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IGCSEBiology
Trial Class

Original practice · 5 questions · 15 marks · about 17 minutes

Smoking and Lung Disease 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.

These questions test your understanding of how tobacco smoke damages the respiratory system and increases the risk of disease.

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 4 Both 4 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Name four harmful substances found in tobacco smoke and state the effect of each.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Tar: carcinogen, causes lung cancer; also damages cilia and alveoli.
    2. Nicotine: addictive substance; increases heart rate and blood pressure.
    3. Carbon monoxide: binds to haemoglobin (forming carboxyhaemoglobin), reducing oxygen-carrying capacity.
    4. Particulates: irritate airways and contribute to chronic bronchitis.

  2. Question 2

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 4/5

    Explain how smoking leads to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Tar and irritants damage the cilia lining the airways: mucus is not swept away.
    2. Mucus builds up, causing chronic bronchitis (persistent cough, infection).
    3. Chemicals destroy the walls of the alveoli: emphysema develops, reducing surface area for gas exchange.

  3. Question 3

    Paper 4 Both 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Explain why a smoker gets breathless more easily than a non-smoker during exercise.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Carbon monoxide in smoke reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
    2. Damaged alveoli (emphysema) reduce the surface area for gas exchange.
    3. Less oxygen reaches the muscles: aerobic respiration is limited.

  4. Question 4

    Paper 2 Core 2 marks Difficulty 2/5

    State two diseases linked to smoking.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Lung cancer.
    2. Chronic bronchitis / emphysema / COPD / coronary heart disease.

  5. Question 5

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 4/5

    Explain how carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke can harm a developing fetus during pregnancy.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Carbon monoxide crosses the placenta and binds to fetal haemoglobin.
    2. The fetus receives less oxygen: reduced aerobic respiration.
    3. This can lead to low birth weight, premature birth, or developmental problems.

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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