GCSEBiologyWJECExam Questions1. Cells, Organ Systems & Ecosystems1.4 Circulatory System in Humans

Circulatory System in Humans (WJEC GCSE Biology): Exam Questions

Exam code: 3400

40 mins5 questions
1a2 marks

Image 1 shows a section through the heart.

Image 1

Diagram of heart anatomy showing vena cava, right ventricle, left atrium, pulmonary artery, vein, and aorta, with labels A and B marking cavities.

Complete Image 1 by adding the two missing labels (A and B) for the chambers of the heart.

How did you do?

1b3 marks

There are four main blood vessels connected to the heart.
Use a ruler to draw lines to match up each blood vessel with the correct function.

Table matching blood vessels with functions: pulmonary vein transports blood from lungs to heart; aorta from heart to body; vena cava from body to heart; pulmonary artery from heart to lungs.

How did you do?

1c1 mark

There are valves in the heart.
Underline the statement below that describes the function of the valves.

Stop blood from clotting

Push blood through the heart

Prevent the backflow of blood

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1d3 marks

Complete the following sentences, using the correct words from the list below.
pump muscle pulmonary carbon dioxide coronary

The heart is made of ……..................................………………. . The function of the heart is to ……..................................………………. blood around the body. The heart has its own blood supply provided by the ……..................................………………. arteries.

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2a3 marks

Complete the table by selecting functions from those below.

[3]

transports hormones carries oxygen defends against disease

clots the blood controls temperature

Part of blood

Function

red blood cell

.............................................................

white blood cell

.............................................................

platelets

.............................................................

How did you do?

2b1 mark

There are many types of blood cell, each with a particular function. They all come from one type of cell found in bone marrow through the process of differentiation. This is shown in Image 2.3.

Image 2.3

Diagram of cell differentiation in bone marrow, showing a stem cell branching into different blood cells: a purple cell, a plain circle, and a red cell.

Choose the letter A-D to give the term used for the various types of blood cells

[1]

A selected

B specialised

C secondary

D sensitive

Answer letter = ...................................

How did you do?

3a2 marks

According to a report by the British Heart Foundation in 2017, more than 20 million people in the UK were physically inactive. The report warned that inactivity increases the risk of heart disease and costs the NHS around £1.2 billion each year.

A heart attack is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot.

Image 5.1 shows the heart following a heart attack and Image 5.2 shows a section through one of the heart blood vessels.

Diagram showing a heart with a detailed section of an artery; labels indicate healthy muscle, atheroma causing blocked blood flow, and dead heart muscle.

(i) State the name of the blood vessel shown in Image 5.2.

[1]

(ii) State which part of blood is responsible for clot formation.

[1]

How did you do?

3b7 marks

(i) Explain how the atheroma has led to the death of heart muscle cells shown in Images 5.1 and 5.2.

[3]

(ii) Apart from lack of exercise, state two other factors which are linked to the increased risk of developing an atheroma.

[2]

(iii) State the name of a surgical procedure which can be used to remove blockages in the blood vessels surrounding the heart.

[1]

(iv) Suggest one way in which the Welsh Government could reduce the number of cases of heart disease each year.

[1]

How did you do?

4a2 marks

Use a ruler to draw lines to match up the parts of blood with their functions.

List showing parts of blood: plasma, white and red blood cells, platelets, with functions like carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide, defence, and clotting.

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4b5 marks

Image 3.1 shows a sample of human blood as seen down a microscope.

Image 3.1

Microscopic view of blood cells, with a labelled cell A identified by an arrow. The image shows various round, pink blood cells and a few darker stained cells.

(i) Measure the length of the line X–X in Image 3.1.

[1]

Length of line X–X = .................................... mm

(ii) The magnification of Image 3.1 is ×1000. Use the following equation to calculate the actual size of cell A.

[2]

Equation showing actual size of cell A as measured length of line X–X divided by magnification of Image 3.1, written in clear text.

Space for working

Actual size of cell A = .................................... mm

(iii) Identify the type of blood cell labelled A and give a reason for your answer.

[2]

Type of blood cell

Reason

How did you do?

5a4 marks

Image 9.1 shows a cross section through a healthy coronary artery.

Image 9.1

Cross-section diagram of an artery, showing labelled layers: lumen, artery wall, tough outer coat, section A, and section B.

(i) State the names of tissues A and B.

[2]

A .............................................................................................................

B .............................................................................................................

(ii) Suggest how the diameter of the lumen would differ in an individual with cardiovascular disease and explain the difference.

[2]

How did you do?

5b4 marks

Image 9.2 shows a cross section of blood vessels found in muscle tissue, along with some information about them.

Image 9.2

Diagram of blood vessels: artery, capillary, and vein with dimensions and pressures. Artery has 12.0kPa, capillary 2.3kPa, and vein 1.6kPa pressure.

(i) Use Image 9.2 to give two differences between the structure of an artery and a vein.

[2]

(ii) Veins contain structures that are not present in arteries or capillaries. State the name of these structures and describe their function.

[2]

Name of structures ....................................................................

Function .....................................................................................

How did you do?

5c3 marks

(i) State the name of one substance which passes from the blood into the body cells.

[1]

(ii) State one way in which capillaries are adapted for their function. Give an advantage for this adaptation.

[2]

Adaptation

Advantage

How did you do?