Biology 0610/52 October/November 2025: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610), Paper 5 Practical Test, October/November 2025. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
You are going to investigate the rate of respiration in yeast using different concentrations of glucose.
You will use a 5% glucose solution to make a 1% glucose solution and a 4% glucose solution.
Read all the instructions but DO NOT DO THEM until you have drawn a table for your results in the space provided in 1(a)(i).
You should use the safety equipment provided while you are doing the practical work.
Step 1 Label two small test‑tubes 1% and 4%. Put the small test‑tubes in the test‑tube rack.
Step 2 Put 1 cm3 of 5% glucose solution into the small test‑tube labelled 1%.
Put 4 cm3 of 5% glucose solution into the small test‑tube labelled 4%.
Step 3 Put 4 cm3 of distilled water into the small test‑tube labelled 1%.
Put 1 cm3 of distilled water into the small test‑tube labelled 4%.
Step 4 Raise your hand when you are ready for hot water to be added to the water‑bath.
Step 5 Pour yeast suspension into the small test‑tube labelled 1% until it is completely full.
Step 6 Keep the small test‑tube upright and carefully place a large test‑tube over the top of the small test‑tube labelled 1%. Gently push the small test‑tube up to the top of the large test‑tube, as shown in Fig. 1.1A.
Step 7 Keep the small test‑tube in place with your finger and then quickly turn the test‑tubes so they are inverted, as shown in Fig. 1.1B. It does not matter if a small amount of air remains at the top of the small test‑tube when it is inverted.
A B C
large test-tube
small test-tube containing yeast water-bath suspension containing and glucose hot water solution
finger holding the small test-tube in position while the test-tubes are inverted
Fig. 1.1
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Step 8 Put the large test‑tube and the small test‑tube labelled 1% into the water‑bath, as shown in Fig. 1.1C.
Step 9 Start the stop‑clock and wait for five minutes.
Step 10 After five minutes, stop the stop‑clock and use the ruler to measure the height of the yeast suspension in the large test‑tube, as shown in Fig. 1.2. Record the measurement in your table in 1(a)(i).
measure this height
Fig. 1.2
Step 11 Remove the test‑tubes from the water‑bath, and place them back in the test‑tube rack.
Step 12 Pour yeast suspension into the small test‑tube labelled 4% until it is completely full.
Step 13 Repeat steps 6 to 10 with the small test‑tube labelled 4% and the remaining empty large test‑tube.
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(a) (i) Prepare a table and record your results.
[4]
(ii) State a conclusion for your results.
…… [1]
(iii) State the independent and dependent variables in this investigation.
independent variable ……
dependent variable ……
[2]
(iv) Describe how the temperature of the water‑bath could be maintained.
…… [1]
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(v) Identify one possible source of error when measuring the height of the yeast suspension in step 10.
…… [1]
(b) A student extended the investigation by using more concentrations of glucose solution.
Calculate the volumes of 5% glucose solution and distilled water that are needed to make
5 cm3 of a 3% glucose solution.
volume of 5% glucose solution …… cm3
volume of distilled water …… cm3
[1]
(c) Sports drinks often contain glucose, which is a reducing sugar.
State how you could test a sample of a sports drink for reducing sugar.
…… [2]
(d) (i) The ethanol emulsion test can be used to show that a sample of food contains fat.
State the result of a positive test.
…… [1]
(ii) Suggest one safety precaution that should be followed when using ethanol.
…… [1]
[Total: 14]
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Mark scheme
1(a)(i) table drawn with a minimum of two columns and a header line ; 4
appropriate column / row headings, with units for height ;
recording two (final) heights ;
trend – 4% has greater height than 1% ;
1(a)(ii) conclusion consistent with results ; 1 e.g. the higher concentration (of glucose
solution) the, greater / faster, the (rate of)
respiration (in yeast) ora
1(a)(iii) independent variable: concentration of glucose ; 2
dependent variable: height / distance (of yeast in large test-tube) ;
1(a)(iv) (use a) thermostatically controlled water-bath / AVP ; 1
1(a)(v) uneven top or bubbles / cannot put a ruler against the test-tube / parallax 1
error / height is changing / test-tube round at the bottom / AW ;
1(b) glucose: 3 (cm3) and distilled water: 2 (cm3) ; 1
1(c) add Benedict’s (reagent) ; 2
heat ;
1(d)(i) cloudy / white / milky ; 1
1(d)(ii) any one from: 1
keep away from, flames / fire / Bunsen / burner ;
cover the container (to prevent evaporation) ;
(use in a) well-ventilated area / fume cupboard / AW ;
wear goggles ;
Plan an investigation to determine the effect of exercise intensity on heart rate in humans.
…… [6]
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Mark scheme
2 1 independent variable 6
different intensities of exercise / different exercises / exercise for different
lengths of time ;
2 dependent variable
after / during, exercise measure, heart rate / pulse rate ;
3 and 4 detail of method ;;
• description of named exercise of different intensities
• ensuring heart rate returns to resting rate
• use of a heart rate monitor
5, 6 and 7 constant variables ;;;
• same speed / distance / time, of exercise
• same age of people
• same sex of people
• same, person / fitness level / mass of person / height of person / BMI
• same, place / time of day / temperature / weather
8 at least three trials / two more repeats ;
9 relevant safety precaution ;
(a) Fig. 3.1 is a photograph of a necklace starfish, Fromia monilis.
P Q magnification ×0.32
Fig. 3.1
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(i) Draw a large diagram of the necklace starfish shown in Fig. 3.1.
[4]
(ii) Line PQ in Fig. 3.1 represents the diameter of the necklace starfish.
Measure the length of line PQ in Fig. 3.1.
length of PQ …… mm
Calculate the actual diameter of the necklace starfish using the formula and your measurement. length of line PQ in Fig. 3.1 magnification = actual diameter of the necklace starfish
Give your answer to two significant figures.
Space for working.
…… mm
[3]
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(iii) Fig. 3.2 is a photograph of a spiny starfish, Marthasterias glacialis. Fig. 3.3 is a photograph of a necklace starfish.
The magnifications of the photographs are not the same.
spiny starfish necklace starfish
Fig. 3.2 Fig. 3.3
State two ways the spiny starfish in Fig. 3.2 differs from the necklace starfish in Fig. 3.3, and one way it is similar.
Do not include references to size in your answer.
difference 1 ……
difference 2 ……
similarity 1 ……
[3]
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(b) Seven‑armed starfish live in the sea.
Scientists investigated the distribution of seven‑armed starfish, Luidia ciliaris, in one region.
• Photographs of 20 m2 areas of seabed were taken at different depths.
• The depth of the water in each area was measured when the water was at its highest level (high tide).
• The numbers of seven‑armed starfish in each photograph were counted.
• All photographs were taken on the same day in July.
(i) State two ways that the method used by the scientists ensured that the numbers of
seven‑armed starfish counted at different depths could be compared.
1 ……
2 ……
[2]
The results of the investigation are shown in Table 3.1.
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Table 3.1
depth / m number of seven‑armed starfish counted
0.0–9.9 337
10.0–19.9 1486
20.0–29.9 1243
30.0–39.9 241
40.0–49.9 121
(ii) Plot a histogram on the grid of the data in Table 3.1.
[4]
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(iii) State the depth range in Table 3.1 at which most seven‑armed starfish were found.
…… m [1]
(iv) Using the information in Table 3.1, calculate the total number of seven‑armed starfish that were photographed at all depths, and use this value to calculate the percentage of starfish that were photographed in the 0.0–9.9 m range.
Express the percentage as a whole number.
Space for working.
total number of seven‑armed starfish photographed ……
percentage of seven‑armed starfish photographed at 0.0–9.9 m ……%
[3]
[Total: 20]
DFD
14
DFD
15
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Mark scheme
3(a)(i) single clear outline with no shading ; 4
width of drawing greater than 93 mm ;
detail 1: 5 arms and enclosed shape in middle that doesn’t touch the
edges ;
detail 2: indication of where colour changes on all limbs
3(a)(ii) length of line PQ: 93 ±1 (mm) ; 3 MP1 correct measurement of line PQ
290 ;; MP2 correct calculation i.e. PQ ÷ 0.32
MP3 correct rounding to two significant
figures
ecf from previous step
3(a)(iii) max two differences from: 3
spiny starfish necklace starfish
/ Figure 3.2 / Figure 3.3
spines / AW AND smooth / scales / no spines ; one mark per correct row
light / bright, in centre AND dark in centre ;
has five, ossicles / AW, does not have five,
in the centre or has a ossicles / AW, in the centre
AND
central pentagon or no central pentagon
shape shape ;
no white ends to the
AND white ends to the limbs ;
limbs
more uniform shaped
AND less uniform shaped limbs ;
limbs
straight limbs AND bent / curved / AW, limbs ;
lines going down the no lines going down the
AND
arms arms ;
max one similarity from:
(both have)
five, arms / AW ;
circle in the middle ;
dark arms / arms that are a different colour to the centre ;
tapering limbs ;
radial symmetry ;
3(b)(i) any two from: 2
same region ;
same size of area / 20 m2, (sampled) ;
same day / same time of year / both in July / same date ;
depth measured at, same time of tide / high tide / when water at its
highest ;
3(b)(ii) axes labelled with units ; 4 i.e. depth / m and number of starfish OR
frequency density
suitable linear scale on number of starfish axis and ranges given for depth
axis and data occupies at least half the grid in both directions ;
five accurate plots ± half a small square ;
bars of equal width ± half a small square with no gaps between them ;
3(b)(iii) 10–19.9 1
3(b)(iv) total number of starfish photographed: 3428 ; 3 MP1 correct total number of starfish
percentage in the 0.0–9.9m range: 10 (%) ;; MP2 correct calculation to any number of
decimal places e.g. (337÷ 3428) x 100 =
9.831
MP3 correct rounding to a whole number
ecf from previous step
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Biology 0610/52 for October/November 2025 is out of 40 marks, with 1 hour 15 minutes to answer it.
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