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Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study Guide

Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study Guide is designed for
students taking the Cambridge IGCSE Biology examination. Following the
latest IGCSE Biology 0610 specification, this study guide covers all the
required topics in the Core and Extended curriculum. Written by highly
experienced biology specialists, this book is the ideal resource for
self-study, revision or classroom use.

Key Features:
∙ Concise notes with clear illustrations and diagrams
∙ Common mistakes to highlight and correct misconceptions
∙ End-of-chapter questions for effective exam preparation Core & Extended
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Cambridge IGCSE

Core & Extended

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Biology
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 Cambridge
International
Examinations

Core and Extended

Cambridge IGCSE

Biology
Study Guide Scan the QR code for answers to all practice and
Practice Test Paper 2 and 4 questions.

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 Features 1
Chapter

Characteristics and classification

of living organisms Chapter

Each chapter begins with a brief

checklist of topics that will be
1 Characteristics and classification
of living organisms
The world is filled with a profusion of different living organisms with an enormous
variety of sizes, shapes, and modes of life. In this chapter you will learn how
biologists bring order to this great variety using various classification techniques.
The world is filled with a profusion of different living organisms with an enormous
variety of sizes, shapes, and modes of life. In this chapter you will learn how
biologists bring order to this great variety using various classification techniques.

covered in that chapter. This chapter covers: This chapter covers:

✓ the seven characteristics of living organisms

✓ the seven characteristics of living organisms

For those who are doing Extended level
biology, we have clearly indicated these Viruses
additional sections with a pink side-bar. These
sections
Cambridge IGCSE can be safely ignored by studentsnot have cell structures. Characteristics of viruses to remember:
Biology Study Guide
✓ the seven principal taxa
✓ the five kingdoms along with their main subdivisions
Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study Guide
✓ the seven principal taxa ✓ the special status of viruses and the reasons for this status
✓ the dichotomous key
✓ the five kingdoms along with their main subdivisions
✓ the special status of viruses and the reasons for this status
Viruses are not placed in any of the five kingdoms as they are usually
✓ the dichotomous key
not considered as living organisms. They have no metabolism and do

following the core part of the syllabus only.▶ Viruses are very small, even smaller than bacteria.
1.3 Features of organisms Figure 1.20 Electron micrograph
▶ They have a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
▶ They have no cellular structure, but have a protein coat that
of influenza virus
Although the Earth is inhabited by a huge variety of living organisms, all living organisms surrounds a nucleic acid core.
Figure 1.21 An HIV particle
Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study Guide Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study Guide attacking a cell
are composed of cells enclosed by a cell membrane and with cytoplasm within the cells (see
Chapter 2.1). Also, all organisms use DNA as genetic material. Moreover, living organisms ▶ The nucleic acids in viruses can be either DNA or RNA.
1.3 allFeatures of organisms Viruses
contain ribosomes for protein synthesis and enzymes involved in metabolic reactions.
Although the Earth is inhabited by a huge variety of living organisms, all living organisms
are composed of cells enclosed by a cell membrane and with cytoplasm within the cells (see
▶ They
Viruses are not placed
WHAT'S MORE
caninonly replicate
any of the five kingdomsinside usually host cells, and are therefore regarded as parasitic.
as they areliving
not considered as living organisms. They have no metabolism and do
not have cell structures. Characteristics of viruses to remember:
Viruses rely on raw materials
The five kingdoms
Chapter 2.1). Also, all organisms use DNA as genetic material. Moreover, living organisms
from the host for replication.
all contain ribosomes for protein synthesis and enzymes involved in metabolic reactions.
Examples of viruses:
▶ Viruses are very small, even smaller than bacteria.
▶ They have a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Biologists
The five
They harm the host
kingdoms classify organisms according to their structures and functions,
when
Figure and
1.20 Electron put▶▶them
micrograph tobacco mosaic virus, which causes ▶ influenza virus, which causes influenza in
present inside it. of influenza virus They have no cellular structure, but have a protein coat that
into kingdoms: Plant, Animal, Fungus, Protoctist and Prokaryote. Table 1.1 illustrates
Biologists classify organisms according to their structures and functions, and put them discolouring of the leaves of tobacco Figureattacking
thea nucleic acid core.
surrounds a cell
humans
1.21 An HIV particle

into kingdoms: Plant, Animal, Fungus, Protoctist and Prokaryote. Table 1.1 illustrates the
▶ The nucleic acids in viruses can be either DNA or RNA.
structural features and metabolism of each kingdom: plants by preventing the formation of
structural features and metabolism of each kingdom:
▶ HIV, which causes AIDS
WHAT'S MORE ▶ They can only
chloroplasts
replicate inside living host cells, and are therefore regarded as parasitic.

COMMON MISTAKE Features Plant Animal Fungus Protoctist

Prokaryote Viruses rely on raw materials
▶ phages, which invade bacteria
COMMON MISTAKE
Examples of viruses:
(Bacteria) from the host for replication.
Table 1.1 states that not all
They harm the host when Prokaryote
▶ tobacco mosaic virus, which causes ▶ influenza virus, which causes influenza in
Nucleus Features Plant ✓ Animal ✗ Fungus Protoctist
organisms have cells with
✓ ✓ ✓ present inside it.
cell walls. All cells have a cell discolouring of the leaves of tobacco humans
membrane, however.
Table 1.1 states that not all Cell walls
(Bacteria)
plants by preventing the formation of
✓ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✓ ▶ HIV, which causes AIDS

1.4 Dichotomous keys

chloroplasts
organisms haveWHAT'S cellsMORE with Organisation Multicellular Multicellular Multicellular Single-celled Single-celled ▶ phages, which invade bacteria
cell walls. All cells have a arecell Nucleus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
Single-celled organisms Photosynthetic ✓ ✗ ✗ Some Some
membrane, organisms.
however.
also known as unicellular
1.4 Dichotomous keys
Pathogenic
Cell walls ✓Some ✗ ✓ ✗ ✓
A dichotomous key is a useful tool for identifying organisms when a detailed analysis of
EXAM TIPSingle-celled
(can cause ✗ ✗ Some Some

WHAT'S MORE
disease)

Other featuresOrganisation
Store starch
Store Multicellular
Store Multicellular
–
Circular DNA, Multicellular
EXAM TIP
A dichotomous key is a useful tool for identifying organisms when a detailed analysis of
characteristics is impractical (e.g. during a field study). It consists of a series of pairs of
Single-celled
characteristics is impractical (e.g. during a field study). It consists of a series of pairs of Throughout this book,
glycogen glycogen plasmid When constructing a When constructing a choices that are based on characteristics of organisms. When a choice is made in the first pair,
choices that are based on characteristics of organisms. When a choice is made in the first pair,
you will find important
dichotomous key, there are
the instruction is followed to the next pair of choices and so on, until the organism can be
Single-celled organisms are Plasmodium, Pneumococcus, dichotomous key, there aresome rules to follow:
ExamplesPhotosynthetic
Pea, maize Housefly, cat
✓
Mucor, yeast
Amoeba ✗Lactobacillus ✗ Some
1. Use features of Some
the instruction
identified. It should be notedis thatfollowed
the dichotomous tokeythe doesnext pair correspond
not necessarily of choicesto and so on, until the organism can be
also known as unicellular some rules to follow:organisms that are easily the evolutionary relationship between the organisms included (i.e. they can be completely
identified. It should be noted that theused dichotomous key does not necessarily correspond to
biology terms printed in
Table 1.1 A summary of the features of the five kingdoms distinguishable.
organisms. Pathogenic 1. Use features of2. Never use characteristics that unrelated). When constructing a dichotomous key, characteristics must be clearly
are variable. For example,
identifiable and contrasting in each pair of choices, so that the existing group of organisms can
(can causePlant ✗ ✗ Some organisms that are
Some
do easily
not use colour or body the
be Some evolutionary
divided into two smaller groups. relationship
A sample dichotomous between key is shown thebelow: organisms included (i.e. they can be completely
distinguishable.lengths
bold the first time they
as they are changing
disease) Plants are essential to any ecosystem. They provide almost
all the energy for the ecosystem, as they can get that energy
characteristics. 1unrelated).
A Have exoskeleton When constructing a dichotomous
............................................................................. key, characteristics used must be clearly
Arthropods
2. Never use characteristics
3. Use terms that are
that B Have endoskeleton .......................................................................... Go to 2
directly from sunlight. Characteristics to remember about
plants are: Store Store
measurable rather than
are variable. Fordependent
example, on subjective
identifiable
Circular
2 A Have DNA,
and contrasting in each pair of choices, so that the existing group of organisms can
fur ........................................................................................... Mammals
Other features Store starch –

WHAT'S MORE ,
judgement (such as ‘big’).

appear. The
glycogen
▶ Chloroplasts in stems and leaves allow plants to make do not use colour
glycogen 4. Do notorinclude
body more than be divided into two smaller groups. A sample dichotomous key is shown below:
B No fur .............................................................................................. Go to 3
plasmid
food using sunlight in a process known as photosynthesis lengths as they one
arefeature
choice.
changing
in each single 3 A Have feathers ................................................................................... Birds
B No feathers ...................................................................................... Go to 4
(see Chapter 6).
Plasmodium,
characteristics. Pneumococcus,
1 A Have exoskeleton ............................................................................. Arthropods
Examples ▶ Cell wallsPea, maize
of cellulose. Housefly, cat Mucor, yeast 4
A Dry skin ........................................................................................... Reptiles

▶ Plants store carbohydrates in the form of starch.
Table 1.1 A summary of theoffeatures
Examples plants are of the
pea,
maize kingdoms
Figure 1.6 A pea plant (top right) and a maize plant
6 12
COMMON MISTAKE
are made
3. Use terms thatAmoeba Lactobacillus
and EXAM TIP
are B Have endoskeleton .......................................................................... Go to 2
B Moist skin ........................................................................................ Go to 5
measurable rather than 5 A Have scales ....................................................................................... Fish
fiveand
ferns. dependent on subjective 2 B A Have
No scales fur ...........................................................................................
.......................................................................................... Amphibians Mammals
judgement (such as ‘big’).
side-boxes are included
To identify a fish, one has to follow 1B 2B 3B 4B 5A to arrive at the identification.
B No fur .............................................................................................. Go to 3
Plant 4. Do not include more than
one feature in each single 3 A Have feathers ................................................................................... Birds
Plants are essential to anychoice.
ecosystem. They provide almost to enhance
B No feathers ...................................................................................... Go to 4 your learning
all the energy for the ecosystem, as they can get that energy
andReptiles
4 A Dry skin ...........................................................................................
directly from sunlight. Characteristics to remember about exam skills.
B Moist skin ........................................................................................ Go to 5
plants are:
5 A Have scales ....................................................................................... Fish
▶ Chloroplasts in stems and leaves allow plants to make
B No scales .......................................................................................... Amphibians
food using sunlight in a process known as photosynthesis Practice Test Paper 2 Practice Test Paper 4

(see Chapter 6). To identify a fish, one has to follow 1B 2B 3B 4B 5A to arrive at the identification.
BIOLOGY
Paper 2 Multiple Choice (Extended)
0610/02
CANDIDATE
NAME

12
45 minutes

▶ Cell walls are made of cellulose.

Additional Materials: Multiple Choice Answer Sheet CENTRE CANDIDATE
Soft clean eraser NUMBER NUMBER
Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended)

▶ Plants store carbohydrates in the form of starch. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST BIOLOGY 0610/04

As a final check on your

Paper 4 Theory (Extended)
Write in soft pencil.
Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid. 1 hour 15 minutes
Write your name, Centre number and candidate number on the Answer Sheet in the spaces provided unless Candidates answer on the Question Paper.
this has been done for you. No Additional Materials are required.

Examples of plants are pea, maize and ferns. DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES. Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study Guide Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study Guide

exam readiness we have

There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions. For each question there are four possible READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
answers A, B, C and D.
Figure 1.6 A pea plant (top right) and a maize plant 1 Which
Choose the one you consider correct and record your choice in soft pencil on the separate Answerof the following statements about prokaryotic cells is correct?
Sheet. Write your Centre number, candidate number and name on all the work you hand in. 1 Fig. 1.1 shows a food web in an ecosystem.
Write in dark blue or black pen.
Read the instructions on the Answer Sheet very carefully. A They do not have DNA. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs. owl

incorporated an Extended
Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid.
Each correct answer will score one mark. A mark will not be deducted for a wrong answer.B They do not have mitochondria. DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES.
6 Any rough work should be done in this booklet.
Electronic calculators may be used. C They do not have a cell membrane. Answer all questions.
shrew

Electronic calculators may be used.

D They do not have cytoplasm. You may lose marks if you do not show your working or if you do not use appropriate units. spider

level paper (papers 2 and 4)

rabbit
At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
The number of marks given is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
2 The photograph shows an animal.
grasshopper

that closely follows the style grass

Fig. 1.1

and content of a 0610 exam.

(a) Define the term ecosystem.

What is the name of the group to which the animal belongs? [1]
A crustacean

B insect (b) Identify all secondary consumers in this food web.

C arachnid
This document consists of 14 printed pages. This document consists of 15 printed pages and 3 blank pages.
D myriapod [1]

[Turn over [Turn over

3 Which of the following 267
cells has the lowest density of mitochondria? 281 in this food web.
(c) Identify all herbivores

A epithelial cell of a villus

B mature red blood cell [1]

C muscle cell

D insulin-secreting cell in the pancreas

268 282
CONTENTS
1
Chapter    Characteristics and 4
Chapter    Biological molecules
classification of living organisms 4.1 Carbohydrates 38
4.2 Proteins 40
1.1 Characteristics of living organisms 2
4.3 Lipids (fats and oils) 41
1.2 Concept and use of a classification
4.4 DNA 42
system4
4.5 Water 42
1.3 Features of organisms 6
4.6 Vitamin C 42
1.4 Dichotomous keys 12
Summary43
Summary13
Exercise 4 45
Exercise 1 14

2
Chapter    Organisation of 5
Chapter   Enzymes
organisms 5.1
5.2
Enzymes are specific
Denaturation of enzymes
48
49
2.1 Cell structure and organisation 18 5.3 Effect of temperature on enzyme
2.2 Levels of organisation 20 activity49
2.3 Size of specimens 23 5.4 Effect of pH on enzyme activity 50
Summary24 Summary50
Exercise 2 24 Exercise 5 51

3
Chapter    Movement in and out 6
Chapter    Plant nutrition
of cells 6.1 Photosynthesis 56
6.2 Leaf structure 62
3.1 Diffusion 28
6.3 Mineral requirements 63
3.2 Osmosis 29
Summary63
3.3 Active transport 33
Exercise 6 64
Summary34
Exercise 3 35
 7
Chapter    Human nutrition Chapter  11  Gas exchange in
7.1 Diet 68 humans
7.2 Alimentary canal 72
11.1 The respiratory system 116
7.3 Mechanical digestion 74
11.2 The respiratory tract 116
7.4 Chemical digestion 76
11.3 Gas exchange in the alveolus 117
7.5 Absorption 78
11.4 Ventilation 118
Summary79
11.5 Inspired and expired air 119
Exercise 7 80
11.6 Rate and depth of breathing 120
11.7 Effects of physical activity

8
Chapter    Transport in plants on breathing
Summary121
120

8.1 Transport in plants 84 Exercise 11 122

8.2 Water uptake 85

12 Respiration
8.3 Transpiration 86
8.4 Translocation 88 Chapter 
Summary89
12.1 Respiration 126
Exercise 8 90
12.2 Aerobic respiration 126
12.3 Anaerobic respiration 127

9
Chapter    Transport in animals Summary129
Exercise 12 130
9.1 Transport in animals 94

13  Excretion in humans

9.2 The heart 95
9.3 Blood vessels and lymphatic vessels 98 Chapter 
9.4 Blood 101
13.1 The kidney 134
Summary103
13.2 The nephron 135
Exercise 9 104
13.3 Ultrafiltration 135
13.4 Selective reabsorption 136

Chapter  10  Diseases and immunity 13.5 Regulation of water balance

13.6 Treatment of kidney failure
136
137
107 Summary138
Summary111 Exercise 13 139
Exercise 10 112
 14
Chapter    Coordination and Chapter  17 Inheritance
response 17.1 Inheritance 194
17.2 Chromosomes, genes and proteins 194
14.1 Nervous control in humans 144
17.3 Mitosis 196
14.2 Sense organs 147
17.4 Meiosis 197
14.3 Hormones in humans 151
17.5 Monohybrid inheritance 199
14.4 Homeostasis 153
Summary206
14.5 Tropic responses 156
Exercise 17 208
Summary158
Exercise 14 159

Chapter  18  Variation and selection

Chapter  15 Drugs 18.1 Variation
18.2 Adaptive features
212
214
15.1 Drugs 164
18.3 Selection 216
15.2 Medicinal drugs 164
Summary219
15.3 Misused drugs 165
Exercise 18 226
Summary167
Exercise 15 169

19
Chapter    Organisms and their
Chapter  16 Reproduction environments
16.1 Asexual reproduction 172 19.1 Energy flow 224
16.2 Sexual reproduction 172 19.2 Food chains and food webs 224
16.3 Sexual reproduction in plants 173 19.3 Nutrient cycles 228
16.4 Sexual reproduction in humans 176 19.4 Population size 231
16.5 Sex hormones in humans 181 Summary233
16.6 Methods of birth control in humans 183 Exercise 19 234
16.7 Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 186
Summary187
Exercise 16 189
 20
Chapter    Biotechnology and
genetic engineering
20.1 Biotechnology and genetic
engineering240
20.2 Biotechnology 240
20.3 Genetic engineering 244
Summary246
Exercise 20 247

21
Chapter    Human influences on
ecosystems
21.1 Food supply 252
21.2 Habitat destruction 253
21.3 Pollution 254
21.4 Conservation 258
Summary261
Exercise 21 262

Practice Test (Paper 2)

Practice Test (Paper 4)

Answers and markschemes can be downloaded for

free at www.ntk.edu.hk
Chapter

1 Characteristics and classification

of living organisms
The world is filled with a profusion of different living organisms with an enormous
variety of sizes, shapes, and modes of life. In this chapter you will learn how
biologists bring order to this great variety using various classification techniques.

This chapter covers:

✓ the seven characteristics of living organisms

✓ the seven principal taxa
✓ the five kingdoms along with their main subdivisions
✓ the special status of viruses and the reasons for this status
✓ the dichotomous key
 Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study Guide
WHAT'S MORE
Metabolism includes
chemical reactions in cells
including respiration. (Don’t
confuse respiration with
breathing! This is a common
student mistake.)
WHAT'S MORE
A stimulus (plural: stimuli) is
any detectable change in the
environment.
2
1.1  Characteristics of living organisms
Living organisms on Earth share seven basic characteristics:
Movement
Living organisms can move to various degrees. Movements are actions by an organism
or part of an organism causing a change of position or place. In mammals, movement is
brought about by muscles and bones. Plants can also move. Movement in plants is associated
with directional growth in response to stimuli.
Respiration
Nutrient molecules store chemical energy, which is released in an organism in a process
called respiration (explained in more detail in Chapter 12). Respiration is part of an
organism’s metabolism. The energy released is used by the organism for performing various
functions, such as:
▶ movement
▶ growth
▶ synthesis of new molecules
Sensitivity
Living organisms can detect and respond to changes in their environment. They can also
sense stimuli in the internal or external environment and make appropriate responses.
Higher organisms have sense organs, such as the nose and eyes, to detect smells and light.
Plant roots and stems can detect and grow in certain directions in response to stimuli such
as light and gravity (see Chapter 14). This growth response is called tropism.
Figure 1.1  Rabbits (left) have good hearing for detecting predators, while owls (right) have very acute eyesight for catching prey.
 Chapter 1  Characteristics and classification of living organisms

Growth and development

Living organisms permanently grow
and develop by increasing in size,
mass, or in the number of cells and
size of cells. In this way, they become
better at dealing with their survival
needs, such as competing for food. Figure 1.2  A tadpole (left) grows and develops into a frog (right).

Reproduction
Reproduction (see Chapter 16) is the
process that makes more of the same
WHAT'S MORE
Sexual reproduction is one of
kind of organism, which results in an the reasons for variations in a
increase in the size of a population. population.
In some living organisms that carry
out sexual reproduction, offspring
show variations from their parents
and between each other. A varied
population has a better chance to
survive in a changing environment
Figure 1.3  Flowering plants produce seeds (left), which grow into new
(see Chapter 18). plants. A human fetus grows and develops in the mother’s uterus before
being born as a baby (right).
Excretion
Living organisms inevitably produce toxic substances. The toxic substances are waste
products of metabolism like urea from deamination (see Chapter 13), carbon dioxide from
COMMON MISTAKE
Be careful not to mix up the
respiration (see Chapter 12) and oxygen from photosynthesis (see Chapter 6). They are terms excretion and egestion.
removed from the organism in different ways during excretion. Substances which are not Egestion is the removal of
toxic in themselves, such as water, but are in excess of requirements also have to be removed. undigested substances from
the body through the anus (see
Chapter 7).
Nutrition
Living organisms need to obtain nutrients
(e.g. carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins).
The nutrients provide them with:
▶ energy
▶ materials for growth and development
▶ substances that allow them to function properly
and keep them healthy

Plants require light, carbon dioxide, and water for

photosynthesis, and mineral ions to survive, while
animals need organic compounds, mineral ions
and usually need water.
Figure 1.4  Living organisms like plants can use sunlight to make their own food.
Others need to obtain food, which they digest and absorb nutrients from.

3
 Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study Guide

1.2  Concept and use of a classification system

The Earth is inhabited by a huge variety of living organisms. Biologists classify them
according to their features, and put them into groups. Classification is traditionally based
on studies of morphology (body shape) and anatomy (body structures). In a classification
system, a hierarchy of groupings is used, and each level of these groups is called a taxon
(plural: taxa). There are seven principal taxa in the modern classification system, from
highest to lowest: kingdom, phylum (plural: phyla), class, order, family, genus (plural:
EXAM TIP genera) and species. A species is the smallest group within the hierarchy and is defined as a
The hierarchy of the taxa can be
group of organisms that can potentially interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
memorised using mnemonics,
such as:
The five conventional kingdoms of living organisms are Prokaryota, Protista, Fungi,
King’s King
Palace Philip
Plantae and Animalia. Viruses are not included in the classification system because they are
Can Came
not considered living organisms. There is a larger number of species in the same taxon at a
Open Over
higher level (e.g. kingdom) but the species are less closely related and share fewer common
For From characteristics. In contrast, a lower taxon (e.g. genus) contains fewer species but these are
Good Great more closely related. A natural classification system, therefore, also allows prediction of
Students Spain characteristics that would be shared by species in a group.

Starfish Coral snake Abert squirrel Red fox Giant panda Black bear Brown bear

few common
characteriscs
haracterisc

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Mammalia

Order Carnivora

Family Ursidae

Genus Ursus

large number of
common
characteriscs
Species Ursus arctos
Figure 1.5  Hierarchy of classification from kingdom to species

4
 Chapter 1  Characteristics and classification of living organisms

Apart from the traditional method of using morphology and anatomy for classification,
biochemical evidence, such as the sequence of DNA or proteins, is also used to provide
a more accurate evolutionary relationship between organisms. Some reasons for using
biochemical evidence to study relationships between organisms are:
▶ DNA codes are universal; this suggests that all organisms use the same codons (a triplet
code) to code for the same amino acids.
▶ All organisms use the same amino acids to produce proteins.
▶ Due to mutations, the sequence of DNA, or the sequence of amino acids, changes over
time.
▶ The more similar the sequences of amino acids, the more closely related the organisms are.
▶ The time since two species split from a common ancestor can be estimated by the
number of differences in the sequences of amino acids. Therefore, biochemical variations
can be used as an evolutionary clock to show when a species diverged from its ancestor.
Fewer differences between amino acid sequences means that two species are more closely
related, which also means they split recently relative to the time scale of life on Earth.

Naming species — the binomial system

Species of living organisms are identified by their names, but common names vary between
languages. To prevent confusion when identifying a species, a binomial system is used.

Each species is given a binomial name (the scientific name), when it is discovered. A
binomial name consists of two parts, the genus name followed by the species name. For
example, the binomial name of humans is Homo sapiens, so humans belong to the genus
Homo and the species Homo sapiens. The binomial name must be written in italics or
underlined, and only the first letter of the genus name is capitalised, i.e. Homo sapiens or
Homo sapiens.

The binomial name is intended to allow scientists to identify species with unique names to
avoid confusion. Binomial names are also written in Latin (or the Latinised version of other
languages), allowing the names to be used and understood universally by biologists from all
over the world.

EXAM TIP
The question below illustrates the difference between genus and species.
The scientific names of three species of fruit trees are:
• Malus domestica
• Prunus domestica
• Malus sieversii
Which of the statements describing the relationship between these organisms is true?
A. M. domestica and P. domestica belong to the same genus but different species.
B. M. domestica and M. sieversii belong to the same species but different genera.
C. M. domestica and P. domestica belong to different species and different genera.
D. M. domestica and M. sierversii belong to the same species and the same genus.
The correct answer is C. The taxa must follow the hierarchical order. Even though M. domestica and P. domestica have the
same species name, they belong to different genera and hence must be different species.
5
 Cambridge IGCSE Biology Study Guide

1.3  Features of organisms

Although the Earth is inhabited by a huge variety of living organisms, all living organisms
are composed of cells enclosed by a cell membrane and with cytoplasm within the cells (see
Chapter 2.1). Also, all organisms use DNA as genetic material. Moreover, living organisms
all contain ribosomes for protein synthesis and enzymes involved in metabolic reactions.

The five kingdoms

Biologists classify organisms according to their structures and functions, and put them
into kingdoms: Plant, Animal, Fungus, Protoctist and Prokaryote. Table 1.1 illustrates the
structural features and metabolism of each kingdom:

COMMON MISTAKE Features Plant Animal Fungus Protoctist

Prokaryote
Table 1.1 states that not all (Bacteria)
organisms have cells with
cell walls. All cells have a cell Nucleus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
membrane, however.
Cell walls ✓ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✓

WHAT'S MORE Organisation Multicellular Multicellular Multicellular Single-celled Single-celled

Single-celled organisms are Photosynthetic ✓ ✗ ✗ Some Some

also known as unicellular
organisms. Pathogenic
(can cause ✗ ✗ Some Some Some
disease)

Store Store Circular DNA,

Other features Store starch –
glycogen glycogen plasmid

Plasmodium, Pneumococcus,
Examples Pea, maize Housefly, cat Mucor, yeast
Amoeba Lactobacillus

Table 1.1  A summary of the features of the five kingdoms

Plant
Plants are essential to any ecosystem. They provide almost
all the energy for the ecosystem, as they can get that energy
directly from sunlight. Characteristics to remember about
plants are:
▶ Chloroplasts in stems and leaves allow plants to make
food using sunlight in a process known as photosynthesis
(see Chapter 6).
▶ Cell walls are made of cellulose.
▶ Plants store carbohydrates in the form of starch.

Examples of plants are pea, maize and ferns.

Figure 1.6  A pea plant (top right) and a maize plant

6
 Chapter 1  Characteristics and classification of living organisms

There are four phyla within the plant kingdom. Three of them, including ferns, are non-
flowering plants. The other phylum includes flowering plants.

Ferns
Ferns are vascular plants and have true
roots, stems and leaves. Their leaves (fronds)
have a featherlike shape and reproductive
spores are stored under leaves (in structures
called sori).

Figure 1.7  Tree ferns

Flowering plants
They are vascular plants and reproduce using
seeds. However, they produce flowers during
reproduction and the seeds are contained in
fruits.

Figure 1.8  Pulsatilla sp., a flowering plant

Flowering plants can be divided into two types: monocotyledonous plants (monocots) and
dicotyledonous plants (dicots). Table 1.2 summarises the differences between these two
plant types:

Monocotyledons Dicotyledons

Features

Number of
seed leaves One (mono- = 1) Two (di- = 2)
(cotyledon)

Leaf shape Long thin leaves Broad leaves

Leaf veins With parallel veins A network of veins

Number of
Multiples of 3 Multiples of 4 or 5
flower parts

Table 1.2  Summary of features of monocots and dicots

7
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