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Atherosclerosis and blood clotting: Edexcel A‑Level Biology A questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Biology A exam question on Atherosclerosis and blood clotting (specification points 1.5–1.6), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,749 questions

  1. Q10(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 10(a)(ii): Explain why angina is likely to be more painful during exercise than when at rest. (3)

  2. Q10(a)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 10(a)(iii): Describe the events that occur in a coronary artery that lead to the formation of an atheroma. (3)

  3. Q3(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    3 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 3(a): Describe the role of fibrinogen in blood clotting. (3)

  4. Q3(b)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    2 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 3(b)(iii): Blood samples were taken from individuals T and U. The ability of these blood samples to clot was investigated. The results are shown in the graph. 0.16 Individ

  5. Q3(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    3 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 3(c): Atherosclerosis can increase the risk of blood clots forming. Explain how blood clotting in atherosclerosis can result in the death of heart muscle. (3)

  6. Q5(b)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    2 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 5(b)(i): Explain why a patient might need this treatment. (2)

  7. Q5(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    4 marksTreating cardiovascular diseaseAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 5(b)(ii): Anticoagulant drugs, such as heparin, are given to patients who have been fitted with a stent. Heparin binds to antithrombin in the blood to form an antithrombi

  8. Q5(c)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 5(c): A pathogenic strain of this bacterium, E. coli-STEC, produces a toxin that reduces blood platelet concentration. Explain how an E.coli-STEC infection increases

  9. Q5(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    3 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 5(b)(ii): Explain why these risk factors can cause peripheral nerve cells to die. (3)

  10. Q5(b)(i)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    1 markAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 5(b)(i): Sketch an outline on the diagram to show the area of heart muscle that would receive a reduced blood supply. (1)

  11. Q5(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    4 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 5(b)(ii): Describe how this blood clot could have been formed. (4)

  12. Q1(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 markAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 1(b)(i): Which of the following is released by platelets at location Q? (1) A fibrin B prothrombin C thrombin D thromboplastin

  13. Q1(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 markAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 1(b)(ii): Which of the following is an enzyme that converts a soluble plasma protein into an insoluble protein at location Q? (1) A fibrinogen B prothrombin C thrombin D

  14. Q5(c)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    3 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 5(c): Explain why high blood pressure can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). (3)

  15. Q1(b)(i)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    2 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 1(b)(i): Explain how the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) could affect the velocity of blood flow. . (2)

  16. Q1(b)(ii)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    2 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 1(b)(ii): Explain why a change in the velocity of blood flow will affect the function of the heart muscle. (2)

  17. Q3(b)

    October 2020 · AS Paper 1

    2 marksTreating cardiovascular diseaseAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 AS Paper 1, question 3(b): A heart attack may occur when a coronary artery is blocked with a blood clot. The risk of this can be reduced by treatment with platelet inhibitors. Explain why

  18. Q8(a)(i)

    June 2019 · Paper 1

    3 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 1, question 8(a)(i): Describe the role of thrombin in blood clotting. (3)

  19. Q8(a)(ii)

    June 2019 · Paper 1

    3 marksDNA replication and mutationAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 1, question 8(a)(ii): Explain why a mutation in the gene coding for the protein factor V may increase the risk of VTE. (3)

  20. Q8(b)

    June 2019 · AS Paper 1

    4 marksAtherosclerosis and blood clotting
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 AS Paper 1, question 8(b): An ischaemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked by a blood clot. Explain how a blood clot could form in a blood vessel. (4)
All 34 questions on Atherosclerosis and blood clotting, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q10(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why angina is likely to be more painful during exercise than when at rest. (3)
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q10(a)(iii) (3 marks): Describe the events that occur in a coronary artery that lead to the formation of an atheroma. (3)
  3. June 2025, Paper 3, Q3(a) (3 marks): Describe the role of fibrinogen in blood clotting. (3)
  4. June 2025, Paper 3, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): Blood samples were taken from individuals T and U. The ability of these blood samples to clot was investigated. The results are shown in the graph. 0.16 Individ
  5. June 2025, Paper 3, Q3(c) (3 marks): Atherosclerosis can increase the risk of blood clots forming. Explain how blood clotting in atherosclerosis can result in the death of heart muscle. (3)
  6. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why a patient might need this treatment. (2)
  7. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (4 marks): Anticoagulant drugs, such as heparin, are given to patients who have been fitted with a stent. Heparin binds to antithrombin in the blood to form an antithrombi
  8. June 2023, Paper 2, Q5(c) (3 marks): A pathogenic strain of this bacterium, E. coli-STEC, produces a toxin that reduces blood platelet concentration. Explain how an E.coli-STEC infection increases
  9. June 2023, Paper 3, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why these risk factors can cause peripheral nerve cells to die. (3)
  10. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Sketch an outline on the diagram to show the area of heart muscle that would receive a reduced blood supply. (1)
  11. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (4 marks): Describe how this blood clot could have been formed. (4)
  12. June 2022, Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Which of the following is released by platelets at location Q? (1) A fibrin B prothrombin C thrombin D thromboplastin
  13. June 2022, Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following is an enzyme that converts a soluble plasma protein into an insoluble protein at location Q? (1) A fibrinogen B prothrombin C thrombin D
  14. November 2021, Paper 2, Q5(c) (3 marks): Explain why high blood pressure can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). (3)
  15. October 2020, Paper 3, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) could affect the velocity of blood flow. . (2)
  16. October 2020, Paper 3, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why a change in the velocity of blood flow will affect the function of the heart muscle. (2)
  17. October 2020, AS Paper 1, Q3(b) (2 marks): A heart attack may occur when a coronary artery is blocked with a blood clot. The risk of this can be reduced by treatment with platelet inhibitors. Explain why
  18. June 2019, Paper 1, Q8(a)(i) (3 marks): Describe the role of thrombin in blood clotting. (3)
  19. June 2019, Paper 1, Q8(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why a mutation in the gene coding for the protein factor V may increase the risk of VTE. (3)
  20. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q8(b) (4 marks): An ischaemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked by a blood clot. Explain how a blood clot could form in a blood vessel. (4)
  21. June 2018, Paper 1, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe the role of LDLs in the development of atherosclerosis. (3)
  22. June 2018, Paper 1, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how atherosclerosis can result in damage to heart muscle. (3)
  23. June 2018, Paper 2, Q3(b) (2 marks): Sepsis can cause blood clots to form and block the supply of blood to tissues in the limbs. Explain why blood clot formation in capillaries could cause tissues
  24. June 2018, Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (6 marks): Doses of testosterone are used to enhance performance in sports by increasing muscle mass and therefore strength. x Testosterone increases the activity of an en
  25. June 2018, Paper 2, Q9(a) (3 marks): Explain why tranexamic acid will result in reduced blood loss during surgery. (3)
  26. June 2018, Paper 2, Q9(c)(i) (1 mark): The relationship between plasmin concentration and fibrin digestion shows (1) A inverse correlation B negative correlation C no correlation D positive correlati
  27. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q7(a)(ii) (5 marks): Explain the effect that a diet high in salt could have on a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease. (5)
  28. June 2017, Paper 1, Q6(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain the effect of changes in the initial rate of reaction on the time taken for a blood clot to form. (2)
  29. June 2017, Paper 1, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how changes in fibrinogen concentration might be a risk factor for CVD. (3)
  30. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q6(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe how very high blood pressure could result in atherosclerosis. (3)
  31. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how atherosclerosis in one part of an artery could increase the likelihood of it developing in another part of the same artery. (2)
  32. June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the rate of thrombin production during the last two minutes of this investigation. (2) Answer
  33. June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): State and justify a suitable control for this investigation. (2)
  34. June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q2(b) (5 marks): The effect of four different concentrations of CVX on thrombin production was investigated. The graph shows the results of this investigation, with bars showing

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