2 (a) Different age groups of people, in one area, were asked about their tobacco smoking habits. Fig. 2.1 is a graph that shows the percentage of people that currently smoke tobacco and the percentage of people that used to smoke tobacco but have now stopped. 0 16–24 25–34 35–49 age group Key: people that smoke tobacco people that have stopped smoking tobacco 50–59 60+ 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 percentage of people Fig. 2.1 Describe how the data for the 60+ age group are different from the 16 – 24-year-old age group. … … … … … … … [3] (b) Lung cancer and other cancers are caused by smoking tobacco. State the names of two other diseases caused by smoking tobacco. 1 … 2 … [2] (c) State the name of the component of tobacco smoke that causes cancer. … [1] (d) Describe the effects of carbon monoxide on the gas exchange system. … … … … … … … [3] [Total: 9]

1(a) J ; F ; C ; K / C ; A ; G ; 6 1(b) B - oesophagus ; H - gall bladder ; 2 1(c) any order: colon ; rectum ; anus ; 3 2(a) any three from: 1 greater percentage of people have stopped (smoking tobacco) in the 60+ (age group) (than the 16–24 year old age group) / ora ; 2 greater percentage of smokers (present) in 16–24 (year old age group) (than in 60+ age group) / ora ; 3 greater percentage of people in the 60+ group have stopped smoking than are currently smoking ; 4 greater percentage of people in the 16–24 group smoke than have stopped smoking ; 5 greater percentage of people in the 60+ (age group) have smoked in the past than have smoked in the current 16–24 (age group) ; 6 comparative data quote / manipulation ; 3 2(b) any two from: COPD / chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ; CHD / coronary heart disease ; AVP ;; 2 2(c) tar ; 1

3 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows the number of deaths in one country that were due to excessive alcohol consumption. 4000 2009 2010 2011 year 2012 2013 4400 4800 5200 5600 4200 4600 5000 number of deaths due to excessive alcohol consumption 5400 Fig. 3.1 Describe the results shown in Fig. 3.1. Use the data to support your answer. … … … … … … … [3] (b) Describe two short-term effects of excessive alcohol consumption on the nervous system. 1 … … 2 … … [2] (c) State the name of one organ damaged by long-term excessive alcohol consumption. … [1] (d) Alcohol dehydrogenase is an enzyme that breaks down alcohol in the body. Fig. 3.2 shows the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase at different pH values. 3 enzyme activity 5 7 pH 9 11 4 6 8 10 Fig. 3.2 (i) State the pH value with the highest enzyme activity in Fig. 3.2. … [1] (ii) State the pH value with the lowest enzyme activity in Fig. 3.2. … [1] (iii) Suggest one other factor that could affect the activity of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. … [1] (e) Enzymes are biological catalysts. Define the term catalyst. … … … [2] (f) Enzymes are proteins. Circle the elements that all enzymes contain. calcium carbon hydrogen iodine iron magnesium nitrogen oxygen [2] [Total: 13]

2(c) any three from: asexual reproduction: sexual reproduction: 1 both produce offspring / AW 2 one parent two parents 3 genetically identical offspring / clone genetically different offspring 4 no involvement of gametes (named) gametes 5 no fertilisation fertilisation / fusion of gametes 6 no variation variation 7 fast slow 8 mitosis meiosis (and mitosis) 9 less energy required more energy required ;;; 3 one mark per row response does not have to be in a table (a) To earn marks, you must describe the trend shown in the graph, noting whether the number of deaths increased or decreased, and support your description with specific data values from the figure. (b) To earn marks, you need to describe two distinct short-term effects of excessive alcohol consumption on the nervous system.

4 Fig. 4.1 shows part of the human nervous system. Fig. 4.1 (a) (i) State the two parts of the central nervous system. 1 … 2 … [2] (ii) Describe the main function of the nervous system. … … … [1] (b) Fig. 4.2 shows three different types of neurone. These cells are used in some reflex actions. H J K not to scale Fig. 4.2 (i) State the names of cells H and K in Fig. 4.2. H … K … [2] (ii) Describe one feature of a reflex action. … … … [1] (iii) State one example of a reflex action. … [1] (c) Certain types of drugs can affect the nervous system. Heroin and alcohol both affect reflex actions. (i) State one effect of heroin on the nervous system. … [1] (ii) State one long-term effect of excessive consumption of alcohol. … [1] [Total: 9]

4(a)(i) brain ; spinal cord ; 2 either order 4(a)(ii) coordination / regulation, of body functions ; 1 4(b)(i) H: motor (neurone) ; K: sensory (neurone) ; 2 4(b)(ii) automatic / fast / protective / involuntary / predictable for a specific stimulus / unconscious ; 1 4(b)(iii) pupil response to light / AVP ; 1 4(c)(i) depressant / increased or slower reaction time / addiction / AVP ; 1 4(c)(ii) liver damage / AVP ; 1

7 (a) State the term used to describe the maintenance of a constant internal environment. … [1] (b) Mammals can maintain a constant body temperature. Complete the sentences by circling the correct word in each group of three words that are shown in bold. Circle five words. When a mammal becomes too cold the effectors / hormones / receptors detect a low body temperature and send information to the brain. The brain coordinates the response. The effectors / hormones / receptors respond by raising body hairs to trap a layer of air / oil / sweat around the body to insulate it. During shivering, the blood / muscle / skin cells contract and respire more, releasing heat. Sweat production decreases so that heat transfer to the environment decreases / increases / stays the same. [5] (c) Drugs can alter the chemical reactions in the body. State the names of two drugs that can act as depressants. 1 … 2 … [2] [Total: 8]

7(a) homeostasis ; 1 7(b) receptors ; effectors ; air ; muscle ; decreases ; 5 7(c) any two from: alcohol / heroin / AVP ;; 2

Cambridge IGCSE Biology · 0610

IGCSE Biology (0610) Drugs past paper questions

Questions on medicinal and misused drugs and their effects on the body.

69 free questions from 2017–2021, each with its marking scheme. Open the full topical bank to filter by subtopic, paper, and year.

Drugs in IGCSE Biology 0610 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Drugs accounted for 47 questions worth 190 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	11	58
2021	14	61
2022	12	46
2023	6	11
2024	3	13
2025	1	1

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15.1 Drugs157 marks

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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 3 · Q2 · 9 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q3 · 13 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q4 · 9 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q7 · 8 marks
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 1 · Q28 · 1 mark
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Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q28
Answer: B
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Drugs in IGCSE Biology 0610 exams, 2020–2025

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