Osmosis: past paper questions
Real questions on osmosis
The newest 20 of 100 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0610/33 · May/June 2026 · Q2b[3]
Scientists investigated the effect of four different concentrations of salt solution on the volume of red blood cells. First, they measured the volumes of 10 red blood cells and calculated a mean value. Then they placed red blood cells into four different solutions. After 10 minutes, they removed 10 red blood cells fro...
See it on the paper → - 0610/33 · May/June 2026 · Q2c(i)[1]
State the name of the process by which water diffuses into cells.
See it on the paper → - 0610/41 · May/June 2026 · Q1c[6]
A sample of plant tissue was immersed in a highly concentrated salt solution. Another sample of plant tissue was immersed in distilled water. Describe and explain the expected appearance of the cells in the two samples of plant tissue after 60 minutes of immersion.
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[6]
A student investigated the effect of salt solution concentration on some plant cells. The student immersed cells from one onion plant in two different concentrations of salt solution, labelled A and B. Figure 5.1 shows photomicrographs of the plant cells one hour after being placed in the different salt solutions. solu...
See it on the paper → - 0610/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(i)[1]
Complete Table 1.1 by writing in the final salt solution concentration in test-tube B. Table 1.1 test-tube volume of 4% salt solution / cm 3 volume of distilled water / cm 3 final percentage concentration of the salt solution A 0.0 20.0 0.0 B 2.5 17. C 5.0 15.0 1.0 D 10.0 10.0 2.0 E 20.0 0.0 4.0 step 3 Place the potato...
See it on the paper → - 0610/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(ii)[4]
Figure 1.1 shows the actual size of the potato cylinders after soaking in the different solutions for 60 minutes. A B C D (ii) E Figure 1.1 Measure the lengths of the potato cylinders shown in Figure 1.1. Prepare a table and record your measurements in your table.
See it on the paper → - 0610/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(iii)[1]
Calculate the change in length for each potato cylinder, using the formula: change in length = final length - starting length potato cylinder A potato cylinder B potato cylinder C potato cylinder D
See it on the paper → - 0610/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(iv)[1]
Suggest which concentration of salt solution is closest to the concentration of solutes in the potato cells.
See it on the paper → - 0610/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(v)[1]
State the independent variable in this investigation.
See it on the paper → - 0610/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(vi)[2]
State two variables that were kept constant in this investigation.
See it on the paper → - 0610/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(vii)[2]
Suggest two improvements to the method used in this investigation.
See it on the paper → - 0610/63 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(viii)[2]
Identify one hazard in step 3 and describe an appropriate safety precaution. hazard safety precaution
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(i)[2]
Explain your choice. salt solution explanation Using the information in Fig. 2.1, state the letter of the salt solution that has a concentration similar to blood plasma. (a) (i)
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[1]
Using the information in Fig. 2.1, list the salt solutions, A, B and C, in order of increasing salt concentration. highest lowest
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2c[2]
Plant tissues can be used to investigate osmosis. Describe the appearance of a plant cell after being placed in distilled water for one hour.
See it on the paper → - 0610/33 · May/June 2025 · Q2c(ii)[1]
State the process by which water enters structure C in Fig. 2.1.
See it on the paper → - 0610/33 · May/June 2025 · Q2c(iii)[1]
State the feature of C in Fig. 2.1 that increases the uptake of water.
See it on the paper → - 0610/61 · May/June 2025 · Q1b[6]
Plan an investigation to determine the effect of temperature on osmosis in potato plant tissue.
See it on the paper → - 0610/62 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(iv)[1]
Calculate the change in total length of the 10 potato discs in each beaker. beaker S1 mm beaker S2 mm beaker S3 mm
See it on the paper → - 0610/62 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(v)[1]
State a conclusion for the results of this investigation.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
This question was generally well answered but several stated absorption rather than osmosis.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/33 Q2(c)(ii) (Cambridge)
Most candidates knew that the structure increases the surface area.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/33 Q2(c)(iii) (Cambridge)
Candidates had to plan an investigation to determine the effect of temperature on osmosis in potato plant tissue. This is an investigation that all candidates should have completed in the classroom and one that they should be very familiar with. There were nine possible marking points, and many were able to describe a detailed investigation that was awarded full marks. Those candidates that did n...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/61 Q1(b) (Cambridge)
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