1 (a) Scientists measure the length of sperm cells from different animals. The animals are placed in size from animal A the smallest to animal F the largest. Fig. 1.1 shows the results. 0 0.02 A B C D animal E F 0.04 0.06 0.08 length of sperm cell / mm 0.10 0.12 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.14 Fig. 1.1 (i) Using Fig. 1.1, state the length of a sperm cell in animal B. … mm [1] (ii) State the animal with the shortest length of sperm. … [1] (iii) State evidence from Fig. 1.1 that shows that length of sperm does not increase with size of animal. … … [1] (b) Plant and animal cells both contain a nucleus. Name two other structures seen in both plant and animal cells. 1 … 2 … [2] (c) The boxes on the left show some of the parts of a plant cell. The boxes on the right show the functions of the parts. Draw lines to link each part with its function. part of plant cell function cell wall contains genetic material chloroplast contains cell sap and supports the cell nucleus site of photosynthesis vacuole strengthens the cell [3] (d) Substances enter and leave cells. Name the process by which substances enter the cells. … [1] (e) Explain why muscle cells need high rates of respiration. … … … … [2] [Total: 11]

1(a)(i) 0.12 (mm) ; 1 1(a)(ii) A ; 1 1(a)(iii) animal F is the biggest but does not have the longest length of sperm / animal D has the longest sperm but is not the biggest animal / avp ; 1 1(b) any two from: cell membrane ; cytoplasm ; AVP ; e.g. ribosomes / mitochondria 2 1(c) cell wall contains genetic material chloroplast contains cell sap and supports the cell nucleus site of photosynthesis vacuole strengthens the cell ;;; 3 1(d) diffusion ; 1 1(e) respiration releases energy ; (energy is required) for muscle contraction / movement ; 2

1 (a) Fig. 1.1 is a diagram of a single‑celled organism called a euglena. nucleus flagella pellicle (membrane) chloroplast Fig. 1.1 (i) Table 1.1 shows some of the cell components of animal, euglena and plant cells. Complete Table 1.1 by placing ticks (3) to show the correct cell components of each type of cell. Use the information in Fig. 1.1 and your knowledge to answer the question. Table 1.1 type of cell cell component cell wall chloroplast nucleus vacuole animal euglena plant [3] (ii) State evidence from Fig. 1.1 for and against euglena being a plant cell. evidence for … … evidence against … … [2] (b) State the function of the nucleus. … … [1] (c) The length of a palisade cell is 0.08 mm. The length of a red blood cell is 0.007 mm. Calculate how many times bigger a palisade cell is than a red blood cell. Give your answer to the nearest whole number. … [2] (d) Fig. 1.2 shows a type of nerve cell (neurone). Fig. 1.2 (i) Name the type of neurone shown in Fig. 1.2. … [1] (ii) The type of neurone shown in Fig. 1.2 can be 1.5 m in length. Suggest why these cells need to be very long. … … … [1] [Total: 10]

1(a)(i) type of cell cell wall chloroplast nucleus vacuole animal  euglena   plant     ;;; 3 1(a)(ii) for: euglena has chloroplasts ; against: euglena does not have, cell wall / vacuole ; 2 1(b) controls cells activities or contains, genetic material / DNA ; 1 1(c) 0.08÷ 0.007 or 11.428 ; 11 ; 2 1(d)(i) sensory (neurone) ; 1 1(d)(ii) transmit impulses, over large, areas / distances / AW ; 1

10 (a) Plants use different tissues to transport substances around the plant. Circle two parts of a plant that are adapted for transport. capillaries chloroplasts fatty tissue guard cells phloem vena cava xylem [2] (b) Fig. 10.1 is a diagram of a plant cell. X Y Fig. 10.1 (i) Name the cell shown in Fig. 10.1 and state its function. name … function … … [2] (ii) Identify the parts labelled X and Y in Fig. 10.1. X … Y … [2] (c) A scientist investigates the conditions needed for the germination of seeds. She sets up four experiments A–D with different conditions. Table 10.1 shows the conditions for each experiment. Place a tick (3) in Table 10.1 to identify the experiment where the seeds will germinate. Table 10.1 experiment temperature / °C moisture oxygen do seeds germinate? (3) A –20 damp present B –20 dry absent C 20 damp present D 20 dry absent [1] (d) Germination is an enzyme‑controlled reaction. The investigation is repeated with boiled seeds. Describe the effect of boiling on the germination of seeds. Give one reason for your answer. effect … reason … … [2] [Total: 9]

10(a) phloem circled ; xylem circled ; 2 10(b)(i) name root hair (cell) ; function absorption of, water / mineral ions ; 2 10(b)(ii) X cell wall ; Y nucleus ; 2 10(c) prediction of germination (/ X) X X  X ; 1 10(d) effect no germination ; reason (high temperature) decreases enzyme / stops activity ; 2

1 (a) Some plant cells are immersed in a concentrated salt solution. Fig. 1.1 is a photomicrograph showing the appearance of the cells. Fig. 1.1 Complete the sentences using words or phrases from the list to explain the appearance of the cells in Fig. 1.1. Each word or phrase may be used once, more than once or not at all. active transport a higher a lower osmosis plasmolysis the same turgor The solution outside the cell has … water potential than the cells. Water diffuses across the cell membrane by … from high water potential to low water potential. This reduces the … pressure of the cells. The cytoplasm is pulled away from the cell wall. This is called … . [4] (b) Fig. 1.2 shows two specialised plant cells. root hair cell palisade cell X Fig. 1.2 (i) Name the cell structure labelled X in Fig. 1.2. … [1] (ii) Explain why cell structure X is not needed in root hair cells. … … … [2] (iii) Use Fig. 1.2 to identify two cell structures found in root hair cells but not in animal cells. 1 … 2 … [2] (c) Fig. 1.3 is a photomicrograph of a type of specialised animal cell. Fig. 1.3 (i) Name the cells shown in Fig. 1.3. … [1] (ii) Describe two ways the cells shown in Fig. 1.3 are adapted for their function. 1 … 2 … [2] [Total: 12]

1(a) a lower ; osmosis ; turgor ; plasmolysis ; 4 1(b)(i) chloroplast ; 1 1(b)(ii) any two from: root hair cells absorb, water / mineral ions ; root hair cells, are underground / do not receive light ; correct reference to photosynthesis ; 2 1(b)(iii) vacuole ; cell wall ; 2 1(c)(i) red blood cells ; 1 1(c)(ii) any two from: contain haemoglobin ; no nucleus ; biconcave shape / large surface area ; AVP ; 2

Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences · 0654

IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) Cells past paper questions

Revise IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) — Cells with real Cambridge past-paper questions grouped by topic, each shown with its marking scheme. Working one topic at a time targets exactly the skill each question tests.

68 free questions from 2016–2021, each with its marking scheme. Open the full topical bank to filter by subtopic, paper, and year.

Cells in IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Cells accounted for 118 questions worth 793 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	14	70
2021	15	96
2022	23	154
2023	25	162
2024	17	147
2025	24	164

Most-tested subtopics

B2.1 Cell structure462 marks
B2.2 Size of specimens419 marks

Appears in

Paper 1 · 27 qs
Paper 2 · 20 qs
Paper 3 · 26 qs
Paper 4 · 14 qs
Paper 5 · 13 qs
Paper 6 · 18 qs

All most-tested Co-ordinated Sciences topics

2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q1 · 11 marks
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q1 · 10 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q10 · 9 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 4 · Q1 · 12 marks
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 1 · Q2 · 1 mark
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Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q2
Answer: B
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