Biology 0610/12 October/November 2025: question paper and mark scheme

Question

Which process causes a permanent increase in the dry mass of an organism? A digestion B growth C reproduction D respiration

Question

The scientific names of some plants are listed. 1 Escallonia resinosa 2 Ilex glabra 3 Pinus glabra 4 Pinus resinosa 5 Quercus ilex Which plants belong to the same genus? A 1 and 4 B 2 and 3 C 2 and 5 D 3 and 4

Question

An organism has a body with three parts, three pairs of jointed legs and one pair of antennae. To which group does the organism belong? A arachnids B crustaceans C insects D myriapods

Question

Which term describes a leaf? A cell B organ C organism D tissue

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The length of an insect in a diagram is 150 mm. The magnification of the diagram is ×20. What is the actual length of the insect? A 0.13 mm B 3.0 mm C 7.5 mm D 130 mm

Question

What are features of osmosis? requires a partially diffusion is requires a permeable involved cell wall membrane A yes no yes B yes no no C no yes yes D no yes no

Question

Enzymes are large molecules. Which small molecules are they made from? A amino acids B carbon dioxide and water C fatty acids D sugars

Question

Why does the active site of an enzyme fit with its substrate? A They denature at the same temperature. B They have complementary shapes to each other. C They have the same amount of kinetic energy. D They have the same shape as each other.

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Which processes in plants transfer energy from light into energy in chemicals? photosynthesis respiration A yes yes B yes no C no yes D no no

Question

The diagram shows a cross-section of a molar tooth. Which letter identifies the dentine? A B C D

Question

The graphs show the effect of pH on the activity of four different digestive enzymes. Which enzyme is most active in the stomach? A B 100 100 percentage percentage activity 50 activity 50 0 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 pH pH C D 100 100 percentage percentage activity 50 activity 50 0 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 pH pH

Question

In which organ does physical digestion and chemical digestion occur? A gall bladder B liver C pancreas D stomach

Question

Which pathway is taken by water from the roots to the leaves? A root cortex cells → root hair cells → mesophyll cells → xylem B root cortex cells → root hair cells → xylem → mesophyll cells C root hair cells → root cortex cells → mesophyll cells → xylem D root hair cells → root cortex cells → xylem → mesophyll cells

Question

What is a function of red blood cells? A production of antibodies B transport of glucose C transport of hormones D transport of oxygen

Question

Which term can be used to describe all disease-causing organisms? A bacteria B decomposers C pathogens D viruses

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Which row shows how the composition of expired air differs from inspired air? carbon dioxide oxygen concentration concentration A higher higher B higher lower C lower higher D lower lower

Question

Which substance is produced in human muscles during anaerobic respiration? A alcohol B carbon dioxide C lactic acid D urea

Question

In humans, a ureter and a urethra are two structures involved in excretion. Which comparison between a ureter and a urethra is correct? A Only fluid passing through a ureter contains excess mineral ions and water. B Only fluid passing through a urethra contains urea. C Only a ureter is directly attached to the bladder. D Only a ureter is directly attached to the kidney.

Question

The diagram shows the pathway of a reflex arc. stimulus V W relay neurone response Y X Which row identifies the parts of the reflex arc? V W X Y A effector motor neurone sensory neurone receptor B effector sensory neurone motor neurone receptor C receptor motor neurone sensory neurone effector D receptor sensory neurone motor neurone effector

Question

A person is being chased. This causes a hormone to be released. Which row shows how this hormone affects the breathing rate, heart rate and pupil diameter? breathing rate heart rate pupil diameter A increases increases increases B increases decreases decreases C decreases increases increases D decreases decreases decreases

Question

A plant is placed on the floor in a room, near a window that lets in a lot of light. The shoot of the plant grows towards the window. What could explain this response? 1 growth away from gravity 2 growth towards gravity 3 growth away from the light source 4 growth towards the light source A 1 and 3 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 2 and 4

Question

A person measures their reaction time five times before and after drinking a cup of coffee. The table shows the results. reaction time / s before drinking coffee 0.25 0.30 0.20 0.35 0.15 after drinking coffee 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.20 0.10 Which statement describes the results? A The mean reaction time after drinking coffee is 0.25 s. B The mean reaction time before drinking coffee is longer than after drinking coffee. C The mean reaction time before drinking coffee is 0.15 s. D The mean reaction time is not affected by drinking coffee.

Question

Which set of conditions do most seeds require for germination? oxygen warmth water A key B = required C = not required D

Question

The diagram shows part of a flower. P Q R S After pollination, where would pollen grains be found? A P and Q B P and S C Q and R D R and S

Question

The diagram shows the human female reproductive system. Where does fertilisation normally take place? A B C D

Question

The diagram shows a developing fetus. capillaries in the X mother’s blood uterus lining developing fetus Which structure is represented by X? A amniotic sac B cervix C placenta D umbilical cord

Question

Which statements describe methods of transmission of HIV? 1 eating contaminated food 2 exchange of blood between individuals 3 from a mother to a fetus in pregnancy 4 insect bites 5 unprotected sex A 1, 2 and 5 B 1, 3 and 4 C 2, 3 and 5 D 5 only

Question

What does a gene code for? A a carbohydrate B a fat C a protein D DNA

Question

In a species of mammal, the allele for short hair, H, is dominant and the allele for long hair, h, is recessive. A heterozygous individual breeds with a long-haired individual. What is the expected ratio of the phenotypes in the offspring? A 100% short-haired, 0% long-haired B 75% short-haired, 25% long-haired C 50% short-haired, 50% long-haired D 25% short-haired, 75% long-haired

Question

Which statement about variation and example is correct? A Continuous variation is caused by the environment and genes. An example is ABO blood groups. B Continuous variation is usually caused by genes only. An example is body mass. C Discontinuous variation is caused by both the environment and genes. An example is body mass. D Discontinuous variation is usually caused by genes only. An example is ABO blood groups.

Question

The diagram shows the energy within the producers in an ecosystem and how much is transferred to primary consumers and eventually lost to the environment. 45 000 kJ 4500 kJ Sun primary producers secondary consumers 50 000 kJ consumers 5000 kJ How much energy is transferred from primary consumers to secondary consumers? A 5 kJ B 50 kJ C 500 kJ D 5000 kJ

Question

The diagram represents part of an aquatic food web. tadpoles water beetles aquatic plants large fish small shrimps small fish Which organisms are primary consumers in this food web? A small shrimps and tadpoles B tadpoles and small fish C water beetles and large fish D water beetles and small fish

Question

In a greenhouse there were many aphids feeding on 10 tomato plants. A population of 20 ladybirds, which are a predator of aphids, was introduced into the greenhouse. Which pyramid of numbers correctly represents this food chain? A B C D

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Which arrow represents respiration in plants? carbon dioxide dissolved in seas and lakes carbon dioxide gas in the air A B C D carbon compounds carbon fossil in decaying compounds fuels organisms in plants carbon compounds in animals

Question

What is the correct sequence for the stages in a sigmoid population growth curve? A lag → log → stationary B log → lag → stationary C stationary → lag → log D stationary → log → lag

Question

The graphs show the number of carnivores in a habitat over a period of time. At time X, the herbivores in the food chain are removed from the habitat. Which graph shows the likely effect of this on the number of carnivores? A B number of number of carnivores carnivores X X time time C D number of number of carnivores carnivores X X time time

Question

What is used to reduce competition from weeds when growing crops? A deforestation B fertiliser C herbicide D insecticide

Question

Which statements describe the effects of deforestation? 1 Biodiversity increases. 2 The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases. 3 Soil is lost from the area. 4 There is a decrease in flooding. A 1 and 2 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4

Question

Which substance is a greenhouse gas? A herbicide B insecticide C methane D oxygen

Question

Biological washing powders contain enzymes. Which enzyme removes an oil stain from clothes? A amylase B lipase C pectinase D protease