10 free IGCSE Biology Reproduction questions written in the style of Cambridge Biology papers: 4 multiple-choice and 6 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 Asexual & sexual reproduction, Reproduction in plants, Reproduction in humans, Sex hormones, Sexually transmitted infections. Work through the questions below, then generate a full Reproduction paper with a fresh set every time.
Generate a full Reproduction paper →Which hormone maintains the lining of the uterus, and which hormone stimulates ovulation?
| maintains uterus lining | stimulates ovulation | |
|---|---|---|
| A | LH | progesterone |
| B | progesterone | LH |
| C | oestrogen | FSH |
| D | FSH | LH |
Answer: B
Where do fertilisation and implantation take place in humans?
| fertilisation | implantation | |
|---|---|---|
| A | ovary | uterus lining |
| B | uterus lining | uterus lining |
| C | uterus | oviduct |
| D | oviduct | uterus lining |
Answer: D
What does an ovule develop into after fertilisation?
Answer: B
Which hormone causes ovulation?
Answer: C
A strawberry plant grows runners that form new plants.
Name this type of reproduction.
Explain why the new plants are genetically identical to the parent.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | asexual asexual reproduction B1 | 1 |
| (b) | mitosis, no fertilisation they are produced by mitosis B1 there is no fusion of gametes B1 | 2 |
The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones.
Name the hormones produced by the ovary.
State the role of FSH and LH.
Explain why progesterone stays high during pregnancy.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | oestrogen and progesterone oestrogen B1 progesterone B1 | 2 |
| (b) | FSH: follicle develops; LH: ovulation FSH causes an egg/follicle to mature B1 LH causes ovulation B1 | 2 |
| (c) | maintains uterus lining to maintain the uterus lining B1 preventing menstruation B1 | 2 |
This question is about asexual and sexual reproduction.
Define asexual reproduction.
Give two examples of asexual reproduction in plants.
Give two advantages and two disadvantages of asexual reproduction for a plant species in the wild.
Explain why sexual reproduction produces variation.
Explain why gametes must be haploid.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | one parent; offspring genetically identical process resulting in genetically identical offspring B1 from one parent B1 | 2 |
| (b) | runners (strawberry); tubers (potato); bulbs; cuttings Any 2 of: runners (strawberry); tubers (potato); bulbs (onion); cuttings B2 | 2 |
| (c) | fast, one parent; well-adapted features kept; no variation, disease can wipe out; overcrowding advantages: only one parent needed / rapid B1 offspring keep features suited to the habitat B1 disadvantages: no genetic variation so poor adaptation to change / all susceptible to the same disease B1 offspring may compete with parent (overcrowding) B1 | 4 |
| (d) | gametes formed by meiosis, genetically different; random fertilisation meiosis produces genetically different gametes B1 random fusion of gametes at fertilisation B1 | 2 |
| (e) | so the zygote has the diploid number so that when two gametes fuse the zygote has the normal diploid number of chromosomes B2 | 2 |
An insect-pollinated flower has large, brightly coloured petals.
Explain how the petals help pollination.
Distinguish between self-pollination and cross-pollination.
Give one disadvantage of self-pollination.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | attract insects bright colours/scent attract insects B1 which carry pollen to other flowers B1 | 2 |
| (b) | same plant vs different plant self: pollen transferred to stigma of same flower/plant B1 cross: to a flower on a different plant of the same species B1 | 2 |
| (c) | less variation less genetic variation B1 | 1 |
This question is about reproduction in flowering plants.
Define pollination.
Describe two differences between insect-pollinated and wind-pollinated flowers.
Describe what happens after a pollen grain lands on the stigma, leading to fertilisation.
Distinguish between self-pollination and cross-pollination.
Explain why cross-pollination is an advantage to a species if the environment changes.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | transfer of pollen from anther to stigma the transfer of pollen grains from an anther to a stigma B1 | 1 |
| (b) | insect: large coloured petals, nectar; wind: small dull, feathery stigma outside, anthers hang out Any 2 of: insect-pollinated have large coloured / scented petals and nectaries, wind-pollinated have small dull petals; wind-pollinated have feathery stigmas / anthers hanging outside the flower; wind-pollinated produce large amounts of light pollen B2 | 2 |
| (c) | pollen tube grows down the style; to the ovule through micropyle; male nucleus fuses with female nucleus a pollen tube grows from the pollen grain down through the style B1 it enters the ovule (through the micropyle) B1 the male nucleus fuses with the female nucleus (fertilisation) B1 | 3 |
| (d) | self: same flower/plant; cross: different plant of same species self-pollination: pollen from the same flower or plant B1 cross-pollination: pollen from a different plant of the same species B1 | 2 |
| (e) | more genetic variation; some offspring may have advantageous features; species more likely to survive cross-pollination produces more genetic variation B1 some offspring are more likely to have features suited to the new conditions B1 so the species is more likely to survive (adapt) B1 | 3 |
HIV is a sexually transmitted infection.
Describe two ways in which HIV can be transmitted.
Explain how HIV affects the immune system.
Suggest two ways of controlling the spread of STIs.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | unprotected sex; shared needles; mother to child Any 2 of: unprotected sexual intercourse; sharing needles; mother to baby (birth/breastfeeding); blood transfusion B2 | 2 |
| (b) | destroys lymphocytes HIV infects and destroys lymphocytes B1 the body cannot make enough antibodies, leading to AIDS B1 | 2 |
| (c) | condoms; screening; education Any 2 of: use of condoms; testing/screening and treatment; education; limiting number of sexual partners B2 | 2 |
In the 0610 syllabus, Reproduction covers Asexual & sexual reproduction, Reproduction in plants, Reproduction in humans, Sex hormones, Sexually transmitted infections.
This page has 10 Reproduction questions with answers. For more, the free generator on mentorriyaz.in builds a new Reproduction paper with a full mark scheme each time you click.
Riyaz Shaikh has mentored IGCSE, IB and A Level students for 15+ years, one-on-one, online and in Mumbai. The hardest questions on this site are the ones he uses to find a student's weak points.
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