1 Respiration is a process that occurs in all living organisms. (a) (i) Complete the definition of aerobic respiration. The … reactions in cells that use … to break down … molecules to release energy. [3] (ii) State two uses of the energy released by respiration in the human body. 1 … 2 … [2] (iii) Carbon dioxide is one chemical product of aerobic respiration. State the name of the other chemical product of aerobic respiration. … [1] (b) A student investigated respiration at two different temperatures in germinating pea seeds. The apparatus is shown in Fig. 1.1. Soda lime is a chemical that absorbs carbon dioxide. germinating pea soda lime oil drop Fig. 1.1 The results of the investigation are shown in Table 1.1. Table 1.1 temperature / °C distance moved by the oil drop / cm 5 2.3 25 5.0 (i) Calculate the percentage increase in the distance the oil drop moved, when the temperature changed from 5 °C to 25 °C. Give your answer to one decimal place. Space for working. … % [3] (ii) State two environmental conditions that the pea seeds shown in Fig. 1.1 would need for germination. 1 … 2 … [2] [Total: 11]

1(a)(i) chemical ; oxygen ; nutrient ; 3 1(a)(ii) any two from: muscle contraction / protein synthesis / cell division / active transport / growth / passage of nerve impulses / maintenance of a constant body temperature / AVP ;; 2 1(a)(iii) water ; 1 1(b)(i) 117.4 (%) ;;; 3 MP1 5.0 – 2.3 = 2.7 (cm) MP2 correct calculation (2.7 ÷ 2.3) × 100 = 117.391… MP3 correct rounding to one decimal place ecf MP3 from wrong answer if working shown 1(b)(ii) any two from: water ; suitable temperature ; oxygen ; 2

2 (a) Fig. 2.1 shows some of the processes involved in the water cycle. water droplets in the clouds water vapour in the air streams, lakes and the sea water in the ground plants and trees D A E B C Fig. 2.1 (i) Identify the processes labelled A to D in Fig. 2.1. A … B … C … D … [4] (ii) Describe the process that occurs at E in Fig. 2.1. … … … … … … … [3] (b) Some animals can only live in clean water that has a high concentration of dissolved oxygen. Some animals can live in polluted water. A student investigated which animal species lived in different locations in a river. Fig. 2.2 is a diagram of the river. The numbers are the locations of where the student counted how many of each animal species were present. 1 2 3 4 direction of water flow untreated sewage entered the river here 5 Fig. 2.2 The number of each animal species present is shown in Table 2.1. Table 2.1 animal species total number of each animal species found location 1 location 2 location 3 location 4 location 5 mayfly nymph 76 78 0 0 0 freshwater shrimp 70 73 9 17 35 bloodworm 2 1 65 45 16 sludge worm 0 0 111 77 34 (i) State which location has the most animals present. … [1] (ii) Using the information in Fig. 2.2 and Table 2.1, suggest which animal species is unable to survive in polluted water. Give reasons for your choice. species … reasons … … … … … … [3] (iii) Suggest which animal species in Table 2.1 indicates that the water is polluted when it is present. … [1] (iv) Calculate the percentage change in the freshwater shrimp numbers between location 2 and location 3. Give your answer to one decimal place. Space for working. … % [3] [Total: 15]

2(a)(i) A – transpiration ; B – condensation ; C – evaporation ; D – precipitation ; 4 2(a)(ii) any three from: water, absorbed / taken up ; by osmosis ; into root hair cells ; across the, cell membrane / partially permeable membrane ; 3 2(b)(i) (location) 3 ; 1 2(b)(ii) species: mayfly / nymph ; reasons – maximum of two from: there are no mayfly nymphs, after location 3 / in locations 3, 4 and 5 ; sewage / polluted water, enters the river, after location 2 / before location 3 ; sewage is a source of pollution ; 3 2(b)(iii) bloodworm / sludge worm ; 1 2(b)(iv) 87.7(%) ;;; 3 MP1 correct readings from table (73 & 9) MP2 correct calculation MP3 correct rounding to one decimal place ecf MP2 and MP3 from incorrect readings / calculation

2 (a) Table 2.1 shows the breathing rate of different organisms. Table 2.1 name of organism breathing rate / average number of breaths per minute buffalo 17 camel 8 cat 20 chicken 18 elephant 12 goat 21 horse 10 human 16 sheep 20 (i) State the name of the organism with the lowest breathing rate. … [1] (ii) State the name of two organisms with the same breathing rate. … and … [1] (iii) State the name of the organism with the most similar breathing rate to humans. … [1] (b) A person goes from resting to exercising. Describe how their breathing changes. … … … … … [2] (c) There is more carbon dioxide in expired air than in inspired air. (i) State two other ways the composition of expired air is different from inspired air. 1 … … 2 … … [2] (ii) State the chemical used to test for the presence of carbon dioxide gas and the positive test result. chemical … positive test result … [2] (d) Fig. 2.1 is a diagram of the human gas exchange system. A B C D Fig. 2.1 Identify the parts labelled A, B, C and D in Fig. 2.1. A … B … C … D … [4] [Total: 13]

2(a)(i) camel ; 1 2(a)(ii) cat and sheep ; 1 2(a)(iii) buffalo ; 1 2(b) depth increases ; rate increases ; 2 2(c)(i) less oxygen ; more water (vapour) ; 2 2(c)(ii) limewater ; turns, cloudy / milky / AW ; 2 2(d) A trachea ; B intercostal muscle ; C diaphragm ; D alveoli ; 4 To earn marks, you must accurately identify the organism with the lowest breathing rate, two organisms with the same breathing rate, and the organism with the most similar breathing rate to humans directly from the provided table. For changes during exercise, you need to state that both the depth and rate of breathing increase.

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.

Cambridge IGCSE Biology · 0610

IGCSE Biology (0610) Experimental skills and investigations past paper questions

These questions cover planning, variables, and interpreting data — the skills examined on the practical paper.

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

Experimental skills and investigations in IGCSE Biology 0610 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Experimental skills and investigations accounted for 455 questions worth 4,827 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	55	711
2021	85	805
2022	76	778
2023	74	793
2024	87	890
2025	78	850

Most-tested subtopics

22.3 Recording results, tables and graphs3650 marks
22.1 Experimental design and variables2916 marks
22.4 Biological drawing and magnification1058 marks

Appears in

Paper 1 · 93 qs
Paper 2 · 65 qs
Paper 3 · 59 qs
Paper 4 · 54 qs
Paper 5 · 91 qs
Paper 6 · 93 qs

All most-tested Biology topics

2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q1 · 11 marks
Marking scheme
Get Steven’s plain-English explanation
2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q2 · 15 marks
Marking scheme
Get Steven’s plain-English explanation
2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q2 · 13 marks
Marking scheme
Get Steven’s plain-English explanation
2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q3 · 13 marks
Marking scheme
Get Steven’s plain-English explanation
2021 May/Jun · Paper 1 · Q6 · 1 mark
Marking scheme
Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q6
Answer: B
Get Steven’s plain-English explanation