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AQA A-level biology 2025 predictions
This year, we’ve put together predicted papers for AQA A-level Biology 🧪📄
Each paper comes with an exam-style mark scheme so you can check your answers and see exactly what examiners are looking for ✅.
Plus, we've included a full video walkthrough for each one, where we go through the trickiest questions and show you how to tackle them like a pro.
And for Paper 3, there’s a special A* essay planning guide and walkthrough to help you structure your answer, make those all-important synoptic links, and write with confidence 📝🌟.
Whether you're aiming for a boost in confidence or those top grades, we’ve got you covered!
Still feeling a bit wobbly? There’s still time to sign up for our Biology Masterclass! 🎓 It includes all the predicted papers, plus live sessions over the holidays and right before the exams—perfect for asking questions, clearing up any confusion, and getting last-minute tips from our expert team. 🧠💬
AQA A-level Biology Paper 1 Predictions
🔬 Cell Structure of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Know your organelles! Prokaryotes (like bacteria) have no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotes (like animal and plant cells) do. Be clear on functions—e.g., mitochondria = respiration, ribosomes = protein synthesis. Remember differences in ribosome size (70S vs 80S) and the presence of plasmids in prokaryotes.
🔍 Microscopy
Understand the differences between light, TEM, and SEM microscopes—resolution, magnification, and what they can show. Practise converting units (mm → µm → nm) and calculating magnification. Know how to use an eyepiece graticule and stage micrometer to measure cell size.
🌿 Biodiversity Including Human Impact and Measuring
Biodiversity = the number of different species in a habitat. Be ready to explain how farming reduces biodiversity (e.g. monocultures, hedgerow removal) and how the index of diversity is calculated. Practise interpreting data and suggesting ways to maintain biodiversity
🧪 Enzymes and Rates of Reaction (RP1)
Lock-and-key vs the induced fit model. Enzyme action is affected by temperature, pH, enzyme concentration and substrate concentration. RP1 involves measuring how enzyme activity changes—e.g. using a digestive enzyme and its substrate. Always include comments about the tertiary structure in your answers!
🐜 Gas Exchange (Suggested Focus on Insects)
Insects use a tracheal system—spiracles, tracheae, tracheoles. Diffusion is the main process; be able to explain adaptations like large SA, thin surfaces, and short diffusion paths. Link structure to function and how oxygen demand affects ventilation in active insects.
🧫 Aseptic Technique & Bacterial Resistance (RP6)
Know how to grow bacteria safely: flame instruments, work near a flame and lift the lid as little as possible. Explain how to measure the area of zones of inhibition to show the effect of antibiotics. Resistance evolves due to natural selection.
🚛 Cell Transport (Active and Co-transport)
Passive = diffusion and osmosis; active = ATP required to move susbtances against the concentration gradient. Co-transport in the ileum (glucose + Na⁺) is a key example. Be able to explain how glucose is absorbed via sodium-glucose co-transport and the role of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump
🌱 Transport in Plants (Focus on Phloem)
Phloem = translocation, sieve tube elements + companion cells. Know the mass flow hypothesis and be ready to evaluate evidence for/against it. Compare with xylem: direction, contents, structure. Application questions may focus on ringing, radioactive tracing or aphid experiments.
🔎 Classification
Understand the three-domain system vs five kingdoms. Know how molecular evidence (DNA/RNA/protein) supports classification. Be ready to explain how courtship behaviour or similar physical traits are used in modern taxonomy.
❤️ Haemoglobin + Bohr Shift
O₂ binds to haemoglobin to form oxyhaemoglobin. S-shaped dissociation curve = cooperative binding. Bohr shift: more CO₂ = curve shifts right = more O₂ released. Compare haemoglobin in different organisms depending on oxygen demand/environment.
🛑 Enzyme Inhibition
Competitive = similar shape to substrate, binds to active site. Non-competitive = binds elsewhere, changes active site shape. Know how to interpret graphs showing effect of inhibitors on rate of reaction.
💧 Osmosis (RP3)
Water moves from high to low water potential through a partially permeable membrane. RP3 uses plant tissue cylinders in different concentrations of solution — measure mass change, dont forget to dry them! Calculate % change and plot graphs to estimate water potential. Don’t forget to control temperature and surface area!
💉 Types of Immunity and Vaccination
Active = your immune system makes antibodies (infection or vaccine). Passive = antibodies given (e.g. breast milk, antivenom). Vaccines may use dead/inactivated pathogens. Understand herd immunity and ethical issues around vaccination programmes.
🧬 Antibodies Including the ELISA Test
Antibodies = specific, complementary to antigen. Monoclonal antibodies can target cancer cells or detect antigens. ELISA tests use an enzyme-linked antibody to show presence of antigen—often with a colour change. Be ready to describe the method and interpret results.
AQA A-Level Biology Paper 2 Predictions
🩺 Kidney Structure and Function
Key structures: cortex, medulla, nephron (Bowman's capsule, loop of Henle, collecting duct). Ultrafiltration occurs at the glomerulus; selective reabsorption happens in the proximal convoluted tubule. Loop of Henle maintains a concentration gradient via counter-current multiplication. ADH controls water reabsorption in the collecting duct—know how it changes membrane permeability.
🌞 Chloroplast Structure & Photosynthesis Reaction
Grana = stacks of thylakoids (light-dependent), stroma = site of Calvin cycle. Light-dependent reaction produces ATP and NADPH. Calvin cycle uses these to fix CO₂ into glucose. Know key enzymes (e.g. Rubisco), and how temperature, CO₂, and light intensity affect photosynthesis.
🐁 Animal Behaviour (RP10)
RP10 looks at response to stimuli—taxis (directional) and kinesis (non-directional). Practicals often use choice chambers or maze setups. Be able to describe how to set up, collect data and control variables. Justify methods and suggest improvements.
📊 Hardy-Weinberg & Allele Frequencies
Equations: p + q = 1 and p² + 2pq + q² = 1. Assumes no mutation, migration, selection, or genetic drift. Use frequencies to calculate expected genotypes/alleles. Be prepared to apply this to inheritance patterns or real population data.
🍬 RP11 Measuring Glucose Concentration
Often uses colorimetry with Benedict’s reagent. Create calibration curve using known concentrations. Measure absorbance of unknown samples to determine concentration. Control variables like temperature, time, and reagent volume.
🏃♂️ Respiration, Exercise & Muscles
Respiration: Glycolysis → Link reaction → Krebs cycle → Oxidative phosphorylation. Know what’s produced at each step. Fast twitch = short bursts, anaerobic, lots of glycogen. Slow twitch = endurance, aerobic, more mitochondria/myoglobin. Exercise increases respiration and oxygen demand.
✏️ Transcription Factors
Transcription factors bind to DNA to activate or inhibit transcription. Some are hormones (e.g. oestrogen). Be ready to explain how they allow genes to be switched on or off and how this links to cell specialisation or cancer.
📡 The Secondary Messenger Model
Used by hormones like adrenaline. Hormone binds to receptor → activates enzyme → produces second messenger (like cAMP). cAMP activates enzymes inside cell, causing a cascade effect. Important in the control of blood glucose.
🧬 Epigenetic Control of Gene Expression
DNA can be methylated (switches genes off) or histones acetylated (switches genes on). These changes don’t alter the DNA sequence but can affect gene expression long-term—important in development and disease (e.g. cancer).
🧫 Gene Probes & Gel Electrophoresis
Gene probes = short, labelled DNA sequences that bind to specific genes. Useful in screening for genetic disorders. Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments by size—smaller fragments travel further. Can compare genetic similarity or identify alleles.
🌾 Nitrogen Cycle
Key processes: nitrogen fixation, ammonification, nitrification, denitrification. Carried out by bacteria in soil. Be able to label diagrams and explain how farming practices affect the cycle (e.g. fertilisers, ploughing, crop rotation).
🐄 Carrying Capacity & Population Size
Population growth is limited by abiotic (light, temp, water) and biotic (predation, competition) factors. Carrying capacity = max stable population size ecosystem can support. Be able to interpret population graphs and describe predator-prey cycles.
⚡ ATP Synthesis
ATP = universal energy currency. Made in mitochondria via chemiosmosis. H⁺ ions flow through ATP synthase, driving phosphorylation of ADP. Substrate-level phosphorylation also contributes. Know the role of ATP in metabolic reactions.
⚙️ Synapses & Neuromuscular Junctions
Synapses transmit signals between neurons via neurotransmitters (like acetylcholine). Summation (temporal/spatial) can affect likelihood of action potential. Neuromuscular junctions work similarly but always excite muscles. Be ready to compare the two in function and structure.
AQA A-Level Biology Paper 3 Essay Predictions
🧠 Don’t Forget – Paper 3 is Synoptic!
Paper 3 isn’t just a standalone paper—it’s a full-circle moment! 🔄 Because it’s synoptic, any content from Paper 1 and Paper 2 is fair game, so all those topics we’ve already predicted (yes, all of them!) could pop up again. Whether it’s an essay question asking you to link enzymes to biodiversity 🌱, or a data question combining gene technology with population change 📈, Paper 3 is all about making connections across the whole course. So keep revisiting those core ideas, practice making links between topics, and remember—you’ve learned more than you think! 💚✨
If you're feeling a mix of "bring it on" and "please no essay," you're definitely not alone! Unlike Papers 1 and 2, this one’s all about putting everything together: thinking synoptically, spotting connections, and showing off just how much you really know. And yes, there’s that big 25-mark essay at the end ✍️😅—but don’t panic! It’s actually a fab chance to shine if you play it smart.
💧 The Importance of Water as an Essential Molecule for Life
Water is everywhere in Biology—literally and exam-wise!
You can link it to:
Cohesion & adhesion: Key for transpiration stream in xylem 🌿
Solvent properties: Transports substances in blood and cytoplasm 💉
High specific heat capacity: Stabilises aquatic environments 🌊
Metabolism: Hydrolysis and condensation reactions 🧪
Osmosis: Cell transport and turgor in plants 💧
Also consider water’s role in respiration and photosynthesis—it’s a reactant in one and a product in the other!
🧬 The Importance of Cell Division for Development and Survival
Think mitosis and meiosis here:
Mitosis: Growth, repair, asexual reproduction. Link to cancer and stem cells 🔁
Meiosis: Genetic variation via independent assortment & crossing over 🎲
Fertilisation: Zygote to multicellular organism via repeated mitosis 🤱
Immune response: Clonal selection and expansion of B/T cells 🦠
Gene expression & regulation: Ensuring cells specialise correctly during development
Cell division literally builds organisms and keeps them alive!
💪 The Importance of Proteins
Proteins = the workhorses of biology!
Enzymes: Catalyse reactions (digestion, DNA replication) ⚡
Haemoglobin: Oxygen transport, Bohr shift, structure-function link ❤️
Antibodies: Immune defence 💉
Carrier proteins: In membranes for active transport and facilitated diffusion 🧫
Muscle contraction: Actin and myosin, respiration and ATP ⚙️
Transcription factors: Control gene expression 🎛️
🧫 The Importance of Microorganisms
Decomposers in the nitrogen cycle 🌾
Pathogens: Cause disease, drive immune responses 🦠
Bacteria in biotechnology: Recombinant DNA, producing insulin, enzymes 🧪
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Antibiotic production and resistance: Evolution in action! 💊
Perfect essay for synoptic links between ecosystems, health, and genetics.
🧬 The Importance of Genetic Technologies
Gene probes and electrophoresis: Diagnosis and screening 🔎
Genetic modification: Agriculture, medicine, ethics 🌽💉
PCR: Amplifying DNA for analysis 🧬
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Gene therapy: Treating genetic disorders
Link back to ethics, personalised medicine, and conservation genetics.