3 Fig. 3.1 shows a food web. mountain lion coyote jack rabbit yucca plant rattlesnake chuckwalla cactus plant Fig. 3.1 (a) A scientist found that chuckwallas were also eaten by coyotes. Draw an arrow on Fig. 3.1 to show this information. [1] (b) Table 3.1 shows some of the terms used to describe the organisms in Fig. 3.1. Place tick(s) (✓) in all the boxes in Table 3.1 that correctly describe each organism. Table 3.1 producer consumer herbivore carnivore coyote jack rabbit rattlesnake yucca plant [4] (c) State the name of the organism in Fig. 3.1 that is both a secondary and a tertiary consumer. … [1] (d) A new organism that eats cactus plants was introduced to the food web in Fig. 3.1. Predict and explain the effect this would have on the chuckwalla population. … … … … … [2] (e) Chuckwallas are a type of lizard. They have adapted to be able to lose part of their tail if they are caught by predators. Fig. 3.2 is a photograph of a chuckwalla. Fig. 3.2 Complete the sentences using words from the list to describe how chuckwallas have evolved the ability to lose part of their tails by natural selection. Each word may be used once, more than once or not at all. all alleles behaviour none offspring parents predators some A mutation caused some of the population of chuckwallas to be able to lose part of their tail. Chuckwallas that could lose their tail were able to escape … . These chuckwallas survived long enough to breed and pass their … on to their … . Eventually … of the chuckwallas had the ability to lose their tails. [4] [Total: 12]

2(d) any three from: 1 ref. to toxicity ; 2 ref. to, combines / reacts, with haemoglobin ; 3 takes the place of oxygen in red blood cells ; 4 compound formed is very stable ; 5 cells do not get enough oxygen / reduces oxygen carrying capacity of the blood ; 6 cells cannot respire ; 7 increased rate of breathing ; 8 AVP ; 3 AW throughout

5 (a) A class of students measured their wrist circumference, as shown in Fig. 5.1. Wrist circumference is an example of a characteristic that shows continuous variation in humans. Fig. 5.1 Fig. 5.2 shows the results of the investigation. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 umber of students 12.0 – 12.9 13.0 – 13.9 14.0 – 14.9 15.0 – 15.9 16.0 – 16.9 17.0 – 17.9 18.0 – 18.9 19.0 – 19.9 wrist circumference / cm Fig. 5.2 (i) Calculate the total number of students in this investigation. … [1] (ii) State the most frequent wrist circumference range. … [1] (iii) Explain how these data show that wrist circumference is an example of continuous variation. … … … [1] (b) State one example of discontinuous variation. … [1] (c) Variation can be caused by mutation. Complete the sentences about mutation. A mutation is a … change. Mutation is the way new … are formed which are versions of a gene. Mutation can be caused by … radiation and some chemicals. [3] [Total: 7]

5(a)(i) 24 ; 1 5(a)(ii) 15.0-15.9 ; 1 5(a)(iii) there is a range (of phenotypes between two extremes) / no distinct categories / can be any value between the extremes ; 1 5(b) tongue rolling / AVP ; 1 5(c) genetic ; alleles ; ionising ; 3

6 (a) Dimples are an indentation of the cheek visible when smiling. Fig. 6.1 is a photograph showing a person with dimples. Fig. 6.1 The number of male and female students in a class that had dimples was recorded. The results are shown in Table 6.1. Table 6.1 characteristic sex number of students with dimples male 4 female 5 without dimples male 13 female 12 (i) Calculate the total number of male students in the class. … [1] (ii) Calculate the difference in number between male and female students with dimples. … [1] (iii) Describe the evidence from Table 6.1 that shows that dimples are a type of discontinuous variation. … … … … … [2] (iv) State one other example of discontinuous variation in humans. … [1] (v) State one example of continuous variation in humans. … [1] (b) Variation can be caused by a mutation. Complete the sentences about mutation using words from the list. Each word can be used once, more than once or not at all. alleles decrease genetic impulses increase ionising maintain physical stimuli A mutation is a … change. Mutations form new … . Some chemicals and … radiation can … the rate of mutation. [4] [Total: 10]

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)(i) You earn the mark by correctly calculating the total number of male students (4 + 13 = 17). (a)(ii) You earn the mark by correctly calculating the difference in number between male and female students with dimples (5 - 4 = 1). (a)(iii) To earn marks, you must describe that discontinuous variation shows distinct categories with no intermediates, and use the data to explain that students either have dimples or do not, with no in-between states.

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

Cambridge IGCSE Biology · 0610

IGCSE Biology (0610) Variation and selection past paper questions

These questions cover variation, adaptation, and natural and artificial selection.

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

Variation and selection in IGCSE Biology 0610 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Variation and selection accounted for 209 questions worth 862 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	36	133
2021	35	166
2022	32	121
2023	40	173
2024	28	112
2025	38	157

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Paper 1 · 57 qs
Paper 2 · 91 qs
Paper 3 · 25 qs
Paper 4 · 33 qs
Paper 6 · 3 qs

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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 3 · Q3 · 12 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q5 · 7 marks
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2021 May/Jun · 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 · Q34 · 1 mark
Marking scheme
Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q34
Answer: B
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