Cambridge IGCSE Biology (9-1) 0970 — 2021 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2
0970/12/O/N/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 · All living things can remove toxic materials and other substances that are in excess of…
1 All living things can remove toxic materials and other substances that are in excess of requirements. What is this process called? A egestion B excretion C nutrition D respiration
Mark scheme: B
Q2 · ~The table shows features of some animals
2 ~The table shows features of some animals. Which animal is a mammal? gills hair scales wings A v x Xx x key B J/ = present Cc X = absent D v x x v x x Kx << x
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · The diagram shows an animal
3 The diagram shows an animal. What is the animal? 1 animal with a vertebral column ....................................... vertebrate animal with an exoskeleton ............................................ go to 2 2 no distinct head, thorax and abdomen ........................... A distinct head, thorax and abdomen ................................ go to 3 3 eye occupies less than one third of the head ................. B eye occupies more than one third of the head ................ go to 4 4 wings are wider than they are long ................................. C wings are longer than they are wide ............................... D
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Concept and uses of classification systems
Q4 · The diagram shows some tissues in part of a plant root
4 The diagram shows some tissues in part of a plant root. The arrows represent the movement of water into and across the plant root tissues. How many different tissues are shown? A 2 B 4 C 5 D 7
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · The diagram shows some cells
5 The diagram shows some cells. cilia cytoplasm nucleus Where are these cells found? A alimentary canal B blood C bronchus D plant roots
Mark scheme: C
Q6 · The diagram shows a beetle
6 The diagram shows a beetle. X 33 mm Y The actual size of the beetle between X and Y is 15 mm. What is the magnification of the image? A 0.45 B 2.2 C 48 D 495
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · Which statement about diffusion is correct?
7 Which statement about diffusion is correct? A The process requires energy from respiration. B The particles must cross a cell membrane. C The net movement of particles is up a concentration gradient. D The process involves the random movement of particles.
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · The cells in a plant root have a higher concentration of magnesium ions than in the…
8 The cells in a plant root have a higher concentration of magnesium ions than in the surrounding soil. Which process will move the magnesium ions into the root? A active transport B diffusion C osmosis D transpiration
Mark scheme: A
Q9 · In a photosynthesis experiment, a plant is left in bright sunlight for several hours
9 In a photosynthesis experiment, a plant is left in bright sunlight for several hours. A leaf is then removed from the plant and tested for starch, using iodine solution. The diagram shows the leaf from the plant that was used in the experiment. white area green area Which diagram shows the result of the experiment? A B C D key iodine solution turns blue-black iodine solution stays brown
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of pH on enzyme action
10 An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of pH on enzyme action. The graph shows the results. y-axis x-axis What are the labels for the x-axis and the y-axis? x-axis y-axis A pH rate of reaction B pH time C rate of reaction pH D time pH
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · Four test-tubes were set up as shown in the diagram
11 Four test-tubes were set up as shown in the diagram. In which test-tube is the starch digested most quickly? A B C D water-bath water-bath at 15 °C at 35 °C starch solution starch solution and amylase and amylase starch solution starch solution and boiled amylase and boiled amylase
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · The diagram shows a cross-section through a leaf
12 The diagram shows a cross-section through a leaf. X What is the structure labelled X? A cuticle B palisade mesophyll C spongy mesophyll D stomata
Mark scheme: A
Q13 · The diagram shows the surface view of part of the epidermis of a leaf
13 The diagram shows the surface view of part of the epidermis of a leaf. How many guard cells are present? A 0 B 3 C 6 D 12
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · What is the dietary importance of carbohydrates?
14 What is the dietary importance of carbohydrates? A to promote healthy bones and teeth B to make fats C to provide energy for the body D to make proteins
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · The diagram shows a large food molecule changing into smaller molecules
15 The diagram shows a large food molecule changing into smaller molecules. process X What is process X? A absorption B chewing C digestion D secretion
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · The diagram shows part of the alimentary canal and associated organs
16 The diagram shows part of the alimentary canal and associated organs. Where does most water absorption take place? D A C B
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · The diagram shows a young plant
17 The diagram shows a young plant. P Q R In which parts of the plant are xylem vessels found? A P, Q and R B P and Q only C Q and R only D Q only
Mark scheme: A
Q18 · Which graph shows the effect of increasing humidity on the rate of transpiration?
18 Which graph shows the effect of increasing humidity on the rate of transpiration? A B rate of rate of transpiration transpiration humidity humidity C D rate of rate of transpiration transpiration humidity humidity
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · The diagram shows a section through a mammalian heart
19 The diagram shows a section through a mammalian heart. Which part carries blood directly from the lungs? B C A D
Mark scheme: D
Q20 · The diagram shows the four components of blood separated into layers
20 The diagram shows the four components of blood separated into layers. Which component is labelled with the correct function? A plasma – production of antibodies B platelets – blood clotting D white blood cells – C red blood cells – transport of oxygen phagocytosis
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · Some features that help to defend the body against pathogens are listed
21 Some features that help to defend the body against pathogens are listed. 1 mucus 2 skin 3 stomach acid 4 phagocytosis Which features can prevent pathogens entering body tissues? A 1, 2, 3 and 4 B 1, 2 and 3 only C 2 and 3 only D 4 only
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Which shows the correct order of structures that air travels through when a human…
22 Which shows the correct order of structures that air travels through when a human breathes in? A alveoli trachea bronchioles bronchi B trachea bronchi bronchioles alveoli C alveoli bronchioles bronchi trachea D trachea bronchioles bronchi alveoli
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · Which chemicals are needed to release energy in aerobic respiration?
23 Which chemicals are needed to release energy in aerobic respiration? A carbon dioxide and glucose B carbon dioxide and water C oxygen and glucose D oxygen and water
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · Yeast is an organism used in the production of biofuels
24 Yeast is an organism used in the production of biofuels. Which statement describes why yeast is used for biofuel production? A Yeast respires aerobically to produce carbon dioxide. B Yeast respires aerobically to produce carbon dioxide and ethanol. C Yeast respires anaerobically to produce carbon dioxide. D Yeast respires anaerobically to produce carbon dioxide and ethanol.
Mark scheme: D
Q25 · The diagram shows part of the excretory system of a female mammal
25 The diagram shows part of the excretory system of a female mammal. X What is tube X? A ureter B urethra C uterus D vein
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · The structures listed are part of the nervous system
26 The structures listed are part of the nervous system. 1 brain 2 effector 3 receptor 4 relay neurone In a reflex arc, which structures are connected to a motor neurone by synapses? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 and 4 D 3 and 4
Mark scheme: C
Q27 · A student investigated the effect of changing light intensity on pupil diameter in the eye
27 A student investigated the effect of changing light intensity on pupil diameter in the eye. The table shows the results. starting pupil diameter final pupil diameter / mm / mm 8 2 Which explanation for the student’s results is correct? A A reduced light intensity reduced the pupil diameter by 75%. B A reduced light intensity reduced the pupil diameter by 25%. C An increased light intensity reduced the pupil diameter by 75%. D An increased light intensity reduced the pupil diameter by 25%.
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · A seed is placed and grown on a rotating disc, as shown
28 A seed is placed and grown on a rotating disc, as shown. seed pinned to the constantly rotating disc Which diagram shows the appearance of the seedling shoot after seven days? A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q29 · Which substance can be used to treat a bacterial infection?
29 Which substance can be used to treat a bacterial infection? A adrenaline B antibiotics C antigens D insulin
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · Fertilisation is defined as the fusion of the ……X…… of two gametes to form a ……Y……
30 Fertilisation is defined as the fusion of the ……X…… of two gametes to form a ……Y…… . Which row completes the sentence? X Y A alleles sex cell B alleles zygote C nuclei sex cell D nuclei zygote
Mark scheme: D
Q31 · What is the correct description of pollination?
31 What is the correct description of pollination? A Pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the ovary. B Pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the stigma. C Pollen grains are transferred from the ovary to the stigma. D Pollen grains are transferred from the stamen to the anther.
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
32 HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Which methods could be used to reduce the spread of HIV? 1 breast-feed babies 2 education about how HIV is spread 3 provide easy access to condoms 4 provide needle exchange schemes for drug users A 1, 2 and 3 B 1, 2 and 4 C 1, 3 and 4 D 2, 3 and 4
Mark scheme: D
Q33 · Which of these determine the sex of humans?
33 Which of these determine the sex of humans? A X and Y genes B X and Y alleles C X and Y chromosomes D X and Y genotypes
Mark scheme: C
Q34 · Part of a tree branch is broken off and planted in the soil
34 Part of a tree branch is broken off and planted in the soil. A new tree grows from the branch. Which row is correct? the cells in the new tree are formed by the cells in the original tree and in the new tree will be genetically meiosis mitosis different identical JV x Jv x x Jv x JV x J J x Jv x x Jv key / = correct X = not correct
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · A species of insect usually has pale-coloured wings
35 A species of insect usually has pale-coloured wings. This helps to camouflage them on pale-coloured tree trunks. A few of the insects in this species have darker coloured wings. After a number of years the tree trunks become darker in colour due to environmental changes. The insects with dark-coloured wings become more common than insects with pale-coloured wings in this species. Which process causes this change in the proportion of insects with dark-coloured wings? A biotechnology B conservation C natural selection D selective breeding
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · The diagram shows a food chain
36 The diagram shows a food chain. grass grasshopper frog snake hawk What is the tertiary consumer in this food chain? A frog B grasshopper C hawk D snake
Mark scheme: D
Q37 · The diagram shows the water cycle
37 The diagram shows the water cycle. S Q R P land land land river sea The table shows the processes involved in the water cycle. Which row is correct? condensation evaporation precipitation transpiration A P Q R S B R S Q P C S R P Q D Q P S R
Mark scheme: D
Q38 · Which process releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?
38 Which process releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere? A decomposition B fossilisation C photosynthesis D transpiration
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · What is the useful product of anaerobic respiration in the manufacture of bread?
39 What is the useful product of anaerobic respiration in the manufacture of bread? A carbon dioxide B ethanol C lactic acid D oxygen
Mark scheme: A
Q40 · What are reasons why species become endangered?
40 What are reasons why species become endangered? A habitat destruction, hunting and introduced species B habitat protection, introduced species and monitoring C habitat destruction, hunting and captive breeding programmes D hunting, pollution and seed banks
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.
2Enzymes2Excretion in humans2Gas exchange in humans2Leaf structure2Nutrient cycles2Xylem and phloem2Absorption1Active transport1Aerobic respiration1Asexual reproduction1Blood1Chemical digestion1Concept and uses of classification systems1Conservation1Coordination and response1Diet1Diffusion1Diseases and immunity1Drugs1Features of organisms1Food chains and food webs1Heart1Monohybrid inheritance1Photosynthesis1Selection1Sense organs1Sexual reproduction in humans1Sexual reproduction in plants1Sexually transmitted infections1Size of specimens1Transpiration1Tropic responses1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2021 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.