CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ BIOLOGY: END-OF-CHAPTER TEST 9

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Name: Muhamad Musthofa Yusuf Date

End-of-chapter 9 test
1 Figure 9.1 shows transverse sections across the aorta and the vena cava, two vessels that
are attached to the heart.

Figure 9.1
a Identify which row shows the direction and pressure of the blood flowing through the aorta.
Direction of blood Pressure of blood
A Towards heart Low
B Away from heart High
C Towards heart High
D Away from heart Low

[1]
b Identify which row shows the direction and pressure of the blood flowing through the
vena cava.
Direction of blood Pressure of blood
A Towards heart Low
B Away from heart High
C Towards heart High
D Away from heart Low

[1]

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ BIOLOGY: END-OF-CHAPTER TEST 9

c Describe two differences, which are visible in the diagram, between the blood vessels
in Figure 9.1.
the thickness of aorta is thicker than vena cava, and the aorta pressure blood is higher than
vena cava
[2]
[Total: 4]

2 Figure 9.2 shows a summary of the human circulatory system.

Figure 9.2
Complete Table 9.1 by naming the blood vessels labelled on Figure 9.2 and stating whether
they contain oxygenated blood or deoxygenated blood. One row has been completed for you.
Letter on Name of the blood vessel Oxygenated or deoxygenated blood
Figure 9.2
A Carotid artery Oxygenated
B Pulmonary artery Deoxygenated

C Pulmonary Vein oxygenated

D Aorta oxygenated

E Inferior vena cava Deoxygenated

Table 9.1
[4]

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ BIOLOGY: END-OF-CHAPTER TEST 9

3 Too much fat in a person’s diet can lead to coronary heart disease (CHD). This, in turn,
can cause a heart attack, which results in the death of heart muscle tissue.
a Suggest how CHD could cause a heart attack.

CHD develops when cholesterol builds up in the coronary arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to the
heart. This buildup, called plaque, can rupture, forming a blood clot that completely blocks the artery, preventing
oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart muscle. Deprived of oxygen, heart muscle cells begin to die, resulting in a
heart attack.

[3]
b One way to treat a patient who has suffered a serious heart attack is to fit a left ventricle
assist device (LVAD). This mechanical device consists of a battery-operated pump and a tube
that connects the left ventricle with the aorta. This is shown in Figure 9.3.

Figure 9.3
Surgeons rarely need to fit such a device to the right ventricle of heart attack patients.
Suggest why.

Surgeons typically don't need to implant LVADs in the right ventricle following a heart attack because the right
ventricle is generally less affected by heart attacks compared to the left ventricle. The left ventricle is responsible for
pumping oxygenated blood throughout the body, requiring greater force and making it more susceptible to damage. In
contrast, the right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs, a less demanding task.

[2]

c Using Figure 9.3, suggest one other heart defect which could be treated with a LVAD.
Severe dilated cardiomyopathy.
[1]

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ BIOLOGY: END-OF-CHAPTER TEST 9

d With reference to its structure and function, explain why the heart is described as an organ.
The heart is an organ because it's a complex structure with different tissues working together to
pump blood.
[1]

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ BIOLOGY: END-OF-CHAPTER TEST 9

e Apart from keeping them alive while waiting for a heart transplant, suggest one other
benefit to the patient or hospital of fitting an LVAD.

Reduced strain on the heart, allowing for potential recovery. [1]

f Before it is implanted, a donated heart is hydrated in a special solution to prevent it
from drying out. Explain why it is important that the concentration of this solution is
carefully controlled.

The concentration of the solution must be carefully controlled to prevent osmotic damage to the heart cells. If the
solution is too concentrated, water will leave the heart cells causing them to shrink and die. If the solution is too
dilute, water will enter the heart cells causing them to swell and burst.

[2]
g A journalist investigated the heart transplant operations undertaken at a hospital over a
period of five years. Table 9.4 shows the data she collected.
Number of patients treated between Number of treated patients alive
Method of treatment
2013 and 2017 in 2017

Mechanical device 15 14

Heart transplant 8 1

Table 9.4
The journalist claimed that patients who had a heart transplant were less likely to live a long
and healthy life after their operation than those who were given a mechanical device.
Evaluate this statement.
The journalist's claim that heart transplants are less successful than mechanical devices is unsupported by the provided
data. The small sample size and limited timeframe prevent drawing accurate conclusions. Several other factors, such
as patient condition and transplant timing, could influence the survival rates. More comprehensive data is necessary
for a fair comparison.

[2]

[Total: 12]

[Test total: 20]

END OF TEST

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