Biology
Each subtopic includes About section, revision page link, 10 preview questions, and practice CTAs.
Cell Structure and Organization
SubtopicCell Structure and Organization under Biology for Grade 8 IGCSE.
Preview questions (no answers)
- 1.
Which of the following is a function of the cell membrane?
A.Making food by photosynthesis
B.Controlling the movement of substances into the cell
C.Providing a rigid structure
D.Storing all the cell's waste
- 2.
Which cell type is irregular in shape and can change shape easily?
A.Palisade cell
B.Root hair cell
C.Animal cell
D.Bacterial cell
- 3.
In the hierarchy of organization, which comes directly after tissue?
A.Cell
B.Organ
C.Organ system
D.Organism
- 4.
What is the name of the fluid found inside the vacuole of a plant cell?
A.Cytoplasm
B.Cell sap
C.Chlorophyll
D.Hemoglobin
- 5.
Which of these specialized cells is found in the leaf and contains many chloroplasts for photosynthesis?
A.Root hair cell
B.Palisade mesophyll cell
C.Xylem cell
D.Red blood cell
- 6.
Which part of the microscope is the slide placed on for observation?
A.The base
B.The stage
C.The eyepiece
D.The arm
- 7.
If a cell lacks mitochondria, what process would it be unable to perform efficiently?
A.Photosynthesis
B.Aerobic respiration
C.Protein synthesis
D.DNA replication
- 8.
Identify the organelle that would be found in a leaf mesophyll cell but NOT in a root hair cell.
A.Nucleus
B.Chloroplast
C.Mitochondria
D.Cell Wall
- 9.
A student calculates the magnification of a drawing. The actual length of the object is and the drawing is cm long. What is the magnification?
A.B.C.D. - 10.
The magnification of an electron microscope is much higher than that of a light microscope. What is the main reason for this?
A.Electron microscopes use light with a shorter wavelength
B.Electron microscopes use a beam of electrons which has a much shorter wavelength than light
C.Electron microscopes use more powerful glass lenses
D.Electron microscopes can only see dead specimens
Download the worksheet for Biology - Cell Structure and Organization to practice offline. It includes additional chapter-level practice questions.
Photosynthesis and Plant Growth
SubtopicPhotosynthesis and Plant Growth under Biology for Grade 8 IGCSE.
Preview questions (no answers)
- 1.
During the day, which gas is a plant most likely taking in for photosynthesis?
A.Oxygen
B.Carbon dioxide
C.Nitrogen
D.Argon
- 2.
What provides the carbon atoms found in a glucose molecule produced by a plant?
A.Water
B.Soil nutrients
C.Carbon dioxide
D.Sunlight
- 3.
Which of these is a correct description of the palisade mesophyll cells?
A.Tightly packed and full of chloroplasts
B.Loosely packed with many air spaces
C.Circular and containing no nucleus
D.Located at the very bottom of the leaf
- 4.
How does carbon dioxide enter the leaf for photosynthesis?
A.Active transport through the roots
B.Diffusion through the stomata
C.Osmosis through the cuticle
D.Evaporation from the xylem
- 5.
A student monitors the growth of a young tree in a large pot for five years. The tree's mass increases by 75 kg, while the mass of the soil remains almost the same, as shown in the diagram. Based on the process of photosynthesis, which combination of substances provides the majority of the matter (atoms) for this new growth?
A.Minerals and nutrients absorbed from the soil
B.Oxygen gas from the atmosphere and sunlight energy
C.Carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil
D.Starch molecules already present in the seed and heat energy
- 6.
Which of these environmental changes would most likely increase the rate of photosynthesis in a greenhouse?
A.Decreasing the temperature to
B.Increasing the carbon dioxide concentration
C.Using green light bulbs instead of white light
D.Reducing the amount of water provided to the plants
- 7.
What is the term for the process where plants use light energy to make their own food?
A.Respiration
B.Transpiration
C.Photosynthesis
D.Germination
- 8.
In a leaf, which of the following is an adaptation specifically for 'shortening the diffusion pathway' for carbon dioxide?
A.The presence of a thick waxy cuticle.
B.The thinness of the leaf from top to bottom.
C.The presence of large amounts of chlorophyll.
D.The vertical orientation of the palisade cells.
- 9.
What is the significance of 'turgor pressure' in guard cells for the process of photosynthesis?
A.High turgor pressure closes the stomata to prevent gas entry.
B.High turgor pressure opens the stomata to allow entry.
C.Low turgor pressure opens the stomata to allow water entry.
D.Turgor pressure has no effect on gas exchange.
- 10.
Which of the following would be an appropriate 'control' for an experiment measuring the effect of light intensity on photosynthesis?
A.A plant of a different species in the same light.
B.The same setup but with a boiled (dead) plant.
C.Varying the temperature while keeping light constant.
D.Removing the source from the water.
Download the worksheet for Biology - Photosynthesis and Plant Growth to practice offline. It includes additional chapter-level practice questions.
Human Reproduction and Puberty
SubtopicHuman Reproduction and Puberty under Biology for Grade 8 IGCSE.
Preview questions (no answers)
- 1.
What is the purpose of the muscular walls of the uterus?
A.To produce eggs
B.To contract and push the baby out during birth
C.To filter the mother's blood
D.To produce testosterone
- 2.
Which organ is responsible for producing the female sex cells?
A.Uterus
B.Ovary
C.Cervix
D.Vagina
- 3.
In the menstrual cycle, if day 1 is the start of the period, on which day approximately does an egg get released?
A.Day 1
B.Day 7
C.Day 14
D.Day 28
- 4.
Which of these is a chemical substance that can harm a developing fetus if taken by the mother?
A.Oxygen
B.Alcohol
C.Water
D.Fruit juice
- 5.
In the process of fertilization shown in the diagram, once a sperm cell (A) passes through the jelly coat (B) and touches the egg cell membrane (C), a chemical change occurs in structure B. What is the primary purpose of this change?
A.To help the egg cell move through the oviduct more quickly
B.To provide a source of food for the zygote as it divides
C.To prevent any further sperm cells from entering the egg
D.To signal the uterus to begin breaking down its lining
- 6.
What is the term for the average time a human pregnancy lasts (about 40 weeks)?
A.Lactation
B.Menstruation
C.Gestation
D.Ovulation
- 7.
Which gland produces hormones that signal the ovaries and testes to start puberty?
A.Pituitary gland
B.Adrenal gland
C.Thyroid gland
D.Pancreas
- 8.
During pregnancy, the placenta secretes high levels of progesterone to ensure that the body does not start a new menstrual cycle. The following flowchart represents the hormonal regulation involved in this process. Which row correctly identifies the action of the pituitary gland () and the resulting state of the ovaries ()?
A.X: Stimulation of FSH secretion | Y: Multiple follicles begin to mature
B.X: Inhibition of FSH secretion | Y: No new follicles are matured
C.X: Stimulation of LH secretion | Y: Ovulation occurs immediately
D.X: Inhibition of oestrogen secretion | Y: The uterine lining is shed
- 9.
Which of these describes the process of 'ovulation'?
A.The fusion of an egg and a sperm.
B.The release of a mature egg from an ovary.
C.The shedding of the lining of the uterus.
D.The movement of sperm through the cervix.
- 10.
What is the primary role of FSH in the male reproductive system?
A.To stimulate the development of facial hair.
B.To stimulate the testes to produce sperm.
C.To cause the voice to deepen during puberty.
D.To trigger the release of adrenaline.
Download the worksheet for Biology - Human Reproduction and Puberty to practice offline. It includes additional chapter-level practice questions.
Inheritance and DNA
SubtopicInheritance and DNA under Biology for Grade 8 IGCSE.
Preview questions (no answers)
- 1.
Which molecule is the main component of chromosomes?
A.Glucose
B.DNA
C.Hemoglobin
D.Insulin
- 2.
How many pairs of chromosomes does a typical human cell contain?
A.46 pairs
B.23 pairs
C.12 pairs
D.2 pairs
- 3.
Which of these traits cannot be passed down to offspring?
A.Curly hair
B.Green eyes
C.A broken arm
D.Skin color
- 4.
What is the result when a sperm cell and an egg cell join together?
A.A gene
B.A mutation
C.A fertilized egg (zygote)
D.An embryo with 23 chromosomes
- 5.
What is the name of the process where the DNA code is used to assemble amino acids into a protein?
A.Replication
B.Mutation
C.Translation
D.Fertilization
- 6.
Identical twins have the exact same DNA because...
A.They were raised in the same environment
B.They developed from a single fertilized egg that split
C.They share the same placenta
D.They inherited the same alleles from only one parent
- 7.
If two parents are both carriers () for a recessive genetic disorder, what is the probability they will have a child who is also a carrier?
A.B.C.D. - 8.
In a family of four children, all four are girls. What is the probability that the next child born to this family will be a boy?
A.1/32
B.1/16
C.1/4
D.1/2
- 9.
Which component of the DNA nucleotide varies among the four different types of nucleotides?
A.The phosphate group
B.The deoxyribose sugar
C.The nitrogenous base
D.The hydrogen bond
- 10.
Which of these is a major difference between Mitosis and Meiosis?
A.Mitosis produces four cells, while meiosis produces two.
B.Mitosis results in genetic variation, while meiosis results in clones.
C.Mitosis produces diploid cells, while meiosis produces haploid cells.
D.Mitosis involves two divisions, while meiosis involves only one.
Download the worksheet for Biology - Inheritance and DNA to practice offline. It includes additional chapter-level practice questions.
Ecosystems, Food Webs, and Adaptation
SubtopicEcosystems, Food Webs, and Adaptation under Biology for Grade 8 IGCSE.
Preview questions (no answers)
- 1.
Which of the following describes the term 'interdependence' in an ecosystem?
A.Organisms living completely alone
B.Organisms relying on each other for survival
C.The study of rocks and soil
D.The way the sun creates light
- 2.
What do we call a consumer that eats only meat?
A.Herbivore
B.Carnivore
C.Omnivore
D.Producer
- 3.
Webbed feet are an adaptation most commonly found in animals that live in which environment?
A.Deserts
B.High mountains
C.Aquatic or wetland environments
D.Deep caves
- 4.
Which of the following is NOT an abiotic factor?
A.Soil pH
B.Sunlight intensity
C.Bacteria
D.Wind speed
- 5.
In a balanced aquarium containing aquatic plants and fish, the levels of dissolved gases are usually kept stable. If the aquarium is placed in total darkness for 24 hours, how will the concentrations of dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide most likely change?
A.Oxygen levels will increase and carbon dioxide levels will decrease.
B.Oxygen levels will decrease and carbon dioxide levels will increase.
C.Both oxygen and carbon dioxide levels will increase significantly.
D.Both oxygen and carbon dioxide levels will decrease significantly.
- 6.
Legumes, such as pea plants, have a unique relationship with specialized bacteria found in their root nodules. The bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates that the plant can use for growth, while the plant provides the bacteria with carbohydrates. How is this biological relationship classified?
A.Commensalism
B.Parasitism
C.Mutualism
D.Predation
- 7.
In a specific grassland ecosystem, both the Weasel and the Stoat hunt the same population of Voles. If a disease specifically targets and reduces the Weasel population, what is the most likely consequence for the Stoat population?
A.The Stoat population will increase because there is less competition for Voles.
B.The Stoat population will decrease because Weasels are their primary food source.
C.The Stoat population will remain unchanged as they occupy a different niche.
D.The Stoat population will decrease due to a lack of available mates.
- 8.
In the carbon cycle, which process is the only one that removes from the atmosphere?
A.Respiration
B.Combustion
C.Photosynthesis
D.Decomposition
- 9.
Which of the following is a behavioral adaptation that helps an animal avoid predation?
A.The presence of sharp spines on a hedgehog
B.A butterfly having 'eye spots' on its wings
C.A pufferfish inflating its body when threatened
D.An opossum 'playing dead' when it encounters a predator
- 10.
In a food web, what is the role of a 'Keystone Species'?
A.It is always the most abundant species in the ecosystem
B.It is the species that occupies the lowest trophic level
C.It is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance
D.It is an invasive species that destroys the local balance
Download the worksheet for Biology - Ecosystems, Food Webs, and Adaptation to practice offline. It includes additional chapter-level practice questions.
Preview questions (no answers)
- 1.
Which of these is a major cause of liver cirrhosis?
A.Excessive sugar intake
B.Lack of exercise
C.Long-term alcohol abuse
D.High salt intake
- 2.
Which of the following is an example of a non-communicable disease?
A.Diabetes
B.Chickenpox
C.Measles
D.The common cold
- 3.
The immune system is the body's defense against:
A.Nutrient deficiencies
B.Infectious diseases
C.Physical injuries
D.Inherited disorders
- 4.
What is the name for the period of time between catching a pathogen and the appearance of the first symptoms?
A.Recovery period
B.Incubation period
C.Immune period
D.Vaccination period
- 5.
How does the body react to a 'secondary' infection by the same pathogen?
A.The response is slower because the body is tired
B.The response is much faster and stronger due to memory cells
C.The body ignores the pathogen and focuses on the skin
D.The body stops producing white blood cells
- 6.
What is 'herd immunity'?
A.When a disease is passed from animals to humans
B.When enough people are vaccinated to stop a disease from spreading through the population
C.When every single person in a country is immune to a disease
D.When animals are given antibiotics to prevent them from getting sick
- 7.
Which of the following is a result of emphysema, often caused by smoking?
A.Increased surface area of the alveoli for better oxygen uptake
B.Reduced surface area of the alveoli, making breathing difficult
C.Faster movement of cilia in the trachea
D.Increased production of red blood cells
- 8.
Which of the following is a symptom of the body's non-specific internal defense system in response to an injury?
A.Production of specific antibodies against the object that caused the injury.
B.Inflammation and increased blood flow to the area to bring more phagocytes.
C.Development of a fever to kill the viruses that caused the physical cut.
D.The immediate creation of memory cells to prevent future injuries of the same type.
- 9.
In the treatment of a bacterial infection, why is 'sensitivity testing' (using antibiotic discs on an agar plate) performed in a lab?
A.To see if the bacteria can grow without any nutrients.
B.To determine which specific antibiotic is most effective at killing that particular strain of bacteria.
C.To check if the patient is allergic to the antibiotic before giving it to them.
D.To calculate the exact number of bacteria present in the patient's blood.
- 10.
What is the role of 'memory cells' in providing long-term immunity?
A.They store copies of the pathogen's DNA so the body can recognize it.
B.They stay in the blood for a long time and can quickly produce antibodies if the same pathogen enters again.
C.They are a type of phagocyte that can remember how to digest specific toxins.
D.They prevent pathogens from entering the body by strengthening the skin.
Download the worksheet for Biology - Health and Disease to practice offline. It includes additional chapter-level practice questions.