Cambridge IGCSE™

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BIOLOGY 0610/43
Paper 4 Theory (Extended) October/November 2023

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 16 pages.

DC (RW/SG) 312800/3
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1 (a) Fig. 1.1 is a diagram of an insect‑pollinated flower.

A B

G
D

Fig. 1.1

(i) Using the information in Fig. 1.1, complete Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

structure in Fig. 1.1 name function

[3]

(ii) State the names of the two structures that form the stamen in a flowering plant.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................
[1]

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(b) (i) Describe the stages in the reproduction of a flowering plant, from self‑pollination to
fertilisation.

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(ii) Outline the advantages and disadvantages of self‑pollination compared with

cross‑pollination.

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[Total: 13]

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2 (a) Fig. 2.1 is a diagram of a cross‑section of part of a leaf.

Fig. 2.1

Identify and explain how the structures labelled J and K are adapted for photosynthesis.

J ................................................................................................................................................

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K ...............................................................................................................................................

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[4]

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(b) In an experiment, thale cress plants (Arabidopsis thaliana) were grown in normal atmospheric
and high carbon dioxide concentrations. The transpiration rate, the mean number of chloroplasts
per cell and the concentrations of starch and magnesium ions were measured.

The results are shown in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1

normal carbon dioxide high carbon dioxide

factor measured
concentration concentration

transpiration rate / AU 8.1 5.6

mean number of chloroplasts

8 11
per cell
concentration of starch
38 67
/ µg per mg of leaf
concentration of magnesium ions
2.7 2.3
/ mg per g of leaf

Complete the sentences about the data shown in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 shows that increasing the carbon dioxide concentration caused more starch to be

produced in the leaves. This shows that, at a normal carbon dioxide concentration, carbon

dioxide is a ............................................................................ for photosynthesis.

During photosynthesis, ...................................... molecules of carbon dioxide are required to

make one molecule of glucose.

The greater quantity of starch stored in the leaves grown in a high carbon dioxide concentration

means, when needed, more sucrose can be produced for transport in the phloem, so the

leaves act as a ...................................... .

The greater number of chloroplasts per cell in the leaves grown in the higher carbon dioxide

concentration means that more energy can be absorbed from ...................................... and

transferred to ...................................... energy.

The transpiration rate is lower when the carbon dioxide concentration is higher. This means

reduced loss of ............................................................................ from the leaves.

Magnesium ion concentration is lower in these leaves because they have used the magnesium

ions to make ...................................... .

[7]

[Total: 11]
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3 (a) (i) Complete Table 3.1 by writing in the percentages of carbon dioxide and oxygen in
inspired air and in expired air.

Table 3.1

component percentage in inspired air percentage in expired air

carbon dioxide

oxygen

[2]

(ii) A scientist measured the number of dust particles in inspired air and in expired air.

They found fewer dust particles in expired air.

Suggest a reason for their observation.

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(b) Fig. 3.1 is a diagram of alveoli and associated blood vessels.

alveoli

bronchiole

capillary

Fig. 3.1

(i) Explain how the structure of a capillary is related to its function.

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(ii) State the name of the component of blood that transports oxygen.

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

(iii) State the name of the blood vessel that transports blood from the heart towards the
capillaries in the lungs.

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(iv) State the location and function of cartilage in the breathing system.

location ..............................................................................................................................

function ..............................................................................................................................

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[2]

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(c) A student measured the rate and depth of breathing of an athlete for 30 seconds at rest.

The data are shown in Fig. 3.2.

3 one
volume of air breathed breath
in and out / dm3
2

0 10 20 30
time / seconds

Fig. 3.2

(i) Using the information in Fig. 3.2, calculate the rate of breathing at rest.

........................... breaths per minute [1]

The measurements were repeated while the athlete was running on a treadmill.

The data are shown in Fig. 3.3.

3
volume of air breathed
in and out / dm3
2

0 10 20 30
time / seconds

Fig. 3.3

(ii) Using the information in Fig. 3.3, calculate the volume of air inspired in one breath from
25 seconds.

................................................... dm3 [1]

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(iii) Explain the effect of exercise on the rate and depth of breathing shown in Fig. 3.2 and
Fig. 3.3.

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[Total: 16]

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4 (a) Complete the sentences about the control of body temperature.

The human body maintains a constant internal temperature. This is an example of

............................................... . When the temperature moves away from the set point,

the mechanism of .............................................................................................. returns the

temperature to the set point.

[2]

(b) Fig. 4.1 is a diagram of a section of human skin.

J K

N L

Fig. 4.1

(i) State the names of the structures labelled L, O and J in Fig. 4.1.

L ........................................................................................................................................

O .......................................................................................................................................

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

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(ii) Describe how humans maintain a constant body temperature when the external
temperature decreases.

Use the structures labelled in Fig. 4.1 in your answer.

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(c) Blood glucose concentration is maintained at a constant set point using the hormones
glucagon and insulin.

(i) State the organ that secretes glucagon.

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(ii) Describe the effect of glucagon on the body.

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[Total: 13]

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5 (a) State two cell structures found in both animal and bacterial cells.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

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

(b) State why bacteria are useful in biotechnology.

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(c) Genetically modified bacteria were grown in a fermenter. The number of bacteria was
measured, and the data are shown in Fig. 5.1.

11

10

6
number of bacteria
/ million cells per cm3
5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
time / hours

Fig. 5.1

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(i) On Fig. 5.1, draw an X to identify the lag phase. [1]

(ii) On Fig. 5.1, draw a Y to show where the birth rate is equal to the death rate. [1]

(iii) Calculate how long it takes for the number of bacteria to reduce by half after the bacteria
have been in the fermenter for 24 hours.

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

(iv) Describe and explain the change in bacterial population size from 24 hours to 50 hours
shown in Fig. 5.1.

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(v) The fermenter is kept at the optimum temperature for the bacteria.

Explain why this is important for enzyme function.

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(vi) State why the bacteria are grown in a liquid that contains amino acids.

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[Total: 15]
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6 (a) Xerophytes are plants that are adapted for an environment which has very little available
water.

Describe the meaning of adaptation.

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(b) Fig. 6.1 is a photograph of a saguaro cactus, Carnegiea gigantea, which lives in a desert.

The climate in a desert has very low rainfall and very high daytime temperatures.

Fig. 6.1

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Describe two visible adaptive features shown in Fig. 6.1 and explain how each feature is
beneficial for living in a desert.

feature 1 ...................................................................................................................................

explanation ...............................................................................................................................

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feature 2 ...................................................................................................................................

explanation ...............................................................................................................................

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[4]

(c) Table 6.1 shows some data about stomatal density in the leaves of one plant that is not a
xerophyte and three xerophyte plants.

Table 6.1

number of stomata per mm2

species plant type
upper leaf surface lower leaf surface
oak tree not a xerophyte 94 503
tongue leaf plant xerophyte 0 18
lace aloe xerophyte 2 15
ice plant xerophyte 0 42

(i) Using the information in Table 6.1, estimate the total number of stomata in an ice plant
leaf with a lower leaf surface area of 8 cm2.

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

(ii) Explain the data shown in Table 6.1.

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(d) There are xerophytic forests which are threatened by human overexploitation.

Suggest reasons why it is important to conserve xerophytic ecosystems.

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[Total: 12]

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© UCLES 2023 0610/43/O/N/23