Development of organisms and continuity of life: past paper questions
Real questions on development of organisms and continuity of life
The newest 20 of 63 written questions, plus 82 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5090/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(ii)[1]
Complete the sentences below. Rice plants reproduce sexually and after pollination they produce that are then dispersed. Azolla reproduces sexually by producing .
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(i)[2]
Sycamore trees produce flowers in the spring. The flowers have these characteristics: • • • small and green coloured produce large quantities of small, light pollen grains contain nectar. Explain why scientists think that the flowers can be pollinated by wind and by insects.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(ii)[1]
The flowers of the sycamore tree are cross-pollinated. State an advantage of cross-pollination rather than self-pollination.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6b[3]
The sentences describe the processes that occur in a sycamore flower after pollination. Complete the sentences by writing words in the gaps. The pollen grain grows a which allows the male gamete to reach the female gamete. After fertilisation, the ovule becomes a and the
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6c[3]
Fig. 6.1 shows two sycamore fruits. sycamore fruit Fig. 6.1 The wings on the fruits cause them to spin as they fall to the ground. This slows their fall so that they can be blown away by the wind. Explain why this is an advantage to the parent tree and any young trees that are produced from these fruits.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2024 · Q5a(i)[4]
The testa protects the seed contents from environmental damage. Name parts of the seed protected by the testa and describe their functions.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · October/November 2024 · Q6a(ii)[3]
One reason for the pattern shown by the data in Table 6.1 is the use by farmers of artificial selection to breed cows that produce more milk. This is an example of selective breeding. Use this example to describe the main stages in the process of selective breeding.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2024 · Q2d[4]
Scientists want to produce a new wheat variety with an increased fibre content. Describe two methods they could use to do this.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2024 · Q3b(ii)[1]
Name the type of nuclear division that results in new pathogen cells.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2024 · Q5a(i)[1]
State the type of reproduction used to grow pineapple plants in this way.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2024 · Q5a(ii)[4]
State two advantages and two disadvantages of producing pineapple plants in this way. advantages disadvantages
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2023 · Q2a(iii)[3]
After pollination, pollen tubes grow down the style. Describe what then happens leading to the formation of B and its contents.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2023 · Q2b(i)[1]
Suggest why the production of caffeine is useful to the plant.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2023 · Q2b(ii)[2]
Caffeine is found throughout the plant but in some parts the concentration is much higher than in others. Suggest why it is important to the plant to have different concentrations in different parts.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2023 · Q8a[6]
The number of individuals in a population can vary with time. Table 8.1 shows how the global populations of humans and tigers are estimated to have changed between 1970 and 2000. Table 8.1 estimated global population year humans tigers 1970 3.6 billion 35 000 2000 6.0 billion 5 000 Suggest factors that may be causing t...
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · October/November 2023 · Q4b(ii)[1]
the type of nuclear division that produces gametes
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · October/November 2023 · Q4b(iii)[1]
the number of chromosomes in each gamete of the Siamese fighting fish.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2023 · Q3d[1]
The diploid number of chromosomes in a tomato plant cell is 24. State how many chromosomes a cell from position Y will contain and explain your answer. number explanation
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2023 · Q4c(i)[4]
Use data from Table 4.1 to describe how the distribution patterns of armour plates have changed over time.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2023 · Q4c(ii)[5]
Armour plates on the skin of a Three Spined Stickleback protect it from predators. Describe how the process of natural selection may have caused these changes in the distribution of plates over time.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Candidates often appreciated that fertilisation occurred but could not state which structures were actually fusing. The more accessible marks seemed to be for the origin of the fruit and the seed.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5090/21 Q2(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
This was a very accessible question with most candidates appreciating that the caffeine would protect the plants from insect attack.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5090/21 Q2(b)(i) (Cambridge)
This question was more challenging and only the higher scoring candidates realised that high levels of caffeine would have an adverse effect on pollinating insects.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5090/21 Q2(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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