Oct/Nov 2025

Which three characteristics are shared by all organisms?

Characteristics of living organisms

Which process in plant cells depends on chlorophyll?

Photosynthesis

Which molecule has nitrogen atoms?

Biological molecules

The diagram illustrates part of a leaf cross-section. Which row correctly names tissue P and the tissue that includes cell Q?

Leaf structure

Which nutrients in the diet help to prevent rickets?

Diet

The diagram illustrates part of the human digestive system. What is one function of the part labelled X?

Digestive system

What makes the surface area of food larger for enzymes to act on?

Physical digestion

The graph indicates how the activity of an enzyme changes with pH. In which region of the alimentary canal would this enzyme show the greatest activity?

Enzymes

Which processes take place during transpiration?

Transpiration

In what order does blood pass through the circulatory system?

Circulatory systems

Which row shows methods that will limit the spread of disease?

Diseases and immunity

The song thrush, Turdus philomelos, is a bird. What is the genus of this bird?

Concept and uses of classification systems

Which chemical may be used to indicate that carbon dioxide is present?

Biological molecules

A blend of glucose, yeast and water was put into a test-tube. A balloon was fitted onto the open end of the test-tube. The apparatus was left at 30^{\circ}C for one hour. The diagram shows the apparatus. Which word equation can be used to explain the change in the balloon after one hour?

Anaerobic respiration

Urine is produced from the materials removed by the kidneys. The pie chart illustrates the composition of urine in a healthy person. What is label X?

Excretion in humans

Which hormone makes the pupil diameter larger and is released during ‘fight or flight’ situations?

Hormones

Which responses are normally exhibited by the root of a plant?

Tropic responses

The diagram presents a potato tuber that formed from the stem of a parent potato plant. Three shoots are beginning to grow from the tuber. How do the genotypes of the shoots compare with those of the tuber and the parent?

Asexual reproduction

Which feature is found in wind-pollinated flowers?

Sexual reproduction in plants

Which parts of the gametes join together in fertilisation?

Sexual reproduction

The statements refer to some hormones found in the human body. V encourages the growth of breast tissue. W encourages the growth of stronger muscles. X makes the voice deepen at puberty. Y is secreted by the pancreas. Which statements are correct for testosterone?

Sex hormones in humans

Which kind of organism causes an infection that can result in AIDS?

Diseases and immunity

How many pairs of jointed legs are present in an arachnid?

Features of organisms

What product does a gene code for?

Chromosomes, genes and proteins

Which row identifies the sex chromosomes found in human body cells?

Chromosomes, genes and proteins

One individual is homozygous dominant for a characteristic and has genotype TT. A second individual is heterozygous for this characteristic. In a genetic cross between these two individuals, what is the correct percentage of genotypes in the offspring?

Monohybrid inheritance

The graph indicates the number of students in a class for each blood group. What conclusion can be drawn about blood groups from the graph?

Blood

The diagram shows part of a food web in a heap of dead leaves. Which row identifies the organisms?

Food chains and food webs

The diagram illustrates an ecological pyramid. Which letter indicates the producers?

Energy flow

The diagrams illustrate how two gases move during the day and at night. Which letters indicate carbon dioxide?

Photosynthesis

The graph illustrates the estimated increase in the human population. Which phase of population growth is taking place between the years 1600 and 2000?

Populations

Which statement explains what a sustainable resource is?

Conservation

What raises the likelihood of conserving endangered species?

Conservation

Which structure occurs in bacterial cytoplasm but not in the cytoplasm of animal cells?

Cell structure

Four statements about genetic modification in crop plants are given. Which statements explain why genetic modification is used in crop production?

Genetic modification

Which row gives the correct pairing of a specialised cell type with its function?

Features of organisms

Several different variables influence how quickly molecules diffuse through a membrane. Which row indicates the changes that would produce the largest rise in the diffusion rate?

Diffusion

The diagram illustrates part of a leaf cross-section. Which arrow indicates the transfer of water in the leaf by osmosis?

Osmosis

The table presents the outcomes of several food tests. Which row indicates a food that contains only carbohydrates?

Biological molecules

What speeds up the chemical reactions required to sustain life in organisms?

Enzymes

Which process results in a lasting increase in the dry mass of an organism?

Characteristics of living organisms

The diagram represents a cross-section through a molar tooth. Which letter labels the dentine?

Digestive system

The graphs illustrate how pH affects the activity of four different digestive enzymes. Which enzyme has the highest activity in the stomach?

Chemical digestion

In which organ do physical digestion and chemical digestion take place?

Physical digestion

What route does water follow from the roots to the leaves?

Water uptake

What is one role of red blood cells?

Blood

Which term may be used to refer to all organisms that cause disease?

Diseases and immunity

Which row indicates how the composition of expired air is different from that of inspired air?

Gas exchange in humans

During anaerobic respiration in human muscles, which substance is made?

Anaerobic respiration

In humans, a ureter and a urethra are two structures that take part in excretion. Which comparison of a ureter with a urethra is correct?

Excretion in humans

The diagram illustrates the route taken by a reflex arc. Which row names the parts of the reflex arc?

Coordination and response

The scientific names of several plants are shown below. 1. Escallonia resinosa 2. Ilex glabra 3. Pinus glabra 4. Pinus resinosa 5. Quercus ilex Which of these plants are in the same genus?

Concept and uses of classification systems

A person is being pursued. This triggers the release of a hormone. Which row indicates the effect of this hormone on breathing rate, heart rate and pupil diameter?

Hormones

A plant is kept on the floor of a room beside a window with plenty of light coming through. The plant’s shoot bends and grows in the direction of the window. What might account for this reaction? 1 growth away from gravity 2 growth towards gravity 3 growth away from the light source 4 growth towards the light source

Tropic responses

An individual measures their reaction time five times both before and after drinking a cup of coffee. The table presents the results. Which statement describes the results?

Coordination and response

Which combination of conditions do most seeds need for germination?

Asexual reproduction

The diagram shows part of a flower. Following pollination, in which location would pollen grains be present?

Sexual reproduction in plants

The diagram depicts the human female reproductive system. In which part does fertilisation usually occur?

Sexual reproduction in humans

The diagram depicts a developing fetus. Which structure is indicated by X?

Sexual reproduction in humans

Which statements describe ways in which HIV can be transmitted?

Sexually transmitted infections

What is encoded by a gene?

Chromosomes, genes and proteins

In a mammal species, the allele H for short hair is dominant whereas the allele h for long hair is recessive. A heterozygous individual is crossed with a long-haired individual. What phenotypic ratio would you expect among the offspring?

Monohybrid inheritance

An organism has a body divided into three parts, three pairs of jointed legs and one pair of antennae. Which group does the organism belong to?

Features of organisms

Which statement concerning variation and example is correct?

Variation

The diagram illustrates the energy contained in the producers in an ecosystem and the amount passed on to primary consumers before being lost to the environment. How much energy is transferred from primary consumers to secondary consumers?

Energy flow

The diagram shows part of an aquatic food web. Which organisms are the primary consumers in this food web?

Food chains and food webs

Inside a greenhouse, numerous aphids were feeding on 10 tomato plants. A population of 20 ladybirds, which prey on aphids, was then added to the greenhouse. Which pyramid of numbers shows this food chain correctly?

Food chains and food webs

Which arrow shows respiration in plants?

Respiration

What is the correct order of the stages in a sigmoid population growth curve?

Populations

The graphs illustrate how the number of carnivores in a habitat changes over a period of time. At time X, the herbivores in the food chain are removed from the habitat. Which graph is most likely to show the effect of this on the number of carnivores?

Food chains and food webs

What is used to lessen competition from weeds when crops are being grown?

Food supply

Which statements describe the effects of deforestation?

Habitat destruction

Which substance counts as a greenhouse gas?

Pollution

What term is applied to a leaf?

Features of organisms

Biological washing powders include enzymes. Which enzyme is used to remove an oil stain from clothes?

Enzymes

An insect is shown in a diagram with a length of $150\text{ mm}$. The diagram has a magnification of $\times 20$. What is the insect’s actual length?

Size of specimens

What are the characteristics of osmosis?

Osmosis

Enzymes are very large molecules. Which smaller molecules are they built from?

Biological molecules

Why is the active site of an enzyme complementary to its substrate?

Enzymes

Which plant processes convert light energy into chemical energy?

Photosynthesis

The sundew is a carnivorous plant able to catch small insects using sticky, hair-like structures on its leaves. Once an insect becomes trapped, other nearby sticky, hair-like structures bend inwards to hold the insect. Which characteristics of living organisms are shown when the sundew plant traps insects?

Characteristics of living organisms

A food that contained protein and vitamin C was tested. Which row gives the results of these tests?

Biological molecules

Which term names the role of amylase in a chemical reaction?

Enzymes

In what ways does a plant use the sugar it produces?

Photosynthesis

The diagram depicts part of the human digestive system. In which place is food physically digested when the pH is acidic?

Physical digestion

What type of cell is located around stomata?

Leaf structure

The diagram depicts a cross-section of a human heart. Which labelled part is the left atrium?

Heart

Give one example of a disease being passed on through direct contact?

Diseases and immunity

Which row shows the composition of expired air compared with that of inspired air?

Gas exchange in humans

Which row identifies the substances that are used in aerobic respiration and the substances that are produced?

Aerobic respiration

The diagram illustrates several organs in the human body. Which organ has alveoli?

Gas exchange in humans

An arthropod that has three pairs of legs belongs to which arthropod group?

Features of organisms

The diagram illustrates a reflex arc. Which part is located only in the central nervous system (CNS)?

Coordination and response

Which structure in the eye alters the direction of light as it enters the eye?

Sense organs

Which substance is released by an endocrine gland?

Hormones

The diagrams illustrate shoots of maize seedlings. Which shoot is demonstrating a gravitropic response by growing away from the stimulus?

Tropic responses

Which statement explains the effect of antibiotics?

Diseases and immunity

The diagram illustrates part of a potato plant. The tubers develop into new potato plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant. Which process is being shown?

Asexual reproduction

The photograph displays a flower. What is the structure marked P?

Sexual reproduction in plants

Under what conditions do seeds germinate?

Asexual reproduction

Which part of the male reproductive system is responsible for producing seminal fluid?

Sexual reproduction in humans

In humans, what is one example of a secondary sexual characteristic found in both males and females?

Sex hormones in humans

From the dichotomous key, what type of animal would be located at Z?

Concept and uses of classification systems

The table presents the number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections per 1000 people in one country in 1990 and 2022. Which statement could account for the change in the number of new HIV infections from 1990 to 2022?

Diseases and immunity

Which option gives the definition of an allele?

Chromosomes, genes and proteins

In a plant species, the allele for red flowers, R, is dominant over the allele for white flowers, r. Two red-flowered plants were crossed. Parents: red-flowered plant \times red-flowered plant. Offspring: 93 red-flowered plants and 28 white-flowered plants. What are the parents' genotypes?

Monohybrid inheritance

Black truffle is a fungus that takes nutrients from the roots of hazel trees. Deer locate and consume the fungi. What is the energy source for this food chain?

Energy flow

The diagram illustrates a simple food chain. green plants → chickens → foxes. Energy loss is shown at points 1, 2 and 3. Which process releases the energy that is lost at 1, 2 and 3?

Energy flow

The graph illustrates the increase in the world human population. Which phases of population growth does it show?

Populations

Weeds are growing among a crop. What could be used to destroy the weeds?

Pollution

Which substance is a source of water pollution that carries pathogens?

Pollution

The diagram depicts an ecological pyramid. At which levels in the diagram are carnivores found?

Energy flow

Under ideal conditions, a single species of bacterium can grow and divide once every 15 minutes. If one bacterium begins to grow and divide, by how much would the number of bacteria increase after 90 minutes?

Asexual reproduction

Which statement gives a description of a plasmid?

Cell structure

What is one drawback of intensive farming?

Food supply

Which diagram shows a typical plant cell?

Cell structure

A student produced a diagram of an alveolus. The alveolus had a diameter of 90 mm in the diagram. The diagram’s magnification was $\times 225$. What is the alveolus’s actual size?

Size of specimens

Which factor would cause the rate of diffusion to decrease?

Diffusion

Which piece of laboratory equipment is most suitable for modelling the cell membrane in an osmosis investigation?

Osmosis

Which process transfers oxygen out of the soil into a root hair cell?

Diffusion