Home / iGCSE Biology (0610)-17.3 Meiosis – iGCSE Style Questions Paper 4

iGCSE Biology (0610)-17.3 Meiosis – iGCSE Style Questions Paper 4

IGCSE Biology (0610) Practice Questions Paper 4 - All Chapters

Question

Fig. 4.1 is a photograph of a bee on a flower. One of the bee’s legs is covered with pollen.

(a) (i) State three features of flowers that attract pollinating insects such as bees.

(ii) State one way that pollen grains are adapted for pollination by bees.

(b) Describe two ways the structure of a monocotyledonous plant differs from the structure of a dicotyledonous plant.

(c) Fig. 4.2 is a diagram of a cross-section of an insect-pollinated flower.

On Fig. 4.2, name and draw label lines to:

  • the structure that supports anther
  • a structure that protects the flower bud
  • an ovule.
(d) Describe sexual reproduction in a flower, from the release of pollen to the formation of a zygote.
(e) Sexual reproduction also occurs in humans.
(i) State the name of the male gamete in a human.
(ii) State where gametes are formed in the human male reproductive system.
(iii) Human male gametes are haploid. State the name of the process that produces haploid male gametes.
(iv) Describe the function of the prostate gland in the male reproductive system.
▶️ Answer/Explanation
Detailed solution

(a)(i) Features attracting insects:
The three main features are: 1. Scent (perfume to attract insects from a distance). 2. Nectar (a sugary food reward). 3. Large / colourful petals (visual attraction/landing platform).
Other accepted answers: Pollen (as a food source).

(a)(ii) Pollen adaptation:
Pollen grains in insect-pollinated flowers are sticky or spiky. This texture allows them to easily attach to the hairs on the insect’s legs and body (as seen in Fig 4.1) to be transported to the next flower.

(b) Monocots vs. Dicots:
Any two of the following differences:
• Leaves: Monocots have narrow/strap-like leaves with parallel veins, whereas dicots generally have broad leaves with a branching (reticulate) network of veins.
• Flower parts: Monocot petals usually appear in multiples of \(3\).
• Cotyledons: Monocots have \(1\) cotyledon (seed leaf) inside the seed, dicots have \(2\).
• Roots: Monocots have fibrous root systems.
• Stem: Vascular bundles are scattered in monocots (dicots have them in a ring).

(c) Labeling Fig 4.2:
Based on the flower diagram:
• Structure supporting anther: The Filament (the stalk holding up the anther).
• Structure protecting bud: The Sepal (the outermost leaves, often green).
• An ovule: The small structures inside the ovary at the base of the carpel.

(d) Sexual reproduction in a flower:
This process follows a specific sequence :
1. Pollination: Pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma.
2. Tube Growth: A pollen tube grows out of the pollen grain.
3. Journey: The tube grows down through the style towards the ovary.
4. Transport: The male nucleus (gamete) travels down the pollen tube.
5. Fertilisation: The pollen tube enters the ovule (via the micropyle), and the male nucleus fuses with the female nucleus (ovum).
6. Result: A zygote is formed.

(e) Human Reproduction:
(i) Male gamete: Sperm (cell).
(ii) Formation site: Testis (or testes).
(iii) Process: Meiosis (This is the specific type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half to create haploid gametes).
(iv) Prostate gland function: It secretes fluid (semen) which creates a medium for the sperm to swim and provides them with nutrients (sugar).

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