Biology 0610/41 May/June 2024: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610), Paper 4 Theory (Extended), 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 of a fish. Fig. 1.2 is a photograph of an amphibian.
Fig. 1.1
Fig. 1.2
State two visible features that distinguish the fish in Fig. 1.1 from the amphibian in Fig. 1.2.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(b) Fish, amphibians and mammals are all vertebrate groups.
State the name of one other vertebrate group.
…… [1]
(c) Fig. 1.3 shows the circulatory system of a fish.
Fig. 1.4 shows the circulatory system of an amphibian.
gill capillaries lung and skin capillaries
heart heart ventricle
atrium
body capillaries body capillaries
Fig. 1.3 Fig. 1.4
Describe the similarities and the differences between the circulatory systems of the fish and the amphibian in Fig. 1.3 and Fig. 1.4.
…… [4]
(d) Explain the advantages of the type of circulatory system in mammals compared with the type of circulatory system in fish.
…… [3]
(e) Explain how the structure of arteries and veins relates to the difference in the pressure of the blood transported by these vessels.
…… [4]
(f) Table 1.1 shows the names of some organs and the name of the main artery that brings blood to the organ.
Complete Table 1.1.
Table 1.1
name of the organ name of the artery that brings blood to the organ
lung
renal artery
liver
[3]
[Total: 17]
Mark scheme
1(a) any two from: 2
(fish has)
fins / no legs / no limbs ; A amphibian has (2 pairs of) legs
scales / scaly skin ; A amphibian has smooth skin
operculum ;
deeper body / larger ratio of depth to length ;
1(b) reptiles / birds ; 1
1(c) total of four from: 4
similarities to max 3:
1 both have, heart / blood vessels / capillaries / arteries / veins ;
2 (heart with) one ventricle / no (visible) septum ;
3 both have valves (in the heart) ;
4 blood flows through atrium and then ventricle ;
5 no (visible) separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood ;
differences to max 3:
6 fish have capillaries in gills and amphibians have capillaries in lung and
skin ;
7 fish have a single circulatory system and amphibians have a (incomplete) MP7 A blood flows through the heart once
double circulatory system ; in a circuit in fish and twice in an
amphibian
8 fish has a 2-chambered heart / amphibian has 3-chambered heart ;
9 amphibians have two atria / fish have one atrium ;
10 amphibians have a separate circuit to the, gas exchange surface /
AW ;
11 fish have one valve (in heart) / amphibians have three valves (in heart) ;
1(d) any three from: 3
1 ref. to double (rather than single) circulatory system ; MP1 A separation of oxygenated and
deoxygenated blood / heart has a septum
2 (allows / maintains) high(er) blood pressure (to tissues / body) ;
3 for faster / more efficient, transport, (named) substances / blood ;
4 supports fast(er), metabolism / respiration ;
5 allows lower pressure to lungs ;
6 (lower pressure) allows more time for, gas exchange / absorption of
oxygen ;
7 prevents damage to lungs / AW ;
8 AVP ; MP8 e.g. ref. to temperature regulation
1(e) total of four from: 4
arteries to max 3
1 idea of arteries have thick walls to, withstand / cope with / deal with, high
pressure ;
2 arteries have (thick layer of) elastic tissue to, stretch / recoil (due to the
changing pressure) ;
3 arteries have (thick layer of) muscular tissue to change pressure ;
4 arteries have narrow(er) lumen to maintain high pressure ;
5 veins have valves to prevent backflow of blood (due to low pressure) ;
6 veins have, thin walls / large lumen, to provide less resistance to blood
flowing at low pressure / allow large volumes of blood / AW ;
7 veins have thin walls so blood is moved by contraction of (surrounding)
muscles / AW ;
1(f) 3
name of the artery that brings
name of the organ
blood to the organ
lungs pulmonary (artery) ;
kidney ; renal artery
liver hepatic (artery) ;
(a) Fig. 2.1 shows the internal body temperature of a human and the external environmental temperature during six hours in one day.
40
38
36
34 temperature
/ °C
32
30
28
26
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 time / hours key: internal body temperature external environmental temperature
Fig. 2.1
(i) The internal body temperature range is from 36.4 °C to 37.0 °C.
State the range of the external environmental temperature shown in Fig. 2.1.
…… [1]
(ii) Explain the results for the internal body temperature shown in Fig. 2.1.
…… [6]
(b) Fig. 2.2 shows a cross‑section through human skin.
F A
E B
D
C
Fig. 2.2
Table 2.1 shows the names of some parts of the skin, the letter identifying the part in Fig. 2.2 and its role in maintaining internal body temperature.
Complete Table 2.1.
Table 2.1
name of the part letter in Fig. 2.2 role in maintaining internal body temperature
insulation
E
detect temperature changes
[3]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
2(a)(i) 28.0 (°C) to 39.0 (°C) ; 1
2(a)(ii) any six from: 6
1 (internal temperature is maintained by) homeostasis / negative feedback ;
2 external temperature detected by, (thermo)receptors / sensory neurones,
in the skin ;
3 (nerve) impulses (via sensory neurones) to the brain ;
4 change / increase / decrease in, blood / internal / core, temperature is
detected by the brain ;
5 (nerve) impulses are sent (via motor neurones) to (effectors in) the skin ; MP5 A impulses are sent to, hair erector
muscles / arterioles
6, 7, and 8 when environmental temperature below body temperature / body is
cold / before 3½ hours:
6 vasoconstriction / arterioles become narrow ;
7 decrease in blood flow (to capillaries), to / in, the skin ; MP7 A less blood to surface of the body
8 shivering / increase in metabolism (to generate heat) / hairs raised (to trap MP8 A increased metabolism described
air for insulation) ;
9, 10 and 11 when environmental temperature above body temperature / body
is hot / after 3½ hours:
9 (increase in) sweating / produce sweat ;
10 vasodilation occurs / arterioles widen ;
11 increase of blood flow (to capillaries), to / in, the skin ;
12 AVP ; MP12 e.g. ref. to insulation
2(b) 3 one mark for each correct row
name of the part letter in role in maintaining internal body
Fig. 2.2 temperature
fatty tissue D
in row one the letter must agree with name
OR insulation
of the part given
hair F
(contracts) to raise hair (to trap
(hair) erector
E heat) / (relax to) lower hair (to lose
muscle
heat)
receptor / sensor
B detect temperature changes
/ sensory neurone
;;;
(a) Fig. 3.1 shows a drawing of a root hair cell and Fig. 3.2 shows a drawing of a palisade cell.
chloroplast
mitochondrion
mitochondria
Fig. 3.1 Fig. 3.2
Explain the reasons for the difference in the numbers of mitochondria and chloroplasts between the root hair cell and the palisade cell, shown in Fig. 3.1 and Fig. 3.2.
mitochondria ……
chloroplasts ……
[5]
(b) Fig. 3.3 is a photomicrograph of a cross‑section of part of a xerophyte leaf.
B
A
Fig. 3.3
(i) Explain why the part labelled A in Fig. 3.3 is a tissue.
…… [2]
(ii) Describe two ways the structure labelled B in Fig. 3.3 is adapted for its function.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(iii) Describe one way the leaves of xerophytes are adapted to their environment.
…… [1]
(iv) Describe one way the roots of xerophytes are adapted to their environment.
…… [1]
[Total: 11]
Mark scheme
3(a) total of five from: 5
mitochondria to max 4:
1 more in root hair cell / ORA ;
2 (site of) aerobic respiration ;
3 to, release / provide, energy ;
4 for active, transport / uptake, of, minerals / ions / named ion(s) ;
5 up/against, a concentration gradient ; MP5 A low to high concentration
chloroplasts to max 4:
6 in palisade only / none in root hair cell ;
7 no light reaches root hair cells / cells are underground or in soil ; ora
8 (site of) photosynthesis ;
9 contain chlorophyll ;
10 transfers / changes, energy from light to, energy in chemicals / ATP ;
11 to synthesise, glucose / carbohydrate ;
3(b)(i) group of, same (type) / similar, cells ; 2
carry out a, specific / same / common, function / role / job / task ;
3(b)(ii) any two from: 2
thick (cell) wall / (cell) wall with lignin ;
no end or cross walls / continuous tube / no cell contents / hollow ;
wide lumen / wide (tube) / large cross-sectional area / large (internal)
diameter / AW ;
pits (in the walls) ;
3(b)(iii) any one from: 1
thick (waxy) cuticles ;
small (leaves) / small surface area / needle-like / AW ;
rolled / curled (leaves) ;
(leaves reduced to / leaves are) spines / spikes ;
hairs ;
fleshy / swollen ;
few stomata ;
sunken stomata / stomata in grooves ;
3(b)(iv) deep / long shallow / widespread / spreading / roots cover a wide area ; 1
(a) A student investigated the effect of lactase on three different liquids:
• milk
• lactose‑free milk
• sucrose solution.
The student used an indicator to test for the presence of glucose. A sample of each liquid was tested before and after treatment with lactase.
The indicator turned brown in the presence of glucose. The indicator remained blue in the absence of glucose.
Table 4.1 shows the results of the tests.
Table 4.1
colour before treatment colour after treatment liquid with lactase with lactase milk blue brown lactose‑free milk brown brown sucrose solution blue blue
(i) Explain the results for the three liquids shown in Table 4.1.
…… [3]
(ii) The student kept the solutions at a temperature that was close to the optimum during the investigation.
Using your knowledge of the effect of temperature on enzyme activity, explain why this was important.
…… [4]
(b) As part of a balanced diet, some governments recommend that children drink milk that has vitamin D added to it.
(i) Suggest the dietary reasons for this advice.
…… [2]
(ii) Describe what is meant by a balanced diet.
…… [2]
[Total: 11]
Mark scheme
4(a)(i) any three from: 3 accept simple sugar(s) for glucose
throughout
row 1 – lactase breaks down lactose into glucose (and galactose in milk) ;
row 2 – lactose-free milk has already been treated with lactase (so glucose is MP2 A lactose already broken down to
already present) ; glucose
row 3 – sucrose, is not broken down / does not contain lactose / AW ; MP3 A lactase cannot breakdown sucrose
lactase is specific for breakdown of lactose / AW MP4 A ‘lactose is only complementary to
OR lactase’
lactose only fits into active site of, lactase / enzyme ;
4(a)(ii) any four from: 4 A enzyme and substrate for lactase and
1 at optimum temperature maximum enzyme activity or rate of reaction OR lactose
outside the optimum / when cold / when hot, reduced, enzyme
activity / rate of reaction ;
2 at optimum temperature maximum, successful collisions / enzyme-
substrate complexes (ESCs) MP2 A binding of lactose to lactase for
OR ESC
outside the optimum / when cold / when hot, fewer, successful
collisions / enzyme-substrate complexes (ESCs) ; MP3 A at high temperatures kinetic energy
is high / at low temperatures kinetic energy
3 as temperature increases kinetic energy increases / ora ; is low
4 ref to denaturation at, high temperatures / temperatures above optimum ;
5 (so) shape of active site changes ;
6 (so) lactase is no longer complementary to the lactose ;
7 AVP ; e.g. ref. to temperature as a standardised variable
4(b)(i) any two from: 2
milk contains, calcium ;
calcium / vitamin D, required for, healthy / strong / AW, teeth / bones ;
(calcium / vitamin D) prevent, rickets / any symptom of rickets ;
AVP ; e.g. vitamin D stimulates absorption of
calcium
calcium needed for, blood clotting / muscle
contraction / nerve function
4(b)(ii) ref. to all nutrients / all food groups / AW ; 2
idea of nutrients in the, correct / appropriate / healthy, proportions / amounts
OR
to provide suitable amount of energy for, level of activity / (stated) lifestyle(s) ;
Fig. 5.1 is a graph showing the effect of temperature on the rate of transpiration from the upper and lower surfaces of a leaf that is provided with a constant supply of water.
X Y
lower surface
rate of upper surface transpiration
temperature
Fig. 5.1
(a) Describe the results shown in Fig. 5.1.
…… [3]
(b) Explain reasons for the shape of the graph for the upper surface of the leaf at X and at Y in
Fig. 5.1.
at X ……
at Y ……
[4]
(c) Suggest how the structure of the lower surface differs from the upper surface of the leaf used in this investigation.
…… [1]
[Total: 8]
Mark scheme
5(a) any three from: 3
rate of transpiration increases and then remains constant with increasing
temperature ; ora
(the rate of transpiration) is higher from the lower surface ;
rates of both become constant at (nearly) the same temperature ;
transpiration from lower surface increases, at a greater rate / faster, than from
the upper surface (in X) ;
5(b) total of four from: 4
X to max 3:
as temperature increases and rate increases
1 the rate of evaporation from the mesophyll (cells) increases ;
2 the rate of diffusion of water vapour (through the stomata / from the leaf)
increases ;
3 particles / molecules, have more kinetic energy / move faster ;
4 temperature is the limiting factor (for transpiration) ;
5 more stomata opening / stomata open wider ;
Y to max 3:
as temperature increases and rate remains constant
6 rate of diffusion of water vapour through stomata at a maximum ;
7 evaporation from mesophyll (cells) at a maximum ;
8 rate of movement of water in xylem slows ;
9 rate of uptake of water is at a maximum ;
10 the stomata are, all / fully, open ;
11 humidity / light intensity / number of stomata, is the limiting factor ;
5(c) more stomata on the lower surface / lower surface has a thinner cuticle ; ora 1
(a) Polio is a viral disease that can cause nerve damage in humans.
In one area, polio vaccination began in 1957.
Fig. 6.1 shows the number of cases of polio in this area between 1950 and 1970.
600
500
400 number of cases of 300 polio
200
100
0
1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 year
Fig. 6.1
(i) Calculate the percentage change in the number of cases of polio between 1950 and
1952 in Fig. 6.1.
Give your answer to two significant figures.
Space for working.
……%
[3]
(ii) Explain how vaccination causes the results shown between 1958 and 1970 in Fig. 6.1.
…… [5]
(iii) Explain why the polio vaccine does not protect you from other diseases.
…… [2]
(b) Blood clotting helps to prevent some infections.
Outline how a blood clot is formed and how it can prevent infections.
…… [3]
(c) State the name of the component of blood responsible for transporting blood cells.
…… [1]
[Total: 14]
Mark scheme
6(a)(i) – 64 (%) / 64 (%) decrease ;;; 3 MP1 selection of values from the graph
MP2 correct calculation to any number of
sig figs and negative value indicated
MP3 correct rounding to two significant
figures
ecf from previous MP if evidenced
6(a)(ii) any five from: 5
1 (vaccination confers) active immunity ;
2 (vaccine contains) weakened / inactivated / dead / AW, virus / pathogen ; MP2 A vaccine contains antigen(s)
3 (vaccine) stimulates (primary) immune response ;
4 lymphocytes produce antibodies ;
5 antibodies, destroy / agglutinate / immobilise / kill, virus / pathogen ;
6 antibodies, mark / attached to, virus / pathogen, so phagocytes destroy
them ;
7 production of memory cells ;
8 long-term immunity / AW ;
9 herd immunity / protecting unvaccinated people ;
10 person to person transmission interrupted / prevents the spread of polio
through the population / AW ;
11 AVP ;
MP11 e.g. antibodies, are
specific / complementary, to antigen
antibodies bind to virus
6(a)(iii) any two from: 2
ref. to specificity (in context of antigen or antibody) ;
antibodies (produced in response to the polio vaccine) have a complementary
shape only to polio antigens ;
antibodies bind only to polio virus ;
idea that memory cells (produced by polio vaccine) are not activated by other
pathogens ;
AVP ;
6(b) total of three from: 3
(blood clot / scab) prevents entry of pathogens / pathogens trapped in
mesh / (blood clot / scab) is a barrier to pathogens ;
max two from:
conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin ;
conversion of soluble (protein) to, insoluble / fibrous (protein) ;
forms, network of fibres / mesh ;
ref to role of platelets ;
formation of a scab ;
6(c) plasma ; 1
Fig. 7.1 is a flowchart showing the stages of eutrophication.
(a) Complete Fig. 7.1.
the concentration of the growth of
fertilisers enter a lake …… ……
increases on the surface of the lake increases
underwater producers die blocking because they are unable to decomposition increases …… from
…… entering the water in the lake
bacterial decomposers use oxygen for resulting in the death of organisms requiring
…… oxygen
Fig. 7.1
[6]
(b) A scientist obtained a sample of the bacterial decomposers and grew them in a flask. The resources available for bacterial growth in the flask became limiting.
The size of the bacterial population was estimated during the investigation and these data were plotted on a graph.
(i) State the name of the expected shape of the population growth curve that would be drawn on the graph.
…… [1]
(ii) State the name of the initial phase of bacterial growth.
…… [1]
(iii) State one factor, other than a lack of resources, that would cause bacteria to die during the death phase.
…… [1]
[Total: 9]
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