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IGCSEBiology
Trial Class

Original practice · 5 questions · 14 marks · about 16 minutes

Features of Organisms Practice Questions

Biology editorial review is supported by the named review panel. Reviewer participation may vary by guide. Checked against Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026–2028); last reviewed August 2026.

Test your understanding of the characteristics of living organisms and how these features are used to distinguish living from non-living things.

Before you open the answers

  • Attempt every question without notes.
  • Show working for calculations and write complete biological statements.
  • Use the suggested time as a guide, not a strict limit on the first attempt.

These are original practice questions. They do not reproduce an official Cambridge paper or official mark scheme.

  1. Question 1

    Paper 2 Core 2 marks Difficulty 1/5

    Define the term "excretion".

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. The removal of the waste products of metabolism.
    2. From the body / from organisms.

    Watch for: Confusing excretion with egestion: faeces are undigested food, not metabolic waste.

  2. Question 2

    Paper 2 Both 3 marks Difficulty 2/5

    A car can move, use fuel for energy, and produce waste gases. Explain why a car is not considered a living organism.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. A car cannot reproduce / cannot grow.
    2. It does not respond to stimuli / no sensitivity.
    3. It does not carry out nutrition: it does not take in and digest food.

  3. Question 3

    Paper 2 Core 2 marks Difficulty 1/5

    State what is meant by "nutrition" as a characteristic of living organisms.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Taking in of materials / nutrients / food.
    2. For energy, growth and development.

  4. Question 4

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    A seed appears dormant and shows no obvious signs of life. Suggest how you could demonstrate that it is alive.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Plant the seed in suitable conditions (water, warmth, oxygen).
    2. If it germinates, it shows growth and development.
    3. Could also test for respiration: e.g. Using lime water / hydrogencarbonate indicator to detect CO₂ production.

  5. Question 5

    Paper 4 Extended 4 marks Difficulty 4/5

    A biologist discovers an organism that is unicellular, has a nucleus, has a cell wall made of chitin, and absorbs nutrients from dead organic matter. Identify the kingdom and justify your answer with two distinct reasons.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Fungi kingdom.
    2. Has cell wall made of chitin: this is characteristic of fungi, not plants (cellulose) or bacteria (peptidoglycan).
    3. Feeds by absorption / saprotrophic nutrition: breaking down dead organic matter externally.
    4. Has a nucleus: so not a prokaryote / bacterium.

Mark the set consistently

Award a point only when the idea is clearly present in the written answer. Correct any missed point in a complete sentence, then test the same skill on a different question several days later.

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