Biology 0610/31 May/June 2021: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610), Paper 3 Theory (Core), May/June 2021. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
Fig. 1.1 is a dichotomous key. It can be used to identify different types of tree by using their leaves.
Is the width of the Plumeria yes leaf smaller than the length of the no yes Syringa
Does the leaf have leaf? a smooth, unlobed edge? Ilex no yes yes Are the edges spiky? no
Does the leaf Quercus have a single leaf shape? no Aesculus
Do the leaflets yes
(individual leaves) join at one point on the stalk? no
Sorbus
Fig. 1.1
Fig. 1.2 shows leaves from six different trees.
Use the key in Fig. 1.1 to identify the six different types of tree.
Write the name of each tree on the lines in Fig. 1.2.
Fig. 1.2
[5]
Mark scheme
1 Ilex Quercus Syringa 5 must be in this order
Sorbus Aesculus Plumeria 6 correct = 5 marks
;;;;; 4 or 5 correct = 4 marks
3 correct = 3 marks
2 correct = 2 marks
1 correct = 1 mark
(a) Fig. 2.1 is a front view diagram of the male reproductive system in humans.
A
B
C
D
Fig. 2.1
The boxes on the left show the letters identifying the parts in Fig. 2.1.
The boxes on the right show the functions of some of the parts of the male reproductive system.
Draw lines to link each letter to its function. Draw four lines.
letter from Fig. 2.1 function
gland that secretes fluid for sperm to swim in
A
produces sperm
B
sac that holds the testes
C
tube carrying semen and urine
D
tube carrying sperm to urethra
[4]
(b) Sperm are the male gametes in humans.
(i) State the name of the female gamete in humans.
…… [1]
(ii) State the name of the cell that is formed at fertilisation.
…… [1]
(iii) State the usual site of fertilisation in humans.
…… [1]
(c) The human reproductive system is involved in sexual reproduction.
Compare asexual reproduction with sexual reproduction.
…… [3]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
2(a) 4 one mark for each correct line
gland that secretes fluid for sperm to swim in
R each additional line
A
produce sperm
B
sac that holds the testes
C
tube carrying semen and urine
D
tube carrying sperm to urethra
;;;;
2(b)(i) egg cell / ovum / ova ; 1
2(b)(ii) zygote ; 1
2(b)(iii) oviduct ; 1
2(c) any three from: 3 one mark per row
response does not have to be in a table
asexual reproduction: sexual reproduction:
1 both produce offspring / AW
2 one parent two parents
3 genetically identical offspring / genetically different offspring
clone
4 no involvement of gametes (named) gametes
5 no fertilisation fertilisation / fusion of gametes
6 no variation variation
7 fast slow
8 mitosis meiosis (and mitosis)
9 less energy required more energy required
;;;
(a) Fig. 3.1 shows the number of deaths in one country that were due to excessive alcohol consumption.
5600
5400
5200 number of deaths due to excessive 5000 alcohol consumption 4800
4600
4400
4200
4000
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 year
Fig. 3.1
Describe the results shown in Fig. 3.1.
Use the data to support your answer.
…… [3]
(b) Describe two short-term effects of excessive alcohol consumption on the nervous system.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(c) State the name of one organ damaged by long-term excessive alcohol consumption.
…… [1]
(d) Alcohol dehydrogenase is an enzyme that breaks down alcohol in the body.
Fig. 3.2 shows the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase at different pH values.
enzyme activity
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 pH
Fig. 3.2
(i) State the pH value with the highest enzyme activity in Fig. 3.2.
…… [1]
(ii) State the pH value with the lowest enzyme activity in Fig. 3.2.
…… [1]
(iii) Suggest one other factor that could affect the activity of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.
…… [1]
(e) Enzymes are biological catalysts.
Define the term catalyst.
…… [2]
(f) Enzymes are proteins.
Circle the elements that all enzymes contain.
calcium carbon hydrogen iodine
iron magnesium nitrogen oxygen
[2]
[Total: 13]
Mark scheme
3(a) any three from: 3
overall (trend) is an increase in deaths / AW ;
decrease in 2011 ;
big(gest) increase, between 2011 and 2012 / in 2012 ;
small(est ) increase, between 2012 and 2013 / in 2013 OR
similar numbers of deaths in 2012 and 2013 ;
data, quote / manipulation ;
3(b) any two from: 2
depressant ;
increases reaction time / AW ;
reduces self-control ;
AVP ;; e.g. reduced pain or temperature perception / loss of
consciousness / lack of coordination
3(c) liver / AVP ; 1
3(d)(i) 8; 1
3(d)(ii) 10 ; 1
3(d)(iii) temperature / AVP ; 1
3(e) it increases the rate of a (chemical) reaction ; 2
and is not changed (by the reaction) ;
3(f) carbon, hydrogen and oxygen circled ; 2
nitrogen circled ;
(a) The box on the left contains the words ‘Aerobic respiration’.
The boxes on the right show some sentence endings.
Draw lines to make three correct sentences about aerobic respiration.
involves the action of enzymes.
occurs in animals only.
produces water.
Aerobic respiration
requires carbon dioxide.
releases less energy than anaerobic respiration.
requires oxygen.
[3]
(b) One effect of the release of the hormone adrenaline is to increase blood glucose concentration.
This allows more aerobic respiration to occur.
(i) Place ticks (✓) in the correct boxes to show other effects of the release of adrenaline on the body.
change in the genotype
decreased breathing rate
development of lung cancer
increased pulse rate
widened pupils
[2]
(ii) State the name of the gland that releases adrenaline.
…… [1]
(iii) State how adrenaline is transported to its target organs.
…… [1]
(c) State the names of two hormones involved in the development of secondary sexual characteristics in humans.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(d) State the name of the organ that secretes the hormone insulin.
…… [1]
(e) Organs, tissues and specialised cells are structures in the body that perform a particular function.
Write these parts of the body in order of size from smallest to largest.
cell DNA molecule organ organ system tissue
smallest ……
largest ……
[2]
[Total: 12]
Mark scheme
4(a) 3 one mark for each correct line
involves the action of enzymes.
R each additional line
occurs in animals only.
produces water.
Aerobic
respiration
requires carbon dioxide
releases less energy than
anaerobic respiration.
requires oxygen.
;;;
4(b)(i) 2 R each additional tick
change in the genotype
decreased breathing rate
development of lung cancer
increased pulse rate Π;
widened pupils Π;
4(b)(ii) adrenal (gland) ; 1
4(b)(iii) (in,) blood / plasma ; 1
4(c) testosterone ; 2 either order
oestrogen ;
4(d) pancreas ; 1
4(e) smallest DNA molecule 2 1 mark for DNA and organ system in correct place
cell 1 mark for cell, tissue and organ in the correct
tissue order.
organ
largest organ system
;;
(a) Fig. 5.1 is a diagram of a human heart.
blood vessel B blood vessel C
– to the lungs – to the body
blood vessel D blood vessel A – from the lungs
– from the body
Fig. 5.1
(i) Use label lines and labels to identify these structures on Fig. 5.1:
• atrium
• septum
• ventricle
• valve
[4]
(ii) Identify the letter or letters of all the blood vessels from Fig. 5.1, that:
are arteries ……
is the pulmonary vein …… .
[2]
(b) The activity of the heart can be monitored by measuring the pulse rate.
State two other ways of monitoring the activity of the heart.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(c) Coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by a blockage of blood vessels in the heart.
(i) State the name of the blood vessels that become blocked.
…… [1]
(ii) State three risk factors for developing CHD.
1 ……
2 ……
3 ……
[3]
[Total: 12]
Mark scheme
5(a)(i) correct labelling of : 4
atrium ;
septum ;
ventricle ;
valve ;
5(a)(ii) B and C ; 2
D;
5(b) any two from: 2
ECG ;
listening to the closing of the valves ;
AVP ;
5(c)(i) coronary arteries ; 1
5(c)(ii) any three from: 3
diet (or described);
obesity ;
stress ;
smoking ;
genetic predisposition ;
age ;
sex ;
AVP ;;
(a) Dimples are an indentation of the cheek visible when smiling.
Fig. 6.1 is a photograph showing a person with dimples.
Fig. 6.1
The number of male and female students in a class that had dimples was recorded.
The results are shown in Table 6.1.
Table 6.1
characteristic sex number of students male 4 with dimples female 5
without male 13 dimples female 12
(i) Calculate the total number of male students in the class.
…… [1]
(ii) Calculate the difference in number between male and female students with dimples.
…… [1]
(iii) Describe the evidence from Table 6.1 that shows that dimples are a type of discontinuous variation.
…… [2]
(iv) State one other example of discontinuous variation in humans.
…… [1]
(v) State one example of continuous variation in humans.
…… [1]
(b) Variation can be caused by a mutation.
Complete the sentences about mutation using words from the list.
Each word can be used once, more than once or not at all.
alleles decrease genetic impulses
increase ionising maintain physical stimuli
A mutation is a …… change.
Mutations form new …… .
Some chemicals and …… radiation can
…… the rate of mutation.
[4]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
6(a)(i) 17 ; 1
6(a)(ii) 1; 1
6(a)(iii) two / limited / discrete / distinct, categories / groups ; 2
no, intermediates / range / intervals ;
6(a)(iv) tongue rolling / AVP ; 1
6(a)(v) height / AVP ; 1
6(b) genetic ; 4
alleles ;
ionising ;
increase ;
(a) Modern technology has improved food production.
Table 7.1 shows some of the ways that food production has been improved.
Complete Table 7.1 by writing an example for each description.
Table 7.1
description of how it has improved example of technology food production
used to farm larger areas of land
used to improve growth in plants by providing nutrients
used to improve yield by removing animal pests
used to remove competition by weeds
[4]
(b) Intensive livestock production is used to improve food production.
Describe the negative effects of intensive livestock production.
…… [3]
(c) Selective breeding can be used to improve the yield of meat from livestock.
Sentences A to E in Table 7.2 describe the selective breeding of chickens to improve meat quantity.
The sentences are not in the correct order.
Table 7.2
Breed the chickens together. A
Observe the chickens to identify those that will yield the most meat. B
Observe the offspring and select the offspring that will yield the most meat. C
Repeat the process over many generations. D
Select one male and one female chicken. E
Put the letters from Table 7.2 into the correct order.
One has been done for you.
A
[2]
(d) Lack of food can affect the population size of animals in ecosystems.
State two other factors that could decrease population size.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
[Total: 11]
Mark scheme
7(a) agricultural machinery ; 4
fertiliser ;
insecticide ;
herbicide ;
7(b) any three from : 3
production of (named) greenhouse gases ;
spread of, disease / parasites ;
ref. to animal welfare ;
ref. to pollution ;
use of antibiotics / ref. to antibiotic resistance ;
AVP ;
7(c) B E ; (A) C D ; 2
7(d) any two from: 2
disease ;
reduced reproduction / AW ;
predation / hunting / poaching ;
climate change / drought / floods / extreme weather / temperature
change / natural disasters / war ;
loss of habitat / deforestation ;
pollution ;
(a) A student investigated the conditions needed for germination of seeds.
Fig. 8.1 shows the apparatus and conditions used.
light dark
seeds wet soil
A B box to exclude light light dark
seeds dry soil
C D
Fig. 8.1
The seeds in test-tubes A and B germinated but the seeds in test-tubes C and D did not germinate.
(i) Use the information in Fig. 8.1 to state one condition required for germination.
…… [1]
(ii) Use the information in Fig. 8.1 to state one condition not required for germination.
…… [1]
(iii) The investigation was repeated with seeds that had been boiled for 10 minutes and then cooled.
Predict and explain the effect of boiling on the results.
…… [2]
(b) Photosynthesis and germination have different requirements.
(i) State the word equation for photosynthesis.
…… [2]
(ii) State the name of one condition needed for both photosynthesis and germination.
…… [1]
[Total: 7]
Mark scheme
8(a)(i) water ; 1
8(a)(ii) light ; 1
8(a)(iii) no seeds, germinate / grow ; 2
seeds are, killed or damaged / enzymes destroyed ;
8(b)(i) carbon dioxide + water ; → glucose + oxygen ; 2
8(b)(ii) water / suitable temperature ; 1
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On this page, free: the mark scheme for IGCSE Biology 0610/31, May/June 2021 (0610_s21_ms_31), and the question paper (0610_s21_qp_31), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
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Biology 0610/31 for May/June 2021 is out of 80 marks, with 1 hour 15 minutes to answer it.
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