Cambridge IGCSE Biology (9-1) 0970 — 2025 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 2
0970/22/O/N/25 · 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 · The photographs show two different rats
1 The photographs show two different rats. Rattus norvegicus Rattus rattus Which statement about the rats is correct? A The rats belong to the same genus. B The rats belong to the same species. C The rats can breed together to produce fertile offspring. D The rats do not share any of the same features.
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Concept and uses of classification systems
Q2 · The diagrams show cells of organisms from three different kingdoms
2 The diagrams show cells of organisms from three different kingdoms. not to scale 1 2 3 Which row shows the kingdoms for the organism cells labelled 1, 2 and 3? cell 1 cell 2 cell 3 A fungus protoctist prokaryote B fungus prokaryote protoctist C prokaryote fungus protoctist D prokaryote protoctist fungus
Mark scheme: B
Q3 · The diagram shows a plant cell
3 The diagram shows a plant cell. A biologist wants to find out the number of chromosomes it contains. Which labelled part should be examined more closely? B C A D
Mark scheme: A
Q4 · Which term describes each structure?
4 Which term describes each structure? structure brain liver neurone A organ organ cell B organ tissue cell C tissue organ tissue D tissue cell organ
Mark scheme: A
Q5 · The diagram shows the order of bases along part of one strand of DNA
5 The diagram shows the order of bases along part of one strand of DNA. A―C―T―T―A―G―A―T What is the order of bases on the complementary part of the other strand? A A―C―T―T―A―G―A―T B C―A―G―G―C―T―C―G C T―A―G―A―T―T―C―A D T―G―A―A―T―C―T―A
Mark scheme: D
Q6 · Which substance is an enzyme?
6 Which substance is an enzyme? A fibrinogen B mRNA C pepsin D saliva
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · Which function is performed in the duodenum?
7 Which function is performed in the duodenum? A assimilation B digestion C egestion D ingestion
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · The graph shows the changes in pH in the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum
8 The graph shows the changes in pH in the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. 12 11 10 9 8 X 7 pH 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 oesophagus stomach duodenum region of the alimentary canal Which substance causes the change in pH at the point labelled X? A bile B gastric juice C glucagon D trypsin
Mark scheme: A
Q9 · Which row names a small molecule and where that molecule is absorbed in the digestive…
9 Which row names a small molecule and where that molecule is absorbed in the digestive system? name of the small . . colon small molecule intestine amino acid x key / = molecule is absorbed glucose maltose X = molecule is not absorbed \ \ x Kk SK water
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · A student cut one stalk of celery from a celery plant
10 A student cut one stalk of celery from a celery plant. They put the celery stalk into a beaker of blue dye. The celery stalk was removed from the blue dye after two hours and was cut into sections. celery stalk blue dye two hours blue circles visible in the cut section What is shown by the blue circles in the cut sections of celery stalk? A position of the cortex cells B position of the palisade cells C position of the phloem cells D position of the xylem vessels
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · Which process moves water from the surfaces of the mesophyll cells into the air spaces…
11 Which process moves water from the surfaces of the mesophyll cells into the air spaces during transpiration? A active transport B circulation C evaporation D osmosis
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · The mass of water lost from a plant was investigated
12 The mass of water lost from a plant was investigated. The leaves of the plant were covered with a type of grease that acts as a waterproof barrier. The environmental conditions remained the same throughout the experiment. The table shows the results of the investigation. mass lost in treatment seven days / g no grease applied 12.0 grease applied only to the upper surface of every leaf 8.7 grease applied to both surfaces of every leaf 0.0 What is the mean daily rate of water loss through the upper surface of the leaves? A 0.47 g / day B 1.24 g / day C 1.71 g / day D 3.30 g / day
Mark scheme: A
Question 13
13 What is translocation? A the movement of amino acids and water from sink to source B the movement of starch and water from source to sink C the movement of sucrose and amino acids from source to sink D the movement of sucrose and mineral ions from sink to source
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · Which row names the blood vessel containing the highest blood urea concentration and the…
14 Which row names the blood vessel containing the highest blood urea concentration and the blood vessel containing the lowest blood urea concentration? highest blood urea lowest blood urea concentration concentration A hepatic artery hepatic vein B hepatic vein renal vein C hepatic portal vein renal artery D renal vein hepatic portal vein
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · The diagram shows the human digestive system
15 The diagram shows the human digestive system. Where do cholera bacteria cause the secretion of chloride ions? mouth A B D C anus
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · Which row describes what happens when breathing in?
16 Which row describes what happens when breathing in? external intercostal diaphragm muscles A contracts contract B contracts relax C relaxes contract D relaxes relax
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · A person exercised vigorously for one minute and then rested for one hour
17 A person exercised vigorously for one minute and then rested for one hour. Which statements about lactic acid are correct? 1 During exercise, lactic acid is produced in the muscles and diffuses into the blood. 2 The blood transports lactic acid to the liver. 3 Lactic acid is broken down by anaerobic respiration. A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 2 and 3 only D 2 only
Mark scheme: B
Q18 · The diagram shows the parts of the nervous system involved in a reflex arc
18 The diagram shows the parts of the nervous system involved in a reflex arc. Which letter identifies a synapse? section of the spinal cord A B D C
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · A person looks at a distant object in a dark area
19 A person looks at a distant object in a dark area. The person then moves to a bright area and looks at a near object. Which statement describes some of the changes that take place in the person’s eyes? A The circular muscles of the iris contract, the pupil constricts, the ciliary muscles relax and the lens gets thicker. B The radial muscles of the iris relax, the circular muscles of the iris contract, the pupil constricts and the lens gets thinner. C The radial muscles of the iris relax, the pupil constricts, the ciliary muscles contract and the lens gets thicker. D The radial muscles of the iris relax, the pupil dilates, the ciliary muscles relax and the lens gets thicker.
Mark scheme: C
Q20 · Which effect does adrenaline have on blood glucose concentration and pulse rate?
20 Which effect does adrenaline have on blood glucose concentration and pulse rate? blood glucose pulse rate concentration A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · The diagram shows an experiment using two wheat shoot tips, X and Y
21 The diagram shows an experiment using two wheat shoot tips, X and Y. after two days in even light shoot tip removed X Y X Y Which statement is supported by the evidence provided by this experiment? A Auxin moves through the plant by osmosis. B Auxin is made in the shoot tip. C Auxin is unequally distributed in response to light. D Auxin inhibits cell elongation.
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Which action would help to limit the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria?
22 Which action would help to limit the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria? A Use antibiotics frequently to prevent infection by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. B Use antibiotics only to treat bacterial infections. C Use antibiotics to treat all types of infections. D Use antibiotics to treat only viral infections.
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · What is an example of asexual reproduction?
23 What is an example of asexual reproduction? A a single bacterium dividing to produce two genetically identical bacteria B a mammal giving birth to four offspring C a female bird laying six eggs which will hatch into the same species D a tomato plant producing fruits which contain many seeds
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · The diagram shows parts of two different plants, 1 and 2, of the same species
24 The diagram shows parts of two different plants, 1 and 2, of the same species. The transfer of pollen between the flowers of these two plants is shown by the arrows labelled P and Q. P Q 1 2 Which arrows show cross-pollination, and which transfer of pollen would produce the most variation in the offspring? transfer of pollen that produces the cross-pollination most variation in the offspring A P only P B P only Q C P and Q P D P and Q Q
Mark scheme: A
Q25 · Which substance is a hormone that is involved in the development and regulation of male…
25 Which substance is a hormone that is involved in the development and regulation of male secondary sexual characteristics? A insulin B glucagon C lactase D testosterone
Mark scheme: D
Q26 · Which statement describes the net direction of movement of a substance across the…
26 Which statement describes the net direction of movement of a substance across the placenta? A Carbon dioxide moves from the mother’s blood to the fetus’s blood. B Glucose moves from the fetus’s blood to the mother’s blood. C Glycogen moves from the mother’s blood to the fetus’s blood. D Urea moves from the fetus’s blood to the mother’s blood.
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · The diagram shows the human female reproductive system
27 The diagram shows the human female reproductive system. Which label identifies the uterus? B A C D
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · Which methods can transmit HIV?
28 Which methods can transmit HIV? 1 hugging a person infected with HIV 2 sharing a needle with a person infected with HIV 3 using a plate that a person infected with HIV has used A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 only C 2 and 3 only D 2 only
Mark scheme: D
Q29 · Which chromosomes can be found in a single sperm?
29 Which chromosomes can be found in a single sperm? A X and X B X and Y C X or X D X or Y
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · Why are lymphocytes the only cells that produce antibody proteins?
30 Why are lymphocytes the only cells that produce antibody proteins? A Lymphocytes express all the genes in the nucleus. B Lymphocytes have twice as many genes as other cells. C Other cells do not have the genes for antibodies. D The genes for antibodies are only expressed in lymphocytes.
Mark scheme: D
Q31 · During protein synthesis, what is the function of the ribosome?
31 During protein synthesis, what is the function of the ribosome? A It assembles amino acids in a chain. B It carries a copy of a gene to the cytoplasm. C It contains the code for the synthesis of a protein. D It determines the order of bases in the protein.
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · The photograph shows a speckled chicken
32 The photograph shows a speckled chicken. Speckled chickens have white feathers and black feathers. When a chicken with only white feathers and a chicken with only black feathers are crossed, all of the offspring are speckled. What would be the expected phenotypic ratio if a speckled chicken was crossed with a chicken with only white feathers? A all offspring have only white feathers B all offspring are speckled C 1 white feathers only : 1 speckled D 3 white feathers only : 1 speckled
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · What are stem cells?
33 What are stem cells? A specialised cells that divide by meiosis to produce daughter cells B specialised cells that divide by mitosis to produce daughter cells C unspecialised cells that divide by meiosis to produce daughter cells D unspecialised cells that divide by mitosis to produce daughter cells
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · What are features of hydrophytes which have leaves that float?
34 What are features of hydrophytes which have leaves that float? A long root system B many stomata on upper surface of leaves C hairy leaves D small air spaces in the spongy mesophyll
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · Which unit could be used for the measurements needed to construct a pyramid of energy?
35 Which unit could be used for the measurements needed to construct a pyramid of energy? A kJ per g per m2 B kJ per kg per year C kJ per m2 per year D kJ per kg
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · Which process needs microorganisms to break down protein to produce ammonium ions?
36 Which process needs microorganisms to break down protein to produce ammonium ions? A decomposition B denitrification C nitrification D nitrogen fixation
Mark scheme: A
Q37 · The graph shows part of a growth curve for a bacterial population
37 The graph shows part of a growth curve for a bacterial population. population size time What is not shown in the graph? A the death phase B the exponential phase C the lag phase D the stationary phase
Mark scheme: A
Q38 · What is an advantage of large scale monocultures?
38 What is an advantage of large scale monocultures? A increased biodiversity B increased crop yield C increased susceptibility to disease D increased variation in the crop plant
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · The graph shows the global emissions of carbon dioxide and methane from 1990 to 2015
39 The graph shows the global emissions of carbon dioxide and methane from 1990 to 2015. 40 000 35 000 30 000 25 000 key emissions / million 20 000 carbon dioxide tonnes 15 000 methane 10 000 5000 0 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 year A student makes four statements about carbon dioxide and methane. ● Carbon dioxide and methane were the only sources of greenhouse gases produced in 1990. ● Carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise to the present day. ● Carbon dioxide has a greater effect on climate change than methane. ● Methane emissions were lower than carbon dioxide emissions between 1990 and 2015. How many statements are supported by these data? A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4
Mark scheme: A
Q40 · The diagram shows a bacterium
40 The diagram shows a bacterium. Which structure is cut to form sticky ends during genetic modification? A B D C
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.
3Cell structure2Sexual reproduction in humans2Transpiration2Absorption1Adaptive features1Anaerobic respiration1Asexual reproduction1Concept and uses of classification systems1Coordination and response1Digestive system1Diseases and immunity1Drugs1Energy flow1Enzymes1Excretion in humans1Features of organisms1Food supply1Gas exchange in humans1Genetic modification1Hormones1Meiosis1Mitosis1Monohybrid inheritance1Nutrient cycles1Physical digestion1Pollution1Populations1Sense organs1Sex hormones in humans1Sexual reproduction in plants1Sexually transmitted infections1Translocation1Tropic responses1Xylem and phloem1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2025 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.