80 questions · 80 marks · ≈ 1 hour · spans 19 of 19 topics
Assembled from the topic question banks — not an official Cambridge International paperA student mixes a food reagent with solution X in a test tube.
They observe a positive test result when a cloudy emulsion forms.
| food reagent | food molecule present in solution X | |
|---|---|---|
| A | ethanol | glycogen |
| B | Biuret | lipids (fats and oils) |
| C | Benedict’s solution | glycogen |
| D | ethanol | lipids (fats and oils) |
Which row of the table below identifies the reagent used and molecule present in Solution X?
Choose your answer
Some of the processes carried out by living organisms are illustrated in the diagram below.
Which row of the following table correctly identifies the characteristics of living organisms shown in the diagram above?
| W | X | Y | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | respiration | photosynthesis | respiration |
| B | respiration | respiration | nutrition |
| C | photosynthesis | respiration | excretion |
| D | photosynthesis | excretion | nutrition |
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
The immune system recognises which part of a pathogen?
Choose your answer
Antibiotic
Antigen
Active site
Antibody
Extended Tier Only
The pH of an enzyme-controlled reaction is decreased by a pH of 2.
How does this affect the rate of the reaction?
Choose your answer
It has no effect on the rate.
It always decreases the rate.
It always increases the rate.
It may increase or decrease the rate .
The diagram shows part of the structure of a human lung.
Where would the concentration of carbon dioxide be highest?
Choose your answer
Which of the following best describes the function of vitamin D in a human?
Choose your answer
Vitamin D forms an essential part of collagen protein which is the main component of skin, hair and nails.
Vitamin D is needed for strong bones and teeth and a deficiency may lead to osteoporosis later in life.
Vitamin D assists with the absorption of calcium and is therefore needed to build strong bones and teeth.
Vitamin D is an important component of haemoglobin which is needed for the transport of oxygen to the cells.
Albinism is a condition where the pigment melanin does not get produced in the skin, hair and eyes. This is an inherited condition that is caused by a recessive allele.
If both parents have albinism what are the chances of the offspring being an albino child?
Choose your answer
0%
25%
75%
100%
Extended Tier Only
The image below shows two solutions separated by a partially permeable membrane.
Which of the statements below would be true in relation to the image?
Choose your answer
There is no net movement of water from W to X
There would be movement of water molecules from W to X
Osmosis of sugar molecules would occur from the dilute solution (W) to the concentrated solution (X)
Solution X is more dilute and therefore has a higher water potential than solution W
Which row of the table below correctly matches functions to components in a root hair cell?
| cell wall | cell membrane | mitochondria | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | support | active transport | energy release |
| B | energy release | active transport | nutrition |
| C | support | active transport | nutrition |
| D | active transport | support | energy release |
Choose your answer
Which of the following is not an advantage of asexual reproduction?
Choose your answer
Population numbers can increase rapidly when conditions are favourable.
Asexual reproduction is very time and energy efficient.
It leads to increased genetic variation within a population.
Asexual reproduction enables organisms to exploit suitable environments fast.
Which of the following processes require, and are dependent on, the activity of enzymes?
Choose your answer
1 and 2
1 and 3
1, 2 and 4
All of them
Extended Tier Only
Which of the following is a correct explanation as to why mammals have a double circulatory system?
Choose your answer
To reduce pressure of blood returning from the lungs to supply cells of the body most efficiently with the reactants for respiration.
To increase the pressure of blood sent to the lungs to supply cells of the body most efficiently with the reactants for respiration.
To increase the pressure of blood returning from the lungs to supply cells of the body most efficiently with the reactants for respiration.
To reduce pressure of blood sent to the lungs to supply the cells most efficiently with the products for respiration.
Which of the following is a correct explanation of the effect of root hairs on absorption?
Choose your answer
Provide a large surface area, maximising the rate of absorption of water and ions by osmosis.
Provide a large surface area, maximising the rate of absorption of water by osmosis and ions by active transport.
Increase the surface area, maximising the uptake of water by osmosis and ions by diffusion.
Provide a surface area, increasing the rate of absorption of water and ions by active transport.
What is a mutation?
Choose your answer
A process used in genetic engineering.
A type of continuous variation.
A condition caused by a dominant allele.
A change in a gene.
A group of students tested four different foods using some common food tests.
Their results are shown in the table below.
| Benedict’s test | Biuret test | Iodine test | DCPIP test | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | brick-red | purple | brown | colourless |
| B | brick-red | blue | brown | colourless |
| C | blue | blue | black | blue |
| D | brick-red | blue | black | colourless |
Which food contains reducing sugar and Vitamin C but not protein or starch?
Choose your answer
Which of the following is not a characteristic seen in all living organisms?
Choose your answer
Reproduction
Respiration
Excretion
Photosynthesis
Extended Tier Only
Which of the following statements is a correct reason that humans sweat?
Choose your answer
To lose water through the surface of the skin.
To increase water loss from the kidneys.
To increase heat loss from the body.
To reduce blood glucose levels.
Extended Tier Only
In many multicellular animals, pathogens are recognised as foreign and are attacked by the immune system.
Which of the following may be produced during an immune response?
Choose your answer
Antigens
Antibiotics
Pathogens
Antibodies
Extended Tier Only
The graph below shows the number of deaths from MRSA per 100 000 people in a population of over-65s from 2005 to 2012.
Which of the following is the correct value for the average annual rate of decrease in the number of deaths per 100 000 people from 2005 to 2012?
Choose your answer
1.14 deaths per year
1.86 deaths per year
0.71 deaths per year
5.00 deaths per year
Extended Tier Only
The diagrams below show an amylase enzyme catalysing the breakdown of part of a starch molecule into smaller molecules of maltose.
Which diagram has three correct labels?
Choose your answer
A person exhales, and the air from their lungs is collected and placed in a gas jar. A second gas jar contains normal atmospheric air. A candle is set alight and is placed inside each gas jar as shown. The time taken for each flame to go out is measured with a stopwatch.
The table shows the results of this experiment.
| gas jar | time for candle flame to go out /s |
|---|---|
| 1 | 7 |
| 2 | 12 |
Which of the following is a correct explanation for the difference between the results in jars 1 and 2?
Choose your answer
Jar 1 contains atmospheric air which has less oxygen than exhaled air.
Jar 1 contains exhaled air which has less oxygen compared to atmospheric air.
Jar 2 contains atmospheric air which has more carbon dioxide than exhaled air.
Jar 2 contains exhaled air which has more carbon dioxide than oxygen in it.
Which of the following effects is least likely to be as a result of deforestation?
Choose your answer
A greater risk of flooding.
An increase in biodiversity.
An increase in soil erosion.
An increase in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The diagram below shows part of the human digestive system.
In which structure is most of the water from food absorbed?
Choose your answer
The diagram shows how the sex of the offspring can be determined.
What are the sex chromosomes in gamete Q and the son R?
| Q | R | |
|---|---|---|
| A | X | XY |
| B | X | XX |
| C | Y | XY |
| D | Y | XX |
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
A plant absorbs a number of substances into its roots.
Which row of the table below correctly shows the substances absorbed by the roots and how these substances are absorbed?
| minerals | oxygen | water | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | active transport | diffusion | osmosis |
| B | active transport | not absorbed | transpiration |
| C | diffusion | diffusion | osmosis |
| D | active transport | not absorbed | osmosis |
Choose your answer
Eukaryotic cells contain mitochondria (a mitochondrion is shown below).
Which diagram below correctly shows the position of mitochondria in a plant cell?
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
Which statement gives the best explanation for why most food chains have no more than five trophic levels?
Choose your answer
Because 20% of the energy is transferred at each level and after 5 levels, all the energy is used up (5 × 20% = 100%).
The numbers of organisms are insufficient because the top predator has to have a count of 1 in a pyramid of numbers.
The biomass transferred from a consumer to the next-level consumer is too little.
There is a large amount of energy loss at each level so insufficient energy can be passed up to the sixth trophic level.
A student sets up an experiment to measure the rate of oxygen production of an aquatic plant when it is photosynthesising.
The student repeated the experiment several times to calculate the average amount of oxygen collected.
Which two factors should be kept constant during the student’s experiment?
Choose your answer
The size of the funnel and beaker.
The size of the aquatic plant and time exposed to light.
The size of the aquatic plant and the amount of water in the beaker.
The size of the aquatic plant and the amount of gas in the measuring cylinder.
The diagram below shows a flower.
Which of these processes have taken place?
| pollination | fertilisation | |
|---|---|---|
| A | no | no |
| B | no | yes |
| C | yes | yes |
| D | yes | no |
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
The list below shows four metabolic processes that can occur in living cells.
Which row of the table correctly represents the processes that can occur in muscle cells and yeast cells.
| in muscles | in yeast | |
|---|---|---|
| A | 3 only | 1 & 4 |
| B | 3 & 4 | 2 & 3 |
| C | 2 only | 1, 3 & 4 |
| D | 2 & 3 | 3 & 4 |
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
The blood contains lymphocytes.
What is their purpose?
Choose your answer
Transport of hormones
Phagocytosis
Antibody production
Blood clotting
Extended Tier Only
The diagram below shows part of the trunk of a small dicotyledonous tree with a ring of bark removed.
Removing the ring of bark removes one type of transport tissue but leaves the other type intact.
What effect does removing the bark have on the two branches?
| upper branch | lower branch | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| leaves | growth | leaves | growth | |
| A | normal | normal | normal | reduced |
| B | wilted | normal | wilted | normal |
| C | wilted | reduced | normal | normal |
| D | normal | reduced | wilted | reduced |
Choose your answer
An island’s entire population of a butterfly species is descended from just two parents that were introduced from the mainland.
Which of the following statements about this butterfly population, compared with that of the mainland, is correct?
Choose your answer
The population shows more genetic variety.
The population will adapt more slowly to environmental changes.
The population shows more phenotypic variation.
The population is less in danger of collapsing from disease.
Which row shows the three main elements from the Period Table that are present in most molecules in living organisms?
| A | carbon | oxygen | nitrogen |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | hydrogen | carbon | oxygen |
| C | oxygen | sulfur | carbon |
| D | hydrogen | carbon | nitrogen |
Choose your answer
Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), glucose and water are mixed in a test tube.
The diagrams show the test tube immediately after mixing and after one hour.
Which process causes this change?
Choose your answer
Reproduction
Respiration
Growth
Sensitivity
Extended Tier Only
Which of the following statements would not be a correct example of negative feedback?
Choose your answer
An increase in core body temperature when cold.
Vasoconstriction.
The release of a neurotransmitter at a synapse.
The control of blood glucose levels.
Extended Tier Only
What happens when a person is vaccinated against measles?
| type of immunity | production of memory cells? | |
|---|---|---|
| A | passive | yes |
| B | passive | no |
| C | active | yes |
| D | active | no |
Choose your answer
Which of the following statements about antibiotics is not correct?
Choose your answer
Some antibiotics are produced by fungi.
Some bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.
Antibiotics are used to treat diseases caused by viruses.
Antibiotics should only be prescribed when they are needed.
Extended Tier Only
Which graph in the image below shows the correct effect of temperature on the activity of an enzyme?
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
Which of the following helps carbon dioxide to be excreted rapidly into the alveoli from the blood in the lungs?
Choose your answer
1, 2 & 4 only
3 only
1 & 3 only
3 & 4 only
Extended Tier Only
A student ate a meal which contained a type of biomolecule, X.
The digestion of biomolecule X started in the mouth, and finished in the duodenum.
What is the product of the digestion of biomolecule X?
Choose your answer
Amino acids
Protein
Glucose
Starch
Which shows the correct size order of structures, starting with the smallest?
Choose your answer
gene → DNA strand → chromosomes → nucleus
DNA strand → chromosomes → gene → nucleus
chromosomes → gene → DNA strand → nucleus
nucleus → chromosomes → DNA strand → gene
The image below shows two solutions separated by a partially permeable membrane.
Which of the statements below would be true in relation to the image?
Choose your answer
There is no net movement of water from W to X
There would be movement of water molecules from W to X
Osmosis of sugar molecules would occur from the dilute solution (W) to the concentrated solution (X)
Solution X is more dilute and therefore has a higher water potential than solution W
The diagram below shows part of an organism.
Which term correctly describes the level of organisation of the structure in the diagram above?
Choose your answer
Cell
Organelle
Organ
Organ system
The image shows a food web.
Which organism, from the food web, feeds on the greatest variety of organisms?
Choose your answer
Whelks
Crabs
Limpets
Mussels
A student sets up an experiment to measure the rate of oxygen production of an aquatic plant when it is photosynthesising.
The student repeated the experiment several times to calculate the average amount of oxygen collected.
Which two factors should be kept constant during the student’s experiment?
Choose your answer
The size of the funnel and beaker.
The size of the aquatic plant and time exposed to light.
The size of the aquatic plant and the amount of water in the beaker.
The size of the aquatic plant and the amount of gas in the measuring cylinder.
Students were discussing how to remember the difference between two groups of cells, ‘many, minute and motile’ or ‘few, fat and fixed’.
What group of cells were they referring to?
Choose your answer
Male and female gametes
Animal and plant cells
Red and white blood cells
Xylem and phloem cells
Which of the following processes would release the most energy in a cell from one molecule of glucose?
Choose your answer
2 only
3 only
1 & 3
All of the above
Extended Tier Only
The diagram below shows a vertical section through a human heart.
Which row of the following table has the correct names for the structures labelled in the diagram?
| X | Y | Z | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | atrioventricular valve | semilunar valve | septum |
| B | semilunar valve | atrioventricular valve | septum |
| C | semilunar valve | semilunar valve | atrioventricular valve |
| D | atrioventricular valve | atrioventricular valve | septum |
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
Which of the following graphs shows most clearly what would happen to the rate of transpiration as humidity decreases?
Choose your answer
Which row best describes the variation seen in human blood groups?
| has no intermediates | shows continuous variation | shows discontinuous variation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| B | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| C | X | ✓ | X |
| D | X | X | ✓ |
Choose your answer
The table below shows the elements and basic units used by cells to make large biological molecules.
| basic units | elements | large molecule | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | amino acid | carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen | protein |
| B | glycerol | carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen | fats |
| C | glycerol | carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen | fats |
| D | amino acid | carbon, hydrogen, oxygen | carbohydrate |
Which row of the table is correct?
Choose your answer
The image below shows the events during and after seed germination in well-watered soil.
Which characteristics of living things are demonstrated by this sequence?
Choose your answer
Nutrition and reproduction
Reproduction and growth
Photosynthesis and sensitivity
Sensitivity and growth
The image below shows a simple reflex arc.
Which of the following sequences correctly shows the order of cells that an impulse passes through during a reflex action?
| first → last | |
|---|---|
| A | Z → X → Y |
| B | X → Y → Z |
| C | Y → X → Z |
| D | Z → Y → X |
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
Components of the blood from a mammal are shown in the diagram below.
In which component would you expect to find the remains of the breakdown of bacterial cells.
Choose your answer
Which statement best describes the mode of action of antibiotics?
Choose your answer
Antibiotics interfere with cellular processes in bacteria, killing them immediately.
Antibiotics interfere with cellular processes in all microorganisms, killing them immediately.
Antibiotics interfere with cellular processes in bacteria, killing them immediately or preventing their reproduction.
Antibiotics interfere with cellular processes in all microorganisms, killing them immediately or preventing their reproduction.
Extended Tier Only
The image below represents a chemical reaction.
Which of the following best represents the enzyme responsible for catalysing this reaction?
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
Some amphibians, such as frogs, can use their skin as a gas exchange surface.
What are the most likely characteristics of the surface of the skin in these amphibians?
| surface area | type of skin | |
|---|---|---|
| A | small | thick |
| B | large | thick |
| C | small | thin |
| D | large | thin |
Choose your answer
Which of the following descriptions are correctly matched to the different stages of food breakdown?
| absorption | assimilation | egestion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | small soluble food molecules move into the bloodstream | small soluble food molecules cross the cell membrane of cells | excretion of undigested or unabsorbed food through the anus |
| B | small soluble food molecules move into the bloodstream | small soluble food molecules cross the cell membrane of cells | passing out of undigested or unabsorbed food through the anus |
| C | small soluble food molecules cross the cell membrane of cells | small soluble food molecules move into the bloodstream | passing out of undigested or unabsorbed food through the anus |
| D | small soluble food molecules cross the cell membrane of cells | small soluble food molecules move into the bloodstream | excretion of undigested or unabsorbed food through the anus |
Choose your answer
Two individuals are crossed. One is homozygous dominant (TT), the other heterozygous.
What will the genotypes of the offspring be?
Choose your answer
all Tt
50% TT, 50% Tt
50% TT, 50% tt
25% TT, 50% Tt, 25% tt
Extended Tier Only
Which of the structures below is best adapted for diffusion?
Choose your answer
ileum
bronchioles
atria
capillary
Which description of the liver below is correct?
Choose your answer
The liver is a cell, containing several tissues, which forms part of the digestive system.
The liver is an organ, containing several systems, which forms part of the digestive tissue
The liver is an organ, containing several tissues, which forms part of the digestive system.
The liver is a cell, containing several systems, which forms part of the digestive system.
Look at the information about a food chain.
| Organism | Number | Biomass / kg |
|---|---|---|
| Oak tree | 1 | 400,000 |
| Aphids | 9,000 | 900 |
| Predatory midges | 120 | 45 |
What is the percentage biomass of the aphids transferred to the midges?
Choose your answer
0.05 %
1.3 %
5%
0.225 %
Extended Tier Only
Which of the following best describes the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?
Choose your answer
Chlorophyll transfers light energy from the Sun because it has magnesium ions
Chlorophyll transfers chemical potential energy from sunlight into organic molecules which can be used to synthesise carbohydrates such as glucose
Chlorophyll transfers light energy from the Sun into chemical energy in inorganic molecules which can be used for growth
Chlorophyll transfers light energy into chemical potential energy in glucose molecules which are used in the synthesis of other carbohydrates
HIV is an STI. The following statements are about changes that could occur in the body.
Which of these statements would be correct for HIV?
Choose your answer
1 and 2
2 and 4
3 and 4
1 and 3
Extended Tier Only
Which row in the table below shows the correct products produced by anaerobic respiration in yeast and in animals?
| animals | yeast | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lactic acid | carbon dioxide | lactic acid | carbon dioxide | |
| A | X | ✓ | X | X |
| B | ✓ | X | X | ✓ |
| C | X | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| D | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X |
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
Which blood vessel has a relatively low carbon dioxide concentration, a high oxygen concentration and a low blood pressure?
Choose your answer
Pulmonary artery
Pulmonary vein
Aorta
Vena cava
A decrease in which of the following factors would normally cause the transpiration rate to increase?
Choose your answer
Stomatal density
Light intensity
Temperature
Humidity
Extended Tier Only
A patient with a bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics, but some of the bacteria survive.
Which statement about the surviving bacteria is correct?
Choose your answer
The bacteria have an allele that provides resistance to all antibiotics.
The bacteria are the result of selective breeding.
The bacteria have an allele that provides resistance to the antibiotic used.
The offspring of the bacteria will be more susceptible to the antibiotic.
The drawing shows a food test being carried out in a laboratory.
Which food test is being shown and which food group is being tested for?
Choose your answer
Biuret test for proteins
DCPIP test for Vitamin C
Benedict's test for reducing sugars
Emulsion test for fats
The equation below represents a chemical process that occurs in the cells of living organisms.
glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
Which row correctly identifies the characteristic(s) of living organisms represented by this chemical process?
| nutrition | respiration | |
|---|---|---|
| A | ✓ | ✓ |
| B | X | ✓ |
| C | X | X |
| D | ✓ | X |
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
Which of the following statements about glucagon are false?
Choose your answer
1, 2, 5 and 6
1, 3, 4 and 6
1, 4, 5 and 6
5 and 6 only
What is a pathogen?
Choose your answer
A transmissible disease
A phagocyte that engulfs bacteria
A disease-causing organism
A bacterial cell
In 1945, Sir Alexander Fleming warned about the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. There is currently an antibiotic resistance crisis.
Which of the following actions would worsen the situation?
Choose your answer
1 , 2 and 4
1 only
1 and 4
2, 3 and 4
The pH of an enzyme controlled reaction is decreased by a pH of 2.
How does this affect the rate of the reaction?
Choose your answer
It has no effect on the rate.
It always decreases the rate.
It always increases the rate.
It may increase or decrease the rate .
Which of the following sequences show the correct path of oxygen as it enters the lungs?
Choose your answer
trachea → bronchiole → bronchus → alveolus
trachea → bronchus → bronchiole → alveolus
alveolus → bronchus → bronchiole → trachea
alveolus → bronchiole → bronchus → trachea
Extended Tier Only
Below is a list of chemical reactions that occur during digestion.
Which of the chemical reactions above might occur in the duodenum?
Choose your answer
1, 3 and 4
4 only
2, 3 and 4
All 4
Males and females have a unique set of chromosomes.
What is the correct combination of male and female chromosomes?
Choose your answer
Male XYFemale YY
Male YXFemale XY
Male XYFemale XX
Male XXFemale XY
The image below shows part of a cross-section through a leaf.
Which row of the table below correctly shows the movement of various substances?
| evaporation of water | movement of water by osmosis | diffusion of water vapour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| B | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| C | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| D | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Choose your answer
Extended Tier Only
An image of a leaf cross-section is printed in a biology textbook. The actual thickness of such a leaf is 450 µm, and the image in the textbook has a height of 83 mm.
What would be the correct magnification of the image?
Choose your answer
× 5
× 184
× 0.184
× 500