Cambridge IGCSE Biology (9-1) 0970 — 2021 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 2
0970/22/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 · Two animals have an identical sequence of amino acids in one of the proteins found in…
2 Two animals have an identical sequence of amino acids in one of the proteins found in their cells. What does this indicate about these animals? A They have been eating the same types of food. B They have not been exposed to substances that cause mutation. C They must be members of the same genus. D They share an ancestor.
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Concept and uses of classification systems
Q3 · The diagram shows some tissues in part of a plant root
3 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
Q4 · The length of a mitochondrion in a photomicrograph is 15 mm
4 The length of a mitochondrion in a photomicrograph is 15 mm. The actual length of the mitochondrion is 3 m. What is the magnification of the photomicrograph? A 5 B 45 C 5000 D 45 000
Mark scheme: C
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 · Which statement about diffusion is correct?
6 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
Q7 · The diagram shows the uptake of mineral ions by root hair cells
7 The diagram shows the uptake of mineral ions by root hair cells. inside root hair cell X cell membrane energy mineral ion passing into the root hair cell from the soil Which type of molecule is labelled X in the diagram? A glucose B lipid C protein D starch
Mark scheme: C
Q8 · The bases on one of the strands of a DNA molecule have the sequence shown
8 The bases on one of the strands of a DNA molecule have the sequence shown. A-A-T-C-T-G What is the corresponding sequence of bases on the other strand? A A-A-T-C-T-G B C-C-G-A-G-T C G-G-C-T-C-A D T-T-A-G-A-C
Mark scheme: D
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 · Two similar leaves are set up in test-tubes as shown
12 Two similar leaves are set up in test-tubes as shown. One is exposed to light, while the other is kept in the dark. green leaf green leaf black paper orange hydrogencarbonate indicator solution After a few hours, which colour would the hydrogencarbonate indicator solution be in each test-tube? light dark A colourless blue-black B purple yellow C red blue D yellow purple
Mark scheme: B
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 · The diagram shows part of the alimentary canal and associated organs
14 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
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 a newly planted seedling and the same seedling a few hours after being…
16 The diagram shows a newly planted seedling and the same seedling a few hours after being planted. seedling when planted seedling a few hours after planting soil What is the correct explanation for the change in the appearance of the leaves? A Transpiration is faster than water uptake by root hairs so cells have become flaccid. B Transpiration is faster than water uptake by root hairs so cells have become turgid. C Transpiration is slower than water uptake by root hairs so cells have become flaccid. D Transpiration is slower than water uptake by root hairs so cells have become turgid.
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · Translocation is the movement of sucrose and amino acids in the phloem tissue of a plant…
17 Translocation is the movement of sucrose and amino acids in the phloem tissue of a plant from source to sink. Which organ can act as a source? A flower B growing shoot tip C new developing root D storage root
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · Which component of blood produces antibodies?
18 Which component of blood produces antibodies? A lymphocytes B phagocytes C plasma D red blood cells
Mark scheme: A
Q19 · What do shunt vessels connect?
19 What do shunt vessels connect? A arterioles to capillaries B arterioles to venules C capillaries to lymphatic vessels D capillaries to venules
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · Which graph shows how the pressure inside the lungs changes when taking one breath in?
20 Which graph shows how the pressure inside the lungs changes when taking one breath in? A B pressure pressure atmospheric atmospheric pressure time pressure time C D pressure pressure atmospheric atmospheric pressure time pressure time
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 · The diagram shows the apparatus used to measure the rate of respiration in germinating…
22 The diagram shows the apparatus used to measure the rate of respiration in germinating seeds. As the seeds respire, the bubble of coloured water moves along the glass tube. glass tube germinating soda lime bubble of seeds (to absorb coloured water carbon dioxide) The temperature is increased from 20 C to 40 C. What happens to the movement of the bubble as the temperature increases? A The bubble moves more quickly towards the seeds at 40 C than at 20 C. B The bubble moves more quickly away from the seeds at 40 C than at 20 C. C The bubble moves more quickly towards the seeds at 20 C than at 40 C. D The bubble moves more quickly away from the seeds at 20 C than at 40 C.
Mark scheme: A
Q23 · Which statement about lactic acid is correct?
23 Which statement about lactic acid is correct? A Lactic acid is a product of anaerobic respiration in yeast. B Lactic acid build-up in tissues can lead to an oxygen debt. C Lactic acid is produced from sucrose during anaerobic respiration. D Lactic acid is transported from the liver to the muscles after exercise.
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · The diagram shows a mammalian kidney
24 The diagram shows a mammalian kidney. X renal artery renal vein Z Y What are areas X, Y and Z? X Y Z A cortex medulla ureter B cortex ureter medulla C medulla cortex ureter D medulla ureter medulla
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · The structures listed are part of the nervous system
25 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
Q26 · Which process is a response of the body that is part of a negative feedback process?
26 Which process is a response of the body that is part of a negative feedback process? A release of insulin in response to low blood glucose concentration B vasoconstriction in response to an increase in blood temperature C synthesis of glycogen in response to increase in blood glucose concentration D sweating in response to a decrease in blood temperature
Mark scheme: C
Q27 · Which row shows the pupil reflex in bright light?
27 Which row shows the pupil reflex in bright light? muscles in iris size of pupil circular radial A contracts relaxes larger B contracts relaxes smaller C relaxes contracts larger D relaxes contracts smaller
Mark scheme: B
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 · Commercial plant growers use asexual reproduction to grow coffee plants which produce…
29 Commercial plant growers use asexual reproduction to grow coffee plants which produce crops of coffee beans. What is a disadvantage of asexual reproduction? A The coffee beans produced by all of the plants are identical. B Two parent plants are needed. C One parent is needed. D All plants are equally susceptible to the same disease.
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · Which statement about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is correct?
30 Which statement about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is correct? A Antibodies cannot be made. B HIV infections can be treated with antibiotics. C HIV destroys lymphocytes. D HIV is spread by coughing and sneezing.
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · Which statement about a diploid human cell is correct?
31 Which statement about a diploid human cell is correct? A There are 22 chromosomes and an X or a Y chromosome. B There are 22 pairs of chromosomes and two sex chromosomes. C There are 23 chromosomes. D There are 23 pairs of chromosomes and two sex chromosomes.
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · The gene for haemophilia is found on the X chromosome and the allele for haemophilia is…
32 The gene for haemophilia is found on the X chromosome and the allele for haemophilia is recessive. In the pedigree diagram the dominant allele is shown as XH and the recessive allele is shown as Xh. XHXh XHY key female male M N What is the probability of child M having haemophilia? A 0.00 B 0.25 C 0.50 D 1.00
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · What is an adaptive feature of xerophytes?
33 What is an adaptive feature of xerophytes? A They do not have root hair cells. B Their leaves have a large surface area. C They have many stomata. D Their leaves have thick cuticles.
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · The graph shows the growth of a bacterial population
34 The graph shows the growth of a bacterial population. Which section represents the exponential (log) phase? C number of B bacteria D A time
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 part of the nitrogen cycle
36 The diagram shows part of the nitrogen cycle. atmospheric nitrogen 1 proteins and 5 amino acids urea in animals ammonium 7 4 2 3 proteins and death and nitrates amino acids decomposition in plants 6 ammonium Which processes are carried out by bacteria? A 1, 2, 3 and 4 B 1, 2, 4 and 5 C 1, 2, 5 and 6 D 1, 2, 6 and 7
Mark scheme: D
Q37 · What is a characteristic of bacteria that makes them useful in genetic engineering?
37 What is a characteristic of bacteria that makes them useful in genetic engineering? A The genetic code of bacteria is different to plants and animals. B Their nucleus contains DNA. C Plasmids can be transferred between cells. D They have large numbers of mitochondria.
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · What is the useful product of anaerobic respiration in the manufacture of bread?
38 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
Q39 · What are reasons why species become endangered?
39 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
Q40 · If the nitrate concentration in a lake increases, fish may die due to the events listed
40 If the nitrate concentration in a lake increases, fish may die due to the events listed. 1 increased aerobic respiration by decomposers 2 increased decomposition of dead producers 3 increased growth of producers 4 reduction in dissolved oxygen Which sequence of events would lead to the death of the fish? A 1 3 2 4 B 2 1 4 3 C 3 2 1 4 D 3 4 1 2
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.
2Enzymes2Gas exchange in humans2Photosynthesis2Absorption1Active transport1Adaptive features1Aerobic respiration1Anaerobic respiration1Asexual reproduction1Biotechnology1Blood1Blood vessels1Characteristics of living organisms1Chemical digestion1Concept and uses of classification systems1Coordination and response1Diffusion1Diseases and immunity1Excretion in humans1Genetic modification1Habitat destruction1Homeostasis1Leaf structure1Monohybrid inheritance1Nutrient cycles1Pollution1Populations1Selection1Sense organs1Sexually transmitted infections1Size of specimens1Translocation1Transpiration1Tropic responses1Xylem and phloem1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2021 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.