Cambridge O Level Biology 5090/12 Past Paper for May/June 2025 offers a comprehensive assessment of biology concepts. It includes multiple-choice questions covering various topics such as cell structure, photosynthesis, and human physiology. This past paper is essential for students preparing for their O Level examinations, providing practice with exam-style questions. The document serves as a valuable resource for revision and understanding key biological principles.

Key Points

  • Includes 40 multiple-choice questions focused on key biology topics.
  • Covers essential concepts such as cellular processes and human anatomy.
  • Designed for Cambridge O Level Biology students preparing for exams.
  • Provides a practical resource for self-assessment and exam preparation.
Yousof
16 pages
Language:English
Type:Past Paper
Yousof
16 pages
Language:English
Type:Past Paper
Yousof
16 pages
Language:English
Type:Past Paper
400

Cambridge O Level Biology 5090/12 Past Paper May/June 2025 pdf

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This document has 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
IB25 06_5090_12/3RP
© UCLES 2025
[Turn ove
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*2098383416*
Cambridge O Level
BIOLOGY 5090/12
Paper 1 Multiple Choice May/June 2025
1 hour
You must answer on the multiple choice answer sheet.
You will need: Multiple choice answer sheet
Soft clean eraser
Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended)
INSTRUCTIONS
There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions.
For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose the one you consider correct
and record your choice in soft pencil on the multiple choice answer sheet.
Follow the instructions on the multiple choice answer sheet.
Write in soft pencil.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number on the multiple choice answer sheet in the
spaces provided unless this has been done for you.
Do not use correction fluid.
Do not write on any bar codes.
You may use a calculator.
INFORMATION
The total mark for this paper is 40.
Each correct answer will score one mark.
Any rough working should be done on this question paper.
2
© UCLES 2025 5090/12/M/J/25
1 A student observes a human egg cell through a light microscope.
The cell is 0.12
mm in diameter.
The student draws a diagram of this egg cell.
The diagram has a diameter of 4.2
cm.
What is the magnification of the drawing to the nearest whole number?
A 5 B 35 C 50 D 350
2 Which row correctly identifies a cell, a tissue, an organ and an organ system?
cell tissue organ organ system
A chloroplast mesophyll liver digestive
B sap vacuole red blood cell blood nervous
C red blood cell sap vacuole stomach liver
D neurone muscle leaf urinary
3 The diagram shows a species of arthropod.
Which group of arthropods does this species belong to?
A arachnids
B crustaceans
C insects
D myriapods
4 Which combination of factors will result in the fastest rate of diffusion across a membrane?
surface area of
the membrane
temperature
A small low
B small high
C large high
D large low
3
© UCLES 2025 5090/12/M/J/25 [Turn over
5 A leaf is taken from some pondweed (Elodea) and placed on a microscope slide.
A drop of sodium chloride solution is added.
The cells of the leaf are then viewed through a light microscope.
view through the microscope
microscope slide
drop of
sodium chloride
solution
Elodea
leaf
Which statement describes the cells viewed through the microscope?
A The cells are plasmolysed because water has moved in by osmosis.
B The cells are plasmolysed because water has moved out by osmosis.
C The cells are turgid because water has moved in by osmosis.
D The cells are turgid because water has moved out by osmosis.
6 What is an example of a biological catalyst?
A bile
B DNA
C insulin
D maltase
7 What will be the result if the active site of an enzyme is damaged?
A A different product is produced from the substrate.
B The enzyme cannot carry out its specific reaction.
C The enzyme can no longer collide with a substrate molecule.
D Enzymesubstrate complexes will form faster.
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FAQs

What is the magnification of a human egg cell drawing?
A student observes a human egg cell with a diameter of 0.12 mm, which is drawn with a diameter of 4.2 cm. To find the magnification, you divide the drawing size by the actual size. The calculation yields a magnification of approximately 35 times, making the correct answer B 35.
Which enzyme catalyzes the breakdown of its substrate at low pH?
In the context of digestion, pepsin is the enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of its substrate at an optimum rate in a low pH environment. This is significant because pepsin functions effectively in the acidic conditions of the stomach, where it plays a crucial role in protein digestion.
What is the balanced equation for photosynthesis?
The balanced equation for photosynthesis presented in the document is 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This equation illustrates the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, highlighting the importance of photosynthesis in energy production for plants.
What are the expected results of photosynthesis at different light intensities?
In an investigation of the rate of photosynthesis at varying light intensities, the expected results indicate that as the distance from the light source increases, the number of oxygen bubbles released per minute decreases. For instance, at 20 cm, 8 bubbles might be produced, while at 120 cm, only 4 bubbles are expected, reflecting the relationship between light intensity and photosynthesis efficiency.
What happens to the cells of an Elodea leaf in sodium chloride solution?
When a leaf from the pondweed Elodea is placed in sodium chloride solution, the cells become plasmolysed because water moves out of the cells by osmosis. This process occurs as the concentration of solutes outside the cell is higher than inside, leading to a loss of turgor pressure and causing the cells to shrink away from the cell wall.
What is the role of memory cells in immunity?
Memory cells are produced as a result of both active and passive immunity. They play a crucial role in the immune response by remembering specific antigens, allowing for a faster and more effective response upon subsequent exposures to the same pathogen. This mechanism is fundamental to the effectiveness of vaccines, as they stimulate the production of memory cells.
What is the effect of pulmonary stenosis on blood flow?
Pulmonary stenosis, caused by the narrowing of the entrance to the blood vessel leaving the right ventricle, leads to reduced blood flow primarily to the lungs. This condition can significantly impact the oxygenation of blood, as the right ventricle struggles to pump blood effectively through the narrowed pathway.