IGCSE Biology (0610) — October–November 2023, Paper 13

40 questions · every question answerable online with instant point-by-point AI marking against the official mark scheme.

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Question 1 · 1 mark · Characteristics and classification of living organisms

What are characteristics of all living organisms? A breathing, growth and movement B egestion, nutrition and reproduction C digestion, excretion and respiration D reproduction,…

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Question 2 · 1 mark · Characteristics and classification of living organisms

Using the binomial system, the name of a lion is Panthera leo. Which statement is correct? A The lion belongs to the kingdom Panthera. B The lion belongs to the genus Panthera. C…

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Question 3 · 1 mark · Characteristics and classification of living organisms

Which feature would place organisms into the crustacean group of arthropods? A eight legs B six legs C two pairs of antennae D usually have two pairs of wings

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Question 4 · 1 mark · Cells

The diagram shows the structure of a palisade cell from a leaf, with four structures labelled A, B, C and D. Which structure contains chlorophyll? A B C D

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Question 5 · 1 mark · Cells

A bacterial cell has a length of 40 mm when it is magnified by ×20 000. What is the actual length of the bacterial cell? A 0.0002 mm B 0.002 mm C 0.02 mm D 0.2 mm

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Question 6 · 1 mark · Movement into and out of cells

Which diagram shows the appearance of a plant cell after it is placed in pure water? Each option A–D shows a plant cell in a different state. The correct one (D) shows a turgid…

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Question 7 · 1 mark · Movement into and out of cells

What would lead to a decrease in diffusion rate into a cell? A greater concentration gradient B higher temperature C larger surface area of cell D thicker cell wall

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Question 8 · 1 mark · Biological molecules

Which row shows the chemical elements contained in fats? Columns: carbon; hydrogen; nitrogen; oxygen (key: ✓ = present, blank = absent). Which row A–D is correct? A B C D

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Question 9 · 1 mark · Biological molecules

Glycogen is a large molecule made from smaller molecules. Which smaller molecules is glycogen made from? A amino acids B fatty acids C glucose D glycerol

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Question 10 · 1 mark · Enzymes

The diagrams represent an enzyme and its substrate. The enzyme is shown with four regions labelled A, B, C and D. Which part of the enzyme molecule is the active site for this…

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Question 11 · 1 mark · Plant nutrition

What is a use of the carbohydrates made by photosynthesis? A to produce cellulose for energy stores B to produce starch to build cell walls C to produce starch for transport in…

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Question 12 · 1 mark · Plant nutrition

The diagram shows an experiment investigating the effect of light intensity on an aquatic plant. Test-tube P has a light source 20 cm away and test-tube Q has a light source 10 cm…

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Question 13 · 1 mark · Human nutrition

Which human teeth are used for biting and cutting food? A canines and molars B incisors and canines C molars and premolars D premolars and incisors

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Question 14 · 1 mark · Human nutrition

The diagram shows part of the human digestive system with four organs labelled A, B, C and D. Which organ produces hydrochloric acid? A B C D

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Question 15 · 1 mark · Human nutrition

Which part of a balanced diet is missing if a person develops rickets? A carbohydrates B iron C vitamin C D vitamin D

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Question 16 · 1 mark · Transport in plants

By which process is water vapour lost from a leaf? A active transport B diffusion C osmosis D photosynthesis

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Question 17 · 1 mark · Transport in plants

The pathway taken by water through a plant is shown: root hair cells → root cortex cells → Z → mesophyll cells. Which part of the pathway is Z? A palisade cells B phloem C stomata…

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Question 18 · 1 mark · Transport in animals

Which statement about the human circulatory system is correct? A a system of blood vessels with the arteries returning blood to the heart B a system of blood vessels with a pump…

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Question 19 · 1 mark · Transport in animals

What are features of arteries? 1 narrow lumen 2 thick muscular wall 3 walls made of a single layer of cells 4 wide lumen A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 and 4 D 3 and 4

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Question 20 · 1 mark · Diseases and immunity

What are disease-causing organisms? A antibodies B pathogens C phagocytes D vaccines

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Question 21 · 1 mark · Gas exchange in humans

Which row shows the composition of expired air from a healthy person? Columns: carbon dioxide %; oxygen %; water vapour. A 0.04; 21; saturated B 0.04; 16; variable C 4; 21;…

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Question 22 · 1 mark · Gas exchange in humans

What is the path of carbon dioxide as it leaves the lungs? A alveolus → bronchiole → bronchus → trachea B alveolus → bronchus → bronchiole → trachea C trachea → bronchiole →…

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Question 23 · 1 mark · Respiration

Which statement about anaerobic respiration is correct? A Anaerobic respiration requires oxygen and releases less energy per glucose molecule than aerobic respiration. B Anaerobic…

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Question 24 · 1 mark · Reproduction

What is described as a ball of cells that implants into the lining of the uterus? A acrosome B embryo C fetus D zygote

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Question 25 · 1 mark · Excretion in humans

The diagram shows parts of the body involved in excretion in humans, labelled W, X, Y and Z. What are the labelled parts? Columns: W; X; Y; Z. A bladder; ureter; kidney; urethra B…

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Question 26 · 1 mark · Coordination and response

The diagram shows a reflex action when a person touches a hot object and pulls their hand away: hot object touched → skin on hand (E) → neurone F → relay neurone → neurone G →…

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Question 27 · 1 mark · Coordination and response

The diagram shows a section through a human eye with four structures labelled A, B, C and D. Which structure changes shape in response to adrenaline? A B C D

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Question 28 · 1 mark · Organisms and their environment

What is an example of a population? A all the animals and plants living in a lake B all the different herbivores in a forest C all the mahogany trees growing in a forest D all the…

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Question 29 · 1 mark · Diseases and immunity

Which statement about antibiotics is correct? A Antibiotics are drugs. B Antibiotics are produced by white blood cells. C Antibiotics can become resistant to bacteria. D…

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Question 30 · 1 mark · Inheritance

A pea plant with the genotype YY is crossed with a pea plant with the genotype yy. What are the possible genotypes of the offspring? A YY and yy B all Yy C Yy and yy D all YY

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Question 31 · 1 mark · Respiration

Which graph shows the effect of temperature on the rate of respiration in yeast? Each option A–D plots rate of respiration against temperature. The correct graph (A) rises to a…

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Question 32 · 1 mark · Reproduction

What is the correct description of asexual reproduction? A Genetically different offspring are produced from one parent. B Genetically different offspring are produced from two…

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Question 33 · 1 mark · Reproduction

The diagram shows a human female's reproductive organs with four parts labelled A, B, C and D. Where does fertilisation usually occur? A B C D

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Question 34 · 1 mark · Inheritance

The diagram shows part of a genetic diagram for the inheritance of sex in humans. The parents are father and mother; the father's gametes are X and gamete 1, and the mother's…

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Question 35 · 1 mark · Variation and selection

Tusks are modified teeth. In one part of the world, most elephants used to be born with tusks. Over the last 50 years, more female elephants have been born without tusks, and…

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Question 36 · 1 mark · Organisms and their environment

The diagrams show pyramids of numbers and biomass, labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4. Which pyramids could be pyramids of biomass? (A pyramid of biomass always has a base that is at least as…

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Question 37 · 1 mark · Organisms and their environment

Which process transfers energy between the first and second trophic levels of a food chain? A egestion B ingestion C photosynthesis D respiration

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Question 38 · 1 mark · Organisms and their environment

The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle, with arrows labelled A, B, C and D linking carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, green plants, animals and fuel. Which arrow represents…

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Question 39 · 1 mark · Biotechnology and genetic modification

Why are bacteria useful in biotechnology and genetic modification? A They can manufacture complex molecules. B They reproduce slowly. C They have a nucleus. D They are the same as…

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Question 40 · 1 mark · Biotechnology and genetic modification

What is a reason for inserting genes into bacterial cells? A to confer resistance to herbicides B to confer resistance to insect pests C to improve their nutritional qualities D…

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