Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions Multiple-choice questions Chapter B1 Cells Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 Which is not a characteristic of all living organisms? A breathing B reproduction C movement D growth 2 What is the correct term for the removal from organisms of toxic waste materials of metabolism? A defaecation B egestion C excretion D urination 3 An ant is 6 mm long. A drawing of the ant is 12 mm long. What is the magnification of the drawing? A 2 mm B 12 mm C × 0.5 D ×2 4 Which structure is found in all living cells? A cell membrane B cell wall C chloroplast D starch grain 5 Which substance is found in plant cell walls? A cellulose B chlorophyll C chromosome D cytoplasm 6 Which structure controls the movement of substances into and out of a cell? A cell membrane B cell wall C cytoplasm D nucleus 1 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 7 What is chlorophyll? A a green pigment that absorbs energy from light B a substance containing starch grains C jelly-like material inside a living cell D the part of a cell where photosynthesis takes place 8 Which term is used for the chemical reactions that take place inside cells? A excretion reactions B metabolic reactions C photosynthesis reactions D respiration reactions 9 A drawing of an ant is 75 mm long. The magnification of the drawing is × 15. What is the real length of the ant? A 0.2 mm B 0.5 mm C 5 mm D 1125 mm 10 Which is a function of a plant cell wall? A to control what goes into and out of the cell B to prevent the cell bursting when it absorbs water C to stop the cell growing too large D to store cellulose Chapter B2 Movement in and out of cells Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 How do oxygen molecules diffuse from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration? A as a result of their random movement B by moving directly towards the area of low concentration C by moving up a concentration gradient D by osmosis 2 Which statement about osmosis is correct? A It only happens if the cell provides energy. B Solutions move from their high concentration to their low concentration. C Sugar moves from its low concentration to its high concentration. D Water molecules diffuse down their concentration gradient. 2 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 3 Which is an example of diffusion? A the flow of blood through a blood vessel B the loss of urine from the body C the movement of food through the digestive system D the net movement of oxygen into a cell 4 Some plant cells were placed in a concentrated sugar solution. Their cytoplasm and cell membranes shrank and pulled away from the cell walls. What is the term for this condition? A bursting B permeability C plasmolysis D turgidity 5 In the plant cells described in question 4, what will be found in the gap between the cell wall and the cell membrane? A cell sap B cytoplasm C sugar solution D water 6 When animal cells are placed in pure water, they burst. Plant cells do not burst in these conditions. Why don’t the plant cells burst? A The cell wall prevents water entering the cell. B The cell wall provides support and stops the cell expanding too much. C Osmosis only takes place in animal cells, not plant cells. D Plant cells have a higher concentration than animal cells. 7 A student put some pieces of raw potato into a concentrated sugar solution. The potato pieces got shorter. Why did this happen? A The potato cells gained sugar by diffusion. B The potato cells lost water by osmosis. C The solution in the vacuoles came out of the potato cells. D The sugar solution went into the potato cells. 8 A piece of onion epidermis was placed in a sugar solution on a microscope slide. All of the onion cells became plasmolysed. Which statement is correct? A The sugar solution diffused into the onion cells. B The sugar solution diffused out of the onion cells. C The water potential of the contents of the onion cells was higher than the water potential of the sugar solution. D The water potential of the contents of the onion cells was lower than the water potential of the sugar solution. 3 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions Chapter B3 Biological molecules Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 What term is used to describe all of the chemical reactions that take place in living organisms? A digestion B metabolism C photosynthesis D respiration 2 Which reagent is used to test for reducing sugars? A Benedict’s B biuret C ethanol D iodine solution 3 Which nutrients can provide the body with energy? A carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins B minerals, vitamins and proteins C vitamins, proteins and fats D proteins, fats and carbohydrates 4 A food sample turned blue-black when tested with iodine solution, and purple when tested with biuret reagent. Which nutrients did it contain? A fats and sugars B starch and protein C sugars and starch D protein and fats 5 What is the name of the smaller molecules that join together in long chains to form protein molecules? A amino acids B enzymes C fatty acids D glucose 6 Which nutrient helps to make haemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood? A calcium B carbohydrates C iron D vitamin C 4 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 7 What are the smaller molecules from which a fat molecule is made? A amino acids and oxygen B fatty acids and glycerol C glucose and proteins D vitamin D and calcium 8 What is the name of the polysaccharide that is used for the storage of energy in the liver? A cellulose B glucose C glycogen D starch 9 Which element is found in all proteins, but not in carbohydrates or fats? A carbon B hydrogen C oxygen D nitrogen 10 In what form is carbohydrate transported in human blood? A glucose B glycerol C starch D sucrose 11 Which statement about enzymes is true? A All enzymes are proteins. B All enzymes have an optimum temperature of about 38 °C. C Enzymes are denatured at low temperatures. D Enzymes are killed at high temperatures. 12 Which statement is not true for all enzymes? A Enzymes break down large molecules to small ones. B Enzymes remain unchanged at the end of a reaction. C Enzymes are affected by pH. D Enzymes catalyse reactions. 13 Where are enzymes found? A only in the digestive system B in animals but not in plants C in all living cells D in plants but not in animals 5 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 14Some catalase was added to some hydrogen peroxide. Bubbles of oxygen were given off. After a while, the reaction stopped. Why did the reaction stop? A The catalase was all used up. B The catalase was denatured by the reaction. C The hydrogen peroxide was all broken down. D The oxygen given off inhibited the catalase. 15 A student investigated the effect of temperature on the rate of activity of a protease enzyme. Which variable should she change, and which should she keep constant? Change Keep constant A enzyme concentration substrate concentration B substrate concentration temperature C temperature pH D pH enzyme concentration 16 Catalase catalyses a reaction in which hydrogen peroxide is broken down to water and oxygen. What are the substrate and product in this reaction? Substrate Product A catalase hydrogen peroxide B hydrogen peroxide water and oxygen C oxygen and water catalase D water oxygen 17 What is an active site? A a gland that secretes a particular enzyme B a part of an enzyme molecule into which a substrate molecules fits C a part of the substrate to which an enzyme molecule attaches D a place in the body where an enzyme works 18 Why does the rate of an enzyme-catalysed reaction increase as temperature is raised from 0 to 40 °C? A The enzyme and substrate molecules have more kinetic energy, so they collide more frequently. B The shape of the active site changes so that the substrate fits into it better. C Enzymes are denatured at low temperatures. D The shape of the substrate changes at high temperatures. 19 Why does pH affect enzyme activity? A Changes in pH affect the shape of the active site. B Changes in pH affect the frequency of collisions between enzyme and substrate. C Changes in pH affect enzyme concentration. D Changes in pH affect the enzyme’s optimum temperature. 6 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions Chapter B4 Plant nutrition Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 What is the function of chlorophyll? A to absorb light energy B to attract sunlight C to make a leaf look green D to store starch grains 2 How does carbon dioxide get into a leaf? A into the root hairs and up through the xylem B into the stem and up through the phloem C through the stomata D through the upper epidermis 3 How does water get into a leaf? A into the root hairs and up through the xylem B into the stem and up through the phloem C through the stomata D through the upper epidermis 4 In which leaf tissue does most photosynthesis take place? A upper epidermis B palisade mesophyll C spongy mesophyll D lower epidermis 5 When testing a leaf for starch, why is the leaf placed in hot alcohol? A to break down the starch B to destroy the enzymes in the leaf C to extract the chlorophyll from the leaf D to kill the leaf cells 6 Why do plants need magnesium? A to make chlorophyll B to make proteins C to supply energy D to supply vitamins 7 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 7 Which energy transfer takes place in photosynthesis? A chemical energy to kinetic energy B kinetic energy to light energy C electrical energy to light energy D light energy to chemical energy 8 Which feature of a leaf adapts it for absorption of sunlight? A air spaces in the spongy mesophyll B a large surface area C a waterproof cuticle over the upper epidermis D stomata in the lower epidermis 9 When leaves photosynthesise, they make carbohydrates. In what form is the carbohydrate transported to other parts of the plant? A cellulose B glucose C starch D sucrose Chapter B5 Animal nutrition Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 Which food would provide calcium for tooth formation? A cabbage B milk C oranges D liver 2 Which nutrient helps the skin protein collagen to form? A carbohydrates B iron C vitamin C D vitamin D 3 Why is digestion necessary? A to destroy harmful microorganisms in the food B to make food pass easily through the alimentary canal C to make nutrient molecules small enough to be absorbed D to release the energy from nutrients 8 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 4 Which is a correct sequence of organs through which food passes in the alimentary canal? A oesophagus, stomach, small intestine B stomach, small intestine, pancreas C small intestine, pancreas, liver D pancreas, liver, large intestine 5 In which organs is protease secreted? A gall bladder and liver B mouth and large intestine C stomach and pancreas D oesophagus and small intestine 6 Which component of pancreatic juice provides a suitable pH for the enzymes to work in the small intestine? A mucus B lipase C protease D sodium hydrogencarbonate 8 Which is the correct sequence in which food is dealt with in the body? A ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation B digestion, assimilation, absorption, ingestion C assimilation, ingestion, absorption, digestion D absorption, digestion, ingestion, assimilation 9 How do bile salts help with digestion? A They break large droplets of fat into small ones. B They contain lipase, which digests fats. C They kill bacteria in the food. D They provide an acidic environment. 10 Which part of the alimentary canal absorbs most water from food? A mouth B stomach C small intestine D large intestine 9 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions Chapter B6 Transport in plants Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 Which plant tissue transports water from roots upwards? A cortex B epidermis C mesophyll D xylem 2 How does water move out of plant leaves? A through stomata, as liquid water B through stomata, as water vapour C through xylem, as liquid water D through xylem, as water vapour 3 How is water absorbed into a plant? A by osmosis into leaves B by diffusion through stomata C by evaporation into xylem D by osmosis into root hairs 4 What is transpiration? A the absorption of water from the soil B the flow of water up xylem vessels C the loss of water vapour from plant leaves D the movement of water across a root 5 Which factor increases the rate of transpiration? A low humidity B low light intensity C low temperature D low wind speed 6 Which statements about xylem and phloem are correct? A Xylem transports water from roots to leaves, and phloem transports sucrose from regions of production to regions of storage. B Xylem transports sucrose from leaves to roots, and phloem transports water from roots to leaves. C Xylem transports starch from leaves to roots, and phloem transports sucrose from regions of storage to regions of photosynthesis. D Xylem transports water from leaves to roots, and phloem transports starch from roots to leaves. 10 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 7 What causes water to move up xylem vessels in a plant stem? A The root hair cells use energy to move water into the roots. B Transpiration reduces the pressure at the top of the xylem vessels. C The water moves up the xylem vessels by osmosis. D Water is pushed up the xylem vessels by active transport. 8 How does water travel up xylem vessels? A by osmosis B by evaporation from cell surfaces C flowing in a continuous column D moving by active transport 9 Which carbohydrate is transported in phloem? A amino acids B glucose C starch D sucrose Chapter B7 Transport in mammals Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 Into which chamber of the heart does oxygenated blood enter? A left atrium B left ventricle C right atrium D right ventricle 2 Where does the pulmonary artery transport blood? A from the left atrium to the lungs B from the lungs to the left atrium C from the right ventricle to the lungs D from the lungs to the right ventricle 3 What is the name of the vessels that supply the muscle in the heart walls with blood? A cardiac arteries B cardiac veins C coronary arteries D coronary veins 11 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 4 Which component of blood transports oxygen? A plasma B platelets C red blood cells D white blood cells 5 Which component of blood transports glucose? A plasma B platelets C red blood cells D white blood cells 6 What is meant by a double circulatory system? A a system that contains arteries and veins B a system where the blood goes through the heart twice on one complete circuit C a system where the heart beats in two stages D a system with two hearts 7 Why do arteries have more elastic walls than veins? A The blood in the arteries is at a higher pressure than the blood in veins. B The blood in arteries is oxygenated, but the blood in veins is deoxygenated. C There is more blood in arteries than in veins. D There are no valves in arteries, but veins do have valves. Chapter B8 Respiration and gas exchange Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 Why do cells respire? A to digest large nutrient molecules into small ones B to make carbon dioxide C to produce food D to release energy from nutrient molecules 2 Which word equation represents aerobic respiration? A carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen B glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water C glucose → lactic acid D glucose → ethanol + carbon dioxide 12 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 3 Which organisms respire? A animals only B animals and plants only C animals and fungi only D animals, plants and fungi 4 What is the gas exchange surface in a human? A the surface of a red blood cell B the surface of the alveoli in the lungs C the surface of the left ventricle of the heart D the surface of the trachea and bronchi 5 Which process in the human body does not require energy input from respiration? A diffusion B maintenance of a constant body temperature C muscle contraction D passage of nerve impulses 6 Which statement about anaerobic respiration is correct? A It generates glucose for energy. B It only takes place at high temperatures. C It releases less energy from each glucose molecule than aerobic respiration. D It uses carbon dioxide instead of oxygen. 7 Which equation represents anaerobic respiration in yeast? A C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2 B C6H12O6 → 2C3H6O2 C C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6H2O + 6CO2 D 6H2O + 6CO2→ C6H12O6 + 6O2 8 What do goblet cells do? A absorb carbon dioxide B make antibodies C produce cilia D secrete mucus 9 Why do you continue to breathe faster after finishing strenuous exercise? A to deliver extra glucose to the muscles B to keep the heart beating strongly C to supply oxygen to break down lactic acid D to supply tired muscles with extra energy 13 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions Chapter B9 Coordination and homeostasis Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 Where is the cell body of a sensory neurone found? A in a sense organ B in a small swelling in a spinal nerve C in the brain D in the spinal cord 2 What is the sequence along which information travels during a reflex action? A receptor, sensory neurone, relay neurone, motor neurone, effector B effector, motor neurone, sensory neurone, relay neurone, receptor C sensory neurone, receptor, relay neurone, effector, motor neurone D motor neurone, relay neurone, effector, receptor, sensory neurone 3 Which part of the eye does most of the bending of light rays as they enter it? A cornea B iris C lens D retina 4 Which part of the eye contains cells that are receptive to light? A cornea B lens C retina D vitreous humour 5 What type of glands secrete hormones? A endocrine gland B salivary glands C lymph glands D tear glands 6 Which is an effect of the hormone adrenaline? A increases the flow of blood to the skin B makes the liver take up glucose from the blood C speeds up the heart rate D speeds up the rate of digestion in the alimentary canal 14 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 7 What is the name of the response of a plant shoot to gravity? A negative gravitropism B positive gravitropism C negative phototropism D positive phototropism 8 What happens when the eye focuses on a near object? A ciliary muscles contract, lens gets fatter B ciliary muscles contract, lens gets thinner C ciliary muscles relax, lens gets fatter D ciliary muscles relax, lens gets thinner 9 How does auxin make plant shoots grow towards the light? A It accumulates on the bright side of the shoot and increases the rate of growth. B It accumulates on the bright side of the shoot and decreases the rate of growth. C It accumulates on the shady side of the shoot and increases the rate of growth. D It accumulates on the shady side of the shoot and decreases the rate of growth. 10 How does shivering help to maintain body temperature? A It generates heat to raise the temperature of the blood. B It makes the blood vessels move upwards in the skin. C It produces sweat that evaporates to cool the body. D It provides extra insulation when you feel cold. 11 Why is it important to maintain a fairly constant body temperature? A to control the rate of sweat production B to make sure that metabolic reactions can occur at a suitable rate C to prevent infection with bacteria D to reduce the amount of glucose used in respiration 12 How does sweating cool the body? A Sweat contains waste products such as salt and urea. B The cold sweat lying on the skin makes you feel cooler. C The sweat traps a layer of cool air next to the skin. D Water in the sweat absorbs heat from the skin as it evaporates. 13 Which hormone is secreted when blood glucose concentration rises too high? A adrenaline B glucagon C glycogen D insulin 15 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 14 Where are the receptor cells that detect the concentration of glucose in the blood? A hypothalamus B kidneys C liver D pancreas 15 What happens to the blood vessels in the skin when body temperature rises too high? A Arterioles supplying surface capillaries constrict. B Arterioles supplying surface capillaries dilate. C Capillaries move deeper into the skin. D Capillaries move nearer to the surface of the skin. 16 What effect does glucagon have? A It increases the concentration of glucose in the blood. B It decreases the concentration of glucose in the blood. C It increases the volume of urine produced by the kidneys. D It decreases the volume of urine produced by the kidneys. 17 What is negative feedback? A a mechanism for keeping a factor at a constant level B the interaction between the hypothalamus and the pancreas C the maintenance of a constant internal environment D the reversal of nerve impulses between receptors and effectors Chapter B10 Reproduction in plants Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 What is always true of asexual reproduction? A Fertilisation is involved. B Stem tubers are formed. C The offspring are genetically different from one another. D There is only one parent. 2 What is formed when the nuclei of two gametes fuse together? A a chromosome B an embryo C a seed D a zygote 16 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 3 What features are characteristic of the pollen of wind-pollinated flowers? A produced in large quantities, smooth B produced in large quantities, smooth C produced in small quantities, smooth D produced in small quantities, smooth 4 Which part of a flower receives pollen during pollination? A anther B stamen C stigma D style 5 Where is the female gamete in a flower? A in the anthers B in the pollen grains C in the ovule D in the stigma 6 Which conditions do all seeds need for germination? A light, oxygen, a suitable temperature B oxygen, a suitable temperature, water C a suitable temperature, water, light D water, light, oxygen Chapter B11 Reproduction in humans Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 In which part of the female reproductive system does fertilisation take place? A cervix B ovary C oviduct D uterus 2 What is made in the prostate gland? A fluid in which sperm can swim B sperm C urine D zygotes 17 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions 3 What is the name of the tube that carries sperm through the penis to the outside of the body? A sperm duct B testis C ureter D urethra 4 What is the name of the cell that is formed when the nucleus of an egg and the nucleus of a sperm fuse together? A embryo B fetus C placenta D zygote 5 What happens at ovulation? A An egg is released from an ovary. B An egg is fertilised. C The fertilised egg sinks into the lining of the uterus. D The lining of the uterus breaks down. 6 What is the function of the amniotic sac? A It prevents the mother’s blood mixing with the fetus’s blood. B It produces the fetus’s skin. C It provides nutrients for the fetus. D It secretes amniotic fluid which protects the fetus. 7 What causes AIDS? A a bacterium B a faulty gene C a lack of protein in the diet D a virus 8 Which body cells are affected by the human immunodeficiency virus? A gametes B platelets C red blood cells D white blood cells 18 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions Chapter B12 Inheritance Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 From where does a baby boy get his sex chromosomes? A an X chromosome from his father and an X chromosome from his mother B an X chromosome from his mother and a Y chromosome from his father C a Y chromosome from his mother and an X chromosome from his father D a Y chromosome from his mother and a Y chromosome from his father 2 Two animals with genotypes Aa were mated. Allele A gives black hair and allele a gives white hair. What can we predict about the offspring? A The ratio of black-haired to white-haired offspring will probably be about 3 : 1. B There will be no offspring with white hair, because allele A is dominant. C They will have three offspring with black hair and one with white hair. D They will have three times as many offspring with genotype AA as with genotype aa. 3 When does meiosis take place? A during asexual reproduction B during growth C when gametes are being produced D when tissues need to be repaired 4 In a species of plant, the allele for hairy leaves, H, is dominant to the allele for smooth leaves, h. Two plants were crossed, and the resulting seeds grown. Half of the new plants had hairy leaves and half had smooth leaves. What were the genotypes of the original two plants? A hh and hh B Hh and hh C Hh and Hh D Hh and HH 5 What is a chromosome? A a length of DNA, made up of many genes B a length of protein, made up of DNA C a length of genes, made up of protein D a length of alleles, made up of many proteins 19 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions Chapter B13 Variation and selection Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 Which is an example of discontinuous variation? A blood groups in humans B body mass in cats C leaf length in grass plants D shoulder height in horses 2 Which is an example of continuous variation? A height B mutation C sex D tongue rolling 3 What causes continuous variation? A a combination of genes and the environment B environment only C genes only D mutation 4 How are new alleles formed? A by fertilisation B by meiosis C by mitosis D by mutation 5 Populations of bacteria that are resistant to an antibiotic often arise when the antibiotic has been used for some time. How does this happen? A Antibiotics make bacteria breed faster, so they mutate more often. B Any bacteria that happen to have a gene conferring resistance are more likely to survive and breed. C Bacteria mutate in order to become resistant to the antibiotic. D The bacteria learn to handle the antibiotic. 6 How does artificial selection differ from natural selection? A Artificial selection is done by humans, but natural selection happens without human intervention. B Artificial selection involves genetic engineering, but natural selection does not. C Natural selection involves mutation, but artificial selection does not. D Natural selection happens over many generations, but artificial selection takes only one generation. 20 © Cambridge University Press 2017 Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Multiple-choice questions Chapter B14 Organisms and their environment Click on the correct answer to each question. 1 What type of organism is a herbivore? A producer B primary consumer C secondary consumer D tertiary consumer 2 Which organisms return carbon dioxide to the air during respiration? A all organisms B animals only C animals and decomposers only D animals and plants only 3 How do decomposers obtain their carbon? A by feeding on animal and plant remains B by photosynthesis C by respiration D by uptake from the soil 4 What term describes a unit containing all of the organisms and their environment, interacting together, in a given area? A community B ecosystem C habitat D population 5 What is a trophic level? A an organism’s diet B the amount of energy lost in a food chain C the particular part of a habitat in which an organism lives D the position of an organism in a food chain 6 When eutrophication takes place, oxygen concentration in the water falls. Why does this happen? A Fish are badly affected and breathe more rapidly. B Oxygen from the air no longer dissolves in the water. C Large populations of aerobic bacteria use oxygen in respiration. D Plants use up the oxygen. 21 © Cambridge University Press 2017
