Cambridge IGCSE Biology (9-1) 0970 — 2019 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 2
0970/22/O/N/19 · 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 paper16 pages
Mark scheme3 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · The diagrams show a test-tube containing pond water
1 The diagrams show a test-tube containing pond water. The green colour is caused by microorganisms that have chloroplasts. oxygen bubble pale green dark green pond water area light off light on Which characteristics of living organisms are shown? A excretion, growth and movement B movement, nutrition and sensitivity C nutrition, reproduction and respiration D reproduction, sensitivity and growth
Mark scheme: B
Q2 · Which shows an organism that has been named using the binomial system?
2 Which shows an organism that has been named using the binomial system? A Brown seaweed B Polar bear C Red fox D Vulpes vulpes
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Concept and uses of classification systems
Q3 · The diagram shows an arthropod
3 The diagram shows an arthropod. pedipalp legs To which group does it belong? A arachnids B crustaceans C insects D myriapods
Mark scheme: A
Q4 · Which features do animal cells share with plant cells?
4 Which features do animal cells share with plant cells? chloroplast cytoplasm nucleus A Jv J J key B Jv x J J/ =yes Cc x v v X =no D x x x
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · The diagram shows a drawing of a human cheek cell
5 The diagram shows a drawing of a human cheek cell. X Y The distance between points X and Y on the diagram is 30 mm. The actual length of the cell between X and Y was 60 µm. What is the magnification of the cell? A ×50 B ×200 C ×500 D ×2000
Mark scheme: C
Q6 · Red blood cells were placed in pure water
6 Red blood cells were placed in pure water. Movement of water across the cell membrane caused a change in their appearance. What caused this change in appearance? direction of from higher to lower from lower to higher water movement water potential water potential A into cells yes no B into cells no yes C out of cells yes no D out of cells no yes
Mark scheme: A
Q7 · Which process depends on active transport?
7 Which process depends on active transport? A absorption of carbon dioxide by plant leaves B reabsorption of glucose by kidney tubules C removal of carbon dioxide in the alveoli D uptake of water by plant roots
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · Which identifies the chemical elements found in proteins?
8 Which identifies the chemical elements found in proteins? carbon hydrogen oxygen nitrogen v v v v key J/ = present 0 0O WwW > J WA J x Jv x Jv x X = absent x Jv x WA
Mark scheme: A
Q9 · A student carries out a test to see whether the solution in a test-tube contains protein
9 A student carries out a test to see whether the solution in a test-tube contains protein. Which row shows the correct food test and a positive result? colour seen with a name of test positive result A Benedict’s test blue-black B Benedict’s test purple C biuret test blue-black D biuret test purple
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · The diagram shows an experiment investigating the effect of light intensity on an aquatic…
10 The diagram shows an experiment investigating the effect of light intensity on an aquatic plant. light light source source 20 cm 10 cm P Q Photosynthesis occurred in both test-tube P and test-tube Q. Both test-tubes were kept at the same temperature. The number of bubbles produced in test-tube P was 12 bubbles per minute. What is the most likely number of bubbles produced in one minute in test-tube Q? A 0 B 3 C 12 D 48
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · The diagram shows a leaf as seen in cross-section under the microscope
11 The diagram shows a leaf as seen in cross-section under the microscope. 1 2 3 What are tissues 1, 2 and 3? 1 2 3 A epidermis palisade mesophyll spongy mesophyll B epidermis spongy mesophyll palisade mesophyll C palisade mesophyll epidermis spongy mesophyll D spongy mesophyll palisade mesophyll epidermis
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · The pie charts show the composition of 100 g of four different foods
12 The pie charts show the composition of 100 g of four different foods. Which food provides the most energy? A B C D key carbohydrate fats and oils protein water
Mark scheme: B
Q13 · The cholera bacterium produces a toxin that results in water entering the alimentary…
13 The cholera bacterium produces a toxin that results in water entering the alimentary canal and causing diarrhoea. The diagram shows the human alimentary canal. Into which region are chloride ions secreted as a result of the toxin? A D B C
Mark scheme: B
Q14 · The diagram shows an experiment kept at room temperature
14 The diagram shows an experiment kept at room temperature. tubing containing starch, protease, test-tube protein and simple sugars distilled water membrane permeable to small molecules only What is present in the water surrounding the membrane after 45 minutes? A amino acids and simple sugars B protein and amino acids C protein and simple sugars D starch and simple sugars
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · The diagram shows an experiment to investigate transpiration
15 The diagram shows an experiment to investigate transpiration. transparent plastic bag balance plant 1 plant 2 Plant 1 is not covered. Plant 2 and its pot are covered by a transparent plastic bag. The mass of each plant and its pot is measured. The masses are measured again after two hours. What is the result? A The mass of both plants decreases by the same percentage. B The mass of both plants stays the same. C The mass of plant 1 decreases more than the mass of plant 2. D The mass of plant 2 decreases more than the mass of plant 1.
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · Which description of translocation is correct?
16 Which description of translocation is correct? A movement of glucose and amino acids from a sink to a source B movement of glucose and amino acids from a source to a sink C movement of sucrose and amino acids from a sink to a source D movement of sucrose and amino acids from a source to a sink
Mark scheme: D
Q17 · Which factor increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease?
17 Which factor increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease? A low fat diet B regular exercise C relaxation D smoking
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · Which row describes the features of passive immunity?
18 Which row describes the features of passive immunity? antibodies involves effective made memory cells period A no no short term B no yes short term C yes no long term D yes yes long term
Mark scheme: A
Q19 · The diagram shows part of the human gas exchange system
19 The diagram shows part of the human gas exchange system. to P Q R Which row identifies P, Q and R? P Q R A alveolus wall capillary wall vein B bronchiole alveolus wall capillary C capillary layer of moisture bronchiole D alveolus wall bronchiole capillary
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · What is the effect on germinating seeds of increasing the temperature from 10 °C to 20 °C?
20 What is the effect on germinating seeds of increasing the temperature from 10 °C to 20 °C? A a decrease in the production of oxygen B a decrease in the respiration rate C an increase in the respiration rate D an increase in the transpiration rate
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · Lactic acid builds up in the muscles during vigorous exercise
21 Lactic acid builds up in the muscles during vigorous exercise. During recovery, how is this lactic acid removed? A aerobic respiration of lactic acid in the liver B anaerobic respiration of lactic acid in the muscles C excretion of lactic acid by the lungs D removal of lactic acid by the alimentary canal
Mark scheme: A
Q22 · Which process transmits an impulse across a synapse?
22 Which process transmits an impulse across a synapse? A active transport B diffusion C gravity D osmosis
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · The diagram shows the muscles that control the size of the pupil in an eye
23 The diagram shows the muscles that control the size of the pupil in an eye. iris circular muscles radial muscles pupil How do the muscles make the pupil smaller? circular muscles radial muscles A contract contract B contract relax C relax contract D relax relax
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · The diagram shows the shoot and root of a seedling responding to gravity
24 The diagram shows the shoot and root of a seedling responding to gravity. Which row shows where the auxin accumulates and the effect of this in the shoot? accumulates effect A lower surface inhibits cell elongation B lower surface promotes cell elongation C upper surface inhibits cell division D upper surface promotes cell division
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · A patient has dye injected into the blood supply to his kidneys
25 A patient has dye injected into the blood supply to his kidneys. The dye appears in his excretory system as shown. key dye no dye Which part is blocked? A the kidney B the ureter C the bladder D the urethra
Mark scheme: B
Q26 · Bacteria such as MRSA are resistant to antibiotics
26 Bacteria such as MRSA are resistant to antibiotics. These processes can occur in bacteria. 1 artificial selection 2 genetic variation 3 mutation 4 natural selection What would contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance? A 1, 2, 3 and 4 B 1, 2 and 3 only C 2, 3 and 4 only D 2 and 4 only
Mark scheme: C
Q27 · Why do some athletes take anabolic steroids?
27 Why do some athletes take anabolic steroids? A to decrease blood glucose concentration B to increase muscle mass C to kill bacteria D to reduce aggression
Mark scheme: B
Q28 · In humans, why are sperm cells produced in much greater numbers than egg cells?
28 In humans, why are sperm cells produced in much greater numbers than egg cells? A Many sperm cells are needed to fertilise an egg cell. B Sperm cells are small in size. C Sperm cells are non-motile. D The chance of one sperm cell reaching an egg is very small.
Mark scheme: D
Q29 · There are many reasons why a woman does not become pregnant
29 There are many reasons why a woman does not become pregnant. What can be treated by a drug that increases the secretion of FSH? A inactive sperm B follicles not developing C thin uterine lining D too few sperm
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · The diagram shows the cells of a mammalian embryo shortly after fertilisation
30 The diagram shows the cells of a mammalian embryo shortly after fertilisation. Which is the correct description of these cells? A gametes undergoing meiosis B gametes undergoing mitosis C stem cells undergoing meiosis D stem cells undergoing mitosis
Mark scheme: D
Q31 · The diagram shows a diploid cell and alleles R and r on one pair of chromosomes
31 The diagram shows a diploid cell and alleles R and r on one pair of chromosomes. nucleus R r cytoplasm When this cell divides by mitosis, which daughter cells will be produced? chromosome number genotype A diploid heterozygous B diploid homozygous C haploid heterozygous D haploid homozygous
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · The diagram shows a genetic cross between a male bird with black feathers and a female…
32 The diagram shows a genetic cross between a male bird with black feathers and a female bird with white feathers. All of the offspring have blue feathers. parents FBFB × FWFW black white offspring FBFW 100% blue Two of the blue offspring are crossed. Which row shows the correct phenotype percentages for the cross? percentage percentage percentage black blue white A 25 75 0 B 25 50 25 C 50 20 25 D 75 0 25
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · What is a feature of some xerophytes?
33 What is a feature of some xerophytes? A large air spaces in the tissues B leaves rolled up and covered with hairs C leaves with stomata on the upper surface D thin cuticle
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · The diagram shows a pyramid of biomass
34 The diagram shows a pyramid of biomass. X Which organisms are found in position X? A decomposers B herbivores C primary consumers D producers
Mark scheme: D
Q35 · What is a trophic level?
35 What is a trophic level? A a group of interconnected food chains B all of the consumers in an ecosystem C an organism’s position in a food web D the transfer of energy between organisms
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · The diagram shows part of the nitrogen cycle
36 The diagram shows part of the nitrogen cycle. At which stage is denitrification occurring? nitrogen in the atmosphere A B nitrogen animals nitrates in plants D nitrites ammonium C compounds
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · Which structures found in bacteria make bacteria useful in genetic engineering?
37 Which structures found in bacteria make bacteria useful in genetic engineering? A cell walls B membranes C nuclei D plasmids
Mark scheme: D
Q38 · Which chemical reaction is catalysed by maltase?
38 Which chemical reaction is catalysed by maltase? A glycogen → glucose + maltose B maltose → glucose + glucose C maltose → starch D starch → glucose + maltose
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · What are the possible effects of deforestation?
39 What are the possible effects of deforestation? decrease in atmospheric loss of soil flooding carbon dioxide A yes yes no B yes no yes C no yes no D no no yes
Mark scheme: A
Q40 · The bloodworm is an organism that is found in heavily polluted water
40 The bloodworm is an organism that is found in heavily polluted water. The diagram shows where raw sewage flows into a river. Where would there be fewest bloodworms? input of raw sewage A D B C direction of flow
Mark scheme: A
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.
2Food chains and food webs2Mitosis2Active transport1Adaptive features1Aerobic respiration1Anaerobic respiration1Cell structure1Characteristics of living organisms1Chemical digestion1Concept and uses of classification systems1Coordination and response1Diet1Digestive system1Diseases and immunity1Drugs1Enzymes1Excretion in humans1Features of organisms1Gas exchange in humans1Genetic modification1Habitat destruction1Heart1Leaf structure1Monohybrid inheritance1Nutrient cycles1Osmosis1Photosynthesis1Pollution1Selection1Sense organs1Sex hormones in humans1Sexual reproduction in humans1Size of specimens1Translocation1Transpiration1Tropic responses1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2019 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.