Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Questions
Q1.

The graph in Figure 4 shows the volume of oxygen an athlete absorbs at different running
speeds.

Figure 4

(i) Describe the trend shown in Figure 4.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) Which uses more oxygen when the running speed of the athlete changes from 4 to 6 km
per hour?
(1)
A increasing aerobic respiration
B increasing anaerobic respiration
C decreasing aerobic respiration
D decreasing anaerobic respiration

(iii) Explain why the athlete produces lactic acid when running at 14 km per hour.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 5 marks)
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q2.

Figure 5 shows equipment used to investigate the rate of respiration in maggots.

As the maggots respire, the drop of coloured liquid moves towards the test tube.

Figure 6 shows the position of the drop of coloured liquid after ten minutes.

(i) Use information from Figures 5 and 6 to calculate the mean rate of respiration of the
maggots in mm per minute.
(2)

........................................................... mm per minute

(ii) Describe a control for this investigation.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 4 marks)
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q3.

A human body has 5 dm3 of blood.

At rest 20% of the blood travels to the muscles.

During exercise 60% of the blood travels to the muscles.

(i) Calculate the volume of blood travelling to the muscles during exercise.
(2)

........................................................... dm3

(ii) Explain one reason why there is an increase in blood flow to muscles during exercise.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q4.

Exercise causes changes in the circulation of the blood.

In an investigation, the change in blood flow to different parts of the body during exercise
was measured.

All the volunteers used in the study were healthy females of the same age.

Figure 13 shows the results of this investigation.

(i) During exercise, the blood flow to the stomach changes.

Calculate the percentage change in blood flow to the stomach in response to exercise.
Give your answer to the nearest whole number
(3)

........................................................... %

(ii) Suggest two other variables that should be controlled in this investigation.
(2)
1 ............................................................................................................................................

2 ............................................................................................................................................
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

*(iii) Explain the changes in blood flow, shown in Figure 13, that are caused by exercise.
(6)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 11 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q5.

Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct . If you change
your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new
answer with a cross .

Humans breathe faster when they exercise.

(i) Which two changes allow the rate of respiration in the muscle to increase?
(1)

(ii) Figure 11 shows breathing data for a human at rest and when running at 5 metres per
second on a running machine.

Calculate the mean volume of air breathed per minute when running at 5 metres per
second.
Give your answer to one decimal place.
(2)

........................................................... dm3 per minute

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

(iii) Devise an investigation to compare the mean number of breaths per minute for men,
with the mean number of breaths per minute for women, when running at 5 metres per
second on a running machine.
(4)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 7 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q6.

Figure 10 shows the estimated blood flow through some parts of the body when a person is
at rest and during exercise.

Figure 10

Compare the rate of blood flow through the body when this person is at rest and during
exercise.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q7.

Figure 2 shows alveoli from a healthy lung.

Figure 2

Smoking can cause a condition called emphysema.

Figure 3 shows alveoli from a person with emphysema.

Figure 3

Use words from the box to complete the following sentences.

(2)

The alveoli from the person with emphysema have a

..............................................................................

surface area than the alveoli from a healthy lung.

The surface area of the alveoli will affect how much oxygen moves into the blood

by the process of ...............................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q8.

Figure 11 shows the movement of molecules across a membrane.

Describe how Figure 11 illustrates movement of molecules across a membrane.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q9.

A scientist investigated the relationship between exercise and the ability to run at 3 metres
per second for 20 minutes.
The scientist collected data from six groups of people.
Each group exercised for a different number of hours per week for six months.
There were 100 people in each group.
Figure 7 shows their results.

(i) Describe the relationship shown by this data.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) Explain why some people's leg muscles tired quickly and developed cramp when they
were running.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 5 marks)
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q10.

Figure 10 shows alveoli from a lung.

(i) Explain why these alveoli have the internal structure shown in Figure 10.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) How does oxygen move across the alveolar membrane into the capillary?
(1)
A by osmosis

B by active transport

C by diffusion

D by respiration

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q11.

* Explain how alveoli in human lungs are adapted for gas exchange.

Include the names of the gases that are being exchanged.

(6)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 6 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q12.

Explain, using Fick's law, the factors that affect the diffusion rate of molecules into and out of
cells.
(6)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 6 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q13.

Figure 10 shows the estimated blood flow through some parts of the body when a person is
at rest and during exercise.

Figure 10

Explain why there is a change in the rate of blood flow through the digestive system during
exercise.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q14.

Explain why cellular respiration is essential for living organisms.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q15.

A student investigated respiration in three different organisms.

Red hydrogencarbonate indicator was placed in each of three test tubes.

Gauze was placed in each test tube to hold the organisms.

In test tube 1 the student placed four germinating peas.

In test tube 2 the student placed four dried peas.

In test tube 3 the student placed four mealworms.

Bungs were added to each of the test tubes.

The three test tubes were left for one hour.

The equipment used is shown in Figure 16.

Hydrogencarbonate indicator changes from red to yellow when more carbon dioxide is
present.

The results for this investigation are shown in Figure 17.

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

(i) Explain why the result for the germinating peas is different from the result for the dried
peas.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) How was the carbon dioxide produced in this investigation?

(1)
A by photosynthesis

B when glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen

C when glucose is broken down in the absence of oxygen

D by the reaction between oxygen and water

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Q16.

After high intensity exercise, the pH of muscles can decrease from pH 7.0 to pH 6.3.

Explain this change in pH.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q17.

Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct . If you change
your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new
answer with a cross .

(i) Which row of the table shows the type or types of respiration that use glucose?
(1)

(ii) A scientist measured the rate of respiration in a person when sleeping and then running
at different speeds.
Figure 12 shows the results.

Explain the trend shown in Figure 12.

(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 4 marks)
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q18.

Bloodworms in a pond indicate that the water is polluted.

(i) Which species also indicates that the water is polluted?

(1)
A fertiliser

B lichen

C stonefly

D sludgeworm

(ii) Bloodworms have a high level of haemoglobin in their blood.

Give a reason why this helps them survive in polluted water.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(iii) Carbon dioxide diffuses from the body of the bloodworm into the water.
Give two factors that affect the rate of diffusion.
(2)
1 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

2 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Q19.

Whilst running, the leg muscles of an athlete tightened up, causing cramp.

Name the product of anaerobic respiration that can cause cramp.

(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 1 mark)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q20.

Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct . If you change
your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new
answer with a cross .

Figure 10 shows a single-celled pond organism (Amoeba proteus).

(i) Which row of the table allows the net diffusion of oxygen into Amoeba proteus?
(1)

(ii) Amoeba proteus uses oxygen for aerobic respiration.

Complete the equation for aerobic respiration.
(1)
glucose + oxygen → ...................................................... + ......................................................
(+ energy is released)

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q21.

A student investigated respiration in three different organisms.

Red hydrogencarbonate indicator was placed in each of three test tubes.
Gauze was placed in each test tube to hold the organisms.
In test tube 1 the student placed four germinating peas.
In test tube 2 the student placed four dried peas.
In test tube 3 the student placed four mealworms.
Bungs were added to each of the test tubes.
The three test tubes were left for one hour.
The equipment used is shown in Figure 16.

(i) State two ways this method could be improved to make the results for these three
organisms more comparable.
(2)
1 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

2 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) Describe a suitable control for this investigation.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q22.

Athletes often eat a high protein diet.

(i) Which is the test and result for a food containing protein?
(1)
A Benedict's reagent is used and the solution turns brick red

B Benedict's reagent is used and the solution stays blue

C biuret solution is used and the solution stays blue

D biuret solution is used and the solution turns purple

(ii) Digested protein is absorbed in the small intestine by diffusion.

Figure 15 shows part of the small intestine.

Using Figure 15 and Fick's law, explain the effect of the villi on the rate of diffusion.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(iii) Digested protein enters the blood as amino acids.

State which component of the blood transports amino acids.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 5 marks)

Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Mark Scheme

Q1.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q2.

Q3.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q4.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q5.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q6.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q7.

Q8.

Q9.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q10.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q11.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q12.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q13.

Q14.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q15.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q16.

Q17.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q18.

Q19.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q20.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q21.
Edexcel Biology GCSE - Respiration

Q22.
 BOOST YOUR GCSE BIOLOGY
PERFORMANCE WITH STUDY
MIND'S ONLINE COURSE
200+ Video Tutorials tailored to your
specification, 500+ Flashcards, Examiner
Tutorials and more

Weekly Classes by GCSE Biology Expert to

help you secure a 9

100% Money Back Guarantee if

dissatisfied within 3 days of purchasing

[Link]
courses/gcse-biology-online-
course/

ACCESS NOW for £19/m (Cancel anytime!)

 STUDY MIND GCSE
BIOLOGY 1-1 TUTORS
Delivered by expert GCSE Biology tutors
personalised 1:1 approach tailored to your
needs

Lessons supported by comprehensive

topic-by-topic tutorial slides, past
papers, and revision notes

100% Money Back Guarantee for first

lesson

[Link]
/gcse-biology-tutors/

Book your FREE consultation now