Biology 0610/33 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) Arteries are a type of blood vessel.
State two structural features of arteries.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(b) Capillaries are another type of blood vessel.
State one function of capillaries.
…… [1]
(c) State the name of the structures in veins that ensure the one‑way flow of blood.
…… [1]
(d) Fig. 1.1 is a diagram of part of the human circulatory system.
The arrows show the direction of blood flow.
lungs
X
Y body
Fig. 1.1
(i) On Fig. 1.1, draw arrows to show the direction of blood flow to and from the lungs. [1]
(ii) State the names of blood vessel X and organ Y in Fig. 1.1.
blood vessel X ……
organ Y ……
[2]
(e) State the name of the blood vessel that transports oxygenated blood to the kidney.
…… [1]
[Total: 8]
Mark scheme
1(a) any two from: 2
narrow lumen ;
thick wall ;
(wall contains) muscle layer ;
contains elastic fibres ;
AVP ;
1(b) transfer of (named) materials between blood and tissues 1
/ transport materials, to / from, cells
/ transport materials, to / from, blood / AW ;
1(c) valves ; 1
1(d)(i) arrows drawn from the pulmonary artery to the lungs and arrow from 1
the lungs to the left atrium ;
1(d)(ii) X: aorta ; 2
Y: heart ;
1(e) renal artery ; 1
Water moves into and out of cells by osmosis.
(a) State two plant cell structures that water moves through to reach the cytoplasm.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(b) Potato plant tissue was used to investigate osmosis.
Potato cylinders were placed into different sucrose solutions for 30 minutes.
The masses of the potato cylinders were measured before and after being placed into the solutions.
The difference in mass was calculated for each potato cylinder.
Table 2.1 shows the results of the investigation.
Table 2.1
concentration of starting mass of final mass of difference in percentage sucrose solution potato cylinder potato cylinder mass / g change in mass
/ mol per dm3 /g /g
0.0 2.31 2.53 0.22 9.52
0.2 2.35 2.49 0.14 5.96
0.4 2.28 2.34 0.06 2.63
0.6 2.30 2.21 –0.09
0.8 2.34 2.19 –0.15 –6.41
(i) Using the information in Table 2.1, calculate the percentage change in mass for the potato cylinder in the 0.6 mol per dm3 sucrose solution.
Give your answer to two decimal places.
Space for working.
…… %
[3]
(ii) Describe the expected appearance of the potato cylinder that was placed in the
0.8 mol per dm3 sucrose solution for 30 minutes.
…… [1]
(iii) Using the results in Table 2.1, describe how the concentration of sucrose solution affects the percentage change in mass of the potato cylinders.
…… [2]
[Total: 8]
Mark scheme
2(a) cell wall ; 2 either order
cell membrane ;
2(b)(i) (–)3.91(%) ;;; 3 MP1 correct selection of numbers (0.09 and 2.30)
MP2 correct answer unrounded (–)3.913
MP3 answer given to two decimal places
ecf from the previous step
2(b)(ii) smaller / shorter / shrunken / AW ; 1
2(b)(iii) any two from: 2
as the concentration (of sucrose solution) increases the percentage
change in mass decreases / the lower the concentration, the more
percentage change in mass ;
0.0-0.4 mol per dm3 the percentage change in mass is positive ;
0.6-0.8 mol per dm3 the percentage change in mass is negative ;
data quote ;
(a) Fig. 3.1 is a drawing of a leaf from an oak tree.
Fig. 3.1
The oak leaf has a large surface area.
Explain why having a large surface area is an adaptation for photosynthesis.
…… [1]
(b) State the word equation for photosynthesis.
…… [2]
(c) Fig. 3.2 is a diagram of a section of a leaf from a dicotyledonous plant.
P
Q
R
W S
T
V
U
Fig. 3.2
(i) State the letter in Fig. 3.2 which identifies the tissue that contains the highest density of chloroplasts.
…… [1]
(ii) In Fig. 3.2, the letter S labels a vascular bundle.
State the names of two tissues found in the vascular bundle.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(iii) State the letter in Fig. 3.2 which identifies the cells that control gas exchange in the leaf and state their name.
letter ……
name ……
[2]
(iv) State the name and one function of the layer labelled P in Fig. 3.2.
name ……
function ……
[2]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
3(a) more light can be absorbed (for photosynthesis) ; 1
3(b) carbon dioxide + water ; 2
→ oxygen + glucose ;
3(c)(i) R; 1
3(c)(ii) xylem ; 2 either order
phloem ;
3(c)(iii) V; 2
guard cell ;
3(c)(iv) cuticle ; 2
prevents water loss (from the leaf) / makes the leaf waterproof /AVP ;
(a) During inspiration air is taken into the lungs.
Table 4.1 shows the structures that air passes through during inspiration.
The structures are not in the correct order.
Table 4.1
A alveoli
B bronchi
C bronchioles
D larynx
E nose
F trachea
Identify the order of structures that air travels through during inspiration.
Write the letters from Table 4.1 in the boxes provided to show the correct order.
One has been done for you.
F
[3]
(b) The composition of inspired air is different from the composition of expired air.
Describe the differences in composition between inspired and expired air.
…… [4]
(c) A student investigated the composition of inspired and expired air.
Fig. 4.1 shows the apparatus that was used.
The student breathed in and out, through the mouthpiece, for 15 seconds.
mouthpiece
air in air out
test-tube A test-tube B
limewater
Fig. 4.1
(i) State the name of the gas that can be identified using limewater.
…… [1]
(ii) Using the information in Fig. 4.1, predict what happened to the limewater in test‑tube A and in test‑tube B.
test‑tube A ……
test‑tube B ……
[2]
(d) The student exercised for five minutes.
Describe the effects of vigorous exercise on breathing.
…… [2]
[Total: 12]
Mark scheme
4(a) 3 all correct = three marks
E D F B C A E before D or E at the start and A at the end = one
;;; mark
B before C = one mark
4(b) ref. to oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour ; 4
inspired air contains more oxygen (than expired air) ;
inspired air contains less carbon dioxide (than expired air) ;
water content is variable / inspired air contains less water (vapour than
expired air) ;
water content (of inspired air) depends on humidity / AW ;
quote of correct percentage for a gas ;
4(c)(i) carbon dioxide ; 1
4(c)(ii) A: no change / stays clear / no reaction / AW ; 2
B: turns cloudy / milky / white precipitate (forms) ;
4(d) (rate of) breathing increases ; 2
depth of breathing increases ;
Bluebells are plants that can reproduce sexually and asexually.
(a) (i) Define the term asexual reproduction.
…… [2]
(ii) State one example of a structure that is involved in asexual reproduction in a plant.
…… [1]
(b) Fig. 5.1 is a drawing of a bluebell plant.
Fig. 5.1
On Fig. 5.1, label the structure that carries out sexual reproduction with a label line and the letter S. [1]
(c) Bluebells grow in ancient woodlands.
Fig. 5.2 is a graph showing the percentage of land that was covered with woodland in one country from the years 1100 to 2000.
16
14
12
10 percentage of land covered 8 with woodland
6
4
2
0
1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 year
Fig. 5.2
(i) State the years when the percentage of land covered with woodland was 10% in Fig. 5.2.
…… and …… [2]
(ii) State the percentage of land covered with woodland in 1600 in Fig. 5.2.
…… % [1]
(d) (i) In many countries the percentage of land covered with woodland has decreased because of deforestation.
Suggest two reasons why deforestation occurs.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(ii) Explain the undesirable effects of deforestation.
…… [3]
[Total: 12]
Mark scheme
5(a)(i) (a process resulting in the production of) genetically identical 2
offspring ;
from one parent ;
5(a)(ii) bulbs / corms / cuttings / tubers / runners / meristems / AVP ; 1
5(b) label line to a flower labelled S ; 1
5(c)(i) 1300 ; 2 either order
2000 ;
5(c)(ii) 8(%) 1
5(d)(i) any two from: 2
space for housing / urban development / roads ;
space for agriculture / AW ;
for extraction of natural resources / mining ;
for timber / wood products ;
AVP ; e.g. (wild) fires
5(d)(ii) any three from: 3
habitat loss / AW ;
reduced biodiversity / migration ;
disruption to food chains / webs ;
extinction / species endangerment ;
loss of soil ;
flooding ;
increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere ;
AVP ;;
(a) A student investigated variation in flower colour in pea plants.
The student counted the number of pea plants that had purple flowers and the number of pea plants that had white flowers.
Fig. 6.1 shows the results.
100
90
80
70
60
number of
50 pea plants
40
30
20
10
0 purple white flower colour
Fig. 6.1
Use the information in Fig. 6.1 and your own knowledge to complete the sentences about variation.
Variation is the …… between individuals of the same species.
Flower colour in pea plants is an example of discontinuous variation. The other type of
variation is known as …… variation.
Discontinuous variation results in a limited number of phenotypes with no
…… .
Discontinuous variation is usually caused by …… only.
The difference between the number of pea plants that had purple flowers and the number of
pea plants that had white flowers is …… .
The ratio of purple to white flowers in Fig. 6.1 is …… .
[6]
(b) Some features of organisms show discontinuous variation.
The term discontinuous variation is in the box on the left.
The boxes on the right show some features of organisms.
Draw two lines from ‘discontinuous variation’ to two features that show discontinuous variation.
blood group in humans
body length in reptiles
discontinuous variation height in humans
mass of pea seeds
pea seed shape
[2]
(c) New alleles for flower colour can arise as a result of genetic change.
(i) State the term used to describe genetic change.
…… [1]
(ii) State one factor that can increase the rate at which genetic change occurs.
…… [1]
(d) Scientists have experimented with genetically modifying pea plants to make them resistant to pea weevils.
Pea weevils are an insect pest.
(i) Suggest why pea plants might be genetically modified to make them resistant to pests.
…… [1]
(ii) State two other examples of genetic modification in crop plants.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
[Total: 13]
Mark scheme
6(a) difference(s) ; 6
continuous ;
intermediates ;
genes ;
61 ;
3:1 ;
6(b) 2 R each additional line
blood group in humans
body length in reptiles
discontinuous variation height in humans
mass of pea seeds
pea seed shape
;;
6(c)(i) mutation ; 1
6(c)(ii) any one from: 1
ionising radiation ;
(some) chemicals ;
AVP ;
6(d)(i) so that they are not eaten / to increase yield / so that insecticides do 1
not have to be used / AW ;
6(d)(ii) any two from: 2
make crops resistant to herbicides ;
improve nutritional qualities of crops / AW ;
AVP ;; A named examples e.g. improve taste / more
attractive crop / larger size / ripening / drought
resistance
Fig. 7.1 is a photograph of a lionfish (Pterois volitans).
Fig. 7.1
(a) State the genus of the lionfish.
…… [1]
(b) Lionfish are classified as fish.
Table 7.1 shows features of organisms.
Place ticks (✓) in the boxes to show the correct features of birds, fish and insects.
Table 7.1
features birds fish insects
compound eyes
feathers
internal skeleton
[3]
(c) Lionfish are an example of a foreign species that has been accidentally introduced to many marine habitats.
Describe the harmful consequences of introducing a foreign species to a habitat.
…… [3]
(d) Removing introduced species from habitats is one method of conserving endangered species.
Describe other methods of conserving endangered species.
…… [3]
[Total: 10]
Mark scheme
7(a) Pterois ; 1
7(b) 3 one mark per correct row
features birds fish insects
compound eyes ✓
feathers ✓
internal skeleton ✓ ✓
;;;
7(c) any three from: 3
disruption to food chains / webs / predation ;
competition for food ;
competition for space / mating sites / habitat ;
introduction of disease ;
AVP ; e.g. decreasing biodiversity / extinction
/ endangering species
7(d) any three from: 3
monitoring / protecting habitats ;
zoos / nature reserves / wildlife parks / AW ;
monitoring / protecting species ;
education ;
captive breeding ;
seed banks ;
ban, hunting / poaching ;
AVP ;; e.g. fishing quotas
Fig. 8.1 is a diagram showing part of the carbon cycle.
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
W
Z
herbivores plants
Y
X
dead organisms and waste products
fossil fuels
Fig. 8.1
(a) Identify the processes labelled W, X, Y and Z in Fig. 8.1.
W ……
X ……
Y ……
Z ……
[4]
(b) State the names of two biological molecules found in plants that contain carbon.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
(c) An increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing the enhanced greenhouse effect.
State the name of one other greenhouse gas.
…… [1]
[Total: 7]
Mark scheme
8(a) W: photosynthesis ; 4
X: death / egestion / excretion ;
Y: combustion ;
Z: respiration ;
8(b) any two from: 2
(named) proteins ;
(named) carbohydrates ;
(named) fats ;
DNA ;
AVP ;; e.g. named molecules / hormones / enzymes
8(c) methane / AVP ; 1
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On this page, free: the mark scheme for IGCSE Biology 0610/33, October/November 2023 (0610_w23_ms_33), and the question paper (0610_w23_qp_33), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
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Biology 0610/33 for October/November 2023 is out of 80 marks, with 1 hour 15 minutes to answer it, across 8 questions.
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