MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SINGAPORE

in collaboration with
CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
General Certificate of Education Advanced Level
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BIOLOGY 6093/01
Paper 1 Multiple Choice October/November 2024
1 hour
Additional Materials: Multiple Choice Answer Sheet
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READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write in soft pencil.

Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid.
Write your name, Centre number and index number on the Answer Sheet in the spaces provided unless
this has been done for you.
DO NOT WRITE ON ANY BARCODES.

There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions. For each question there are four possible
answers A, B, C and D.
Choose the one you consider correct and record your choice in soft pencil on the separate Answer Sheet.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

Read the instructions on the Answer Sheet very carefully

Each correct answer will score one mark. A mark will not be deducted for a wrong answer.
Any rough working should be done in this booklet.
The use of an approved scientific calculator is expected, where appropriate.

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This document consists of 20 printed pages.

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1 The diagram shows the shape of a red blood cell.

What is an advantage of this shape?

A allows it to carry more haemoglobin

B allows it to move more quickly in arteries

C increases its surface area for diffusion

D prevents it getting trapped in valves in veins

2 The diagram represents the cell structures of a bacterial cell, a liver cell, an onion epidermal cell
and a red blood cell.

Which structure is represented by X?

A cell membrane

B cellulose cell wall

C nucleus

D sap vacuole

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3 The rate of nitrate ion absorption by a root hair cell was measured at different soil nitrate
concentrations.

At X, the concentration of nitrate in the soil is the same as in the cell.

Which graph shows how the rate of absorption varies with nitrate concentration in the soil?

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4 Four food tests were each carried out on four different white powders, A, B, C and D.

The results are shown in the table.

Which powder contains a carbohydrate, a fat and a protein?

5 Fats are broken down by the enzyme lipase to produce fatty acids and glycerol.

According to the ‘lock and key’ model of enzyme action, what is the ‘lock’ and what is the ‘key’ in
this reaction?

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6 Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down starch to maltose.

Students set up an experiment to investigate the effect of different temperatures on the action of
amylase on starch solution.

They measured the amount of starch remaining after 30 minutes at different temperatures.

Which graph would you expect the students to draw from their results?

7 Sometimes gall bladders become infected and have to be surgically removed.

How will this affect the functioning of the body?

A reduce the digestion of carbohydrates

B reduce the liver’s ability to convert glucose to glycogen

C reduce the amount of glycerol absorbed from the alimentary canal

D reduce the volume of stored urine

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8 The diagram shows how food is processed in the human alimentary canal.

Which row correctly identifies the named stages?

9 Which route does blood take around the body?

A pulmonary artery → heart → aorta → lungs → pulmonary vein → heart → vena cava

B pulmonary vein → heart → lungs → aorta → pulmonary artery → heart → vena cava

C vena cava → heart → pulmonary artery → lungs → pulmonary vein → heart → aorta

D vena cava → heart → pulmonary vein → lungs → pulmonary artery → heart → aorta

10 Tissue transplants are normally rejected by the body unless the transplant tissue and the patient are
very carefully matched.

Which component of the blood is responsible for the rejection of transplanted tissue?

A plasma

B platelets

C red blood cells

D white blood cells

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11 The diagram shows the transfer of materials between blood in a capillary and tissue fluid.

Which row shows the correct labels for the arrows in the diagram?

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12 The diagram shows the human gas exchange system.

Which row shows the correct labelling?

13 Which row shows actions that occur when humans breathe in?

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14 Fitness training in athletes reduces the need for anaerobic respiration. It also increases the rate at
which lactic acid is removed after exercise.

The table shows the concentration of lactic acid in the blood of four different athletes. They exercise
for 20 minutes and rest for the next 70 minutes.

From the fittest athlete to the least fit, which order is correct?

A 3→2→1→4

B 1→2→4→3

C 1→2→4→3

D 3→1→2→4

15 What are two main functions of the kidneys?

A to make toxins in the blood harmless and to remove excess salt in the blood

B to remove excess salt in the blood and to remove urea from the blood plasma

C to remove urea from the blood plasma and to convert glucose to glycogen

D to convert glucose to glycogen and to make toxins in the blood harmless

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16 Which graph shows the change in concentration of molecules in the dialysis fluid during kidney
dialysis?

17 Which changes occur when a person walks from a very cold room into a hot room?

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18 The graph shows changes in a person’s body temperature plotted against time.

What could cause the changes in body temperature in periods 1 and 2?

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19 Which condition causes an increased blood glucose concentration?

A a condition causing sufferers to reduce food intake to extreme levels

B a genetic disorder causing too much insulin to be secreted

C a condition causing a reduction in the number of red blood cells

D a condition causing high levels of glucose in the urine

20 The diagram shows the nerve pathway in a reflex action when a person accidentally touches
something hot.

Which row correctly identifies a sensory neurone, a relay neurone and a motor neurone?

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21 The graph shows changes in the shape of the lenses of a person’s eyes while watching a bird flying.

At which point is the bird flying most rapidly towards the person?

22 Which row shows the characteristics of viruses?

23 A small mountain lake has aquatic plants growing under water on the lake bed. Shortly after heavy
rainfall, the mud on the lake bed becomes stirred up and the water level rises.

Why does this cause the rate of photosynthesis of these plants to fall?

A extra carbon dioxide

B extra dissolved nitrates

C lower light intensity

D lower oxygen concentration

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24 The graph shows how the yield of a wheat crop varies with the addition of different amounts of
nitrate fertiliser.

What can be concluded from the graph?

A Nitrates help the formation of chlorophyll in wheat leaves.

B The yield of wheat is proportional to the amount of nitrate fertiliser added.

C Nitrate is needed for the formation of proteins.

D Nitrates are required for healthy plants, but excess nitrates may inhibit growth.

25 Which statements about root hairs are correct?

1 The cell membrane can allow movement of water and ions into the cell.

2 The cell vacuole extends into the root hair.

3 They are formed as an extension of the outer layer of root cells.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

26 What is the main cause of water moving up to the leaves in xylem vessels?

A active transport

B evaporation from the epidermis of the leaf

C evaporation from the walls of the mesophyll cells

D use of water in photosynthesis

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27 The table shows weather conditions in a field.

Which row shows conditions that would cause a plant to wilt most rapidly?

28 What is the principal source of energy input to biological systems?

A food chains

B photosynthesis

C producers

D the Sun

29 The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle.

Which row identifies processes W, X, Y and Z?

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30 The graph shows the concentration of dissolved oxygen at different points along a river.

At which point is sewage emptied into the river?

31 What is the correct order for the sizes of the pieces of genetic material shown in the table, from
smallest to largest?

32 Stages in the production of insulin on a commercial scale are listed.

1 bacteria produce human insulin

2 bacteria reproduce

3 human insulin gene extracted

4 human insulin gene inserted into bacterial DNA

5 human insulin produced on a commercial scale

What is the correct sequence of events?

A 3→4→1→5→2

B 3→4→1→5→2

C 4→2→5→3→1

D 3→4→1→2→5

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33 A gardener has two groups of strawberry plants, labelled X and Y. They are grown to maturity under
identical conditions. He makes some observations and concludes that those in group X were
produced asexually and those in group Y were grown from seeds.

Which observations most closely support his conclusions?

1 Group X plants produced flowers all at the same time.

2 Group X plants produced flowers which varied in shape and size, some of which were
produced earlier than others.

3 Group Y plants produced flowers all at the same time.

4 Group Y plants produced flowers which varied in shape and size, some of which were
produced earlier than others.

A 1, 2, 3 and 4 B 1 and 4 only C 2 and 3 only D 4 only

34 Which graph shows how the amount of DNA in a cell changes when the cell divides by mitosis?

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35 The diagram shows how bees visit a species of flowering plant that has tall spikes of flowers.

In the flowers at the base of the spike, the carpels are mature but the anthers are not yet mature.

In the flowers at the top of the spike, the anthers are mature but the carpels are not yet mature.

Which statements are correct?

1 Bees visit two flowers for successful pollination.

2 The difference in maturing times for anthers and carpels ensures pollination between
flowers.

3 Seeds will develop first in the flowers at the top of the plant.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

36 The diagram shows the menstrual cycle. The numbers refer to the number of days after the
beginning of menstruation.

Which label shows a point in the cycle when implantation is most likely to occur?

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37 Some statements about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are listed.

1 Its spread can be reduced by using condoms.

2 It can pass across the placenta.

3 It can be spread by coughing or sneezing.

4 It is the same as AIDS.

5 It is transmitted in blood and semen.

6 Its spread can be reduced by screening donated blood.

Which statements about HIV are not correct?

A 1, 3 and 6 B 2, 4 and 5 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4

38 The diagram shows a family tree for the inheritance of eye colour. The allele for brown eyes is
dominant and the allele for blue eyes is recessive.

Which people must be heterozygous for eye colour?

A 1, 3 and 7 B 2 and 6 C 3, 4 and 5 D 4 and 5 only

39 A man of blood group A and his wife of blood group O had two children, both of blood group A. The
man concluded that he must be homozygous for the allele IA, since he thought half his children
would be of group O if he were heterozygous.

Why was his conclusion unsound?

A Blood group mutations are common.

B Genetic ratios are unreliable for small numbers.

C His wife might have been heterozygous.

D The expected ratio for a heterozygous father and group O mother is 3 group A: 1 group O.

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40 Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are causing the Earth’s climate to warm up.

In what way might this change of climate affect the process of natural selection?

A A small rise in temperature may reduce the rate of photosynthesis in plants.

B Farmers may try to grow different crops in the warmer areas.

C It may allow some animals and plants to colonise new areas.

D Some mutations may prove to be an advantage in warmer conditions.

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© UCLES & MOE 2024 6093/01/O/N/24