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1 The kidneys filter blood, separate useful molecules from excretory wastes and control the water
content of the blood.

Diagram A is of a kidney tubule and associated blood vessels. The arrows show the direction of
blood flow.

Diagram B is a drawing of a vertical section through a cell from the lining of region 2 of the tubule.

diagram A diagram B

The structures labelled S on diagram B are microvilli.

Explain the importance of the microvilli on the surface of these cells.

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[Total: 2]
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2 The kidneys filter blood, separate useful molecules from excretory wastes and control the water
content of the blood.

Diagram A is of a kidney tubule and associated blood vessels. The arrows show the direction of
blood flow.

Diagram B is a drawing of a vertical section through a cell from the lining of region 2 of the tubule.

diagram A diagram B

The table shows the concentrations of some substances in blood plasma and in the regions labelled
1 and 3 on the tubule shown in diagram A.

3
concentration / mg per cm
substance
blood plasma region 1 region 3

protein 8000 0 0

glucose 100 100 0

salts 320 320 300

urea 30 30 2000

.
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Outline how the kidney tubules function to produce urine from the substances in blood plasma.

Use the information in diagram A, diagram B and the table to support your answer.

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[Total: 6]

3 Urea is a toxin that is excreted by the kidneys in humans.

Describe how and where in the body urea is formed.

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[Total: 3]
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4 Doctors wanted to investigate the effect of exercise on the excretion of salts.

They collected urine from people before and after running a long distance on a hot day.

The results of their investigation are shown in the table.

before running after running

3
average volume of urine / cm 1156.0 569.0

average concentration of sodium in urine /

3 85.6 78.2
mmol per dm

Calculate the percentage decrease in the average sodium concentration after running compared
with before running.

Give your answer to one significant figure.

Space for working.

.............................................. % [3]

[Total: 3]
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5 Doctors wanted to investigate the effect of exercise on the excretion of salts.

They collected urine from people before and after running a long distance on a hot day.

The results of their investigation are shown in the table.

before running after running

3
average volume of urine / cm 1156.0 569.0

average concentration of sodium in urine /

3 85.6 78.2
mmol per dm

Suggest why there is a difference in the volume of urine produced before running compared with
after running.

Use the information in the table in your answer.

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[Total: 2]

6 Describe how the kidney tubules enable the excretion of salts.

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[Total: 3]
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7 Mineral salts are an important component of a balanced diet.

Consuming too much of some mineral salts, such as sodium chloride, increases the risk of developing
coronary heart disease (CHD).

Doctors studied the effect of diet on the risk of developing CHD.

The doctors first selected volunteers who had a high salt diet.

The doctors assessed the volunteers’ overall risk of developing CHD and monitored their blood
pressure.

The doctors used urine tests to identify volunteers who had a high salt diet.

Explain why urine tests are a good indicator of how much salt has been consumed.

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[Total: 2]
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8 The diagram shows part of the human excretory system and associated blood vessels.

The arrows indicate the direction of blood flow.

The table contains statements about the labelled structures in the diagram.

Complete the table by:

• stating the name of the structure

• identifying the letter that labels that structure.

description name of structure letter from diagram

organ that stores urine

tube that carries urine out of the

kidney

blood vessel with the lowest

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concentration of urea

blood vessel with the lowest

concentration of carbon dioxide

tube that carries urine out of the

body

[5]

[Total: 5]

9 Outline the role of the liver in excretion.

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[Total: 3]

10 The liver is involved in the processing of amino acids.

Describe how excess amino acids are broken down.

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[Total: 2]
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11 The photomicrograph is of a glomerulus in a kidney.

Describe the structure of a glomerulus.

You may refer to the photomicrograph in your answer.

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[Total: 2]

12 (a) Explain the function of the renal capsule in the kidney.

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12 (b) Glucose is reabsorbed, back into the blood, by active transport.

Define active transport.

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(c) Give one example, other than glucose, of a substance that is reabsorbed into the blood from
the renal tubule.

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[Total: 6]

13 Explain how a dialysis machine filters blood.

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[Total: 4]
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14 Dialysis is a treatment for kidney disease.

The diagram below shows a dialysis machine.

dialysis machine

blood pump

arm used dialysis

fluid

fresh dialysis
fluid

The composition of the dialysis fluid changes as it passes through the dialysis machine.

Complete the table below using the words 'low', 'high', 'same' or 'none' to show how the concentration
of each substance changes in the dialysis fluid.

The last one has been done for you.

concentration of substance in:

blood before
substance used dialysis fluid fresh dialysis fluid
dialysis

glucose normal

salts high

urea high

toxins high high low

[3]

[Total: 3]
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15 Urine contains urea, excess water and excess ions.

The list shows some organs.

kidney liver ureter

urethra vagina

State the name of the organ from the list that produces urea.

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[Total: 1]

16 A scientist recorded the volume of urine released by different species of mammal during a 24-hour
period.

The scientist collected urine from five individuals of each species of mammal.

The highest and lowest volumes of urine released were recorded to give a range for each species
of mammal.

The table shows the results.

range of volumes of urine released in

species of mammal 3
24 hours / dm

A 2.10 — 12.60

B 15.30 — 40.50

C 0.08 — 0.16

D 1.00 — 2.00

E 0.60 — 2.40

State the species of mammal that has the largest range shown in the table.

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[Total: 1]

17 Urea is made in the human body and excreted in urine.

State the name of the biological molecules that are broken down to make urea.

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[Total: 1]
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18 Urine produced by the kidneys contains three excretory substances: urea, water and mineral salts.

The table shows the average mass of urea, water and mineral salts in 100 g of blood plasma and
in 100 g of urine.

average mass / g
substance
in 100 g of blood plasma in 100 g of urine

water 90.00 95.00

urea 0.03 2.00
mineral salts 0.69 1.35

Calculate the percentage increase in the average mass of mineral salts between blood plasma and
urine.

Give your answer to two decimal places.

Space for working.

.............................................. % [3]

[Total: 3]

19 Urea is excreted.

State the name of the substance that urea is made from.

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[Total: 1]
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20 The diagram shows part of the human excretory system and associated blood vessels.

The arrows indicate the direction of blood flow.

Draw a label line and the letter X on the diagram to show the location of the cortex in one of the
kidneys. [1]

[Total: 1]

21 Kidney transplants are the most common organ transplants.

Describe the advantages of a kidney transplant compared with dialysis.

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[Total: 3]
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22 The diagram below is a vertical section of the kidney.

P L

The table below shows the functions of parts of the kidney.

Complete the table by:

• naming the part of the kidney that carries out each function

• using letters from the diagram to identify the part of the kidney named.

One row has been completed for you.

function name of part letter from diagram

blood is filtered

concentration of urine is
medulla L
determined

urine flows to the bladder

blood is carried into the

kidney

blood flows out of the kidney

[4]

[Total: 4]
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23 In which form is the greatest quantity of nitrogen excreted from the mammalian body?

A amino acids
B nitrates
C proteins
D urea
[1]

[Total: 1]

24 The kidney filters the blood and produces a liquid called urine.

State three substances that are found in the urine of a healthy person.

1 ...............................................................................................................................................

2 ...............................................................................................................................................

3 ............................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 3]

25 Urea is excreted.

State where in the body urea is made.

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[Total: 1]
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26 The diagram shows some of the structures involved in excretion.

Complete the diagram by labelling the structures in the spaces provided.

Choose structures from the list:

bladder bronchus heart liver lung

pancreas trachea ureter urethra [5]

[Total: 5]
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27 Dialysis is a treatment used for people with kidney failure.

Some people with kidney failure are given a kidney transplant.

State the advantages of having a kidney transplant instead of dialysis.

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[Total: 3]

28 Which substance remains in the blood as it passes through the kidney?

A protein
B salts
C urea
D water
[1]

[Total: 1]
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29 A longitudinal section of the kidney and some associated structures have been labelled.

Which labelling is correct?

A B

cortex cortex

renal artery renal vein

ureter ureter
medulla medulla

C D

medulla medulla

renal artery ureter

ureter renal artery

cortex cortex
[1]

[Total: 1]
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30 The diagram shows some organs in the human body.

In which part are amino acids broken down to form urea?

D
A

[1]

[Total: 1]

31 From which organ is most carbon dioxide excreted?

A kidney
B liver
C lung
D skin
[1]

[Total: 1]

32 Before a kidney is transplanted, it is important to match the tissue type of the donor with the tissue
type of the recipient.

State why this is necessary.

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[Total: 1]
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33 Kidney patients may be given a kidney transplant. State one advantage and one disadvantage of
kidney transplants compared with dialysis.

advantage ................................................................................................................................

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disadvantage ............................................................................................................................

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[Total: 2]

34 The diagram below shows processes that are carried out by organs in the human body.

Draw one line from each process to the organ where the process takes place.

You will need to draw five lines.

process organ

breaks down
alcohol

kidney

destroys
hormones

liver

eliminates
excess water

lung

excretes
carbon dioxide

forms urea

[5]

[Total: 5]

35 The diagram below is of a kidney tubule and its blood supply.

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blood

2
blood

The concentration of solutes in the fluids at regions 1, 2, 3 and 4 were determined. The results are
shown in the table below.

-3
substance concentration/ g dm

glucose 0.9 0.9 0.2 0.0

protein 82.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

salts 8.0 8.0 9.6 16.5

urea 0.2 0.2 0.2 20.0

(a) State the substance or substance(s) in the table above which:

(i) has molecules which are too large to be filtered;

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(ii) has molecules which are small enough to be filtered but is completely reabsorbed from
the fluid in the kidney tubule;

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(iii) increases in concentration as fluid moves along the kidney tubule.

1 .............................................................................................................................

2 ............................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) State three structures through which the fluid from region 4 passes as it leaves the body.

1.........................................................................................................................................

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3......................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 6]

36 The diagram below shows a cross-section of a kidney.

F
G

Name the structures labelled, E, F and G.

E................................................................................................................................................

F ................................................................................................................................................

G ............................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 3]

37 Kidneys excrete urea.

State one other substance that is excreted by the kidneys.

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[Total: 1]
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38 The table below compares the amounts of four different substances in blood plasma and urine.

3
substance quantity / percentage per 100 cm of fluid

blood plasma urine

water 91.50 95.50

urea 0.03 2.10

glucose 0.10 0.00

salts 0.41 0.61

Use the information in the table to describe how blood plasma differs from urine.

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[Total: 3]
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39 The diagram below shows the excretory system in a human male.

The table below shows five functions of parts of the excretory system. Complete the table by:

• naming the part that carries out each of the functions

• using the letters from the diagram to identify the structures named.

description of function name letter on diagram

carries urine and sperm out of the body G

filters urea and other wastes from the blood kidney

stores urine until it is convenient to expel it E

carries blood with a high urea content renal artery

carries urine away from the kidney D

[5]

[Total: 5]
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40 Urine contains urea.

Name the substance which is broken down to produce urea.

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[Total: 1]