Sexual reproduction in plants: past paper questions
Real questions on sexual reproduction in plants
The newest 20 of 35 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0610/41 · May/June 2026 · Q5b(i)[4]
Complete the sentences by writing words or phrases in the spaces provided to describe this process. Humans select crop plants that have the largest yield. The pollen from these plants is taken and rubbed onto the of other plants of the same species. The of these plants are then observed and the ones with the highest yi...
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · February/March 2026 · Q5a(i)[1]
State the eye colour of the male and the female fruit flies. male eye colour and female eye colour
See it on the paper → - 0610/41 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[2]
Describe two ways the structure of a monocotyledonous plant differs from the structure of a dicotyledonous plant.
See it on the paper → - 0610/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(i)[1]
State the name of the part labelled X in Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper → - 0610/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(ii)[3]
Describe the events that occur after the stage shown in Fig. 3.1 that result in fertilisation.
See it on the paper → - 0610/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[3]
Suggest reasons for this species of plant to use self-pollination rather than cross-pollination.
See it on the paper → - 0610/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[3]
Discuss the potential effects of only using self-pollination in a population of plants.
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · February/March 2025 · Q4a[1]
The Mexican hat plant shown in Fig. 4.1 is reproducing. Tick (✓) three statements that describe the reproduction shown in Fig. 4.1. Gametes are produced. Involves implantation. Only one parent is involved. Pollination occurs before the stage shown in Fig. 4.1. The offspring are genetically identical to each other. The...
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · February/March 2025 · Q4b[3]
Fig. 4.2 shows a section of a flower. L N M Identify structures L, M and N shown in Fig. 4.2. L M Fig. 4.2
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · February/March 2025 · Q4c(ii)[2]
Describe the process of pollination.
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · February/March 2025 · Q4d(i)[1]
State one letter in Fig. 4.4 that identifies a pollen grain from a wind-pollinated flower.
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · February/March 2025 · Q4d(ii)[2]
Using the information in Fig. 4.4, estimate the maximum length of pollen grain V. Include the unit. unit
See it on the paper → - 0610/32 · February/March 2025 · Q4d(iii)[2]
State two characteristics of pollen grains from insect-pollinated flowers.
See it on the paper → - 0610/43 · October/November 2023 · Q1b(i)[5]
Describe the stages in the reproduction of a flowering plant, from self‑pollination to fertilisation.
See it on the paper → - 0610/43 · October/November 2023 · Q1b(ii)[4]
Outline the advantages and disadvantages of self‑pollination compared with cross‑pollination.
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · February/March 2023 · Q3b(iii)[1]
State the name of process D in Fig. 3.2.
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · February/March 2023 · Q3c(ii)[3]
Annotate Fig. 3.3 to show the mechanism of cross-pollination by: • • labelling the structures involved drawing an arrow to show the pathway of pollen.
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · February/March 2023 · Q3c(iii)[1]
Draw an X on Fig. 3.3 to show where fertilisation occurs.
See it on the paper → - 0610/42 · February/March 2023 · Q3c(iv)[3]
Explain the disadvantages of cross-pollination compared with self-pollination.
See it on the paper → - 0610/33 · May/June 2021 · Q6a(i)[3]
Describe a function of each of the parts labelled L, N and Q. L N Q
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates identified the correct male and female eye colour. Limited responses • A few candidates needed to be clear about the colours. They identified the male eye colour as white and the female eye colour as red.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0610/42 Q5(a)(i) (Cambridge)
There was some confusion with identifying structure X. Incorrect responses included style and pollen tubule.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/41 Q3(a)(i) (Cambridge)
A number of misconceptions and inaccuracies were evident. A common misconception was that it is the pollen grain that travels down the pollen tube. Another misconception is that the name of the structures in the ovary are ova rather than ovules. The best responses described the movement of the pollen nucleus and the subsequent fusion with the nucleus of the ovule.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/41 Q3(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
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