Question 1Multiple choice · 1 markA* challenge
Which are characteristics of all living organisms?
1 movement
2 excretion
3 photosynthesis
- A 1, 2 and 3
- B 1 and 2 only
- C 1 only
- D 2 only
Show answer
Answer: B
10 free IGCSE Biology Characteristics & Classification questions written in the style of Cambridge Biology papers: 2 multiple-choice and 8 structured, each with its answer and mark scheme. 4 of them are A* challenge questions, built to catch the mistakes strong students still make.
This topic covers Characteristics of living organisms, Classification, Features of organisms. Work through the questions below, then generate a full Characteristics & Classification paper with a fresh set every time.
Generate a full Characteristics & Classification paper →Which are characteristics of all living organisms?
1 movement
2 excretion
3 photosynthesis
Answer: B
Organisms are classified using their features.
1 Fungal cells have cell walls but no chloroplasts.
2 Insects have three pairs of jointed legs.
3 Ferns reproduce by producing seeds.
Which statements are correct?
Answer: B
A car moves, uses fuel and gives out waste gases, but it is not alive.
Explain why a car is not a living organism, using two characteristics of life.
Define excretion.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | cannot grow or reproduce; no sensitivity it cannot reproduce B1 it cannot grow (or respond to stimuli by itself / no cells) B1 | 2 |
| (b) | removal of waste products of metabolism and excess substances removal of the waste products of metabolism (toxic materials) B1 and substances in excess of requirements B1 | 2 |
Plants are divided into ferns and flowering plants.
State two features of ferns.
Distinguish between monocotyledons and dicotyledons using leaf and flower features.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | leaves called fronds; no flowers; spores fronds B1 reproduce by spores, no flowers B1 | 2 |
| (b) | parallel vs branched veins; petals in 3s vs 4s/5s monocots: parallel veins, flower parts in threes B1 dicots: branched/net veins, flower parts in fours/fives B1 | 2 |
A dichotomous key is used to identify organisms.
Explain what is meant by a dichotomous key.
Suggest two features that should be used in a key, and one that should not.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | series of paired statements a series of paired (two-choice) statements B1 leading to the identification of an organism B1 | 2 |
| (b) | visible permanent features; not colour/size permanent, visible features such as number of legs B1 presence of wings B1 not size/colour which vary B1 | 3 |
Lions (Panthera leo) and tigers (Panthera tigris) are classified in the same genus.
State the genus and the species of the lion.
Explain how the scientific names show the lion and tiger are closely related.
Define a species.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Panthera; leo genus Panthera B1 species leo B1 | 2 |
| (b) | same genus they share the same genus name B1 | 1 |
| (c) | group that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring a group of organisms that can reproduce B1 to produce fertile offspring B1 | 2 |
This question is about classification and DNA.
Organisms are classified using features and the sequence of bases in their DNA. Explain why organisms with very similar base sequences are likely to be closely related.
State the binomial name of a species and explain what each part refers to.
State two features that are found in all mammals but not in birds.
Describe the structure of a DNA molecule.
Outline how the sequence of bases in a gene controls the function of a cell.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | share a recent common ancestor; less time for mutations to accumulate they share a more recent common ancestor B1 so there has been less time for differences (mutations) to build up B1 | 2 |
| (b) | genus then species first part is the genus B1 second part is the species B1 | 2 |
| (c) | fur / hair; external ears (pinna); mammary glands; give birth to live young Any 2 of: fur / hair; mammary glands; external ears (pinnae); live young (most); different types of teeth B2 | 2 |
| (d) | two strands; double helix; bases; complementary pairs A–T, C–G; sequence forms genes two strands B1 coiled into a double helix B1 each strand has a sequence of bases B1 bases pair A with T and C with G (complementary) B1 | 4 |
| (e) | base sequence codes for amino acid sequence; mRNA copied in nucleus; ribosome; protein (enzyme) shape determines function the gene is copied as mRNA in the nucleus B1 mRNA moves to a ribosome in the cytoplasm B1 the base sequence determines the sequence of amino acids B1 this determines the protein (e.g. enzyme) made, which controls the cell’s activity B1 | 4 |
All living organisms share seven characteristics.
Name four characteristics of living organisms.
Define respiration.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, nutrition Any 4 of: any four of: movement; respiration; sensitivity; growth; reproduction; excretion; nutrition B4 | 4 |
| (b) | chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy the chemical reactions in cells B1 that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism B1 | 2 |
A seed is dry and does not seem to be alive. When planted in moist soil it germinates.
Suggest two characteristics of life that show the seed is alive once it germinates.
Define sensitivity.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | growth; respiration growth B1 respiration (nutrition, movement of shoot towards light) B1 | 2 |
| (b) | detect and respond to changes in environment the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment B2 | 2 |
This question is about classifying organisms.
List the seven characteristics of living organisms.
The lion is Panthera leo and the tiger is Panthera tigris. Explain what this binomial naming shows about the two species.
State two features that distinguish mammals from other vertebrates.
Explain why viruses are not classified in any of the five kingdoms.
Construct a dichotomous key to separate: a spider, a beetle, a crab and a centipede.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, nutrition all seven~B3 (five or six B2, three or four B1) B3 | 3 |
| (b) | same genus, different species; closely related both are in the genus Panthera B1 they are different species but closely related B1 | 2 |
| (c) | fur/hair; mammary glands; external ears (pinna) Any 2 of: fur / hair; mammary glands / feed young on milk; external ears; diaphragm B2 | 2 |
| (d) | not made of cells; cannot carry out life processes on their own viruses are not cells / have no cytoplasm or cell membrane B1 they can only reproduce inside host cells and do not show all the characteristics of life B1 | 2 |
| (e) | key based on legs: 8 legs spider; 6 legs beetle; 10 legs crab; many legs centipede each question has two contrasting answers B1 correct features, e.g. number of legs / body sections B1 all four organisms correctly separated B1 | 3 |
In the 0610 syllabus, Characteristics & Classification covers Characteristics of living organisms, Classification, Features of organisms.
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Meet Riyaz →Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in