Cambridge IGCSE Biology (9-1) 0970 — 2021 May/June Paper 2 · Variant 1
0970/21/M/J/21 · 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 · What is a characteristic of all living organisms?
1 What is a characteristic of all living organisms? A breathing B circulation C egestion D sensitivity
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · The table shows a section of DNA taken from four different organisms
2 The table shows a section of DNA taken from four different organisms. organism base sequence W C A C A A T C G A A X G T C A A T G G T G Y C T C A A T C G T A Z C T C A T T C G T A Which two organisms are the most distantly related to each other? A W and X B W and Z C X and Y D X and Z
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Concept and uses of classification systems
Q3 · Scientists discover a new species of animal
3 Scientists discover a new species of animal. It has a segmented body with two pairs of legs on each segment. To which group of animals does this new species belong? A arachnids B crustaceans C insects D myriapods
Mark scheme: D
Q4 · The diagram shows a single-celled organism called Euglena
4 The diagram shows a single-celled organism called Euglena. cytoplasm cell membrane nucleus large permanent vacuole chloroplasts Which labelled structures would also be found in an animal cell? A cell membrane, chloroplast, nucleus B chloroplast, cytoplasm, nucleus C cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus D cell membrane, cytoplasm, large permanent vacuole
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · The diagram shows some of the blood vessels and other structures in the human body
5 The diagram shows some of the blood vessels and other structures in the human body. The blood vessels shown are all parts of the same A cell. B organ. C organ system. D tissue.
Mark scheme: C
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 · By which process do oxygen and carbon dioxide move between cells and capillaries?
7 By which process do oxygen and carbon dioxide move between cells and capillaries? A breathing B diffusion C excretion D respiration
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · Which process is involved in the uptake of glucose by the epithelial cells of kidney…
8 Which process is involved in the uptake of glucose by the epithelial cells of kidney tubules? A active transport B osmosis C translocation D transpiration
Mark scheme: A
Q9 · Which element is found in proteins but not carbohydrates?
9 Which element is found in proteins but not carbohydrates? A carbon B hydrogen C nitrogen D oxygen
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · The diagram shows a short section of a single strand of DNA
10 The diagram shows a short section of a single strand of DNA. A C C T Which strand of DNA will combine with this strand to form part of a double helix? A B C D A C C T C A A G G T T C T G G A
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · Starch is digested by amylase in the mouth, but it is not digested in the stomach
11 Starch is digested by amylase in the mouth, but it is not digested in the stomach. What is the reason for this? A All starch digestion is completed in the mouth. B The pH in the stomach is not suitable for the amylase to work. C The starch does not stay in the stomach long enough to be digested. D The temperature in the stomach is not suitable for the amylase to work.
Mark scheme: B
Q12 · Which statement describes a catalyst?
12 Which statement describes a catalyst? A a substance that decreases the rate of a chemical reaction and is not changed by the reaction B a substance that decreases the rate of a chemical reaction and is changed by the reaction C a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction and is changed by the reaction D a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction and is not changed by the reaction
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · A plant with striped leaves was kept in bright light for six hours
13 A plant with striped leaves was kept in bright light for six hours. white stripe green stripe A leaf was taken from the plant and the chlorophyll was removed. The leaf was then tested for starch using iodine solution. Which diagram shows the result of the test? A B C D yellow-brown white blue-black yellow-brown blue-black blue-black green green
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · The graph shows daily carbon dioxide uptake and transpiration by the plant Agave americana
14 The graph shows daily carbon dioxide uptake and transpiration by the plant Agave americana. The plant is adapted to live in very dry conditions. 10 0.6 CO2 uptake 8 0.4 transpiration CO2 uptake 6 / g H2O / mg per dm2 per dm2 per hour 4 transpiration 0.2 per hour 2 0 0 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 time of day / hours What can be concluded from this graph? A More stomata are closed during dark periods. B More stomata are closed during light periods. C There is no carbon dioxide uptake during dark periods. D There is no water uptake during light periods.
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · Statements 1 to 4 describe stages in the development of cholera
15 Statements 1 to 4 describe stages in the development of cholera. 1 Chloride ions are secreted into the gut. 2 Osmosis causes water to move into the gut. 3 The infected person becomes dehydrated. 4 Toxins are produced by the pathogenic bacteria. What is the correct sequence of the four stages? A 1 2 3 4 B 1 4 3 2 C 4 1 2 3 D 4 1 3 2
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · What are the products when proteins are broken down?
16 What are the products when proteins are broken down? A amino acids B fatty acids C glycerol D simple sugars
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · The diagram shows part of a cross-section of a root
17 The diagram shows part of a cross-section of a root. 2 1 3 What are cells 1, 2 and 3? 1 2 3 A root cortex cell root hair cell mesophyll cell B root hair cell root cortex cell xylem C root hair cell root cortex cell mesophyll cell D root cortex cell root hair cell xylem
Mark scheme: B
Q18 · The diagram shows an onion plant that has been grown from a seed
18 The diagram shows an onion plant that has been grown from a seed. Each onion plant takes two years to flower and produce more seeds. leaves 3 2 bulb 4 1 seed soil level year 1 year 2 developing flower 5 bulb 8 6 7 What is the onion bulb acting as in stage 3 and in stage 6? stage 3 stage 6 A sink sink B sink source C source sink D source source
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · What are the main vessels carrying blood to and from the kidney?
19 What are the main vessels carrying blood to and from the kidney? to kidney from kidney A pulmonary artery pulmonary vein B pulmonary vein pulmonary artery C renal artery renal vein D renal vein renal artery
Mark scheme: C
Q20 · The photomicrograph shows human blood
20 The photomicrograph shows human blood. Which blood component makes antibodies? B A C D
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · A child is vaccinated against measles
21 A child is vaccinated against measles. After a period of time the child is infected with the measles virus. The graph shows the concentration of measles antibodies in the child’s bloodstream during this time. antibody concentration in the blood time Which statement is consistent with the information in the graph? A After the vaccination, the child produced memory cells. B The child had passive immunity against measles. C The measles virus contains antibodies. D The vaccination failed to protect the child against measles.
Mark scheme: A
Q22 · Which sequence of changes takes place when we breathe in?
22 Which sequence of changes takes place when we breathe in? A diaphragm contracts volume of thorax increases pressure in lungs decreases B diaphragm contracts volume of thorax increases pressure in lungs increases C diaphragm relaxes volume of thorax increases pressure in lungs decreases D diaphragm relaxes volume of thorax increases pressure in lungs increases
Mark scheme: A
Q23 · The list shows some processes that take place in a human body
23 The list shows some processes that take place in a human body. 1 production of new red blood cells 2 transmission of nerve impulses from the eyes to the brain 3 diffusion of gases into and out of the lungs Which processes use energy released by respiration? A 1 and 2 only B 1 and 3 only C 2 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · Which equation is aerobic respiration?
24 Which equation is aerobic respiration? A 6CO2 + 6H2O 6C6H12O6 + 6O2 B 6O2 + 6CO2 6H2O + C6H12O6 C C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O D C6H12O6 2C2H5OH + 2CO2
Mark scheme: C
Q25 · Which statement about urea is correct?
25 Which statement about urea is correct? A Urea is formed from excess amino acids in the kidneys and excreted by the liver. B Urea is formed from excess glucose in the liver and egested by the kidneys. C Urea is formed from excess glucose in the kidneys and egested by the liver. D Urea is formed from excess amino acids in the liver and excreted by the kidneys.
Mark scheme: D
Q26 · The diagram shows the appearance of an eye when in bright light
26 The diagram shows the appearance of an eye when in bright light. bright light Which row gives the correct states of the iris muscles in bright light? radial muscles circular muscles A contracted contracted B contracted relaxed C relaxed contracted D relaxed relaxed
Mark scheme: C
Q27 · What is the effect of adrenaline on pulse rate and blood glucose concentration?
27 What is the effect of adrenaline on pulse rate and blood glucose concentration? pulse rate blood glucose A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · Which statements about auxin are correct?
28 Which statements about auxin are correct? 1 Auxin is made in all cells in plants. 2 Auxin causes cells to elongate. 3 Auxin moves between the cells by osmosis. 4 Auxin is unequally distributed. A 1 and 3 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 2 and 4
Mark scheme: D
Q29 · Scientists carried out a survey on the effect of giving up smoking on the risk of…
29 Scientists carried out a survey on the effect of giving up smoking on the risk of developing lung cancer. The results are shown in the graph. continued smoking 15 percentage 10 cumulative risk of developing lung cancer stopped smoking at 60 years of age 5 stopped smoking at 30 years of age never smoked 0 45 55 65 75 age, in years, of people surveyed The scientists made three conclusions: 1 Stopping smoking reduces the risk of developing lung cancer. 2 Age increases the risk of lung cancer for smokers and non-smokers. 3 The earlier people stop smoking, the lower the risk. Which conclusions are correct? A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · A zygote has ten chromosomes in its nucleus
30 A zygote has ten chromosomes in its nucleus. Which row shows the number of chromosomes in the cells of this species? body cells sperm cells embryo cells A 5 5 10 B 5 10 20 C 10 5 10 D 10 10 20
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · How will the composition of a pregnant woman’s blood change as it passes through the…
31 How will the composition of a pregnant woman’s blood change as it passes through the placenta? concentration of concentration of dissolved oxygen urea A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · What carries a copy of the gene to the cytoplasm to make a protein?
32 What carries a copy of the gene to the cytoplasm to make a protein? A alleles B DNA molecules C ribosomes D mRNA molecules
Mark scheme: D
Q33 · Which statement about meiosis is correct?
33 Which statement about meiosis is correct? A Daughter cells are genetically identical. B The chromosome number changes from haploid to diploid. C It is used to produce body cells. D It allows the formation of new combinations of chromosomes.
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · Colour blindness is a characteristic that is sex-linked
34 Colour blindness is a characteristic that is sex-linked. Which statement about colour blindness is correct? A The gene for colour blindness is located on the Y chromosome and colour blindness is more common in males than in females. B The gene for colour blindness is located on the X chromosome and colour blindness is more common in males than in females. C The gene for colour blindness is located on the X chromosome and colour blindness is more common in females than in males. D The gene for colour blindness is located on the Y chromosome and colour blindness is more common in females than in males.
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · The graph shows the percentage of different blood groups in a human population
35 The graph shows the percentage of different blood groups in a human population. 40 30 percentage in 20 the population 10 0 A B AB O blood group Which type of variation is shown by human blood groups? A continuous variation caused by genetic and environmental factors B continuous variation caused by genetic factors only C discontinuous variation caused by genetic and environmental factors D discontinuous variation caused by genetic factors only
Mark scheme: D
Q36 · New strains of the crop plant wheat can be produced by cross-breeding disease resistant…
36 New strains of the crop plant wheat can be produced by cross-breeding disease resistant plants with those that give high yields of grain. What is this an example of? A natural selection B artificial selection C genetic engineering D asexual reproduction
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · The diagram shows the flow of energy
37 The diagram shows the flow of energy. 1 3 Sun grass rabbit fox Which form of energy is transferred at points 1 and 3 in the diagram? 1 3 A chemical chemical B heat light C light chemical D light heat
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · The diagram shows the feeding relationships in a food web
38 The diagram shows the feeding relationships in a food web. fox owl blackbird rabbit mouse grasshopper grass wheat Which organism may feed as both a secondary and a tertiary consumer? A fox B owl C blackbird D rabbit
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · Why are bacteria useful in genetic engineering?
39 Why are bacteria useful in genetic engineering? A Their genetic code is different to other organisms. B They have cell walls. C They have plasmids. D They reproduce sexually.
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · Which hormones can cause the feminisation of male fish?
40 Which hormones can cause the feminisation of male fish? A adrenaline and progesterone B adrenaline and testosterone C oestrogen and progesterone D oestrogen and testosterone
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 proteins2Diseases and immunity2Enzymes2Active transport1Aerobic respiration1Biological molecules1Blood1Blood vessels1Characteristics of living organisms1Chemical digestion1Concept and uses of classification systems1Diffusion1Drugs1Energy flow1Excretion in humans1Features of organisms1Food chains and food webs1Gas exchange in humans1Genetic modification1Hormones1Meiosis1Mitosis1Monohybrid inheritance1Photosynthesis1Pollution1Respiration1Selection1Sense organs1Sexual reproduction in humans1Size of specimens1Translocation1Transpiration1Tropic responses1Variation1Xylem and phloem1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2021 May/June, Paper 2 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.