Cambridge IGCSE™

* 2 6 7 4 5 0 3 0 4 5 *

BIOLOGY 0610/62
Paper 6 Alternative to Practical May/June 2021

1 hour

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● You may use a calculator.
● You should show all your working and use appropriate units.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 40.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (ST/JG) 201921/3
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1 Catalase is an enzyme found in living cells. It catalyses the break-down of hydrogen peroxide to
form water and oxygen. In this investigation a celery extract was used as a source of catalase.

A student investigated the effect of catalase concentration on the rate of oxygen production.

The student made five different concentrations of celery extract by diluting the celery extract by
50% in each successive dilution.

Step 1 Five beakers were labelled A, B, C, D and E.

Step 2 A 10 cm3 measuring cylinder was used to place 10 cm3 of celery extract into beaker A.

Step 3 The same measuring cylinder was used to transfer 5 cm3 of celery extract from beaker A
to beaker B. The same measuring cylinder was used to add 5 cm3 of distilled water to
beaker B.

Step 4 The same measuring cylinder was used to transfer 5 cm3 of celery extract from beaker B
to beaker C. 5 cm3 of distilled water was added to beaker C.

Step 5 The same measuring cylinder was used to transfer 5 cm3 of celery extract from beaker C
to beaker D. 5 cm3 of distilled water was added to beaker D.

Step 6 The same measuring cylinder was used to transfer 5 cm3 of celery extract from beaker D
to beaker E. 5 cm3 of distilled water was added to beaker E.

(a) (i) Table 1.1 shows the concentrations of the celery extract in beakers A to E.

Table 1.1

percentage
beaker concentration of
celery extract

A 100.00

B 50.00

C
..................

D 12.50

E 6.25

Complete Table 1.1 by calculating and writing in the percentage concentration of celery
extract in beaker C. [1]

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Step 7 Small filter paper discs were dipped into the celery extracts in beakers A to E.

Step 8 The paper disc dipped in celery extract A was placed into a test-tube and was pushed to
the bottom of the test-tube with a glass rod.

Step 9 A syringe was used to put 18 cm3 of 1% hydrogen peroxide solution into the test-tube.

The apparatus is shown in Fig. 1.1.

The student recorded the time taken for the paper disc to rise to the surface of the
hydrogen peroxide solution.

test-tube

1% hydrogen peroxide
solution

direction of travel
of filter paper disc

bubbles of oxygen gas

filter paper disc soaked

in celery extract

Fig. 1.1

Step 10 Steps 8 and 9 were repeated using the paper discs dipped in celery extracts B, C, D and
E.

The times taken for each paper disc to rise are shown in Fig. 1.2.

minutes:seconds minutes:seconds minutes:seconds minutes:seconds minutes:seconds

00:24 00:49 01:07 01:56 03:19

celery extract A celery extract B celery extract C celery extract D celery extract E

Fig. 1.2

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(ii) Prepare a table to record the results shown in Fig. 1.2. Record all the times in seconds.

[4]

(iii) State a conclusion for this investigation.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iv) Identify the variable that the student changed (independent variable) and the variable
that was measured (dependent variable) in this investigation.

independent variable .........................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

dependent variable ............................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

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(b) (i) The oxygen gas produced by the reaction forms bubbles on the paper disc. The bubbles
cause the disc to rise to the top of the hydrogen peroxide solution. The time taken for the
disc to rise can be used to calculate the rate of the reaction.

Explain how you could calculate the rate at which the disc rises.

...........................................................................................................................................

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..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Identify one source of error in step 4.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) Describe a suitable control for this investigation.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

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(c) Sodium chloride affects the activity of the enzyme catalase.

This enzyme catalyses the break-down of hydrogen peroxide to release water and oxygen
gas.

catalase
2H2O2 2H2O + O2

hydrogen peroxide water oxygen

Plan an experiment to determine the effect of sodium chloride concentration on the volume of
oxygen gas produced during this reaction.

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............................................................................................................................................. [6]

(d) The enzyme catalase is a protein.

State the test for protein and state the result of a positive test.

test ............................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

positive test result .....................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 20]

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BLANK PAGE

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2 (a) The photograph in Fig. 2.1 shows a leaf from a European holly tree (Ilex aquifolium).

prickle

Fig. 2.1

(i) Draw a large diagram of the holly leaf shown in Fig. 2.1.

Do not label your drawing.

[4]

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(ii) The line PQ on Fig. 2.1 shows the length of the leaf.

Measure the length of line PQ on Fig. 2.1. Include the unit.

length of line PQ ................................................

Draw a line on your drawing in the same position as line PQ in Fig. 2.1.

Measure the length of the line you have drawn. Include the unit.

length of the line on your drawing ................................................

Calculate the magnification of your drawing using your measurements and the formula.

length of the line on your drawing

magnification =
length of line PQ in Fig. 2.1
Space for working.

................................................................
[3]

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(b) Students investigated the relationship between the number of prickles on holly leaves and the
height of the leaves above the ground.

• The students collected leaves from a total of five holly trees.

• The students took leaves from seven different heights on each holly tree.
• They collected 10 leaves from each height on each tree.
• They counted the number of prickles on each of the holly leaves and calculated the
average number of prickles per leaf at each height.

The results of the investigation are shown in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1

height above ground on average number of

each holly tree / m prickles per leaf

0.5 18

1.0 14

1.5 13

2.0

3.0 8

4.0 3

5.0 1

(i) The students counted a total of 614 prickles on the leaves collected at a height of
2.0 metres.

Calculate the total number of leaves collected at 2.0 metres above ground ......................

Calculate the average number of prickles per leaf.

Give your answer to the nearest whole number.

Space for working.

................................................................
[3]

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(ii) State two ways the students ensured that they collected a representative sample of
leaves.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(iii) Plot a line graph on the grid to show the data in Table 2.1. Include a line of best fit.

[4]

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(c) Fig. 2.2 shows another holly leaf.

Fig. 2.2

Count and record the number of prickles on the leaf shown in Fig. 2.2.

Use the information in Table 2.1 or your graph in 2(b)(iii) to estimate the height on the tree
from which this holly leaf was collected.

number of prickles ......................................

estimated height on the holly tree ...................................... m

[2]

(d) Leaves contain starch.

State the solution used to test for starch and give the result of a positive test.

solution .....................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

positive test result .....................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 20]

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© UCLES 2021 0610/62/M/J/21