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11.1 Gas Exchange in Humans

Question Paper

Course CIE IGCSE Biology

Section 11. Gas Exchange in Humans
Topic 11.1 Gas Exchange in Humans
Difficulty Easy

Time Allowed 30
Score /25
Percentage /100

Page 1 of 8

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Question 1a
A good blood supply is essential to the effective function of the lungs in mammals.
Give three other features of the gas exchange system that enable a fast rate of gas exchange within the lung.
[3 marks]

Question 1b
State what is meant by the term concentration gradient in the context of human gas exchange.
[2 marks]

Question 1c
Part (a) mentions that a good blood supply is needed in the lungs.
State what is meant by a good blood supply and explain how this improves gas exchange.
[2 marks]

Question 1d
There is estimated to be a surface area of 4.2 m2 in the overall lung system of a typical new-born baby, around one
twentieth of the overall surface area of a typical adult's lungs.
Calculate the overall surface area of a typical adult's lungs.
[2 marks]

Page 2 of 8

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Question 2a
The following list contains structures found within the breathing system.

structure order

bronchus

facial airways

alveolus

trachea

bronchioles

Using the numbers 1 - 5, sequence the structures to indicate the order in which air passes through them during an
exhalation.
[1 mark]

Question 2b
Place a tick (✓) in the Table 1 below to indicate the name of the organ which governs the activity of the human breathing
system.
Table 1

Lungs Diaphragm Trachea Ribs

Explain your choice.

[2 marks]

Page 3 of 8

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Question 2c
State the reagent used to test for the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a sample of air, and the appearance of a
positive result.
[2 marks]

Question 2d
State the number of times more carbon dioxide (CO2) is in exhaled air than in inhaled air.
[1 mark]

Question 3a
Extended only
State the name of the tissue type that supports the trachea and prevents it from collapsing under changes of pressure.
[1 mark]

Page 4 of 8

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Question 3b
Fig. 1 shows the human breathing system, with some of its organs labelled.

Fig. 1
Complete the table below to identify structures 1 - 6 in Fig. 1.

Part Organ / Structure

Page 5 of 8

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6
[6 marks]

Page 6 of 8

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Question 3c
Fig. 2 shows two students working together in an experimental investigation into the human breathing system.
The seated student has just completed a period of 5 minutes of vigorous exercise and is sitting down. His partner is taking
measurements.

Fig. 2
Describe the two measurements being taken as shown in Fig. 2.
[2 marks]

Page 7 of 8

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Question 3d
Extended only
Fig. 3 shows a serving of boneless pork ribs as served in a restaurant.
The meat comes from the area between the ribs and the bones are removed before serving.

Fig. 3
Name the type of tissue that the meat in this dish comes from.
[1 mark]

Page 8 of 8

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