Cambridge IGCSE Biology (9-1) 0970 — 2024 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 2
0970/22/O/N/24 · 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 organisms carry out respiration, growth, movement and excretion?
1 Which organisms carry out respiration, growth, movement and excretion? A all animals and all plants B animals only C arthropods and flowering plants only D plants only
Mark scheme: A
Q2 · The chimpanzee belongs to the species Pan troglodytes
2 The chimpanzee belongs to the species Pan troglodytes. What is the genus of this species? A chimpanzee B Pan C Pan troglodytes D troglodytes
Mark scheme: B
More questions on Concept and uses of classification systems
Q3 · The diagram shows a tree leaf
3 The diagram shows a tree leaf. Use the key to identify the tree species to which the leaf belongs. leaf shape leaf is simple, leaf is compound, with no leaflets with many leaflets leaf edge leaf edge leaf edge leaf edge smooth jagged smooth jagged Fagus Ulmus Fraxinus Sorbus sylvatica minor americana aucuparia A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q4 · What is the function of mitochondria in cells?
4 What is the function of mitochondria in cells? A to absorb light energy B to produce glucose C to release energy D to transport oxygen
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · Which row shows a function of the cell membrane and a function of the cell wall in a…
5 Which row shows a function of the cell membrane and a function of the cell wall in a palisade cell? cell membrane cell wall A active transport active transport B active transport support C support active transport D support support
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · A specimen is viewed under a microscope with a 10 magnification
6 A specimen is viewed under a microscope with a 10 magnification. The specimen image measures 30 mm. What is the actual size of the specimen? A 3 m B 30 m C 300 m D 3000 m
Mark scheme: D
Q7 · The diagram shows the water potential of three plant cells
7 The diagram shows the water potential of three plant cells. The more negative the value, the higher the solute concentration. P Q –360 kPa – 400 kPa –340 kPa R What is the immediate movement of water that will occur between the three cells? A from P to Q, and from R to P and Q B from Q to P and R only C from Q to P and R, and from P to R D from R to Q only
Mark scheme: A
Q8 · Which base in a DNA molecule always pairs with a G base?
8 Which base in a DNA molecule always pairs with a G base? A A B G C C D T
Mark scheme: C
Q9 · The diagram shows the steps in an enzyme-controlled reaction
9 The diagram shows the steps in an enzyme-controlled reaction. X enzyme enzyme What describes the part labelled X? A active site B enzyme–substrate complex C product D substrate
Mark scheme: B
Q10 · The graph shows the effect of temperature on the time taken for the complete digestion of…
10 The graph shows the effect of temperature on the time taken for the complete digestion of starch. 6 5 time for 4 complete 3 digestion / minutes 2 1 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 temperature / °C At which temperature is the rate of digestion of starch the greatest? A 10 °C B 30 °C C 40 °C D 50 °C
Mark scheme: C
Q11 · Which substance is needed to make chlorophyll and which part of the plant absorbs the…
11 Which substance is needed to make chlorophyll and which part of the plant absorbs the substance? part of the plant substance where the substance is absorbed A calcium root hairs B calcium stomata C magnesium root hairs D magnesium stomata
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · The diagram shows a type of plant cell
12 The diagram shows a type of plant cell. cytoplasm vacuole nucleus chloroplast In which tissue is this cell found? A leaf epidermis B palisade mesophyll C root epidermis D xylem
Mark scheme: B
Q13 · Which components of a balanced diet are needed to make haemoglobin and to prevent scurvy…
13 Which components of a balanced diet are needed to make haemoglobin and to prevent scurvy and rickets? A carbohydrates and mineral ions B carbohydrates and proteins C mineral ions and vitamins D vitamins and fibre
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · Which group of organs belongs to the same organ system?
14 Which group of organs belongs to the same organ system? A diaphragm, oesophagus, trachea B heart, liver, lungs C heart, stomach, trachea D oesophagus, intestine, stomach
Mark scheme: D
Q15 · The diagram shows a villus
15 The diagram shows a villus. 1 2 3 4 Which parts transport glucose and fatty acids away from the villus? glucose fatty acids A 3 1 B 3 2 C 4 3 D 4 4
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · Which conditions lead to the lowest rate of transpiration in a plant?
16 Which conditions lead to the lowest rate of transpiration in a plant? A cool and high humidity B cool and windy C warm and low humidity D warm and windy
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · The table shows the transport tissues of plants and some substances that may or may not…
17 The table shows the transport tissues of plants and some substances that may or may not travel through these tissues. Which row is correct for translocation? substance plant tissue transported A phloem maltose B phloem sucrose C xylem amino acids D xylem water
Mark scheme: B
Q18 · The diagram shows the circulatory system of a fish
18 The diagram shows the circulatory system of a fish. X key oxygenated blood deoxygenated blood direction of blood flow What is the structure labelled X? A aorta B gills C heart D vena cava
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · Which factors increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease?
19 Which factors increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease? 1 increased age 2 regular exercise 3 smoking 4 stress A 1, 2 and 3 B 1, 2 and 4 C 1, 3 and 4 D 2, 3 and 4
Mark scheme: C
Q20 · Which features of the human body protect against pathogens in food?
20 Which features of the human body protect against pathogens in food? red blood cells stomach acid white blood cells A yes yes no B yes no no C no yes yes D no no yes
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · What causes air to enter the lungs?
21 What causes air to enter the lungs? external intercostal air pressure volume of thorax muscles in thorax A contract decreases decreases B relax decreases increases C contract increases decreases D relax increases increases
Mark scheme: C
Q22 · The symbol equation for aerobic respiration is shown
22 The symbol equation for aerobic respiration is shown. C6HxOy + 6O2 6COz + 6H2O Which numbers represent the letters shown in the equation as x, y and z? x y z A 2 12 6 B 6 2 12 C 6 12 2 D 12 6 2
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · A student investigates the rate of anaerobic respiration in yeast
23 A student investigates the rate of anaerobic respiration in yeast. The total volume of carbon dioxide produced is measured every 10 minutes for 40 minutes. The table shows the results. total volume of time / minutes carbon dioxide produced / cm3 0 6 10 30 20 37 30 40 40 41 Between which times is the rate of anaerobic respiration fastest? A 0–10 minutes B 10–20 minutes C 20–30 minutes D 30–40 minutes
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · Which part of an amino acid is removed during deamination?
24 Which part of an amino acid is removed during deamination? A the carbon-containing part B the nitrogen-containing part C the oxygen-containing part D the iron-containing part
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Which process happens in a glomerulus in the kidney?
25 Which process happens in a glomerulus in the kidney? A assimilation B deamination C filtration D reabsorption
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · The diagram shows a synapse in a reflex arc
26 The diagram shows a synapse in a reflex arc. P Q What are the identities of the two neurones and in which direction does the neurotransmitter pass? direction of passage neurone P neurone Q of the neurotransmitter A motor relay P Q B motor sensory P Q C relay motor Q P D relay sensory Q P
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · Which responses occur in the iris of the eye when a person walks from a brightly lit area…
27 Which responses occur in the iris of the eye when a person walks from a brightly lit area to a dimly lit area? circular muscles radial muscles A contract contract B contract relax C relax contract D relax relax
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · Which statements about hormones are correct?
28 Which statements about hormones are correct? 1 Adrenaline decreases pupil diameter. 2 Adrenaline increases pupil diameter. 3 Insulin decreases blood glucose concentration. 4 Insulin increases blood glucose concentration. A 1 and 3 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 2 and 4
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · Bacteria such as MRSA are resistant to antibiotics
29 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 Which processes lead 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
Q30 · A farmer grows hot pepper plants and sweet pepper plants in different fields on his farm
30 A farmer grows hot pepper plants and sweet pepper plants in different fields on his farm. Each year, the farmer saves seeds from the pepper plants to grow the next crop of peppers. One year, the farmer notices that some of the seeds from the sweet pepper plants have grown into plants which produce hot and sweet peppers. What is the most likely explanation? A Self-pollination has occurred and pollen has been transferred from the anther of a hot pepper plant to the stigma of a sweet pepper plant. B Cross-pollination has occurred and pollen has been transferred from the stigma of a hot pepper plant to the anther of a sweet pepper plant. C Self-pollination has occurred and pollen has been transferred from the stigma of a hot pepper plant to the anther of a sweet pepper plant. D Cross-pollination has occurred and pollen has been transferred from the anther of a hot pepper plant to the stigma of a sweet pepper plant.
Mark scheme: D
Q31 · Why do different cells in a human body produce different proteins?
31 Why do different cells in a human body produce different proteins? A Alleles can be dominant or recessive. B Only particular genes are expressed. C Cells have different genes. D The sequence of bases in the DNA varies between different cells.
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · Which graph shows the mean mass of DNA per cell before, during and after mitosis?
32 Which graph shows the mean mass of DNA per cell before, during and after mitosis? A B 8 8 7 7 mean mean mass 6 mass 6 of DNA of DNA 5 5 per per cell 4 cell 4 / arbitrary / arbitrary units 3 units 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 time time C D 8 8 7 7 mean mean mass 6 mass 6 of DNA of DNA 5 5 per per cell 4 cell 4 / arbitrary / arbitrary units 3 units 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 time time
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · Which statement about gene mutations is correct?
33 Which statement about gene mutations is correct? A A mutation is a change in the amino acid sequence of DNA. B Mutations are a source of genetic variation. C Mutations are caused by random mating. D Mutations happen during random fertilisation.
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · The diagram shows the amount of energy in kJ m–2 yr–1 at each trophic level of a food…
34 The diagram shows the amount of energy in kJ m–2 yr–1 at each trophic level of a food chain. producers primary consumers secondary consumers 88 000 14 000 2000 Approximately how much energy is lost between the producers and the secondary consumers? A 0.2% B 2.0% C 84% D 98%
Mark scheme: D
Q35 · Which process in the nitrogen cycle removes nitrogen gas from the atmosphere?
35 Which process in the nitrogen cycle removes nitrogen gas from the atmosphere? A decomposition B denitrification C nitrification D nitrogen fixation
Mark scheme: D
Q36 · What is a population?
36 What is a population? A a group of different organisms living in different areas at the same time B a group of organisms of different species living in the same area C a group of organisms of one species living in the same area at different times D a group of organisms of one species living in the same area at the same time
Mark scheme: D
Q37 · A farmer has a small pond on their farm land
37 A farmer has a small pond on their farm land. One year, most of the organisms in the pond die. The next year, the farmer decreases their use of nitrate fertilisers and fewer organisms in the pond die. Which statement explains why this will help increase the number of organisms living in the pond? A There is a decrease in dissolved oxygen due to an increase in decomposition. B There is a decrease in dissolved oxygen due to an increase in photosynthesis. C There is an increase in dissolved oxygen due to a decrease in decomposition. D There is an increase in dissolved oxygen due to a decrease in photosynthesis.
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · The graph shows how the population of a species of bird has increased following a…
38 The graph shows how the population of a species of bird has increased following a conservation programme. 400 350 300 250 number of breeding pairs 200 of birds 150 100 50 0 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 year What is the percentage increase in the number of breeding pairs of birds from 1996 to 2002, to the nearest whole number? A 35% B 74% C 170% D 283%
Mark scheme: D
Q39 · The diagram shows a bacterial cell that is used in genetic modification
39 The diagram shows a bacterial cell that is used in genetic modification. Which labelled structure makes the bacterium useful for genetic modification? A B D C
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · The diagram shows some apparatus that was used to produce lactose-free milk
40 The diagram shows some apparatus that was used to produce lactose-free milk. milk alginate beads containing X milk containing Y The alginate beads do not react with any of the substances. X is an enzyme that catalyses a reaction involving one of the substances found in milk. What are X and Y? X Y A amylase glucose B amylase starch C lactase glucose D lactase starch
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.
3Chromosomes, genes and proteins2Enzymes2Excretion in humans2Absorption1Aerobic respiration1Anaerobic respiration1Biotechnology1Characteristics of living organisms1Circulatory systems1Concept and uses of classification systems1Conservation1Coordination and response1Diet1Diseases and immunity1Energy flow1Features of organisms1Gas exchange in humans1Genetic modification1Heart1Hormones1Leaf structure1Mitosis1Nutrient cycles1Osmosis1Photosynthesis1Pollution1Populations1Selection1Sense organs1Sexual reproduction in plants1Size of specimens1Translocation1Transpiration1Variation1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2024 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.