1
1 mark
What makes the alveoli suitable as a gas exchange surface in mammals?
| a dense capillary network | large total surface area |
A | X | X |
B | ✔ | X |
C | X | ✔ |
D | ✔ | ✔ |
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Gas Exchange in Humans (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Biology): Exam Questions
Exam code: 0610 & 0970
3 hours41 questions
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2
1 mark
Which of the following sequences show the correct path of oxygen as it enters the lungs?
trachea → bronchiole → bronchus → alveolus
trachea → bronchus → bronchiole → alveolus
alveolus → bronchus → bronchiole → trachea
alveolus → bronchiole → bronchus → trachea
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3
1 mark
What is the approximate percentage of carbon dioxide in expired air?
16 %
0.04 %
4 %
21 %
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4
1 mark
Extended
The image below shows some cells found in the trachea.
What is the function of the part labelled K?
Increasing surface area
Gas exchange
Moving mucus
Trapping bacteria
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5
1 mark
Name the structures shown in the diagram.
| W | X | Y | Z |
A | larynx | trachea | bronchi | bronchioles |
B | trachea | larynx | bronchioles | bronchi |
C | bronchi | trachea | bronchioles | larynx |
D | larynx | bronchi | larynx | bronchioles |
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1
1 mark
The diagram below shows a cross-section through an alveolus and a capillary.
Why does oxygen move from P to Q?
The concentration of carbon dioxide is lower in the alveolus than in the blood.
The concentration of oxygen in the blood is lower than in the air in the capillary.
Oxygen must replace carbon dioxide.
The concentration of oxygen in the blood is lower than the air in the alveolus.
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2
1 mark
Some amphibians, such as frogs, can use their skin as a gas exchange surface.
What are the most likely characteristics of the surface of the skin in these amphibians?
| surface area | type of skin |
A | small | thick |
B | large | thick |
C | small | thin |
D | large | thin |
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3
1 mark
Extended
When the diaphragm relaxes and internal intercostal muscles contract, how does the volume and pressure inside the thorax change?
| pressure | volume |
A | decreases | decreases |
B | decreases | increases |
C | increases | decreases |
D | increases | increases |
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4
1 mark
Compared to the composition of atmospheric air, the air exhaled by a man contains:
more water vapour, more carbon dioxide.
more water vapour, less carbon dioxide.
less water vapour, more carbon dioxide.
less water vapour, less carbon dioxide.
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5
1 mark
Extended
The diagram shows the composition of four samples of air (O2 = oxygen, CO2 = carbon dioxide, N2 = nitrogen).
Which sample is inspired air and which sample is expired air?
| inspired air | expired air |
A | R | S |
B | P | R |
C | Q | P |
D | S | R |
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6
1 mark
What are the approximate percentages of oxygen and carbon dioxide in inspired air?
percentage of oxygen | percentage of carbon dioxide | |
|---|---|---|
A | 16 | 4.00 |
B | 16 | 8.00 |
C | 21 | 0.04 |
D | 21 | 4.00 |
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7
1 mark
The diagrams show the depth and rate of breathing in a person at 12:00 and 13:00.
What happens to the person’s breathing between 12:00 and 13:00?
depth of breathing | rate of breathing | |
A | decreases | decreases |
B | decreases | increases |
C | increases | decreases |
D | increases | increases |
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8
1 mark
A person lives in a climate where the air is very dry.
Which row correctly compares inspired air with expired air for this person?
inspired air | expired air | |
|---|---|---|
A | higher carbon dioxide concentration | higher oxygen concentration |
B | lower water vapour concentration | higher carbon dioxide concentration |
C | lower oxygen concentration | higher water vapour concentration |
D | lower carbon dioxide concentration | lower water vapour concentration |
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9
1 mark
Which row shows a change that occurs during ventilation?
process | thorax pressure | thorax volume | air movement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A | expiration | decreases | increases | in |
B | expiration | increases | decreases | out |
C | inspiration | decreases | increases | out |
D | inspiration | increases | decreases | in |
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10
1 mark
Which sequence of changes takes place when we breathe in?
diaphragm contracts → volume of thorax increases → pressure in lungs decreases
diaphragm contracts → volume of thorax increases → pressure in lungs increases
diaphragm relaxes → volume of thorax increases → pressure in lungs decreases
diaphragm relaxes → volume of thorax increases → pressure in lungs
increases
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11
1 mark
What do the external intercostal muscles do during inhalation?
pull ribs downwards
pull ribs upwards and outwards
push air into lungs
produce mucus
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12
1 mark
Why does breathing rate increase during exercise?
oxygen concentration in blood increases
oxygen concentration in blood decreases
carbon dioxide concentration in blood increases
carbon dioxide concentration in blood decreases
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13
1 mark
The diagram shows a representation of the human gas exchange system.
Which row correctly identifies the labelled structures?
Structure 1 | Structure 2 | Structure 3 | Structure 4 | |
A | Oesophagus | Bronchus | Diaphragm | Alveolus |
B | Trachea | Bronchiole | Intercostal muscle | Blood vessel |
C | Trachea | Bronchus | Diaphragm | Alveolus |
D | Bronchus | Bronchiole | Abdominal muscle | Capillary |
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1
1 mark
Extended
Which of the following correctly describes the actions of the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm when we breathe in?
| external intercostal muscles | internal intercostal muscles | diaphragm |
A | contract | relax | domed |
B | contract | relax | flat |
C | relax | contract | domed |
D | relax | contract | flat |
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2
1 mark
The diagram shows part of the structure of a human lung.
Where would the concentration of carbon dioxide be highest?
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3
1 mark
Extended
The diagram below illustrates the changes in air pressure taking place inside the lungs during a complete cycle of breathing. Atmospheric pressure is 101 kPa.
At which point on the diagram does the process of inhalation start?
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4
1 mark
Extended
A person exhales, and the air from their lungs is collected and placed in a gas jar. A second gas jar contains normal atmospheric air. A candle is set alight and is placed inside each gas jar as shown. The time taken for each flame to go out is measured with a stopwatch.
The table shows the results of this experiment.
gas jar | time for candle flame to go out /s |
1 | 7 |
2 | 12 |
Which of the following is a correct explanation for the difference between the results in jars 1 and 2?
Jar 1 contains atmospheric air which has less oxygen than exhaled air.
Jar 1 contains exhaled air which has less oxygen compared to atmospheric air.
Jar 2 contains atmospheric air which has more carbon dioxide than exhaled air.
Jar 2 contains exhaled air which has more carbon dioxide than oxygen in it.
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5
1 mark
Which of the following helps carbon dioxide to be excreted rapidly into the alveoli from the blood in the lungs?
Inhaled air has a lower concentration of carbon dioxide than the blood constantly pumping through the lungs.
Alveoli have thick walls and a large surface area.
Alveoli have thin walls and a large surface area.
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood is lower than in the alveoli.
1, 2 & 4 only
3 only
1 & 3 only
3 & 4 only
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6
1 mark
Below are statements about the features of gas exchange surfaces in humans.
Gas exchange surfaces have a large surface area to maximise the rate of diffusion
Gas exchange surfaces have a thick surface to prevent damage from the constant movement of air
Gas exchange surfaces have a good blood supply to remove gases that have diffused across the surface
Gas exchange surfaces are well ventilated to increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the alveoli
Which statements are correct?
1 only
1, 2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 3 and 4 only
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7
1 mark
Extended
The graph shows changes in the volume of air in the lungs of a person at rest, over a period of 30 seconds.
Which graph below shows the changes in the volume of air in the lungs for the same person immediately after they have done a few minutes of vigorous exercise?
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8
1 mark
Which row correctly describes the composition of expired air compared to inspired air?
Oxygen | Carbon dioxide | Water vapour | |
A | higher | higher | higher |
B | lower | higher | higher |
C | lower | lower | higher |
D | higher | lower | lower |
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