Biology 0610/31 May/June 2024: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610), Paper 3 Theory (Core), May/June 2024. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
(a) Fig. 1.1 is a photograph showing different stages of bread‑making.
Bread dough is made by mixing flour, water and yeast together.
Bread dough A has just been mixed.
Bread dough B was mixed a few hours before the photograph was taken and has increased in volume.
dough B dough A
Fig. 1.1
(i) State the name of the gas that caused bread dough B to increase in volume.
…… [1]
(ii) State the name of the process in yeast that produces the gas during bread‑making.
…… [1]
(b) State one other product that is made using yeast, apart from food or drink.
…… [1]
(c) Bacteria are another type of microorganism that is used in biotechnology.
Tick two boxes to show why bacteria are useful in biotechnology.
cause disease
have the same structure as plant cells
make complex molecules
have a rapid reproduction rate
reproduce sexually
[2]
(d) Bacteria and yeast are living organisms.
Table 1.1 shows descriptions of some characteristics of living organisms.
Complete Table 1.1 by writing the name for each characteristic described.
Table 1.1
description name the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment the removal of the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements
a permanent increase in size and dry mass
[3]
(e) State two cell structures that are found in both bacteria and plants.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
1(a)(i) carbon dioxide ; 1
1(a)(ii) respiration ; 1 A fermentation
1(b) biofuels / AVP ; 1
1(c) make complex molecules ticked ; 2 R each additional tick
rapid reproduction rate ticked ;
1(d) sensitivity ; 3
excretion ;
growth ;
1(e) any two from: 2
cell wall ;
cell membrane ;
cytoplasm ;
ribosomes ;
DNA / genetic material ;
AVP ; e.g. temporary vacuole / vesicle
Enzymes are biological catalysts.
(a) Describe what is meant by a catalyst.
…… [2]
(b) State the type of biological molecule enzymes are made of.
…… [1]
(c) The rates of enzyme activity of two different enzymes, A and B, were recorded at different temperatures.
Fig. 2.1 shows the results.
A B
rate of enzyme activity
0 20 40 60 80 100
temperature / °C
Fig. 2.1
(i) Compare the effect of temperature on the rate of enzyme activity for enzymes A and B.
Use data from Fig. 2.1 to support your answer.
…… [4]
(ii) State the part of an enzyme that has a complementary shape to a substrate.
…… [1]
(iii) State one factor, other than temperature, that would affect the rate of enzyme activity.
…… [1]
(d) The box on the left contains the word ‘Enzymes’.
The boxes on the right contain some sentence endings.
Draw three lines from the box on the left to make three correct sentences.
are involved in all metabolic reactions.
are only made of the elements carbon and hydrogen.
are necessary to sustain life.
Enzymes
are needed for the loss of water vapour from leaves.
are a type of hormone.
are used to make fruit juice.
[3]
[Total: 12]
Mark scheme
2(a) (a substance that) increases the rate of reaction / speeds up 2
the reaction ;
and is not changed (by the reaction) ;
2(b) proteins / amino acids ; 1 A peptides / polypeptides
2(c)(i) any four from: 4
1 the (rate of) activity of (both) enzymes increases then
decreases (with increasing temperature) ;
2 both enzymes are active between 40 and 45 / 46 °C ;
3 enzyme A is active at lower temperatures / enzyme B is
active at higher temperatures ;
4 the optimum temperature of A is lower than B ; ora
5 (enzyme) A is denatured at a lower temperature than B ;
ora
6 correct data quote for either enzyme (to support any
marking point) ;
7 correct temperature ranges for where enzyme A and MP7 enzyme A 0–44 / 45 / 46°C
enzyme B are active ; and enzyme B 39 / 40 / 41 – 89/90/91°C
2(c)(ii) active site ; 1
2(c)(iii) pH / AVP ; 1
2(d) enzymes linked to: 3 R each additional line
are involved in all metabolic reactions ;
are necessary to sustain life ;
are used to make fruit juice ;
(a) A student investigated how surface area affected the rate of diffusion.
The student started with four agar cubes that each had a volume of 1 cm3.
The agar cubes were dyed with a red indicator.
The red indicator turned yellow when exposed to acid.
The student cut the cubes into different numbers of blocks to increase the surface area.
The blocks were placed in acid, as shown in Fig. 3.1.
The student recorded the time taken for all of the agar blocks in each test‑tube to turn yellow.
The student repeated the investigation twice and calculated a mean.
A B C D
acid
agar block
1 block 2 blocks 4 blocks 8 blocks
NOT TO SCALE
Fig. 3.1
Table 3.1 shows the results.
Table 3.1
number of total surface time taken for all the blocks mean time for all the agar blocks area of the to turn yellow / s test‑tube blocks to turn yellow in the agar blocks trial 1 trial 2 trial 3 /s test‑tube / cm2
A 1 6 278 240 255 258
B 2 8 112 120 98 110
C 4 10 79 85 81
D 8 12 56 48 52 52
(i) Calculate the mean time for all the blocks to turn yellow in test‑tube C.
Give your answer to the nearest whole number.
Space for working.
[2]
(ii) Using the results shown in Table 3.1, describe the effect of surface area on diffusion.
…… [1]
(iii) State one factor, other than surface area, that could affect diffusion in this investigation.
…… [1]
(iv) Complete the sentences to describe how the acid particles diffuse to cause the colour change.
The acid particles move from the acid solution into the ……,
down a …… gradient.
The energy for this process comes from the …… energy of random
movement of the acid particles.
[3]
(b) Describe one way that osmosis differs from other types of diffusion.
…… [1]
(c) Substances needed for respiration diffuse into cells.
(i) Circle the two substances needed for aerobic respiration in humans.
carbon dioxide glucose glycogen
oxygen protein urea water
[2]
(ii) State where aerobic respiration occurs in cells.
…… [1]
(iii) State the name of the part of all cells that substances pass through to enter the cell.
…… [1]
[Total: 12]
Mark scheme
3(a)(i) 82 ;; 2 MP1 correct calculation to any number of decimal places
MP2 correct rounding to a whole number
ecf for MP2 from incorrect MP1
3(a)(ii) any one from: 1
increasing the surface area increases the, speed / rate, of
diffusion ; ora
increasing the surface area decreases the time taken to turn
yellow ; ora
3(a)(iii) any one from: 1
temperature ;
concentration of acid ;
AVP ; e.g. diffusion distance / shape of the block
3(a)(iv) agar / block ; 3
concentration ;
kinetic ;
3(b) any one from: 1
(osmosis) involves water (only) / AW ;
(osmosis) involves a partially permeable membrane / AW;
3(c)(i) glucose ; 2 R each additional circle
oxygen ;
3(c)(ii) mitochondria / mitochondrion ; 1
3(c)(iii) (cell) membrane ; 1
(a) Symptoms of the disease influenza may include sneezing.
Fig. 4.1 shows a sign at a hospital.
Always wash hands after sneezing
Fig. 4.1
Explain why washing your hands after sneezing can help to prevent the spread of disease.
…… [2]
(b) State two ways of preventing the spread of disease through water.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(c) State three ways the body defends itself against disease.
1 ……
2 ……
3 ……
[3]
(d) Identify each disease or virus as transmissible or non‑transmissible by drawing a circle around the correct word.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmissible / non‑transmissible
coronary heart disease (CHD) transmissible / non‑transmissible
scurvy transmissible / non‑transmissible
[2]
[Total: 9]
Mark scheme
4(a) sneeze (may) contain (named) pathogens ; 2
idea of pathogens being removed by washing hands ;
4(b) any two from: 2
boiling water / bottled water ; A do not drink contaminated water
chlorinated water / UV steriliser / purification or sterilising
tablets ;
waste disposal / sewage treatment / separate drinking and
toilet systems ;
AVP; e.g. microfiltration / remove water to stop mosquitoes
breeding / AW
4(c) any three from: 3
skin ;
hairs in the nose ;
mucus / ciliated cells ;
stomach acid ;
white blood cells / antibodies / phagocytosis ; A immune system
tears ;
AVP ; e.g. platelets / blood clotting / increased body
temperature / fever / ear wax
4(d) transmissible 2 all three correct = two marks
non–transmissible two or one correct = one mark
non–transmissible
;;
(a) A student investigated the conditions needed for the germination of cress seeds.
Fig. 5.1 shows the apparatus, conditions used and the results of the investigation.
A B C D E
box that bung excludes light
substance that germinating cress removes seedlings seeds oxygen
damp dry damp damp damp cotton wool cotton wool cotton wool cotton wool cotton wool
4 °C 20 °C 20 °C 20 °C 20 °C
Fig. 5.1
(i) Identify the letters of the two test‑tubes in Fig. 5.1 that show that oxygen is needed for germination.
…… and ……
[2]
(ii) A gardener wanted to store some cress seeds for a long time before using them.
Use the information in Fig. 5.1 to identify the ideal conditions to prevent germination.
Tick two boxes.
cold
dry
light
low carbon dioxide concentration
low pH
[2]
(b) Tropic responses were investigated in two plants, X and Y.
The plants were placed in separate boxes for 5 days.
Fig. 5.2 shows plants X and Y at the start of the investigation.
Both boxes had a hole on one side that let light in.
Plant X was kept in the same position.
Plant Y was placed on a platform that was continually rotated.
plant X plant Y
light light
fixed platform rotating platform
Fig. 5.2
(i) Predict and explain how the shape of plant Y will differ from the shape of plant X after
5 days of growth.
…… [2]
(ii) State the name of the tropic response that would be seen in plant X in Fig. 5.2 after
5 days.
…… [1]
(iii) Suggest and explain the advantage to a plant of tropic responses in shoots.
…… [2]
(c) State the position plants occupy in a food chain.
…… [1]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
5(a)(i) C; 2
D/E ; either order
5(a)(ii) cold ticked ; 2 R each additional tick
dry ticked ;
5(b)(i) plant Y would be straight(er) ; 2
all, sides / parts / leaves, of plant Y, receives light ;
5(b)(ii) phototropism ; 1
5(b)(iii) receives more light / AW ; 2
for photosynthesis ;
5(c) first trophic level / producer ; 1
(a) Cabbages are crop plants.
Fig. 6.1 shows an area where the forest has been removed to create space for a monoculture of cabbage plants.
Fig. 6.1
(i) Describe reasons for habitat destruction, other than crop production.
…… [3]
(ii) Describe the advantages of growing crops such as cabbages as a large‑scale monoculture.
…… [3]
(b) Habitat destruction can cause species extinction.
State two ways that species can be conserved, other than protection of their habitat.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(c) Four islands, A, B, C and D, were surveyed to identify the different types of crop plant monocultures present.
The survey identifies the percentage of each type of monoculture on each island.
Fig. 6.2 shows the results of the survey.
A B crop 1
11% crop 4
25%
crop 2
21%
crop 4 crop 3
63% 75% crop 3
5%
C D crop 2 crop 2 crop 4 9%
20% 18%
crop 4
50%
crop 3 crop 3
30% 73%
Fig. 6.2
Identify the island or islands from Fig. 6.2 that:
have the greatest number of different types of monocultures ……
have the greatest percentage of crop 2 monocultures ……
have more than 50% crop 3 monocultures. …… and ……
[3]
(d) One effect of deforestation and monocultures is a reduction in biodiversity.
State what is meant by the term biodiversity.
…… [2]
(e) Crop 3 is a type of tree that can be used for firewood.
Suggest how this resource can be managed sustainably.
…… [1]
[Total: 14]
Mark scheme
6(a)(i) any three from: 3
1 (increased area for) housing / urbanisation / industry
/ factories / buildings ;
2 roads / railways / infrastructure / building dams ;
3 livestock production / AW ; MP3 A more meat consumption
4 extraction of, (named) natural resources / mining ;
5 freshwater / marine, pollution ; MP5 A acid rain
6 climate change / global warming ;
7 AVP ; MP7 e.g. natural disaster / war / flooding
6(a)(ii) any three from: 3
1 increased yield ;
2 less space required ;
3 cheaper, production / labour cost OR more profit / AW ;
4 easier harvesting ;
5 fertiliser / pesticides, applied (to all) at the same time
OR same, fertiliser / pesticide, is used ; ora
6 AVP ;
6(b) any two from: 2
monitoring or tagging / protection, of species ;
legislation / law / prevent (over) hunting / prevent poaching ;
seed banks / zoos ;
captive breeding programmes ;
education ;
removal of introduced species ;
6(c) A; 3
A;
B and D ; either order
6(d) the number of (different) species ; 2
that live in an area ;
6(e) any one from: 1
replant when trees are removed / AW ;
do not cut down too many trees (at once) ;
(a) Fig. 7.1 is a diagram of the human digestive system.
A
B
J C
D
H
E
G
F
Fig. 7.1
State the letter in Fig. 7.1 that identifies:
the gall bladder ……
the organ that secretes salivary amylase ……
where egestion occurs ……
where most absorption occurs ……
where physical digestion occurs ……
where the pH is acidic. ……
[6]
(b) The boxes on the left show some examples of nutrients.
The boxes on the right show some examples of molecules.
Draw lines to link each nutrient to a molecule found in that nutrient.
Draw two lines.
nutrient molecule
amino acid
fat glucose
protein glycerol
hydrochloric acid
[2]
(c) State the vitamin deficiency that causes rickets.
…… [1]
(d) Describe the dietary importance of the mineral ions calcium and iron.
calcium ……
iron ……
[2]
(e) Fat, protein, vitamins and mineral ions are all required for a balanced diet.
State the names of two other components of a balanced diet.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
[Total: 13]
Mark scheme
7(a) H; 6
A;
F;
G;
C;
C;
7(b) 2 one mark for each correct line
R each additional line
;;
7(c) (vitamin) D ; 1
7(d) calcium: for, bones / teeth ; 2
iron: for, haemoglobin / red blood cells ;
7(e) any two from: 2
(named) carbohydrate ;
water ;
fibre / roughage ;
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Biology 0610/31 for May/June 2024 is out of 80 marks, with 1 hour 15 minutes to answer it, across 7 questions.
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