IGCSE Biology (9–1) 0970 · Topic 3

Movement into and out of cells: past paper questions

202 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: State, Describe, Suggest, Explain, Use

Real questions on movement into and out of cells

The newest 20 of 127 written questions, plus 75 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[4]
Astudent investigated the effect of temperature on the movement of dye in two beakers of water. Beaker A contained cold water. Beaker B contained hot water. A drop of dye was added to each beaker and left for five minutes. Figure 5.1 shows the beakers after five minutes. beaker A beaker B Figure 5.1 Explain the differe...
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0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q5b(i)[1]
(i) State the name of this type of transport. (iii) State the name of the cell structure where the process named in 5(b)(ii) occurs.
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0970/41 · May/June 2026 · Q1a[1]
State the name of the type of movement across membranes that uses protein carriers.
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0970/41 · May/June 2026 · Q1b(i)[3]
Describe and explain the results shown in Table 1.1.
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0970/41 · May/June 2026 · Q1b(ii)[3]
The investigation was repeated at a higher temperature. Predict and explain the effect of this on the results.
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0970/41 · May/June 2026 · Q1c[6]
Asample 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.
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0970/42 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[6]
5 (a) Astudent 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....
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(ii)[4]
Prepare a table and record the results shown in Figure 1.3. Convert the times on the stop-clocks to seconds.
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(iii)[1]
State a conclusion for the results.
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(iv)[2]
(iv) State the independent and dependent variables in this investigation. independent variable .......... dependent variable ..........
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(v)[1]
The temperature of the hot water decreased during the investigation. Suggest one way of improving the method to reduce this source of error.
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(vi)[2]
State two possible sources of error for the method used in step 9.
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(vii)[1]
Using a scalpel to cut the beetroot cylinders was a safety hazard. State one safety precaution that would reduce the risk of an injury. Turn over
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q3a(i)[1]
(i) State the name of the solution you would use to test a food sample for vitamin C. doce .......... .......... .......... [1]
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q3a(ii)[1]
Asample of potato can be tested to show that it contains starch by adding iodine solution. State the expected result of a positive test.
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(i)[2]
State two variables the scientists kept constant in this investigation. The results of the investigation are shown in Table 3.1. Table 3.1 mass of fertiliser used potato crop yield /kg per hectare /tonnes per hectare 60 32.5 115 40.0 170 43.5 230 45.0 285 44.5 340 44.0
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(ii)[4]
Plot a line graph on the grid of the data in Table 3.1.
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(iii)[1]
Describe the effect on the potato crop yield of increasing the mass of fertiliser used.
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0970/61 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(iv)[2]
(iv) Use your graph to estimate the potato crop yield when 90kg of fertiliser per hectare was used. Show on the graph how you obtained your estimate. .......... tonnes hectare
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0970/32 · 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)
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What examiners said

Candidates showed the ability to interpret the table correctly and many obtained full marks. Those that did not often gave more than three ticks.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0970/31 Q5(a)(i) (Cambridge)

The majority of candidates were able to correctly identify osmosis, many referred to diffusion which was acceptable. Incorrect answers included absorption, transpiration and active transport.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0970/31 Q5(a)(ii) (Cambridge)

Temperature was the commonest answer but very few went on to gain the second mark. Many referred to pH, time, mass, distance or size of the membrane.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0970/31 Q5(a)(iii) (Cambridge)

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In the syllabus

3.1 Diffusion

Describe diffusion as the net movement of particles from a region of their higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration (i.e. down a concentration gradient), as a result of their random movement
State that the energy for diffusion comes from the kinetic energy of random movement of molecules and ions
State that some substances move into and out of cells by diffusion through the cell membrane
Describe the importance of diffusion of gases and solutes in living organisms
Investigate the factors that influence diffusion, limited to: surface area, temperature, concentration gradient and distance

3.2 Osmosis

Describe the role of water as a solvent in organisms with reference to digestion, excretion and transport
State that water diffuses through partially permeable membranes by osmosis
State that water moves into and out of cells by osmosis through the cell membrane
Investigate osmosis using materials such as dialysis tubing
Investigate and describe the effects on plant tissues of immersing them in solutions of different concentrations
State that plants are supported by the pressure of water inside the cells pressing outwards on the cell wall
Describe osmosis as the net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential (dilute solution) to a region of lower water potential (concentrated solution), through a partially permeable membrane
Explain the effects on plant cells of immersing them in solutions of different concentrations by using the terms: turgid, turgor pressure, plasmolysis, flaccid
Explain the importance of water potential and osmosis in the uptake and loss of water by organisms

3.3 Active transport

Describe active transport as the movement of particles through a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration (i.e. against a concentration gradient), using energy from respiration
Explain the importance of active transport as a process for movement of molecules or ions across membranes, including ion uptake by root hairs
State that protein carriers move molecules or ions across a membrane during active transport

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