensic science, genetic relationships.
Genetic Diversity
🌍🧫
Arises from mutations, meiosis (crossing over, independent assortment), random fertilisation.
Low diversity = higher extinction risk.
Measured using number of alleles and heterozygosity.
Conservation
🌳🦉
In situ (natural habitat) vs ex situ (zoos, seed banks).
Focus on maintaining biodiversity, gene pools, and ecosystems.
Link to sustainable development and species protection strategies.
International and National agreements to help conserve Biodiversity e.g CITES, RCB and CSS
OCR-A A-Level Biology Paper 3
Unified Biology
🔄🌿
What it covers:
All six modules (Modules 1–6)
This paper focuses on linking concepts from across the course and applying them in unfamiliar contexts.
Great for testing your understanding, connections, and scientific thinking.
Total marks: 70
Exam duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting: 26% of the full A-Level
Types of Questions
Short Answer and Structured Questions
Usually 2–6 marks
Often data-based or applied questions (graphs, tables, unfamiliar scenarios)
🔍 You’ll need to analyse, interpret and draw conclusions
Extended Response Questions
6–9 marks
Require detailed, logical explanations using information from across different modules
🌟 High marks come from using precise terminology and linking concepts
Data Handling and Analysis
Often linked to practical skills and real-world science
May involve drawing conclusions, identifying variables, or designing experiments
📊 Know your stats tests (Chi-squared, Spearman’s Rank, etc.)
Time Management Tips
🕰️ Total time: 90 minutes
Use 1 minute per mark as a guide
Spend around 60 minutes on the main questions
Leave 10–15 minutes to check calculations and tidy up longer answers
Always allow time for the extended questions – they’re high-mark opportunities!
Top Tips:
✅ Be ready to apply knowledge, not just recall facts
✅ Read all data and graphs carefully – underline or annotate
✅ Use clear reasoning when explaining experimental design
✅ Don’t be afraid of unfamiliar contexts – use what you know and think logically
✅ Link ideas across topics: e.g. respiration + ecosystems, immunity + evolution
For OCR-A A-Level Biology Paper 3 (Unified Biology), you’re spot on – any topic from the entire A-level course (Modules 1–6) can be assessed, and it’s all about linking ideas together, applying them in new contexts, and showing a big-picture understanding. 🧬🔄
All the predictions from Paper 1 and Paper 2 are still very relevant, and here’s how you can focus your revision for Paper 3:
🔄 Revise Broadly – Think Connections!
Instead of just revising in topic blocks, try to link ideas, such as:
How gas exchange relates to respiration and ATP synthesis
How immune response connects to genetic diversity and evolution
How plant transport supports ecosystem productivity
How Hardy-Weinberg ties in with selection pressures and biodiversity
📊 Expect Data-Heavy Questions
Paper 3 is very data-focused, so:
Be ready to analyse unfamiliar experiments
Apply knowledge to new scenarios
Use graph interpretation, data tables, and sometimes statistics (e.g., Chi-squared, Spearman's Rank)
🔬 Practical Skills are Key
Revise PAGs, especially:
• 4 – Enzyme reactions
• 5 – Using a colorimeter
• 7 – Microbial techniques
• 8 – Transport across cells
• 9 – Qualitative Testin
🕰️ Timing Tip
Paper 3 = 1 hour 30 minutes, 70 marks
🧠 That’s about 1.25 minutes per mark
Leave 10 minutes at the end to check the longer, levelled questions
⭐ Top 3 Focus Areas for Paper 3
Application – how does what you’ve learned apply in new contexts?
Analysis – can you evaluate data and experimental design?
Synthesis – can you combine ideas from multiple topics into a coherent answer?