IGCSE Biology (0610) — October–November 2024, Paper 21

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 of living organisms

A living organism, X, can make its own food, get rid of toxic materials and detect and respond to stimuli. What other four processes must organism X carry out to stay alive? A…

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Question 2 · 1 mark · Classification / dichotomous keys

The diagram shows an animal. Using the key, which genus does the animal belong to? Key: has jointed legs - three pairs of legs (- has tail = A Hexagenia; no tail = B Dytiscus) or…

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Question 3 · 1 mark · Classification

Which statement is true for all species of organisms? A A species is a group of organisms that are genetically identical. B A species is a group of organisms that produce fertile…

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Question 4 · 1 mark · Classification

Which group of living organisms includes the myriapods? A arthropods B prokaryotes C protoctists D vertebrates

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Question 5 · 1 mark · Cells

The diagram shows a liver cell. Which features are present in this cell and also in most plant cells? A cell membrane and cytoplasm B cell membrane and sap vacuole C cell wall and…

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Question 6 · 1 mark · Cells (units)

A tick is a type of arachnid. The length of an adult tick is 2.3 mm. What is the length of the tick in micrometres? A 0.23 micrometres B 23 micrometres C 230 micrometres D 2300…

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

Cylinders of potato tissue were left in different concentrations of sucrose solution for one hour. The graph shows the percentage change in the length of the potato cylinders…

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Question 8 · 1 mark · Biological molecules

Which statement about biological molecules is correct? A DNA molecules contain pairs of bases: A pairs with G and C pairs with T. B Fatty acids and glycerol molecules can be…

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Question 9 · 1 mark · Enzymes

The graph shows how temperature affects an enzyme-controlled reaction, with points A, B, C and D marked on the curve. Where on the graph do the enzyme and substrate molecules have…

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Question 10 · 1 mark · Plant nutrition

Which substance is an energy store that is made in plant cells from the products of photosynthesis? A cellulose B glycogen C nectar D starch

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Question 11 · 1 mark · Human nutrition

Which nutrient is lacking when a person has scurvy? A calcium B iron C vitamin C D vitamin D

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Question 12 · 1 mark · Human nutrition

The diagram shows part of the alimentary canal with structures labelled J, K, L and M. Which row correctly identifies the structures labelled J to M? A J oesophagus, K pancreas, L…

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Question 13 · 1 mark · Human nutrition / enzymes

Which statement about enzymes in digestion is correct? A Amylase catalyses the breakdown of fats to fatty acids and glycerol. B Amylase catalyses the breakdown of oils to fatty…

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Question 14 · 1 mark · Human nutrition / absorption

The diagram shows a villus with regions labelled X and Y. Which statement about absorption is correct? A Amino acids move into X. B Fatty acids move into X. C Cellulose moves into…

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Question 15 · 1 mark · Transport in plants

Which substance strengthens the walls of xylem vessels? A glycerol B glycogen C lignin D starch

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Question 16 · 1 mark · Transport in plants

Which row explains why a plant wilts? (columns: water loss at the leaf surface; water uptake in the roots; state of the plant cells) A low; high; flaccid B low; high; turgid C…

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Question 17 · 1 mark · Transport in plants / translocation

Scientists investigated the movement of sucrose through a plant using carbon dioxide containing radioactive carbon, 14C. They covered one leaf on a plant with a clear plastic bag…

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Question 18 · 1 mark · Transport in animals

The diagram shows a section through the human heart with valves labelled A, B, C and D. Which valve is the right atrioventricular valve? A A B B C C D D

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Question 19 · 1 mark · Transport in animals

Which row shows the features of a blood vessel that transports blood at low pressure? (columns: size of lumen; thickness of wall; valves) A large; thick; absent B small; thin;…

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Question 20 · 1 mark · Transport in animals

The diagram shows a component of blood. What is the name of this component? A lymphocyte B phagocyte C platelet D red blood cell

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Question 21 · 1 mark · Diseases and immunity

Which statement about immunity is correct? A Antibodies are present on the surface of pathogens. B Antibodies are produced by lymphocytes. C Antigens are produced by memory cells.…

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Question 22 · 1 mark · Gas exchange in humans

The intercostal muscles and diaphragm contract and relax during ventilation. Which row shows the actions of muscles that result in the largest volume inside the thorax? (columns:…

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Question 23 · 1 mark · Respiration

How many molecules of carbon dioxide, glucose, oxygen and water are there in the balanced chemical equation for aerobic respiration? (columns: carbon dioxide; glucose; oxygen;…

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Question 24 · 1 mark · Excretion in humans

Where is urea formed and excreted? (columns: formed; excreted) A bladder; heart B heart; liver C kidney; bladder D liver; kidney

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Question 25 · 1 mark · Coordination and response / tropisms

A growing seedling was pinned sideways onto a wooden board covered in wet blotting paper and kept in a dark box. The diagram shows the seedling after 24 hours; auxin had become…

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Question 26 · 1 mark · Drugs

Which statement describes a drug? A a substance that is produced in the body and alters the activity of target organs B a substance that is produced in the body and increases the…

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Question 27 · 1 mark · Reproduction

The diagram shows a plant that is producing small plantlets. Which statement about the plantlets is correct? A They are genetically different from the parent plant. B They are…

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Question 28 · 1 mark · Reproduction in humans

Which hormone maintains the thickness of the lining of the uterus during pregnancy? A follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) B luteinising hormone (LH) C oestrogen D progesterone

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Question 29 · 1 mark · Diseases and immunity / STIs

The table shows the number of new HIV infections in 1990 and 2021 in one country: 1990 = 8800; 2021 = 830. Which statement could explain the change in the number of new HIV…

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Question 30 · 1 mark · Inheritance / protein synthesis

Where are amino acids assembled into protein molecules? A the DNA B the genes C the nucleus D the ribosomes

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Question 31 · 1 mark · Cell division

The diagram shows the changes in the mass of DNA in one cell before, during and after mitosis, with point X marked where the mean mass of DNA per cell doubles. What is happening…

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Question 32 · 1 mark · Inheritance

A woman who has blood group AB has a child with a man who has blood group B and is heterozygous. What is the chance of the child having blood group B? A 0% B 25% C 50% D 100%

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Question 33 · 1 mark · Organisms and their environment / adaptation

Plants are adapted to survive in different environments. What are features of xerophytes? (columns: cuticle; number of stomata) A thick; few B thick; many C thin; few D thin; many

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Question 34 · 1 mark · Organisms and their environment / energy flow

Which diagram correctly shows the flow of energy? A producers - consumers, with both - decomposers B consumers - producers - decomposers C producers - consumers, with both -…

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Question 35 · 1 mark · Organisms and their environment / pyramids

The diagram shows a food chain: tree - small insects - small birds - birds of prey. What is the correct pyramid of numbers for this food chain? A pyramid A B pyramid B C pyramid C…

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Question 36 · 1 mark · Organisms and their environment / nitrogen cycle

Acidic soils encourage the increase of anaerobic bacteria that cause denitrification. How do acidic conditions affect the nitrogen cycle? A Ammonia will not enter the nitrogen…

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Question 37 · 1 mark · Organisms and their environment / population growth

The graph shows the population of yeast over a period of time (number of yeast cells against time), with phases A, B, C and D marked. Which phase shows when the number of yeast…

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Question 38 · 1 mark · Human influences on ecosystems

Wheat plants are often grown in large areas as a monoculture. What is a negative environmental impact of this method of farming? A The variety of species in the area is reduced. B…

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Question 39 · 1 mark · Human influences on ecosystems / deforestation

How will these natural processes be affected by deforestation? (columns: flooding; loss of soil; transpiration) A decreased; decreased; increased B decreased; increased; decreased…

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Question 40 · 1 mark · Biotechnology and genetic modification

The stages describe how genetic modification can be used to produce human insulin from bacteria. 1 Cut bacterial plasmid DNA with restriction enzymes. 2 Extract the gene for…

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