Characteristics and
Classification of Living
Organisms
Level IGCSE
Subject Biology
Exam Board CIE
Topic Characteristics and Classification of Living Organisms
Paper Type (Extended) Theory Paper
Booklet Question Paper 1
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1 Fig. 2.1 is an electron micrograph showing the bacteria, Vibrio cholerae.
Fig. 2.1
(a) (i) Bacteria are prokaryotes.
State two distinguishing features of all prokaryotes.
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[2]
(ii) The bacteria shown in Fig. 2.1 each have a flagellum.
Suggest the function of the flagellum in bacteria.
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2 (a) Fig. 1.1 shows five species of mollusc.
Fig. 1.1
Use the key to identify each species. Write the letter of each species (A to E) in the correct
box beside the key.
Key
1 (a) body is completely or partly covered in a shell go to 2
(b) body is not completely covered or partly covered in a shell Limax flavus
2 (a) shell is attached to rocks by thin threads Mytilus edulis
(b) shell is not attached to rocks by thin threads go to 3
3 (a) shell is a spire that comes to a point Buccinum undatum
(b) shell is not a spire that comes to a point go to 4
4 (a) animal has tentacles Nautilus pompilius
(b) animal has 2 tentacles Planorbis planorbis
[3]
(b) State two features that are shown by all molluscs.
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[Total: 5]
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3 F ig. 1.1 shows seven different species of amphibian.
A B
C D
E F
not drawn to scale
G
Fig. 1.1
(a) Use the key to identify each species. Write the letter of each species (A to G) in the correct box
beside the key. One has been done for you.
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Key
1
long, narrow body, with or without legs go to 2
(a)
body not long and narrow, back legs are larger than
the front legs go to 5
(b)
2
body without legs Gymnopis multiplicata B
(a)
(b) body with legs which are all of the same size go to 3
3
raised crest along the back of the body Triturus cristatus
(a)
(b) no crest along the back of the body go to 4
4
gills present Necturus maculosus
(a)
(b) no gills present Ambystoma tigrinum
5
skin is smooth go to 6
(a)
Oreophrynella
(b) skin is not smooth quelchii
6 Polypedates
digits end in swellings leucomystax
(a)
(b) digits do not end in round swellings Rana temporaria
[3]
(b) Many amphibian species throughout the world are endangered.
Suggest three reasons why many amphibian species are endangered.
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[3]
[Total: 6]
4 Fig. 1.1 shows seven lizards that are at risk of becoming extinct.
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(a) (i) Name the vertebrate group that contains lizards.
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(ii) Use the key to identify each species. Write the letter of each species (A to G) in the correct
box beside the key. One has been done for you.
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key
1 (a) feet with three toes go to 2
(b) feet with five toes go to 3
2 (a) has a collar or crest on head go to 4
(b) has no collar or crest on head Chalcides minutus
3 (a) spikes along back go to 5
(b) no spikes along back go to 6
4 (a) ridges extend along back and tail Brookesia perarmata
(b) no ridges along back or tail Calumma parsonii
5 (a) blunt, rounded head Amblyrhynchus
cristatus
(b) elongated head Cyclura lewisi
6 (a) large raised scales on skin Abronia graminea
(b) scales on skin are not large or raised Varanus komodoensis D
[3]
(b) The effect of humans on the environment has caused the populations of the lizard species in
Fig. 1.1 to decrease.
Explain why conserving lizards is important.
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5 Myriapods are a group of arthropods that are commonly found in soil habitats in many parts of the
world. Many myriapods are very small and not easy to identify.
Fig. 6.1 shows four species of myriapod, not drawn to the same scale.
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Polydesmus Cylindroiulus Scutigera Scolopocryptops denticulatus punctatus coleoptrata
sexspinosus
Fig. 6.1
(a) State three features of all myriapods that are visible in Fig. 6.1.
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[3]
(b) Describe three features of myriapods that could be used to make a dichotomous key to
distinguish between the four species in Fig. 6.1.
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