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

5 (a) A student investigated the effect of the concentration of carbon dioxide on the rate of photosynthesis in an aquatic plant. Table 5.1 shows the results of the investigation. Table 5.1 concentration of carbon dioxide / ppm rate of release of oxygen / cm3 per hour 0 0.0 100 11.2 300 26.1 (i) Describe and explain the results shown in Table 5.1. … … … … … … … [3] (ii) State why the temperature should have been kept constant during this investigation. … … … [1] (b) Carbon dioxide is an example of a greenhouse gas. (i) State the name of one other greenhouse gas. … [1] (ii) State the name of the chemical used to test for the presence of carbon dioxide and state the result of a positive test. chemical … positive result … [2] (c) Farmers use fertilisers on crops to improve crop growth. These fertilisers can cause pollution when washed into rivers. State the names of two other substances used to improve crop yield that can cause pollution. 1 … 2 … [2] [Total: 9]

5(a)(i) any three from: 1 oxygen is released by photosynthesis ; 2 no carbon dioxide results in no, oxygen release / photosynthesis / ora ; 3 because carbon dioxide is, a reactant / required, for photosynthesis ; 4 rate of, oxygen release / photosynthesis, increases with increasing concentration (of carbon dioxide) / ora ; 5 relationship is non-linear ; 3 AW throughout A equation for MP1 and MP3 5(a)(ii) temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis / AW ; 1 5(b)(i) methane / CH4 / AVP ; 1 5(b)(ii) either limewater ; cloudy / AW ; or hydrogencarbonate indicator ; yellow / orange ; 2 5(c) any two from: insecticide / pesticide / herbicide or weed killer / fungicide / AVP ;; 2

6 Carbon is a part of many biological molecules. (a) Fig. 6.1 is a diagram of part of the carbon cycle. carbon compounds in plants carbon compounds in decomposers carbon compounds in C CO2 in the atmosphere carbon compounds in D B A combustion decomposition feeding Fig. 6.1 (i) State the name of the process labelled A. … [1] (ii) State the name of the process labelled B. … [1] (iii) State the name of C. … [1] (iv) State the name of D. … [1] (b) Describe the undesirable effects of deforestation. … … … … … … … [3] (c) Methane is a gas that pollutes the atmosphere. (i) State one source of the methane that pollutes the atmosphere. … [1] (ii) State the effects of an increased concentration of methane in the atmosphere. … … … … … [2] [Total: 10]

6(a)(i) photosynthesis ; 1 6(a)(ii) respiration ; 1 6(a)(iii) animals ; 1 6(a)(iv) fossil fuels ; 1 6(b) any three from: 1 increase in carbon dioxide (concentration) ; 2 habitat destruction ; 3 loss of soil / soil erosion ; 4 idea of disruption of, food chains / food webs ; 5 lack of biodiversity / extinction of species ; 6 flooding ; 7 AVP ; e.g. reduction in rainfall 3 6(c)(i) decay / paddy fields / cattle / AVP ; 1 6(c)(ii) any two from: enhanced greenhouse effect ; climate change / global warming ; AVP ; 2 7(a) P controls movement of substances into and out of a cell ; Q site of, chemical / metabolic, reactions ; R controls cell activities ; 3

7 (a) Modern technology has improved food production. Table 7.1 shows some of the ways that food production has been improved. Complete Table 7.1 by writing an example for each description. Table 7.1 example of technology description of how it has improved food production used to farm larger areas of land used to improve growth in plants by providing nutrients used to improve yield by removing animal pests used to remove competition by weeds [4] (b) Intensive livestock production is used to improve food production. Describe the negative effects of intensive livestock production. … … … … … … … [3] (c) Selective breeding can be used to improve the yield of meat from livestock. Sentences A to E in Table 7.2 describe the selective breeding of chickens to improve meat quantity. The sentences are not in the correct order. Table 7.2 Breed the chickens together. A Observe the chickens to identify those that will yield the most meat. B Observe the offspring and select the offspring that will yield the most meat. C Repeat the process over many generations. D Select one male and one female chicken. E Put the letters from Table 7.2 into the correct order. One has been done for you. A [2] (d) Lack of food can affect the population size of animals in ecosystems. State two other factors that could decrease population size. 1 … 2 … [2] [Total: 11]

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

36 What would be the effect of cutting down forests, on the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere? A Carbon dioxide concentration would fall because of less photosynthesis. B Carbon dioxide concentration would fall because of more photosynthesis. C Carbon dioxide concentration would rise because of less photosynthesis. D Carbon dioxide concentration would rise because of more photosynthesis.

Answer: C To earn the mark, a student must correctly state that cutting down forests would cause carbon dioxide concentration to rise due to less photosynthesis.

Cambridge IGCSE Biology · 0610

IGCSE Biology (0610) Human influences on ecosystems past paper questions

These questions test pollution, conservation, and the human impact on habitats.

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

Human influences on ecosystems in IGCSE Biology 0610 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Human influences on ecosystems accounted for 201 questions worth 1,039 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	38	186
2021	30	161
2022	31	201
2023	26	136
2024	32	143
2025	44	212

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Paper 1 · 61 qs
Paper 2 · 60 qs
Paper 3 · 45 qs
Paper 4 · 35 qs

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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q2 · 15 marks
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 3 · Q5 · 9 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q6 · 10 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q7 · 11 marks
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 1 · Q36 · 1 mark
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Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q36
Answer: C
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