Cambridge IGCSE Biology (9-1) 0970 — 2020 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2
0970/12/O/N/20 · 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 · Which process is carried out by all organisms?
1 Which process is carried out by all organisms? A growth B photosynthesis C sexual reproduction D transpiration
Mark scheme: A
Q2 · According to the binomial system, how should a human be named?
2 According to the binomial system, how should a human be named? A Homo Sapiens B Homo sapiens C homo Sapiens D homo sapiens
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Concept and uses of classification systems
Q3 · Some of the structures found in cells are listed: cytoplasm cell membrane cell wall…
3 Some of the structures found in cells are listed: cytoplasm cell membrane cell wall chloroplast. How many of these structures are found in the cells of all living organisms? A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4
Mark scheme: B
Q4 · The photomicrograph shows a cell from a type of aquatic plant
4 The photomicrograph shows a cell from a type of aquatic plant. S R Q P Which parts labelled on the photomicrograph indicate that this is a plant cell? A P and R B P and S C Q and R D Q and S
Mark scheme: D
Q5 · Which type of cell transports oxygen?
5 Which type of cell transports oxygen? A ciliated B nerve C palisade mesophyll D red blood
Mark scheme: D
Q6 · The cell shown in the diagram has been magnified 3000 times
6 The cell shown in the diagram has been magnified 3000 times. The diagram is 21 mm wide. What is the actual diameter of the cell? A 21 mm 21mm B 3000 C 21 mm 3000 3000 D 21mm
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · What are features of osmosis?
7 What are features of osmosis? 0 0O WwW > diffusion is involved «x «Ke \K K requires cell walls \ \ x& x requires a partially permeable membrane <x \ x key /= yes X= no
Mark scheme: A
Q8 · The diagram shows apparatus which can be used to demonstrate osmosis
8 The diagram shows apparatus which can be used to demonstrate osmosis. 1 2 glass tube liquid level very concentrated concentrated water sucrose solution sucrose solution partially permeable membrane After one hour, what would happen to the liquid levels in the glass tubes? liquid level in liquid level in tube 1 tube 2 A falls falls B falls rises C rises falls D rises rises
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · Which substances are made by linking together glucose molecules only?
9 Which substances are made by linking together glucose molecules only? A cellulose, glycogen and starch B fats, cellulose and proteins C proteins, oils and glycogen D starch, fats and oils
Mark scheme: A
Q10 · The graph shows the effect of pH on the rate of reaction of an enzyme
10 The graph shows the effect of pH on the rate of reaction of an enzyme. rate of reaction 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 pH What does the graph show? A The enzyme is destroyed at pH 9. B The enzyme works best at pH 6. C The rate of reaction halves as the pH changes from pH 5 to pH 7. D The rate of reaction is the same at pH 5 and pH 8.5.
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · What kind of molecule is an enzyme?
11 What kind of molecule is an enzyme? A fat B glucose C protein D starch
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · The diagram shows a cell with groups of bacteria around its edge
12 The diagram shows a cell with groups of bacteria around its edge. cell cytoplasm spiral-shaped chloroplast bacteria The bacteria move to areas of high oxygen concentration. Which process in the cell causes the bacteria to form these groups? A digestion B photosynthesis C reproduction D respiration
Mark scheme: B
Q13 · The graph shows how the percentage of protein found in potatoes was affected by the…
13 The graph shows how the percentage of protein found in potatoes was affected by the concentration of nitrate fertiliser added to the crop when it was growing. percentage of protein in potatoes concentration of nitrate fertiliser added These results suggest that greater concentrations of nitrate fertiliser allow the potatoes to make more A amino acids. B cellulose. C lipid. D starch.
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · Which stage of nutrition takes place when food molecules become part of a body cell?
14 Which stage of nutrition takes place when food molecules become part of a body cell? A absorption B assimilation C digestion D ingestion
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · The diagram shows the apparatus used in an experiment to demonstrate two processes that…
15 The diagram shows the apparatus used in an experiment to demonstrate two processes that take place in the body. test-tube pure water dialysis tubing ends dialysis tubing which tightly is partially permeable sealed mixture of saliva and starch solution After one hour, the water outside the dialysis tubing contained reducing sugars. Which two processes are represented by this experiment? A absorption and digestion B absorption and egestion C digestion and egestion D digestion and ingestion
Mark scheme: A
Q16 · Which type of organism causes tooth decay?
16 Which type of organism causes tooth decay? A arachnid B bacterium C producer D virus
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · In which order does water pass through these structures in a plant?
17 In which order does water pass through these structures in a plant? A mesophyll root hair xylem B mesophyll xylem root hair C root hair mesophyll xylem D root hair xylem mesophyll
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · What is a function of phloem?
18 What is a function of phloem? A transports minerals to the roots B transports starch to the roots C transports sugar to the roots D transports water to the roots
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · What ensures that blood flows in one direction in the human circulatory system?
19 What ensures that blood flows in one direction in the human circulatory system? A diffusion of carbon dioxide B diffusion of oxygen C thick walled arteries D valves
Mark scheme: D
Q20 · Some functions of blood are listed
20 Some functions of blood are listed. 1 antibody production 2 blood clotting 3 oxygen transport 4 phagocytosis What are functions of white blood cells? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · Which is an example of a transmissible disease?
21 Which is an example of a transmissible disease? A coronary heart disease due to eating high fat food B cholera after drinking contaminated water C liver damage due to drinking alcohol D lung cancer due to inhaling tobacco smoke
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · The diagram shows some of the structures in a human lung
22 The diagram shows some of the structures in a human lung. Where is the carbon dioxide concentration highest? from pulmonary artery C B to pulmonary vein D A
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · What is produced during anaerobic respiration in muscles?
23 What is produced during anaerobic respiration in muscles? A carbon dioxide B ethanol C lactic acid D water
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · The amount of urea in the blood increases as it passes through organ X
24 The amount of urea in the blood increases as it passes through organ X. What is organ X? A heart B kidney C liver D pancreas
Mark scheme: C
Q25 · Which structure contains relay neurones?
25 Which structure contains relay neurones? A gland B muscle C spinal cord D synapse
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · A man injures his arm in an accident
26 A man injures his arm in an accident. Afterwards, he can move his hand but cannot feel objects touching his hand. What could cause this? A Both sensory and motor neurones are cut. B Effectors are damaged. C Motor neurones are cut. D Sensory neurones are cut.
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · What are the effects of adrenaline on the human body?
27 What are the effects of adrenaline on the human body? breathing rate pulse rate size of pupils A decreased decreased decreased B decreased decreased increased C increased increased decreased D increased increased increased
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · Which is the correct definition of a drug?
28 Which is the correct definition of a drug? A a substance that affects or modifies chemical reactions in the body B a substance that can have negative social implications C a substance that can affect reaction times and self-control D a substance that can kill bacteria
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · The diagram shows a flower cut in half
29 The diagram shows a flower cut in half. Which structure receives the pollen nucleus during fertilisation? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · During childbirth, what must happen to the amniotic sac, cervix and the uterus wall?
30 During childbirth, what must happen to the amniotic sac, cervix and the uterus wall? amniotic sac cervix uterus wall A breaks contracts contracts B breaks dilates contracts C expands contracts relaxes D expands dilates relaxes
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · What is a barrier method of birth control?
31 What is a barrier method of birth control? A contraceptive pill B diaphragm C contraceptive implant D vasectomy
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · Which is a correct description of mitosis?
32 Which is a correct description of mitosis? A It produces genetically identical cells called gametes. B It produces genetically identical cells for growth and repair. C It produces genetically different cells for growth. D It produces genetically different cells called gametes.
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · Which term is used to describe alleles that are always expressed when they are present in…
33 Which term is used to describe alleles that are always expressed when they are present in the genotype? A dominant B heterozygous C homozygous D recessive
Mark scheme: A
Q34 · Some human phenotypes are listed
34 Some human phenotypes are listed. 1 body mass 2 foot size 3 height 4 sex Which features are examples of continuous variation? A 1, 2 and 3 B 1, 3 and 4 C 1 and 4 only D 2 and 3 only
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · A food chain is shown
35 A food chain is shown. potato plant slug hedgehog By which process is energy transferred from the slug to the hedgehog? A egestion B excretion C ingestion D photosynthesis
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · The diagram shows a food web
36 The diagram shows a food web. energy from sunlight organism organism organism H J K organism L What is organism L? A a carnivore B a decomposer C a herbivore D a producer
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle
37 The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle. carbon dioxide X dead matter plants Y animals What do arrows X and Y represent? A decay and respiration B feeding and photosynthesis C photosynthesis and respiration D respiration and feeding
Mark scheme: D
Q38 · What can be used to reduce competition between crop plants and weeds?
38 What can be used to reduce competition between crop plants and weeds? A fertilisers B herbicides C insecticides D pollinators
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · Large areas of forest are cut down in order to clear the land for other uses
39 Large areas of forest are cut down in order to clear the land for other uses. If the land is not replanted with trees or crops, what effect does this have on the atmosphere? A Carbon dioxide remains the same. B Carbon dioxide increases. C Oxygen increases. D Water vapour increases.
Mark scheme: B
Q40 · The diagram shows four positions on a river where water samples were taken
40 The diagram shows four positions on a river where water samples were taken. untreated sewage X outlet direction of flow W Y Z Which graph shows oxygen concentrations in the river? A B oxygen oxygen concentration concentration W X Y Z W X Y Z position position C D oxygen oxygen concentration concentration W X Y Z W X Y Z position position
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.
2Blood2Cell structure2Coordination and response2Diseases and immunity2Enzymes2Food chains and food webs2Osmosis2Sexual reproduction in humans2Absorption1Anaerobic respiration1Characteristics of living organisms1Chemical digestion1Concept and uses of classification systems1Drugs1Excretion in humans1Food supply1Gas exchange in humans1Habitat destruction1Heart1Hormones1Mitosis1Monohybrid inheritance1Nutrient cycles1Photosynthesis1Pollution1Sexual reproduction in plants1Size of specimens1Translocation1Variation1Water uptake1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2020 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.