IGCSE Cambridge (CIE) Biology 1 hour 9 questions

Theory Questions

Gas Exchange in
Humans
Features of Gas Exchange Surfaces / The Breathing System / Investigating the
Differences in Inspired & Expired Air / Differences in Inspired & Expired Air /
Investigating the Effects of Physical Activity on Breathing / Identifying Intercostal
Muscles / Function of Cartilage in the Trachea / Volume & Pressure Changes in the
Lungs / Differences in Inspired & Expired Air / Explaining the Link Between Physic…

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Medium (3 questions) /31

Hard (3 questions) /31

Total Marks /87

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Easy Questions
1 (a) A good blood supply is essential to the effective function of the lungs in mammals.

Give three other features of the gas exchange system that enable a fast rate of gas
exchange within the lung.

(3 marks)

(b) State what is meant by the term concentration gradient in the context of human gas
exchange.

(2 marks)

(c) Part (a) mentions that a good blood supply is needed in the lungs.

State what is meant by a good blood supply and explain how this improves gas
exchange.

(2 marks)

(d) There is estimated to be a surface area of 4.2 m2 in the overall lung system of a typical
new-born baby, around one twentieth of the overall surface area of a typical adult's
lungs.

Calculate the overall surface area of a typical adult's lungs.

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 (2 marks)

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2 (a) The following list contains structures found within the breathing system.

structure order

bronchus

facial airways

alveolus

trachea

bronchioles

Using the numbers 1 - 5, complete the table to indicate the order in which air passes
through the different structures during exhalation.

(1 mark)

(b) Place a tick (✓) in the Table 1 below to indicate the name of the organ which governs the
activity of the human breathing system.

Table 1

Lungs Diaphragm Trachea Ribs

Explain your choice.

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 (2 marks)

(c) State the reagent used to test for the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a sample of air,
and the appearance of a positive result.

(2 marks)

(d) State the number of times more carbon dioxide (CO2) is in exhaled air than in inhaled air.

(1 mark)

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3 (a) Extended only
State the name of the tissue type that supports the trachea and prevents it from
collapsing under changes of pressure.

(1 mark)

(b) Fig. 1 shows the human breathing system, with some of its organs labelled.

Fig. 1

Complete the table below to identify structures 1 - 6 in Fig. 1.

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 Part Organ / Structure

(6 marks)

(c) Fig. 2 shows two students working together in an experimental investigation into the
human breathing system.

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 The seated student has just completed a period of 5 minutes of vigorous exercise and is
sitting down. His partner is taking measurements.

Fig. 2

Describe the two measurements being taken as shown in Fig. 2.

(2 marks)

(d) Extended only

Fig. 3 shows a serving of boneless pork ribs as served in a restaurant.

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The meat comes from the area between the ribs and the bones are removed before
serving.

Fig. 3

Name the type of tissue that the meat in this dish comes from.

(1 mark)

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Medium Questions
1 (a) A study estimated the number of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) in India. Data were collected from two groups of people, those who lived in cities
and those who lived in villages.

Fig. 1 shows the results.

Fig. 1

Compare the number of people with COPD in cities with the number of people with
COPD in villages.

Use the data in Fig. 1 to support your answer.

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 (3 marks)

(b) Extended only

(i)

Explain how the body prevents particles in inspired air from reaching the gas exchange
surfaces.

[4]

(ii)

State two ways in which the composition of inspired air differs from the composition of
expired air.

[2]

(6 marks)

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(c) Extended only
Alveoli are well ventilated to provide efficient gas exchange.

(i)

State the name of the muscles that cause the ribs to move during ventilation.

[1]

(ii)

During inspiration the pressure and volume in the thorax changes.

State these changes.

[1]

(2 marks)

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2 (a) Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the gas exchange system.

Fig. 1

Complete the labelling of Fig. 1 using the words from the list.

bronchiole diaphragm intercostal muscle trachea

(4 marks)

(b) Alveoli are gas exchange surfaces.

State two features that make alveoli good gas exchange surfaces.

[2]

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 (2 marks)

(c) There is less oxygen in expired air than in inspired air.

(i)

Describe two other ways in which expired air is different from inspired air.

[2]

(ii)

State the name of a process that uses oxygen in cells.

[1]

(3 marks)

(d) State an example of a cell and an organ from the gas exchange system.

[2]

(2 marks)

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3 (a) Extended only
A genetic condition called Canine Tracheal Collapse affects certain breeds of domestic
dog.

Affected dogs experience difficulty in breathing due to a weakness in the walls of the
trachea.

Suggest, with a reason, which type of tissue is affected by this genetic disorder.

(2 marks)

(b) Extended only

Table 1 shows some differences between inhaled and exhaled air.

Table 1

Inhaled air Exhaled air

Oxygen content / % 21 16

Carbon dioxide content / % 0.04 4

Calculate the percentage difference in oxygen content of exhaled air compared to

inhaled air.

(2 marks)

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(c) The presence of bronchioles, alveoli and blood capillaries within a lung all reduce its
overall volume.

Explain how these structures actually improve the performance of the lung as a gas
exchange organ.

(2 marks)

(d) Extended only

Explain the roles of the cilia and mucus in protecting the breathing system.

(3 marks)

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Hard Questions
1 (a) Extended only
Table 1 shows some data gathered from a person's thorax whilst breathing normally at
rest.

Assume that each breath consists of an inhalation lasting 2·5 seconds followed by an
exhalation, also lasting 2·5 seconds.

The pressure scale is: 0 means atmospheric pressure + means greater than atmospheric
pressure - means lower than atmospheric pressure

The volume scale is: 0 means its smallest volume +++ means its largest volume

Table 1

event thoracic pressure (0 / thoracic volume (0 / + /

+ / -) ++ / +++)

beginning of exhalation +++ +++

end of exhalation, before

inhalation begins

1 second into exhalation

1 second into inhalation - + or ++

Calculate the person's breathing rate in breaths per minute.

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 (2 marks)

(b) Using your knowledge of breathing, complete the missing boxes in Table 1, using the
same scale as in the partially completed table in part (a).

The scales are repeated below for ease of reference:

The pressure scale is: 0 means atmospheric pressure + means greater than atmospheric
pressure - means lower than atmospheric pressure

The volume scale is: 0 means its smallest volume +++ means its largest volume

(4 marks)

(c) Extended only

Exhalation can be described as a passive event.

Explain the term 'passive' in this context.

(2 marks)

(d) Explain how muscles of the breathing system help to facilitate increased removal of
carbon dioxide when undergoing vigorous exercise.

(3 marks)

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2 (a) Extended only
A study was carried out that looked at the movement of the diaphragm during normal
breathing.

Fig. 1 shows the diaphragm movement in a healthy 55-year-old male.

Fig. 1

Calculate the breathing rate of the individual shown in Fig. 1.

(2 marks)

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(b) Extended only
(i)

Identify the ventilation processes occurring at the stages marked X and Y in Fig. 1.

[1]

(ii)

For the stage marked Y on Fig. 1, name a muscle other than the diaphragm involved at
this stage and identify its state.

[2]

(3 marks)

(c) Extended only

Fig. 2 shows the results of another participant in the study.

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This individual is a 57-year-old male with emphysema, a lung condition that reduces gas
exchange and causes significant illness.

Fig. 2

(i)

Contrast the graph shown here with Fig. 1 as shown in part (a).

[2]

(ii)

Suggest an explanation for the differences between the graphs.

[2]

(4 marks)

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(d) Events such as surgical trauma or nerve degeneration can lead to weakness or even
paralysis of the diaphragm.

Suggest the effect that this would have on ventilation.

(2 marks)

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3 (a) Fig. 1 depicts a section of the human gas exchange system.

Fig. 1

State the name of Organ 1 and describe its role in breathing out.

(3 marks)

(b) In normal and healthy lungs, an effective oxygen supply is maintained between the
alveoli and the lung capillaries.

Describe and explain how this is maintained.

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 (4 marks)

(c) Extended only

Fig. 2 shows the changes in the volume of air in a woman’s lungs while breathing.

Fig. 2

Explain how Fig. 2 shows that the woman was breathing out between times W and X.

(1 mark)

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(d) Extended only
Muscle action during ventilation is described as antagonistic.

Outline what this means with reference to one example during breathing.

(1 mark)

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