CIE IGCSE Biology

Topic Questions

IGCSEBiologyCIETopic Questions1. Characteristics & Classification of Living Organisms1.1 Characteristics, Classification & Features of Organisms

1.1 Characteristics, Classification & Features of Organisms

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1
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The image below shows a house mouse, whose scientific name is Mus musculus.

1-1-image-1-mouse

Which genus does it belong to?

  • Mammal

  • musculus

  • Mus

  • Vertebrate

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Which of the following would not be a characteristic seen in all living organisms?

  • Reproduction

  • Respiration

  • Excretion

  • Photosynthesis

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Which name can be given to a group of organisms that have similar morphological features and can reproduce successfully to produce fertile offspring?

  • Kingdom

  • Genus

  • Family

  • Species

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A yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), glucose and water are mixed in a test tube. 

The diagrams show the test tube at the start and after one hour. 

1-1-image-4-yeast

Which process causes this change?

  • Reproduction

  • Respiration

  • Growth

  • Sensitivity

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Which class of vertebrate typically gives birth to live young?

  • Mammals

  • Birds

  • Amphibians

  • Reptiles

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Identify the arthropods shown using the key below.

1-1-image-7-dichotomous-key

1. Three pairs of legs... Class W
Four pairs of legs or more... Go to 2
2.  Body plan consists of a head and a many-segmented body... Class X
Head and thorax are fused to form a cephalothorax... Go to 3
3. No antennae present... Class Y
Antennae present... Class Z

  Arthropod 1 class Arthropod 2 class
A Y X
B X Z
C Z W
D Z X

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Four different descriptions relating to plants are given below.

Which statement would apply to a plant that is a dicotyledon?

  • The veins in the leaf are reticulated. 

  • Each flower has six petals. 

  • The flowers are all wind-pollinated.

  • The leaves have parallel veins.

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The image below shows a leaf from a plant.

1-1-image-6-leaf

Identify the plant to which the leaf belongs using the dichotomous key below.

1-1-mcq-q4-m

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Use the key to identify the group to which fish belong.

1.

Fur absent...

Fur present...

go to 2

mammals 

2.

Eggs do not have hard shells...

Eggs have hard shells...

go to 3

group A

3.

Reproduction occurs in water...

Reproduction occurs on land...

go to 4

group B

4. 

Scaly skin...

Smooth skin...

group C

group D

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The image below shows what occurs in a seed during and after germination, the seed has been planted in well-watered soil.

1-1-image-2-seed-germinating

Which characteristics of living things are demonstrated by this sequence?

  • Nutrition and reproduction

  • Reproduction and growth

  • Nutrition and sensitivity

  • Sensitivity and growth

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Some of the processes carried out by living organisms are illustrated in the diagram below. 

1-1-image-3-life-processes-edited

Which row of the following table correctly describes the characteristics shown by living organisms in the diagram above?

  W X Y
A respiration photosynthesis respiration
B respiration respiration nutrition
C photosynthesis respiration excretion
D photosynthesis excretion nutrition

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The list below shows the binomial names for eight animals.

Canis lupus
Cygnus buccinator
Dasypus novemcinctus
Dasyurus maculatus
Equus burchelli
Eumetopias jubatus
Felis chaus
Felis lybica

Which two animals are most closely related?

  • Dasypus novemcinctus & Dasyurus maculatus

  • Felis chaus & Felis lybica

  • Cygnus buccinator & Dasyurus maculatus

  • Equus burchelli & Eumetopias jubatus

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What are the characteristics of birds?

 

skin covered in feathers

maintain a constant body temperature

jelly-covered eggs

external ears present

A

✔

✘

✔

✘

B

✘

✘

✘

✔

C

✔

✔

✘

✘

D

✘

✔

✔

✔

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The equation below represents a chemical process that occurs in the cells of living organisms. 

glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

Which characteristics of living organisms would this equation be associated with?

 

nutrition

respiration

A

✔

✔

B

X

✔

C

X

X

D

✔

X

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