Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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The Circulatory System (CIE AS Biology)

Exam Questions

2 hours38 questions
1a
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2 marks

Fig.1 compares the structure of two main human blood vessels.

6-2-easy-q2a

Fig.1

(i)

Identify blood vessel A.

[1]

(ii)

State a reason for your answer in part (i).

[1]

1b
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3 marks

Blood vessel B has a very large lumen.

(i)

Identify blood vessel B.

[1]

(ii)

Explain the presence of the lumen in blood vessel B.

[2]

1c
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2 marks

The flow of blood in veins is not assisted by the pressure generated by the beating of the heart.

List two structures that assist with the flow of blood in veins.

1d
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1 mark

The diagram represents a mammalian circulatory system. Mammals have two separate circulations that supply blood to different organs.

State the name of the circulation that blood vessels T and S form part of.

SKefWwjT_e-3a

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2a
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2 marks

Fig. 1 shows a blood vessel with two types of blood cell moving through.

lymphocyte-and-rbc-in-a-capillary-sq

Fig. 1

Name the cells labelled X and Y in Fig. 1. Justify your answer.

2b
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3 marks

With reference to Fig.1, state three ways in which cell X is different to cell Y.

2c
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5 marks

Blood has many components. Plasma is a straw coloured liquid which gives blood its fluidity and is made up primarily of water.

(i)

Identify two properties of water which make it ideal as a main component of blood.

[2]

(ii)

State three substances that are transported in blood plasma.

[3]
2d
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2 marks

Give the evidence seen in Fig.1 which identifies the blood vessel as a capillary.

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3a
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2 marks

Exchange of substances between cells and blood occurs via the tissue fluid, shown in Fig.1.SfWlspR~_tissue-fluid-formation-sq

Fig. 1

Tick the boxes which correctly describe the conditions inside the capillary at positions A and B in Fig.1.

  High hydrostatic pressure Low hydrostatic pressure Water moves out  Water moves in
A        
B        

3b
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3 marks

Fig.1 shows another vessel labelled C.

(i)

Give the name of vessel C.

[1]

(ii)

Name two substances which enter vessel C from the surrounding tissues.

[2]

3c
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2 marks

The following table shows the mean pressure (in mmHg) measured in different blood vessels of the body.

Blood vessel Mean blood pressure / mmHg
Aorta 94
Arteries 90
Arterioles 68
Capillaries 24
Venules 10
Veins 3
Vena Cava 2

Calculate the percentage difference between the mean blood pressure of the aorta and vena cava.

Show your working and give your answer to three significant figures.

3d
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2 marks

Describe how the circulatory system maintains one-way flow around the body

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4a
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2 marks

State what is meant by the phrase closed, double circulatory system.

4b
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4 marks

Identify the components of the mammalian circulatory system.

4c1 mark

Name the part of the mammalian circulatory system that is responsible for carrying deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

4d6 marks

Figure 1 shows an electron micrograph of a cross-section of two blood vessels.

Artery and vein structure

Fig. 1

(i)

Produce a tissue plan diagram of structure X shown in Figure 1.

[3]

(ii)

Identify the types of blood vessel represented by X and Y in Figure 1. 

[2]

(iii)

State one piece of evidence that supports your answers to part (ii).

[1]

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5a4 marks

Muscular arteries are different from elastic arteries. 

(i)

Give two differences between the functional abilities of muscular arteries and elastic arteries. 

[2]

(ii)

Explain how the structures of muscular and elastic arteries aid their function.

[2]

5b1 mark

The lumen of capillaries has a small diameter, slowing down the passage of red blood cells. 

Explain the advantage of this to the organism. 

5c5 marks

Figure 1 shows an electron micrograph shows a blood smear. 

cie-ial-8-1-e-q5c

Fig. 1

(i)

Identify the cells labelled A - D

[4]

(ii)

Describe the feature that allows cell C to be identified clearly.

[1]

5d2 marks

Water is another important component of the blood.

(i)

Explain how the high specific heat capacity of water aids living organisms in maintaining the temperature of the blood and surrounding tissues. 

[1]

(ii)

State the importance of maintaining blood temperature within narrow limits.

[1]

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1a
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2 marks

Figure 1 shows a series of red blood cells passing through a capillary in the tissues. The magnification factor of Figure 1 is x6000.

8-1-fig-1-1Fig. 1

The length of the line marked X in the image shown in Figure 1 is 4.6 cm.

Calculate the actual diameter of the red blood cell marked X in Figure 1. Show your working out and give your answer in µm to one decimal place.

1b2 marks

State and explain one feature of capillaries visible in Fig. 1 that helps them to carry out their function.

1c3 marks

Research suggests that in patients with diabetes mellitus red blood cell membranes can harden, reducing the ability of red blood cells to deform their shape and flex.

Suggest and explain the possible symptoms that this could cause in diabetic patients.

1d2 marks

Red blood cells and capillaries form part of the circulatory system of some organisms.

Explain why multicellular organisms, such as humans, require a circulatory system while single-celled organisms, such as bacteria, do not.

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2a1 mark

Figure 1 shows an image of a micrograph of a cross-section through a mammalian blood vessel.

8-1-fig-2-1Fig. 1

Identify the type of blood vessel shown in Figure 1.

2b4 marks

Explain how the blood vessel shown in Figure1 is adapted to carry out its function.

2c2 marks

Figure 2 shows pressure changes in the blood vessels as the blood passes through different sections of the mammalian circulatory system.

8-1-fig-2-2
Fig. 2

Explain the need for a separate systemic and pulmonary circulation in mammals. 

2d5 marks

Explain the blood pressure in the following sections of Fig. 2

(i)
The arteries and arterioles

[3]

(ii)
The capillaries

[1]

(iii)
The venules and veins

[1]

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3a
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2 marks

Based on your knowledge of diffusion, explain why multicellular organisms need a specialised transport system.

3b
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3 marks

Figure 1 shows an organ of the mammalian circulatory system.

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Image courtesy of Wiki Commons copyright free

Fig. 1

(i)

Identify the organ in Fig. 1. 

[1]

(ii)

Explain the evidence shown in Fig. 1 that determined your answer to part (i).

[2]

3c
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1 mark

Figure 2 shows a biological drawing of Organ A

Biological-drawing-with-errors

Fig. 2

Describe the errors contained within this drawing.

3d
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5 marks

The heart, contains two blood vessels that transport blood via the lungs. 

(i)

Give the name of these two blood vessels. 

[1]

(ii)

Explain the movement of blood between the heart and the lungs. Do not include details of the cardiac cycle as part of your answer.

[4]

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4a
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5 marks

Tissue fluid bathes almost all cells outside of the circulatory system.

Describe the formation of tissue fluid. 

4b
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2 marks

The table below shows the differences between blood plasma and tissue fluid. 

Explain the differences shown in the table.

Table 1

Blood plasma Tissue fluid
Has a high protein content Has a low protein content
Contains more dissolved oxygen Contains less dissolved oxygen

4c
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2 marks

Water is a major component of tissue fluid. 

Explain the properties of water that enable its role of transport in mammals.

4d
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3 marks

Lymphoedema is a condition that causes swelling in the legs or arms due to a build up of tissue fluid. 

With reference to pressure, explain why someone with lymphoedema would have swelling in their arms or legs. 

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5a
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3 marks

Blood is comprised of different cells. Figure 1 shows an electron micrograph of a blood sample. 

Identify on the diagram the three types of blood cells shown. 

cie-ial-8-1-m-5a

Fig. 1

5b
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4 marks

Blood is found within blood vessels.

Compare the structure of a vein with the structure of an elastic artery. 

5c
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3 marks

Capillaries are the site of diffusion of substances required by cells, such as glucose and oxygen. 

Explain how the structure of capillaries relates to their function. 

5d
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4 marks

Complete the table to show the properties of the blood vessels. 

Property Pulmonary artery Pulmonary vein Aorta Vena cava
Transports oxygenated blood        
Transports deoxygenated blood        
Transports blood to the heart        
Transports blood to the lungs        
Transports blood to the body        

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1a
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2 marks

Scientists collected red blood cell samples from four different mammals; cats, rats, hares and goats. The samples were placed in different concentrations of sodium chloride solution for a set amount of time and the percentage of haemolysed (burst) red blood cells was measured at each sodium chloride concentration. Fig. 1 shows the results of the above experiment.

8-1-fig-3-1
Fig. 1

The scientists used a colorimeter to measure the percentage of haemolysed red blood cells.

Suggest why a colorimeter could be used to measure this.

1b
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3 marks

Contrast the results for the red blood cells of the goat and the rat.

1c
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4 marks

Explain the results shown for the cat in Fig. 1 at the following sodium chloride concentrations:

(i)
0 %

[2]

(ii)
0.38 %

[2]

1d
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3 marks

Fig. 2 shows a microscope image of a mammalian blood sample.

8-1-fig-3-2
Fig. 2

(i)
Identify the cell types represented by cells X and Y in Fig. 2.

[1]

(ii)
Explain your answer to part (i).

[2]

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2a
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3 marks

Fig. 1 represents a capillary as it passes through the tissues of the body along with the surrounding tissue fluid.

8-1-fig-4-1
Fig. 1

Give three differences between the composition of the blood at the arteriole end of the capillary and the venule end.

2b
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4 marks

Use Fig. 1 to explain the formation of tissue fluid and its return to the capillary.

2c
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2 marks

Protein deficiency in an individual's diet can influence the return of tissue fluid to the capillaries.

Suggest and explain one tissue fluid-related symptom of dietary protein deficiency.

2d
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2 marks

The main component of both blood and tissue fluid is water.

Explain how one property of water makes it an ideal transport medium for organisms with a transport system.

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3a
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2 marks

Elevated tissue fluid pressure is a characteristic of body tissues containing cancerous tumour cells.

This is, in part, due to the high permeability of blood vessels, low lymphatic drainage, hypertension (high blood pressure) and high cell density around the blood vessels.

Figure 1 shows the change in tissue fluid pressure (mmHg) within tumour tissue and healthy tissue. 

cie-ial-8-1-h-q3a

Fig. 1

Calculate the percentage change in tissue fluid pressure between the tumour tissue and healthy tissue.

3b
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3 marks

Use the information provided in part (a) and your own knowledge of tissue fluid formation to explain the results of the graph of the tumour tissue. 

3c
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5 marks

Explain the mechanisms that maintain normal tissue fluid pressure in healthy tissue.

3d
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3 marks

Tissue fluid makes up around 19% of our body mass. 

Calculate the mass of tissue fluid in a person with a total body mass of 72kg. Give your answer in grams to 3 significant figures.

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4a
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3 marks

Arterioles are blood vessels that help control blood flow into a capillary. 

Explain how. 

4b
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3 marks

Fig. 1 shows the blood pressure through different blood vessels of the human circulatory system. 

cie-ial-8-1-h-q4b

Fig. 1

Use the data shown in Fig. 1 to explain why arterioles play a large role in regulating blood pressure. 

4c
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4 marks

The mean arterial pressure (MAP) is used to determine overall blood flow and is a good indicator of perfusion pressure (how much pressure it takes to push blood through all the blood vessels in a specific area). In a healthy individual MAP is 70-100 mmHg.

MAP can be calculated by the following formula:

MAP= DP + 1/3(SP − DP)

Where

  • DP is diastolic pressure
  • SP is systolic pressure

Fig. 2 shows pulse pressure (mmHg) within different blood vessels.

cie-ial-8-1-h-4c

Fig. 2

Use the graph to calculate the mean arterial pressure and determine whether it is within a healthy range. Give your answer to 2 significant figures. 

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