Sexual Reproduction in Humans (Cambridge O Level Biology)

Exam Questions

2 hours20 questions
1a
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4 marks
Fig. 1 is a diagram of the human female reproductive system.

cie-igcse-2018-febmar-q4a

Fig. 1

Table 1

function letter name
releases oestrogen    
site of fertilisation    
site of implantation    
dilates during the process of birth    

Complete Table 1 to show the letter and the name of each of the structures that perform these functions.

1b
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2 marks

Fertilisation is the fusion of the nuclei of a male gamete and a female gamete resulting in a zygote.

State the number of chromosomes present in a human:

(i)

Female gamete

[1]

(ii)

Zygote

[1]

1c
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3 marks

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Fig. 2 shows the number of reported cases of chlamydia in females in each age group in one country.

screenshot-2022-10-10-16-49-26

Fig. 2

Describe the results shown by the data in Fig. 2.

1d
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2 marks

Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium.

(i)

Suggest a treatment for chlamydia.

[1]

(ii)

State the name of one other STI.

[1]

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2a
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4 marks

Table 1 shows four structures associated with the human male reproductive system.

Complete Table 1 by identifying the level of organisation of each structure.

Choose your answers from the list.

CIE IGCSE 2019 May/June p4 Q4

Table 1

structure level of organisation
epithelium  
nucleus  
sperm  
testis  

2b
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5 marks
Fig. 1 shows the male reproductive system.

cie-igcse-2019-paper4-4b

Fig. 1

Table 2 shows information about the male reproductive system shown in Fig. 1.

Complete Table 2.

Table 2

name of structure function letter in Fig. 1
testis    
  transports sperm but not urine  
  tube for urine and seminal fluid through the penis  
prostate gland    
  contains the testes  

2c
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1 mark

Draw an X on Fig. 1 on the structure where meiosis occurs.

2d
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2 marks

Sperm and eggs each have a nucleus which is haploid.

(i)

Define the term haploid nucleus.

[1]

(ii)

State the number of chromosomes in a human haploid nucleus.

[1]

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3a
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1 mark

Fig. 1 shows a fetus developing inside the uterus.

cie-igcse-2020-specimen-p3-q3a-fetus

Fig. 1

The fetus developed from a fertilised egg cell

Put an X on Fig. 1 to show where an egg cell is normally fertilised.

3b
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2 marks
State the functions of the structures labelled A and B

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4a
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3 marks

Fig. 1 shows a diagram of part of the male reproductive system.

cie-igcse-2023-specimen-q5a

Fig. 1

State the letter on Fig. 1 that identifies:

(i)
Where sperm are made
[1]
(ii)
The part that carries urine and sperm out of the body
[1]
(iii)
Where the fluid that is added to the sperm is made

[1]

4b
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3 marks

Sperm must pass through different structures in the female reproductive system to reach an egg cell.

State the names of three of these structures.

4c
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3 marks

State three ways that sperm are adapted for their function.

4d
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3 marks

Sperm contain chromosomes. Chromosomes contain genes.

(i)

State all the possible sex chromosomes that normal sperm can contain.

[1]

(ii)

Complete the definition of the term gene.

Use words from the list.

Each word can only be used once or not at all.

carbohydrate            DNA           fat       

 nuclei           protein

A gene is a length of .............................................. that codes for a ...............................................

[2]

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5a
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3 marks

Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the human female reproductive system. 

2018-nov-s1-061031-q1

Fig. 1

Using letters A–F, identify the parts of the human female reproductive system in Fig. 1.

(i)

Where eggs are made.

[1]

(ii)

Where fertilisation occurs.

[1]

(iii)

Where implantation of the zygote occurs.

[1]

5b
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2 marks

Oestrogen is a hormone responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty.

(i)
State the name of the part of the female reproductive system that secretes oestrogen.

[1]

(ii)

Describe how the hormone oestrogen is transferred to its target organs.

[1]

5c
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4 marks

Table 1 shows some secondary sexual characteristics.

Place ticks (✓) in Table 1 to show which characteristics develop during puberty in boys and girls.

One row has been done for you. 

Table 1

secondary sexual characteristic boy girl
breasts grow   ✓
growth of sex organs    
growth of pubic hair    
start of menstruation    
voice deepens    

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6a
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4 marks
Fig. 1 shows the human female reproductive system.

cie-igcse-2018-s3-may-p3-q8a-female-reproductive-system

Fig. 1

Use the letters on Fig. 1 to identify:

  • The cervix
  • The oviduct
  • The uterus
  • The vagina

6b
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1 mark

On Fig. 1, write an X to show where female gametes are produced.

6c
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1 mark

State the name of the structure where fertilisation normally takes place.

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1a
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2 marks

Complete the sentences by stating the part of the human body that produces male gametes and the part that produces female gametes.

Male gametes are produced by the ........................................................................

Female gametes are produced by the ...................................................................

1b
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9 marks

Fig. 1 represents the early stages in the development of a female embryo.

o9inhF6M_097031-may-2019-paper-3-q6b-fertilisation---sq

Fig. 1

(i)
State the names of the cells labelled P, Q and S in Fig. 1.

[3]

(ii)
Complete Fig. 1 by writing the correct sex chromosomes in structures P, Q and S.
[3]
(iii)
State the names of processes R and T in Fig. 1.
[2]
(iv)
State the name of the organ in the body in which the female embryo develops.
[1]

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2a
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3 marks

Define the term sexual reproduction.

2b
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5 marks

Fig. 1 shows some organs in the body of a man.

0610p31q2b

Fig. 1

(i)

Complete Table 1 by writing in the names of the parts labelled A to D in Fig. 1. 

Table 1

letter on Fig. 1 name of part name of the substance or substances transported
A   faeces
B   sperm
C   sperm and urine
D   urine

[4]

(ii)
On Fig. 1 draw a label line to the prostate gland and label it P.
[1]
2c
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1 mark

State the function of the scrotum.

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3a
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4 marks

Fig. 1 is a diagram of the human female reproductive system.

lTgY0AA6_061041-may-2018-paper-4-q6a-female-reproductive-system---sq

Fig. 1

(i)

Complete Table 1 by stating the letter from Fig. 1 that identifies the structure where each process occurs.

Table 1

process letter from Fig. 1
 meiosis  
 fertilisation  
 implantation  

[3]

(ii)

State the name of the part of the female reproductive system labelled S in Fig. 1.

[1]

3b
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2 marks

Extended Only

Fig. 2 is a diagram of a human sperm cell.

061041-may-2018-paper-4-q6b-sperm-cell---sq

Fig. 2

(i)

Write the formula that would be used to calculate the magnification of the diagram.

[1]

(ii)

The actual length of the sperm cell in Fig. 2 is 0.055mm.

Convert this value to micrometres (μm).

Space for working.

___________ µm  [1]

3c
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2 marks

Explain why the nuclei of sperm cells differ from those of other cells in the male.

3d
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6 marks

Explain the roles of the flagellum, the mitochondria and the acrosome in sperm cells.

3e
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2 marks

Explain why the sex of a child is determined by its father.

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4a
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3 marks

Glycogen is a storage carbohydrate in animals. Glycogen is made from glucose.

(i)
Cells that convert glucose to glycogen contain many mitochondria.
Suggest why these cells contain many mitochondria.

[2]

(ii)
State the type of biological molecule that catalyses reactions such as the conversion of glycogen to glucose.
[1]
4b
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3 marks

A fetus needs glucose to make glycogen. 

Describe how a fetus obtains glucose.

4c
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11 marks

Fig. 1 shows the concentration of glycogen in the fetus of a domestic cat during pregnancy and immediately after birth.

L2t3bxmA_image

Fig. 1

Hormones stimulate changes in the concentration of glycogen in the fetus.

(i)

Define the term hormone.

[3]

(ii)

Calculate the percentage increase in the glycogen concentration in the fetus between day 10 and birth in Fig. 1.

Give your answer to the nearest whole number.

Show your working.

[2]
(iii)

Describe the changes in glycogen concentration shown in Fig. 1 and explain how hormones in the fetus cause these changes.

Use data from Fig. 1 to support your answer.

[6]

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1a
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4 marks

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that commonly occurs in women of reproductive age. It is characterised by hormonal imbalances that affect the menstrual cycle of women with this condition.

Fig. 1 compares the levels of FSH and LH in a normal menstrual cycle with the levels seen in the cycle of a woman with PCOS.


hormone-level

Fig. 1

Use the information in Fig. 1 to explain the effect that PCOS would have on the ovaries of a woman.

[4]

1b
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2 marks

Women with PCOS will often struggle with infertility.

Suggest a possible reason for this.

1c
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4 marks

Fig. 2 shows changes in the thickening of the uterus wall lining in two women X and Y.

wall-thicckness

Fig. 2

Suggest an explanation for the difference in the thickness of the uterus wall lining between woman X and Y in Fig. 2.

1d
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6 marks

Outline how the levels of LH and progesterone will differ between woman X and Y during the next calendar month (assume a normal menstrual cycle for woman Y). 

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