IGCSE Biology (9–1) 0970 · Topic 16

Reproduction: past paper questions

226 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: State, Describe, Complete, Explain, Draw

Real questions on reproduction

The newest 20 of 131 written questions, plus 95 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q3a(i)[3]
Predict in which tubes the seeds would germinate. Explain your answer.
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0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(i)[1]
Gircle) a part where pollen is produced on Figure 3.1.
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0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(ii)[1]
(ii) On Figure 3.1, label a part that receives pollen during pollination with an X anda label line. [1]
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0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(iii)[3]
Describe how an insect-pollinated flower would differ from the flowers shown in Figure 3.1.
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0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q8b(i)[1]
State the name of the process that zoos use to increase the number of individuals of an endangered species.
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0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q8c[2]
Arabian oryx is a species that reproduces sexually. Tick (/) boxes to show two correct statements about Arabian oryxes. They can produce fertile offspring. They can produce offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. Only one parent is needed for reproduction. They respire. They are producers.
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0970/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[4]
5 (a) Figure 5.1 is a diagram of the female reproductive system. Figure 5.1 State the letters from Figure 5.1 that identify: place where sperm deposited .......... structure that secretes oestrogen .......... the place where fertilisation normally occurs where an embryo normally implants. ..
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0970/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5b[1]
State the day in a 28-day menstrual cycle when an egg cell is most likely to be released.
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0970/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5c[1]
1-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
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0970/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5d[3]
Describe the changes to the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle.
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0970/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5e(i)[3]
Complete Figure 5.2 by labelling the structures in the egg cell on the answer lines provided. cell membrane Figure 5.2
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0970/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5e(ii)[2]
Explain why the egg cell contains a large energy store.
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0970/41 · May/June 2026 · Q5b(i)[4]
(i) 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. pollen from these plants taken rubbed onto .......... of other plants of the same species. .......... these plants then observed ones with the highest yields are...
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0970/42 · May/June 2026 · Q2f[5]
(f) Organisms can be conserved in captive breeding programmes by using the techniques of artificial insemination (Al) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Describe the processes of artificial insemination (Al) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF). artificial insemination (Al) .......... vitro fertilisation (IVF) .......... Tu...
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0970/42 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[5]
Use the information in Figure 3.1 to complete Table 3.1. Table 3.1 name letter from function Figure 3.1 E prostate gland F tube for urine and sperm to pass through penis
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0970/42 · May/June 2026 · Q3b[4]
Meiosis occurs in structure J in Figure 3.1. Explain the importance of meiosis occurring in structure J.
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0970/62 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[4]
Draw a large diagram of the three beans and the pod shown in Figure 2.1.
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0970/62 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(ii)[3]
(ii) Line PQ represents the length of one of the beans in Figure 2.1. Measure the length of line PQ. length line .......... eceeteeeteeeteeteeeeeees The actual length of the bean is 19mm. Using your measurement and the formula, calculate the magnification of the bean in Figure 2.1. length of line PQ actual length of th...
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0970/32 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(i)[3]
State the letter in Fig. 4.1 that identifies: the vagina an oviduct
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0970/32 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(ii)[1]
1-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
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What examiners said

Most candidates named the egg cell correctly, but ovules, ovaries and sperm were also seen. There was some confusion between the terms ovum and ovule.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0970/31 Q8(b)(i) (Cambridge)

Fertilisation was sometimes described as fusion but was generally well recognised. Some responses incorrectly referred to implantation.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0970/31 Q8(b)(ii) (Cambridge)

Many candidates gained this mark, mostly for zygote but occasionally for fertilised egg cell. Some candidates were confused between zygote, embryo and foetus.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0970/31 Q8(b)(iii) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

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In the syllabus

16.1 Asexual reproduction

Describe asexual reproduction as a process resulting in the production of genetically identical offspring from one parent
Identify examples of asexual reproduction in diagrams, images and information provided
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction: (a) to a population of a species in the wild (b) to crop production

16.2 Sexual reproduction

Describe sexual reproduction as a process involving the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes to form a zygote and the production of offspring that are genetically different from each other
Describe fertilisation as the fusion of the nuclei of gametes
State that nuclei of gametes are haploid and that the nucleus of a zygote is diploid
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of sexual reproduction: (a) to a population of a species in the wild (b) to crop production

16.3 Sexual reproduction in plants

Identify in diagrams and images and draw the following parts of an insect-pollinated flower: sepals, petals, stamens, filaments, anthers, carpels, style, stigma, ovary and ovules
State the functions of the structures listed in 16.3.1
Identify in diagrams and images and describe the anthers and stigmas of a wind-pollinated flower
Distinguish between the pollen grains of insect-pollinated and wind-pollinated flowers
Describe pollination as the transfer of pollen grains from an anther to a stigma
State that fertilisation occurs when a pollen nucleus fuses with a nucleus in an ovule
Describe the structural adaptations of insect-pollinated and wind-pollinated flowers
Investigate and describe the environmental conditions that affect germination of seeds, limited to the requirement for: water, oxygen and a suitable temperature
Describe self-pollination as the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same flower or a different flower on the same plant
Describe cross-pollination as the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species
Discuss the potential effects of self-pollination and cross-pollination on a population, in terms of variation, capacity to respond to changes in the environment and reliance on pollinators continued
Describe the growth of the pollen tube and its entry into the ovule followed by fertilisation (details of production of endosperm and development are not required)

16.4 Sexual reproduction in humans

Identify on diagrams and state the functions of the following parts of the male reproductive system: testes, scrotum, sperm ducts, prostate gland, urethra and penis
Identify on diagrams and state the functions of the following parts of the female reproductive system: ovaries, oviducts, uterus, cervix and vagina
Describe fertilisation as the fusion of the nuclei from a male gamete (sperm) and a female gamete (egg cell)
Explain the adaptive features of sperm, limited to: flagellum, mitochondria and enzymes in the acrosome
Explain the adaptive features of egg cells, limited to: energy stores and the jelly coat that changes at fertilisation
Compare male and female gametes in terms of: size, structure, motility and numbers
State that in early development, the zygote forms an embryo which is a ball of cells that implants into the lining of the uterus
Identify on diagrams and state the functions of the following in the development of the fetus: umbilical cord, placenta, amniotic sac and amniotic fluid
Describe the function of the placenta and umbilical cord in relation to the exchange of dissolved nutrients, gases and excretory products between the blood of the mother and the blood of the fetus
State that some pathogens and toxins can pass across the placenta and affect the fetus

16.5 Sex hormones in humans

Describe the roles of testosterone and oestrogen in the development and regulation of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty
Describe the menstrual cycle in terms of changes in the ovaries and in the lining of the uterus
Describe the sites of production of oestrogen and progesterone in the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy
Explain the role of hormones in controlling the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, limited to FSH, LH, progesterone and oestrogen

16.6 Sexually transmitted infections

Describe a sexually transmitted infection (STI) as an infection that is transmitted through sexual contact
State that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a pathogen that causes an STI
State that HIV infection may lead to AIDS
Describe the methods of transmission of HIV
Explain how the spread of STIs is controlled

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