Cambridge IGCSE™

* 3 2 0 2 3 3 5 9 2 7 *

BIOLOGY 0610/62
Paper 6 Alternative to Practical October/November 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 (PQ/JG) 211603/5
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1 A student investigated the effect of temperature on the rate of respiration in yeast cells. When
yeast cells respire they produce carbon dioxide gas.

In this investigation the gas was collected in a balloon that was attached to a test-tube containing
a yeast suspension.

Step 1 The student prepared a hot water-bath and a cold water-bath.

Step 2 The student measured the temperature of the water in the hot water-bath and in the cold
water-bath.

Step 3 A yeast suspension was stirred with a glass rod. 25 cm3 of the yeast suspension was put
into each of two test-tubes.

Step 4 A balloon was stretched over the top of each test-tube.

Step 5 One test-tube and balloon was put into the hot water-bath and the other test-tube and
balloon was put into the cold water-bath, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

balloon

test-tube

yeast
suspension water-bath

Fig. 1.1

Step 6 The circumference of each balloon was measured by placing a piece of string around the
widest part of the balloon, as shown in Fig. 1.2. A ruler was then used to measure the
length of the string that wrapped around each balloon once.

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balloon

string wrapped
around the balloon
at the widest part

top of the test-tube

Fig. 1.2

Step 7 The circumference of each balloon was measured at 0 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes
and 15 minutes.

The student’s results are shown in Fig. 1.3.

Cold 0 minutes – 120 mm Hot 0 minutes – 120 mm

5 minutes – 125 mm 5 minutes – 135 mm
10 minutes – 132 mm 10 minutes – 145 mm
15 minutes – 137 mm 15 minutes – 147 mm

Fig. 1.3

(a) (i) Prepare a table and record the results shown in Fig. 1.3.

[3]

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(ii) State a conclusion for the results shown in Fig. 1.3.

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

(iii) Suggest why it was important to stir the yeast suspension in step 3.

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

(iv) State two variables, other than stirring, that should be kept constant in this investigation.

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

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

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

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

(b) (i) Balloons and string were used to collect and measure the gas produced by the yeast
cells.

Suggest another, more accurate, method of collecting and measuring the gas.

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

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

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

(ii) State the name of an indicator which could be used to show that the gas produced by the
yeast is carbon dioxide and give the result of a positive test.

indicator .............................................................................................................................

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

[2]

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(c) (i) The temperatures of the water in the hot water-bath and in the cold water-bath were
measured again at the end of the investigation. Fig. 1.4 is a diagram of the thermometers
showing the temperatures in the two water-baths.

hot water-bath cold water-bath

°C °C

40 40

30 30

20 20

Fig. 1.4

Complete Table 1.1 by recording the temperatures from Fig. 1.4 and calculating the
change in temperature.

Table 1.1

temperature at
temperature in change in
water-bath the end of the
step 2 / °C temperature / °C
investigation / °C

hot 40

cold 20

[2]

(ii) Describe how the method could be modified to prevent a change in the temperature of a
water-bath.

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

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

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

[Total: 13]

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2 Fig. 2.1 is a photograph of a flower from the wind-pollinated grass plant, Briza maxima.

Fig. 2.1

(a) (i) Draw a large diagram of the flower in Fig. 2.1.

[4]
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(ii) Fig. 2.2 is a photomicrograph of grass pollen grains.

magnification ×1500

Fig. 2.2

Measure the length of line PQ on Fig. 2.2.

length of PQ ............................................... mm

Calculate the actual length of the pollen grain using the formula and your measurement.

length of line PQ
magnification =
actual length of the pollen grain

Give your answer in millimetres and to two decimal places.

Space for working.

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

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(b) Scientists investigated the effect of wind speed on the average distance travelled by single
pollen grains and groups of five pollen grains joined to form a clump. The pollen grains were
dropped from a height of 2 m.

The results of the investigation are shown in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1

average distance average distance

wind speed travelled by single travelled by clumps
/ m per s pollen grains of five pollen grains
/m /m
0.0 0 0

0.2 38 21

0.4 81 39

0.6 118 55

0.8 154 70

(i) Calculate the percentage decrease in the average distance travelled when the pollen
grains fell as a clump compared to a single pollen grain, at a wind speed of 0.6 m per s.

Give your answer to two significant figures.

Space for working.

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

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(ii) Plot a line graph on the grid of the data in Table 2.1. Include both sets of data and a key.

[5]

(iii) Use your graph to estimate the average distance travelled by single pollen grains at a
wind speed of 0.5 m per s.

Show on your graph how you obtained your estimate.

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

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(iv) Successful pollination results in fertilisation and the production of seeds.

Describe how you could test the seeds to show that they contain reducing sugars.
Include the result of a positive test.

method ..............................................................................................................................

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

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

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

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

[3]

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(c) (i) Plan an investigation to determine the effect of temperature on the rate of transpiration
from leaves.

You may wish to include the apparatus listed and any other apparatus that you think is
suitable in your plan:

• leafy plants
• electronic balance
• thermometer
• string
• stop-clock

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

(ii) Humidity also affects the rate of transpiration from leaves.

Suggest how you could change the humidity that the leaves are exposed to in a
transpiration investigation.

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

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

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

[Total: 27]

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© UCLES 2021 0610/62/O/N/21