GCSE Biology Heart & blood questions by topic

Complete the table about the chambers and vessels of the heart.

1. (a)Vessel bringing blood from the body.[1]
2. (b)Vessel taking blood to the lungs.[1]
3. (c)Which chamber pushes blood into the aorta?[1]
4. (d)Vessel bringing blood from the lungs.[1]

For each job below, name the blood component that does it.

1. (a)Component that transports oxygen.[1]
2. (b)Component that defends against pathogens.[1]
3. (c)Component that forms clots.[1]
4. (d)Liquid that transports dissolved food, urea and hormones.[1]

State whether each vessel carries blood towards or away from the heart.

1. (a)Arteries generally…[1]
2. (b)Veins generally…[1]
3. (c)Name the vessel type where exchange with tissues happens.[1]

Put these events of the double circulation in order, starting at the right atrium.

1. (a)First event after the right atrium contracts.[1]
2. (b)What happens in the lungs?[1]
3. (c)Which chamber receives the blood back from the lungs?[1]
4. (d)Where does the blood go after the left ventricle contracts?[1]

NHS blood donor blood is spun in a centrifuge before being separated into its components.

1. (a)Name the four main components the blood separates into.[2]
2. (b)State which component is given to patients who cannot clot properly.[1]
3. (c)Name the liquid the other components are suspended in.[1]

This question is about the chambers of the heart.

1. (a)Name the chamber that receives blood returning from the body.[1]
2. (b)Name the vessel this blood then enters.[1]
3. (c)Name the chamber that pushes blood to the whole body.[1]
4. (d)Explain why this chamber has the thickest wall.[1]

At rest a heart pumps 75 cm³ per beat at 72 beats per minute.

1. (a)Calculate the volume pumped per minute at rest.[2]
2. (b)During exercise the heart pumps 110 cm³ per beat at 126 beats per minute. Calculate the volume per minute.[2]
3. (c)Calculate how many times greater the exercise output is than the resting output. Give your answer to 2 significant figures.[1]

Explain how the structure of each vessel suits its function.

1. (a)Arteries.[2]
2. (b)Veins.[2]
3. (c)Capillaries.[2]

Explain how two blood cells are adapted to their functions.

1. (a)Explain two adaptations of red blood cells.[4]
2. (b)Explain one adaptation of a white blood cell.[2]

This question is about heart rhythm and valves.

1. (a)Describe the role of the natural pacemaker.[2]
2. (b)Explain what an artificial pacemaker does.[2]
3. (c)A heart valve develops a leak. State one consequence for the circulation.[2]

A long-distance runner and a non-athlete have their hearts measured at rest.

1. (a)Calculate the cardiac output of the runner in cm³ per minute.[2]
2. (b)Calculate the cardiac output of the non-athlete in cm³ per minute.[2]
3. (c)Suggest why the runner’s heart can beat more slowly at rest.[1]

A UK clinic followed 250 patients with high cholesterol. After ten years, 40 of them had developed coronary heart disease.

1. (a)Calculate the percentage of patients who developed coronary heart disease.[2]
2. (b)Describe how fatty material builds up inside coronary arteries and state one consequence.[2]
3. (c)Suggest two changes these patients could make to lower their risk.[2]

Explain how a fatty build-up in the coronary arteries leads to chest pain during exercise.

1. (a)Describe what happens inside the artery.[2]
2. (b)Explain why the pain appears during exercise in particular.[2]

A 58-year-old smoker has one coronary artery severely narrowed by fatty deposits and high cholesterol. Evaluate treating them with a stent, with statins, or both.

1. (a)Write a balanced evaluation covering benefits, risks and a justified conclusion.[6]

Trace and explain the journey of an oxygen molecule from the air in the lungs to a leg muscle cell.

1. (a)Write the route in order, naming every vessel and heart chamber.[4]
2. (b)Explain one adaptation that makes the journey efficient.[2]

A trial followed 4 000 patients with narrowed coronary arteries. Half received a stent plus statins; half received statins alone. After two years: 480 stent-plus-statin patients had had a further heart event; 720 statin-only patients had.

1. (a)Calculate the percentage of patients with a further event in each group.[2]
2. (b)Calculate the percentage-point improvement from adding the stent.[1]
3. (c)A newspaper reports the stent “cuts the risk by nearly a quarter”. Assess whether the figure is fair.[2]
4. (d)State one limitation of the trial before concluding stents should be used for everyone.[2]

Explain how the structures of the heart and blood vessels make the double circulatory system efficient.

1. (a)Write a full explanation linking chamber walls, vessel design and the double loop.[6]

The table shows the rate of blood flow to three organs of an adult at rest and during intense exercise.

1. (a)Calculate the total blood flow to these organs at rest and during exercise.[2]
2. (b)Describe two changes in blood flow shown by the table.[2]
3. (c)Explain why this redistribution happens during exercise.[2]