CIE IGCSE Biology

Topic Questions

9.1 Circulatory Systems, Heart & Blood Vessels

1a
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1 mark

Fig. 1 shows a section through a blood vessel.

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Fig. 1

Identify the type of blood vessel shown in Fig. 1.

1b
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3 marks

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.

1c
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4 marks

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]

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2a
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3 marks

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  

2b
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3 marks

Fig. 1 shows a photomicrograph of a capillary with red blood cells passing through it.

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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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3a
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4 marks

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.

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Fig. 1

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]

3b
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1 mark

Measuring the pulse is one way of monitoring the activity of the heart.

State one other way of monitoring the activity of the heart.

3c
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2 marks
Describe the changes to a person’s breathing during exercise.

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4a
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4 marks

The heart is part of the circulation system.

Fig. 1 shows a mammalian heart. 4a-heart

Fig. 1

Identify structures labelled A to D on Fig. 1.

4b
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1 mark
Identify the septum on Fig. 1 from part (a).

4c
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1 mark

Extended only

Explain why the human circulation system is described as a double circulation system.

4d
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2 marks

Extended only

Describe the function of the right side of the heart.

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1a
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2 marks

The blood has many components. 

Fig. 1 shows a micrograph of a blood smear. 

GQBE1eM1_blood-micrograph

Fig. 1

On the diagram, identify a red blood cell and a white blood cell. 

1b
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4 marks

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Platelets are a component of blood that have an important role in blood clotting. 

Describe the process of blood clotting by platelets. 

1c
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3 marks

Blood clots can sometimes form in veins around the body. This is called a venous thromboembolism (VTE) and can be associated with postoperative complications following surgery.

graph

Calculate the percentage decrease in VTE death rates between 2001 and 2017.

1d
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4 marks

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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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2a
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2 marks

The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle tissue with blood.

Fig. 1 shows a coronary artery with a blockage. coronary

Fig. 1

Explain the effect this blockage could have on heart muscle cells.

2b
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3 marks

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

(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]

2c
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4 marks

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. 

Fig. 2 shows the effects of the treatment of one person with four different statins (ABC and D) over a period of 10 years. The arrows show when each new treatment was started.graph-1

Fig. 2

Determine a conclusion on the effectiveness of the statin treatments in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease for this person.

2d
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3 marks

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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1a
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5 marks
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. 

The results are shown in Fig. 1.

cie-igcse-2023-specimen-q2a

Fig. 1

(i)

State two control variables the scientist should have ensured throughout the investigation. 

[2]

(ii)

Describe the results of the investigation.

[3]

1b
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3 marks

Describe how the scientist could have measured and recorded heart rate. 

1c
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3 marks

Extended

Explain the effect swimming has on heart rate.

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2a
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6 marks

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Fig. 1 shows a photomicrograph of human blood.

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Fig. 1

Describe the differences in appearance and the functions of the three cells labelled in Fig. 1.

2b
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3 marks

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Fig. 2 shows some of the stages of blood clotting.

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Fig. 2

(i)

Complete Fig. 2 by filling in the two empty boxes.

[1]

(ii)

State two roles of blood clotting.

[2]

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3a
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3 marks

Fig. 1 shows a photomicrograph of some red blood cells.

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Fig. 1

(i)
State the function of a red blood cell.

[1]

(ii)
State two ways in which a red blood cell is adapted to its function.
[2]
3b
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1 mark

State the name of a component of blood that is responsible for clotting.

3c
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4 marks

(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]
3d
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4 marks
Fig. 2 is a diagram of the circulatory system. The blood vessels are labelled with letters. 

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Fig. 2

Complete Table 1 by identifying the letter of the named blood vessel in Fig. 2.

Table 1

name of blood vessel letter
aorta  
pulmonary artery  
renal vein  
vena cava  

3e
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4 marks

Describe how the structures of the circulatory system maintain a one-way flow of blood.

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