IGCSE Cambridge (CIE) Biology 3 hours 19 questions
Theory Questions
Circulatory Systems,
Heart & Blood Vessels
Circulatory System / Circulatory System Continued / The Mammalian Heart /
Monitoring Activity of the Heart / Investigating Effect of Physical Activity on Heart
Rate / Coronary Heart Disease / Identifying Structures in the Heart / Functioning of
the Heart / Explaining the Effect of Physical Activity on Heart Rate / Blood Vessels /
Circulation Around the Body / Structure & Function of Blood Vessels / Blood…
Easy (7 questions) /48 Scan here to return to the course
or visit [Link]
Medium (9 questions) /76
Hard (3 questions) /34
Total Marks /158
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Easy Questions
1 (a) Fig. 1 shows a section through a blood vessel.
Fig. 1
Identify the type of blood vessel shown in Fig. 1.
(1 mark)
(b) Red blood cells are different to white blood cells.
State three ways in which a red blood cell is different to a white blood cell.
(3 marks)
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(c) Blood has many components.
(i)
State the name of the liquid component of blood.
[1]
(ii)
State three substances that are transported in the liquid component of blood.
[3]
(4 marks)
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2 (a) Blood circulates around the body in arteries, veins and capillaries.
Place ticks (✓) in the correct boxes in Table 1 to show the features of arteries.
Table 1
structure and function arteries
carries blood at high pressure
carries blood towards the heart
has a thick wall
has a narrow lumen
has valves present throughout the vessel
(3 marks)
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(b) Fig. 1 shows a photomicrograph of a capillary with red blood cells passing through it.
Fig. 1
(i)
State the function of the red blood cells shown in Fig. 1.
[1]
(ii)
Red blood cells are one component of blood.
State the names of two other components of blood.
[2]
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(3 marks)
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3 (a) A student completed different types of activity.
She measured her pulse rate during each type of activity in beats per minute (bpm).
The results are shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1
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Use Fig. 1 to answer these questions.
(i)
State the type of activity that results in the highest pulse rate.
[1]
(ii)
State the pulse rate of the student when she was cycling. Give your answer in bpm.
[1]
(iii)
Calculate the percentage increase in her pulse rate between resting and walking.
Show your working and give your answer to the nearest whole number.
[2]
(4 marks)
(b) Measuring the pulse is one way of monitoring the activity of the heart.
State one other way of monitoring the activity of the heart.
(1 mark)
(c) Describe the changes to a person’s breathing during exercise.
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(2 marks)
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4 (a) The heart is part of the circulation system.
Fig. 1 shows a mammalian heart.
Fig. 1
Identify structures labelled A to D on Fig. 1.
(4 marks)
(b) Identify the septum on Fig. 1 from part (a).
(1 mark)
(c) Extended only
Explain why the human circulation system is described as a double circulation system.
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(1 mark)
(d) Extended only
Describe the function of the right side of the heart.
(2 marks)
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5 (a) Describe how coronary heart disease affects the heart.
(2 marks)
(b) State three risk factors associated with coronary heart disease.
(3 marks)
(c) Identify two lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
(2 marks)
(d) Outline how an ECG can help detect signs of coronary heart disease.
(1 mark)
6 Measuring the pulse rate is one way of monitoring the activity of the heart.
State one other way of monitoring the activity of the heart.
(1 mark)
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7 (a) Fig. 5.1 is a diagram of a human heart.
Fig 5.1
(i) Use label lines and labels to identify these structures on Fig. 5.1:
atrium
septum
ventricle
valve
[4]
(ii) Identify the letter or letters of all the blood vessels from Fig. 5.1, that:
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are arteries .......................
is the pulmonary vein ....................... .
[2]
(6 marks)
(b) Coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by a blockage of blood vessels in the heart.
(i) State the name of the blood vessels that become blocked.
[1]
(ii) State three risk factors for developing CHD.
[3]
(4 marks)
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Medium Questions
1 (a) A scientist investigated the effect of different types of activity on heart rate of
participants aged 21 after they had completed the activity for 10 minutes.
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The results are shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1
(i) State two control variables the scientist should have ensured throughout the
investigation.
[2]
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(ii) Describe the results of the investigation.
[3]
(5 marks)
(b) Describe how the scientist could have measured and recorded heart rate.
(3 marks)
(c) Extended
Explain the effect swimming has on heart rate.
(3 marks)
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2 (a) Extended Only
Fig. 1 shows a photomicrograph of human blood.
Fig. 1
Describe the differences in appearance and the functions of the three cells labelled in
Fig. 1.
(6 marks)
(b) Extended Only
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Fig. 2 shows some of the stages of blood clotting.
Fig. 2
(i) Complete Fig. 2 by filling in the two empty boxes.
[1]
(ii) State two roles of blood clotting.
[2]
(3 marks)
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3 (a) Fig. 1 shows a photomicrograph of some red blood cells.
Fig. 1
(i) State the function of a red blood cell.
[1]
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(ii) State two ways in which a red blood cell is adapted to its function.
[2]
(3 marks)
(b) State the name of a component of blood that is responsible for clotting.
(1 mark)
(c) (i) State the name of the disease caused by a blockage in the arteries supplying the heart
muscle.
[1]
(ii) List three risk factors that increase the risk of a blockage in the arteries supplying the
heart muscle.
[3]
(4 marks)
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(d) Fig. 2 is a diagram of the circulatory system. The blood vessels are labelled with letters.
Fig. 2
Complete Table 1 by identifying the letter of the named blood vessel in Fig. 2.
Table 1
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name of blood vessel letter
aorta
pulmonary artery
renal vein
vena cava
(4 marks)
(e) Describe how the structures of the circulatory system maintain a one-way flow of blood.
(4 marks)
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4 (a) Compare the structural features of arteries and veins.
(2 marks)
(b) Fig. 1 below shows a structure in the mammalian lungs. The feature labelled P is an
alveolus.
Fig. 1
Identify the structure labelled Q.
(1 mark)
(c) State the function of the structure labelled Q in Fig. 1.
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(1 mark)
(d) Suggest how the structure of capillaries enables efficient exchange of substances.
(1 mark)
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5 (a) Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the heart with letters to identify some of the structures.
Fig. 1
Identify the letter(s) of the structure(s) that:
(i) contain deoxygenated blood.
[1]
(ii) receive blood from the lungs.
[1]
(iii) are veins.
[1]
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(3 marks)
(b) Extended Only
State the name of the valve located between chambers F and H in Fig. 1.
(1 mark)
(c) Extended Only
(i) Describe the location of the septum in the mammalian heart.
[1]
(ii) Explain the importance of the septum.
[1]
(2 marks)
(d) Extended Only
Describe how the heart muscle and valves function to pump blood through the heart.
(2 marks)
6 A student performed different types of activity.
She measured her heart rate during each type of activity in beats per minute (bpm).
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The results are shown in Fig. 2.1.
(i)
State the type of activity that results in the highest heart rate in Fig. 2.1
[1]
(ii)
State the heart rate of the student when she was cycling.
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................................................... bpm [1]
(iii)
Calculate the percentage increase in her heart rate between resting and walking.
.............................................................% [2]
(4 marks)
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7 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows a photomicrograph of human blood.
Describe the differences in appearance and the functions of the three cells labelled in
Fig. 3.1.
(6 marks)
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(b) Fig. 3.2 shows some of the stages of blood clotting.
(i)
Complete Fig. 3.2 by filling in the two empty boxes.
[1]
(ii)
State two roles of blood clotting.
[2]
(3 marks)
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8 (a) Mammals have a double circulation.
Fig. 2.1 is a diagram of a section through the heart of a mammal. The arrows show the
direction of blood flow through the heart and blood vessels.
(i)
State the name of the chamber of the heart with the thickest wall.
[1]
(ii)
D is a vein. State the name of this vein and describe its structure.
name .................................................................................................
description of structure ..................................................
[3]
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(iii)
Identify the structure labelled X in Fig. 2.1 and state its role in the heart.
[2]
(6 marks)
(b) Fig. 2.2 is a diagram that shows the double circulation of a mammal. The arrows indicate
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the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the blood.
(i) Shade the blood vessel in Fig. 2.2 that transports blood with the highest oxygen
concentration.
[1]
(ii) Describe the evidence shown in Fig. 2.2 that the mammal has a double circulatory
system.
[2]
(iii) Explain the advantages of a double circulation.
[4]
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(6 marks)
9 The activity of the heart can be monitored by measuring the pulse rate.
State two other ways of monitoring the activity of the heart.
(2 marks)
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Hard Questions
1 (a) The blood has many components.
Fig. 1 shows a micrograph of a blood smear.
Fig. 1
On the diagram, identify a red blood cell and a white blood cell.
(2 marks)
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(b) Extended Tier Only
Platelets are a component of blood that have an important role in blood clotting.
Describe the process of blood clotting by platelets. Include an explanation of the role
played by the clot in protecting the body.
(4 marks)
(c) Blood clots can sometimes form in veins around the body. This is called a venous
thromboembolism (VTE) and can be associated with postoperative complications
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following surgery.
Calculate the percentage decrease in VTE death rates between 2001 and 2017.
(3 marks)
(d) Extended Tier Only
Veins are a type of blood vessel found in mammals.
Compare the structure and function of veins with that of arteries.
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(4 marks)
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2 (a) The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle tissue with blood.
Fig. 1 shows a coronary artery with a blockage.
Fig. 1
Explain the effect this blockage could have on heart muscle cells.
(2 marks)
(b) A blocked coronary artery can lead to coronary heart disease.
Table 1 shows information about blood flow through coronary arteries in two people.
Person X was diagnosed with coronary heart disease while person Y does not have
coronary heart disease.
Table 1
person blood flow through coronary arteries /
cm3 min -1
X 167
Y 295
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(i) Explain the difference in blood flow through the coronary arteries for persons X and Y.
[1]
(ii) Calculate the volume of blood flowing through the coronary arteries of person X in 1
hour.
Give your answer in dm3.
[2]
(3 marks)
(c) A blockage of the coronary artery can be caused by fatty deposits called ‘plaques’. Drugs
called statins can be taken to help prevent a blockage.
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Fig. 2 shows the effects of the treatment of one person with four different statins
(A, B, C and D) over a period of 10 years. The arrows show when each new treatment
was started.
Fig. 2
Determine a conclusion on the effectiveness of the statin treatments in reducing the risk
of coronary heart disease for this person.
(4 marks)
(d) The data was used to generate a report with the claim: "Coronary heart disease can be
cured by statins".
Evaluate the claim made.
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(3 marks)
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3 (a) Extended Only
Fig. 1 below shows the circulatory system of a fish.
Fig. 1
Use Fig. 1 and your own knowledge to compare the structure of the fish circulatory
system to that of mammals.
(3 marks)
(b) Gas exchange in fish occurs in structures known as gills.
Suggest how fish gills support efficient gas exchange.
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(3 marks)
(c) Extended Only
Researchers investigated the effect of stress on heart rate in fish. They decreased water
levels in a fish tank until the fish dorsal fins were exposed to air, for a period of 5
minutes, while measuring heart rates. They found that fish heart rates increased during
the stress period, and remained elevated for a period of time after water levels returned
to normal.
Explain the benefit of an increased heart rate in fish in response to stress.
(3 marks)
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