Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610
Biology Comparison Guides
Side-by-side comparison tables for the pairs that examiners test most often. Each guide gives matched differences, a worked compare question, the key distinction to remember and the mistakes that lose marks.
25 comparison guides
Mitosis vs Meiosis
Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells for growth and repair, while meiosis produces four genetically different haploid cells (gametes) for sexual reproduction.
Diffusion vs Osmosis vs Active Transport
Diffusion is the net movement of particles from high to low concentration. Osmosis is specifically the movement of water molecules through a partially permeable membrane from a dilute to a concentrated solution. Active transport moves substances against the concentration gradient using energy from respiration.
Arteries vs Veins vs Capillaries
Arteries carry blood away from the heart under high pressure with thick muscular walls. Veins return blood to the heart under low pressure with thin walls and valves. Capillaries are one-cell-thick vessels where exchange of substances occurs.
Aerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration
Aerobic respiration uses oxygen and completely breaks down glucose into carbon dioxide and water, releasing a large amount of energy. Anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen and only partially breaks down glucose, releasing much less energy.
Photosynthesis vs Respiration
Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy by building glucose from carbon dioxide and water. Respiration releases that chemical energy from glucose for use by the cell. They are essentially reverse reactions.
Sexual vs Asexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of two gametes from two parents, producing genetically varied offspring. Asexual reproduction involves one parent and produces genetically identical offspring (clones) without gamete fusion.
Plant Cell vs Animal Cell
Both plant and animal cells have a cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria. Plant cells additionally have a cellulose cell wall, chloroplasts (in green parts), and a large permanent vacuole filled with cell sap.
Xylem vs Phloem
Xylem transports water and dissolved mineral ions upward from roots to leaves in dead, hollow vessels. Phloem transports dissolved sugars (sucrose) both up and down in living sieve tube elements with companion cells.
DNA vs RNA
DNA is a double-stranded molecule containing deoxyribose sugar that stores genetic information. RNA is a single-stranded molecule containing ribose sugar that carries the genetic code from the nucleus to ribosomes for protein synthesis.
Core vs Extended Curriculum
Core covers grades C to G with simpler content. Extended covers grades A* to G with additional, more challenging material. Extended candidates sit different papers (Paper 2 and Paper 4) than Core candidates (Paper 1 and Paper 3).
Sensory vs Motor vs Relay Neurones
Sensory neurones carry impulses from receptors to the CNS. Relay neurones connect sensory and motor neurones within the CNS. Motor neurones carry impulses from the CNS to effectors (muscles or glands).
Insulin vs Glucagon
Insulin lowers blood glucose by stimulating cells to take up glucose and the liver to convert glucose into glycogen. Glucagon raises blood glucose by stimulating the liver to convert glycogen back into glucose. Together they maintain blood glucose homeostasis.
Natural Selection vs Selective Breeding
Natural selection is driven by the environment: organisms with advantageous characteristics survive and reproduce. Selective breeding is driven by humans: organisms with desired traits are chosen as parents. Natural selection increases diversity; selective breeding often reduces it.
Food Chain vs Food Web
A food chain shows a single linear feeding pathway (producer → primary consumer → secondary consumer). A food web shows multiple interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, giving a more realistic picture of feeding relationships.
Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas cannot produce insulin: treated with insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle-related condition where body cells become resistant to insulin: managed with diet, exercise, and medication.
Dominant vs Recessive Alleles
A dominant allele is expressed in both the homozygous (AA) and heterozygous (Aa) genotype: only one copy is needed for the trait to appear. A recessive allele is only expressed in the homozygous recessive (aa) genotype: two copies are needed.
Mechanical vs Chemical Digestion
Mechanical digestion physically breaks food into smaller pieces (e.g. Chewing, churning) without changing its chemical structure. Chemical digestion uses enzymes to break large food molecules into small, soluble molecules that can be absorbed.
Starch vs Glycogen vs Cellulose
All three are polysaccharides made from glucose, but they serve different functions: starch stores energy in plants, glycogen stores energy in animals, and cellulose provides structural support in plant cell walls.
Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells
Eukaryotic cells (plants, animals, fungi) have a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles like mitochondria. Prokaryotic cells (bacteria) have no true nucleus: their DNA is a single circular chromosome free in the cytoplasm.
Transpiration vs Translocation
Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from leaves through stomata, pulling water up through xylem (passive). Translocation is the movement of dissolved sugars through phloem from source to sink (active, requires energy).
Ingestion vs Digestion vs Absorption vs Egestion
Ingestion is taking food into the mouth. Digestion breaks it into small soluble molecules. Absorption is the passage of these molecules into the blood. Egestion is the removal of undigested material as faeces.
Vaccination vs Antibiotics
Vaccinations prevent disease by stimulating the immune system to produce memory cells before infection occurs. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections by killing bacteria or preventing their reproduction. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.
Selective Breeding vs Genetic Engineering
Selective breeding crosses organisms with desired traits over many generations to enhance those traits. Genetic engineering directly transfers specific genes from one organism to another, even between different species, in a single step.
Light Microscope vs Electron Microscope
Light microscopes use visible light and glass lenses, magnifying up to about ×1500 with lower resolution. Electron microscopes use beams of electrons, achieving magnifications over ×500 000 with much higher resolution, revealing fine internal cell structures.
Endocrine vs Nervous System
The nervous system uses electrical impulses along neurones for fast, short-lived, precise responses. The endocrine system uses hormones carried in the blood for slower, longer-lasting, widespread responses.