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A-Level Biology Past Papers & Drilling (Paper 2): Cells, Enzymes, DNA, Evolution
TUTORZONE ORIGINAL DRILLING MOCK · CAMBRIDGE A-LEVEL BIOLOGY (9700) PAPER 2
Written to the Cambridge 9700 syllabus (2025-2027): Paper 2 AS Level Structured Questions, 60 marks, 1 h 15 min, 23% of A Level; plus Paper 1 Multiple Choice (40 marks, 15.5%), Paper 3 Practical (11.5%), Paper 4 A Level Structured (100 marks, 38.5%), Paper 5 Planning (11.5%). This is a Paper 2 drilling mock: 10 questions for 60 marks with answers and techniques.
What is in the A-Level Biology (9700) exam?
Direct answer: five papers: Paper 1 Multiple Choice, 40 marks, 15.5%; Paper 2 AS Structured, 60 marks, 23%; Paper 3 Practical, 40 marks, 11.5%; Paper 4 A Level Structured, 100 marks, 38.5%; Paper 5 Planning, 30 marks, 11.5%.
Assessment at a glance (2027)
| Component | Content | Weighting | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 2 (AS Level Structured Questions) | Structured questions, 60 marks, AS content | 23% A-Level | 1 h 15 min |
| Paper 4 (A Level Structured Questions) | Structured questions, 100 marks, A Level content | 38.5% A-Level | 2 h |
A-Level Biology drilling technique: 10 questions in 1 h 15 min is about 7 minutes each. Give a definition plus an example (active transport vs diffusion, natural selection). Use precise terminology (activation energy, fluid mosaic, double helix).
How this paper was built
This is a TutorZone original drilling mock: the questions follow the Cambridge 9700 structure (Paper 2 AS Level Structured Questions, 60 marks, 23%) and the answers are our own, not Cambridge past papers or marking references.
Pacing
| Section | Marks | Suggested time | What to do first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 2 (AS Level Structured Questions) | 23% A-Level | about 7 min per question | definition plus example |
| Paper 4 (A Level Structured Questions) | 38.5% A-Level | about 10 min per question | integrate AS and A Level knowledge |
How do enzymes speed up reactions?
Direct answer: enzymes lower the activation energy, so more molecules can react.
Paper 2: structured drilling (10 questions, 60 marks)
Definition plus example; use precise terminology.
Question 1 (6 marks)
State two differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
Question 2 (6 marks)
State what the primary and quaternary structure of a protein refer to.
Question 3 (6 marks)
Explain how enzymes, as biological catalysts, speed up reactions.
Question 4 (6 marks)
Describe the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane.
Question 5 (6 marks)
What is the role of mitosis in an organism?
Question 6 (6 marks)
Describe the structure of a DNA molecule.
Question 7 (6 marks)
Explain the difference between active transport and diffusion.
Question 8 (6 marks)
How do antibodies protect the body against pathogens?
Question 9 (6 marks)
Describe how natural selection leads to evolution.
Question 10 (6 marks)
In a food chain, how does energy flow between trophic levels?
Active transport vs diffusion?
Direct answer: diffusion moves down the gradient with no energy; active transport moves against it using ATP and carrier proteins.
Paper 2 answers
Question 1
(1) Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus; prokaryotes do not (3). (2) Eukaryotes have membrane-bound organelles (e.g. mitochondria); prokaryotes usually do not (3).
Question 2
Primary structure is the linear sequence of amino acids (3); quaternary structure is the assembly of two or more polypeptide chains (3).
Question 3
Enzymes lower the activation energy (4), so more molecules have enough energy to react, speeding the reaction (2).
Question 4
A phospholipid bilayer with proteins embedded in it (4); both phospholipids and proteins can move, giving a ‘fluid mosaic’ (2).
Question 5
Mitosis is for growth, repair and asexual reproduction (4), producing genetically identical daughter cells (2).
Question 6
Two polynucleotide strands wound in a double helix (3), held by complementary base pairs (A-T, C-G) with hydrogen bonds (3).
Question 7
Diffusion moves particles down the concentration gradient with no energy (3); active transport moves against the gradient, needing energy (ATP) and carrier proteins (3).
Question 8
Antibodies bind specifically to antigens on the pathogen (3), tagging it for destruction or agglutinating and neutralising it (3).
Question 9
There is genetic variation; individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more (3); favourable alleles accumulate over generations (3).
Question 10
Energy flows from producers to consumers (3); only about 10% passes to the next level, the rest lost as heat (3).
What is the structure of DNA?
Direct answer: two polynucleotide strands in a double helix, held by complementary base pairs (A-T, C-G).
Where these marks are usually lost
| Mistake | What it looks like | What it costs | Instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enzyme misconception | Enzymes provide energy | Enzymes lower activation energy, they do not provide it | Enzyme = lowers activation energy |
| Active/diffusion mixed | Active transport needs no energy | Active transport needs ATP, against the gradient | Active = against gradient + ATP |
| Energy flow | 100% passes on | About 10% passes, the rest lost | About 10% passes on |
How to use this paper
First drill: the full 1 h 15 min on all 10 questions with no references.
Mark it: check definitions, examples and terminology.
Second drill: redo three to seven days later, aiming to finish inside 1 hour.
What should I do after drilling this paper?
Direct answer: log questions with wrong definitions or terminology; redo in three to seven days; and drill Paper 1 multiple choice.
FAQ
Is this a Cambridge past paper?
No. The questions and answers are TutorZone originals, not Cambridge past papers or marking references.
How many papers does A-Level Biology have?
Five: Paper 1 Multiple Choice, Paper 2 AS Structured, Paper 3 Practical, Paper 4 A Level Structured, Paper 5 Planning.
How do enzymes speed up reactions?
Enzymes lower the activation energy.
Official references
| Resource | What to check |
|---|---|
| Cambridge A-Level Biology 9700 syllabus (2025-2027) | Confirm the Paper 1-5 marks and times |
| https://www.tutorzone.com.hk/en-alevel-chemistry-9701-paper-4-mock-2027/ | A-Level Chemistry (9701) drilling mock |
Related: practice area · A-Level Chemistry Paper 4 drilling mock
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