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Biology 0610/63 May/June 2021: question paper and mark scheme

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610), Paper 6 Alternative to Practical, May/June 2021. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.

0610_s21_qp_630610_s21_ms_630610/63/M/J/21

Paper
Paper 6 Alternative to Practical
Total marks
40
Time
1 hour
Questions
2
Code on the paper
0610/63/M/J/21
0610_s21_ms_63.pdf

0610/63 mark scheme, question by question

Each question as it's printed, and the mark scheme's points for it, as text. Diagrams, tables and graphs are in the PDFs above.

Question 119 marks

Question

Vitamin C is an important component of a balanced diet. Many health drinks contain vitamin C. A student estimated the concentration of vitamin C in a health drink by comparing it to solutions with known concentrations of vitamin C. DCPIP is an indicator for vitamin C. When added to a vitamin C solution, the blue DCPIP reacts with vitamin C and becomes colourless. Drops of DCPIP are added to the vitamin C solution until the solution remains blue. Step 1 The student labelled four beakers A, B, C and D and used the information in Table 1.1 to make the vitamin C solutions in the four labelled beakers. Table 1.1 volume of 1.00% vitamin C volume of final percentage beaker solution / cm3 water / cm3 concentration of vitamin C A 10 30 0.25 B 20 20 0.50 C 30 10 D 40 0 1.00 (a) (i) Complete Table 1.1 by calculating the final percentage concentration of vitamin C in beaker C. …… % [1] Step 2 A syringe was used to transfer 0.5 cm3 of the vitamin C solution from beaker A into a test‑tube labelled A. Step 3 The student filled a dropping pipette with a 1% DCPIP solution and added one drop at a time to test‑tube A. The blue colour disappeared as vitamin C reacted with the DCPIP. The number of drops was counted as they were added to the test‑tube. Step 4 The student stopped adding drops of DCPIP to test‑tube A when the solution remained blue in colour when a drop was added. The total number of drops of DCPIP added was recorded. Step 5 The student then repeated steps 2 to 4 using the solutions from beakers B, C and D and test‑tubes labelled B, C and D. Step 6 The student then repeated steps 2 to 5 to obtain a second set of results. The student’s results are shown in Fig. 1.1. Trial 1 2 Trial ps = 6 dro test-t ube A ube A test-t = 4 dr rops ops B = 13 d test-t ube ube B test-t ops = 11 d rops C = 18 dr test-t ube ube C test-t ops = 18 d rops D = 23 dr test-t ub e ube D test-t = 21 d rops Fig. 1.1 (ii) Prepare a table to record the results shown in Fig. 1.1. Your table should include the average of the two trials. [5] (iii) State a conclusion for the student’s results. …… [1] (iv) Suggest why the student repeated the investigation. …… [1] Step 7 The student put 0.5 cm3 of health drink H into a clean test‑tube. They then added drops of 1% DCPIP to the test‑tube until the solution in the test‑tube remained blue. A total of 10 drops of DCPIP were added to the sample of health drink H. (v) Estimate the percentage concentration of vitamin C in health drink H, using the information in Table 1.1, your table in 1(a)(ii) and step 7. …… % [1] (vi) Suggest two improvements to the method that would allow a more precise estimation of the vitamin C concentration in health drink H. 1 …… 2 …… [2] (vii) Identify two variables that were kept constant in this investigation. 1 …… 2 …… [2] (b) Explain why counting the number of drops of DCPIP is not accurate. …… [1] (c) The manufacturers of health drink H claim that it also contains protein and glucose. Describe how you would test health drink H for protein and glucose. Include the results for a positive test. protein …… glucose …… [5] [Total: 19]

Mark scheme

1(a)(i) 0.75 ; 1 1(a)(ii) table with minimum two columns and a header row ; 5 suitable headings ; e.g. additional columns for two trials and average with appropriate percentage number of drops of headings ; concentration DCPIP eight values recorded ; of vitamin C trial 1 trial 2 average four correct averages calculated ; 0.25 6 4 5 0.50 13 11 12 0.75 18 18 18 1.00 23 21 22 1(a)(iii) higher concentrations of vitamin C require greater number of drops of 1 DCPIP ; ora 1(a)(iv) to identify anomalous results / AW ; 1 1(a)(v) a value in range of 0.26 to 0.50 (%) ; 1 1(a)(vi) any two from: 2 repeat the measurement for H ; use intermediate concentrations / AW ; measure the volume of DCPIP instead of drops ; use a larger volume of vitamin C / lower DCPIP concentration ; shake after adding each drop ; keep temperature constant ; AVP ; e.g. plot, results / values, on a graph and read off value for 10 drops from a line of best fit 1(a)(vii) any two from: 2 concentration of DCPIP ; volume of vitamin C solution ; type of indicator ; 1(b) any one from: 1 drop size is variable / unknown drop size ; unable to determine exact end-point as it may be between two drops / AW ; 1(c) protein 5 biuret (solution / reagent) ; purple colour ; glucose Benedict’s (solution / reagent) ; heat ; (brick-)red / orange / yellow / green, colour ;

Question 221 marks

Question

(a) Fig. 2.1 is a leaf from a plant. A B actual size Fig. 2.1 (i) Make a large drawing of the leaf in Fig. 2.1. [4] (ii) Measure the length of line AB in Fig. 2.1. Include the unit. length of line AB …… Draw a line on your drawing in 2(a)(i) to show the position of line AB. Measure this line on your drawing. Include the unit. length of the line on your drawing …… Calculate the magnification of your drawing using your measurements and the equation: length of the line on your drawing magnification = length of line AB in Fig. 2.1 [3] (b) A student used an aquatic plant to investigate the effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis. The production of oxygen gas can be used as an estimate of the rate of photosynthesis. The student set up the apparatus shown in Fig. 2.2. He counted the number of bubbles produced in 5 minutes. The carbon dioxide concentration in the water around the aquatic plant was 2 mg per dm3. He repeated the experiment with five different concentrations of carbon dioxide. bubbles containing oxygen gas aquatic plant lamp water Fig. 2.2 The student’s results are shown in Table 2.1. Table 2.1 carbon dioxide concentration number of bubbles / mg per dm3 produced in 5 minutes 2 4 4 14 6 20 8 25 10 35 12 35 (i) Plot a line graph on the grid of the data in Table 2.1. [4] (ii) Describe the trend shown on your graph in 2(b)(i). …… [1] (iii) The rate of photosynthesis can be given as the number of bubbles produced in one minute. Use the information in Table 2.1 to calculate the rate of photosynthesis at a carbon dioxide concentration of 4 mg per dm3. Give your answer to one significant figure. Space for working. …… bubbles per minute [2] (iv) Identify the variable that the student changed in this investigation (the independent variable). …… [1] (c) Counting bubbles is not an accurate method for measuring the volume of gas produced by a plant during photosynthesis. Plan an investigation to determine the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis. Your plan should include a more accurate method of measuring the volume of gas produced during the reaction. …… [6] [Total: 21]

Mark scheme

2(a)(i) Size – more than 50% of answer gap used ; 4 Quality – continuous outline, no shading ; Details ;; alternating pattern of veins / 4 to 10 veins drawn on upper half of leaf 2(a)(ii) measurement of line AB as 40 ±1 mm ; 3 line AB drawn on candidate’s drawing in 2(a)(i) ; magnification calculated from measured values ; 2(b)(i) axes labelled with units ; 4 (number of) bubbles in 5 minutes + carbon dioxide concentration, mg per dm3 linear scale for plotted points to occupy half or more of the grid in both dimensions ; all plotted points accurate to ± half small square ; line with no extrapolation and points joined with a ruler ; A line of best fit 2(b)(ii) as carbon dioxide increases, number of bubbles increases (and levels 1 off) / ora ; 2(b)(iii) 3 (bubbles per minute) ;; 2 MP1 correct rate calculation i.e. 14÷5 = 2.8 (bubbles per minute) MP2 correct rounding to one significant figure 2(b)(iv) carbon dioxide concentration ; 1 2(c) any six from: 6 independent variable: 1 at least two light intensities stated ; given method: 2 set up lamp with plant in water ; new method: 3 use a ruler to measure distance of lamp ; 4 change distance of lamp / bulb wattage / AW ; 5 use of a heat shield ; 6 ref. to equilibration time ; 7 ref. suitable apparatus for collecting gas e.g. gas syringe / (inverted) measuring cylinder / photosynthometer ; 8 measure volume in set time / record time to produce set volume ; 9 &10 controlled variables ;; max two from: temperature type / species, of plant number of leaves / leaf surface area / size / mass pH carbon dioxide concentration volume of water 11 relevant safety precaution ; e.g. ref. electric lamp and water 12 repeat the whole investigation at least two more times ;

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0610/63 questions

Where can I find the 0610/63 May/June 2021 mark scheme?

On this page, free: the mark scheme for IGCSE Biology 0610/63, May/June 2021 (0610_s21_ms_63), and the question paper (0610_s21_qp_63), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.

How many marks is 0610/63 out of?

Biology 0610/63 for May/June 2021 is out of 40 marks, with 1 hour to answer it, across 2 questions.

Can I get my 0610/63 answers marked?

Yes. Upload your answers to 0610/63/M/J/21 as a PDF or photos, and CIE Buddy marks every question against this paper's official mark scheme, using Cambridge's marking rules. You get your score, each lost mark explained on your own script, and the topics to revise. It's a guide, not an official Cambridge grade.