Circulatory system

Biology
Past Paper Questions
2018-2021
5090/21/M/J/18

1. The diagram shows a human heart and associated blood vessels.

(a) Complete the table to show which of the parts A to F contain oxygenated blood and which
contain deoxygenated blood.

Write each of the letters A to F in either the right or the left side of the table. [2]

Contain Oxygenated blood Contain deoxygenated blood

(b)(i) Complete the table below to show which of A to F are involved in the circulation of blood to or
from each of the following locations:

• The lungs,

• The body tissues.

Write each of the letters A to F in either the right or the left side of the table. [4]

blood to or from the lungs blood to or from the body tissues

(ii) Compare the pressure of blood in the circulation to the body tissues and the pressure of blood in
the circulation to the lungs. [1]

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(iii) Explain how the structure of the heart produces this difference in blood pressure. [3]

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5090/22/M/J/18

2. The diagram shows the human heart.

The blood vessel labelled F may become narrowed as shown.

(a)(i) Name blood vessel F. [1]

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(ii) Name the disease caused by the narrowing of this blood vessel. [1]

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(iii) State three factors that may lead to the narrowing of this blood vessel. [3]

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(iv) Suggest and explain how a person might be affected by the disease caused by the narrowing of
blood vessel F. [5]

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(b) It is possible to treat the disease caused by the narrowing of blood vessel F, by carrying out an
operation.

In the operation:

• A balloon surrounded by a metal mesh is inserted into the blood vessel and inflated,

• The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving the metal mesh in place.

Suggest the purpose of each of the following: [3]

• inflating the balloon,

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• Leaving the hollow metal mesh in the blood vessel.

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5090/21/O/N/18

3. Describe how structure is related to function for each of the following: [5]

A capillary.................................................................................................................................

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A red blood cell. ........................................................................................................................

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5090/22/O/N/18

4. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show transverse sections of two types of blood vessel.

(a) (i) Name the type of blood vessel shown in: [2]

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(ii) Describe the differences in the structures shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 that helped you to identify
these blood vessels. [2]

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(b) The diagram below is of a simplified, incomplete longitudinal section from the type of blood
vessel shown in Fig. 2. The direction of blood flow is shown.

(i) Complete the diagram by drawing one set of valves. [2]

(ii) Describe the function of these valves. [2]

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5090/21/M/J/19

5. Describe the removal of named toxic materials and waste products of metabolism from the
human body. [7]

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5090/22/M/J/19

6. The diagram shows the internal structure of a human heart viewed from the front and its
associated blood vessels.

Name and describe the function of each of the following:

(a) blood vessel P

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(b) Structure Q

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(c) Structure R.

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7. Name the type of cell shown and state the relationship between cell structure and cell function.
[6]

• Cell from human blood

Name of cell type...........................................

Relationship between structure and function

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5090/22/M/J/20

8. The human double circulation has both

• A circulation taking blood to and from the body tissues, and

• A circulation taking blood to and from the tissues of the lungs

The graph shows the change in mean blood pressure in the blood vessels as blood passes to and
from the body tissues.

(a) Name, for the circulation shown in the graph

(i) The first artery that blood enters with the highest mean blood pressure

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(ii) The last vein that blood enters with the lowest mean blood pressure.

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(b) Explain, using your knowledge of the structures of arteries and veins, the change in mean blood
pressure shown in the graph. [3]

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(c) Describe, with reference to the movement of named substances, the process that takes place as
blood passes through the capillaries of the body tissues. [3]

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(d) Draw on the graph a line to show the change in the mean blood pressure as blood passes to and
from the tissues of the lungs. [2]

5090/21/O/N/20

9. (a) State the functions of the aorta and the vena cava and describe how each is adapted for its
functions. [7]

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(b) Some people are born with a hole in their heart that allows blood to pass between the left and
the right sides of the heart. Suggest how this condition may affect the efficiency of their circulatory
system. [3]

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5090/22/M/J/21

10. A person with dental decay may also have gums that bleed. This makes it more likely that
bacteria found in the mouth will enter the circulatory system. Bacteria in the circulatory system can
cause the blood to clot. Small blood clots may move through the circulatory system to the coronary
arteries. Suggest and explain possible health problems that this may cause. [4]
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11. The diagram shows the arrangement of major blood vessels in the human circulatory system.
Arrows show the direction that blood moves in each vessel.

(a) Seven of the blood vessels have been labelled on the diagram using the letters A to G. Complete
the table by writing one letter, A to G, for each name or description of a blood vessel. [6]

Name or description Blood vessel

the aorta B
carries blood containing the lowest concentration of urea
one vessel that carries oxygenated blood
carries blood at the highest pressure
carries blood containing the highest concentration of glucose
the hepatic vein
an artery that carries deoxygenated blood
(b) Explain why the movement of blood through the circulatory system of a human is described as a
double circulation. [3]

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5090/22/O/N/21

12. The diagram shows the circulatory system of a fish.

The lungs of a human and the gills of a fish both have a large surface area for gas exchange.

(a) (i) State two differences between the structure of the heart of a fish and the structure of the
heart of a human. [2]

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(ii) Draw a ring around the correct words to complete the sentence below. [1]

higher than the same as lower than

(b) The photograph shows and Antarctic icefish.

The blood of this fish is colorless.

(i) State which component of human blood is not present in the blood of the Antarctic icefish. [1]

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Antarctic icefish live in the Antarctic Ocean where the water temperature is very low.

Aerobic respiration is an enzyme-controlled reaction.

More oxygen is able to dissolve in water at a lower temperature.

Antarctic icefish has a larger heart, wider blood vessels and a greater volume of blood than fish of
the same size that live in warm water.

(ii) Suggest how Antarctic icefish with colorless blood are able to survive in the low temperature of
Antarctic Ocean. [5]

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