IGCSE Practice

Cambridge IGCSE·Combined Sciences 0653·Biology Excretion
📋Key knowledge — Excretion

Key facts & rules

  • Excretion: removal of metabolic WASTE products (CO₂ from respiration, urea from protein breakdown).
  • Egestion is NOT excretion — it is the removal of undigested food.
  • Kidneys: filter blood (ultrafiltration), selectively reabsorb useful substances, produce urine.
  • Urea: made in the liver from excess amino acids (deamination).
  • Nephron stages: glomerular filtration → tubular reabsorption (glucose, amino acids, water) → secretion.
  • ADH (antidiuretic hormone): increases water reabsorption in collecting duct → concentrated urine.
  • Skin excretes water and salts in sweat (and small amounts of urea).
  • Lungs excrete CO₂ and water vapour.

IGCSE Biology — Excretion

57 Cambridge IGCSE 0653 Combined Sciences past paper questions on excretion, across Theory, Multiple Choice and Alternative to Practical.

About Excretion on IGCSE 0653

Excretion is the removal of metabolic waste products. The kidneys filter the blood to produce urine, removing urea (made in the liver from excess amino acids) and excess water and ions.

What's covered:

Multiple choice

Papers 1 & 2 · 55 questions · Click A–D to check your answer instantly.
Excretion — Core MCQ39 · Paper 1

Question 1 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2023 Paper 12 Q1

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12Mar 2023
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2023 Paper 12 Q1 — Excretion
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Correct answer: B

Question 2 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2023 Paper 12 Q2

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12Mar 2023
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2023 Paper 12 Q2 — Excretion
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Correct answer: C

Question 3 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2023 Paper 12 Q3

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12Mar 2023
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2023 Paper 12 Q3 — Excretion
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Correct answer: C

Question 4 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2024 Paper 12 Q1

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12Mar 2024
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2024 Paper 12 Q1 — Excretion
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Correct answer: B

Question 5 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2024 Paper 12 Q2

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12Mar 2024
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Correct answer: D

Question 6 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2024 Paper 12 Q3

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12Mar 2024
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Correct answer: C

Question 7 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2024 Paper 12 Q4

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12Mar 2024
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Correct answer: D

Question 8 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 11 Q1

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 11May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: C

Question 9 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 12 Q1

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: C

Question 10 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 11 Q2

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 11May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: A

Question 11 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 12 Q2

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: B

Question 12 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 11 Q3

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 11May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: B

Question 13 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 12 Q3

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: B

Question 14 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 11 Q1

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Correct answer: A

Question 15 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 12 Q1

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Correct answer: D

Question 16 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 11 Q2

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Correct answer: D

Question 17 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 12 Q2

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Correct answer: D

Question 18 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 11 Q3

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Correct answer: A

Question 19 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 12 Q3

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Correct answer: A

Question 20 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 12 Q4

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12May/Jun 2024
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Correct answer: A

Question 21 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 13 Q15

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 13May/Jun 2024
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Correct answer: C

Question 22 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 13 Q16

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 13May/Jun 2024
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Correct answer: D

Question 23 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 13 Q17

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 13May/Jun 2024
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Correct answer: A

Question 24 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 13 Q18

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Correct answer: B

Question 25 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 11 Q1

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Correct answer: C

Question 26 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 12 Q1

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Correct answer: C

Question 27 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 13 Q1

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 13May/Jun 2025
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Correct answer: C

Question 28 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 11 Q2

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 11May/Jun 2025
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Correct answer: C

Question 29 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 12 Q2

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12May/Jun 2025
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Correct answer: D

Question 30 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 13 Q2

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 13May/Jun 2025
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Correct answer: C

Question 31 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 11 Q3

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Correct answer: D

Question 32 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 12 Q3

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12May/Jun 2025
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Correct answer: A

Question 33 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 13 Q3

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 13May/Jun 2025
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Correct answer: C

Question 34 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 11 Q4

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Correct answer: D

Question 35 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 11 Q5

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 11May/Jun 2025
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Correct answer: B

Question 36 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 11 Q1

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 11Oct/Nov 2023
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Correct answer: B

Question 37 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 11 Q2

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Correct answer: A

Question 38 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 11 Q3

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 11Oct/Nov 2023
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Correct answer: C

Question 39 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 11 Q4

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 11Oct/Nov 2023
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Correct answer: C
Excretion — Extended MCQ16 · Paper 2

Question 1 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 22 Q1

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22Mar 2025
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Correct answer: B

Question 2 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 22 Q2

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22Mar 2025
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Correct answer: D

Question 3 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 22 Q3

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22Mar 2025
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Correct answer: B

Question 4 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 21 Q1

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 21May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: C

Question 5 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 22 Q1

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: C

Question 6 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 21 Q2

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 21May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: A

Question 7 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 22 Q2

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: B

Question 8 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 21 Q3

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 21May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: D

Question 9 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 22 Q3

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22May/Jun 2023
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Correct answer: A

Question 10 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 23 Q1

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 23May/Jun 2024
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Correct answer: C

Question 11 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 23 Q2

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Correct answer: A

Question 12 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 22 Q1

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Correct answer: C

Question 13 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 22 Q2

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22May/Jun 2025
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Correct answer: B

Question 14 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 22 Q3

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22May/Jun 2025
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Correct answer: A

Question 15 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 21 Q1

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 21Oct/Nov 2023
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Correct answer: B

Question 16 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 21 Q2

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 21Oct/Nov 2023
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Correct answer: B
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Alternative to practical

Papers 5 & 6 · 2 questions · Experiment-based questions with mark scheme answers.
Excretion — ATP2 questions

Exercise 1 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 63 Q1

Cambridge past paperPractical7 marks Paper 63Oct/Nov 2023
IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 63 Q1 — Excretion
Show mark scheme
factor 1 light

Exercise 2 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 63 Q2

Cambridge past paperPractical7 marks Paper 63Oct/Nov 2023
IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 63 Q2 — Excretion
Show mark scheme
one mark from each section and any two other marking points
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All Excretion questions in this collection

TypeLevelPaperSessionQ#MarksAnswer / key
ATPExtendedPaper 63Oct/Nov 2023Q17 marksfactor 1 light
ATPExtendedPaper 63Oct/Nov 2023Q27 marksone mark from each section and any two other marking points
MCQCorePaper 12Mar 2023Q11 markB
MCQCorePaper 12Mar 2023Q21 markC
MCQCorePaper 12Mar 2023Q31 markC
MCQCorePaper 12Mar 2024Q11 markB
MCQCorePaper 12Mar 2024Q21 markD
MCQCorePaper 12Mar 2024Q31 markC
MCQCorePaper 12Mar 2024Q41 markD
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2023Q11 markC
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2023Q11 markC
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2023Q21 markA
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2023Q21 markB
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2023Q31 markB
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2023Q31 markB
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2024Q11 markA
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2024Q11 markD
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2024Q21 markD
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2024Q21 markD
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2024Q31 markA
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2024Q31 markA
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2024Q41 markA
MCQCorePaper 13May/Jun 2024Q151 markC
MCQCorePaper 13May/Jun 2024Q161 markD
MCQCorePaper 13May/Jun 2024Q171 markA
MCQCorePaper 13May/Jun 2024Q181 markB
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2025Q11 markC
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2025Q11 markC
MCQCorePaper 13May/Jun 2025Q11 markC
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2025Q21 markC
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2025Q21 markD
MCQCorePaper 13May/Jun 2025Q21 markC
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2025Q31 markD
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2025Q31 markA
MCQCorePaper 13May/Jun 2025Q31 markC
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2025Q41 markD
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2025Q51 markB
MCQCorePaper 11Oct/Nov 2023Q11 markB
MCQCorePaper 11Oct/Nov 2023Q21 markA
MCQCorePaper 11Oct/Nov 2023Q31 markC
MCQCorePaper 11Oct/Nov 2023Q41 markC
MCQExtendedPaper 22Mar 2025Q11 markB
MCQExtendedPaper 22Mar 2025Q21 markD
MCQExtendedPaper 22Mar 2025Q31 markB
MCQExtendedPaper 21May/Jun 2023Q11 markC
MCQExtendedPaper 22May/Jun 2023Q11 markC
MCQExtendedPaper 21May/Jun 2023Q21 markA
MCQExtendedPaper 22May/Jun 2023Q21 markB
MCQExtendedPaper 21May/Jun 2023Q31 markD
MCQExtendedPaper 22May/Jun 2023Q31 markA
MCQExtendedPaper 23May/Jun 2024Q11 markC
MCQExtendedPaper 23May/Jun 2024Q21 markA
MCQExtendedPaper 22May/Jun 2025Q11 markC
MCQExtendedPaper 22May/Jun 2025Q21 markB
MCQExtendedPaper 22May/Jun 2025Q31 markA
MCQExtendedPaper 21Oct/Nov 2023Q11 markB
MCQExtendedPaper 21Oct/Nov 2023Q21 markB

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