Cambridge IGCSE™

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BIOLOGY 0610/42
Paper 4 Theory (Extended) February/March 2021

1 hour 15 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● You may use a calculator.
● You should show all your working and use appropriate units.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 80.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

This document has 20 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (NF/AR) 202933/3
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1 (a) Fig. 1.1 is a diagram showing the position of some organs in the human body.

Fig. 1.1

Some of the organs shown in Fig. 1.1 are endocrine glands.

Table 1.1 shows the names of some of the endocrine glands, their identifying letters and the
hormones that they produce.

Complete Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

name of endocrine gland letter in Fig. 1.1 hormone produced

Adrenal C adrenaline

Pancreas E insulin

testes D Testerone

[3]

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(b) Fig. 1.2 shows two graphs representing:

• the relative blood concentrations of two hormones, A and B, released by the ovaries
during the menstrual cycle
• the thickness of the lining of the uterus.

relative blood
concentration A B
of the
hormones

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28
days

thickness
of the lining
of the uterus

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28
days

Fig. 1.2

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(i) Describe the roles in the menstrual cycle of hormone A.

Hormone A is oestrogen. It stimulates repair of uterine lining
...........................................................................................................................................
It inhibits FSH secretion but stimulates LH secretion.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

(ii) State the day in Fig. 1.2 when ovulation is most likely to occur.
14
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) State the days in Fig. 1.2 when the lining of the uterus is lost from the body.
days 0-6
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

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(c) The female contraceptive pill is a chemical method of birth control, which is available in many
countries.

(i) Describe the social implications of the increased availability of the female contraceptive
pill.
IT lowers birth rate and it also give women more choice about when to start
...........................................................................................................................................
a family.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) The hormones in the female contraceptive pill can enter rivers.

Describe the negative impacts of female contraceptive hormones entering rivers and
contaminating drinking water.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Some commercial fish such as sturgeon and salmon are feminised.
Sperm count in men is decreased.
...........................................................................................................................................
Reduced fertility among fish and as result, their population decline.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

(iii) State two barrier methods of contraception.

Condom
1 ........................................................................................................................................
Femidom
2 ........................................................................................................................................
[2]

[Total: 15]

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2 (a) Fig. 2.1 is a diagram of a prokaryotic cell.

not to scale

Fig. 2.1

(i) State one visible feature in Fig. 2.1 that identifies this cell as a prokaryotic cell.
It has circular chromosome
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) State one cell structure that is present in the cells of all organisms.
Cytoplasm
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Prokaryotes, Animals and Plants are three of the five kingdoms of organisms.

State the names of the two other kingdoms.

fungus
1 ................................................................................................................................................
Protoctist
2 ................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(c) Fig. 2.2 shows part of the nitrogen cycle.

nitrogen in
atmosphere

proteins in proteins in
animals plants
animal waste B C

dead
organisms
A
nitrate ions
in soil

Fig. 2.2

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(i) Describe processes A, B and C in Fig. 2.2.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
At A there is decomposition whereby ammonium ions are released in the soil.
Nitrifying bacteria then convert these ammonium ions into nitrate ions.
...........................................................................................................................................
This is called nitrification. B is nitrogen fixation during which lightning or free-living bacteria
...........................................................................................................................................
,and even symbiotic bacteria living in root nodules of leguminous plants, convert nitrogen in
the air to nitrates.
...........................................................................................................................................
C is denitrification whereby nitrates in the soil is converted back to gaseous nitrogen.
This is caused by denitrifying bacteria that work in anaerobic conditions.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [6]

(ii) State the name of the process that plants use to absorb nitrate ions.
active transport
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 11]

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3 (a) The activity of the heart can be monitored using different methods.

Fig. 3.1 shows two ECG traces. One trace was recorded when the person was at rest and the
second trace was recorded during exercise.

The length of time taken for one heart beat is indicated in Fig. 3.1 on the ECG trace recorded
at rest.

one heart beat

at rest

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8
time / s

during
exercise

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8
time / s

Fig. 3.1

(i) Estimate the resting heart rate of the person from their ECG trace in Fig. 3.1.
if 5ss=0.2s. then
Space for working.
1ss=0.2/5 s
5ss=0.2s Hence 17ss=(0.2/5)
1hrtb= 17ss=0.68 s X 17= 0.68s
0.68s=1hrtb
then 60s=1/0.68X60= 88bpm
88
.................................... beats per minute
[2]

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(ii) Explain why the ECG trace recorded during exercise differs from the ECG trace recorded
at rest.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

There...........................................................................................................................................
is an increase in frequency of heartbeats. This is because during
exercise the muscles involved require more energy for muscle
...........................................................................................................................................
contraction. And to do so there must be more respiration.
As a result there is faster blood flow to muscles to send glucose and oxygen
...........................................................................................................................................
faster.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]

(iii) Suggest one other way of monitoring the activity of the heart.

by ...........................................................................................................................................
counting pulse rate.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) If exercise is very intense an oxygen debt is formed.

(i) Complete the sentence.

lactic acid
An oxygen debt results in a build-up of ................................................ in the
muscles
................................................ during vigorous exercise.
[2]

(ii) Outline how the body removes an oxygen debt.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

Even after exercise, the breathing rate and heart rate stay high. This allows continued
...........................................................................................................................................
higher supply of oxygen so that there is breakdown of the lactic acid by
...........................................................................................................................................
aerobic respiration.
Carbon dioxide and water are formed. This occur in the liver.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]
[Total: 13]
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4 (a) A leaf can be described as an organ.

Define the term organ.

It is a structure made of a group of tissues
...................................................................................................................................................
that work together for specific functions.
...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) Fig. 4.1 is a photomicrograph of a cross section of part of a leaf.

Fig. 4.1

(i) Identify the tissue labelled A in Fig. 4.1.

Upper Epidermis
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Identify the structure labelled C in Fig. 4.1.

Vascular bundle
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

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(iii) Describe how the tissue labelled B is adapted to maximise photosynthesis.

...........................................................................................................................................
B is the palisade mesophyll cells.
These cells are tightly packed and they contain
...........................................................................................................................................
many chloroplasts that capture sunlight.
Being close to the surface, they can easily be exposed
...........................................................................................................................................
to maximum sunlight.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

(c) (i) State two substances that are transported only in the phloem.
Sucrose and amino
.....................................................................................................................................
acids [1]

(ii) Explain why some parts of a plant can act as both a source and a sink.

...........................................................................................................................................
A source is a place where sucrose is being moved from, such as a tuber during winter times. During
winter times, sugar is stored there so it is a source as there are no leaves and sugar will move from
...........................................................................................................................................
the tuber to the growing parts of the plant.
...........................................................................................................................................
This same tuber will receive sucrose during summer times and thus will be considered a sink.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]
a source is a place which adds sugar to phloem
A sink is a place which removes sugar from phloem

Consider a plant that shed its leaves during winter.

Before winter, the plant has all its leaves and can photosynthesise.
The leaves are producign sucrose and adding to phloem.
The leaves are the sources.
After winter, the new leaves that are growing, are not yet able to
photosynthesise. They rely on sugar from the roots.
Thus the leaves are now taking sugar from the phloem, hence are
sink.

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(d) The effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of oxygen production in an aquatic
plant was measured.

• A lamp was used to keep the light intensity constant.

• The oxygen gas released by the plant was collected in a gas syringe.
• The plant was placed in water that was kept constant at 20 °C.

Fig. 4.2 shows the results.

(i) The rate of oxygen production was assumed to be the same as the rate of photosynthesis.

Suggest why the rate of oxygen production was not the same as the rate of
photosynthesis.
It is not the same as not all oxygen released is captured.
...........................................................................................................................................
In fact, some oxygen is used in respiration.
...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

0.30

0.25

rate of
oxygen 0.20
production
/ cm3 per m2
per s
0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
concentration of carbon dioxide / μmol per dm3

Fig. 4.2

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(ii) Explain the results shown in Fig. 4.2.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Carbon dioxide is a requirement for photosynthesis.
Initially carbon dioxide concentration is a limiting factor and thus limits the
...........................................................................................................................................
rate of photosynthesis. As from 500 μmol per dm3, carbon dioxide is no longer limiting.
Temperature or light could be limiting then.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

(e) The investigation was repeated with the same type of aquatic plant at 10 °C.

Draw a line on Fig. 4.2 to predict the results at 10 °C. [2]

[Total: 16]

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5 (a) Measles is a transmissible disease.

The percentage of the population that were vaccinated against measles in a country was
determined.

The number of confirmed cases of measles in the country was also recorded.

Fig. 5.1 shows the data that were collected between 1975 and 2010.

160 000

100 140 000

90 120 000

80 100 000
number of
percentage
cases of
of the
measles
population 70 80 000
vaccinated
against
measles
60 60 000

50 40 000

40 20 000
14000

30 0
1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
year
Key:
percentage of population vaccinated
number of cases of measles

Fig 5.1

(i) Calculate the percentage change in the number of cases of measles between 1980 and
1990.
F-I/IX100=((14000-140000)/140 000) x 100
Space for working. =90%

.............................................................%
[2]
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(ii) Describe the data shown in Fig. 5.1.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
There is a ...........................................................................................................................................
decrease in number of cases of measles as the % of the population being
vaccinated increases. In fact, the % of population vaccinated increases until 1995 and then
fluctuates. MEasles cases decrease and then remain constant. There is a rapid change
...........................................................................................................................................
before 1995 for both % vaccinated and number of cases.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]

(iii) Explain how vaccination protects people against a transmissible disease such as
measles.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
The harmless pathogen in injected in the person’s body. This attenuated pathogen will
have antigens on its surface. these antigens will trigger an immune response. Memory cells
...........................................................................................................................................
will be formed and these will be very specific to the pathogen.
These...........................................................................................................................................
memory cells provide long term immunity and they will give stronger
and faster responses in terms of antibody production
if the body encounter the real pathogen later on.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [5]

(b) The human body has several defences against pathogens.

(i) State two of the body’s chemical barriers to pathogens.

mucus
1 ........................................................................................................................................

stomach acid
2 ........................................................................................................................................
[2]

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(ii) Describe the process of blood clotting.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Platelets will release clotting factors. These will convert fibrinogen to fibrin.
...........................................................................................................................................
The fibrin makes a mesh which trap red blood cells.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 16]

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6 (a) Fig. 6.1 shows a food web.

hawks

snakes

rabbits grasshoppers mice

grass corn

Fig. 6.1

(i) State the number of trophic levels in the food web in Fig. 6.1.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) State the name of one organism that feeds at both the third and fourth trophic levels
from Fig. 6.1.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) State the name of the type of energy that is transferred between trophic levels.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) The total biomass of the snakes is much less than the total biomass of the mice in the food
web shown in Fig. 6.1.

Explain why the total biomass of the snakes is less than the total biomass of the mice.

Use the term energy in your answer.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

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(c) Food shortages that result in famine can be caused by many factors.

Describe how drought can contribute to famine.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 9]

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