IGCSE BIology Past Year Papers PDF
IGCSE BIology Past Year Papers PDF
IGCSE BIology Past Year Papers PDF
Contents
Animal nutrition..................................................................................................... 12
CORE questions
Core 1
1. ..............................................................................................................
2. ..............................................................................................................
3. .......................................................................................................... [3]
....................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 4]
Core 2
Table 1 describes some of the characteristics of living organisms. Complete the table by
identifying each characteristic described. The first one has been completed as an example.
Table 1
Description Characteristic
Responding to stimuli in the environment Irritability
Releasing energy from sugars
Producing more organisms of the same type
Getting rid of waste chemicals made in the organism
Obtaining the materials for growth
[4]
[Total : 4]
Core 3
Fig 1
(a) (i) Select two structures in the root hair cell which are also present in the red
blood cell. In each case state the letter, A to E, and name the structure.
1. Letter.....................................................................................................
2. Letter ....................................................................................................
(ii) Name one structure which is typical of many plant cells but which is not
present in the root hair cell.
....................................................................................................................... [1]
Core 3
(b) State one major function of each cell and describe one way in which the cell is
adapted to carry out this function.
Function ............................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Adaptation ........................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................... [2]
Function ............................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Adaptation ........................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total : 7]
Alternative to Practical 1
An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations of sucrose
solution on the length of potato strips.
Five test-tubes were set up, each containing a different concentration of sucrose solution.
Another tube was set up containing the same volume of distilled water.
A strip of potato tissue was placed in each tube. The strips were of equal size and as shown
in Fig. 2
Fig. 2
These strips were completely covered by the solutions and were left in the tubes for 30
minutes. The potato strips were removed and measured. The results are shown in Table 2
Table 2
0 70 73.0
0.2 70 71.5
0.4 70 69.0
0.6 70 67.0
0.8 70 66.0
1.0 70 64.5
Alternative to Practical 1
(a) (i) Complete Table 2 to show the change in length of each strip.
(ii) Plot the changes in length against the concentration of sucrose solution on
the axes provided. Join the points using ruled lines.
[3]
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(ii) Name the process that has taken place to bring about these changes in the
lengths of the potato strips.
....................................................................................................................... [1]
EXTENSION questions
Extension 1
(a) Draw a labelled diagram of a named specialised plant cell and describe
its function. [6]
(b) Describe the structure and functions of mammalian blood cells. [9]
[Total: 15]
Extension 2
(c) Outline the parts played by named enzymes in each of the following processes:
[9]
[Total: 15]
Core 1
(ii) photosynthesis
Core 2
Respiration
Reproduction
Excretion
Nutrition / feeding
Core 3
C cytoplasm
(ii) chloroplasts
Alternative to Practical 1
+ 3.0 mm
+ 1.5 mm
- 1.0 mm
- 3.0 mm
- 4.0 mm
- 5.5 mm
(ii) osmosis
Extension 1
a any six of these points with a maximum of 3 for the diagram (third point)
Extension 2
Animal nutrition
CORE questions
Core 1
[2]
[2]
(b) (i) Describe how food is moved along the oesophagus by peristalsis.
[3]
(ii) Students sometimes wrongly suggest that food falls down into the stomach
under the effect of gravity. Suggest one piece of evidence which would
oppose this idea.
[1]
Core 1
Fig. 1
(i) Using the appropriate letter, label on Fig 1 where each of the following is
produced:
an amylase, (A);
a lipase, (C);
a protease, (D).
[4]
(ii) State the nutrient on which protease enzymes act and name the products
that are formed.
Nutrient .............................................................................................................
[Total : 14]
Core 2
Table 1
How many kilograms of this fruit would a person need to eat if this was the
only source of protein? Show your working.
(ii) List the four main chemical elements from which protein is made.
1.
2.
3.
4. ............................................. [2]
(b) (i) Describe how you could safely test this fruit to see if it contains reducing
sugars.
[3]
[1]
Core 2
[1]
(ii) Name the vitamin which is associated with citrus fruits and green vegetables.
State the function of this vitamin in the body.
Vitamin ...........................................
Function ............................................................................................................
[2]
[Total: 12]
Core 3
Fig. 2
(i) stomach;
(ii) liver;
(iii) pancreas.
[3]
(b) Describe the parts played by the liver and the pancreas in the digestion of fats.
Liver
Pancreas ...........................................................................................................
[4]
[Total:7]
Alternative to Practical 1
(a) (i) Describe how you would carry out a test to show the presence of fat in a
biscuit. What observation would indicate the presence of fat?
Test
Observation ......................................................................................................
[3]
(ii) Describe how you would use this test to compare the fat content of two
different types of biscuit.
.......... [2]
(b) Complete the equation below to summarise the process of fat digestion.
fat + water
...................
(enzyme)
..................... + ..................... [3]
[Total: 8]
EXTENSION questions
Extension 1
Health workers in America were concerned about the diets of American people. In response a
report was published called `Dietary Goals'.
Fig. 3 compares an average 1977 diet with the report's recommended dietary goals.
Fig. 3
(a) (i) What recommendations were made about changes to the fat content of the
diet?
... [2]
[3]
Extension 1
(c) Suggest why a reduction in the sugar content of the diet was recommended.
........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
It was also recommended that people should reduce their salt intake to about 3 g a day.
[1]
Babies need a carefully controlled diet to keep them healthy. Mothers are often advised to
feed their babies with breast milk rather than with milk derived from cows (formula milk).
(e) State three advantages of feeding a baby with breast milk compared with formula
milk.
1. ...........................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................
[Total: 13]
Extension 2
(a) Describe the processes, beginning with nutrition, which result in the formation of
proteins in the leaves of a photosynthetic plant. [8]
(b) (i) Explain how amino acids in the small intestine of a mammal are assimilated
into muscle tissue. [3]
[Total: 15]
Core 2
Core 3
pancreas
secretes lipase / enzyme
digests / breaks down fats
to fatty acids and glycerol
Alternative to Practical 1
b lipase / esterase
fatty acids and glycerol
Extension 1
a(i) one mark for reduction / one mark for stating figures from
reduce fat / saturated fat / unsaturated fat
reduce fat content from 42% to 30% or by a quarter (or alternative wording)
reduce saturated fat from 16% to 10 % or by a third or by 6%(or alternative
wording)
reduce unsaturated fat from 26% to 20% or by a fifth or by 6%(or alternative
wording)
d reference to high blood pressure / greater risk of heart attack (or alternative wording)
bottle milk may contain bacteria or cause intestine disease (accept breast
milk is sterile)
financial implications of bottle milk
some babies are allergic to cow's milk
reference to correct temperature of breast milk
reference to convenience of breast milk or preparation involved with bottle
milk
no additives / preservatives in breast milk
reference to bonding through breast feeding
reference to triggering reduction in size of uterus
Extension 2
b(i) amino acids pass through ileum wall / epithelium or lining or wall of villus absorbed
into blood (stream)
transported to muscles in plasma
amino acids synthesized into proteins (or alternative wording)
CORE questions
Core 1
6H2 O CH O
+ ...................................
energy
plant pigment
6 12 6 + ..............................
water glucose
[1]
[1]
[1]
(b) (i) Name the tissue in which the sugar produced in photosynthesis is carried to
other parts of the plant.
[1]
.......... [2]
[1]
[Total : 9]
Core 2
Fig. 1 shows changes in the rate of water loss from a plant during part of a day. It also shows
changes in the temperature and light intensity over the same period.
Fig. 1
(a) Explain why the rate of water loss rises steeply between 0700 and 1200 hours.
[3]
(b) Suggest which factor, light intensity or temperature, has the greater effect on the rate
of water loss between 1200 and 1500 hours. Explain your answer.
Factor .............................................................................................................................
Explanation ....................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [2]
Core 2
(c) Predict and explain the likely effect on the rate of water loss if there had been heavy
rainfall between 1100 and 1200 hours.
Prediction .......................................................................................................................
Explanation ....................................................................................................................
.......... [2]
[Total : 7]
Alternative to Practical 1
Fig. 2 shows three sets of apparatus, A, B and C, used to measure different biological
processes.
Fig. 2
A ...........................................................................................................................
B ...........................................................................................................................
C ....................................................................................................................... [3]
Alternative to Practical 1
(b) (i) Name the gas which is produced by the process measured using apparatus
A.
[1]
[1]
(c) When using apparatus B, it is possible to vary the external conditions. Suggest how
changing one named external condition would affect the biological process
measured by apparatus B.
[1]
(d) (i) Name the gas produced by the process measured using apparatus C.
[1]
(ii) How would you keep one named external factor constant when using
apparatus C?
[1]
[Total : 8]
EXTENSION questions
Extension 1
Fig. 3
The surfaces of the leaves of two species of plant were studied and the number of stomata
per unit area (stomatal frequency) was recorded.
Pieces of cobalt chloride paper were attached to the upper and lower surfaces of leaves on
both plants. The plants were set up for one hour during the day. Any colour changes were
recorded. The experiment was repeated for one hour at night. Table 1 shows the results.
Table 1
(b) Describe the differences in stomatal distribution between the two species of plant.
.......... [2]
Extension 1
(c) (i) Explain the colour changes to the cobalt chloride paper during the day.
[3]
(ii) Suggest why there was no colour change for either plant at night.
[1]
(d) Outline the mechanism by which water in the roots reaches the leaf.
........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [3]
(e) State and explain the effect of the following on transpiration rate:
.......... [2]
.......... [2]
[Total : 16]
Extension 2
Fig. 4 shows an aphid feeding on a plant stem. Its mouthparts are hollow tubes which are
pushed into the stem to remove sugar solution.
Fig. 4
(a) Aphids are arthropods. State two features, visible in Fig. 4, which are common to all
arthropods.
1. ...........................................................................................................................
(b) In which tissue, and by what processes, does the sugar solution move through the
plant?
Tissue ............................................................................................................................
Processes ......................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [3]
Extension 2
Some of the sugar solution was collected from the plant stem. Plant cells were placed on a
microscope slide and covered with this sugar solution.
(c) (i) Describe what changes would occur to each of the cell parts listed below, if
the sugar solution was more concentrated than the sap in the cell vacuole.
Sap vacuole
Cytoplasm
Cell wall
[3]
(ii) Explain, in terms of water potential gradient, how these changes occur.
[3]
(d) Systemic pesticides can be used to kill pests such as aphids. Describe how the
application of these pesticides to leaves kills aphids feeding on the stem.
.......... [2]
[Total : 13]
Extension 3
A student carried out an experiment to investigate the growth of floating water plants taken
from a pond. Equal masses of the plants were placed into three separate glass containers A,
B and C, similar to the one shown in Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Container A was lit by a 250 W bulb, B was lit by a 75 W bulb and C was lit by a 250 W bulb
with a coloured filter in front of the lamp, as shown in Fig. 5
At weekly intervals, the plants were removed from each container in turn, gently dried,
weighed and returned to the containers after their mass had been recorded. Fig. 6 shows the
results plotted on a graph.
Fig. 6
Extension 3
(a) With reference to Fig. 6 calculate the percentage increase in mass of the plants in
container A during the first five weeks of the experiment. (Show your working.)
% increase .................................[2]
(b) Suggest why the mass of plants in container A began to decrease after week 5, while
the mass of plants in B continued to increase.
Container A ....................................................................................................................
Container B ....................................................................................................................
.......... [2]
(c) During the eighth week, in which container would there be the least dissolved
oxygen? Explain your answer.
Container ........................
Explanation .................................................................................................................................
.......... [2]
b factor- temperature
explanation- as light decreases the rate of loss continues to rise / temperature and
water loss curves peak at the similar time
Core 2
6O2 / oxygen
(iii) chlorophyll
b(i) phloem
(iii) cellulose
Alternative to Practical 1
C photosynthesis
c one from
d(i) oxygen / O2
Extension 1
c(i) sap vacuole gets smaller / shrinks / loses water / reference to increase in
concentration
Extension 2
b upper surface
C. Fistula has 18 stomata while B. Monhandra has none
lower surface
C. Fistula has no stomata while B. Monhandra has 22
Extension 3
300
a 100
150
= 200%
b container A
depletion of salts / nutrients
seeds released
disease
shortage of carbon dioxide
reached end of life cycle
container B
photosynthesis
growth
nutrients not exhausted
food stores
sufficient carbon dioxide
c container C
least or no photosynthesis occurring
respiration exceeds photosynthesis
death of plant so bacteria active, using up oxygen
CORE questions
Core 1
1. ..............................................................................................................
2. ..............................................................................................................
3. .......................................................................................................... [3]
[1]
(b) Living organisms release gases into the atmosphere as a result of their various
activities. Complete the table, using a tick () or a cross (), to show which gases are
released.
[4]
[Total : 8]
Core 2
Table 1
(i) Plot the data in the table as a bar chart on the grid below.
[3]
(ii) What type of variation is illustrated by these data? State a reason for your
answer.
Reason .............................................................................................................
. [2]
Core 3
Fig. 1
(a) On Fig. 1
(ii) shade the cavity of the ventricle which contains oxygenated blood; [1]
(iii) suggest why the wall around chamber C is much thicker than that around
chamber D.
.......... [2]
(i) Suggest two activities of humans which might cause a clot in a coronary
artery.
1. ..............................................................................................................
2. .......................................................................................................... [2]
.......... [2]
Core 3
Fig. 2
On Fig. 2
(iii) show, using a series of arrows, the route taken by urea between these two
organs. [2]
[Total : 13]
Alternative to Practical 1
Fig. 3 shows the apparatus that was used to investigate the activity of yeast in a glucose
solution.
Fig. 3
The number of bubbles released in one minute was counted. This was repeated another four
times.
The temperature in the water bath was then raised to 35 C and five more counts were made.
Table 2
Alternative to Practical 1
(a) (i) Complete Table 3.1 to show the totals and mean numbers of bubbles
released at each temperature. [2]
[1]
(iii) State the effect of raising the temperature on the activity of yeast.
Effect
Explanation .......................................................................................................
[3]
.......... [2]
(c) Explain why it is better to leave the apparatus for a few minutes at each temperature
before beginning to count the bubbles.
.......... [2]
[Total : 10]
EXTENSION questions
Extension 1
(a) Describe the functions of each of the following parts of the heart:
[9]
(b) Outline the likely causes of a heart attack and suggest what preventive measures can
be taken to maintain a healthy heart. [6]
[Total: 15]
Extension 2
(a) Describe and explain what happens to her breathing rate as a result of the race. [5]
(b) The level of adrenaline increases at the start of the race. Describe the effect of this
increased level of adrenaline in the athlete's body. [4]
(c) At the end of the race the athlete's body temperature has increased. Outline the body
processes which cause her temperature to return to normal after the race. [6]
[Total: 15]
Core 1
a(i) any three of these
growth
movement
irritability / sensitivity
excretion
reproduction
(ii) photosynthesis
Core 2
a for three marks
axes oriented correctly
both axes labelled and with suitable scale on frequency axis
all four columns correctly plotted
Core 3
a(i) A tricuspid / right atrio-ventricular / right cuspid valve
B pulmonary vein
(iii) thicker wall can generate a greater pressurs / more powerful push / pump
(iv) to pump / push / force blood further / all round the body / not just to the lungs
Alternative to Practical 1
a(i)
25 C 35 C
total 60 90
mean (average) 12 18
c agitation of tubes
equilibrium / temperature to be reached
Extension 1
Extension 2
CORE questions
Core 1
(a) State the term which is used to describe the maintenance of a constant internal
environment in the human body.
[1]
(b) Describe how each of the following processes helps to maintain the temperature of
the body:
(i) sweating;
.......... [2]
(ii) vasodilation.
[3]
[Total : 6]
Core 2
Fig. 1
X ..............................................
Y .............................................. [2]
(ii) A function of the kidney is to remove urea from the blood. State one other
function of the kidney.
..... [1]
(b) The liver forms urea by breaking down excess amino acids. Name two other
substances which are broken down by the liver.
1. ..............................................
2. .............................................. [2]
(c) The liver and kidneys are organs which help to maintain a constant internal
environment.
.................................................. [1]
[Total:6]
Core 3
(a) A student reaching for a book on a bookshelf pricks his finger on the sharp point of a
nail. He pulls his hand away very quickly.
[1]
[1]
(iii) Name the type of nerve cell which links the central nervous system to the
effector.
[1]
Fig. 2
(i) State what happens to muscles, A and B, in order for the claw to move in the
direction of the arrow.
Muscle A ...........................................................................................................
[1]
(iii) Suggest why the fibres which join the muscle to the skeleton are non-elastic.
[1]
[Total : 6]]
Alternative to practical 1
Fig. 3
The cork disc is rotated slowly so that all sides of the seedlings are equally exposed to the
stimulus of gravity.
(a) (i) On the diagram below, show the appearance of the seedlings after being
attached to the rotating clinostat for two days. No labels are required.
[1]
(ii) On the diagram below, show the appearance of the seedlings after two days
if the clinostat had not been rotating.
[2]
Alternative to practical 1
(iii) Explain the new appearance of the seedlings in (a) (ii) after two days.
.......... [2]
(b) (i) What condition must be provided to ensure continued growth of the seedlings
over the two day period?
[1]
[1]
(c) Describe how you would ensure that only the response to gravity is being
investigated.
[1]
[Total : 8]
EXTENSION questions
Extension 1
(ii) Describe the pupil reflex and explain its advantages. [5]
(b) Distinguish between rods and cones in terms of function and distribution. [4]
(c) Suggest how damage to three named parts of the eye could result in impaired vision
or blindness. [3]
[Total:15]
Extension 2
(ii) Describe the pupil reflex and explain its advantages. [5]
(b) Distinguish between rods and cones in terms of function and distribution. [4]
(c) Suggest how damage to three named parts of the eye could result in impaired vision
or blindness. [3]
[Total:15]
a homeostasis
Core 2
Y urethra
osmoregulation or
alcohol
drugs / named drug
haemoglobin
hormones / named hormone
toxins
c homeostasis
Core 3
(iii) to pass / transmit all of muscle pull to skeleton / not to lose some pull in stretching the
fibres
Alternative to Practical 1
(ii) diagram shows all seedlings with curved roots towards source of gravity correct
extended growth region
(iii) root tip / root / radicle responds towards gravity / grows downwards / shows
geotropism
reject points downwards / bends (or alternative wording)
water / moisture
protective covering / glass / plastic box / keep seedlings moist / prevent
seedlings drying out / adds water daily / supply water / soaked cotton wool
warmth
heat from lamp / in temperature box / facing the sun / out of air conditioned area /
warm room
air / oxygen
ventilation / fan / breathing
c keep apparatus in the dark / uniform continuous light / red light / in light from all
directions / keep moist to avoid hydrotropism
Extension 1
Extension 2
excretion
removal from the body of waste products of metabolism
reference to substances which are poisonous / in excess / surplus to
requirements
eqestion
removal of faeces from the body
reference to via anus
b drawing marks
includes aorta, renal artery, kidney, ureter, bladder and urethra
drawing clear and parts correctly labelled
explanation
reference to blood from aorta to renal artery
blood enters kidney
water filtered out
reference to formation of urine
urine passes down ureter
reference to storage in bladder
reference to sphincter muscle and role
urine passes through urethra
Reproduction in plants
CORE questions
Core 1
A plant was allowed to disperse its seeds naturally. The seedlings were examined two weeks
after they had started to grow. They were found to be of very different heights.
(i) Suggest three environmental factors which could have affected the height of the
seedlings.
1. ...........................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................
(ii) The seedlings all developed from the seeds of a single plant. The plants which later
developed from these seedlings showed a number of inherited differences. Suggest
three possible reasons for these inherited differences.
1. ...........................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................
3. ...........................................................................................................................
[3]
[Total : 11]
Core 2
Fig.1
A ..................................................
B .................................................. [2]
(b) This flower is insect pollinated. Suggest how parts C, D and E help in pollination of
this flower.
[3]
(c) After pollination the ovules develop into seeds. Describe the events which occur after
pollination and which result in the formation of seeds.
[4]
[Total : 9]
EXTENSION questions
Extension 1
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through a root tip showing the regions of growth and
development.
Fig. 2
[3]
[3]
Extension 1
(c) (i) Name the process responsible for this absorption of water.
[1]
(ii) What condition must exist in a cell for water absorption to occur?
[1]
(iii) Which cell feature prevents the enlarging cells from bursting?
[1]
(iv) Suggest how the enlargement of these cells makes the root grow longer.
.......... [2]
.......... [2]
(ii) Table 1 contains some information about root tissues and their functions.
Complete the table.
Table 1
[3]
[Total: 16]
Extension 2
(b) Describe the structure of a named insect-pollinated flower and state the functions of
its parts. [10]
[Total:15]
Extension 3
(a) Discuss, giving examples, how the use of modem technology has resulted in
increased food production. [9]
(c) How can minerals, trapped in the bodies of dead animals, become available for plant
use? [3]
[Total:14]
Core 1
Core 2
a A ovule / ovary
B sepal / calyx
b C (petals are) coloured / bright / shaped / produce nectar / have nectar guides to
attract insects
D (stigma / style) receives pollen from pollinator / insect
E (anther / stamen) produces pollen / place pollen on insect
Extension 1
(ii) higher concentration of solutes than outside the cell / lower water potential in cell
Extension 2
a transfer of pollen
from anther / stamen to stigma
Extension 3
Human reproduction
CORE questions
Core 1
[3]
Fig. 1
(i) Name the part labelled X and state two of its functions.
Name .............................................................................................................................
Function 1 ......................................................................................................................
Function 2 ......................................................................................................................
[3]
(ii) Birth control can be brought about by surgery. Mark clearly on Fig. 1 where such an
operation would be carried out in a male. [1]
Core 1
(c) The male sex hormone causes a number of changes in the body during puberty.
State two of these changes other than changes to the reproductive system.
1. ....................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
2. ....................................................................................................................................
[Total : 9]
Core 2
Table 1 shows the average masses of girls and boys from birth to 20 years of age.
Table 1
girls boys
age/years mass/kg age/years mass/kg
0 3 0 4
1 9 1 10
4 16 4 16
8 25 8 28
12 40 12 38
16 53 16 59
20 56 20 65
(a) (i) Plot both sets of data as separate curves on the grid provided opposite. [5]
(ii) Using your graph, state at which ages the average masses of girls and boys
are the same.
.......... [2]
(iii) State two factors, apart from its sex, which could affect the mass of a baby at
birth.
1. ..............................................................................................................
2. .......................................................................................................... [2]
(b) (i) What evidence in the graph shows that girls undergo puberty before boys?
[1]
(ii) Name the hormone responsible for the changes which occur at puberty in
females.
[1]
1. ..............................................................................................................
2. ..............................................................................................................
[Total: 13]
Core 2
EXTENSION questions
Extension 1
Pregnant women at high risk of having a baby with Downs syndrome are often offered an
amniocentesis. This technique is shown in Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(a) Complete the table by identifying the parts labelled A, B and C and stating a function
of each one.
[6]
The technique involves taking a sample of B from within the uterus. Fetal cells in the sample
are then grown and analysed.
(b) (i) Suggest how the cells would be different from normal cells if the fetus has
Downs syndrome.
.... [1]
[1]
Extension 1
(c) Suggest how the sex of the fetus could be identified by observation of fetal cells.
[3]
During pregnancy women may also be monitored in other ways, including urine sampling.
.......... [2]
[Total: 13]
Extension 2
(a) Describe the movement of named materials from the mother to the fetus. [6]
(b) Describe the signs, symptoms and effects of the disease syphilis. [6]
(c) Explain
(d) Explain why the methods for treating syphilis cannot be used for the treatment of
AIDS. [2]
b(i) X testis
production of sperm / gametes
production of testosterone / male hormone
(ii) mark / cut shown clearly on sperm duct, not at the junction with the urethra
Core 2
(ii) 10 / 11 years
14 / 15 years
b(i) increase in mass in teenage years begins earlier / girls at 12 are heavier then boys
(ii) oestrogen
Extension 1
d EITHER
reference to testing for presence of glucose
to test for diabetes
OR
Extension 2
CORE questions
Core 1
Hair colour in mice is controlled by a gene with two alleles. A homozygous black-haired
mouse was bred with a homozygous brown-haired mouse. All the offspring were black-haired.
(a) (i) Explain what is meant by the terms homozygous and recessive.
Homozygous .....................................................................................................
Recessive .........................................................................................................
.......... [2]
[1]
(b) One of the heterozygous black-haired offspring was bred with a homozygous brown-
haired mouse.
(i) Using the symbols B and b to represent the two alleles, draw a genetic
diagram to show the outcome of this cross. [4]
[1]
[Total : 8]
Core 2
Fig. 1
X ........................................
Y ..............................
[2]
(ii) Identify, with a reason, the type of cell division shown in Fig. 1.
Reason .............................................................................................................
[2]
(iii) Name an organ in the body where this type of cell division occurs.
[1]
(b) What process must occur if a cell in stage 4 is to form a cell similar to that shown in
stage 1?
[1]
[Total : 6]
Core 3
This condition affects the liver, causing it to produce toxins which can affect the mental health
of the sufferer.
Fig. 2
(a) State, with an explanation, whether the allele for PKU is dominant or recessive.
[3]
(b) (i) Using the symbols H for the dominant allele and h for the recessive allele,
state the genotypes of individuals 1 and 4.
Individual 1. ......................................................................................................
[1]
[Total : 6]
Alternative to Practical 1
Fig. 3
(a) Determine the surface area of the feather, excluding the quill.
Alternative to Practical 1
Fig. 4 is a photograph of a down feather. These feathers form a dense layer close to the skin
surface of a bird.
Fig. 4
(b) Complete Table 1 to show three visible differences between the flight feather in Fig.
3 and the down feather in Fig. 4.
Table 1
[3]
Alternative to Practical 1
(c) (i) Suggest how the down feathers may be important especially to young birds in
cold climates.
.......... [2]
[3]
[Total : 11]
EXTENSION questions
Extension 1
(b) Draw a genetic diagram to show if it is possible for a man with a dominant pair of
alleles and a woman who is a carrier to produce a baby with cystic fibrosis. Identify
the phenotypes of the children.
[4]
(c) Suggest how the build up of sticky mucus would affect a sufferer of cystic fibrosis.
.......... [2]
[Total : 8]
Extension 2
Some people suffer from sickle cell anaemia. They have abnormal red blood cells.
[1]
(ii) State how the appearance of an abnormal red blood cell from a sufferer of
sickle cell anaemia differs from a normal red blood cell.
[1]
(iii) What is the effect of sickle cell haemoglobin on the function of the red blood
cell?
[1]
A
The allele for normal haemoglobin is represented by the symbol H . The allele for sickle cell
S
haemoglobin is represented by the symbol H . The alleles are codominant.
[1]
[1]
[1]
[1]
[1]
A man with sickle cell anaemia married a woman heterozygous for sickle cell.
(d) Using a genetic diagram, predict the possible percentage of their children that would
suffer from sickle cell anaemia.
[Total : 13]
Extension 2
A man with sickle cell anaemia married a woman heterozygous for sickle cell.
(d) Using a genetic diagram, predict the possible percentage of their children that would
suffer from sickle cell anaemia.
[Total : 13]
a(i) homozygous both alleles present are the same / individual received the same allele
from both parents / gametes
recessive an allele which is only exhibited when present in the homozygous state /
when the dominant allele is not present / masked by dominant allele, not gene
(ii) black
Core 2
a(i) X chromosomes
Y nucleus / nuclear membrane
(ii) meiosis four nuclei are produced / number of chromosomes / genetic material is
halved / new nuclei haploid
Core 3
a recessive
4 has inherited PKU from parents (or alternative wording)
as it is not apparent in 1 or 2 / neither parent shows it / if dominant a
parent would show it / have PKU
b(i) 1 Hh
4 hh
(ii) HH and Hh
Alternative to Practical 1
a working includes
squares to be marked on the feather
breakdown of rows into sub-totals / tally grids
2
total to be in the range 25 30 cm
c(i) insulation / traps air / keeps it warm / stops heat escaping / traps heat maintains body
temperature / homiothermy / warm blooded reference to young birds do not fly or less
active so generate less heat / large surface area to volume ratio / no regulation of
body temperature / not able to keep temperature the same
Extension 1
a(i) Ff
(ii) ff
Extension 2
CORE questions
Core 1
Fig. 1 shows five arthropods, each of which could carry disease organisms.
Fig. 1
Core 1
Use the key to identify each of the animals. Complete Table 1 to show your identifications.
KEY
Table 1
[4]
[Total : 4]
Core 2
Fig. 2
Use the key below to identify from which tree each leaf comes. Write the name of each tree in
the correct box of Table 2. As you work through the key, tick the boxes in Table 2 to show
how you identified each leaf. Leaf A has been identified for you as an example.
Key
Name of tree
1 (a) Leaf with a smooth outline 2
(b) Leaf with a jagged outline 3
2 (a) Leaf about the same length as width Cydonia
(b) Leaf about twice as long as it is wide Magnolia
3 (a) Leaf divided into more than two distinct parts 4
(b) Leaf not divided into more than two distinct parts 5
4 (a) Leaf divided into five parts Aesculus
(b) Leaf divided into ten or more parts Fraxinus
5 (a) Leaf with pointed spines along its edge Ilex
(b) Leaf with rounded lobes along its edge Quercus
Core 2
Table 2
[4]
[Total : 4]
Core 3
Fig. 3
. [1]
[1]
Core 3
(iii) Process X can only occur in certain plants. Which group of organisms carry
out this process and where in a plant are they found?
Organism ..........................................................................................................
(b) The grassland is ploughed up and turned into farmland. Crops of maize are grown on
it year after year.
(i) Predict and explain the effect of this change on the nitrogen cycle and on the
crop yield.
[4]
(ii) Suggest one way in which the farmer could prevent the effect on crop yield.
[1]
[Total : 9]
Alternative to Practical 1
Fig. 4
(a) Two trophic levels are listed below. For each level, state two examples from Fig. 4
Identify them by their numbers.
[2]
Alternative to a practical 1
(b) Using only the numbers in Fig. 4 construct a simple food chain with five stages.
.......... [2]
(c) Suggest how you could collect large numbers of the microscopic organisms
numbered 3 in Fig. 4.
.......... [2]
[Total : 6]
EXTENSION questions
Extension 1
[Total : 15]
Extension 2
Fig. 5 shows the proportion of all known species in each of the main groups of organisms.
Fig. 5
(a) (i) Apart from insects, which group of organisms in Fig. 5 has the most known
species?
[1]
(ii) Fungi are shown as a separate group of organisms. State two reasons why
fungi are not classified as plants.
1. ..............................................................................................................
2. .......................................................................................................... [2]
Extension 2
(b) (i) Use information from the pie chart to calculate what percentage of the
arthropods are insects. Show your working.
............................................% [2]
(ii) State one feature of insects which contributes to their success and explain
how this feature is beneficial to the group.
Feature .............................................................................................................
Explanation .......................................................................................................
[3]
(c) 2.7% of all known species are vertebrates. Birds is one class of vertebrates.
(i) State one feature which distinguishes this class from ail the other vertebrate
classes.
[1]
(ii) State one external feature which birds have in common with fish.
[1]
(d) It is estimated that 1.7 million species of organisms have been named. Use data from
the pie chart to calculate the total number of plant species known. Show your
working.
[Total: 12]
Core 1
Core 2
The table shows the correct answers, up to four correct gain credit.
Leaf 1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b Name of
tree
A
B x x x Quercus
C x x x Ilex
D x x x Fraxinus
E x x x Aesculus
F x x Magnolia
Core 3
(ii) urea
crop yield
Alternative to Practical 1
Extension 1
BACTERIA VIRUSES
have a cell wall have a protein coat
have DNA (strand) have RNA or DNA
Are larger are smaller
have a slime capsule have no slime capsule
have a membrane have no membrane
have cytoplasm have no cytoplasm
Can reproduce outside cells can only reproduce inside living cells
show all life processes only show reproduction
Can have flagellum no flagellum
ARACHNIDS CRUSTACEA
have 4 pairs of legs / 8 legs have 5 pairs of legs / 10 legs or more
have no antennae have antennae / have two pairs
have simple eyes have compound eyes
have chelicerae / poison fangs have no chelicerae / poison fangs
have a cephalothorax poorly defined cephalothorax
have thin / no carapace have thick carapace
breathe with gill / lung books have gills
MONOCOTS DICOTS
have one cotyledon / have two cotyledons /
food store / seed leaves food stores / seed leaves
Extension 2
a(i) plants
Wings: reference to flying, to find food, to escape from predators, to find a mate
Cuticle: to reduce water loss, to survive in hot or dry places, muscle attachment,
protection from predators, protection of internal organs
Small size: easy to hide from predators, only small amounts of food or water needed
to survive
1700000
d(I) 14.3
100
= 243100
CORE questions
Core 1
In the summer of 1998 about 2000 mink were released from captivity into one area of forest in
southern Britain. Mink are aggressive carnivorous mammals.
The graph shows how the population of mink might change over a few years if there were no
human interference.
(a) State three factors which would cause the mink population to become constant.
1. ....................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
2. .....................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
3. .....................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [3]
(b) It might be expected that a graph for human world population would show a similar
pattern. However, it is now thought that the human population will continue to grow
steadily. Suggest three reasons why this might happen.
1. .....................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
2. ....................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
3. ....................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [3]
[Total : 6]
Core 2
Fig. 1 shows a food web which includes some organisms in the African grasslands.
Fig. 1
(a) (i) In the space below draw a food chain consisting of four organisms. The
organisms must be part of the food web.
[2]
(ii) Using examples from the food web, explain the difference between producers
and consumers.
[4]
Core 2
(b) When weather conditions are favourable the grasshopper population can suddenly
increase enormously.
.......... [2]
.......... [2]
[3]
[Total : 13]
Core 3
Sheep were first taken to the island of Tasmania in 1814. Fig. 2 shows changes in the size of
the sheep population in Tasmania between 1818 and 1930.
Fig. 2
[1]
(b) (i) Suggest biological reasons for the steep rise in the number of sheep between
1830 and 1840.
.......... [2]
(ii) Suggest biological reasons for the shape of the curve between 1870 and
1890.
.......... [2]
[Total : 5]
Alternative to Practical 1
The animals found on the top and sides were brushed carefully into a tray.
The animals found on the underside of the logs were brushed carefully into a second tray.
The animals were identified, sorted into groups and counted. This information was recorded in
Table 2 1
Table 1
number of animals
animal group feeding category
top and sides of log underside of log
snails herbivores 4 3
mites herbivores 12 9
larvae of flies herbivores 1 8
centipedes carnivores 0 5
spiders carnivores 2 7
beetles carnivores 2 4
woodlice detritivores* 2 10
millipedes detritivores* 1 4
* Detritivores are animals that eat dead matter such as fallen leaves.
(a) (i) Complete Table 2 to show the numbers of animals in each feeding category
expressed as a percentage of the total number of animals found on the
underside of the logs.
Table 2
[2]
Alternative to Practical 1
(ii) Using Fig. 3, construct a pie chart to show the proportion of herbivores, carnivores
and detritivores collected from the underside of the logs.
Fig. 3
[2]
(b) Suggest two reasons why most animals were found on the underside of the logs.
1. ....................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
2. ....................................................................................................................................
(c) Describe an investigation you could carry out to compare the number of animals living
amongst fallen leaves in two different woodland habitats.
[4]
[Total : 10]
EXTENSION questions
Extension 1
South Uist is a small island which provides one of the few remaining summer habitats for a
bird called the Corncrake (Crex crex). It lives in hay fields where it feeds on insects, worms
and seeds. South Uist provides a good habitat because there are plenty of hay fields where
the Corncrake can nest and there are few predators.
However, a small mammal called the Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) was released onto
the island. The Hedgehog also has few natural predators and will feed on the eggs of
Corncrakes, as well as on insects and worms. The number of Hedgehogs on South Uist has
risen rapidly to 10 000 while Corncrakes are becoming endangered as their numbers
worldwide are falling.
(a) (i) State two features which birds and mammals have in common.
1. .......................................................................................................................
2. .......................................................................................................................
1. .......................................................................................................................
2. .......................................................................................................................
[4]
(b) Suggest why isolated islands such as South Uist are more easily colonised by birds
than mammals.
[1]
(c) State three reasons why South Uist provides a good habitat for Corncrakes.
1. ....................................................................................................................................
2. ....................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
Extension 1
(e) Draw a food web to show the feeding relationships described in the passage. Assume
that insects and worms feed on leaves.
[4]
(f) Suggest two ways by which the extinction of the Corncrake may be prevented.
1. ....................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
2. ....................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total : 16]
Extension 2
(a) Describe and explain the possible effects of allowing untreated sewage to enter a
small lake. [5]
(b) Outline a treatment of sewage which would produce re-usable water. [6]
(c) Describe how a plant living in a dry habitat is adapted to conserve water. [4]
Core 2
a(i) grass or plant grasshopper water elephant shrew tick Scops owl /
grass or plant bird buffalo oxpecker
b(i) Scops owl population would rise plague of grasshoppers would increase elephant
shrew population / food if Scops owl will increase
water buffalo population would fall more grass eaten by grasshoppers / less food
available for water buffalo
either gazelles eat more acacia so less food for giraffes and
population falls
or gazelle population falls and eats less acacia so more food for
giraffes so population rises
Core 3
a 1.25 million
Alternative to Practical 1
40
32
28
b wet / damp
darkness (or alternative wording)
Extension 1
b birds can fly over water or it is difficult for mammals to swim long distances
Extension 2