IGCSE · Biology 0610 · Coordination & response

Sense organs: IGCSE Biology questions with answers

Free Sense organs questions for IGCSE Biology (0610), part of Coordination & response. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.

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Sense organs practice questions

Question 1Multiple choice · 1 markA* challenge

A person moves from a dark room into bright light.
What happens in the iris?

circular musclesradial musclespupil
Arelaxcontractbecomes smaller
Brelaxcontractbecomes larger
Ccontractrelaxbecomes larger
Dcontractrelaxbecomes smaller
Show answer

Answer: D

Question 2Multiple choice · 1 mark

Which term is described by this statement?
“The change in pupil diameter in response to light intensity.”

  1. A asexual reproduction
  2. B pupil reflex
  3. C accommodation
  4. D translocation
Show answer

Answer: B

Question 3Structured · 4 marksA* challenge

The eye changes shape to focus on near and distant objects.

(a)

Describe accommodation for a near object.

[3]
(b)

State the function of the optic nerve.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)ciliary muscles contract, ligaments slack, lens fatter
ciliary muscles contract B1
suspensory ligaments slacken B1
the lens becomes fatter/more convex, bending light more B1
3
(b)carries impulses to brain
carries impulses from the retina to the brain B1
1
Question 4Structured · 3 marks

The eye has several parts.

(a)

State the function of the cornea and the iris.

[2]
(b)

Name the area of the retina with the most cones.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)refracts light; controls pupil size
cornea refracts light B1
iris controls the amount of light entering (pupil size) B1
2
(b)fovea
fovea B1
1
Question 5Structured · 4 marks

The eye responds to light.

(a)

Describe the pupil reflex in bright light.

[3]
(b)

Name the cells in the retina that detect colour.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)circular muscles contract, radial relax, pupil smaller
circular muscles of the iris contract B1
radial muscles relax B1
the pupil gets smaller, letting in less light B1
3
(b)cones
cones B1
1
Question 6Structured · 11 marks

This question is about the eye.

(a)

State the functions of the cornea, the retina and the optic nerve.

[3]
(b)

Describe how the eye focuses on a near object.

[3]
(c)

Distinguish between the functions of rods and cones.

[2]
(d)

Explain why it is difficult to see colours in dim light.

[2]
(e)

Explain why there is a blind spot in each eye.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)cornea refracts light; retina contains light receptors; optic nerve carries impulses to brain
cornea refracts (bends) light B1
retina contains light-sensitive receptor cells (rods and cones) B1
optic nerve carries impulses to the brain B1
3
(b)ciliary muscles contract; suspensory ligaments slacken; lens becomes fatter, refracts more
ciliary muscles contract B1
suspensory ligaments become slack B1
the lens becomes thicker / more convex and refracts light more B1
3
(c)rods: dim light, black and white; cones: colour, bright light
rods detect light in dim light (no colour vision) B1
cones detect colour and work in bright light B1
2
(d)cones need bright light; rods do not detect colour
cones need bright light to work B1
rods work in dim light but do not distinguish colours B1
2
(e)no receptor cells where optic nerve leaves
there are no light receptors where the optic nerve leaves the retina B1
1

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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