Q1.

The circulatory system is composed of the blood, blood vessels and the heart.

(a)  Urea is transported in the blood plasma.

Name two other substances transported in the blood plasma.

1. carbon dioxide

2. glucose, are soluble in water

(2)

(b)  Some athletes train at high altitude.

Training at high altitude increases the number of red blood cells per cm3 of blood.

Explain why more red blood cells per cm3 of blood having is an advantage to an
athlete.

Red Blood Cells (RBC’s) contain haemoglobin. Therefore, more RBC’s results in more haemoglobin
present.
Haemoglobin carries oxygen, therefore, more oxygen can be transported to cells such as muscle
cells.
More oxygen transported to cells results in more aerobic respiration of cells such as muscle cells. (3)

(c)  Which two blood vessels carry deoxygenated blood?

Tick two boxes.

 

Aorta

Coronary artery

Pulmonary artery X
Pulmonary vein
Vena cava X
(2)

Figure 1 shows the three types of blood vessel.

Figure 1

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 (d)  Which type of blood vessel carries blood into the right atrium?

Tick one box.

B
(1)

(e)  Compare the structure of an artery with the structure of a vein.

Veins have a relatively thin layer of smooth muscle in the wall, and often the veins have a misshapen
or collapsed look, whereas arteries maintain a tight cylindrical shape. Veins also have valve flaps to
keep the blood from moving backward in the vessel. These valves resemble the semilunar valves of
the heart. (3)

(Total 11 marks)

Q2.
The circulatory system contains arteries and veins.

(a)     (i)      Describe how the structure of an artery is different from the structure of a vein.

Unlike arteries, veins contain valves. Veins need valves to keep the blood
flowing toward the heart.

Arteries don’t need valves because the pressure from the heart keeps the
blood flowing through them in one direction
(2)

(ii)      A comparison is made between blood taken from an artery in the leg and
blood taken from a vein in the leg.

Give two differences in the composition of the blood.

1. Plasma is the main component of blood and consists mostly of water, with

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 proteins, ions, nutrients, and wastes mixed in

2. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide

3. Platelets are responsible for blood clotting

4. White blood cells are part of the immune system and function in immune
response.

(2)

(b)     During operations patients can lose a lot of blood. Patients often need blood
transfusions to keep them alive.

The text shows information about a new artificial blood product.

Suggest two possible advantages of using the new artificial blood, instead of using
human blood for a transfusion in humans.

1. _Less of a chance of spreading diseases because the blood is made in a secure

place and scientists know full history of where it has been __

2. __ Artificial blood lasts longer in storage than regular blood, which can be very
useful.
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

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Mark schemes

Q1.
(a)  any two from:
allow proteins / hormones / antibodies /
vitamins / minerals / ions / fatty acids / glycerol
•   carbon dioxide
•   water
•   glucose
•   amino acids
ignore sugar / enzymes / nutrients / waste
•   lactic acid
2

(b)  more haemoglobin
max 2 marks if ‘more’ is not given
1

(therefore) more oxygen can be carried / transported

1

(for) more (aerobic) respiration of muscle (cells)

or
more energy released for muscle (cells)
allow less anaerobic respiration / lactic acid /
oxygen debt / fatigue in muscle (cells)
i.e. addition of ‘debt’
do not accept energy produced
1

(c)  pulmonary artery
1

vena cava
1

(d)  B
1

(e)  any three from:

•   arteries have a thicker layer of muscle (tissue) or veins have a thinner

layer of muscle (tissue)*

•   arteries have a thicker layer of elastic tissue or veins have a thinner

layer of elastic tissue*
*if neither marking points 1 or 2 awarded, allow
arteries have a thick wall and veins have a thin
wall
or
arteries have a thicker wall or veins have a
 thinner wall for 1 mark
do not accept ‘cell wall’

•   arteries have a narrower lumen or veins have a wider lumen

allow descriptions of ‘lumen’

•   arteries do not have valves and veins have valves

allow only veins have valves
3

[11]

Q2.
(a)     (i)      doesn’t have valves
allow veins have valves
1

has a thicker wall or thicker layer of muscle

allow has a smaller lumen
ignore references to elastic (in walls)
1

(ii)     any two from:

•        (artery has) more oxygen
•        (artery has) more glucose
allow (artery has) more amino acids / fatty acids
•        (artery has) less carbon dioxide
•        (artery has) less lactic acid
ignore urea
ignore reference to pressure
accept converse for veins if veins is clearly stated
2

(b)     any two from:

•        no rejection
allow no tissue matching required
•        abundant supply
•        low risk of infection
allow named example ie HIV, CJD
•        longer shelf life
allow less space needed for storage
ignore side effects
2
[6]