Coordination and response — IGCSE Biology (0610) questions by topic
Coordination and response questions interpret a clinostat set-up rotating maize seeds under all-round light, identify a hormone response triggered by the adrenal glands, trace auxin's concentration on the lower side of a sideways-pinned seedling shoot, and compare root and shoot growth across differently oriented bean seedlings.
Identify, state, describe, complete and explain carry 1 to 16 marks across 83 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers. Because tropism questions reward correctly linking auxin distribution to the direction of bending, submitting an explained answer for instant marking shows whether that specific cause-and-effect link has been stated rather than just the observed outcome.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
The diagram shows a reflex arc. (The diagram shows a reflex arc with the spinal cord on the right. Label P points to the neurone leading from a sensory receptor (free nerve…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which hormone is produced by the pancreas? A adrenaline B insulin C oestrogen D testosterone
Answer this question and get it marked →Which statements describe correct examples of tropic responses? 1 Gravitropism is the growth of plant roots away from gravity. 2 Gravitropism is the growth of plant roots towards…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
A person touches a hot object which stimulates structure P in the skin. This causes an electrical impulse to be sent through structure Q to the central nervous system. Which row…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the position of two glands in the body. Gland 1 is labelled sitting on top of a kidney on one side; gland 2 is labelled near the duodenum on the other side. The…
Answer this question and get it marked →A seedling was placed in a horizontal position. Which diagram shows the expected gravitropic responses in the seedling? Each option A-D shows a horizontally-placed seedling with a…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
The diagram shows a section through the human eye. Which label identifies the iris? The diagram shows a horizontal section through the eye, with four labels A, B, C and D pointing…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which hormone decreases blood glucose concentration? A adrenaline B glycogen C insulin D oestrogen
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 21
The diagram shows a synapse between neurone 1 (above) and neurone 2 (below). Labels: P points to a vesicle inside the end of neurone 1; Q points to a transmitter substance…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which row shows the function of rod cells? The table shows, for each row, whether rod cells provide night vision and whether they provide colour vision. night vision colour vision…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the positions of two endocrine glands in the human body; the enlarged view shows the two glands sitting on top of the kidneys (the adrenal glands). What is a…
Answer this question and get it marked →What is a response of the human body to overheating? A vasoconstriction of arterioles B vasoconstriction of veins C vasodilation of arterioles D vasodilation of veins
Answer this question and get it marked →What is an example of phototropism? A the growth of a root in the direction of gravity B the growth of a shoot towards light C the release of energy from glucose using light D the…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the changing concentrations of some hormones involved in the menstrual cycle. Hormone concentration (y-axis) is plotted against days 0 to 28 (x-axis). One curve…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 22
The diagram shows a vertical section through part of a human eye. A fly is coming nearer to the eye. The eye begins to focus the image of the fly on the retina. Labelled parts: Q…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which organ produces glucagon? A adrenal gland B liver C ovary D pancreas
Answer this question and get it marked →A young seedling is growing underground. The shoot grows towards the surface of the ground. The root grows away from the surface of the ground. Which row describes the responses…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 23
The diagram shows a simple reflex arc. [Diagram: a hand (with a receptor in the skin) connected to the spinal cord. Neurone P runs from the receptor in the skin toward the spinal…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a cross-section of an eye. [Diagram: cross-section of an eye. E points to the ciliary muscle (in the ciliary body); F points to the lens; G points to the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which hormones increase the blood glucose concentration in humans? A adrenaline and glucagon B adrenaline and insulin C glucagon only D insulin only
Answer this question and get it marked →A shoot tip was placed on an agar block. Substances can diffuse through agar. Light was shone on the shoot tip from one direction. [Diagram: a shoot tip sits on an agar block that…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 31
The eye is a sense organ. Complete the sentence to describe sense organs. Sense organs are groups of .............. cells responding to specific .............. such as light,…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 33
Fig. 3.1 is a diagram showing the locations of some endocrine glands in humans. Use the information in Fig. 3.1 to complete Table 3.1. Table 3.1 gland letter on Fig. 3.1 hormone…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 41
The human retina contains receptor cells called rods and cones. Fig. 2.1 shows the distribution of receptor cells in a human retina. (Fig. 2.1 plots number of receptors per mm^2…
Answer this question and get it marked →Some maize seeds were pinned on a board and provided with light from all directions. The board was placed in a clinostat that rotated the board. The board was rotated continuously…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 32
The human body must maintain a constant internal environment. State the term used to describe the maintenance of a constant internal environment.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 33
Describe the role of the mammalian nervous system.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 41
Fig. 2.1 shows the internal body temperature of a human and the external environmental temperature during six hours in one day (two curves on a graph of temperature / °C against…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 42
October–November 2024, Paper 11
Which statements about hormones are correct? 1 The ovaries secrete oestrogen. 2 The pancreas secretes adrenaline. 3 The pancreas secretes insulin. A 1 and 3 B 1 only C 2 and 3 D 2…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a plant shoot growing towards the light. What is the name of this plant shoot's response to light? A gravitropism B photosynthesis C phototropism D reflex
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
What is the pathway of a reflex arc from the receptor to the effector? A motor neurone - relay neurone - sensory neurone B motor neurone - sensory neurone - relay neurone C…
Answer this question and get it marked →What is an effect of adrenaline secretion? A decreased breathing rate B decreased pupil diameter C development of secondary sexual characteristics D increased heart rate
Answer this question and get it marked →What is phototropism? A absorbing mineral ions B absorbing water C directional growth in response to gravity D directional growth in response to light
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
Which hormone is secreted by the pancreas? A adrenaline B insulin C oestrogen D testosterone
Answer this question and get it marked →What is an example of phototropism? A a chemical produced by a plant B a painful sensation in response to a stimulus C the growth of a plant root towards the centre of the Earth D…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 21
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…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 22
The diagram shows a synapse in a reflex arc, with neurones P and Q. What are the identities of the two neurones and in which direction does the neurotransmitter pass? (columns:…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which responses occur in the iris of the eye when a person walks from a brightly lit area to a dimly lit area? (columns: circular muscles; radial muscles) A contract; contract B…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which statements about hormones are correct? 1 Adrenaline decreases pupil diameter. 2 Adrenaline increases pupil diameter. 3 Insulin decreases blood glucose concentration. 4…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 23
How many types of cone cells are there in the human eye? A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a plant shoot growing towards the light, with points J, K, L and M labelled. Which row describes where auxin is produced, and which side of the shoot has the…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 33
Fig. 7.1 shows the reflex arc that is involved when someone steps on a pin (not to scale). The diagram shows the spinal cord with neurones labelled X, Y and Z, a muscle, and a pin…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 41
Complete the sentence about the mammalian nervous system. The .................. nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord and the .................. nervous system…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
What is the name of the junction between two neurones? A effector B receptor C gland D synapse
Answer this question and get it marked →Which statement about adrenaline is correct? A It decreases the heart rate. B It decreases the diameter of the pupil. C It increases the breathing rate. D It is made in the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which words complete the statements? 'Plant growth towards light is called ...1... . When a plant shoot grows towards a light source, it is showing a ...2... to light. Light acts…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
The diagram shows the structures in a reflex arc, with a structure X leading from a receptor towards a muscle. What is X? A effector B relay neurone C sensory neurone D synapse
Answer this question and get it marked →Changes in light intensity cause changes in the diameter of the pupil in the eye. The table shows four combinations (columns: light intensity; pupil diameter). 1 high; increases 2…
Answer this question and get it marked →A hormone is injected into a person to reduce their blood glucose concentration. Which endocrine gland is not functioning properly in a person who needs to have this injection? A…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
The diagram shows seedlings in two experiments on the tropic response of seedlings to gravity and light. Experiment 1: a seedling kept in the dark (its shoot grows upwards against…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 21
The events listed involve neurotransmitter molecules at a synapse. 1 They bind with receptor proteins. 2 They diffuse across the synaptic gap. 3 They enter the synaptic gap. 4…
Answer this question and get it marked →What occurs during accommodation to focus on distant objects? Columns: ciliary muscle; lens shape; suspensory ligaments. A contracts; fat; slack B relaxes; thin; tight C…
Answer this question and get it marked →What is a correct statement about auxin in shoots? A It is made only on the shaded side of the shoot. B It is more concentrated on the side of the shoot that receives the most…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 22
Which statement describes what happens during the transmission of an electrical impulse along a reflex arc? A The relay neurone has receptor proteins which bind with…
Answer this question and get it marked →During the pupil reflex in bright light, what describes the actions of the muscles in the iris? A The circular muscles of the iris contract and the radial muscles relax. B The…
Answer this question and get it marked →Each diagram A–D shows the distribution of auxin in a shoot tip with light coming from one side (key: direction of light; auxin). Which distribution of auxin will cause the shoot…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 23
The diagram shows the gap between two neurones, with a structure X in the gap. What is the name of X? A neurotransmitter B receptor C synapse D vesicle
Answer this question and get it marked →Which statements are correct for cone cells in the eye? 1 Cone cells are located in the fovea of the retina. 2 Cone cells detect colour. 3 Cone cells are more sensitive to light…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the structure of the human skin with four structures labelled A, B, C and D. Which structure constricts to reduce heat loss? A B C D
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 31
Fig. 8.1 is a diagram representing a reflex action. When the knee is tapped with a small rubber hammer, the leg will immediately straighten. Parts of the reflex arc are labelled X…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 32
The eye is a sense organ that contains receptor cells that respond to light. State three other stimuli that sense organs respond to.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 42
A student investigated plant growth responses in roots and shoots. Three bean seedlings on damp cotton wool in each of two Petri dishes were orientated with roots pointing in…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Which organ produces insulin? A adrenal gland B liver C ovary D pancreas
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagrams show three types of neurones, labelled L, M and N (not to scale). Which sequence shows the direction that impulses will travel during a reflex action? A L→M→N B M→L→N…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which part of the eye detects red light? A cornea B iris C optic nerve D retina
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
The diagram shows a reflex arc in a human nervous system; the person's finger has just made contact with a sharp object. Four parts are labelled A, B, C and D. Which part is the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Each pair of graphs shows pupil diameter against time (lines W and X) and heart rate against time (lines Y and Z), before and after adrenaline is released. Which lines on the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which statements about tropisms in plants are correct? 1 Shoots grow towards light and away from gravity. 2 Shoots grow away from light and towards gravity. 3 Roots grow towards…
Answer this question and get it marked →What is defined as a substance that is taken into the body and modifies or affects chemical reactions in the body? A antibody B drug C hormone D pathogen
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
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 →…
Answer this question and get it marked →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
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 21
The diagrams show three types of neurones, labelled L, M and N (not to scale). Which sequence shows the direction that impulses will travel during a reflex action? A L→M→N B M→L→N…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which statement about rods and cones in the eye is correct? A Both rods and cones detect different colours of light. B Only cones are present in the blind spot. C Rods are more…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
The diagram shows a reflex arc in a human nervous system; the person's finger has just made contact with a sharp object. Four parts are labelled A, B, C and D. Which part is the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which hormones can increase blood glucose concentration? A adrenaline and insulin B adrenaline and glucagon C adrenaline only D glucagon only
Answer this question and get it marked →What is defined as a substance that is taken into the body and modifies or affects chemical reactions in the body? A antibody B drug C hormone D pathogen
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 23
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 →…
Answer this question and get it marked →A light source is placed on one side of a growing plant. What is the correct explanation of the role of auxin in shoot growth? A Auxin is equally distributed in response to light…
Answer this question and get it marked →The graph shows the changes in the concentration of a hormone that is involved in controlling the menstrual cycle (hormone concentration against time / days, 0–28), peaking around…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
Fig. 3.1 is a diagram of the junction between two neurones in a healthy person. Fig. 3.2 is a diagram of the junction between the same two neurones in a person who has Parkinson's…
Answer this question and get it marked →State the names of two hormones released by the ovaries.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 43
Complete the sentences about the control of body temperature. The human body maintains a constant internal temperature. This is an example of .............................. . When…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE Biology topics
- Organisms and their environment (126)
- Human nutrition (95)
- Characteristics and classification of living organisms (84)
- Reproduction (82)
- Inheritance (74)
- Organisation of the organism (cells) (64)
- Plant nutrition (62)
- Transport in animals (62)
- Transport in plants (59)
- Movement into and out of cells (57)
- Variation and selection (50)
- Respiration (48)