100+ Free IGCSE Biology Practice Questions

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Question 1

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Enzyme-containing biological washing powders work best at:

Boiling water only

Below 0 degrees C

Moderate temperatures around 30-40 degrees C, because higher temperatures denature the enzymes

Very high temperatures around 90 degrees C

to track

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: IGCSE Biology Exam

A*-G

Grading scale (Extended)

Cambridge International

3 papers

Assessment route (theory + theory + practical or ATP)

Cambridge 0610 syllabus 2026-2028

160 marks

Total across the three papers

Cambridge 0610 syllabus

100

Free practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

Cambridge IGCSE 0610 Biology runs on the 2026-2028 syllabus. Core candidates take Papers 1, 3 and 5 or 6 (grades C-G); Extended candidates take Papers 2, 4 and 5 or 6 (grades A*-G). All papers are written; Paper 5 is a practical test and Paper 6 is the alternative to practical.

Sample IGCSE Biology Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your IGCSE Biology exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1The seven characteristics of living organisms are remembered as MRS GREN. What does the 'R' in MRS stand for?

A.Respiration

B.Reproduction

C.Regulation

D.Response

Explanation: MRS GREN stands for Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition. Respiration is the chemical reaction that releases energy from nutrient molecules and is the 'R' in MRS.

2In binomial nomenclature, the scientific name Homo sapiens contains which two pieces of information in order?

A.Family then species

B.Genus then species

C.Kingdom then genus

D.Species then variety

Explanation: The binomial system uses two names: the genus (capitalised) followed by the species (lowercase), both in italics. Homo is the genus and sapiens is the species.

3Which group of organisms in the five-kingdom classification has cells with no true nucleus?

A.Fungi

B.Protoctists

C.Prokaryotes (bacteria)

D.Plants

Explanation: Prokaryotes such as bacteria have no membrane-bound nucleus — their DNA is a single loop in the cytoplasm, often with smaller plasmids. Fungi, protoctists, plants and animals are all eukaryotes and have a true nucleus.

4A vertebrate has scales, lays eggs with a leathery shell on land, and breathes air through lungs. To which class does it belong?

A.Amphibians

B.Reptiles

C.Fish

D.Mammals

Explanation: Reptiles have dry scaly skin, lay leathery-shelled eggs on land, and breathe air through lungs throughout their lives. Examples include snakes, lizards, crocodiles and turtles.

5An arthropod has three pairs of jointed legs, three body segments and one pair of antennae. Which class is it?

A.Arachnids

B.Crustaceans

C.Insects

D.Myriapods

Explanation: Insects have a body in three sections (head, thorax, abdomen), three pairs of legs attached to the thorax, and one pair of antennae. Many also have wings.

6Which of these is a feature used to distinguish viruses from bacteria?

A.Viruses contain ribosomes; bacteria do not

B.Viruses have no cellular structure and can only reproduce inside host cells

C.Viruses have a cell wall of peptidoglycan; bacteria do not

D.Bacteria are much smaller than viruses

Explanation: Viruses are not cells. They consist of a protein coat surrounding nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) and can only replicate by taking over the machinery of a living host cell. Bacteria are single-celled prokaryotic organisms that can reproduce independently.

7When constructing a dichotomous key, each step should:

A.Give a single statement about the organism

B.Offer two contrasting choices that lead to the next step or to an identification

C.List all possible species at that level

D.Use only colour as the deciding feature

Explanation: A dichotomous key works by offering pairs of contrasting features (e.g. 'has wings / no wings'). The user picks the option that matches, and is sent to the next pair of choices or to a name.

8Which feature is found in plant cells but NOT in animal cells?

A.Mitochondria

B.Cell wall made of cellulose

C.Cell membrane

D.Ribosomes

Explanation: Plant cells are surrounded by a rigid cellulose cell wall outside the cell membrane, providing support and shape. Animal cells only have a flexible cell membrane.

9Which organelle is the site of aerobic respiration in eukaryotic cells?

A.Ribosome

B.Chloroplast

C.Mitochondrion

D.Nucleus

Explanation: Mitochondria are the site of the aerobic stages of respiration, where glucose is broken down using oxygen to release energy as ATP. Cells with high energy demands (e.g. muscle cells) have many mitochondria.

10Under a microscope, a cell image measures 40 mm across. The actual cell is 100 micrometres wide. What is the magnification?

A.x40

B.x400

C.x4000

D.x0.4

Explanation: Magnification = image size / actual size. Convert to the same units: 40 mm = 40 000 micrometres. 40 000 / 100 = 400. So the magnification is x400.

About the IGCSE Biology Exam

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) is the international upper-secondary qualification in Biology taken by Year 10-11 students worldwide. The course covers cell biology, biological molecules, enzymes, nutrition, transport, gas exchange and respiration, coordination, reproduction and inheritance, ecology, and biotechnology. Candidates follow either the Core or Extended pathway and take three papers (a multiple-choice theory paper, a structured-response theory paper, and either a practical test or an alternative-to-practical paper).

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Paper 1/2: 45 min; Paper 3/4: 1 hr 15 min; Paper 5: 1 hr 15 min or Paper 6: 1 hr

Passing Score

Grade C or above for higher-tier pass; Core eligible for C-G, Extended eligible for A*-G

Exam Fee

£60-£140 per subject (school-set entry fee, varies by centre) (Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE))

IGCSE Biology Exam Content Outline

10%

Characteristics and classification of living organisms

MRS GREN seven life processes, binomial nomenclature, dichotomous keys, five-kingdom system, vertebrate classes, arthropod groups, virus and bacterial features

10%

Organisation of the organism

Animal, plant and bacterial cell structure, organelle functions, magnification calculations, specialised cells (ciliated, root hair, red blood, sperm, ovum), tissues to organ systems

10%

Movement in and out of cells

Diffusion, osmosis and water potential, active transport using ATP and protein pumps, examples in root mineral uptake and glucose absorption

10%

Biological molecules

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, food tests (Benedict's, iodine, Biuret, ethanol emulsion), DNA double helix and complementary base pairing

10%

Enzymes

Lock-and-key model, active sites, denaturation, optimum temperature and pH, effect of substrate concentration, role as biological catalysts

Plant nutrition

Photosynthesis equation, leaf structure, limiting factors, hydroponics, importance of nitrate and magnesium ions

10%

Human nutrition

Balanced diet, deficiency diseases, alimentary canal, digestive enzymes, villi adaptations, assimilation and liver functions

10%

Transport

Xylem and phloem, transpiration, double circulation, heart structure, arteries/veins/capillaries, blood components, immunity and vaccination

10%

Gas exchange and respiration

Alveoli adaptations, ventilation mechanics, aerobic and anaerobic respiration in humans and yeast, limewater and hydrogencarbonate indicator tests

10%

Coordination and response

Nervous system, reflex arc, synapses, eye structure and accommodation, endocrine hormones, blood glucose regulation, tropisms and auxin

10%

Reproduction and inheritance

Asexual vs sexual reproduction, flower structure, pollination, human reproductive system, menstrual cycle, mitosis vs meiosis, Punnett squares, codominance, inherited disorders

Variation, selection, ecology and biotechnology

Continuous vs discontinuous variation, mutation, natural selection, food chains and pyramids, carbon and nitrogen cycles, yeast fermentation, GM bacteria insulin, PCR and gel electrophoresis

How to Pass the IGCSE Biology Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Grade C or above for higher-tier pass; Core eligible for C-G, Extended eligible for A*-G
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Paper 1/2: 45 min; Paper 3/4: 1 hr 15 min; Paper 5: 1 hr 15 min or Paper 6: 1 hr
Exam fee: £60-£140 per subject (school-set entry fee, varies by centre)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

IGCSE Biology Study Tips from Top Performers

1Learn the MRS GREN seven life processes and the five-kingdom classification system — they appear in low-mark recall questions every year

2For Extended candidates, master the difference between diffusion, osmosis and active transport (especially water potential and ATP requirement) — Paper 4 always tests this

3Practise drawing and labelling key structures: animal vs plant cell, heart, alveoli, kidney nephron, eye, leaf cross-section, flower

4Memorise food test colour changes (Benedict's blue to brick-red, iodine yellow to blue-black, Biuret blue to purple, ethanol emulsion cloudy white) — they appear in both theory and Paper 6

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Core and Extended in IGCSE Biology 0610?

Core candidates take Paper 1 (multiple choice) and Paper 3 (theory) plus a practical paper, and are eligible for grades C-G. Extended candidates take Paper 2 (multiple choice) and Paper 4 (theory) plus a practical paper, cover Supplement content as well as Core, and are eligible for grades A*-G.

How is IGCSE Biology 0610 assessed?

All candidates take three papers. The multiple-choice paper is 45 minutes (40 marks), the theory paper is 1 hour 15 minutes (80 marks), and learners take either Paper 5 Practical Test (1 hour 15 minutes, 40 marks) or Paper 6 Alternative to Practical (1 hour, 40 marks).

What grading scale does IGCSE Biology 0610 use?

Cambridge IGCSE 0610 uses the A*-G scale. A* is the highest grade and G is the minimum pass. A grade C is usually considered the higher-tier pass for university and sixth-form entry.

Is the 2026 syllabus different from previous years?

The current syllabus covers the 2026-2028 examination series. Version 2 of the 2026-2028 syllabus was published in December 2025. Past papers from 2023-2025 used a similar structure and remain useful for practice.

100+ Free IGCSE Biology Practice Questions

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