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

4 (a) The box on the left contains the words ‘Aerobic respiration’. The boxes on the right show some sentence endings. Draw lines to make three correct sentences about aerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration involves the action of enzymes. occurs in animals only. produces water. requires carbon dioxide. releases less energy than anaerobic respiration. requires oxygen. [3] (b) One effect of the release of the hormone adrenaline is to increase blood glucose concentration. This allows more aerobic respiration to occur. (i) Place ticks (✓) in the correct boxes to show other effects of the release of adrenaline on the body. change in the genotype decreased breathing rate development of lung cancer increased pulse rate widened pupils [2] (ii) State the name of the gland that releases adrenaline. … [1] (iii) State how adrenaline is transported to its target organs. … … [1] (c) State the names of two hormones involved in the development of secondary sexual characteristics in humans. 1 … 2 … [2] (d) State the name of the organ that secretes the hormone insulin. … [1] (e) Organs, tissues and specialised cells are structures in the body that perform a particular function. Write these parts of the body in order of size from smallest to largest. cell DNA molecule organ organ system tissue smallest … … … … largest … [2] [Total: 12]

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 draw three correct lines linking 'Aerobic respiration' to its correct sentence endings, such as 'involves the action of enzymes', 'produces water', and 'requires oxygen'. (b)(i) To earn marks, you must place ticks in the boxes next to 'increased pulse rate' and 'widened pupils'. (b)(ii) You earn the mark by stating 'adrenal gland'. (b)(iii) You earn the mark by stating that adrenaline is transported in the 'blood' or 'bloodstream'. (c) To earn marks, you must state the names of two hormones involved in the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as 'testosterone' and 'oestrogen' (or 'estrogen').

4 (a) Place ticks (3) in the boxes that describe anaerobic respiration. a chemical reaction in a cell breaks down nutrient molecules coordinates and regulates body functions does not use oxygen affects reaction times and self-control produces alcohol and carbon dioxide in yeast uses carbon dioxide uses oxygen [4] (b) State the product of anaerobic respiration in muscles during vigorous exercise. … [1] (c) State three uses of the energy released in respiration in the body. 1 … 2 … 3 … [3] [Total: 8]

4(a) a chemical reaction in a cell  breaks down nutrient molecules  coordinates and regulates body functions does not use oxygen  affects reaction times and self-control produces alcohol and carbon dioxide in yeast  uses carbon dioxide uses oxygen ;;;; 4 one mark for each correct tick. R each additional tick 4(b) lactic acid ; 1 4(c) any three from: active transport ; muscle contraction ; protein synthesis ; cell division ; growth ; passage of nerve, impulses / signals ; maintenance of a constant body temperature ; AVP ;; 3

5 (a) The four boxes on the left contain definitions of processes carried out by the alimentary canal. The six boxes on the right contain the names of processes. Draw a straight line to join each definition to the matching process. Draw only four lines. The breakdown of large, insoluble molecules into small, soluble molecules. The movement of digested food molecules into the cells of the body where they are used, becoming part of the cells. The passing out of food that has not been digested or absorbed, as faeces, through the anus. The taking of food substances, e.g. food and drink, into the body through the mouth. absorption assimilation chemical digestion egestion mechanical digestion ingestion definition process [4] (b) Fig. 5.1 shows yeast being used to produce alcohol. A mixture of yeast and fruit juice is placed in a jar. Fruit juice contains sugar. A valve lets gas out of the jar but stops gas from entering the jar. valve gas escaping from the liquid jar mixture of yeast and fruit juice Fig. 5.1 (i) State the name of the process that the yeast uses to make alcohol. … [1] (ii) State the name of the gas produced when yeast makes alcohol. … [1] (iii) State the name of the gas that must be stopped from entering the jar when alcohol is being made. … [1] (iv) State the name of the group of chemicals that yeast uses to catalyse the breakdown of glucose molecules. Choose your answer from the list. antibiotics antibodies enzymes hormones … [1] [Total: 8]

5(a) definition process absorption The breakdown of large, insoluble … assimilation The movement of digested food … chemical digestion The passing out of food that has not … egestion The taking of food substances … mechanical digestion ingestion ;;;; 4 one mark for each correct line R each additional line 5(b)(i) anaerobic respiration ; 1 5(b)(ii) carbon dioxide ; 1 5(b)(iii) oxygen ; 1 5(b)(iv) enzymes ; 1 To earn marks, you must draw a straight line from each of the four given definitions to its correct matching process. For part (b), you must state the correct name for the process yeast uses to make alcohol, the gas produced, the gas that must be stopped from entering, and the substance in yeast that causes the reaction.

1 Which characteristics of all living organisms are needed to release energy for growth? A breathing and respiration B excretion and nutrition C excretion and respiration D nutrition and respiration

Answer: D To earn this mark, a student must correctly identify nutrition and respiration as the characteristics needed to release energy for growth.

Cambridge IGCSE Biology · 0610

IGCSE Biology (0610) Respiration past paper questions

These questions test aerobic and anaerobic respiration and the differences between them.

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

Respiration in IGCSE Biology 0610 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Respiration accounted for 265 questions worth 1,230 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	41	207
2021	43	139
2022	41	146
2023	46	206
2024	48	317
2025	46	215

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Paper 1 · 96 qs
Paper 2 · 90 qs
Paper 3 · 29 qs
Paper 4 · 28 qs
Paper 5 · 11 qs
Paper 6 · 11 qs

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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q1 · 11 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q4 · 12 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q4 · 8 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q5 · 8 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 1 · Q1 · 1 mark
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Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q1
Answer: D
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