Cambridge IGCSE Biology (9-1) 0970 — 2018 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2
0970/12/O/N/18 · 40 questions · 40 marks · ≈45 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper20 pages
Mark scheme3 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · All living organisms release energy from nutrient molecules within their cells
1 All living organisms release energy from nutrient molecules within their cells. What is the name of this characteristic? A growth B nutrition C respiration D sensitivity
Mark scheme: C
Q2 · The photographs show two different rats
2 The photographs show two different rats. Rattus norvegicus Rattus rattus Which statement about the rats is correct? A The rats are the same genus. B The rats are the same species. C The rats can breed together to produce fertile offspring. D The rats do not share any of the same features.
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Concept and uses of classification systems
Q3 · The diagram shows an arthropod
3 The diagram shows an arthropod. Which group of arthropods does it belong to? A arachnids B crustaceans C insects D myriapods
Mark scheme: A
Q4 · Two types of cell, one animal and one plant, were examined using a light microscope
4 Two types of cell, one animal and one plant, were examined using a light microscope. Which row shows the correct combination of cellular features that would be observed in the cells? cell structure observed animal cell plant cell A chloroplast membrane vacuole cytoplasm B cytoplasm nucleus chloroplast membrane C membrane cell wall cytoplasm nucleus D nucleus chloroplast cell wall membrane
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · The diagram shows part of a leaf in cross-section
5 The diagram shows part of a leaf in cross-section. X Y Structures X and Y are both part of the same A cell. B organ. C tissue. D vessel.
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · A photograph shows a plant cell nucleus measuring 2 mm across
6 A photograph shows a plant cell nucleus measuring 2 mm across. If the magnification of the cell is ×500, what is the actual size of the nucleus? A 0.00002 mm B 0.004 mm C 0.04 mm D 250 mm
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · How do carbon dioxide and oxygen move into and out of a mesophyll cell?
7 How do carbon dioxide and oxygen move into and out of a mesophyll cell? A active transport B diffusion C respiration D transpiration
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · The diagram shows apparatus used to investigate osmosis
8 The diagram shows apparatus used to investigate osmosis. The volumes of solutions A, B, C and D were the same at the start of the investigation. After one hour, the solutions had moved up the glass tubes. Which solution was the most concentrated at the start of the investigation? glass glass glass glass tube tube tube tube partially partially permeable permeable membrane membrane water solution solution solution solution A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · The data show the concentrations of sugar and starch in an onion
9 The data show the concentrations of sugar and starch in an onion. total sugar including starch reducing sugar / g per 100g / g per 100g 3.7 0.0 The onion is tested with Benedict’s solution and iodine solution. Which set of results is correct? Benedict’s iodine solution solution A blue blue-black B blue brown C brick red blue-black D brick red brown
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · The apparatus shown is used for an experiment on starch digestion
10 The apparatus shown is used for an experiment on starch digestion. Which test-tube contains the most sugar after 20 minutes? A B C D starch starch solution starch solution and salivary solution and salivary amylase amylase water-bath at 15 °C water-bath at 37 °C
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · An experiment was carried out using the apparatus shown
11 An experiment was carried out using the apparatus shown. The carbon dioxide content of the water in each test-tube was measured at the start and again three hours later. In which test-tube would there be a decrease in carbon dioxide content? A B C D black polythene water to keep out light light light light water plant water snail
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · The diagram shows a cross-section of a leaf
12 The diagram shows a cross-section of a leaf. Which is the xylem? A B C D
Mark scheme: B
Q13 · What is the result of a diet lacking iron?
13 What is the result of a diet lacking iron? A bleeding gums B poor wound healing C reduced number of red blood cells D weak bones and teeth
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · Which row shows an enzyme with the correct site of production and products?
14 Which row shows an enzyme with the correct site of production and products? enzyme product(s) enzyme produced by of digestion A amylase salivary glands amino acids B amylase stomach sugar C protease salivary glands sugar D protease stomach amino acids
Mark scheme: D
Q15 · The diagram shows a plant cell
15 The diagram shows a plant cell. What type of plant cell is this? A guard cell B mesophyll cell C root cortex cell D root hair cell
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · The diagram shows two shoots at the start of an experiment on transpiration
16 The diagram shows two shoots at the start of an experiment on transpiration. shoot X shoot Y spring balance 30 g 30 g oil water What are the likely readings on the spring balances after three days? shoot X / g shoot Y / g A 25 25 B 25 30 C 30 25 D 30 30
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · The diagram shows a circulatory system
17 The diagram shows a circulatory system. 2 3 capillaries of capillaries of the the lungs heart rest of the body 1 4 Which vessels carry oxygenated blood? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 2 and 4
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · Some organisms cause transmissible diseases
18 Some organisms cause transmissible diseases. What is defined as a disease-causing organism? A bacterium B pathogen C phagocyte D virus
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · The graph shows changes in the volume of air in the lungs of a person at rest, over a…
19 The graph shows changes in the volume of air in the lungs of a person at rest, over a period of 30 seconds. 2 volume of air in lungs 1 / dm3 0 0 30 time / s Which graph shows changes in the volume of air in the lungs of the same person immediately after they have done five minutes of vigorous exercise? A B 2 2 volume volume of air in of air in lungs 1 lungs 1 / dm3 / dm3 0 0 0 30 0 30 time / s time / s C D 2 2 volume volume of air in of air in lungs 1 lungs 1 / dm3 / dm3 0 0 0 30 0 30 time / s time / s
Mark scheme: C
Q20 · As we breathe out, ......1.....
20 As we breathe out, ......1...... is ......2...... through the lungs. Which words correctly complete gaps 1 and 2? 1 2 A carbon dioxide excreted B carbon dioxide respired C oxygen excreted D oxygen respired
Mark scheme: A
Q21 · A person carries out vigorous exercise without drinking any water
21 A person carries out vigorous exercise without drinking any water. What would happen to the concentration and volume of the person’s urine immediately after exercise? urine urine concentration volume A decrease decrease B decrease increase C increase decrease D increase increase
Mark scheme: C
Q22 · The diagram shows a reflex arc
22 The diagram shows a reflex arc. Which label points to the sensory neurone? A B C D hot pan
Mark scheme: A
Q23 · What does the central nervous system consist of?
23 What does the central nervous system consist of? A brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves B brain and spinal cord only C brain only D spinal cord and peripheral nerves only
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · Where is alcohol broken down in the body?
24 Where is alcohol broken down in the body? A bladder B kidneys C liver D stomach
Mark scheme: C
Q25 · The diagram shows parts of a flower
25 The diagram shows parts of a flower. Which structure represents the site of fertilisation? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q26 · The diagram shows the female reproductive system
26 The diagram shows the female reproductive system. Where does implantation normally occur? C B A D
Mark scheme: C
Q27 · Which precautions could help to prevent the spread of AIDS?
27 Which precautions could help to prevent the spread of AIDS? 1 avoiding the mixing of blood 2 using a femidom 3 using the contraceptive pill 4 using a condom A 1 and 3 B 1, 2 and 4 C 2, 3 and 4 D 2 and 4 only
Mark scheme: B
Q28 · The diagram shows a timeline of a woman’s menstrual cycle, which lasts for 28 days
28 The diagram shows a timeline of a woman’s menstrual cycle, which lasts for 28 days. 13 14 15 16 12 17 11 18 10 19 9 20 8 21 7 22 6 23 5 menstruation 24 (period) 4 25 3 26 2 27 1 28 On which days of the menstrual cycle is a woman most likely to become pregnant? A days 1– 4 B days 7–10 C days 13–16 D days 20–23
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · What is the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation known as?
29 What is the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation known as? A cell division B inheritance C meiosis D mitosis
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · The diagram shows the chromosomes in one human cell
30 The diagram shows the chromosomes in one human cell. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 XX What can be concluded from the chromosomes in this cell? A The cell is from a man. B The cell is from a woman. C There are only 23 chromosomes per cell. D There are only 46 pairs of chromosomes per cell.
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · The allele for detached earlobes is dominant to the allele for attached earlobes
31 The allele for detached earlobes is dominant to the allele for attached earlobes. Two parents are heterozygous for detached earlobes. What is the probability of their first child having attached earlobes? A 0% B 25% C 50% D 75%
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · Which is an example of discontinuous variation?
32 Which is an example of discontinuous variation? A height B skin colour C tongue rolling D weight
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · Farmers have bred Holstein-Friesian cattle to produce more milk than older breeds of…
33 Farmers have bred Holstein-Friesian cattle to produce more milk than older breeds of cattle. Which process was used to produce these cattle? A adaptation B genetic engineering C natural selection D selective breeding
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · The diagram shows a food web
34 The diagram shows a food web. hedgehog robin caterpillar greenfly beetle rose plant cabbage plant Which row shows a food chain in this food web? primary secondary producer consumer consumer A hedgehog caterpillar robin B cabbage plant greenfly beetle C cabbage plant beetle robin D rose plant hedgehog greenfly
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle
35 The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle. Which arrow represents photosynthesis? carbon dioxide in air D A B C animals burning plants decomposers
Mark scheme: D
Q36 · The population of rabbits in a woodland halves over a ten year period
36 The population of rabbits in a woodland halves over a ten year period. Rabbits are herbivores. What could have caused this change? A an increased food supply B an increased light intensity C an increased number of predators D an increased water supply
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · The production of ethanol for biofuels involves two stages
37 The production of ethanol for biofuels involves two stages. Firstly, starch is converted to glucose by ......1...... . Secondly, glucose is converted to ethanol by ......2...... during ......3...... . Which row correctly completes gaps 1, 2 and 3? 1 2 3 A enzymes bacteria aerobic respiration B enzymes yeast anaerobic respiration C pectinase bacteria aerobic respiration D pectinase yeast anaerobic respiration
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · Scientists have produced yellow rice called Golden Rice
38 Scientists have produced yellow rice called Golden Rice. Golden Rice has been produced by the insertion of genes into rice plants. What is involved in the production of Golden Rice? A genetic engineering B mutation C natural selection D selective breeding
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · What is a negative impact on the environment caused by deforestation?
39 What is a negative impact on the environment caused by deforestation? A decrease in land for livestock production B decreased levels of carbon dioxide in the air C increase in flooding D increased levels of soil
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · Which is a greenhouse gas?
40 Which is a greenhouse gas? A herbicides B insecticides C methane D oxygen
Mark scheme: C
What was in this paper
The subtopics covered by these 40 questions, and how many questions each got. Open one in a new tab to see every Cambridge question on it.
2Chromosomes, genes and proteins2Coordination and response2Biological molecules1Biotechnology1Characteristics of living organisms1Chemical digestion1Circulatory systems1Concept and uses of classification systems1Diet1Diffusion1Diseases and immunity1Drugs1Enzymes1Excretion in humans1Features of organisms1Food chains and food webs1Gas exchange in humans1Genetic modification1Habitat destruction1Homeostasis1Monohybrid inheritance1Nutrient cycles1Osmosis1Photosynthesis1Pollution1Populations1Selection1Sex hormones in humans1Sexual reproduction in humans1Sexual reproduction in plants1Sexually transmitted infections1Size of specimens1Transpiration1Variation1Water uptake1Xylem and phloem1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2018 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.