4 (a) (i) The boxes on the left show different components of blood. The boxes on the right show functions of the components. Draw one straight line from each component of the blood to its function. component of blood function plasma transport oxygen platelets transport hormones red blood cells clotting the blood [2] (ii) Fig. 4.1 shows both red and white blood cells as seen using a light microscope. Fig. 4.1 Identify one structure found in white blood cells that is not found in red blood cells. Use Fig. 4.1 to help you. … [1] (b) Cancer can affect the components of the blood. There are different types of cancer that affect the blood. Fig. 4.2 shows the percentage of people that survived four different blood cancers, A, B, C and D in 1992 and 2008. A B C D 0 10 percentage of people that survive 5 years after treatment for cancer type of blood cancer 1992 2008 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Fig. 4.2 (i) Identify the blood cancer with the best survival rate in both 1992 and 2008. … [1] (ii) Blood cancer B can stop white blood cells functioning correctly. Explain why someone with blood cancer B finds it more difficult to fight infections. … … … … [2] (c) Hepatitis is a sexually transmitted infection that can be passed on through body fluids and infected blood. (i) One way to prevent the spread of hepatitis is using sterilised needles. State two other ways to prevent the spread of hepatitis. 1 … 2 … [2] (ii) Name one other sexually transmitted infection. … [1] [Total: 9]

4(a)(i) plasma transport oxygen platelets transport hormones red blood cells clotting the blood ;; all correct = 2 marks one or two correct = 1 mark 2 4(a)(ii) nucleus ; 1 4(b)(i) D ; 1 4(b)(ii) idea of not being able to make antibodies ; idea of not being able to engulf microbes / not able to carry out phagocytosis ; 2 4(c)(i) any two from: abstinence from, sex / sexual intercourse ; use of condom / femidom ; blood screening ; not sharing (syringe) needles ; gloves used by health professionals ; better education / raise awareness ; 2 4(c)(ii) HIV / AIDS ; 1

7 (a) Fig. 7.1 is a diagram of the human heart. Fig. 7.1 (i) Draw a label line and the letter A on Fig. 7.1 to show the position of the septum. [1] (ii) Circle the name of the blood vessel that brings blood to the right atria from the body. aorta pulmonary artery pulmonary vein vena cava [1] (iii) The muscular wall pumps blood out of the right atria. State the type of structure that stops the blood returning to the right atria. … [1] (iv) Arteries and veins are connected to the heart. State two differences between arteries and veins. 1 … … 2 … … [2] (b) Vaccinations protect us from infection. When given a vaccination our body produces antibodies. (i) Name the part of the blood that produces antibodies. … [1] (ii) Fig. 7.2 shows the number of antibodies in the blood after a vaccination for measles and after being infected by the measles virus. time number of measles antibodies in the blood infection vaccination Fig. 7.2 Describe two differences between the antibody production after the vaccination and after the infection shown in Fig. 7.2. 1 … … 2 … … [2] [Total: 8]

7(a)(i) line touching septum ; 1 7(a)(ii) vena cava ; 1 7(a)(iii) valve ; 1 7(a)(iv) any two from: arteries have thicker (muscular) walls ORA ; arteries have smaller, cavity ORA ; arteries take blood away from heart / veins bring blood to heart ; veins have valves (arteries do not) ; 2 7(b)(i) white blood cells ; 1 7(b)(ii) any two from: fewer antibodies made after vaccination (than after infection) ORA ; antibodies reach maximum quicker after infection ORA ; antibody numbers remain higher for longer after infection ; 2

4 (a) Fig. 4.1 is a diagram of a section through a human heart. muscular wall Fig. 4.1 (i) On Fig. 4.1 use a label line and the letter R to identify the right ventricle of the heart. [1] (ii) Describe the role of the muscular wall in the function of the heart. … … … [2] (b) Fig. 4.2 is a graph that compares the number of males and females with coronary heart disease in different age categories. males Key females 0 50 100 150 200 250 age group mber of ents per 000 of pulation 35–44 years 34 years and under 45–54 years 55–64 years 65–74 years 75 years and over Fig. 4.2 (i) Identify the age group that has no women with coronary heart disease. … [1] (ii) Describe two general trends shown in Fig. 4.2. 1 … … 2 … … [2] (c) Risk factors for coronary heart disease include age, diet and your sex. (i) List two other risk factors for coronary heart disease. 1 … 2 … [2] (ii) Describe how malnutrition can cause coronary heart disease. … … … [2] [Total: 10]

4(a)(i) right ventricle labelled ; 1 4(a)(ii) contracts ; to push / pump, blood out of heart ; 2 4(b)(i) 34 years and under ; 1 4(b)(ii) coronary heart disease increases with age ; more men than women have coronary heart disease (in each age group) ; 2 4(c)(i) any two from: genetic predisposition ; stress ; smoking ; 2 4(c)(ii) high fat diet ; cause blockage of coronary artery ; 2

7 (a) Fig. 7.1 shows a heart with coronary heart disease. artery damaged heart muscle build-up of fat Fig. 7.1 (i) Suggest why the build-up of fat in the coronary artery causes the heart to become damaged. … … … … [2] (ii) A high fat diet is one risk factor for coronary heart disease. State two other risk factors for coronary heart disease. 1 … 2 … [2] (b) Arteries and capillaries have different functions. Explain how arteries and capillaries are adapted to their functions. arteries … … … capillaries … … … [4] [Total: 8]

7(a)(i) less, blood / oxygen transported to heart (muscle) ; (heart) muscle unable to respire effectively ; 2 7(a)(ii) any two from: gender / sex ; stress ; smoking ; age ; genetic predisposition ; AVP, e.g. obesity / lack of exercise ; 2 7(b) any one adaptation and explanation pairing for arteries from: thick muscular wall ; to withstand high pressure ; OR elastic (muscle fibres in walls) ; to allow, contraction / relaxation / maintain blood flow rate ; OR narrow lumen ; to maintain, blood pressure / flow rate ; adaptation and explanation for capillaries: thin walls / walls only one cell thick ; to allow for exchange of materials / to allow substances to diffuse in and out ; 4

Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science · 0653

IGCSE Combined Science (0653) Diseases and immunity past paper questions

Revise IGCSE Combined Science (0653) — Diseases and immunity 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.

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

Diseases and immunity in IGCSE Combined Science 0653 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Diseases and immunity accounted for 35 questions worth 217 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	5	28
2021	5	43
2022	2	20
2023	9	56
2024	6	32
2025	8	38

Most-tested subtopics

B10.1 Diseases and immunity206 marks

Appears in

Paper 1 · 4 qs
Paper 2 · 7 qs
Paper 3 · 10 qs
Paper 4 · 14 qs

All most-tested Combined Science topics

2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q4 · 9 marks
Marking scheme
Get Steven’s plain-English explanation
2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q7 · 8 marks
Marking scheme
Get Steven’s plain-English explanation
2021 May/Jun · Paper 4 · Q4 · 10 marks
Marking scheme
Get Steven’s plain-English explanation
2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 4 · Q7 · 8 marks
Marking scheme
Get Steven’s plain-English explanation
2020 Oct/Nov · Paper 1 · Q8 · 1 mark
Marking scheme
Mark scheme — 2020 Paper 1 Q8
Answer: A
Get Steven’s plain-English explanation