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AQA GCSE Biology — Practice Questions flashcards

6 of 66 questions free to study here · 8 topics · the whole deck is built into Willys

Multiple-choice practice questions, one best answer each, across all seven AQA GCSE Biology topics and the required practicals. Higher Tier and Biology-only questions are marked on the stem.

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Practice deck · part of AQA GCSE Biology · written against: AQA GCSE Biology (8461) specification, version 1.0; Higher Tier and separate-science-only cards marked on the front. Updated 2026-10-10.

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6 questions from the deck as they are. Flip, rate yourself, filter by topic; your progress stays in this browser.

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  1. Which structure is found in a bacterial cell but not in a human cheek cell?

    A) Ribosome
    B) Cell membrane
    C) Plasmid
    D) Cytoplasm
    C) Plasmid

    Plasmids are small rings of DNA found in prokaryotic cells such as bacteria. Ribosomes are the tempting choice, but both cell types have them because both make proteins.
    Cell Biology › Cell Structure
  2. Lipase is a digestive enzyme. What are the products when it breaks down lipids?

    A) Fatty acids and glycerol
    B) Amino acids
    C) Simple sugars
    D) Glycerol and amino acids
    A) Fatty acids and glycerol

    Lipase breaks lipids into fatty acids and glycerol. Amino acids are the products of proteases acting on proteins.
    Organisation › Animal Tissues and Organs
  3. A graph of the rate of photosynthesis of pondweed against light intensity levels off. When extra sodium hydrogencarbonate is added to the water, the curve levels off at a higher rate. What was limiting the rate on the flat part of the first curve? (Higher Tier)

    A) Carbon dioxide concentration
    B) Light intensity
    C) Amount of chlorophyll
    D) Oxygen concentration
    A) Carbon dioxide concentration

    Sodium hydrogencarbonate supplies carbon dioxide to the water, and adding more raised the plateau, so CO₂ was the limiting factor there. Light was not limiting on the flat part, because more light gave no increase.
    Bioenergetics › Photosynthesis
  4. In a reflex arc, which neurone carries impulses from the receptor to the spinal cord?

    A) Motor neurone
    B) Sensory neurone
    C) Relay neurone
    D) Effector neurone
    B) Sensory neurone

    The sensory neurone carries impulses from the receptor to the CNS. The relay neurone passes them on within the spinal cord, and the motor neurone takes them to the effector.
    Homeostasis and Response › The Nervous System
  5. Which of these is a biotic factor?

    A) A new pathogen
    B) Soil pH
    C) Light intensity
    D) Wind direction
    A) A new pathogen

    A pathogen is a living organism, so it is biotic. Soil pH, light intensity and wind are non-living, abiotic factors.
    Ecology › Adaptations and Interdependence
  6. In an osmosis practical, a potato cylinder's mass changes from 4.00 g to 4.60 g. What is the percentage change in mass?

    A) +0.6%
    B) +13%
    C) +15%
    D) +60%
    C) +15%

    Change = 0.60 g, and 0.60 ÷ 4.00 × 100 = +15%. Dividing by the final mass, 4.60 g, gives the wrong value of 13%.
    Required Practicals

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More AQA GCSE Biology decks

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About these cards

Review status: Second-reader reviewed, with corrections applied.

Checked against:

  • Topic outline follows the AQA GCSE Biology (8461) specification, version 1.0 (outline only; no specification text reproduced).
  • OpenStax Biology 2e and OpenStax Microbiology, consulted as references; no text copied.
  • Original questions written in the style of AQA GCSE Biology multiple-choice items; all data are hypothetical and every calculation was checked. No AQA, textbook or question-bank items were copied.
  • Checked against the NHS website's Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes pages, nhs.uk (reference only; no text copied).

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