plumiThe cardio-respiratory system: AQA GCSE Physical Education questions
Every AQA GCSE Physical Education exam question on 3.1.1.2 The cardio-respiratory system, 2020–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q10.1
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Q10.2
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Q07.1
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All 36 questions on The cardio-respiratory system, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q03 (1 mark): Which one of these can be defined as ‘the amount of blood pumped out of the heart by each ventricle during one contraction’? [1 mark] A Cardiac output B Heart r
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q10.1 (3 marks): Identify the structures labelled A, B and C in Figure 3. [3 marks] A B C
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q10.2 (1 mark): State what process occurs at C in Figure 3. [1 mark]
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q11 (2 marks): Define expiratory reserve volume (ERV). Identify what happens to ERV during exercise. [2 marks]
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q25 (6 marks): Analyse how redistribution of blood during exercise can improve performance when cycling 30 miles. [6 marks]
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q01 (1 mark): What happens to the diaphragm during inhalation? [1 mark] A It contracts B It extends C It expands D It remains the same
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q03 (1 mark): Which one of these will air pass through immediately before entering the alveoli? [1 mark] A Bronchi B Bronchioles C Mouth D Trachea
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q08 (4 marks): Figure 2 shows a diagram of the heart. Figure 2 Name the four chambers labelled A, B, C and D in Figure 2. [4 marks] A B C D
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q09 (4 marks): Explain how the function of arteries and veins in the cardiovascular system allows an athlete to complete a marathon. [4 marks] Arteries Veins
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q02 (1 mark): Which one of these describes stroke volume? [1 mark] A The volume of blood in the veins B The volume of blood pumped by the heart in one minute C The volume of
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q10.2 (2 marks): Chris has a resting heart rate of 50 beats per minute (bpm). Explain why Chris’s heart rate is higher at the start of the race than his resting heart rate. [2 m
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q10.4 (3 marks): Chris’s breathing rate will change during the race. Define tidal volume. Explain the changes that occur to Chris’s tidal volume during the 800m race. [3 marks]
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q11 (5 marks): Describe the pathway of blood from when it enters the heart on the right side to where it leaves the heart on the left side. [5 marks]
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q02 (1 mark): Which one of these is the correct pathway of air? [1 mark] A Mouth/nose – trachea – bronchi – bronchioles – alveoli B Mouth/nose – bronchi – bronchioles – trach
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q04 (1 mark): Which one of these blood vessels transports oxygenated blood back to the left atrium? [1 mark] A Aorta B Pulmonary artery C Pulmonary vein D Vena cava
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q05 (1 mark): Which one of these pairs of muscles are used when breathing in during exercise? [1 mark] A Sternocleidomastoid and abdominals B Sternocleidomastoid and deltoids
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q07.1 (2 marks): Identify lung volumes A and B in Figure 1. [2 marks] A B
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q07.2 (1 mark): In Figure 1, what would happen to lung volume A during exercise? [1 mark]
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q07.3 (2 marks): Justify your answer to Question 7.2. [2 marks]
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q07.4 (4 marks): Define inhalation and describe how it takes place at rest. Refer to the intercostal muscles, rib cage and diaphragm in your answer. [4 marks] Definition Descrip
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q12.1 (1 mark): What is the role of the valves in the veins? [1 mark]
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q12.2 (4 marks): Identify two features of the structure of arteries. Explain how each feature helps the arteries to perform their function. [4 marks] Feature 1 Feature 2
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q02 (1 mark): Which one of these is the correct pathway of the blood in the cardiac cycle as it returns to the heart from the vena cava? [1 mark] A Left atrium – right atrium
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q07 (1 mark): Which one of these describes what happens to the digestive system’s blood supply during exercise? [1 mark] A Blood supply increases B Blood supply reduces C Blo
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q15.1 (1 mark): What is formed when haemoglobin and oxygen combine in the red blood cells? [1 mark]
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q15.2 (4 marks): Identify four features of the alveoli that assist in gaseous exchange. [4 marks] 1 2 3 4
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q15.3 (4 marks): Explain how air pressure changes occur in the chest cavity allowing exhalation to take place. Refer to the roles of the intercostal muscles, rib cage and diaphr
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q04 (1 mark): Which one of these lung volumes is ‘the maximum amount of air that can be taken into the lungs above that taken in during a normal breath’? [1 mark] A Expirator
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q10.1 (2 marks): Identify the chambers of the heart labelled X and Y in Figure 3. [2 marks] X Y
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q10.2 (1 mark): What is the role of Z in Figure 3? [1 mark]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q10.3 (1 mark): Complete the formula for cardiac output. [1 mark] Cardiac output (Q) =
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q10.4 (3 marks): Explain what is happening to the heart rate before exercise in Figure 4. [3 marks]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q10.5 (1 mark): What is the intensity of exercise at point A in Figure 4? [1 mark]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q10.6 (2 marks): Explain how vasodilation helps to direct blood flow when we exercise. [2 marks]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q11.1 (5 marks): Complete Figure 5 to show the pathway of air. Write the numbers from the following list in the boxes shown in Figure 5 to show the correct order of the pathway
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q11.2 (2 marks): During exercise the lungs expand more to allow a greater volume of air to be breathed in. Name the two muscles that help the diaphragm and intercostal muscles i
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