Biology 0610/32 October/November 2023: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610), Paper 3 Theory (Core), October/November 2023. 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 diagram of the digestive system.
A
B
G
F C
D
E
Fig. 1.1
(i) State the letter from Fig. 1.1 that represents:
where salivary amylase is produced ……
where insulin is produced ……
the liver ……
where protease acts. ……
[4]
(ii) State one function of the hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
…… [1]
(b) Amylase is an enzyme.
(i) Describe the function of amylase.
…… [2]
(ii) Define the term enzyme.
…… [2]
[Total: 9]
Mark scheme
1(a)(i) A; 4
C;
G;
E;
1(a)(ii) any one from: 1
kill / destroy, (harmful) microorganisms ;
to provide an, optimum / acidic / correct / low, pH / AW ;
1(b)(i) breaks down (AW) starch ; 2
to (simple reducing) sugar(s) ;
1(b)(ii) any two from: 2
protein ;
is a (biological) catalyst ;
speeds up (chemical) reactions / is unchanged / is not used up ;
A student investigated photosynthesis in a variegated leaf.
A variegated leaf has a green part that contains a green pigment and a white part that does not contain the green pigment.
Fig. 2.1 is a photograph of some variegated leaves.
green part of the leaf
white part of the leaf
Fig. 2.1
(a) State where the green pigment is found in a plant cell.
…… [1]
(b) A student investigated a variegated leaf from a plant that had been kept in the light for
24 hours.
The student prepared the leaf by boiling it and then placing it in ethanol to remove the green pigment.
The student then tested the leaf with iodine solution.
Table 2.1 shows the results.
Table 2.1
part of the leaf colour with iodine solution green blue‑black white yellow‑brown
Explain the results shown in Table 2.1 for the white part of the leaf.
…… [3]
(c) This investigation was repeated with a plant that was kept for 24 hours in an environment where all the carbon dioxide was removed.
Complete Table 2.2 to predict the results.
Table 2.2
part of the leaf colour with iodine solution
green
white
[2]
(d) (i) The boxes on the left show the names of some substances that are made in plants.
The boxes on the right show uses of these substances in plants.
Draw lines to link each substance with its correct use in plants. Draw three lines.
substance use in plants
to attract insects for pollination
cellulose
to build cell walls
nectar
for transpiration
sucrose
for transport in the phloem
[3]
(ii) List the chemical elements contained in carbohydrates.
…… [1]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
2(a) chloroplast ; 1
2(b) any three from: 3
it / the white part of the leaf, cannot photosynthesise ;
no glucose is produced ;
glucose is stored as starch ;
iodine solution remains yellow-brown in the absence of starch / the white
part does not contain starch / negative result for starch / AW ;
2(c) yellow-brown ; 2
yellow-brown ;
2(d)(i) 3 R each additional line
to attract insects for
pollination
cellulose
to build cell walls
nectar
for transpiration
sucrose
for transport in the
phloem
2(d)(ii) carbon, hydrogen, oxygen ; 1 any order
R each additional element
(a) Fig. 3.1 is a diagram of a cross‑section of a human heart.
B C
A
D
Fig. 3.1
(i) Draw an X on Fig. 3.1 to identify the position of the left atrium. [1]
(ii) On Fig. 3.1, label with a label line and the correct name a structure that ensures the one‑way flow of blood. [2]
(iii) State two letters that identify arteries in Fig. 3.1.
…… and …… [1]
(iv) State the name of the part that separates the left and right sides of the heart.
…… [1]
(v) State the name of the main tissue the wall of the heart is made from.
…… [1]
(b) In one country, the percentages of males and females with coronary heart disease (CHD) in different age groups were recorded.
Fig. 3.2 shows these data.
35
Key:
30 male female
25 percentages of males 20 and females with coronary 15 heart disease
10
5
0
0–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75–84 85+ age group
Fig. 3.2
(i) Using the information in Fig. 3.2, describe the similarities and differences between the percentages of males and females with CHD.
…… [3]
(ii) State three risk factors for CHD not identified in Fig. 3.2.
1 ……
2 ……
3 ……
[3]
[Total: 12]
Mark scheme
3(a)(i) X drawn, in the left atrium only / with a label line ending in left atrium ; 1
3(a)(ii) valve ; 2
valve identified with label line ;
3(a)(iii) B and C ; 1 either order
3(a)(iv) septum ; 1
3(a)(v) muscle ; 1
3(b)(i) any three from: 3
similarities:
1 CHD increases with age for males and females / AW / ora ;
2 In age group 0–34 no CHD in males and females / AW ;
differences:
3 (overall) more males (than females) with CHD / ora ;
4 greatest difference (between males and females) is in age
group 75–84 ;
5 use of comparative data quote between males and females ;
3(b)(ii) any three from: 3
diet ;
lack of exercise / AW ;
stress ;
smoking ;
genetic predisposition ;
AVP ; e.g. high blood pressure
(a) Fig. 4.1 shows a marine food web.
shark
sardine octopus
zooplankton
limpet mussel
algae phytoplankton
Fig. 4.1
(i) Place ticks (✓) in the boxes to show the correct descriptions for the organisms shown in
Fig. 4.1.
tertiary organism carnivore herbivore producer consumer
algae
zooplankton
shark
[3]
(ii) Construct one food chain from Fig. 4.1 that contains four organisms including the octopus.
…… [2]
(iii) Identify one organism in Fig. 4.1 that feeds at the second and third trophic levels.
…… [1]
(b) State the name of the type of organism that gets its energy from dead organic material.
…… [1]
(c) State the principal source of energy in most biological systems.
…… [1]
(d) Outline ways humans can directly impact food webs.
…… [3]
[Total: 11]
Mark scheme
4(a)(i) 3 one mark for each correct row
tertiary
organism carnivore herbivore producer R each additional tick
consumer
algae Π
zooplankton Π
shark Π Π
4(a)(ii) algae → limpet → octopus → shark 2 MP1 for correct organisms
or MP2 for correct order of organisms and arrows
phytoplankton → mussel → octopus → shark in the correct direction
;;
4(a)(iii) sardine ; 1
4(b) decomposer ; 1
4(c) (the) Sun ; 1
4(d) any three from: 3
overharvesting (of food species) / AW ;
hunting / poaching ;
pollution / pesticides ;
habitat destruction ;
introduction of new species ;
extinction ;
AVP ;
(a) Antibiotics are a type of drug.
The box on the left contains the beginning of a sentence.
The boxes on the right show some sentence endings.
Draw lines to link the phrase ‘Antibiotic drugs’ on the left to three boxes on the right to make three correct sentences.
affect chemical reactions in the body.
are less effective against organisms that show resistance.
are used to cure coronary heart disease.
Antibiotic drugs
are the main cause of rickets.
kill bacteria.
kill viruses.
[3]
(b) Fig. 5.1 shows the number of antibiotic doses given per 1000 people per day in six different countries.
50
40
number of 30 antibiotic doses given per
1000 people per day 20
10
0
A B C D E F country
Fig. 5.1
(i) Calculate the difference in the number of antibiotic doses given per 1000 people per day between country A and country F in Fig. 5.1.
number of antibiotic doses given per 1000 people per day in country A
…… doses
number of antibiotic doses given per 1000 people per day in country F
…… doses
difference …… doses
[2]
(ii) Using the information in Fig. 5.1, state the two countries that gave the same number of antibiotic doses per 1000 people per day.
…… and …… [1]
[Total: 6]
Mark scheme
5(a) 3 R each additional line
affect chemical reactions in the body.
are less effective against organisms that
show resistance.
are used to cure coronary heart disease.
Antibiotic
drugs
are the main cause of rickets.
kill bacteria.
kill viruses.
5(b)(i) country A = 42 (doses) and country F = 22 (doses) ; 2
difference = 20 (doses) ; ecf from incorrect values
5(b)(ii) D and E ; 1 either order
(a) Fig. 6.1 is a diagram showing the pathway of water into a plant. The arrows show the direction of water movement.
soil particle soil water xylem vessel
A
B
Fig. 6.1
(i) State the name of the cell labelled A in Fig. 6.1.
…… [1]
(ii) State the name of cell B and describe how it is adapted for absorption of water.
name ……
adaptation ……
[2]
(iii) State the name of the process by which cell B absorbs water.
…… [1]
(b) State two uses of water in plants.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(c) State two environmental factors that will affect the rate of water loss from a plant.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
[Total: 8]
Mark scheme
6(a)(i) (root) cortex (cell) ; 1
6(a)(ii) root hair (cell) ; 2
large surface area / elongated shape / AW ;
6(a)(iii) osmosis ; 1
6(b) any two from: 2
photosynthesis / metabolic processes ;
support / AW ;
solvent ;
transport ;
germination ;
6(c) any two from: 2
wind(speed) ;
temperature ;
AVP ; e.g. humidity/ light intensity
(a) Fig. 7.1 is a diagram of the female reproductive system in humans.
E A
B
D
C
Fig. 7.1
Table 7.1 shows the name, letter and function of some of the parts in Fig. 7.1.
Complete Table 7.1.
Table 7.1
name of the part letter in Fig. 7.1 function
uterus where the fetus grows
where fertilisation occurs
D
[5]
(b) This list shows some specialised animal and plant cells.
ciliated cell guard cell
neurone palisade mesophyll cell
red blood cell white blood cell
Choose words from the list to state the names of:
• two specialised plant cells
…… and ……
• the cell that transports oxygen
• the cell found in the trachea that moves mucus.
[4]
(c) State how new cells are produced.
…… [1]
(d) Fig. 7.2 is a drawing of another specialised cell.
head mid piece tail end piece
Fig. 7.2
(i) Label three cell structures in Fig. 7.2 with label lines and the correct names. [3]
(ii) State the name of the cell shown in Fig. 7.2.
…… [1]
[Total: 14]
Mark scheme
7(a) 5
name of the part letter in Fig. 7.1 function
uterus A; where the fetus grows
oviduct ; E; where fertilisation occurs
ovary ; D maturation / release, of egg
(cells) ;
7(b) guard (cell) ; 4 MP1 and MP2 can be in either order
palisade (mesophyll cell) ;
red blood (cell) ;
ciliated (cell) ;
7(c) when (existing) cells divide ; 1
7(d)(i) any three features labelled correctly: 3
acrosome / enzymes ;
nucleus ;
cell membrane ;
cytoplasm ;
mitochondria ;
flagellum ;
7(d)(ii) sperm (cell) ; 1
(a) All living organisms can be classified into groups by the features they share.
(i) Complete the sentences about classifying organisms.
A species is a group of organisms that reproduce to produce
…… offspring.
All species are named using an internationally agreed system called the
…… system.
Fish, mammals, reptiles and amphibians are vertebrate groups. The other
vertebrate group is …… . All vertebrates belong to the
…… kingdom.
One feature that is used to identify vertebrates is a …… .
[5]
(ii) Draw a circle around the characteristic shared by all living organisms.
egestion nutrition sexual reproduction transpiration
[1]
(b) Scientists measured the length of a sample of one species of fish.
Fig. 8.1 shows where the scientists took their measurements to determine the length of each fish.
length
Fig. 8.1
Table 8.1 shows the results.
Table 8.1
length / cm number of fish
0 –19 8
20 –39 162
40 –59 1710
60 –79 1350
80 –99 130
100 –119 5
(i) Use the information in Table 8.1 to calculate the total number of fish the scientists measured.
…… [1]
(ii) State the most frequent length shown in Table 8.1.
…… cm [1]
(iii) State the type of variation shown by the data in Table 8.1.
…… [1]
(c) Place a tick (✓) in the box that shows the meaning of variation.
Variation is an alternative form of a gene.
Variation is the differences between individuals of the same species.
Variation is the recessive allele in a genotype.
Variation is the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation.
[1]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
8(a)(i) fertile ; 5
binomial ;
birds ;
animal ;
backbone / AW ;
8(a)(ii) nutrition circled ; 1 R each additional circle
8(b)(i) 3365 (fish) ; 1
8(b)(ii) 40–59 (cm) ; 1
8(b)(iii) continuous ; 1
8(c) second row ticked: 1 R each additional tick
variation is the differences between individuals of the same species ;
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On this page, free: the mark scheme for IGCSE Biology 0610/32, October/November 2023 (0610_w23_ms_32), and the question paper (0610_w23_qp_32), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
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Biology 0610/32 for October/November 2023 is out of 80 marks, with 1 hour 15 minutes to answer it, across 8 questions.
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